Inca Trail tour: The Ancient Inca Lands, An Unforgettable Adventure
Overview
The Inca Trail Tour offers an incredible journey through the heart of Peru’s ancient civilization, with a perfect mix of adventure, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. This 12-day tour highlights the best of Peru, beginning in Lima with a city tour, including the Love Park, the Huaca Pucllana, and the San Francisco Convent. You’ll also experience the rich flavors of Lima’s culinary scene with an exclusive food tour, before heading off to explore Cusco and its surroundings.
In Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, you’ll visit the awe-inspiring Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and the renowned Rainbow Mountain. The tour provides an immersive experience into Incan history, with visits to significant ruins like Ollantaytambo and Pisac, and a guided exploration of Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The adventure doesn’t stop there, as you’ll hike through stunning Andean landscapes and learn about the ancient culture from expert guides.
The tour concludes in Puno, where you’ll visit the famous Uros floating islands on Lake Titicaca and explore Taquile Island, offering a glimpse into the unique traditions of the local communities. With comfortable accommodations, professional guides, and well-planned excursions, this Inca Trail Tour is an unforgettable journey through the timeless beauty of Peru’s ancient lands
12 DAYS - 11 NIGHTS PERU TRIP
PRICE FROM $3045 USD PER PERSON
Places to visit:
Lima city, Huacachina Oasis, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), Puno.
Accommodation:
Lima: Art House Lima One matrimonial room Cusco: Hotel Mabey One matrimonial room Sacred valley: Aranwa Hotel & Wellness One matrimonial room Puno: GHL Puno One matrimonial room.
Trip Starts in:
Lima, Peru.
Physical Level:
Normal.
Flights included:
Only internal Peru flights are incluided.
Meals:
We want you to experience the gastronomy on your own, we include meals but only those mentioned in the itinerary.
Places to visit:
Travel without worries, our team will pick you up at the airport in peru.
Places to visit:
All our guides are English speaking professionals. Say goodbye to the fear of not knowing what "Palta" means..
Places to visit:
The train journey in this tour takes you from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, offering one of the most scenic rides in the world.
Places to visit:
This tour ensures that you will see 24 attractions or tourist sites in Peru. The most complete tour to peru of all!
ITINERARY: INCA TRAIL TOUR
Day 1: Arrival in Lima – Free afternoon
Welcome to Peru! At Lima Airport you will be welcomed by your driver who will bring you to your hotel in the city center. Use the rest of the day to explore the city on your own!
Overnight: Lima
Accommodation: Art House Lima
Meals: -/-/-
Day 2: Lima City Tour; The Colonial & The Modern
Early in the morning, we will enjoy our City Tour, we will go to the famous Love Park located in Miraflores, where we will have a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, our guide will lead us on a panoramic visit to the Huaca Pucllana and then visit the city center of Lima. We will visit the Main Square, Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral, and the Municipality, and finally, we will visit the Convent of San Francisco where we will discover the mysterious underground passages of the Catacombs of Lima.
Emblematic flavors in Latam’s coolest neighborhood:
During this Lima food tour, you will sample more than 15 Peruvian foods and drinks in one of Lima’s nicest neighborhoods – artsy and bohemian Barranco. You will even have the opportunity to interact with our local hosts to learn how to prepare the famous ceviche and pisco sour. You will learn about all the historical and cultural details behind each dish that you will have the chance to taste during this 4-hour Lima food tour.
Then later in the night you will be taken to a romantic restaurant to welcome you to Peru properly.
Overnight: Lima
Accommodation: Art House Lima
Meals: B/L/D
Day 3: Lima to Huacachina Oasis and Back: A Desert Adventure
Our friendly and efficient transportation service will pick you up and take you to the bus station in Lima, where your exciting journey begins. The bus ride will carry you from Lima to the charming city of Ica, situated to the south, known for its unique desert landscapes.
