Inca Trail Extension

6 Days
From CAD 1845
Best Rate
Guarantee
Trip Type
Activity Level
Demanding

Rating


(7 reviews)

Experience Overview

Spend a week retracing the steps of the ancient Inca civilisation on the historical Inca trail hike. Explore Cusco's maze of ruins and cobblestone streets, and discover the layered histories that have visually impacted this fascinating town. Rise early to join our expert local guides and porters for a challenging hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Watch the sun rise over the enigmatic ruins and get lost exploring these crumbling structures, an experience that is sure to take your breath away. This week-long tour is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will challenge and reward.

Highlights

  • Cosmopolitan, scenic and steeped in Incan heritage, Cusco is a dream to walk around. Marvel at the cathedral, explore art and architecture or explore the incredible ruins nearby.
  • Cusco's central market is a great chance to meet Quechua-speaking descendants of the Incas and browse for weird and wonderful Andean specialties.
  • Hike to the mother of all Incan cities, magical Machu Picchu. Enjoy a guided tour of the ruins, plus free time to explore at your leisure.
  • Whether it's the classic Inca Trail* or the quieter Quarry Trail you hike, you'll be treated to incredible sunrise views over misty Machu Picchu – just cross your fingers for clear skies!
  • With a cook to prepare meals and porters to carry your equipment, you can focus on the walk and get the most out of your experience.

Trip Details

Product CodeProduct Code: 1863

Tour TypeTour Type:

AccommodationAccommodation: Moderate

TransportTransport: Private vehicle,Bus,Taxi

Guide LanguageGuide Language: English

Supplier CodeSupplier Code: GGHC

StartStarts: Cusco, Peru

FinishFinishes: Cusco, Peru

DurationDuration: 6 days

DeparturesDepartures: Guaranteed

Physical RatingPhysical rating: Demanding

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (5), Lunch (3), Dinner (3)
Accommodation: Route 1 - Inca Trail: Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nights),Hotel (2 nights),Route 2 - Quarry Trail: Camping with basic facilities (2 nights),Hotel (3 nights).

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 1845 (CAD 308 /day)

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Cusco

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Cusco, the heart and soul of Peru. Today is free for you to explore Cusco until 6 pm when you meet your Intrepid representative at the lobby of your hotel. While away from Cusco, the bulk of your luggage will be stored at your hotel. If you’re hiking the Inca Trail or the Quarry Trail you'll receive a small duffle bag to carry your clothes in for the next four days (5kg maximum). Your team of porters will carry these bags for you, together with the food and equipment for the trail. You won't have access to these items until the end of each day, as the porters will always be ahead of the group. As this tour is a Short Break Adventure, you are not accompanied by an Intrepid group leader but our local representative will answer any questions you may have. If you have time, check out the beautiful cathedral or perhaps the nearby ruins of Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo or Tambomachay. A Boleto Turistico (tourist ticket) will grant you access into these sites.

Optional Activities:

  • Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) (57 USD)
  • Cusco - Humantay Lake Hike (Based on 4 participants) (130 USD)
  • Cusco - Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 paticipants) (100 USD)
  • Cusco - Cusco Cooking Class (70 USD)
  • Cusco - Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (Based on 4 participants) (85 USD)
  • Cusco - Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline (95 USD)
  • Sacred Valley - Mountain Biking (Price Based on 2 Participants) (170 USD)
  • Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) (105 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

