Inca Trail Trek & Sacred Valley Tour (9 days / 8 nights)
9 days / 8 nights
Step into the heart of the Andes on a journey that blends adventure, culture, and purpose. Our 9-day Inca Trail and Sacred Valley experience takes you through Peru’s most stunning landscapes while immersing you in the living traditions of the Quechua people. From the vibrant markets and ancient terraces of the Sacred Valley to the cloud forests and high mountain passes of the legendary Inca Trail, every step brings you closer to the spirit of this land. The trek culminates with the unforgettable sunrise arrival at Machu Picchu, one of the world’s most iconic wonders.
What sets this journey apart is our commitment to equity in mountain tourism. We proudly hire and partner with the very limited number of female guides and porters in the industry as part of a mixed gender trekking staff—trailblazers in an industry where women’s voices have too often been overlooked. Their strength, knowledge, and stories enrich the trek, offering a unique perspective on life in the Andes. By walking with them, you not only discover the beauty of Peru’s mountains but also support a movement toward gender equity and empowerment in trekking. This trek supports the mission of The Porter Voice Collective and our goal of creating Workforce Equity Tourism. Watch the documentary film, KM 82: The Porter Voices of Peru’s Camino Inca via this link.
This isn’t just a hike—it’s an opportunity to connect with the Andes, honor its culture, and be part of positive change in the communities that make this experience possible.
ITINERARY
DAY 1 Arrival in Cusco
¡Bienvenidos a Cusco! Your adventure begins the moment you arrive. A friendly representative from our team will be waiting to greet you at the airport and accompany you to your hotel in the downtown area. Remember, landing at 3,300 meters can be hard on the body. Do not feel concerned if you have shortness of breath or a small headache. This is common and should go away quickly. You can reduce the symptoms by staying hydrated with water and tea. You will have a free day to acclimatize and visit the impressive main square of Cusco. Overnight in a hotel in Cusco.
DAY 2 Cusco City Tour
Today you will know more about Cusco City, you will go on foot through the main Cathedral of Cusco and the ancient Inca-built street from the Plaza de Armas to the Q’oricancha, the Temple of the Sun. At the Q’oricancha you will be able to compare and contrast the building methods of the Incan culture and Catholicism. This was the key spiritual center of the Incas, which leads to all four quarters of the Inca Empire. There is also a bronze, high altar to be seen.
From Q’oricancha, your group will walk down Avenida El Sol, where you will take your bus 25 minutes outside of the city. You will be taken to the majestic Inca site, Sacsayhuaman, with its enigmatic, 200 ton monoliths, you will be able to hear from your guide and then, explore on your own.
From Sacsayhuaman, you will take a five-minute bus ride to the Q’enqo Inca site to see its fascinating Incan altars. Following, you will take another five-minute drive to Puca Pucara, a small, circular Inca site. The final stop on our tour is Tambomachay, a water temple with impressive water fountains, thought to be used by the Inca for bathing. We’ll then drive back down to Cusco. Overnight in Cusco. B
DAY 3 Sacred Valley Tour Day 1: Pisac and Ollantaytambo
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby in Cusco, at 8 a.m. You will be taken on a road that winds around the mountains north of Cusco. On the way, we will stop at a famous point known as El Mirador (Lookout Point). From there, we will be able to see the Sacred Valley and gain some insight into the Incan history. The Sacred Valley was one of the main areas the Incas settled. There is an unusual abundance of fertile plains in this high area of the Andes. You will also witness vast contour terracing and irrigation channels left behind by the Incas. Later on, we will drive towards the ruins of Pisac. Here, you will witness and learn about Inca culture. You will see amazing works of stone art and impressive agricultural terraces. After exploring, we will drive back to the lower town of Pisac to stop at a bustling handicraft market. After you spend some time walking around the market bargain-hunting, we will meet for lunch at a local Andean restaurant. After lunch, we will drive along the Urubamba River towards the town of Ollantaytambo. Once we reach Ollantaytambo, we will visit the ruins, an important area of Incan construction, built during the Inca’s heydays. Tonight you will stay in Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. B, L
DAY 4 Sacred Valley Tour Day 2: Maras, Moray & Chinchero
We will pick you up at 8am, then we will drive to Salineras / Maras Salt Mines. There are 3,000 salt pools, which act as evaporation chambers. They spill out of the mountain and down the mountainside at 12,000 feet above sea level. Owned by local farmers, these pools have become the main economic activity for all the locals.
After the mines, we will drive to Moray Inca Archeological Center. The Inca used Moray as a way to study farming. They built terraces and experimented with different vegetables. You will see each terrace of Moray and the differences in growth they provided.