Upon your arrival in Ica, our team will be there to greet you and provide a comfortable transfer to the iconic Huacachina Oasis, nestled amidst the sandy dunes. Now, get ready for some heart-pounding adventures in this captivating desert paradise! You’ll have the opportunity to experience two thrilling activities – dune buggying and sandboarding, making for an unforgettable day filled with excitement and memorable moments in the awe-inspiring desert of Huacachina.
After all that adventure, we know you’ll have worked up an appetite. That’s why we’ve built in some free time for you to enjoy lunch at your own pace and expense. You can savor the delicious local cuisine, allowing your taste buds to take a journey of their own through the flavors of the region.
As the day winds down and the sun begins to set, we’ll be right there to ensure a seamless transfer back to the bus station in Ica for your return trip to Lima. It’s an all-encompassing excursion that offers a perfect balance of thrilling activities, cultural exploration, and relaxation in the enchanting backdrop of Huacachina.
Overnight: Lima
Accommodation: Art House Lima
Meals: B/-/-
Day 4: Flight to Cusco
Have the morning free to rest or explore Lima.
At the set time, be transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Cusco. Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Then the rest of the day is left for you to explore at your leisure
Overnight: Cusco
Accommodation: Terra Andina Hotel
Meals: B/-/-
Day 5: Cusco City tour
After a delicious breakfast, you will be picked up in your hotel for a city tour. You will visit the Cathedral, Koricancha (Temple of the Sun) and the nearby ruins: Qenko (Ceremonial and Ritual center, place where sacrifices were made), Puka Pukara (this complex was probably used by Emperor Pachacutec as a Tambo), Tambomachay (also called “The Bath of the Inca”) and Sacsayhuaman Fortress (the place where the main Inca Festivals, Inti Raymi and Warachicuy take place). After your city and nearby ruins tour, you return to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Cusco
Accommodation: Terra Andina Hotel
Meals: B/-/-
Day 6: Cusco to Sacred Valley (Pisac market & Ollantaytambo)
Early in the morning we will begin our journey through the Sacred Valley of the
Incas. We will visit the popular Pisaq Market, recognized for its quality crafts.
Lunch in Urubamba, we will enjoy a walk through the Ollantaytambo fortress.
Then we will transfer you to your hotel in Valle Sagrado.
Overnight: Sacred Valley
Accommodation: Aranwa Hotel & Wellness
Meals: B/-/-
Day 7: Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu - Cusco
After breakfast, take the local train to Aguas Calientes, the base for most Machu Picchu adventures. The ride takes you through a valley and into the Urubamba River canyon, then into the cloud forest as you near the Machu Picchu sanctuary.
Aguas Calientes contains the train station, a craft market, restaurants, and a variety of hotels for those who prefer to spend the night at the foot of the mountain and climb it early in the day. Stop here for lunch before taking the 25-minute bus ride up to the Machu Picchu ruins.
This 15th-century Inca citadel is located at 7,970 ft (2,430 m) and is a masterpiece of engineering that served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Incan Emperor Pachacutec and his royal court. Machu Picchu, which means “Old Mountain,” is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
Built as a seasonal residence for the Inca family, Machu Picchu was rarely home to more than 800 people, and during the royals’ absence, a mere 100 servants would remain at the site to maintain the grounds. Machu Picchu was abandoned 100 years after construction and remained largely hidden to the outside world until the early 20th century.
Your guide will lead you around the site and explain the different buildings and curious corners of the building complex. Approximately one-third of the site has been reconstructed into its original structure, giving visitors a sense for the grandeur and artistry of the original citadel.
After the two-hour tour, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes to connect to your train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco.
