Captivating Inca Trail: 5 Days in the Heart of Peru
Mystical Inca Path: 5-Day Immersive Trek to Machu Picchu
Immerse yourself in the ‘Captivating Inca Trail Adventure,’ a 5-day group tour that offers an extraordinary blend of cultural richness and natural splendor. Discover Cusco’s charming alleys, brimming with a fusion of Inca architecture and colonial charm. The journey leads to the Sacred Valley, where terraced landscapes and traditional Quechua communities provide a glimpse into Peru’s living heritage. Experience the thrill of trekking the Short Inca Trail, a manageable yet exhilarating route filled with panoramic views and historical intrigue. Your trek culminates with a mesmerizing sunrise visit to Machu Picchu, revealing the mystical allure of the Inca civilization. This tour is thoughtfully designed to offer a profound connection with Peru’s ancient past, stunning landscapes, and vibrant local cultures, ensuring a sustainable and enriching travel experience.
Highlights
- Cusco’s Colonial and Inca Fusion: Wander through Cusco’s atmospheric streets, discovering a unique blend of Inca ruins and Spanish colonial architecture, a gateway to ancient Peruvian culture.
- Sacred Valley’s Living Culture: Explore the Sacred Valley, a tapestry of terraced landscapes and vibrant Quechua communities, offering a glimpse into the enduring heritage of Peru.
- Short Inca Trail Experience: Embrace the thrill of the Short Inca Trail, a journey through stunning natural vistas and rich historical sites, culminating in the iconic Machu Picchu.
- Machu Picchu at Sunrise: Witness a breathtaking sunrise over Machu Picchu, an unforgettable moment revealing the enigmatic beauty of this World Wonder.
- Sustainable Exploration: Embark on a sustainable adventure that respects and celebrates Peru’s natural landscapes and local communities, ensuring a responsible and enriching travel experience.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cusco
Arrive in the historic city of Cusco, where Incan and colonial histories intertwine. Spend the day acclimatizing and exploring this UNESCO World Heritage site, rich in archaeological wonders and vibrant local culture.
Day 2: Sacred Valley Exploration (Pisac, Ollantaytambo & Chinchero)
Embark on a journey through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit Pisac, known for its traditional market and ruins, Ollantaytambo with its impressive terraces, and Chinchero, a unique blend of Inca and colonial heritage.
Day 3: Short Inca Trail – Km 104 to Aguas Calientes
Begin the Short Inca Trail at Km 104, trekking through stunning landscapes and historical sites. Arrive in Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu, for an overnight stay.
Day 4: Majestic Machu Picchu Sanctuary
Early morning visit to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Experience the magic of sunrise over the ancient citadel, exploring its iconic structures and learning about Inca civilization.
Day 5: Colorful Cusco Walking Tour and Departure
Conclude your adventure with a colorful walking tour of Cusco, delving deeper into its rich history and culture. Later, take a flight back to Lima, carrying memories of an unforgettable journey through Peru’s heart.
Prices for this trip
Hotel Category | Double or Triple room | Single room Additional cost |
---|---|---|
Budget | US$ 863 | US$ 120 |
Tourist | US$ 935 | US$ 138 |
Superior Tourist | US$ 1057 | US$ 227 |
* Minimum 2 passengers to confirm the booking; solo traveler is subject to an additional fee.
* Small group min 2, max 12 — group tour; join other travelers at each destination (If you want a private tour just for you, ask your travel agent).
Includes and excludes
Included
- Accommodation: 4 nights in Cusco and Aguas Calientes hotel with breakfast included.
- The itinerary includes all admission costs (Short Inca Trail and Machu Picchu).
- English-speaking local guides lead the trek (an assistant guide for groups of over eight trekkers).
- All transfers: airport, train station, bus station transfers, Hotel pickup, and drop-offs.
- Train ticket: Cusco to Km 104 and Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Expedition Class).
- Meals: According to the itinerary (vegetarian or special diets are available).
- We bring a first-aid kit, including an emergency oxygen bottle.
- All ground transportation.
- 24-hour support by our local staff.
Not included
- The price does not cover domestic or international flights. Consult a travel agency if necessary.
- VISA procedures, travel insurance, pre, and post-tour accommodation.
