Lovely pic of the encounter of the natural habitants of Machu Picchu with a visitor, a llama and its guest in the Inca Sanctuary.

Private Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

4 Days & 3 Nights
Starting from US$1050 per person
Accommodation Icon
Camps Accommodation
Group Size Icon
From 2 People Group Size
Max. Altitude Icon
4,215 m / 13,829 ft Max. Altitude
Difficulty Icon
Moderate to Challenging Difficulty

Inca Trail Private Tour - All Inclusive

Dead Woman’s Pass - Runkurakay - Sayacmarca - Phuyupatamarca - Wiñay Wayna - Sun Gate - Machu Picchu
Accommodation Icon
Camps Accommodation
Group Size Icon
From 2 People Group Size
Max. Altitude Icon
4,215 m / 13,829 ft Max. Altitude
Difficulty Icon
Moderate to Challenging Difficulty

Does the sound of hiking one of the most incredible treks in the world designed exactly the way you want it to appeal to you? Then you’ll love our Private Inca Trail tour. Not only will you hike this amazing route, but you can customize it according to your needs, preferences, and hiking speed. Walk with an elite team of porters, chefs, and a tour guide just for the people in your group. This trek is ideal for couples, families with children, or a group of friends.

What can you expect? You’ll hike through the most stunning Andean landscapes and visit some of the most significant Inca sites along the way, all with your own personal trekking team. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the most sought-after trail in Peru and makes for an excellent challenge for any type of hiker.

Private Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days  Map Day by Day (4D/3N) Private Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Map
  • Overview
  • Itinerary
  • Inclusions
  • Additional Items
  • Before You Go
  • Packing List
  • Pricing
  • Enquire Now
  Overview

Do you want to hike the best route in Peru but don’t like the idea of traveling in a group? Then our Private Inca Trail Tour is for you. Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is an adventure that’ll truly change your life forever with once-in-a-lifetime experiences and the most wonderful scenery. You can join us with your family, friends, or as a couple.

Over 40,000 km of Inca trails run all over South America to the ends of their far-reaching empire. This four-day hike to the Inca fortress of Machu Picchu is considered to be the most iconic trail among all the thousands of kilometers that make up the original network. Many magazines, like National Geographic, list this section of the Inca Trail as one of the top 5 treks across the globe and, most certainly, the most famous trek of all South America.

Along the way, the complexity of these fascinating archeological sites will astound you in contrast with the striking beauty of the surrounding hills and valleys. This tour is ideal for those hungry for adventure and excitement to walk in our Andean ancestors' footsteps along the sacred route to Machu Picchu.

Enjoy the unique experience of entering Machu Picchu for the first time through the Sun Gate and exploring the site with your knowledgeable guide. This is the ultimate trek for the most epic Inca experience and to learn all about their history. So, what are you waiting for? Put on your hiking boots and retrace ancient steps with Salkantay Trekking!

Itinerary at a Glance

  • Day 01

    Cusco | Piscacucho, KM 82 - Canabamba - Wilkaracay - Llactapata - Huayllabamba - Ayapata

    Head to Piscacucho, KM 82, to start your hike and walk to Wilkaracay and Llactapata. Then continue to the camp at Ayapata to spend time with the community, eat dinner, and get some rest.

  • Day 02

    Ayapata - Dead Woman’s Pass - Pacaymayu - Runcuracay Pass - Sayacmarca - Chaquicocha

    Hike to the highest point, Dead Woman’s Pass, before heading to the Runcuracay and Sayacmarca archaeological sites. Spend the night in Chaquicocha.

  • Day 03

    Chaquicocha | Phuyupatamarca - Inti Pata - Wiñay Wayna

    Observe the stunning views and visit Phuyupatamarca archaeological site. Head to your camp and explore Wiñay Wayna with your guide before enjoying a team celebration this evening.

  • Day 04

    Wiñay Wayna | Sun Gate (Inti Punku) - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

    Hike to the Sun Gate for your first views over Machu Picchu. Enjoy a one-and-a-half-hour guided tour before catching the train to Ollantaytambo and then our private vehicle to your accommodation in Cusco.

