Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

One of the absolute classic treks of the world is the hike along the Inca Trail to magnificent Machu Picchu, the glorious city of stone perched high above the Urubamba River. This fabled lost city is the most intriguing of all the Inca sites, and its exquisite setting makes it one of the most spectacular. By trekking the Inca Trail, we see many ruins along the way and hike down through the “Gate of the Sun” right into Machu Picchu itself, just as the Incas did. We’ve honed this journey to perfection with spectacular campsites, superb camp amenities, and an extraordinary team of Trip Leaders. If you’ve ever dreamed of hiking the Inca Trail, this is the way to do it! And please take note—trail permits sell out far in advance, so sign up early.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Cusco / Urubamba Valley

In the Incas’ imperial city, we enjoy an introduction to the ceremonial heart of the Inca Empire as we stroll the cobbled streets of Cusco, including a stop at the Coricancha, a sacred temple whose walls were once covered with sheets of gold. We also explore stunning Saqsayhuaman, a monumental fortress overlooking the city, where we marvel at the sheer size of this important military and religious complex, with its zig-zag walls of enormous, perfectly fitted stones. The following day we head to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a mountain-ringed valley of exquisite beauty. After exploring colonial Pisac and its market filled with artisan wares, we hike to the majestic fortress overlooking the town. This towering ruin has some of the finest examples of Inca terracing in existence, still in use by local residents.

Days 3-6
Inca Trail

We explore the classic Inca village of Ollantaytambo and the stunning ruin above it, then hike to our camp dramatically set below Mt. Veronica (20,275'). The next morning, we set off on the “royal highway” to Machu Picchu, following in the footsteps of the Incas. Crossing two high passes, we explore Inca ruins accessible only on foot and enjoy spectacular campsites with views of the steep green peaks of the Vilcabamba. Part of our route is off the main Inca Trail, allowing us to be totally immersed in the history and atmosphere of this Incan realm. We pause at Runkuracay, a circular ruin with massive walls, Sayacmarca, a maze-like ruin perched atop a sheer cliff at about 11,600 feet, and Puyupatamarca, with its ingenious stone baths and incredible views of the Urubamba Valley. Our fantastic camp above Puyupatamarca has top-of-the-world panoramas of the snow-capped giants of Huamantay (19,239') and Salcantay (20,574'). Throughout the trek, Wilderness Travel’s famous full-service camping amenities keep us in wonderful comfort.

Days 7-9
Machu Picchu / Cusco

Our last trekking day brings us to Wiñay Wayna (“Forever Young”), an enchanting complex clinging to the side of a ravine and featuring a series of 10 ceremonial baths. Hiking up to Intipunku, the stone-built “Gate of the Sun” and the city’s original entrance, we see the dazzling ruins of Machu Picchu spread out before us in a mystical setting. We have a day to explore this legendary site, with its many beautiful altars, terraces, fountains, and mysterious chambers displaying intricate stonework. Our overnight at the Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel right at the ruins, allows us phenomenal access to this most renowned archaeological site in the world. We return to Cusco the next afternoon and depart on Day 9 (or join one of our Peru extensions).

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 5, Moderate to Strenuous. Most hiking is between 8,000 and 12,000 feet, the maximum elevation reached is 13,800 feet, and the total miles hiked is about 25. Trails can be rough, not the well-maintained switchbacks you may be accustomed to in the United States, and the altitudes are high. In addition, the Inca Trail has quite a few long portions of steep “staircases.” For the most part, you can hike at your own speed. The group will spread out along the trail to cover about 6 to 8 miles per day (6-7 hours of hiking each day). Trail conditions can be primitive, and there is a good bit of up-and-down (often 2,000 to 3,000 feet of elevation gain and subsequent loss per day). Everyone should be prepared for five days of hardy outdoor living. We expect each participant be in excellent health and physical condition. We recommend that you make a special effort to get in top physical condition for the trip.

Explanation of Trip Levels