Glamping on the Inca Trail
Experience Overview
Hike the Inca Trail, enjoying exquisite food, soothing massages and a comfortable bed each night. We take the classic route, from the Urubamba River, across mountain passes, through cloud forests and past crumbling fortresses, to the ruins of Machu Picchu. We have designed the trip to spend more time on the route, arriving at Machu Picchu in the afternoon for classic photos before we stay overnight in nearby Aguas Calientes. We return the next morning, fresh and well rested, for our in-depth tour of this New Wonder of the World.
Profile
— Accommodation: 4 Superior nights (hotels), 4 Classic nights (3 glamping, 1 hotel) — Four walking days with full porterage — Group size normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Altitude maximum: 13,830ft (4,215m); average: 10,000ft (3,050m) — 15lb (7kg) personal weight limit on Inca Trail — Travel by private bus and train
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 4 Superior nights (hotels), 4 Classic nights (3 glamping, 1 hotel) — Four walking days with full porterage — Group size normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Altitude maximum: 13,830ft (4,215m); average: 10,000ft (3,050m) — 15lb (7kg) personal weight limit on Inca Trail — Travel by private bus and train
Trip For You
This trip is graded Activity Level 4 (Moderate & Challenging). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Walking days: Four with full porterageMaximum altitude: 13,830ft (4,215m)Average altitude: 10,000ft (3,050m)
Though strenuous in parts, the Inca Trail is possible for anyone with good health and fitness; however, we would not recommend this trip to someone with no previous walking experience.
Physical preparation beforehand is essential.
The trek is also not suitable for those with bad knees due to the number of steep and uneven steps, particularly on the third and fourth days of the trek. Trekking poles will reduce strain on the knees.
Walking hours: The stated walking hours are approximations. Timings include lunch and photo stops and vary depending on the group’s pace.
Altitude: As this trip spends considerable time at altitude, we ask you to refer to the Altitude Warning within the Trip Notes. We spend two days in Cuzco (11,150ft/3,400m) acclimatising before starting the trek.
Delays: Protest action/strikes are not uncommon in Peru; while these are generally peaceful, they can involve roadblocks and cause disruption to travel. Occasionally, your leader may have to adapt your itinerary in response to this.
Please note, it is essential you read the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu regulations in the Important Information section of the Trip Notes before you book this trip.
Group Description
There is a trek crew of porters, cooks and assistant guides on the Inca Trail.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts, four lunches and three dinners are included.
Peruvian cuisine is loved for its taste and originality; it’s well worth digging into the local delicacies. Among these are: ceviche, seafood or fish marinated in lime juice; lomo saltado, a Peruvian take on a beef stir-fry; and various hearty soups, including the delicious quinoa soup. Other dishes include roasted cuy (guinea pig) and alpaca steak. To drink, there’s pisco sour, the national beverage.
Drinking water is included throughout the trip as the tap water in Peru is not safe to drink; boiled and filtered drinking water is provided on the trek; elsewhere your leader buys large water containers from which you can refill your bottle.
Hotel breakfasts are normally simple buffets, usually including bread/toast, preserves, cereal, sometimes eggs or cooked dishes, sometimes fruit, tea/coffee and fruit juice. We cannot guarantee that wheat-free or gluten-free products are available for breakfast in all locations – if you have an intolerance you may wish to bring your own breakfast food.
Where lunch and dinner are not included in Cuzco, we visit a variety of cafes and restaurants.
During the Inca Trail, hearty breakfasts are served and good-quality cooked lunches and dinners are provided. They usually consist of soup to start, a main course with meat/fish and some carbohydrates, followed by a dessert. Between meals, snacks are also provided. Tea/coffee is brought to your tent each morning and juice or hot drinks are provided with all meals during the trek. The team can also accommodate for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or any specific food restrictions you may have – please notify us at the time of booking.
Transportation
We use a variety of transport during this trip and vehicle types may vary depending on group size: travel is by bus and by train. Airport transfers are by private car or minibus. All main road journeys are by private minibus or coach with heating/air conditioning.
We travel by train (with Peru Rail/Inca Rail) between Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu) and Ollantaytambo in expedition/executive class. Seating is four seats to a table, the carriages have panoramic windows and there is air conditioning/heating.