What's it like

Highlights

  • The Inca Trail is the best route in all of Peru and is considered one of the world's five best treks.
  • You'll get to see a massive variety of flora and fauna, snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, streams, rustic bridges, wildlife, and the cloud forest as you hike through the picturesque Andean landscapes.
  • The Inca Trail is known for the many ancient constructions and archeological sites along the way, which you’ll be free to explore along the journey while your guide informs you of their history.
  • Machu Picchu, of course, is the biggest highlight of the whole trip. You can take the train to this new wonder of the world, but trekking is much more rewarding. Visiting Machu Picchu takes on a whole new meaning when you have to sweat to get there.
  • Board the Vistadome panoramic train on the way back to Cusco and enjoy the stunning scenery.

Why Travel with us

  Itinerary
Day 01

Cusco | Piscacucho, KM 82 - Canabamba - Wilkaracay - Llactapata - Huayllabamba - Ayapata

Highlight of the day: Arriving at Llactapata and enjoying the incredible views all day.

Retrace Ancient Steps as Your Adventure Begins

Meals Icon
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Meals
Accommodation Icon
Camps Accommodation
Difficulty Icon
Moderate Difficulty
Walking Distance Icon
14 km / 8.7 mi Walking Distance
Walking Time Icon
14 km / 8.7 mi Walking Time
Starting Elevation Icon
2,700 m / 8,858 ft Starting Elevation
Highest Elevation Icon
3,300 m / 10,827 ft Highest Elevation
Campsite Elevation Icon
3,300 m / 10,827 ft Campsite Elevation

Your adventure begins bright and early, and we’ll drive you to Piscacucho, KM 82, to start your hike. After breakfast, you’ll pass through the checkpoint and begin the flat walk to Wilkaracay and see the Llactapata archaeological site. We’ll then keep going to our lunch spot in Tarayoc.

This afternoon, we’ll continue our hike to our first campsite in Ayapata. You’ll have another opportunity to buy last-minute snacks or other bits and bobs along the way. Once at camp, you’ll eat a delicious dinner and then head to bed for the night.

Our tour guide and hiking team will pick you up early in the morning from your hotel to start your exciting adventure. If you’re in Cusco, we’ll stop by between 4:30 and 5:00 am; if you’re in Urubamba, between 5:30 and 6:00 am, and if you’re in Ollantaytambo, you can sleep a little more because we’ll pick you up between 6:30 and 7:00 am.

From wherever we pick you up, you'll board our private transportation that’ll take you to the place known as Piscacucho, KM 82, which is the starting point of the hike. There, our cook will prepare your first breakfast while you organize your backpack and last bits needed for the trek. Then, you’ll meet the entire trekking team that’ll accompany you along this exciting adventure and will guarantee you some unforgettable memories in the middle of the sacred mountains of Cusco. Please be sure to take your original passport with you to enter the Inca Trail — if you forget this, there’s no way you can enter the route.

Now, we must pass through the checkpoint and start the ultimate Inca experience in Peru!

To help ease us into the trail, the first 2 hours of the path are relatively flat. In this beautiful valley, we'll walk among agricultural fields of potatoes, corn, and barley, with the company of the Sacred Urubamba River and the imposing glacier of La Veronica beside us all the way. That’s some pretty spectacular scenery; we think you’ll agree.

Then, we will head on to Wilkaracay and admire the fascinating archaeological site of Llactapata, which boasts its stone constructions amid three valleys. We’ll then continue for 20 minutes more until we get to Tarayoc, where we’ll have our lunch. You’ll be surprised by the delicacies our chefs have prepared for you in the middle of the mountains!

Once you’re full, we have other three-and-a-half hours of walking until we arrive at our first campsite in Ayapata (3,300 m / 10,827 ft). If you need to buy a snack to eat or drink or forget your camera batteries, don't worry. In this last section of the day, we’ll walk through two small communities where you can buy whatever you need. We’ll arrive at the camp around 5:00 pm. It’ll now be time to relax your tired legs while enjoying a snack or sipping a hot drink. A delicious dinner will be ready at 7:30 pm, and then a well-deserved night of rest awaits you.