2
Day 2: Inca Trail (3100m)* or Quarry Trail (3700m)

Depending on the travel arrangements you made before the trip, during the next four days you’ll be doing one of the following: hiking the Inca Trail (Route 1) or hiking the Quarry Trail (Route 2). Both routes visit Machu Picchu. Route 1 Inca Trail: Today travel by minivan to the 82 kilometre marker and meet your crew of local porters, cook and guide. The first day includes uphill trekking to the campsite, which is at 3100m above sea level. On the way you’ll see the Inca sites of Ollantaytambo, Huillca Raccay and Llactapata, as well as incredible views of snow-capped Veronica Peak. In the evening, unwind at the campsite with a nourishing meal prepared by your cook. Route 2 Quarry Trail: Make an early start today and drive to Choquequilla, a small ceremonial place where Incas worshipped the moon. From here, you’ll head to the small community near Qory Song’o (Golden Heart) hill, where you’ll climb to the top for the incredible views of the Soqma Perolniyoc, Pachar and Huarocondo valleys. There are also several sacred tombs in the area, protected by the locals, which you can explore with your leader and even see some of the original structures crafted from wood and leather. These remains have never been seen by travellers before, so you can be a part of this exclusive experience. Carry on to the Perolniyoc Cascade lookout, Where you will stop for to have Lunch. After, continue ascending and explore the Q'orimarca archaeological site, which once served as a checkpoint to the Incas. Arrive at the campsite, 3700 m above sea level, around tea time.

Included Activities:

  • 4 day guided hike with porters' support
  • Machu Picchu guided tour

Accommodation:

  • Camping (with basic facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

3
Day 3: Inca Trail (3650m)* or Quarry Trail (3600m)

Route 1 Inca Trail: This is the most challenging day of the trek as you ascend a long steep path (approximately 5 hours) to reach the highest point of the trail. Colloquially known as 'Dead Woman's Pass', Warmiwanusca sits at a height of 4200 metres above sea level, providing amazing views of the valley below. The group will then descend to the campsite in the Pacaymayo Valley at 3650 metres. Route 2 Quarry Trail: This is the most challenging and rewarding day of the hike. A 3 hour walk takes us to the top of the first pass of Puccaqasa (approximately 4370 metres high). After enjoying picturesque views of the valley, it’s a short walk before stopping for lunch. Afterwards, make the two-hour hike to Kuychicassa, the highest pass of the trek at 4450 metres. From here, descend to the sacred site the Incas called Intipunku. This is a sun gate, where the sun will stream through at particular times of the year and there are views of the Nevado Veronica mountain year-round. The Incas built several sun gates, the most notable overlooking Machu Picchu. Head to the campsite, only a stone’s throw away and at 3600 metres.

Accommodation:

  • Camping (with basic facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)

4
Day 4: Inca Trail (2650m)* or Aguas Calientes (2040m)

Route 1 Inca Trail: Start the day with a climb through the Pacaymayo Valley to Runkuracay Pass (3980 metres). Enjoy views of the snow-capped mountain of Cordillera Vilcabamba before descending for around 2 to 3 hours to the ruins of Sayacmarca. Continue over the trail’s third pass to the ruins of Phuyupatamarca (3850 metres), also known as 'Town Above the Clouds'. Start the 2 hour descent down the Inca steps to the final night's campsite by the Winay Wayna archaeological site. Route 2 Quarry Trail to Aguas Calientes: Today’s hike will all be downhill. The first stop is the incomplete Kachiqata quarry, where the Incas were intercepted by the Spanish. Around midday, come to the end of the trek. Explore the cobbled streets of Ollantaytambo before taking the short train journey to Aguas Calientes. Spend the night in a comfortable hotel before tomorrow’s visit to Machu Picchu.

Accommodation:

  • Camping with basic facilities (Route 1)/Hotel (Route 2) (Number of Nights: 1)

5
Day 5: Machu Picchu (2430) - Cusco

Route 1 Inca Trail: This is the final and most spectacular leg of the trek to Machu Picchu. The day starts before dawn at 3.30am (packed breakfast provided). Say farewell to the porters as they descend to the train station and then begin hiking by 4.30 am. Once the final checkpoint opens at 5.30 am, begin the final leg of the trek. The walk to Intipunku (the Sun Gate) takes around 2.5 hours. Weather permitting, enjoy unforgettable views over the ‘Lost City of the Incas’ as you enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. Route 2 Machu Picchu to Cusco: Take an early bus up to Machu Picchu at 6.30 am. The city was built around 1440 AD as a country retreat for Incan nobility, but there’s evidence that the land had been a sacred Incan site for much longer. Take a guided tour around the ruins of temples, palaces and living quarters. For all travellers, after taking advantage of the seemingly endless photo opportunities, it's time to catch the bus to Aguas Calientes where you’ll stop for lunch together. From here, take a scenic train ride to Ollantaytambo, then drive back to Cusco, arriving in the evening.