This trekking trip requires you to hike between each campsite. Other forms of transport may be available along the route (horses, mules etc) but Exodus can’t take responsibility for the safety or cost of any transport you choose to take, even if provided with the assistance of our leader or staff.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Costa del Sol Wyndham, Sta. Teresa St 344, Cuzco 08002, Peru
Phone: +51 84 221269
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There is a welcome briefing in the afternoon/evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers.
Collecting baggage in Lima
If you are flying via Lima, you need to collect your baggage in Lima, even if your bag has been checked all the way through to Cuzco. After collecting the bag, you are required to clear customs, and you should then drop it off at the bag drop for the onward flight. If you do not pick up your bag, there is a chance it may not reach Cuzco for the start of the trek. This is a requirement of Lima airport and also applies to your return flight.
Catching your return flight
Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) from the end hotel.
Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Weather Information
The diverse geography of Peru results in a very varied climate between different regions. Cuzco and the Andes have a temperate climate. December to March is the rainy season in Cuzco/the Andes. April to November is the dry season, with clear skies and strong sunshine in the mornings, sometimes clouding over as the day progresses.
Daytime temperatures are usually pleasant (20C/68F on average), but nights are lower (7C/44F), except for May, June, July and August when days are cooler and nights are often close to, or slightly below, freezing. In the Andes, however, anything is possible at any time of year, including cloud, rain or even snow, with rapid and unexpected changes.
Machu Picchu is in the cloud forest and experiences large amounts of precipitation all year as clouds move up from the Amazon Basin. Rain here can be heavy but is seldom prolonged. Cold fronts sometimes occur from July to August.
Peru is affected by El Niño, a weather phenomenon where warming of Pacific Ocean surface water off South America drives a shift in the atmospheric circulation, resulting in abnormally high levels of rainfall over parts of South America. These events occur at irregular intervals of two to seven years, and last nine months to two years.
Spending Money
We recommend either taking cash with you to change into sol locally or using ATMs to withdraw money in Peru as you go, so you are not left with excess at the end of your trip. It is a good idea to change a small amount into sol at the counters in the baggage hall upon arrival. Change is often in short supply, so ask for small denomination banknotes and try to break up any large notes at the earliest opportunity.
It is possible to obtain Peruvian sol before you travel but exchange rates can be lower than exchanging money locally in Peru. Some larger establishments and hotels accept US dollars, but most places will only accept sol.
Food, drinks and similar incidentals can vary in price enormously in Peru and are relatively expensive compared to other developing nations. Allow about 55-75 soles (US$15-US$20) per meal to eat at tourist-class restaurants. Cheaper food is abundant at small local cafes, although sanitary conditions at these places cannot be guaranteed. Bottled water and soft drinks are readily available for around 3.75-7.50 soles (US$1‐US$2) each.
Peruvian airport taxes are included in the price of your flight ticket and there is no need to pay these locally. Please note, there is a possibility the Peruvian Ministry of Tourism may increase entrance fees to archaeological sites at any time. If this happens, we will inform you of the increase and the additional amount will be payable locally.
Peruvian passport or Identity Card holders
The cost of Exodus trips in Peru is based on the assumption you do not hold a Peruvian passport or residents card. If you are officially resident in Peru or a Peruvian passport holder, you are liable to an additional 18 percent tax on most services, and this extra sum is payable locally to our local partner.
Other nationalities are exempt from this tax. Please notify us at the time of booking if you are legally resident in Peru or hold a Peruvian passport so we can advise you of the total cost of these taxes.
Tipping
Our local staff are paid fairly for their work, but tipping is customary in Peru. Tipping is greatly appreciated, but not compulsory and based on service provided. Whether and how much to tip is a personal decision; however, we have included some guidelines below.
Peruvian sol is the preferred currency for tips.
Tipping kitty: We recommend running a tipping kitty on this trip. A tipping kitty means we tip as a group, and individuals don’t need to worry about giving out small tips to various people who have helped during the trip (ie drivers, local guides, hotel staff). The tipping kitty excludes tips for Inca Trail trekking crew and the tour leader. The contribution we suggest is 25 soles (US$6) per person per day.
Tour leader: Leaders are paid fairly for their role but are always grateful for recognition of their skills and hard work. Tips for your leader should be based on their performance and engagement with the group. If you are happy with the leader’s work, we recommend somewhere around 25 soles (US$6) per person per day.