Day 02

Ayapata - Dead Woman’s Pass - Pacaymayu - Runcuracay Pass - Sayacmarca - Chaquicocha

Highlight of the day: Reaching the highest point of the trek and visiting some interesting archaeological complexes.

Take In the Amazing Views of the Andean Mountain Range

Meals Icon
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Meals
Accommodation Icon
Camps Accommodation
Difficulty Icon
Challenging Difficulty
Walking Distance Icon
16 km / 9.94 mi Walking Distance
Walking Time Icon
8 to 9 hours Walking Time
Starting Elevation Icon
3,300 m / 10,827 ft Starting Elevation
Min. Elevation Icon
3,300 m / 10,827 ft Min. Elevation
Highest Elevation Icon
4,215 m / 13,829 ft Highest Elevation
Campsite Elevation Icon
3,600 m / 11,811 ft Campsite Elevation

Our next day begins early again as we set off to Dead Woman’s Pass, which is the highest point of the whole trek. You’ll take in the stunning views before we head down to the bottom of the valley and our lunch spot in Pacaymayu.

This afternoon, we’ll continue on until we reach the Runcuracay archaeological site to explore and then onto the Runcuracay pass. Take this opportunity to get your last views of the snowy mountains. Next, we’ll visit the hidden Sayacmarca Inca site before heading to our camp for the night in Chaquicocha for an excellent dinner and well-deserved rest.

We’ll wake you up very early today with a hot coca tea in your tent to warm you up and give you a fantastic boost to begin the day. Today, the longest and most exhausting day of the path awaits, and we’ll be off as soon as we’ve enjoyed breakfast.

We’ll start by hiking uphill for 4 hours to the highest point of the trek, the Dead Woman’s Pass, at 4,215 m / 13,829 ft. At this point, you’ll find it’s the perfect opportunity to open all your senses and connect your soul with those immense mountains everywhere you look. Feel the spirit of the thousands of ancient Peruvians who walked these roads in complete harmony with nature all those hundreds of years ago.

We’ll then descend for an hour and a half to the bottom of the valley to a place called Pacaymayu, where we’ll have lunch — remember, every time we stop, you’ll get the chance to refill your water bottle.

After enjoying a delicious lunch and some rest, we’ll ascend for 45 minutes to the Inca complex of Runcuracay. We’ll explore this small archaeological site and observe two stunning waterfalls on the mountain slopes, which are stronger during the rainy season.

Then, we'll continue to the summit for around 45 more minutes to reach the Runcuracay pass. Put your backpack to one side for a moment, rest, and enjoy the landscapes surrounding you because this is the last section of the Andean snowy peaks you’ll see along the route. This place makes an excellent spot to perform a small ceremony and leave an offering to the mountains and our Mother Earth, known as Pachamama to the locals in the Andes.

Later, we’ll descend for 1 hour to the archaeological site of Sayacmarca, located in an almost inaccessible spot, but it’s well worth the visit. We’ll take a break from trekking here to discover the secrets of this ancient site in the company of our knowledgeable guide. You’ll really love how passionate our guides are and how they make the mountains come alive and conjure up images of the ancient culture. The Incas’ mysteries will be revealed, little by little, as the sun descends and casts a gorgeous red glow over the Vilcabamba mountain range.

From there, we’ve just got 25 more minutes to go until we reach our second campsite in Chaquicocha (3,600 m / 11,811 ft). After another tasty dinner made by our chefs, we’ll be able to observe the stars and learn a little more about the fascinating constellations in the Andean skies, far away from the nearest city.

Day 03

Chaquicocha | Phuyupatamarca - Inti Pata - Wiñay Wayna

Highlight of the day: Exploring the truly fascinating Wiñay Wayna archaeological park.

Travel Back Hundreds of Years at Incan Archaeological Sites

Meals Icon
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Meals
Accommodation Icon
Camps Accommodation
Difficulty Icon
Moderate Difficulty
Walking Distance Icon
9 km / 5.59 mi Walking Distance
Walking Time Icon
4 to 5 hours Walking Time
Starting Elevation Icon
3,600 m / 11,811 ft Starting Elevation
Min. Elevation Icon
2,650 m / 8,694 ft Min. Elevation
Highest Elevation Icon
3,650 m / 11,975 ft Highest Elevation
Campsite Elevation Icon
2,650 m / 8,694 ft Campsite Elevation

After a nourishing breakfast, we’ll head to the last summit of the hike at Phuyupatamarca. You’ll get to soak in the amazing landscapes of the Sacred Valley before visiting the archaeological site of the same name. We’ll then continue on to our camp by the Wiñay Wayna archaeological site to have lunch.