We will then drive to Chinchero, where we will see some Inca terracing, used as the perfect location to farm potatoes. The entire Inca civilization got their supply of potatoes from here. We will also see one unique, colonial church, that was built by the Spaniards, on the top of the Inca palace. Finally, we will visit one final textile center. We will spend the night at Ollantaytambo to start our Inca Trail early the next day. B
DAY 5 Ollantaytambo - Piscacucho KM 82 - Llactapata – Ayapata
We will pick you up from around 6:30-7am at your hotel in Ollantaytambo. We will then drive to KM 82. We’ll go through the first Inca Trail checkpoint to begin our trek. Please make sure you have your original passport with you to enter the Inca Trail. The first 2 hours of the trek are relatively easy as we make our way to our first Inca site. Patallacta is an ancient Inca checkpoint for the approach to Machu Picchu.
From Patallacta it’s another 2-hour hike to our lunch stop. After lunch, we will hike for another 2½ hours until we reach the first night’s campsite at Ayapata (3300 meters). On this last stretch, we pass through 2 small communities. If you want to buy any energy drink, snacks, or essential items you may have forgotten such as batteries you can do so here. We’ll arrive at our campsite by 5:00 PM. After settling in for a bit, you can relax and have a hot drink and snack with your team of porters, chefs, and guides. By 7:30 PM, your dinner will be ready, and after that you can get some well-deserved rest. Overnight in a tent. B, L, D
Walking distance: 8.7 miles/14 km (6-7 hours) / Difficulty level: Moderate / Campsite altitude: 3300 meters (high) above sea level
DAY 6. Dead Woman's Pass - Runcuraccay Pass – Chaquiccocha
Your porters will wake you up early with a hot cup of coca tea to get you ready for the day. We will have an early start since it will be our longest day. We’ll hike for roughly 4 hours to the highest pass of the trek, Dead Woman’s Pass (4215 meters/13829 feet). On reaching the pass, we’ll stop for a short break to enjoy the views before setting off again to descend to the next valley (Pacaymayu Valley – Hidden River). It’s another hour and a half down the side of the valley to our lunch spot, where you will have a chance to refill your water bottles. After lunch, we begin ascending again to the second pass of the trek. It’s 2 hours over the pass where we will stop at a small Inca site (Runcu Raccay) and see two huge waterfalls cascading down the opposite side of the valley. After the second pass, it’s another hour downhill hike to reach the magnificent Inca site, Sayacmarca (an otherwise inaccessible village).
We’ll stop here to rest and have a quick tour. Afterward, we will be able to watch the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range. It’s then just another 20 minutes until we stop for the night at our second campsite Chaquicocha (Dry Lake, 3600 meters). After dinner, if you’re not too exhausted, we can do some star gazing, and we’ll point out the fascinating Inca constellations. In the magnificent Southern Hemisphere sky, away from all the artificial lighting, this sky is something to behold! Overnight in a tent. B, L, D
Walking distance: 9.94 miles/16 km (7-8 hours) / Difficulty level: Challenging / Campsite altitude: 3600 meters above sea level
DAY 7. Chaquiccocha – Wiñaywayna
Completing Day 2 and beginning Day 3 certainly deserves a pat on the back! We will start early again, waking up at 6:30 am to begin what is commonly known as the most beautiful day of the whole Inca Trail. We hike for 2 hours along what we like to call “Inca flat” (gradual inclines) and begin to enter the jungle, known as the Cloud Forest.
As we walk, we will have the opportunity to see Salkantay, the second highest snow-capped mountain in the Sacred Valley, and a fantastic panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range. Towards the end of the Inca flats, we begin to make our way up to the last peak at Phuyupatamarka (3600 meters) from where we’ll have great views overlooking the Urubamba River. Down the valley, we get our first view of Machu Picchu Mountain, but the site itself is still hidden. From Phuyupatamarka it´s a 3-hour walk down a flight of steps to our last campsite, close to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). Wiñay Wayna is the most spectacular Inca site on the trail after Machu Picchu and the most popular campsite because of its proximity to Machu Picchu. During the descent, we visit 2 Inca ruins, Phuyupatamarka (Town in the Clouds) and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). We arrive at our campsite around 1:00 PM to have lunch.
