Inca Trail Trek Experience 9D/8N (Lima to Lima)

Lima

Lima, Peru

Day 1

Cusco

Cusco, Peru

Days 2-3

Cusco

Cusco, Peru

Day 7

Lima

Lima, Peru

Day 8

38 Views

9 Days From

~~$1369~~

$1304

Inca Trail Trek Experience 9D/8N (Lima to Lima)

9 Days Starting and ending in Lima, Peru

Visiting: Lima, Cusco, Wayllabamba Camp, Pacasmayo, Winay Wayna Camp

Tour operator:

Bamba Travel

Tour code:

55876

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Partially Guided

Physical rating:

Easy

Age range:

18-90

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Walking Hiking and Trekking

From: $1369 $1304 (USD) Travel Club discount: -$65

NB: Prices correct on 22-Feb-2025 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable adventure with Bamba's Inca Trail Trek, immersing in Peru's rich history and stunning landscapes. Traverse the iconic Machu Picchu, explore the Sacred Valley, and delve into vibrant Cusco. Experience thrilling hikes, awe-inspiring ancient ruins, and local culture. Perfect for avid trekkers and history enthusiasts, this journey offers breathtaking views, unique encounters, and a profound connection to the heritage of the Andes. Ideal for those seeking an exceptional, immersive Peruvian experience.

Highlights

Fly from Lima to Cuzco with time to acclimatize, and back
Enjoy trekking the original Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Experience hidden archaeological sites in the Andes
Learn about Inca history in Machu Picchu with a guide

Itinerary

tourhub | Bamba Travel | Inca Trail Trek Experience 9D/8N (Lima to Lima) | 55876 | Route Map

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Day 1: Lima, Peru

Location: Lima

Accommodation: Hotel

Duration: 9 Days

Departure Time: 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00, 22:00, 23:00, 00:00

Lima Airport Pickup
Welcome to Lima, the City of Kings. Upon arrival to the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. Please look for your driver at the airport, he will be holding a sign with your name on it. Once you have checked into the hotel, the remainder of your first day will be free. While Peru’s capital officially began life in 1535, when Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro founded the city on the Day of the Three Kings, settlements had been scattered through the valley since before the Incas. The city was built on top of an existing palace and temples that belonged to the local chief who had little choice but to move on. Lima was in its prime during the Spanish colonial days and much of the city’s attraction now lies in its well-preserved historical center.

Day 2: Lima - Cusco, Peru

Location: Cusco

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Free morning and transfer to Cusco (B)
Enjoy the morning free to explore the city on your own. In the afternoon, our driver will pick you up from your hotel’s foyer and will transfer you to the airport to take your flight towards the imperial city of Cusco - the historic heartland and former capital of the Incan Empire. Our driver will welcome you at the airport and will transfer you to your hotel. Cusco is a favorite destination of many visitors to Peru. As you wander the streets and side alleys of the city you will witness the perfect tapering Inca stonework that provided the foundations for many of Cusco’s colonial and modern buildings. The city itself is the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city and was the home of the Inca Empire for two centuries before the Spanish built their first capital here. Today, Cusco is a fascinating combination of both cultures. Take the time to acclimatize to the city’s 3450-metre high (11,150 ft) altitude and explore the many Baroque churches and ancient temples that dot the city.

Day 3: Cusco, Peru

Location: Cusco

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Day in Cusco (B)
Enjoy a free day in Cusco to explore the city on your own. We recommend visiting some of Cusco’s main attractions, as well as its lesser-known sights such as the Qoricancha temple, San Pedro market, the main square, the 12 Angled Stone, Regocijo Square and San Blas Square. In the afternoon, you will have a mandatory briefing on your trek. At this meeting, you will receive detailed information on the route, a list of what to bring, confirm your pick-up service and be able to ask questions.