This afternoon, we’ll take a guided tour of the complex and learn all about the interesting history. You’ll visit all the significant sectors before going back to camp. You’ll enjoy a celebration this evening with all the team before saying your goodbyes to the cooks and porters who’ll leave us early in the morning. You’ll need to head to bed early to be up before sunrise.

Congratulations are in order — you overcame the most challenging day! And today a beautiful reward awaits you.

After resting in our comfortable tents and enjoying breakfast, we’ll begin our day at 6:30 am. Remember to look to the left side of the valley to see the majestic glacier of Salkantay on the top of the Aobamba Valley before we continue with our trek.

We’ll walk for an hour and a half to the last summit of the path, Phuyupatamarca (3,650 m / 11,975 ft). From here, you can enjoy the gorgeous landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, accompanied by plenty of lush vegetation, trees, bamboo, and a blanket of clouds that cover the mountains.

Next, we'll visit the Phuyupatamarca archaeological site, from where you’ll get a glimpse of Machu Picchu Mountain surrounded by the Urubamba mountain range.

Afterward, among the expansive vegetation and bird song, we’ll descend for two-and-a-half hours until Inti Pata, an amazing agricultural spot with large terraces. You’ll get the most beautiful, panoramic view of the Sacred Valley of the Incas from here and the Urubamba River, which runs through the valley like a snake in the middle of the gigantic mountains.

Thirty minutes more hiking awaits us until we reach our campsite near the Wiñay Wayna archaeological site. This complex, whose name means “forever young,” is considered the most impressive of the entire route, not counting Machu Picchu, of course, and is what many hikers look forward to on this route. You’re now getting very close to the lost city of the Incas! We’ll arrive at the camp around 1:00 pm for a delicious lunch.

At 4:00 pm, you’ll take a guided visit to the Wiñay Wayna archaeological site. Once again, our guide’s magical explanation will bring the site to life and make it easy for you to imagine what life was like all those years ago. You'll discover water sources, sacred places dedicated to the natural deities like Rainbow Temple, and incredible agricultural platforms. Wiñay Wayna is an excellent place to learn a little more about the fascinating history of the Incas.

Before the end of the day, we’ll enjoy a small celebration with everyone on the team that’s accompanied us along the way: porters and cooks. Remember that they’ve worked very hard to ensure you feel comfortable and safe during the last few days. By spending this time together, we thank them for all their care and affection. Naturally, you can also thank them with some tips, which are custom on routes to Machu Picchu. Here we’ll say goodbye to our cooks and porters.

After our enjoyable celebration, we recommend you go to sleep because we'll start the next day extremely early. The Wonder of the World, Machu Picchu, awaits us in all its glory.

Day 04

Wiñay Wayna | Sun Gate (Inti Punku) - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

Highlight of the day: Without a doubt, exploring the incredible archaeological complex of Machu Picchu.

Explore the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

Meals Icon
Breakfast, Buffet Lunch Meals
Difficulty Icon
Moderate Difficulty
Walking Distance Icon
5 km / 3.11 mi Walking Distance
Walking Time Icon
2 to 3 hours Walking Time
Starting Elevation Icon
2,650 m / 8,694 ft Starting Elevation
Highest Elevation Icon
2,720 m / 8,924 ft Highest Elevation
Machu Picchu Inca Town Elevation Icon
2,430 m / 7,972 ft Machu Picchu Inca Town Elevation

We’ll be up long before sunrise today to beat the crowds at Machu Picchu. We’ll begin with a hike to the Sun Gate, from where you’ll get your first incredible views over the Inca citadel. We’ll hike another hour to enter the complex and enjoy a one-and-a-half-hour guided tour of all the important areas.

