5 Day Inca Trail Hike

Trip Overview

Our private hike includes an overnight stay in a hotel in Aguas Calientes. We’ll return to Machu Picchu for a guided tour on Day 5, with the option to hike Huayna Picchu if tickets are purchased in advance.

Private Service
$1392

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Taking Reservations Now for Inca Trail Hikes in 2024.  

Day 1: Hotel in Cusco - Wayllabamba Camp (LD)

Adios team will pick you up from your hotel at 6:00 am in private vehicle and begin the drive to Km 82 in Piskacucho, with a brief stop in Ollaytaytambo, where you can buy last minute gear and personal items. We arrive at the trail head and the hike begins on a strolling, flat path along the Urubamba River and then gently shifts upward until our lunch stop. Along the way, we will get a close-up view of the archaeological ruins of Llactapata before we arrive at our campsite for the night. Max altitude - 3000 m/9900 ft  Distance - 10 km/6 mi

Day 2: Wayllabamba - Warmiwanusca - Paqaymayu Camp (BLD)

We'll start the day early with a healthy breakfast prepared by our chef and then hike up to the highest point of the Inka Trail (Dead Woman's Pass). Notice several ecological zones and the different microclimates. The chef will have lunch ready and waiting at midday prior to passing the highest point, Warmiwañusca Pass at 4,200 meters/13,780 feet above sea level. Our descent will eventually take us to the campsite Pacaymayo, where will enjoy our dinner and a well-deserved rest. Max altitude - 4270m/14,000 ft  Distance - 12 Km/7.5 mi

Day 3: Paqaymayu - Chaqicocha -  Phuyupatamarca Camp (BLD)

Begin the most unforgettable day as you hike through the cloud forest with stops along the way to explore Incan sites.  Alluring landscape is dotted with a variety of wild orchids and birds, reminders of why we seek and enjoy rigorous outdoor activities. Ascend to 13,123 ft/4000 m, then down to 12000 ft/3657 m. Pass through a hilly area to reach the 3rd highest pass where you camp. Max altitude - 4000 m/13,123 ft  Distance - 11 km (6.8 miles)

Day 4: Phuyupatamarca - Winaywayna - Machu Picchu (BX)

After a good rest we wake up early and hike down about 3-4 hours to Winayhuayna and from here towards the Sungate, where if it’s clear, you will get your first magnificent glance of Machu Picchu ruins in the distance. Continue hiking down to the guard shack on the upper terrace to enjoy the classic view of Machupicchu. Then hike to the exit where we board the shuttle bus to Aguas Calientes, check into our hotel and enjoy dinner in the restaurant of your choice. (dinner not included)  Max altitude 3680 m/ 12,033 ft Distance - 11 km (6.8 milies) 

Day 5: Machu Picchu - Cusco (B)

Awaken early, enjoy a quick breakfast in your hotel, then board shuttle bus for 30 minute ride to main entry of Machu Picchu National Park which opens at 6 am. Guided tour of lower circuit takes from 2-3H depending on your preference, then take the shuttle bus to return to Aguas Calientes, where you will board the train for 2H ride to Ollantaytambo. Our driver will be waiting to take you the final 2H by car to your hotel in Cusco. Max altitude 2400/7874 ft

Tour Options

Private Service

Days/Nights:
5 D / 4 N
Difficulty Level:
Moderate to Strenuous
Departure:
Choose any dates
Starting From$1392per person

Frequently Asked Questions

How has covid-19 affected the availability of Inca Trail hike permits?

For groups who were scheduled to hike in 2020, the Peru government allowed tour operators to reschedule the hikes on later dates. For new hikes in 2021, the Peru government typically releases permits in October for the next year. Because permits have not been released yet, there is no indication that anything will be different for hikers in 2021. Adios Adventure Travel is taking soft reservations now without any payment until we know that permits are available and how much they will be. 

Will our hike be private?

All the hikes offered by Adios Adventure Travel have always been in private service. This will continue after covid-19. 