Overnight: Cusco
Accommodation: Terra Andina Hotel
Meals: B/-/-
Day 8: Day Trip to Rainbow Mountain
Today on the agenda is Rainbow Mountain called in Spanish “Montaña de Colores”. We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco very early in the morning at 05:30 am approximate to begin our adventure. We head southeast from Cusco passing through Cusipata (at 3,339 masl) before arriving at the hamlet of Llactoc where we can see herds of alpaca and llama and vegetation typical of this area.Here we begin our walk of approximately 2 ½ hours, walking through beautiful landscapes with snow-capped mountains in the distance, before finally reaching the rainbow mountain (Vinicunca). We will spend one hour at the top, time to descend approximately 1 ½ hour to return to the same hamlet to take our transport back to Cusipata to enjoy our typical lunch.
After lunch, we will return to Cusco at approximately 6:00 p.m.
Overnight: Cusco
Accommodation: Terra Andina Hotel
Meals: B/-/-
Day 9: Touristic bus to Puno
This morning we will take the comfortable tourist bus to Cusco. during the travel, you can enjoy the amazing scenery and visit interesting places of magical charm and ancient history, such as the Mythical Lithic Museum of the Pukara Culture, The Majestic Paso de la Raya (road limit between Cusco and Puno with a view of the Snowy Chimboya), Raqchi – The Imposing Temple of the god Wiracocha and The Sistine Chapel of Andahuaylillas, a beautiful church with awesome paintings of the cusquenian school.
Overnight: Puno
Suggested Hotel:
Meals: B/-/-
Day 10: Lake Titicaca Tour: Uros Floating Islands & Taquile Island
Be sure to fuel up at breakfast this morning: this full-day tour will last around nine hours.
Your first stop will be to one of the floating Uros Islands. It is believed that the Uros were one of the first ethnic groups to populate the Andean region. The Uros people live on man-made floating islands, which are constructed out of the totora reeds that grow in abundance around the lake. During your visit to these islands, you’ll learn about their everyday life and traditions.
After your visit to the floating island, you’ll head to lunch at a local restaurant on Taquile Island. Quinoa soup, fresh fish caught in the lake, and vegetables are a typical lunchtime meal on Taquile. Afterward, explore the island: it’s remained mostly isolated from the outside world until the 1950s, and as a result, Taquileños follow a specific way of life. On the island, decisions are made communally, there are no cars, and there is very little electricity—just the way the locals like it. Taquile is also famous for the exquisite weavings created by local artists. Traditionally, the men spin the thread, and the women design and weave each piece. In the evening, walk back to the main dock in Taquile and board a boat back to Puno. Upon arrival in Puno, transfer to your hotel for the evening.
Note that visiting Taquile requires a strenuous climb up 500 steps to the main part of the island. Elevation ranges from around 12,000 feet at the lakeshore up to more than 13,000 feet at the highest point.
Overnight: Puno
Suggested Hotel: GHL Puno
Day 11: Flight to Lima
Today, you will be picked up at your hotel to be transferred to the airport so you can catch your flight to Lima!
Overnight: Lima
Accommodation: Art House Lima
Meals: B/-/-
Day 12: Departure from Lima
Today you will connect your flight from Lima. Make your way through check-in, customs, and immigration for your international departure and connecting flight.
Farewell day!
Overnight: N/A
Accommodation: N/A
Meals: -/-/-
INCA TRAIL PERU TOUR INCLUSIONS
BELOW, WE OUTLINE WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE 12-DAY INCA TRAIL PERU TOUR
INCLUSIONS
- Train ticket: Cusco / Puno.
- Tickets to the attractions to visit and Machu Picchu.
- Transportation between the hotels, airports, and/or bus station and back.
- Meals, as per the program.
- 4-star accommodations.
- Services quoted on shared excursions (except for the Lima city tour)
- Professional guides
- Meals mentioned in the program
- Transfer back to Cusco via train (Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo) and a shared transportation service (Ollantaytambo – Cusco)
- Domestic flights
NOT INCLUDED
- Expenses of a personal nature, drinks, and meals not mentioned in the program.
- Tip for driver and guide.
- Services not mentioned in the program.