Around midday, you’ll board the bus that takes you down to Aguas Calientes to enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. You’ll then head to the train station to get to Ollantaytambo and then take our private transport to your accommodation in Cusco.

Today, all the efforts you’ve made over the last few days will give you the biggest reward. We’ll wake up at 3:30 am so that there’s enough time to organize our backpacks and get to Machu Picchu. We’ll provide you with a nourishing box breakfast and water for your bottle to help you on your way at this early hour.

At 4:00 am, we’ll head to the checkpoint to ensure we’re one of the first groups to enter the Inca citadel. At 5:30 am, we’ll start to walk for around 1 hour to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). Get ready because from there you’ll see this marvel of Inca architecture and engineering for the first time. You’ll feel goosebumps all over you as you marvel at the sight below.

Congrats, you made it! You’re already inside Machu Picchu. Bow down to this holy place that’s quietly waited for your visit to change something that’s hidden deep within you. We have another hour of walking until we enter the Machu Picchu fortress, the Lost City of the Incas. At 8:00 am, we’ll arrive at the last control point and enjoy a brief rest to recuperate our energies. We’ll then enjoy a one-and-a-half-hour guided tour of this marvel and all the significant areas.

The intimate connection between human beings and nature is revealed powerfully in Machu Picchu. Immense stones harmoniously link together to form temples, passages, houses, and aqueducts that still function after five centuries. Machu Picchu was built in an inaccessible place to resist the fierce attack of oppression and to remind modern men that only in true communion with Pachamama, our Mother Earth, we can fully exist.

Once you’re ready, you’ll catch the bus down to Aguas Calientes and meet with your guide, where you’ll enjoy your last lunch in a local restaurant. Your guide will then give you your train tickets for the Vistadome Panoramic Train exclusive service and any last bits of information you need to return back to Cusco. Please make sure you are present on the platform at least 30 minutes before the departure of your train.

You’ll arrive at Ollantaytambo train station. There, a representative of Salkantay Trekking will be waiting for you to take you in our private transport to the door of your hotel.

  Inclusions

At Salkantay Trekking, we specify the included and non-included services under all the tour itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please pay attention to the details to avoid missing anything. Some items may be different for specific programs, so please read carefully before booking with us.

What Is Included?

Permits & Entrance Tickets

  • Permits and Ticket for Inca Trail

    As soon as we receive your complete information and the deposit that secures your reservation, we’ll buy all the necessary permits (subject to availability). These permits are issued for a specific date and will be in your name. They cannot be changed under any circumstances. Change of passport number is only allowed for renewal reasons. In that case, you must bring both your old and new passport.

  • Entry to Machu Picchu Archaeological Site (Circuit 3)

High Quality Service & Safety

  • Pre-departure Briefing

    You’ll meet your tour guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. There, we’ll provide you with the duffle bags, which our porters will carry. The meeting will be at 5:00 pm the evening before the trip begins.

  • Experienced Tour Guide

    English and spanish speaking official tour guide. All our guides are graduates of the professional career of Tourism of the National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. We choose them for their professionalism, experience, responsibility, seriousness, unbridled passion for exploring, and sincere desire to proudly share in our culture and history. He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable on your trek so that you can enjoy your time worry-free!

  • Medical Kit or First AID Kit

    All Salkantay Trekking guides have received specialized training in first aid. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to face basic emergencies (altitude sickness, travelers' diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic for treatment.

  • Private Camping Equipment

    You’ll have spacious dining and kitchen tents where you can enjoy your food without problems. In addition, tables, chairs, and cooking equipment; everything carried by our porters.

  • One Duffle Bag

    On the trek, you can carry your personal belongings up to a maximum weight of 7 kg / 15.4 lb (this weight includes your sleeping bag).

  • Sleeping Bag

    Our sleeping bags are effective and durable to protect you from temperatures as low as -18ºC (0ºF). They are mummy-form and include a sleeping liner. The bags are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips.

  • Trekking Poles with rubber tips
  • Inflatable Mattress

    Our camping mattresses will help you sleep comfortably whilst camping!

  • Extras Included in our Service

    We believe that attention to small details is what sets us apart from other local companies. You’ll receive a small sleeping pillow, a cover to protect your backpack on the road, and a rain poncho.

