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Classic Inca Trail, The Most Famous of Peru Hiking Adventures
Duration: 10 days
4-12 Travelers: $2350 per person
2-3 Travelers: $2575 per person
Experience the centuries-old Inca Trail trek, the most famous of Peru hiking tours. This Peru tour provides the adventurous traveler with an invigorating high mountain hiking experience. If you seek to explore the culture, history, and grandeur of the Peruvian Andes, this trip is for you. From the bustling markets of Cusco, to the preserved ruins of Machu Picchu, lush cloud forests and glacier-covered peaks, this ten-day Inca Trail tour promises the ultimate experience in Peru adventure travel. This Peru travel may be combined with our diverse trip extensions which provide additional adventures for the inquisitive traveler. Whatever itinerary you choose, this Peru vacation is sure to meet your wildest expectations.
If you would prefer a private departure over our set-schedule trips, please contact us regarding details and costs.
Classic Inca Trail Hiking Tour Itinerary
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Day 1 (Fri) LIMA
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Arrive in the capital and transfer to your Lima hotel. If you arrive with time to spare, we can arrange city tours, museum visits, or sightseeing excursions of interest to you.
Begin Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Day 2 (Sat) LIMA - CUSCO
View Cusco accommodations picture gallery
Your Peru tour kicks off with a morning flight to the colonial showpiece, Cusco, at the center of the Inca Empire. You'll be picked up at the airport by Southern Explorations' guides and taken on a quick tour of the beautiful Plaza de Armas on the way to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and becoming accustomed to the altitude (10,856 ft). (B)
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Day 3 (Sun) CUSCO
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Start the morning with a guided walking tour of Cusco, including the markets, the colonial cathedral, and Koricancha, the impressive Temple of the Sun. After a lunch break, you'll spend the afternoon in and around Cusco exploring the temples and visiting several prominent Inca sights. These Peru tour highlights include the stone fortress of Sacsayhuamán; Kenko, with its carved stone surfaces and subterranean altars; the small fortress of Puka Pukara and the Tambo Machay water temple. In the evening, you'll be briefed about the upcoming Inca Trail hike. (B)
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Day 4 (Mon) CUSCO- SACRED VALLEY
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Today your Peru ecotour continues as you explore the legendary Sacred Valley of the Incas. Inca terracing climbs the steep valley walls along the way to the temple ruins of Pisac, offering panoramic views with jagged granite mountains in the distance. Before lunch, you'll have an opportunity to explore Pisac, the site of one of the Andes' best textile markets. After lunch, you'll travel on to Ollantaytambo (9,185 ft), a tiny village with an imposing Inca fortress. It is here where you will spend the night in one of the town's charming hotels. (B)
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Day 5 (Tue) SACRED VALLEY - PAUCARCANCHA
Camp - Life on the Inca Trail
This stretch of your Peru tour takes off early as you catch the train to rendezvous with the bus that will take you to Km 82, where the trek begins. After meeting our porters, you'll cross the Urubamba River bridge and travel along a winding path that skirts the river, offering views of the Vilcanota mountain range and Mt. Veronica (18,745 ft). The route travels through the narrow Cusichaca valley, with slopes displaying the handiwork of an ancient culture and its agriculture practices. Later, you'll reach the small indigenous community of Huayllabamba (9,025 ft) near tonight's campsite in the archaeological zone of Paucarcancha. (B,L,D)
Inca Trail Hike Details:
5.62 miles | 6 Hours
Altitude:
from 8,910 ft to 9600 ft.
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Day 6 (Wed) PAUCARCANCHA - LLULLUCHAPAMPA
Camp - Life on the Inca Trail
Along the trail, through the narrow hanging valley, you begin to see a cloud forest where the Queñua tree, a rarity of the Andes is found. From here, the trail ascends steeply to large pampas below the first pass. Camp overnight at Llulluchapampa (12,300 ft.), where you awake to the breathtaking view of Mt. Huayanay. (B,L,D)
Inca Trail Hike Details:
4.37 miles | 5 Hours
Altitude:
from 9,600 ft. to 12,700 ft.