WHAT TO PACK FOR THIS INCA TRAIL TOUR
DAY 1 - TRAVEL TO CUSCO
DAY 2 - TRAVEL TO CUSCO
INCA TRAIL 12 DAYS PERU TOUR GALLERY
How to Book with Responsible Travel
5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: An Unforgettable Journey
Embark on the 5-Day Salkantay Trek, celebrated by National Geographic as one of the top 20 treks globally. This journey is more than just a route to the iconic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu; it immerses you in Peru’s diverse landscapes, from towering glacial peaks to the lush Amazon jungle.
Your adventure begins at the stunning Humantay Lake, ascending to 4700 meters near the impressive Salkantay mountain, offering breathtaking panoramic views. As you move towards the Amazon, you’ll traverse exotic fruit plantations and coffee fields, experiencing some of the freshest local coffee.
The trek also features a soothing stop at the Santa Teresa hot springs and a hike on the less-traveled Llactapata Inca Trail, presenting unique views of Machu Picchu before reaching the world-renowned archaeological site.
Machu Picchu Reservations enhances your experience with exclusive accommodations like the Quiswarniyoc campsite, cozy cabins, and crystal domes nestled in nature. Enjoy local gourmet cuisine and…
Terms & Conditions:
PAYMENT
To confirm the agreed travel contract, a non-refundable pre-payment of 30% of the costs per person must be paid. The remaining balance must be paid no later than 60 days before departure of the tour for all mainland tours in Ecuador and 90 days before departure for all travel to the Galápagos Islands and mainland tours in a South American destination except Ecuador.
If the client concludes his travel arrangements with RT less than 60 days before the departure date for mainland travel in Ecuador, or 90 days for the Galápagos Islands or a mainland tour in any South American destination except Ecuador, the tour must be paid in full immediately.
If a client fails to pay for his/her tour in full before the agreed final payment dates (60 days before departure for mainland travel in Ecuador and 90 days before departure for Galápagos Island or a mainland travel in South America except Ecuador) the client risks losing his/her tour. Equally, by failing to make the full payment before the due date, the client will lose his/her deposits for all travelers included in the reservation.
If the tour fee has not been paid in full before the arranged travel start, RT will be released from its service obligations and may require the customer to pay any appropriate resignation costs.
RESIGNATION BY THE CUSTOMER
The customer can withdraw from the contract at any time before beginning the tour however this must be done in writing.
Refunds can only be made under the following cancellation guidelines, as pre-tour costs will be incurred and cannot be recuperated by RT.
Cancellation Fees may vary for certain custom itinerary tours; your Responsible Travel Specialist consultant will specify cancellation fees before making your reservation.
Therefore, the following refunds can be given for cancelled tours:
a) For mainland tours in Ecuador which do not include boat trips / cruises:
60 days or more before departure:
Full refund, excluding the nonrefundable prepayment of 30%.
From 59 to 21 days before departure:
Refund of 60% of the travel price
From 20 to 10 days before departure:
Refund of 50% of the travel price
From 9 to 5 days before departure:
Refund of 20% of the travel price
From 4 days until departure;
0% will be refunded
b) For journeys that include boat trips / cruises (Galapagos), the following conditions apply:
90 days or more before departure:
Full Refund excluding the nonrefundable prepayment of 30%.
From 89 to 60 days before departure:
Refund of 50% of the travel price
From 59 to 40 days before departure:
Refund of 40% of the travel price
From 39 to 31 days before departure:
Refund of 30% of the travel price
From 30 days until departure date:
0% will be refunded
Important: Please note that for Galápagos Charters, the cancellation fees can vary according to the chosen boat and therefore will be confirmed individually.
c) For mainland tours in a South American destination (excepting Ecuador):
90 days or more before departure:
Full Refund excluding minimum cancellation fee of USD $50 per person
From 89 to 31 days before departure:
Refund of 80% of the travel price
From 30 to 10 days before departure:
Refund of 50% of the travel price
From 9 to 5 days before departure:
Refund of 20% of the travel price
From 4 days until departure:
0% will be refunded