  • Portable Travel Toilet
  • 24/7 Customer Service

    We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication with Salkantay Trekking leading up to your trek.

  • Satellite Phone

    Our main priority will always be the tranquillity of our clients. All of our guides are prepared for emergencies in the mountains; however, being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps you feel more secure. For this reason, each Salkantay Trekking guide has a satellite phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to call anywhere in the world in case of an emergency.

Accommodation

  • Best Camping Tents

    Salkantay Trekking uses the best camping tents to ensure your safety and comfort (e.g., Eureka Timberline or Mountain Hard Wear tents).

Meals

  • Meals: 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, and 3 Dinners

    Our chef prepares the best dishes in the middle of the mountain. Our passengers love our food! We respect all diets (vegetarian, vegan, or special menus are available at no extra cost), so let us know if you have any particular allergies or restrictions on your reservation form and remind your guide during the briefing. You’ll enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in addition to hot drinks and snacks.

  • Water

    From the first lunch to the last breakfast, Salkantay Trekking will provide you with all the water you need. We will provide boiled water, filtered, and cooled. You need to bring a camel bag or an empty bottle. We recommend a capacity of 2 liters. You’ll be able to fill your bottles during each meal.

  • Wake up tea

    Every morning at the campsite, you'll be woken up with a cup of hot coca tea. Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so that you will be warmed from inside out before you start your day.

  • Tea Time or Happy Hour

    Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide you popcorn, biscuits/cookies, coffee, hot chocolate, teas, hot water, etc. After a long day of hiking, you won't have to wait until dinner to relax, warm-up, and enjoy a bite to eat!

  • Snacks on the trail daily

    Before starting your trek, your tour guide will provide you a cloth bag with local fruits, cookies, chocolate, caramels, etc. Every morning, we’ll refill it so that you can enjoy your snacks during the walk.

  • One cloth snack bag per person

    To avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment, we'll give you a cloth bag for your snacks.

  • Hygiene Products

    You’ll be provided with a small towel and soap before each meal to clean your hands.

Transportation

  • Transport
    • Day 1: You'll be picked up from your hotel in the morning and will travel by private transportation to Piscacucho (KM 82), the starting point of the trek.
    • Day 4: Transport from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco.
  • One-Way Consettur Bus Ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (Day 4)
  • Vistadome Train Ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Day 4)

    PeruRail Vistadome Train Service offers a unique and different way to travel to Machu Picchu. Each one of its cars features panoramic windows, enabling you to feel part of your surroundings. The Vistadome approaches you to the amazing landscapes and nature on-route to the Inca town, creating a real connection.

  • Personal belongings transportation by our Local Porters

    Our porters (Kallpa Team) will carry all our camping equipment, from the personal tents, clothing, and sleeping bags, until extra dining and kitchen tents, food, water, tables, chairs, and a gas bottle stove. We will include the personal service of a porter responsible for carrying your duffel bag and personal items.

What Is Not Included?

  • Dinner in Cusco (Day 4)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Tips for our staff

    Tipping is customary on any excursion to Machu Picchu. Although we pay good salaries to our entire team, something extra is always appreciated, especially considering their hard work. Generally, group participants pool their tips and distribute them among the porters and cooks.

  • Additional costs or delays beyond our control

    Landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary modifications due to a safety concern, illness, pandemia, government policy changes, political instability, strikes, act of God, etc.

  Additional Items

Here we leave you with a brief list of extras that you can enjoy during this package.

Huayna Picchu Mountain

Huayna Picchu is the mountain behind Machu Picchu and which can be climbed in 45 minutes. Although this excursion is up to you, our guide will take you to the place of entry. This walk requires an entrance ticket which we can assure for you if we have enough time in advance.

Your entry ticket will be purchased to coincide with the dates of your excursion on the Inca Trail. The entry can be done in two shifts: from 7:00 am to 8:00 am or from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. We buy the tickets in the second shift so that our clients can fully enjoy their guided tour of Machu Picchu. Remember, the shifts only indicate the time of entry. You can go up and down Huayna Picchu without haste.

The ticket for Huayna Picchu costs US$ 60.00 per person.