Tipping of your trekking crew: The trekking crew is made of guides, cooks, kitchen staff and porters. Tips are best arranged on a group basis, and a volunteer from the group should gather the money and split the total collected into smaller amounts for each person. This is normally done on the last night of the trek. Your leader is happy to assist as needed.
Inca Trail Trek: The recommended contribution per group member is approximately 160-210 soles (US$40-US$53) or 180-240 soles (US$45-US$60) per person for small groups of six or fewer.
Around 200-300 soles (US$50-US$75) of the total collection would normally be allocated to the main trek guide.
Based on the above distributions, tips for absolutely everyone (inclusive of a tipping kitty and a tip for your trekking crew and tour leader) for the whole tour duration should amount to a total of around 535-615 soles (US$135-US$155) per person, depending on the group size.
Highlights
— Trek the classic Inca Trail, glamping each night to wake each morning refreshed — Enjoy exquisite chef-prepared food on the trail and the benefits of a massage tent — Experience two unique visits to Machu Picchu for photos and fully guided exploration — Spend a full day touring the Sacred Valley, including Pisac and Ollantaytambo — Stay in upgraded hotels in Cuzco, the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes
Trip Details
Product Code: 22339
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: or staff.
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: TPL
Starts: Cuzco, Cuzco
Finishes: Cuzco, Cuzco
Duration: 9 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Unknown
Includes
— All breakfasts, four lunches and three dinners — All transport and listed activities — Full porterage throughout trek — All accommodation — High quality sleeping gear: mattresses, pillows and cots for trek duration — Massages included and offered at the campsites — Tour leader throughout — Full porterage throughout trek — Arrival and departure transfersAccommodation
Hotels and glampingThe accommodation on this Peruvian adventure is likely to be a highlight. We spend five nights in hotels and three nights glamping on the Inca Trail. Cuzco: Costa del Sol Wyndham (nights 1-2 and 8) We begin and end the adventure at Costa del Sol, which occupies a 17th-century mansion that once belonged to the Marquis of Picoaga. The colonial-style property sits within the city’s historic centre, which means major landmarks, including the Plaza de Armas and traditional markets, are within walking distance. The hotel also has a lovely wine cellar and separate bar for cocktails. Ollantaytambo: Sonesta Posada (night 3) Taking over an 18th-century monastery, Sonesta Posada provides old world beauty in a mountain setting. There’s the Wayra Wasi Bar, which serves cocktails and craft beers, plus La Placita del Café, which serves coffees and desserts. For food, there’s an in-house trattoria for pizzas and pastas, plus Inkafé Restaurant Bar, which serves Peruvian cuisine. Inca Trail: Full-service glamping (nights 4-6) Our glamping nights will undoubtedly be a highlight of the adventure. We sleep in spacious tents with raised beds that have mattresses and pillows (bliss after a hiking day). There’s also a dining tent where we gather for exquisite chef-prepped meals. And if your muscles are feeling a little tired, there’s even a massage tent. Of course, the beauty of the mountain setting and millions of stars at night only adds to the magic. Aguas Calientes: Hatun Inti Boutique (night 7) In Aguas Calientes, this boutique hotel offers a comfortable spot to rest before our exploration of Machu Picchu the next day. The comfy beds and jacuzzi-style bath in each room will be particularly welcome after our trek and prepare us nicely for our discovery of the great Inca ruins.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5,510 ($612 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Cuzco, which was the geographic, cultural and political hub of a vast Inca empire, which stretched from present-day Quito, Ecuador, to Santiago, Chile, at its peak. After Spanish conquistadors invaded, they built on top of Inca structures, resulting in unique architecture, a fusion of Spanish and Inca styles. There is a noticeboard in the hotel reception with details of where and when the group welcome briefing will be held. Remember to take it easy on arrival in Cuzco (and drink plenty of water) to help your body adjust to the altitude. Superior accommodation: Costa del Sol Wyndham (or similar)
We embark on a tour of Cuzco this morning, a chance to see the city highlights and adjust to the altitude. Starting at 8am, we first visit the Qorikancha (Sun Temple), which was the most sacred temple in the Inca empire. We then tour Cuzco Cathedral, a gothic-baroque-renaissance masterpiece, before heading to the hills above the city to visit the imposing Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman and then the Qenqo Archaeological Complex. Finally, we visit mysterious Tambomachay, whose exact purpose is unknown, though it may have functioned, at least in part, as an Inca spa. Superior accommodation: Costa del Sol Wyndham (or similar)
