Inca Trail Holidays: Experience One Of The Most Famous Treks In South America

Head to Peru and experience one of the most famous treks in South America, rated by many as one of the top 5 treks in the world. The 26 mile Inca Trek combines beautiful mountain scenery, lush cloud forest and fascinating Inca ruins and tunnels. The crowning glory of the Inca Trail is arriving at Machu Picchu for sunrise at the Sun Gate - a fantastic experience rewarding of your efforts.

Latin Routes works with a local specialist to offer the Inca Trail on both a group and private basis. Our holidays on the Inca Trail trek include guides, porters and all the camping equipment you need. Our Inca Trail specialists operate at the highest standards so you can be sure of a quality experience.

In order to trek on the Inca Trail, you will require a permit and only a limited amount of permits are released each day - early booking for this holiday is strongly advised!

Highlights of the Inca Trail

• Discover the bustling capital city of Lima
• Enjoy some time in the World Heritage site of Cusco
• 4 Day / 3-day trek on the famous Inca Trail
• See majestic Machu Picchu at sunrise
• Explore the citadel on a guided tour

Private, Tailormade Holiday

Any element of this holiday can be tailormade to your requirements, including the places you want to see and the things that are important to you. Just contact one of our Travel Specialists today.

The Inca Trail isn't the only trek you can do to Machu Picchu, read our Machu Picchu trekking guide for details of some of Peru's lesser known but equally incredible hikes.

If you would like to begin creating your perfect Inca trail holiday, Simply complete the enquiry form to get in touch.

Alternatively, you can call our Travel Specialists on 020 8546 6222.

Inca Trail Holiday Itinerary

Day 1: Lima

Depart the UK for Lima where you will spend your first night in Peru's bustling capital city. On your first morning, enjoy a half day tour of the city which will include a visit to one of Lima’s main squares and oldest Cathedrals. With the rest of your time in the capital, we would highly recommend discovering the thriving gastronomic scene at one of Lima’s many restaurants.

Day 2 - 3: Cusco

Fly from Lima to Cusco which is known as the beautiful historic capital of the Inca Empire. This UNESCO World Heritage site has everything you could want from a beautiful Latin America town including pretty colonial buildings, cobbled streets and a beautiful main square. You will spend 2 nights at a local hotel near to the centre.

While in Cusco you will enjoy a half day city tour of the town’s biggest attractions and some of the ancient Incan sites that are near to the city. It’s the perfect introduction for what lies ahead.

Day 4 - 6: Inca Trail

Today your Inca Trail adventure begins. You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to kilometre 82 where the trail begins. The 26-mile hike takes three nights and four days, and along the way, you will stay at local campsites. Accompanied by a guide and porters, there are lots of points of interest along the way and amazing viewpoints to make a stop at.

Day 7: Inca Trail / Machu Picchu / Cusco

The final day of the trek is very much the climax to your Inca trail adventure. Your last day will start before sunrise where you will make your way up the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu to watch the sun come up over the citadel. A truly inspiring experience that will stay with you forever. The rest of the morning is then spent taking a guided tour through the citadel before taking the train back to Cusco for your final night.

Day 8 - 9: Fly to the UK

In the morning you will head to Cusco Airport for your overnight flight back to the UK via Lima.

Guide Prices

The price is based on twin / double share and based on the lowest season of travel. Please contact a Latin Routes Travel Specialist or submit an enquiry to have this holiday accurately costed for you.

Peru Holiday Inclusions

• International Economy Flights from UK with 1 connection in Europe
• Internal Economy Flights
• 7 nights’ accommodation as detailed
• Transfers (mixture of shared & private)
• Half Day City Tour of Lima
• Half Day City Tour of Cusco
• 4 Day / 3 Night Inca Trail Trek Package – see below

Peru Holiday Exclusions

• Meals not indicated in your itinerary,
• Local departure taxes payable locally,
• Where applicable locally payable car hire related charges,
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry and drinks etc,
• Tips for guides and drivers (discretionary),
• Camera or video fees at any sites,
• Travel insurance

Inca Trail Trek Package Includes

• Professional English speaking guide (English).
• Briefing a day before the tour.
• Ground transportation:
• Transfer from your hotel to Km 82
• Bus tickets from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
• Train Tickets from Aguas Calientes to Poroy (Cusco)
• Transfer from Poroy (Cusco) train station to your hotel in Cusco.
• Meals and snacks on the Inca Trail itself
• Air Sleeping mattress for camping
• Entrances to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
• Porters for cooking and camping equipment and to carry guest personal belongings up to 7 kg.
• Oxygen bottle and First aid kit.
• Sleeping bag
• Cloth bags for snacks.