Day 4: Cusco - Wayllabamba Camp, Peru

Location: Wayllabamba Camp

Accommodation: Camp

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Ollantaytambo and trek to Wayllabamba Camp (L/D)
Accommodation pick-up is between 05:00-06:00hrs. Please make all of the necessary preparations one day prior to the trek. You will be taken by bus to the town of Ollantaytambo, where you will have an hour to eat breakfast on your own and purchase last-minute snacks, water and walking sticks. Then you will hop back on the bus to Piscacucho (KM 82) where the famous Inca Trail journey will begin. Bring your original passport, student card (if applicable) for the first Inca Trail checkpoint. Your guide will have your tickets for you. Hike along rolling hills in the Vilcanota River Valley passing by several small archaeological sites along the way. Lunch will be prepared half-way and you will have time to relax before reaching Wayllabamba camp (2,980m).
Trekking: 10 kilometers / 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate trek along a rolling path gradually ascending from Piscacucho KM 82 (2,570m) through the Urubamba river valley for 10 KM to reach Wayllabamba Camp (2,980m). NOTE: You will have a guide during the trek and on the Machu Picchu tour. However, during your bus and train transfers you will not be accompanied by a guide.

Day 5: Wayllabamba Camp - Pacaymayo Camp, Peru

Location: Pacasmayo

Accommodation: Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek via Dead Woman's Pass (B/L/D)
After an early breakfast around 6:00hrs you will start off on the most challenging day along the trail, with a vertical hike of 6 km (approx. 5 hours) to reach Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215m followed by a 3 km hike down stone steps to reach Pacaymayo camp at 3,600m (approx. 2 hours). Take your time and rest as much as you need, as you will ascend more than 1,200 meters over the course of the morning. Just after you cross Dead Woman's Pass you will be rewarded with spectacular views of nearby snow-capped mountain peaks and roaring waterfalls. Stroll slowly down to Pacaymayo Camp (3,600m) to enjoy the scenery. Arrive in time for lunch and a well-deserved nap. Then you will have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the camp before dinner and an early bedtime.
Trekking: 10 kilometers / 7 hours.
Difficulty: Difficult trekking day starting at Wayllabamba Camp (2,980m) with a constant and demanding ascent of 6.4 KM to Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215m), an elevation gain of 1,200 vertical meters. Descend another 2.4 KM along a stone staircase to reach Pacaymayo Camp (3,600m), a decrease in elevation of 800 vertical meters.

Day 6: Pacaymayo Camp - Wiñayhuayna Camp, Peru

Location: Winay Wayna Camp

Accommodation: Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek via Runquracay Pass (3,950m) (B/L/D)
Start with a one-hour hike uphill to visit the Pacaymayo archaeological site. Continue one hour to Runquracay Pass (3,950m) where you can summit the mountain for incredible views of surrounding peaks. Visit 2 more archaeological sites called Sayacmarca & Phuyupatamarca with your guide and have lunch along the way. By late afternoon you will reach Wiñayhuayna High Jungle camp (2,650m) set above a river valley in a high jungle climate. After dinner, say a big THANK YOU to your porters and guides.
Trekking: 15 kilometers / 9 hours
Difficulty: Moderate ups and downs along ancient Inca stairways for 15 KM from Pacaymayo Camp (3,600m) crossing over Runquracay Pass (3,950m) ending at Wiñayhuayna High Jungle Camp (2,650m) with breaks at scenic archaeological sites along the way

Day 7: Wiñayhuayna Camp - Cusco, Peru

Location: Cusco

Accommodation: Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trek to Sun Gate and Explore Machu Picchu (B)
Wake up between 3:30 and 4:30hrs and have breakfast. Get on the trail early and head to the Wiñaywayna checkpoint, joining the lineup to wait for the gate to open at 5:30 am. Once the gate opens, hike about an hour to reach the Sun Gate. We'll keep our fingers crossed for a clear day! Catch the first glimpses of light over the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu, a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Then continue down the final length of the trail for 40 minutes to reach the Machu Picchu archaeological complex.
Trekking: 7 kilometers / 2 hours
Difficulty: Follow an easy, flat and narrow 7 KM path from Wiñayhuayna High Jungle Camp (2,650m) to the Sun Gate (2,720m) and finally descend into the archaeological site of Machu Picchu (2,400m)
Visit this magical site on a 2-hour guided tour and learn about the history of this incredible Inca citadel. Afterwards, you will have free time to explore on your own and take pictures at your leisure. If you're feeling adventurous, take an optional trek to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (must be booked in advance). Return to Aguas Calientes from where you will catch a train to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, you will take a bus back to Cusco, arriving back by 8:30pm. You will be dropped off late in the day at the Plaza San Francisco. Please make your own way back to the accommodation of your choice. Optional Activities: Choose to take an optional hike up the steep Huayna Picchu peak or Machu Picchu Mountain. Tickets must be purchased at least 2 weeks in advance and are subject to availability. Please send us an email if you are interested.