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Day 7 (Thu) LLULLUCHAPAMPA - PHUYUPATAMARCA
Camp - Life on the Inca Trail
Physically, today’s trek of your Peru tour is the most arduous. The trail rises sharply toward Warmiwañusca pass (13,680 ft) before descending to the Pacaymayo River and slowly climbs again, passing the ruins of Runkuraqay. The next pass takes you to the ruins of Sayacmarca (12,628 ft). Along the way, you'll observe some marvelous Inca engineering before coming upon the beautiful ruins of Phuyupatamarca (12,000 ft) to camp for the night. (B,L,D)
Inca Trail Hike Details:
8.75 miles | 8 Hours
Altitude:
from 12,700 ft to the pass 13920 ft. and to over night at 11850 ft.
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Day 8 (Fri) PHUYUPATAMARCA - MACHU PICCHU
View Machu Picchu accommodations picture gallery
Follow the flagstone trail as it descends into a cloud forest to the well-preserved ruins of Wiñay Wayna (8,855 ft). After two more hours along the Inca Trail, you come to a much-anticipated destination of any Peru tour: Machu Picchu (7,800 ft), entering through Intipunku, the Sun Gate. You'll take a brief tour before going into the nearby village of Aguas Calientes to enjoy some regional cuisine and the comforts of a hotel. (B,L)
Inca Trail Hike Details:
8.12 miles | 8 Hours
Altitude:
from 11,850 ft to 8040 ft. (in Machupicchu)
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Day 9 (Sat) MACHU PICCHU - CHINCHEROS TEXTILE MARKET - CUSCO
View Cusco accommodations picture gallery
The morning is dedicated to exploring extraordinary Machu Picchu. You have various opportunities for your own exploration, including a climb to the sacred peak of Huayna Picchu or a walk through the lush cloud forest to the Temple of the Moon. For those looking for the picture perfect view of the ruins, getting up early is essential as sunrise is not to be missed! The afternoon train takes you back to Ollantaytambo, where you will meet your driver and travel to the Chincheros Market. This traditional weaving community is known for is impressive textile works and artisan products. Here the local artisans will give you an introduction to their handy work including their processes for shearing, dyeing, spooling, and weaving from alpaca. Take advantage of last minute shopping before you are transferred to your Cusco hotel. (B)
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Day 10 (Sun) CUSCO - LIMA - RETURN HOME
This morning you'll be transferred to the airport for the return flight to Lima and your connecting international flight, marking the end of your Southern Exploration services. If your schedule allows, trip extensions to other regions or extra days in Lima or Cusco may be arranged. (B)
Begin Optional Post-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Key:
(B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
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Inca Trail Trip Notes
Inca Trail regulations limit the number of people allowed on the Inca Trail to 500 people each day. Permits are given on a "first-come, first-serve" basis only, so booking early is essential. If you're considering booking an Inca Trail tour between May and October Southern Explorations require your full name, date of birth, nationality and passport number immediately.
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Details about hiking the Inca Trail
The Machu Picchu and Inca Trail Tours consist of five to six hours of hiking per day. Plenty of time is allowed for you to set your own pace. You are expected to carry only a small daypack with your camera, spare film, water bottle, and rain gear. Porters carry additional clothing, personal effects, and the camping equipment. All trekkers are provided with a North Face tent and air mattress sleeping pad. Free from the weight of a large pack, you have more time for photography, observation, and exciting discovery on this Inca Trail Peru tour.
You will awake early in the morning to a fresh cup of tea brought to your tent, along with a bowl of hot water for washing. Expert trail cooks, with years of experience, will prepare your meals using fresh vegetables, beef, and chicken. Vegetarian offerings are also available.
Trekking begins around 8am and most of the day's distances are covered before lunchtime. We aim to arrive at the campsite by mid - afternoon, giving you plenty of time to unpack for the night and to enjoy your surroundings. You have ample time to walk at your own pace and take in the fascinating surroundings. This Inca Trail Hike is a trekker's dream.
