Duration: 4 days/3 nights
Departure Dates: Any dates with Inca Trail availability!
Tour HighlightsOur active Inca Trail hiking tour includes the gorgeous Sacred Valley, charming Cusco, and the Inca Trail day hike to Machu Picchu. Explore the most famous highlights in each area, along with authentic, lesser-known gems.
We begin in historic Cusco, then continue to the fascinating Sacred Valley. From there depart on a stunningly beautiful Inca Trail hike. Your final day will be spent at magnificent Machu Picchu.
As with all Ayni travel, this itinerary can be completely customized. Please contact us for custom itineraries, quotes and questions.
We’ll be waiting to greet you at the Cusco airport. From there, transfer to your charming hotel in the city’s fascinating historic center. During the drive, your guide will provide an overview of your trip and basic city orientation. After time to refresh and get settled, depart on a private walking tour of Cusco’s most famous highlights, including the Plaza de Armas, cathedral, Qoricancha and San Pedro Market. There is quite a lot to see in Cusco, so we have allowed for flexibility in your schedule. Evening free to explore on your own.
After time for breakfast, meet your guide and depart for the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas. First, we’ll visit the Inca site of Moray, which is thought to have been created for agricultural research. These concentric stone terraces constructed within naturally-occurring depressions are impressive, and offer great views of the Sacred Valley and the snow-capped peaks that surround it. Next, begin a pleasant hike to the Salineras, a complex series of spring-fed, terraced salt pans, build into a steep mountainside. You will most likely observe locals preparing the pans and harvesting salt in the traditional manner.
From the Salineras, break for a traditional lunch, before continuing to the picturesque town of Ollantaytambo. Here, active canals run along Inca constructed stone-paved streets and passageways. interestingly, many original Inca buildings here remain in use today. You’ll have the evening free to relax, explore the village, and prepare for the world famous Inca Trail the following morning!
Meals: B, L
This morning we depart for a gorgeous hike along the world famous Inca Trail! From Ollantaytambo you will travel with your guide by train to kilometer 104, the point of entry for the official Inca Trail. During the hike we will pass through incredible natural scenery, visit the Inca ruins of Wiñaywayna and arrive at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). Enjoy your first breathtaking views of Machu Picchu from above, then descend to the town of Aguas Calientes. Check into your hotel, enjoy dinner in a local restaurant and rest up for our visit to Machu Picchu the following day.
Today you’ll return to Machu Picchu for a private tour of the complex. You will ascend stone steps, through heavy tree cover to finally emerge at the top of the world – Machu Picchu! The incredible Inca stone construction will spread below, alternately hidden and revealed by clouds. You`ll have a 2.5 hour private tour with your guide, and the option to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. From there, descend to Aguas Calientes for your return train to Ollantaytambo. We’ll be waiting in the station for transfer to your Cusco hotel.
Meals: B
The Inca Trail hike is based on permit availability. If permits are sold out on the day you`d like to travel, Ayni can substitute a lovely day hike above the Sacred Valley.
We just finished a 5 days/4 nights trekking with Ayni Peru. We spent 2.5 days on the Lares Trail ending in a home stay in Patacancha, then the last leg of the Inca Trail and a private tour of Mach Picchu. Everything was a breeze to book thanks to Amanda, who even gave us tips for other legs of our trip. Out wonderful guide Juan was patient, knowledgeable and a great story teller. And huge thank you to horsemen Augustin and Cesar, and chef Angel for taking care of us. We saw some breathtaking landscapes, learnt a lot about Peru, and was privileged to get a glimpse into Andean life. We were safe and well supported throughout. Thank you for the experience!
Ayni provided an absolutely awesome experience!!
100% recommend!!!!
Thank you Henry and the team!
We chose Ayni Peru for our Inca Trail experience and it exceeded my expectations. They treated us like royalty, and our guide was beyond amazing. Was one of the best experiences ever and I cant recommend enough.