Machu Picchu Mountain

Machu Picchu Mountain is another of the mountains that surround the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It offers even more incredible views than Huayna Picchu, but it takes 1.5 hours to reach the top. This walk requires an entrance ticket which we can assure for you if we have time in advance.

The excursion entrance to Machu Picchu Mountain is open in two shifts as well, the first from 7:00 am to 8:00 am, and the second from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.

The ticket for Machu Picchu Mountain costs US$ 60.00 per person.

  Before You Go

We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as carefree as possible. In this section, you’ll find the answers to all the questions you have about traveling with Salkantay Trekking in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.

Have another question that we haven’t answered here? Drop us a line and we will get back to you asap!

The Inca Trail Without Plastics

Join us on this journey towards a plastic-free Inca Trail, where the beauty of the landscape is matched only by our commitment to environmental stewardship. Together, let's pave the way for a more sustainable and responsible adventure through the heart of history.

How many days do I need to acclimate in Cusco before the Trek?

It’s very important to be well acclimated to the altitude before exerting yourself on a trek. We recommend that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 or 3 days before the trek starts to help you adjust and avoid possible problems with altitude sickness while on the trek.

You might have already been in another area of Peru at a high altitude before arriving in Cusco. In that case, we still recommend you have a whole day in Cusco to rest, recover from your travel, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Cusco before departing for the trek.

Here some suggestions for activities to do in the Cusco vicinity before starting your adventure trek:

Briefing or Informative Meeting

All information meetings and briefings are held in our main office in Cusco (or your hotel) at 5:00 pm, one night before the tour begins. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes. If you’re unable to attend, you must coordinate another time by email, by phone or at the Salkantay Trekking office.

Trek Balance Payment (in Cusco)

If you still have a pending balance, you must pay it 2 days before your hike/tour. Otherwise, your trip reservation will not be confirmed.

If possible, it would be greatly appreciated if you could settle the remaining balance for the trek/tour in cash, either in US dollars or the local currency, at our office in Cusco. You can withdraw funds from various ATMs located along Avenida Sol, offering both US dollars and Peruvian Soles. Alternatively, you have the option to pay using a credit/debit card or PAYPAL, either online or in person, but please note that a 5% service charge will be applied by our payment gateway (Niubiz) and PAYPAL. We regret to inform you that we are unable to accept bank checks or traveler's checks as forms of payment for the balance.

Duffel Bag or Canvas Case

You’ll receive a canvas case or duffel bag during your briefing. Our team of porters will carry them along the route and give them to you when you get to each camp. They measure 60 x 24 x 22 cm (23.6 x 9.45 x 8.66 in).

A maximum of 7 kg / 15.4 lb is allowed for each duffel bag, including the weight of your sleeping bag, sleeping mat, clothes, and other personal items.

Can I store my luggage at your office?

Of course! During the trip, your main luggage can be stored at our office (you can organize it with us on the briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.

Any equipment that you won’t need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags; put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (in the unlikely case of theft, many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing everything). It’s best to put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.

Pick up of guests

Salkantay Trekking can pick you up from your hotel, as long as it’s in the Historical Center of Cusco. Your guide will coordinate the pickup time in the briefing session, but please keep in mind that the time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes due to traffic.

Cusco is an old city, meaning it has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs may be located on streets without access to cars or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. We strongly recommend that you book accommodation with good access.

Return to Cusco

Returning from Machu Picchu requires quite a bit of logistics, but don’t worry. Everything is included in your tour!

  • In Machu Picchu, you’ll board a bus that’ll take you for 25 minutes to the small city of Aguas Calientes. The buses are boarded according to arrival.
  • In Aguas Calientes, you’ll board a train to Ollantaytambo. Your guide will give you the train tickets where the boarding time will be shown. Make sure you’re on the platform 30 minutes early. The train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes 1:45 hours.
  • Once you arrive at the station, our representative, identified with the Salkantay Trekking clothing, will be waiting to transfer you to Cusco or directly to your hotel. The trip from Ollantaytambo to Cusco takes 1:30 hours.
  • In Cusco, depending on your hotel’s location, we’ll take you to a smaller car from our company (Hyundai H1) to transfer you faster to your hotel.

