Inca Trail Express

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY Inca Trail Express

• Day 1: Arrival to Lima & Overnight in Lima

  Our representative will meet you at the Lima airport to take you to your hotel, where you have time to relax and freshen up for the remainder of the evening. *An extra day in Lima can be added upon request, as well as additional activities.

• Day 2: Flight to Cusco, City Tour & Overnight in Cusco (B)

  You will be transferred to the airport for the short domestic flight to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas, located at 11,100 feet above sea level. You will be met upon arrival by one of our representatives. You will have the remainder of the morning to rest and freshen up. It is best to take it easy this morning to let your body adjust to the altitude. Both lunch and dinner are on your own. After lunch you will set out on a grand tour of Cusco, the former capital of the once-vast Inca Empire. We visit Cusco’s impressive Plaza de Armas and both the Spanish cathedral and Incan temple of the sun, Qoricancha. After the frist part of the tour, we visit the archeological site above the city that were considered an essential part of the ancient capital. We start from Sacsayhuaman, where Inti Raymi the Festival of the Sun, is held during the Summer Solstice, Tambomachay, the Temple of the Sacred Waters, which is a marvel of hydraulic engineering and Q´enqo where we will see the remains of a ceremonial site used for fertility rites and for celebrations of the solstice and equinox.

• Day 3: Sacred Valley Tour, Inca Trail briefing & Overnight in Cusco (B, L)

  After breakfast, we set out in the Urubamba Valley, also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop will be a visit to the Pisac market, which has a wide variety of handiecrafts and you will have the chance to see the variety of goods produced in the Sacred Valley and do some unique shopping for souvenirs. After the market we head deeper into the Sacred Valley and visit the town of Ollantaytambo. We then return to Urubamba, where you will have a chance to stop for lunch and recover your energy to continue with our tour. After lunch, we head to the bustling market-town of Chinchero. The main sight to see at this location is a Catholic church with fine paintings from the Cusquenian School. You will be then taken back to your Cusco hotel.* An extra day in Cusco or Sacred Valley can be added upon request. Please let us know if you like to add other activities and meals.

• Day 4: Inca Trail Express: Trek to Wiñaywayna and Machu Picchu & Overnight in Aguas Calientes (B, S, L, D)

  After breakfast at your hotel you will be picked up and transferred from Cusco to the train station to take the train to km 104. At this point we start the trek for approximately 3 hours, up to the well-preserved remains of Wiñay Wayna (2900 mts/9,514ft). Here you will have some free time for exploring the ruins with its houses, terraces, towers and local museum. After this visit, we begin the final leg of the trek to the lost city of Machu Picchu. First we will hike to Inti Punku (Sun Gate), where we will enjoy an awesome panoramic view of Machu Picchu citadel. The final descent is a quick 30 minutes through the Inti Punku gateway to the citadel. After a quick initial visit, you will be transported by bus back to your hotel in Aguas Calientes, where you will enjoy dinner on your own, before ending the day and have a deserved rest.

• Day 5: Machu Picchu Tour & Overnight in Cusco (B)

  After an early breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes, we catch the bus for the short ride to Machu Picchu citadel. We enter the ruins for a breathtaking view of the city. You will enjoy a full tour and have lunch on your own at the end of the visit. In the afternoon, we say farewell to Machu Picchu as we set out by train heading to Poroy station and then to Cusco by car. * Another overnight in Machu Picchu or an extra day in Cusco can be added upon request, as well as additional activities and meals.

• Day 6: Flight to Lima & Flight Back Home (B)

  Your journey to Peru comes to an end as you are transferred to the Cusco airport for the domestic flight back to Lima. Flight time will depend on the time of your international flight back home. * While in Lima, we highly recommend adding culinary activities such as cooking classes and tasting dinners in the best restaurants of Latin America. For more information, please view our website: taste-of-peru.com and ask our travel specialists for our culinary activities. An extra day in Lima can be added upon request.

IMPORTANT:

As price depends on each passenger choices, please contact us to send you an updated price based on your specific request. Please send us the following information and we will respond within 24 hours with your updated price.

• Number of people in your party
• Level of accommodation (3,4,5*). Please see options
• Private or Group Tour
• Train choice. Please see options
• Adding options: if you like to add day tours, extra days, meals, etc
• Need domestic or international flights?
• Have a special request (ie: special diet, wheelchair, children, senior, etc
• About Hiking the Inca Trail:
• Participants need to be in good physical health and condition. It is good for travelers who are in condition to hike up to seven hours,
• with breaks in a single day to enjoy the Inca Trail. To fully enjoy an Inca Trail adventure, we advise passengers to get into an exercise program for their own safety and enjoyment. If a passenger suffers from any medical condition, we advise him/her to consult a physician prior to joining an Inca Trail Expedition. Drinking lots of liquids is a must.