Itinerary Map
ARTICLES & INFORMATION ABOUT PERU
TOURS AND TRAVEL
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2008 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES
Friday Departures
2 person minimum / 12 maximum
August
Contact Us!
September
Contact Us!
October
24-11/2
November
21-30
December
26-1/4/09
10 Spaces Left!
Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding private departure costs.
2009 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES
Friday Departures
2 person minimum / 12 maximum
January
01/23-02/01
February
Trail closed
March
13-22
April
17-26
May
15-24
June
12-21
July
3-12
August
7-16
September
4-13
October
9-18
November
6-15
December
12/25-01/03
Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding private departure costs.
INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
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Included in tour cost
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- Professional, english-speaking local guides and camp staff
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- Meals as indicated
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- Plentiful, nutritious meals and snacks while on the trek (Vegetarian option available)
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- All hotel and camping accommodations (twin shared basis)
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- All transfers in private Van
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- Entrance fees for Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and all scheduled tours and archaeological sites
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- Porters to carry camping equipment and any excess gear
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- North Face tents - three person
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- Air mattresses
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- Kitchen, dining and latrine tent
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- Hot water in the morning for washing
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- Drinking water through out the trek
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- 2 tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
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- Train Ticket back to Cusco - Vista Dome train
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- Southern Explorations pre departure services
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- First Aid and Oxygen Bottle
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- Satellite Phone Communication
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Excluded in tour cost
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- International round - trip airfare to and from Peru
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- Airfare $295 (Lima/Cusco/Lima)
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- Airport taxes international (around $30) and local (around $5)
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- Tips and gratuities
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- Sleeping bag
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- Travel insurance
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- Continental breakfasts are included at all hotels. All other meals are not included unless specified in the itinerary.
PHYSICAL RATING
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Difficult - Strenuous
PERU ACCOMMODATION
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Classic Inca Trail Accommodation:
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6 nights hotels
3 nights camping
(North face 3 person tents for 2)
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
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Additional $410
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- Single Supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy. We will match you with another same gender traveler unless you request single accommodations.
Prices based on 3% cash discount
)
Duration: 10 days)
This stretch of your Peru tour takes off early as you catch the train to rendezvous with the bus that will take you to Km 82, where the trek begins. After meeting our porters, you'll cross the Urubamba River bridge and travel along a winding path that skirts the river, offering views of the Vilcanota mountain range and Mt. Veronica (18,745 ft). The route travels through the narrow Cusichaca valley, with slopes displaying the handiwork of an ancient culture and its agriculture practices. Later, you'll reach the small indigenous community of Huayllabamba (9,025 ft) near tonight's campsite in the archaeological zone of Paucarcancha. (B,L,D)
)
Physically, today’s trek of your Peru tour is the most arduous. The trail rises sharply toward Warmiwañusca pass (13,680 ft) before descending to the Pacaymayo River and slowly climbs again, passing the ruins of Runkuraqay. The next pass takes you to the ruins of Sayacmarca (12,628 ft). Along the way, you'll observe some marvelous Inca engineering before coming upon the beautiful ruins of Phuyupatamarca (12,000 ft) to camp for the night. (B,L,D)
)
Follow the flagstone trail as it descends into a cloud forest to the well-preserved ruins of Wiñay Wayna (8,855 ft). After two more hours along the Inca Trail, you come to a much-anticipated destination of any Peru tour: Machu Picchu (7,800 ft), entering through Intipunku, the Sun Gate. You'll take a brief tour before going into the nearby village of Aguas Calientes to enjoy some regional cuisine and the comforts of a hotel. (B,L)
)
Inca Trail regulations limit the number of people allowed on the Inca Trail to 500 people each day. Permits are given on a "first-come, first-serve" basis only, so booking early is essential. If you're considering booking an Inca Trail tour between May and October Southern Explorations require your full name, date of birth, nationality and passport number immediately.
)
You will awake early in the morning to a fresh cup of tea brought to your tent, along with a bowl of hot water for washing. Expert trail cooks, with years of experience, will prepare your meals using fresh vegetables, beef, and chicken. Vegetarian offerings are also available.