Will I get altitude sickness? It's common for most people coming from sea level to experience at least mild symptoms of altitude sickness when they arrive in Cusco, which is 11,000 ft/3430 m above sea level.  Age is not a factor for the severity of symptoms one can experience.  But fitness can be. Symptoms vary from person to person, but can include:

  • -headache
  • -nausea
  • -insomnia
  • -lethargy
  • -loss of appetite

 

Treatments may include:

  • -OTC pain reliever - bring your own favorite remedy for pain relief
  • -Oxygen. Most hotels have oxygen tanks in their lobbies and guides will carry small tanks of oxygen on hikes.  Some local pharmacies sell an individual size O2 tank for personal use.
  • -Coca Leaf. Locals believe that drinking coca leaf tea will help and you will find the tea leaves readily available in hotel tea bars as well as restaurants. 
  • -Water.  Drink extra to keep your blood flowing freely.  Dehydration leads to sludgy blood and may contribute to your discomfort.
  • -Diamox. (AKA "Acetazolamide" is a diuretic or "water pill") can be purchased by prescription in some western countries or over the counter in Peruvian pharmacies. 
  • -Treatments may alleviate the symptoms as you adjust in the first 24-48 hours.  But you cannot expect the sense of breathlessness to completely disappear, no matter how you treat it.  If symtoms do not show signs of improvement within 24 hours of your arrival, please notify your travel companions or guide so s/he can monitor your progress.  In rare occasions, individuals may need to seek medical attention. 


Is it safe to drink the water?
Tap water in Lima, Cusco and other larger cities is consumed by local people every day.  But is it safe for you?  There's only one way to find out and we suggest that you not drink the tap water or use it to brush your teeth.  Bottled water is cheap and available everywhere including small towns and villages.  We support Travelers Against Plastic to reduce the use of disposable water bottles and encourage you to bring a purification device to make your own safe drinking water.  The device should be rated to purify water from microbes and viruses, not just for taste.  Purified drinking water is provided on all the multi-day hikes and during your stay in the Amazon jungle lodges.  Please bring your own water to begin the activity.

What equipment do you provide for hikes?
Porters will carry tents for sleeping, cooking, dining & urinating (we provide a special tent for "pee pee" which has biodegradable toilet for #1. We could call it the "girls'" tent, but we won't). And we provide all kitchen and cooking supplies including the food that is served.  We do not provide sleeping bags, trekking poles or big, fluffy pillows.  With advance notice, sleeping bags can be rented for $20 pp.  Trekking poles are available to rent for $20 pp for multi-day hikes and $8 pp for 1 day hikes.  Our sleeping bags are Sierra Designs/North Face/Mountain Hardwear brand mummy bags rated to 20 degrees or 30 degrees F.  If you choose to rent a sleeping bag, we ask you to provide your own bag liner.  We also provide Therma-rest Basecamp regular-size mattresses.  If you are over 6' 4/190 cm, please bring your own mattress or let us know & we'll tape 2 mattresses end to end (just kidding - like the big, fluffy pillows).  We provide duffle bags for multi-day hikes.

How do I know if I'll need an extra porter for my hike?
All multi-day hikes with Adios Adventure Travel include 2 porters per hiker.  This is our standard.  We do this as much for the porters as for the hikers.  One way to protect porters from abuse is to ensure that there are enough porters to distribute the load.  And another way to show appreciation for porters is to pay them living wages.  Which we do.  It's at your discretion to tip porters. Customary amount is $25-$35 each after the hike.  You are free to tip any amount you can afford.

Should I travel to South America if I have a life-threatening allergy?
We've learned that there are different kinds of allergies; from hayfever to insect stings.  IF YOU HAVE A LIFE-THREATENING ALLERGY TO ANY FOOD, INSECT, MEDICATION OR NATURAL ELEMENT, WE REQUIRE WRITTEN, ADVANCE NOTICE WITH FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE ALLERGEN AND THE TREATMENT.  We reserve the right to require a doctors written approval for you to travel or ask you to provide your own treatment remedy and plan. And we ask you to notify your guide during your first meeting.  In rare circumstances we may choose to reject your reservation if we feel that your condition is beyond the scope of the training of our guides or may negatively impact other travelers.  Epi-pens are only useful in areas where you are close to medical services like Lima or Cusco.

What is the best way to travel between Lima and Cusco?
We recommmend flying between the cities because other means requires more time or is not practical for short vacations.  There is no train service between Lima and Cusco.  And while there is bus service, the drive is almost 24 hours long over paved, but winding mountain roads. There is no speedy highway.  The cost of round-trip air tickets varies from around $250 pp on the domestic carriers, including STAR PERU AIRLINES and PERUVIAN AIRLINES, to $450 pp on LAN AIRLINES and somewhere in-between on TACA (recently merged with AVIANCA) AIRLINES. The majority of the flights between the cities occurs in the morning to mid-day hours.  Afternoon flights taper off by 5 pm and there are no evening flights in either direction due to mountain weather conditions.