About What to Pack for trekking in Peru:

Remember to take your original passport on the Inca trail because without it you will not be able to do the hiking. Take only the necessary items for the 4 day trek (8-12 Kilos), the rest of your luggage can be left at your hotel in Cusco (most of hotels has a storage where to keep it until your return). Bring a personal sleeping bag, warm Jacket or sweater, rain gear (specially from November to April), T-shirts, shorts, long pants, layers. Back pack, Day pack, trekking shoes, sandals, Sun hat, wool hat, sunglasses, Water bottle, flash light, Insect repellent /Sunscreen, Water Purification Tablets (optional), Hand Towel, toilet paper. Extra US$ 50.00 changed in soles for any emergency and for tipping the porters.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

About Machu Picchu Entrance Tickets

As of 2023, due to the increase and popularity of Machupicchu and in order to preserve the ancient paths, the government has implemented new regulations to control the crowds. The maximum number of visitors allow per day is 4004. This means that, once all the tickets are sold out, no further entrance tickets will be available. Tickets are now issued with specifics entry time and routes, and visitors are required to enter at the time stated on their tickets and show their passport or ID used to issue them. Visitors can stay up to 4 hours to reduce crowds. When you leave the site you cannot re-enter on the same ticket, and it is mandatory to be accompanied by a licensed guide. Tickets are not refundable and non-transferable.

About Huayna Picchu Tickets

Entrance tickets to Huaynapicchu are no longer free, Accessing comes with specific rules and a separate ticket from Machupicchu’s general entry. Only 200 visitors are allowed per day divided in 4 time slots (7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM).  The average time allowed to complete the hike is about 3 hours. The minimum age for entry is 12 years and you must register at the entry and exit control points. The price of the ticket is slightly more than Machupicchu and get sold out quickly. 

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

• Expedition train Roundtrip. Change to other trains: Vistadome Train, Hiram Bingham Train upon request
• Bus from Machu Picchu (1st day), Bus to/from MachuPicchu (2nd Day)
• Expert leadership / guides & support personnel
• Accommodations: 1 night in Lima, 3 nights in Cuzco, 1 night in Aguas Calientes .
• Meals as noted (B = Breakfast, S = Snack, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, T = Tea Time Snack). Plentiful, nutritious meals during the trail
• (Vegetarian option available). We can add any meals upon request
  Land excursions as noted including entrance fees (BTG, Cathedral and Qoricancha, 2 MachuPicchu (1st and 2nd day), Inca Trail permit)
• Private Transportation: Lima Airport/Lima Hotel, Lima Hotel/Lima Airport, Cusco Airport/Cusco Hotel, Cusco Hotel/Inca Trail
• Entrance, Train Station/Cusco Hotel, Cusco Hotel/Cusco Airport.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?

• Airport taxes: Local (USD$ 5.00 – 6.00) and International (USD$ 31.00) departure tax of payable in local currency by each passenger at Lima International Airport upon departure (if applicable)
• International Airport upon departure (if applicable)
• International and domestic airfares, usually quoted separately
• Excess baggage charges
• Medical immunizations
• Insurance of any kind: mandatory evacuation insurance; suggested cancellation insurance, interruption, baggage loss, damage and delay
• Tipping & Gratuities (Guides USD $10.00 per person per day / Drivers USD $5.00 per person per day)  
• Items of a personal nature (clothing, sodas, liquor, snacks, laundry, etc.)
• Visas. Please be advised that some citizens other than Canadians and US may need visa to travel to Peru. Please advise us of your nationality to help you or check with the Peruvian Consulate

TYPE OF TOURS

All of our tours are offered in both Group and Private services; however, as we like to maintain control of the quality of our tours, even our group tours include PRIVATE transfers. This is important, as when you get picked up; you will go directly to your hotel without having to drive around the city to drop off other people in their hotels. Transportation is just for you.

MIXED GROUP/PRIVATE
Destinations Tours: Private Transfers + Group Cultural Tours
Special Interest Tours: Private Transfers + Private Special Interest Activities + Group Cultural Tours

All PRIVATE
Destinations Tours: Private Transfers + Private Cultural Tours
Special Interest Tours: Private Transfers + Private Special interest Activities + Private Cultural Tours

ACCOMMODATIONS

We offer all level of accommodations. When creating an itinerary it would be important to know which your preferred level of accommodation is. Please be sure that at all levels our recommended hotels offer great service and nice comfortable rooms. Our team has personally tried all our recommended hotels.

STANDARD
Hostels: Even though we can consider hostels in your itinerary, for travelers on a budget, we make sure to include a private room with private bathroom. We do not work with shared rooms. Hostels we work with have great location and service to travelers and include breakfast.
 3-star: Basic 3-star hotels with nice comfortable rooms. Perfect for travelers that prefer a less expensive option, but do not feel comfortable with a hostel. Buffet breakfast included. All hotels we work with are very well located and have 24-hour front desk service.