Today we visit the magnificent Sacred Valley of the Incas, which runs along the Urubamba River near Cuzco. It’s the true heartland of Inca culture and tradition, with the high Andean scenery dotted with old towns and pre-Columbian villages. Here we visit the Pisac ruins, a former citadel that guarded a road from the lowlands and gives way to terraces carved into solid rock. We then visit the Inca ruins at Ollantaytambo, the one-time royal estate of Inca emperor Pachacuti. Superior accommodation: Sonesta Posada (or similar)
Early this morning, we transfer to the start of the Inca Trail at Piscacucho, known among adventurers as Km82, stopping in Ollantaytambo for a hearty breakfast and any last-minute shopping needs. From there, we proceed to the trailhead to gear up for the Inca Trail. The trek kicks off with a hike to the checkpoint, where you must present your original passport. After, we have a captivating four-hour hike alongside the Urubamba River, exploring villages and fascinating archaeological sites, including Llactapata, an Inca marvel with administrative, political and economic significance at the base of a mountain. Enjoy lunch in Tarayoc village, a buffet prepared by our skilled chef using fresh local produce. The second leg is a two-hour trek along the left bank of the Cusichaca River, culminating at Wayllabamba, where tents are set up for your arrival. The camp team also provides warm water for washing, assists in bed preparation and hosts a delightful tea time and dinner. Classic accommodation: Huayllabamba Camp (full-service glamping)
The morning begins, as all do on our Inca Trail trek, with a hot drink delivered to your tent. Today’s journey is both challenging and rewarding, marking the most demanding and best-known stretch of the trail. A slow and steady climb takes us through a cloud forest to the meadows of Llulluchapampa, then we summit Dead Woman’s (Warmihuañusca) Pass, the highest point on the trek at 13,829ft (4,215m). After a well-deserved round of high fives and photos at the summit, we begin our steep descent on original Inca steps to reach our campsite in the scenic valley of the Pacaymayu River (11,811ft/3,600m). Warm up in the dining tent with a hot, fresh meal followed by a well-deserved sleep under the Andean night sky. Classic accommodation: Pacaymayu Camp (full-service glamping)
After a hearty breakfast, we start the day with a climb, which takes us past the ruins of Runquracay and over the Runquracay Pass (12,894ft/3,930m), our second and final pass. From here, the Inca Trail becomes a clearly defined rolling path of flat boulders, providing access to sites only available to those on foot. One of the standout archaeological sites we visit is Sayacmarca (11,893/3,625m), perched high above the green cloud forest. From here, we enjoy views of Salkantay mountain as we hike to our spectacular campsite on the ridge above the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca (12,073ft/3,680m), where we can enjoy the sunset and sunrise. Classic accommodation: Phuyupatamarca Camp (full-service glamping)
From Phuyupatamarca, we take the famous Inca steps: a 1.2mi (2km) stone staircase that rapidly descends into an immense panorama, with the peaks of the Vilcabamba range above and the Urubamba River far below. Reaching Wiñay Wayna, we have plenty of time to explore these beautiful ruins and eat lunch before continuing along a relatively flat section of the trail (by Inca standards), through cloud forest and wild orchids to reach Inti Punku (the Sun Gate). From here, we get our first full sight of Machu Picchu, with the Huayna Picchu mountain rising behind… congratulations, you made it! Inti Punku is traditionally busy with photo-taking trekkers in the morning, so our late afternoon arrival affords us unobstructed views of the magnificent ruins. We also get a chance to snap some classic photos of Machu Picchu before we take the 30-minute bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes for a shower and comfortable bed for the night. Classic accommodation: Hatun Inti Boutique (or similar)
Well-rested and refreshed, we return to Machu Picchu this morning for our guided tour. Machu Picchu is an architectural and engineering marvel, the staggering mountain backdrop making it even more dramatic. The Spaniards never found it, the Incas left no records of it, and so Machu Picchu remained an enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. Your guided tour highlights the history, culture, architecture and mysteries that Machu Picchu still holds today. This afternoon, we catch the train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30min) and continue by private bus to Cuzco (1hr 30min). Accommodation: Costa del Sol Wyndham (or similar)
We begin our return journeys home after breakfast. But if you’re not ready for the adventure to end, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Cuzco.
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Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
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