Classic Peru: Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu
Cusco, the Valley and Machu Picchu without rushing
A placeholder introduction. Everything below is a block: drag a day somewhere else, or delete a whole section, and the page follows.
The journey, day by day
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Day 1
Cusco to the valley
An early start, a transfer down to the trailhead, and a gentle first afternoon along the river.
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Day 2
The high pass
The long climb to the highest point of the route, and a slow descent to camp on the other side.
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Day 3
Cloud forest
Down through the tree line, past ruins the trail passes and most people walk straight by.
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Day 4
The citadel
Up before dawn for the gate, and the whole morning on the site with a guide.
What’s included
- Professional guide
- All camping equipment
- Meals on the trail
- Entrance tickets and permits
Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Sleeping bag (available to rent)
- Tips
What to pack
Documents
- Passport
- Permit confirmation
- Insurance details
We carry
- Tents and mats
- Kitchen and meals
- Group first aid
Bring or rent from us
- Sleeping bag
- Walking poles
- Head torch
What else could be included
An extra day in the valley
Arriving a day early makes the altitude easier and the first walking day shorter.
A cooking afternoon
A market visit and a kitchen, on the day most itineraries leave empty.
Choose your travel style
The Essential Experience
- Shared camp
- Standard equipment
More Comfort on Trail
- Larger tents
- Extra porter
The Trail, No Compromises
- Private guide
- Best equipment
Indicative. The final price depends on the season, the party size and the travel style.
FAQs
Everything you need to know
The questions we are asked most about this trip.
How far in advance should we book?
For the dry season, four to six months. Permits are capped daily and sell out.
How fit do I need to be?
Fit enough to walk five to seven hours on consecutive days at altitude.
What about altitude?
Two to three days in Cusco before the trek, which we build into every route.
Why Andean Adventures Peru
A few of the benefits of travelling with us in Peru
- Operating in the Andes and the Amazon since 1985, from Cusco
- A locally owned travel company, based in Cusco
- Official Inca Trail operator under Peruvian government guidelines
- ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified
- Our own lodge inside the Tambopata National Reserve
- A tree planted on behalf of every traveller
What our travellers say about us
Review 1 of 3
Rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor
Ways to travel
Other ways to meet Peru
Most trips borrow from more than one. Tell us which pulls hardest.
First Time in Peru
The route we send people on when they have never been Explore
Family Travel
Paced so nobody is bored or exhausted Explore
Adventure & Trekking
High Andes, 3 to 8 days on foot Explore
Culture & Heritage
Weaving villages, markets and ruins Explore
Nature & Wildlife
Tambopata, Colca and the cloud forest Explore
Responsible Travel
Where the money stays, and with whom ExploreSpeak to our Peru experts
Our planners are in Cusco, not in a call centre abroad.