Optional Activities:

  • Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) (57 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

6
Day 6: Cusco

After breakfast, you are free to leave at any time, as there are no activities planned today. If you would like to spend some more time in Cusco, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Optional Activities:

  • Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) (105 USD)
  • Cusco - Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (Based on 4 participants) (85 USD)
  • Cusco - Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline (95 USD)
  • Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) (57 USD)
  • Cusco - Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 paticipants) (100 USD)
  • Cusco - Humantay Lake Hike (Based on 4 participants) (130 USD)
  • Cusco - Cusco Cooking Class (70 USD)
  • Sacred Valley - Mountain Biking (Price Based on 2 Participants) (170 USD)

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

Reviews

 

Shuk Lam Ruby   -  Traveled, September 2023

The Intrepid 4 day Inca Trail was a thoroughly awesome and memorable adventure. Our guide, Paul Garrido, was simply excellent. Engaging, knowledgable, patient, compassionate and a thoroughly nice individual. Machu Picchu is amazing as were the other Incan ruins on the trek and the scenery.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/12/2023

 

Verity   -  Traveled, August 2023

Intrepid run an amazing experience with its 4 day hike to Machu Pichu. Our tour guide, Julio was extremely knowledge and his vibrant personality made the trip. The food, service and accommodation is amazing and I cannot recommend enough.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 08/28/2023

 

Carol   -  Traveled, June 2023

What an amazing trip, our local guide, Marcia was just fantastic, her knowledge was vast and her passion for Peru was obvious! Our cook Santos created food miracles every day, his food was delicious and all made on a camping stove! I would thoroughly recommend this trip, every detail is taken care of, its tough and emotional but absolutely fantastic from beginning to end!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/14/2023

 

Inge   -  Traveled, August 2022

Very disappointing this trip organization. Quarry Trail has great nature. But the money is totally not worth it. Intrepid also provided lots of false information. Inca trail was sold out - we learnt about that like 6 weeks after we initially booked and confirmation was received.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 08/29/2022

 

Erin   -  Traveled, July 2022

Amazing trek, pretty difficult due to altitude but I would do it again. Our guide was knowledgeable and having a female guide was very unique. She was amazing and very connected to the land and the people.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 08/01/2022

 

Christian   -  Traveled, June 2022

My wife and I both agree this was one of the best experiences of our lives. Our group was small (6 people) and we all got along easily. One of the main things that really made this a great experience was the staff - always smiling and happy to help out. Our guide was super friendly and knowledgable and loved to have a laugh with the group. The porters would clap us in as we arrived at each of the camp sites after each long day of hiking and the chefs cooked us delicious meals that I never thought would even be possible on a trip like that. This was a part of a 3 month honeymoon trip, which after finding out, our guide mentioned it to the chefs who surprised us with a specially made cake saying "Happy Honeymoon"! For us, all of these things put together made this a 10/10 experience.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 07/10/2022

 

Lindsay  -  Traveled, December 2021

This trek is amazing! I highly recommend the Quarry Trail. If you're worried you won't get the same experience as the Inca Trail, don't - you may not see Machu Picchu at sunrise, but you'll still get an amazing tour of it. The trail itself is gorgeous and not at all crowded (my guide and I were the ONLY people on it) and there is a beautiful waterfall, lots of Inca ruins and small villages, and jaw-dropping mountain passes. It was stunning and I feel like I got an amazing introduction to Quechua life and the history of the Incas. Highly highly recommend!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 12/19/2021

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