MODERATE                                                                                                                                                                                    
3-star Superior: These are 3-star that should really be considered as 4-star Hotels. Nice location, great rooms and charming decoration. Excellent service, with restaurant, room service, business center, laundry, etc. Buffet breakfast. Best value. Perfect for someone looking for an inexpensive option and still having some superior services.
4-star Hotels: Good location, very nice rooms, great decoration and excellent service. This hotel includes more services such as room service, business center, laundry, spas, more room features, etc. Some have gourmet restaurants. Buffet breakfast. Perfect for someone looking for some luxury and special services and do not need a 5-star option.

LUXURY                                                                                                                                                                                          
4-star Suites: Some 4-star hotels have suites that offer the same room features of a 5-star option. Perfect for someone looking to upgrade from a 4-star standard room and get more space and features.
5-star Hotel: What you usually imagine a 5-star hotel is. Great location, luxury accommodations and excellent service. Gourmet restaurants, spas, room service, business center, etc. Perfect for someone looking for a 5-star service but do not need the 5-star Deluxe option.
5-star Deluxe: These 5-star deluxe hotels offer ultimate luxury with outstanding service, luxurious rooms with deluxe room features and “you ask-you will get” concierge service. Properties have privileged locations or particular history behind it. Gourmet restaurants and spas. Ideal for the luxurious traveler.

TRAINS

Expedition: The least expensive tourist train, recently renovated offers nice seats and good train service.
Vistadome: A higher category of train service, with panoramic roof windows. It offers a snack and fashion show.            Vistadome Observatory: An upgrade from the regular Vistadome. This category of train has an observation car for a 360 view and an open-air balcony. Also, a bar car for drinks (at extra cost) and a show on board. It also offers a snack and fashion show.
Hiram Bingham: Luxury train which offers VIP service, includes a traditional welcome show, gourmet brunch, live music, tea-time at the Sanctuary Lodge a Belmond Hotel, entrance tickets to Machupicchu, and dinner service. This category of train has a Dining car, observation car and bar car.  

FLIGHTS

DOMESTIC AIRLINES
Latam: It offers great service and many frequencies to Cusco (almost 13 flights per day).  Prices are the highest on the market, but it is the most reliable airline.
Sky Airlines: Low-cost airline is an alternative for domestic flights. It flies to many destinations within Peru and offers good value prices. However, it has few frequencies and makes a lot of changes and cancellations of flights, especially in bad weather.
Jet SMART Airline: Low-cost airline. It flies to many destinations within Peru and South America. It has more frequencies than Sky to and from Cusco, but it usually has changes and cancellations, especially in bad weather.

Lima/Cusco/Lima:                                                                                                                                                                         
From US$185.00 per person. This is an example price, based on Full category; including selection of seat, 1 backpack, 1 carryon of 10kg. and 1 cheeked bag of 23kg. Other categories: Basic, Light (less expensive options) and Premium Economy category (fully refundable with more room for legs and middle seat blocked). Price will vary, depending on the date, time and category booked.

INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES
Depending where you are coming from, Lima is serviced by all major Airlines.  A few airlines offer non-stop services from major cities such as Miami, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Montreal.                     

From USA: American, Latam, Delta, United, Spirit, Avianca, Copa
From Canada: Air Canada, Air Transat, America, Latam, Delta, United, Copa, Aero Mexico

Important Notes for Trekkers

In an effort to preserve and protect the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the Peruvian governing bodies have taken drastic measures in the past few years to limit the amount of people hiking the Trail. As of March 2004, no more than 500 people per day are allowed to start the Inca Trail trek. This number includes all support staff (ie. porters and guides) and is very tightly controlled. Once this limit of 500 people is reached, the Trail is effectively closed off for the day and no further bookings can be made by any agency.

Participants need to be in good physical health and condition. It is good for travelers who are in condition to hike up to seven hours, with breaks in a single day to enjoy the Inca Trail. The trekking will be difficult if you have not exercised regularly before your trip. To fully enjoy an Inca Trail adventure, we advise passengers to get into an exercise program for their own safety and enjoyment. If a passenger suffers from any medical condition, we advise him/her to consult a physician prior to joining an Inca Trail Expedition.

Remember to take your original passport on the Inca trail because without ityou will not be able to do the hiking and take only the necessary items for the 4 days trek (8-12 Kilos), the rest of your luggage can be left at your hotel in Cusco (most of the hotels has a storage to keep your luggage until your return)

Our suggestions for Inca Trail

• Drinking lots of liquids
• Bring personal sleeping bag
• Bring warm Jacket or sweater, raingear (specially from November to April)
• Bring T-shirts, shorts, long pants, layers.
• Bring backpack, Day pack, trekking shoes, sandals
• Bring sun hat, wool hat, sunglasses
• Bring water bottle, flash light