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Inca Trail & Machu Picchu Tours
If Peru's Lost City of the Incas, also known as Machu Picchu, isn't on your bucket list, it should be. The ancient Inca Trail leading towards Machu Picchu combines jaw-dropping scenery, lush cloud forest, sub-tropical jungle and a mix of Inca ruins. As well as multi-day Inca Trail treks, we offer a variety of other Machu Picchu tour options, all providing incredible experiences high up in the Peruvian Andes. Browse our Machu Picchu hikes now to find out how you can walk in the footsteps of the Incas...
Our Machu Picchu Hikes
While Machu Picchu treks are multi-day and therefore physically demanding, most routes remain within the reach of most reasonably fit travellers. The end of most treks is appropriately nicknamed the “Sun Gate”, where mist-shrouded views of Machu Picchu prove to all who make it that the climb was definitely worth it.
Small Group Machu Picchu Tours
These tours are longer in length, allowing time for you not only to complete your Inca Trail trek, but also immerse yourself in Peruvian culture before or after your adventure to Machu Picchu. You'll travel with groups of twelve or less likeminded travellers.
The Classic Inca Trail | 7 days
The seven-day classic Inca Trail tour will reward you with a stunning combination of the region's ruins, mountainscapes, and cloud forests plus camp under the stars and watch dawn break over Machu Picchu.
Inca Jungle and Rainbow Mountain | 7 days
Rev your engines on a 4x4 quadbike adventure, hike the Inca Trail to one of the new seven wonders of the world, Machu Picchu, and spend the night under the stars on an overnight trek to the sacred Rainbow Mountain!
Inca Journey with the Amazon | 10 days
You'll travel to the iconic Machu Picchu by rail. With no hiking, you'll have lots of time to explore ruins, museums and local markets. Following your visit to the Andes, travel deep into the Amazon to explore the jungle.
Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trekking | 12 days
Conquer a mind-blowing trek to the fortress of Choquequirao, before continuing onto Santa Teresa, the backdoor to Machu Picchu, which you'll later explore.
Short Treks to Machu Picchu
Take the path less trodden with the Salkantay Trek, passing over lofty peaks and past beautiful lakes, opt for the iconic Inca Trek over the ancient, steep hand-built footpath, or bike through dense jungle. There are ample routes you can take on your pilgrimage to Machu Picchu; here are our four favourites...
The Inca Trail Express | 5 days
This is THE classic Inca Trail trek! Follow the iconic Inca Trail; a hand-built stone footpath that retraces the footsteps of Inca royalty. Experience the steep incline to Dead Woman's Pass, catch the sunrise at Inti-Punku - the Sun Gate - before being mesmerised by the incredible views of Machu Picchu, complete with full tour.
The Lares Trek | 7 days
Spend four days trekking through sprawling countryside with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and villages on this alternative hike to Machu Picchu. Hike through the Peruvian highlands and pass charming thatched stone houses, surrounded by llamas, alpacas and snow-capped mountains.
The Salkantay Trek | 5 days
Avoid the tourist crowds and take the road less travelled on the Andes mountain range - you'll never look back! On this alternative route to Machu Picchu, see majestic Inca sights, lush river valleys and overgrown, leafy jungles, breathe in that fresh mountain air, and unwind in steamy hot springs.
Inca Trail & Machu Picchu FAQs
Where is Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is located high in the Andes Mountains in Peru, South America. The Inca Trail is one of the greatest hikes in the world. The Trail meanders through an area where the snowy Andes Mountain range meets the Amazon jungle and then ends at Machu Picchu.
How high is Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is 2,430m above sea level, though many parts of the Inca Trail are much higher.
How long is the Inca Trail?
The classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu tour is 45km long. The trail is usually hiked over 4 days and 3 nights, but longer tours are available. Starting at Cusco, you will be driven to km 82 where the Inca Trail begins. On the first day you will trek 11km through stunning scenery and ancient Incan ruins to Wayllabamba Camp. Then you will encounter steeper terrain on day two on the way to Warmiwañusca and the highest point of the whole trail at 4,196m. The third day is a full day of hiking with 16km to cover, crossing two more passes and spectacular ruins to Wiñaywayna. The final day is an early start to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise and catch the first views of the iconic ruins of Machu Picchu.
When is the best time to trek the Inca Trail?
The warm and dry conditions of August and September are generally regarded as peak times for holidaymakers and travellers. We recommend trekking the Inca Trail in July or October when it’s less busy but still fairly warm.
How do I get an Inca Trail permit?
The Peruvian government issues up to 500 permits to hikers who want to access the Inca Trail per day. Luckily for you, these permits are included in every trek, or tour that encompasses a trek, that we sell (subject to availability). 2018 permits have been released already, (much earlier than in previous years!), so if you'd like to make the pilgrimage next year, you should get your planning hat on sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment. You can lock in all of your Peru and South America tours online with a deposit, starting from £60.
How hard is the Inca Trail?
Inca Trail hikes are regarded as moderate, so if you’re relatively fit you should have no problems whatsoever. However, as the trek reaches altitudes of more than 13,000 feet we’d recommend arriving in the village start-point a day or two before your tour to acclimatise in order to avoid altitude sickness. Some parts are steep, especially the three high passes – the Inca Trail itself, plus the Choquequirao and Salkantay routes, the latter of which reaches an elevation of 4,600m (15,091 ft)! We offer a number of Inca Trail tours for all levels of ability and budgets. Speak to an Travel Expert for more advice... and get squatting!
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