Group Tours

Group tours are made up of different types of people, then physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route.

It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, the guide will be the one who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if such modifications are possible.

Strikes and demonstrations

Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru, and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked, and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your trip as originally planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date.

Under these circumstances, tours may also be canceled. In case of changes or cancellations, everything will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority, and our decisions will be made to protect it.

Lost objects

Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave your transport, accommodations, or restaurants. You’re the only one responsible for your objects during the tour.

  Packing List

WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?

ESSENTIAL

Valid Passport
Valid Passport
Extra money (recommended soles)
Extra money (recommended soles)
Personal medication
Personal medication
Water bottle or CamelBak
Water bottle or CamelBak
Sunblock: factor 70 or more
Sunblock: factor 70 or more
Insect repellent
Insect repellent
Personal Care Products
Personal Care Products

CLOTHING

Hiking boots or shoes (preferably waterproof)
Hiking boots or shoes (preferably waterproof)
Light footwear or sandals
Light footwear or sandals
Trekking pants (*)
Trekking pants (*)
Trekking socks
Trekking socks
Shorts
Shorts
Long sleeve t-shirts
Long sleeve t-shirts
Warm jacket
Warm jacket
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof jacket
Raincoat or rain poncho
Raincoat or rain poncho
Sun hat to protect neck and face
Sun hat to protect neck and face
Neck gaiter or buff
Neck gaiter or buff
Sunglasses with UV protection
Sunglasses with UV protection

EQUIPMENT

Sleeping bag (-15°C)
Sleeping bag (-15°C)
Medium trekking backpack (15 - 25 liter)
Medium trekking backpack (15 - 25 liter)

RECOMMENDED

Camera and charger
Camera and charger
Power bank
Power bank
Snacks: Energy bars, chocolate, candies, dried fruits, etc.
Snacks: Energy bars, chocolate, candies, dried fruits, etc.
Bathing suit
Bathing suit
Towel
Towel
Flashlight
Flashlight
  Pricing

"Private Inca Trail to Machu Picchu" can leave any day of the week, from March through January. We don’t operate this itinerary in February because of the rainy season & maintenance of the route.

Price 2023

Private Price: US$ 1050.00 per person

Required Pre-payment: US$ 400.00 per person

Balance (Cusco): US$ 650.00 (Commonly paid in Cusco after the briefing).

This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.

Notice that PayPal and Niubiz charge a 5% fee for the use of their secure payment gateway. This tax is just for online and card payments. You can also pay the remaining balance in cash (the briefing day) without charges.

Add-ons & Upgrades

Complementary services and upgrades you can include in this trip:

  • Huayna Picchu Mountain:  US$ 60.00
  • Machu Picchu Mountain:  US$ 60.00
  • Huchuy Picchu Mountain:  US$ 45.00

Extensions & Deals

There are several extensions you can include to your Peru Adventure.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the price won’t increase, whatever the circumstances. So please, before booking, ensure you’ve read all our important tour information.

Student Discount

US$20.00 off

Student discounts apply to anyone 17 years old or younger. To receive the discount, we require a copy or clear photo of the passport at the time of booking. It must be valid and not expire within the travel dates. Please send it to info@salkantaytrekking.com.

  Enquire Now

Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Salkantay Trekking. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.

Our Pledge |  Your privacy is respected and protected. The Salkantay Trekking Company will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.

Personal Details

Trip Details

Inca Trail Private 4D
14 years and above
Below 14 years
7 + 3 =

Remember |  One of our Travel Experts will contact you soon to confirm the availability of the trip you chose, give you more information, and/or provide you alternative options. Once availability is established, we will ask for a deposit and a completed online registration to confirm your spot on the trek. Please call us at (+51) 958 191 179 with any questions or to confirm availability over the phone.

Note |  Due to the rainy season and trail maintenance, we don't offer this trek during the whole month of february. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, we are working to provide you a better service!

Feel free to reach us via email at info@salkantaytrekking.com or by calling us directly at (+51) 958 191 179

Every Day: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm

Triunfo Street 346 - Main Square of Cusco, Peru

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