Day 8: Cusco - Lima, Peru

Location: Lima

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Transfer back to Lima (B)
At the appropriate time, our driver will pick you up at the hotel’s foyer and will transfer you to the airport to take your flight back to Lima. Once in Lima, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 9: Lima, Peru

Location: Lima

Meals Included: Breakfast

Drop-off at Lima Airport (B)
Today, you’ll be transferred to the airport to take your international flight back home. Safe travels onwards!

What's Included

Accommodation

8N in budget accommodation and camps
2N in Lima
3N in Cuzco
3N in shared tent for 2 people
Transport

Transport as per itinerary
Airport transfers
Accommodation pick-up in Cuzco to start the trek
Regular bus service Cusco - KM 82
Regular bus ticket Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes
Regular train ticket Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo
Regular bus ticket Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Domestic flights from Lima - Cuzco - Lima
Meals

7B/3L/3D
Activities

4-day trek along the Inca Trail
Machu Picchu guided visit (2 hours, entrance fee included)
Trek to Machu Picchu
Guides

Professional guide on trek and Machu Picchu tour
Extras

Entrance fees and support during trek
Inca Trail permits
Machu Picchu entrance fees
Porters and cook to carry all shared camping equipment
Emergency oxygen bottle
First aid kit

What's Not Included

International flights
Professional trekking poles (15USD for the trek)
Huayna Picchu Trek (approx. 200 Soles)
Machu Picchu Mountain Hike (approx. 200 Soles)
Personal expenses and gratuities
Other activities
Travel insurance
Meals not specified in the itinerary
Inflatable sleeping mattress (15USD for the trek)

Mode of Transport

Transport as per itinerary, including airport transfers, bus rides, and train journeys, ensuring seamless travel from Lima to Cusco and back.

Accommodation

Enjoy 8 nights in budget accommodation and camps, providing a comfortable and authentic experience throughout your Inca Trail trek.

Check out our Q&As

What is the difficulty level of the trek on Day 5?

Day 5 involves a difficult trekking day starting at Wayllabamba Camp (2,980m) with a constant and demanding ascent of 6.4 KM to Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215m), an elevation gain of 1,200 vertical meters. This is followed by a descent of 2.4 KM along a stone staircase to reach Pacaymayo Camp (3,600m), a decrease in elevation of 800 vertical meters.
What happens on the final day of the trek?

On the final day of the trek, you will wake up early and head to the Wiñaywayna checkpoint, then hike to the Sun Gate to catch the first glimpses of light over Machu Picchu. You will then have a 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu, followed by free time to explore on your own. Afterwards, you will return to Aguas Calientes, catch a train to Ollantaytambo, and then take a bus back to Cusco.
Are there any additional costs for equipment during the trek?

Yes, there are additional costs for an inflatable sleeping mattress (15 USD for the trek) and professional trekking poles (15 USD for the trek).
Is there an option to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?

Yes, there is an optional trek to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, but tickets must be purchased at least 2 weeks in advance and are subject to availability.
What meals are included in the Inca Trail Trek Experience?

The tour includes 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners.

What kind of accommodation is provided during the Inca Trail Trek Experience?

The tour includes 8 nights in budget accommodation and camps, providing a comfortable and authentic experience throughout your Inca Trail trek.
What archaeological sites will be visited during the trek?

During the trek, you will visit several small archaeological sites along the way, including Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, and Wiñayhuayna.
What kind of transport is included in the tour?

Transport as per itinerary is included, which covers airport transfers, bus rides, and train journeys, ensuring seamless travel from Lima to Cusco and back.
Will there be a guide during the trek and Machu Picchu tour?

Yes, you will have a professional guide during the trek and on the Machu Picchu tour. However, during your bus and train transfers, you will not be accompanied by a guide.
Is there an age limit?

No! Most of our bamba travellers fall between the ages of 18 - 35, but everyone is young at heart and welcome to come experience the world with us! If you are between the ages of 18 and 118, we invite you to travel with bamba and have the time of your life! Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

Most of our trips cater to the adventurous independent traveller. In fact, many of our travellers arrive on their own and quickly find that they easily meet like-minded people along the way at their hostels, on transportation, or during activities.
Do I need travel insurance?

