Overview
Our Inca Trail Private Service is perfect for families with young children, group of friends and/or honeymooners. With smaller groups you get the full attention to detail of our expert guides and with each trekker having a personal porter to carry kg of your gear you can enjoy the trek to the full. This fantastic hike is the best way to get to Machu Picchu, because it allows you to truly immerse yourself in the Incan history and culture, so you really appreciate Machu Picchu when you finally arrive. On this trip it really is about the Journey not the Desination.
The trip is breathtaking, not only because you’re at altitude, but because you’re smack right in the middle of the Peruvian Andes, and as far as the eye could see there was one peak or ridge after another. After a bit of coca leaves and llipta (ask your Guides for) the tangy and bitter taste filling one’s mouth, you feel as though you could ‘run’ to the top of Dead Woman’s Pass and back and feel your inner Inca coming out. Our knowledgeable leaders will Guide you the way and our amazing porters (The super runners’) race by to set up camp for the coming night, you passed through ancient walkways, ruins, valleys and cloud forests.
Our Company Santuary treks Peru will do every possible effort from start to finish with this trip, from the pre-trek debriefing to all of the transportation to and from, and everything in between. ‘Gaining weight’ on this adventure trek is likely with the amazing and abundant amount of food available at every meal. Join us now!
Useful Information
- Starting Altitude – 2825m / 8910ft.
- Highest Altitude – 4215m / 14,780ft (Day 2).
- Total Walking Distance – 45 km / 25 miles
- Longest Day – Day 2, approximately 16 km / 10.9 miles
- Coldest Night – Day 2 around 0º celsius
- Overall Difficulty – Moderately Difficult to Difficult (depending on your level of fitness).
- Youngest person we have ever taken: 3 years old. Oldest person we have ever taken: 75 years old.
- Inca Trail Marathon record: 3h 45
- Acclimatization is Recommended***
Trip at a Glance
- Day 1: Cusco – Km82 – Ayapata
- Day 2: Ayapata – Chaquicocha+
- Day 3: Chaquicocha – Winay Wayna
- Day 4: Winay Wayna – Machu Picchu
Short Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Km82 – Ayapata
- Start at Km82
- 14km up the Cusichaca Valley
- Pass the Llactapata Inca site
- Camp at Ayapata (3300m)
Day 2: Ayapata – Chaquicocha+
- Nearly 16km, 2 high passes
- Dead Woman's Pass (4215m)
- Visit Runcuraccay and Sayacmarca
- Camp at Chaquicocha (3500m)
Day 3: Chaquicocha – Winay Wayna
- Relaxing walk along Inca Flat
- Visit Phuyupatamarca and Intipata
- Arrive Winay Wayna early afternoon
- Extended guided tour of Winay Wayna
Day 4: Winay Wayna – Machu Picchu
- Early start to the checkpoint
- Sun Gate (Inti Punku)
- 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Free time to explore the site
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain (with permits)
- Afternoon train to Ollantaytambo
- Bus back to Cusco
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Km82 – Ayapata
The first day of the Inca Trail is easy going to help you settle in to the trek. Covering 14km of the trail climbing gently up the Cusichaca Valley you pass by the Inca site of Llactapata, enjoy great views of the snow-capped peak Veronica (5900m / 18000ft) and get to see a variety of native plant life and birds throughout the day.
Our campsite for the night is at Ayapata (3300m / 10829ft) which is a little further along the trail than most groups go; as we’re camping further up the trail the next day’s trek up to the pass is a little easier for us and with fewer tourists at the campsite we can enjoy the peace and tranquility of this beautiful place.
Day 2: Ayapata – Chaquicocha
The second day is considered by many to be the hardest day of the trek; with 2 high passes (Dead Woman’s Pass is the highest at 4215m / 13779ft) to cross and nearly 16km to walk today really tests your spirit. There’s no need to worry though as thanks to our enthusiastic guides and team of porters helping you along you’ll have all the morale and physical support you need to make it.