- Additional personal costs (alcoholic beverages, laundry).
- The price does not cover gratuities for tour guides, drivers, and support staff.
- Guidance in another language (Germany, French, others), in case you request them, please ask your travel agent.
- Additional items are not included explicitly in the itinerary description.
- Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
Trip code: CSIT5D01-SIC
Day 1 – Arrival at Cusco
- Upon arrival in Cusco, assistance at the airport and transfer to the lodging.
- The rest of the day is free for relaxation to minimize the adverse effects of the high altitude and explore this wonderful city.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
- Meals included: None.
Day 2 – Tour to the Sacred Valley (Pisac, Ollantaytambo & Chinchero)
- Hotel breakfast; pick up from the hotel at 07:30. We embark on a journey back in time to the Inca’s Sacred Valley, beginning in Pisac, 31 km from Cusco. The old Incan archaeological site is on the summit of a mountain.
- Afterward, go down into the quaint little town and wander through its colorful market, where it can buy intricate, beautifully hand-crafted products.
- Afterward, have lunch at a nearby restaurant.
- We next go to Ollantaytambo, an Inca military, religious, and agricultural hub perched on a mountain. Unlike other little villages, this one has retained its original Incan architecture, with magnificent stone structures and winding alleyways.
- Finally, we will visit Chinchero, a village renowned for preserving ancient Andean spinning and weaving traditions. For this reason, they set up a market in the town square.
- The tour ends around 18:30.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 3 – Inca Trail: Km 104 to Aguas Calientes
- Hotel breakfast; pick up at 05:40 from the hotel and transfer to Poroy station to board the train to KM 104 and meet the guide.
- The train will stop at the Chachabamba archaeological site (2,170m/7,119ft) head of the trail; we begin the 5-hour climb to the Inca Trail. This path rewards us with amazing views of the big valley and gorgeous waterfall near the famous Wiñayhuayna Archaeological Site (2,700m/8,858ft), which translates as “Forever Young.”
- We continue along tiny trails with luxuriant flora of broad-leaf plants and giant ferns. The precipice of the high mountain adds to the thrill. The Sun Gate’s (2,670m/8,759 ft) stone threshold materializes unexpectedly along the route.
- Behold the magnificent city of Machu Picchu, surrounded by twisting gorges and wooded peaks. The remaining 45 minutes we spent going towards Machu Picchu enter.
- There are 30-minute buses from Machu Picchu citadel to Aguas Calientes (2,050m/6,726ft).
- Overnight at the Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Box lunch, and Dinner.
Day 4 – Visit the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu & Back to Cusco
- Hotel breakfast; at 06:00. Take a bus to the Machu Picchu archaeological site (2,430m/7,972ft). Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, the mountaintop fortress earned every bit of its notoriety.
- Around 07:30 am, the guided tour begins; the guide expertly directs through the astounding ruins and main streets. Then wander around the town squares and climb the intricately carved stairways made of stone. Machu Picchu is considered the world’s spiritual center by esoteric wisdom.
- The guided tour takes around two hours and 30 minutes.
- From 12:30 pm to 13:30, take the bus to Aguas Calientes.
- From 13:30 to 15:00, take lunch at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes.
- Board the train to return to Cusco later in the day. Arrive at Poroy station and then be picked up and transported to the Cusco hotel.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 5 – Colorful Cusco Walking Tour – Flight to Lima
- Hotel breakfast; hotel pickup at 09:00. The walking tour starts in the colorful San Pedro market; there is probably no better place to witness Cusquean life. Enjoy a first-hand look at how residents live day-to-day outside the postcard perfection of Cusco’s main square. The guide explains this market’s history as its wanders through the narrow aisles laden with colorful fabrics, meals, fruit juice, bread, and shaman stalls.
- After, we visit Cusco’s main square. This busy and vibrant space marks the city’s colonial center, featuring wide stone pathways and well-kept colorful gardens.
- Afterward, we will go to Qorikancha, where Santo Domingo’s convent sits atop the ancient temple. For some unknown reason, numerous invaders were awed by the splendor of this temple when they first arrived because, according to tradition, it was fully gold-plated.
- The tour ends around 13:00.
- At 15:00, transfer from the hotel to the Cusco airport.
- Meals Included: Breakfast