Inca Trail Trek Package excludes

• Walking Sticks
• Gratuities and personal expenses.

The Inca Trail is one of the most iconic treks in the world and for good reason, this once-in-a-lifetime journey takes you through the heart of the Peruvian Andes, following in the footstep of the Incas to the legendary lost city of Machu Picchu. On your last day of trekking you will witness the sunrise above this majestic site. 
On the way to the “Lost City” you will take in the sights of Cuzco, once the historic capital of the mighty Inca Empire. This expedition, you will walk amongst the ruins of this great civilisation and feel the sensation of a true explorer. There is a sparkle of magic in every corner, filled with memories that will last a lifetime.

Brief History of the Inca Trail

The Inca civilization established the Inca Empire between 1438 and 1533 and it quickly rose to become the largest and richest ever seen in the Americas. The Inca state was centred in what is now Peru and spread across Ecuador, northern Chile, Bolivia, upland Argentina and southern Colombia. 40,000 Incas governed a huge territory with some 10 million subjects speaking over 30 different languages. It lasted for 100 years until the capture of the Inca capital of Cuzco by the Spanish Conquistadors.

Places you will visit on the Inca Trail

Cusco

Originally the capital of the Inca Empire, Cuzco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Southeastern Peru, near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range. It has become a major touristic destination, hosting nearly 2 million visitors a year. You can visit the Plaza de Armas, Cathedral of Cusco or the Inca ruins of Sacsayhuamán.

Salkantay

Salkantay means “savage” or “invincible”. It is the highest peak in the Vilcabamba mountain range, which is part of the Peruvian Andes in the Cusco region and its proximity to Machu Picchu makes it a prime destination for trekking. Being located south of Machu Picchu and due, the Incas considered Salkantay to be controlling weather and fertility in the region as the Southern Cross is perfectly aligned with the summit when at its highest point in the sky.

Sayacmarca

Also known as the “inaccessible town”, it was built by the Inca’s enemy called the Colla, and later adopted by the Inca. A strategic point to prevent an invasion. However, the small city (only 200 people could live in) does not provide enough space for agriculture, which could be critical in case of a siege.

Winay Wayna

This means “eternal youth” in Quechua, the language of the Inca empire. The site was built on a hillside, overlooking the Urubamba River for a spectacular view. Winay Wayna is one of the most impressive detours on the Inca Trail. The connected houses are surrounded by walls and terraces where the Inca Empire cultivated the corn and wheat.

Machu Picchu

You finally arrive at the majestic Machu Picchu, the highlight of the Inca Trail. The “Lost City of the Incas” was rediscovered a century ago, where you can observe 500 years old ruins including the Temple of Sun, about 150 homes, steep terraces, and a remarkable ritual stone associated with the astronomic clock or calendar of the Inca. You can observe the architecture, demonstrating the Inca’s phenomenal skills when it comes to assembling stones without mortar.

Huayna Picchu

Huayna Picchu means “young peak” and it overlooks the ruins of Machu Picchu, Rising 360m above the Inca citadel, it is a steep 2-hour trail made form the most adventurous travellers. Once on top, you will discover Inca temples and terraces.

Aguas Calientes

Also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, its proximity to Peru’s main attractions have turned the town into a tourist hub. Therefore, booking in hotels must be made in advance as this little town receive 1,500 visitors a day. In this location, you can visit the Quechua handcraft markets, botanical garden or Putucusi Peak which has remarkable views of Machu Picchu.

Inca Trail Tips

The Peruvian government has introduced strict visitor quotas, a brave move to monitor tourism to preserve the sites. Ask our Travel Specialist for further information as it is sometimes recommended to book 6 months in advance, especially for the peak trekking months of June, July and August.