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your trip, especially when travelling in developing countries. Bamba does not include travel insurance of any type.Your current medical insurance may cover part of your trip, so it is important for you to become familiar with your current coverage. We recommend purchasing additional travel insurance that provides coverage for medical emergencies, emergency evacuation and repatriation, lost or stolen items and unforeseen cancellations. If you plan to participate in activities such as white-water rafting, trekking, sand-buggy rides, etc please make sure they are included in your policy.

Reviews of this operator

Jonas Nesset(Norway)

The company is exceptional. When...

Dec 10 2019

The company is exceptional. When I had questions, I always got prompt and professional answers. The excursions that Bamba organized were fantastic! Thank you once again for everything!

Shane Alce(United Kingdom)

For true explorers....

Aug 12 2019

For true explorers.

Marian Reder(Germany)

To this day, this is...

Oct 2 2019

To this day, this is the best tour we've ever done together as a couple! The fun activities, great hotels and nice guides worth the money! We were always taken care of and they made sure that we had a good time. This tour is definitely worth taking.

Tanja Ottosen(Denmark)

The Bamba Team really made...

Jan 9 2020

The Bamba Team really made my journey one of the most memorable experiences of my life! Still so nice and supportive! They handled everything and responded to each question within a few minutes. I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone. Especially if you want to do a lot of activities and travel to a lot of different places without feeling rushed. They've also helped me with specific issues that weren't covered by the tour, as well as answering general questions. Thank you so much for making my journey so enjoyable!

Braiden Rowe(United States)

The tour was fantastic; I...

Feb 12 2020

The tour was fantastic; I was able to visit some of Japan's most beautiful locations, and the accommodations were excellent, with convenient access to the city's best attractions. Also, our tour guide was fantastic. I will pick bamba again and recommend the tour to anyone who wants to see Japan while having a good time!!

Aaron Davies(Australia)

I only have good words...

Oct 23 2019

I only have good words about our trip to Kenya. The entire experience was totally magical and I struggle to say how fantastic it was. We were fortunate enough to have a brilliant vehicle for ourselves, but we had great luck with David for our guide too. He was very knowledgeable, courteous and nice. Thank you for helping to create this fantastic safari experience. I Highly recommend this company.

Matteo Hoffmeister(Germany)

Bamba Experience has been the...

Jun 5 2019

Bamba Experience has been the best tour guide I've ever had. Every tour has been a thrilling experience. There are so many things to choose from. Bamba has been extremely helpful in providing us with all of the necessary information for our departures and activities! Bamba has made this a simple and enjoyable experience. I'll certainly tell my friends and family about it! Thank you very much, Bamba!!

Melanie Liu Chang(Australia)

We organized a trip through...

Feb 20 2020

We organized a trip through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia on the hop-on, hop-off bus. It made the trip so much simpler for us as first-time travelers because we just had to send an email to arrange the bus, which avoided the hassle of looking for the best price and so on! We also had a number of tours included, they were all amazing and saved us the trouble of trying to find the best offers on our own; it also meant we got to see a lot of stuff we wouldn't have seen otherwise. Overall, it was a fantastic experience that I will strongly suggest and use again!

Marius Halvorson(Norway)

Our Bamba tour of Vietnam...

Jun 25 2019

Our Bamba tour of Vietnam was fantastic. We had a lot of new experiences and all of the help we needed to make this a stress-free vacation. The well-organized accomodation and transportation were excellent. We will certainly use Bamba in the future.

Alexis Helman(Australia)

I had booked our Uyuni...

Jun 25 2019

I had booked our Uyuni Salt Flats & Desert Adventure 3D/2N (Uyuni to Atacama) tour via an Australian travel agency, but they had made an error and refused to assist us or take responsibility. This was very difficult for us because we wanted to have a stress-free honeymoon. I contacted Bamba and I asked if we could talk on the phone so they made the improvements to our tour reservation that our travel agent declined to make. The quality of service was exceptional and they generously offered to us a complimentary gift because it was our honeymoon. I can't say enough good things about Bamba.

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~~$1369~~ $1304 (USD)