Then we will relax so that you are ready for your final day at Machu Picchu. At around 4:30 PM your guide will give you a short orientation, and you will visit the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna for an hour and a half there. Your guide will explain the significance of the site and combine all the information given during the trek. This way you will be fully prepared for your visit to Machu Picchu the following day. We like to spoil our guests as we enjoy our last feast with the porters and chefs. It’s an Inca Trail tradition to organize a ceremony in the evening to introduce the team to the tourists once again. This is to thank them for the great job done (if you wish to provide tips for them then you can do so at this time). It is advisable to go to bed at a reasonable time to get up in the early hours of the morning to walk up to Machu Picchu at the crack of dawn in the hopes that the weather will give us a beautiful sunrise over the ruins at Machu Picchu. Overnight in a tent. B, L, D
Walking distance: 6.2 miles/10km (5 hours) / Difficulty level: Easy (all downhill) / Campsite altitude: 2.600 meters above sea level
DAY 8 Sun Gate - Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Incas
Wake up time is at 3:30 AM. We’ll eat breakfast at 4:00 AM and wait at the checkpoint to be one of the first to start trekking when they open the gates at 5:30 AM. We’ll wave goodbye to our team of porters and chefs and then it’s “Forward On” to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). From here, we have spectacular views of the mountains and Machu Picchu in all its glory. We will reach the Sun Gate by 6:30 am, and then it’s just an hour trek down to reach the Lost City of the Incas. As we hike and get closer to Machu Picchu, the views of the city get better! At about 7:40 AM we’ll reach the final checkpoint and enter Machu Picchu to begin our 2 hours private guided tour.
After this you will go down to Aguas Calientes Town, your guide will meet you in the village of Aguas Calientes to enjoy your last lunch in a local restaurant. This is optional and not included. We make our way back to Cusco where we stay overnight in a hotel. B
Day 9: Fly home
We hate to see you leave but hope you enjoyed your adventure exploring one of the gems of south Peru! Our transfer will come to pick you up from your hotel in Cusco ready to take you to the airport for your departure flight. B
TRIP STYLE
This trek is moderate to strenuous in terms of difficulty given the high altitude and possible low temperatures.Consulting with your doctor prior to joining the trip is recommended. It is highly suggested that you familiarize yourself with the hazards and risks of high altitude trekking. You must be physically fit, in good health, and preferably with recent hiking experience. However, you will have the support of a team of porters who will carry your personal gear. You’ll only hike with a day pack each day.
PRICING PER PERSON
FOR A GROUP OF:
2-3 people: $3040
4-8 people: $2595
9 or more people: $2295
DEPOSIT: $850
A completed booking form and a trip deposit are required to book your spot. Balance is due 90 days prior to the departure date.
Note: The deposit is nonrefundable and nontransferable.
Single supplement for hotel stay: $350
Single supplement for tent: $55
Add-ons at additional cost: Day tours from Cusco (e.g. Rainbow mountain), 5 day Ausangate Trek, Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek and others. Gear rental and extra hotel nights before or after the tour.
This tour is available as a private tours or as join-in group. All genders are welcome.
Please note permits for Inca Trail sell out fast so make sure to book as early as you can. Permit reservation begins around October for all dates in 2026. Only 500 permits per day for guides, porters and tourists combined are available.
For questions, send us an email at equity@browngaltrekker.com.
You must review and agree with the TERMS & CONDITIONS (which include the cancellation policy) and the LIABILITY WAIVER before booking.
Click on BOOK NOW to reserve your spot!
INCLUSIONS
Licensed guide
Round trip airport transfer
All hotel stays with breakfast as per the itinerary (3 nights in Cusco & 2 nights in Ollantaytambo)
All land transports
Cusco city tour Sacred Valley Tours (2 days)
Services of porter and chef
All meals during the trek and as noted on the itinerary
Tent, mat & pillow
Group gear including dining tent, tables, chairs etc (and assistant guide for larger groups)
Train ticket from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo
Park entry fees
Trekking permits
EXCLUSIONS
International flights & domestic flights from Lima to Cusco (round-trip)
Visa fees, if applicable
Meals outside those indicated on the itinerary
Laundry, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, and all other expenses of personal nature
Travel & emergency treatment and evacuation insurance
Tips for guide and local staff
FLIGHTS
International and domestic flights are excluded. Clients must book their own flights and send a copy of their flight itinerary by e-mail to equity@browngaltrekker.com.
TRAVEL INSURANCE REQUIRED
After making a deposit, you are required to obtain appropriate travel insurance through Global Rescue or other insurance of your choice that should cover at a minimum 100% of the trip cost (land & air), emergency medical and evacuation for high altitude trekking (up to the highest point of your trek). Proof of travel insurance must be provided via electronic mail to equity@browngaltrekker.com no later than the trip balance due date. Failure to obtain travel insurance by the trip balance due date will result in cancellation and no refund of your trip deposit and/or applicable cancellation fees as noted in the Terms & Conditions.
Note: If you opt to buy your insurance from a company other than Global Rescue, please ensure that the insurance you purchase covers high altitude trekking as there are only a select number of companies that provide such type of coverage.
VISA & COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
Please check ahead of time as to the visa requirements and Covid-19 restrictions for the country of destination. You are responsible for obtaining your tourist visa (if required) and any other necessary documents to enter the country.
TRIP NOTES
Upon booking, you will receive trip notes that include the recommended gear list and specific trek information.