Where should I stay if my international flight arrives in Lima in the evening?
There is only one hotel at the Lima airport.  The Wyndham Hotel is connected to the arrivals terminal by a skybridge on the 2nd floor.  It takes literally 2 minutes to walk from the terminal to the lobby of the hotel.  The hotel is expensive by Peruvian standards (in excess of $250 per double room per night). We've seen good rates on booking.com and hotels.com  The hotel will accommodate as many as 3 to a room, but not 4. 

This hotel is best for groups who arrive in Lima late evening and plan to depart again by air the next day.  For groups planning to stay in Lima, it's best to pre-arrange a transfer to a hotel outside the airport, unless you don't mind paying the "gringo rate" when you negotiate on your own. The travel time is about 45 minutes each way when the traffic is moderate.  And the cost ranges from $35 each way and up.  If your group is larger than 3 persons, you may need a transfer in a mini-van or two taxis. 

Do I need vaccinations to visit Machu Picchu?
The altitude of Machu Picchu is 8000 ft/2440 m and higher.  Disease-carrying vectors do not thrive at higher elevations.  US passport holders are not required to get Yellow Fever vaccinations or prophylactic Malaria treatments.  Although there have been no recent cases of Yellow Fever in Peru, some countries, including the US, recommend that visitors get Yellow Fever vaccinations prior to visiting the Amazon Rainforest including Tambopata Reserve or Manu National Reserve.  We recommend that travelers check the regulations for re-entry for any countries they will pass through after leaving Peru, Bolivia or Ecuador.  Bolivia requires all foreigners to have proof of yellow fever vaccination upon entry if you plan to travel to the Bolivian Amazon jungle. (Some countries including Australia, require their citizens to get yellow fever vaccination if they enter Peru, even if they are only visiting the higher elevations) 

This Adventure Includes

    • Pre-hike briefing the day before your hike starts.  Usually in your hotel or nearby hotel if there are others in the group.
    • Transportation from: Hotel - Km. 82 (Piscaycucho) and returning to your hotel in Cusco at the end of Day 5.
    • 1 night accommodation in 3* hotel with private bath, in Aguas Calientes on Day 4 (upgrades available)
    • Shuttle Bus Tickets:  Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes (3 times - 1 down on Day 4, roundtrip on Day 5)
    • Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
    • English-speaking guide (2 guides if group is more than 8 people)
    • Trail chef: meal preparation. (B = Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner, X= Box lunch)
    • 2 Porters per person: Carry camp equipment in addition to your persona duffle bag with sleeping bags, mattresses & personal items (Max. 5 kilos/ 11 lbs per person)
    • Meals: 3 Breakfasts/3 Lunches + 1 Box lunch /3 Dinners + Breakfast on Day 5
    • Snacks and afternoon tea
    • Tickets for Machu Picchu
    • Permits for Inca Trail
    • First aid kit
    • Use of trekking poles

Not Included

    • Hotels in Cusco (we offer our groups preferred rate $87 USD per dbl at Encantada Casa)
    • Drinking water at the start of Day 1 and after breakfast on Day 4
    • Meals after lunch on Day 4 (except as noted BLDX)
    • Sleeping bags (bring your own or rent ours for $20 pp) 
    • Gratuities at your discretion: suggested tip per porter $25 USD, cook $40 USD and guide $100 USD at the end
    • Tickets to hike Huayna Picchu (add $85 USD per person. Must be booked in advance)

Notes

    • Rates are based on min of 2 people in double room
    • Inca Trail permits cannot be refunded, transferred, rescheduled or cancelled
    • Rates based on double/triple occupancy in hotel
    • Single supplement add $62 USD
    • Add tickets to hike MP Mtn or Huayna Picchu for $85 USD pp (we cannot guarantee availability)
    • We provide a duffle bag for each hiker. Sleeping bags/mattresses take up about 50% of total weight allowance
    • There is no wait list for Inca Trail permits when they are sold out. If someone doesn't show up, their place will go empty