Budget Inca Trail

Degree of difficulty

• Considered a moderately difficult challenge, the Inca Trail requires multiple days of consecutive hiking.
• Altitude plays a significant part in the difficulty of this challenge, reaching heights as high as 4200m above sea level. 
• This is a non-technical trek, and should be achievable by anyone with a reasonable degree of fitness.

Accommodation on the Inca Trail

• During the trek, accommodation will be in the form of camping using high-altitude mountain tents. 
• Meals are taken in a separate mess tent, which can be used as a communal area in the evenings.

Eating and drinking

• Special menus have been designed to ensure that the demands of trekking at altitude are covered by appealing, healthy meals with ample provision for energy.
• Breakfast is a hearty affair, with ample offerings and tea and coffee.
• A hot lunch is prepared freshly each day
• Following each day of trekking, an afternoon tea is served with snacks and hot drinks to replenish calories.
• Evening meals consist of three courses, offering hearty starters and a main course with fresh vegetables and carbs such as rice, pasta or potatoes. 
• Water is boiled and filtered each morning to fill bottles for hiking. It's a good idea to bring purification tablets, but this isn't essential.
• Coca tea is available on the trek, which is commonly drunk to alleviate the effects of altitude sickness. 

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Cusco
Cusco
Peru

Getting to Cuzco

• Fly to Cuzco International Airport in Peru (CUZ)
• It is usual that flights from Europe will need to connect through Lima. Lima is serviced by KLM, BA and Iberia from UK Airports, with connections in Amsterdam with KLM or Madrid with Iberia. 
• From Lima, domestic flights to Cuzco are provided by LATAM, Avianca, Star Peru or Peruvian Air. LATAM are the preferred option due to the capability of their planes to land in foggy conditions. 

Budget Inca Trail Itinerary

• Day 1 | Pre-trek briefing in Cuzco

  Meet for a pre-trek briefing in Cuzco. No accommodation is included this evening. 

• Day 2 | Cuzco to Wayllabamba

  Leave early in the morning by private bus to arrive at the Inca Trail start point at KM82 Meet with the crew for registration. Embark on the trail, a gentle day of hiking to get used to altitude trekking, passing the archaeological site of Llactapata before reaching Tarayoc. From here, continue to Wayllabamba to camp for the night.

• Day 3 | Wayllabamba to Pacamayo

  Departing early in the morning, passing through the Valley of Llulluchapampa, steep climbing on the path to arrive at the Warmihuañusca Pass, the highest point of the trek at 4200m, which involves the most challenging ascent of the trip. Continue down a steep descent to the Pacamayo River to camp overnight.

• Day 4 | Pacamayo to Winay Wayna

  A morning climb to the ruins of Runkurakay, continuing to the Runkurakey Pass at 3900m to discover superb views of the Vilcabamba range. A strenuous climb to Phuyupatamarka, the 'Town in the clouds' before descending into the cloud forest to visit Intipata, the Terraces of the Sun, before finding the Wiñay Wayna campsite to overnight. 

• Day 5 | Winay Wayna to Machu Picchu

  An early start, taking breakfast around 0430, before hitting the trail. Hike along the final section of the Inca Trail to the Sun Gate, Inti Punku, which offers the first views of the lost city of Machu Picchu. take a guided tour of the site, with an option to climb Huayna Picchu, the famous mountain behind the ruins. In the afternoon, take a train from Agua Calientes to Ollantaytambo to catch a transfer to the hotel in Cuzco.

What's Included

• Transfer to and from the trek start point
• Inca Trail permit, Machu Picchu entry and camping fees
• A fully supported trek
• All meals and drinking water on the trek
• A private portable toilet
• High quality mess and sleeping tents with a comfortable insulated sleeping mat
• Access to emergency oxygen and first aid kit

What's Not Included

• Flights
• Visas
• Airport transfers
• Accommodation in Cuzco
• Tips for your guides and crew
• Personal items
• Travel insurance (you must be insured, and specifically for treks up to 4500m)
• Your personal trekking gear
• Your personal medicines or prescriptions
• Snacks on the trek
• Meals and drinks not on the trek

This trip takes responsibility seriously and ‘goes the extra mile’ to ensure that your presence in this country is entirely positive.

Central to this is

• Caring for the crew
• Caring for the local environment
• Caring for the local communities

All guides and partners are hand picked to ensure that every aspect of your trip operates to the highest standard and reflect the strong values, ethics and joy of travel.

This commitment to Responsible Travel is mutually beneficial without compromising the countries and communities touched or the depth and uniqueness of your adventure.

Key values of this trip

• Leave nothing behind
• We’re the visitors, let’s be respectful at all times
• Deliver a breathtaking experience
• Let’s benefit local communities and environments

Let’s help keep these wonderful places precious.

Porters and crew

All crew are paid proper wages and are treated with respect and dignity. This trip with IMEC, IPPG and KPAP, all not-for-profit organisations that focus on improving the working conditions of porters.

Friends of Conservation

Travellers are given the opportunity to mitigate some of the environmental impacts of flying by supporting community and conservation initiatives.

Travellers Against Plastic

This trip is a proud supporter of the Leave No Trace and Travellers Against Plastic campaigns, which help educate travellers on the impact of travel and provide practical guidance for enjoying the outdoors responsibly.

Costs

Both guides were excellent; very knowledgeable, responsible, caring, patient, upbeat, encouraging and fun. Jose’s English was excellent. We had 2 stomach issues before we started the trek and 2 issues with altitude on the trek that they handled incredibly well. They took great care of everyone. The food was shockingly good and plentiful and we some really fun culinary surprises each day. Personally, I had dietary restrictions which they handled beautifully, and I felt I ate as well as the group. They are a very professional and well run team. We trusted our guides completely. Everyone on the trek including the porters and cooks were terrific. We really enjoyed our guides on so many levels and after spending a week together, we all miss them both! | L B

My daughter and I completed the four-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. The scenery was spectacular, the history and footsteps we followed were inspiring, and our tour group was amazing! Our tour guide, Juan Carlos, was enthusiastic and passionate in sharing his knowledge of Inca history and culture. He translated for us, was encouraging, fun and patient, checking to ensure we were adjusting well to the high altitude. He was a gem! Our cook, Carmelo, served healthy, beautiful masterpieces for every meal! He surprised us with creative carvings at dinner. Our porters encouraged and cheered us, and made us feel safe and supported. It was a wonderful, spectacular, exhausting, memorable experience I will cherish forever! | Andrea