Today we get fantastic views of the high mountain ranges as we cross the 2 passes and will have the chance to visit 2 Inca sites (Runcuraccay and Sayacmarca). We will also see a variety of plant and wild life likea vultur gryphus in the Polylepsis forests that cover this area and hopefully spot White Tailed Deer as we near Dead Woman’s Pass. Our campsite tonight is at Chaquicocha (3500m / 11700ft) which like Ayapata is one of the quieter campsites and affords beautiful views of the sunsetting over the mountains in the distance.
Day 3: Chaquicocha – Winay Wayna
Having made it over the 2 passes yesterday we’re now treated to a relaxing day through some of the most beautiful scenery the Inca Trail has to offer. With a relatively short distance to cover along what is known as Inca Flat (gentle ascents and descents) we get to enjoy the lush and verdant cloud forest around us and the spectacular views of the Andes in the distance.
With visits to 3 Inca sites (Phuyupatamarca , Winay Wayna and intipata ) this is by far one of the most impressive days of the trek. Our campsite for tonight is at Winay Wayna (2650m / 8752ft) which we will arrive to be early afternoon and get to have an extended guided tour of once we have settled in.
Day 4: Winay Wayna – Machu Picchu
Today is the highlight of the trek. Waking up early you head straight to the checkpoint to enter Machu Picchu and once the site opens can carry on to the (inti punku) Sun Gate where you’ll get your first fantastic views of Machu Picchu.
On arrival to Machu Picchu you’ll have a 2 hour guided tour of the site during which you’ll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour you’ll have free time to explore the site by yourslef and if you have permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco.
What’s Included
- Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
- Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
- Chef
- Porters to carry cooking and camping equipment
- Personal porter to carry 8kg of your personal effects
- Pick-up from your hotel
- Transportation by bus to Km82
- Return transportation by train and bus to Cusco
- Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own)
- 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Afternoon Snacks and 3 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- 4 man tent for every 2 trekkers
- Sleeping foam mattress
- Oxygen bottle
- First aid kit
- Entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
- Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
Not Included
- Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us).
- Personal Porter (Need to be hired well in advance).
- Inflatable mattress (can be hired from us).
- Walking poles (can be hired from us).
- Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 4.
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain (this 2 hour round trip needs to be booked in advance).
- Entrance to Machu Picchu Picchu Mountain (this 3 hous round trip needs to be booked in advance).
- Tips (the amount you tip (or if you tip) is a personal decision and it is NOT an obligation.
- Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
What to Bring
- Original Passport
- Student Card (if you are a student and have booked in advance to qualify for the discount)
- Sleeping bag (can be hired from us).
- Walking sticks (can be hired from us).
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- Warm jacket, hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable Trousers
- Sun hat & sunglasses
- Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
- Insect repellant
- Toiletries and hand sanitiser
- Personal medication
- Camera and film
- Torch with spare batteries
Optional
- Sandals, bathing suit etc.
Inca Trail Availability
We offer daily departures on the Inca Trail (excluding February when the trail is closed). It is strongly recommended to book your Inca Trail at least 4 months in advance as permits can quickly sell out.
About Inca Trail Campsites
Campsites may change depending on booking time and availability, weather conditions or on restrictions undertaken for safety reasons by the Peruvian Goverment.
Private service prices
| People | Price | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | US$ 1,140 | per person |
| 3 people | US$ 1,000 | per person |
| 4 people | US$ 950 | per person |
| 5 people | US$ 910 | per person |
| 6 people | US$ 900 | per person |
| 7 people | US$ 890 | per person |
| 8 people + | USD$ 885 Best price | per person |
Discounts
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Under 18’s Discount | US$40 |
Additional/Extras NOT Included (Need to book in Advance)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Machu Picchu Mountain climbing | USD 80.00 |
| Huayna Picchu Mountain climbing | USD 80.00 |
How to book
You can either book by emailing us or by using the Booking form on this site.
