Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley Self-Launched Adventure (Inca Trail Option)
5 days · Peru
Gap360 charges £729
No-markup version: ~£390 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Experience the iconic Inca Trail, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu independently — without the group tour markup. This self-launched itinerary follows the same Inca Trail route as Gap360's guided trip, starting in Cusco and finishing with a sunrise visit to Machu Picchu. You'll book your Inca Trail permit directly through an authorised operator (required by Peruvian law), use local transport between cities, and stay in well-rated budget hostels in Cusco and Aguas Calientes. All costs are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Cusco — Acclimatise & Explore
Cusco
Fly into Cusco (CUZ) and check into your hostel in the San Blas or Plaza de Armas area. Spend the day acclimatising — take it easy, drink plenty of water, and sip coca tea (widely available). In the afternoon, explore on foot: wander the cobbled streets, visit the Coricancha Temple (£10 entry), and admire the Sacsayhuaman fortress just uphill from the city centre (included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket, ~£32, which also covers Sacred Valley sites). Grab dinner at a local menu restaurant on Calle Plateros for around £4-6.
🚌Fly into Cusco Airport (CUZ). Official airport taxi to city centre ~£3-5. Alternatively, pre-book a transfer via your hostel.
🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Hostel Cusco — both well-rated party-friendly hostels in the centre with dorm beds from ~£10-14/night
- →Self-guided walking tour of Cusco's Plaza de Armas and colonial architecture
- →Visit Coricancha Temple (~£10 entry, or included in Tourist Ticket)
- →Purchase the Cusco Tourist Ticket (~£32) for access to 16 sites including Sacsayhuaman, Sacred Valley ruins and more
- →Optional: Inka Museum (~£8 entry) for Inca artefacts including mummies and ceramics
- →Acclimatise with coca tea and a relaxed evening meal at a local restaurant
Inca Trail Day 1 — Kilometre 82 to First Campsite
Inca Trail — Kilometre 82 to Llactapata area
Your Inca Trail permit (booked months in advance via an authorised operator — required by Peruvian law, you cannot hike independently) includes a local guide, porters, and all meals on the trail. Transfer by minibus from Cusco to Kilometre 82 (~2.5 hrs, included in your trek package). Cross the Urubamba River and begin the trail at a gentle pace through the Sacred Valley. Pass the ruins of Llactapata and enjoy river streams, Andean farmland, and llamas. Tonight, camp at the designated first campsite with cooked dinner provided by your trek team.
🚌Minibus transfer from Cusco to Km 82 trailhead (~2.5 hrs) — typically included in licensed trek package
🛏Designated Inca Trail campsite (included in trek permit package) — tents and mats supplied by porters
- →Book Inca Trail permit well in advance (minimum 6 months) via a licensed operator such as Alpaca Expeditions, Inca Trail Reservations, or SAS Travel Cusco — costs ~£250-320pp inclusive of guide, porters, meals and camping
- →Hike approx 12km from Km 82 trailhead through the Urubamba Valley
- →Visit Llactapata ruins en route
- →Spot llamas and Andean wildlife along the trail
- →Cooked dinner and overnight camping (tent, mat, sleeping bag provided or rent in Cusco ~£10)
Inca Trail Day 2 — Dead Woman's Pass (4,198m)
Inca Trail — Dead Woman's Pass (Warmiwañusca)
The most challenging day on the trail. Start early and climb steadily to Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman's Pass) at 4,198m — the highest point on the Inca Trail. Hike at your own comfortable pace, drink plenty of water, and take regular breaks. The views from the summit are extraordinary. After reaching the peak, descend to the second campsite for a well-earned rest. Your trek team will have dinner ready. Rent wooden walking sticks in Cusco before departure (~£3-5 for the trek) — metal poles are prohibited on the trail.
🚌Hiking — no additional transport needed
🛏Designated Inca Trail campsite 2 (included in trek permit package)
- →Summit Dead Woman's Pass at 4,198m — the highest point of the classic Inca Trail
- →Enjoy panoramic Andean mountain views from the pass
- →Descend to campsite 2 for rest and recovery
- →All meals provided by trek team (included in permit package)
Inca Trail Day 3 — Cloud Forest, Runkuraqay & Wiñay Wayna
Inca Trail — Runkuraqay Pass to Wiñay Wayna
Another stunning day on the trail. Cross the second pass at Runkuraqay (3,950m) with views of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcamba. Hike through a spectacular cloud forest and pass through original Incan stone gateways. Descend to Phuyupatamarca ('town above the clouds', ~3,650m) — a breathtaking terraced ruin site. Continue down to the beautiful Wiñay Wayna ruins for tonight's camp. This is the last night on the trail; savour the atmosphere with your group around the campfire.
🚌Hiking — no additional transport needed
🛏Designated Inca Trail campsite near Wiñay Wayna (included in trek permit package)
- →Hike over Runkuraqay Pass (3,950m) with views of Cordillera Vilcamba
- →Walk through original Incan cloud forest tunnels and stone gateways
- →Visit Phuyupatamarca archaeological site (~3,650m)
- →Explore the stunning Wiñay Wayna ruins ('forever young') near the final campsite
- →Final night camping dinner with trek team
Sunrise at Machu Picchu — Then Train Back to Cusco
Machu Picchu & Aguas Calientes
Rise before dawn to hike to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) and witness the sunrise over Machu Picchu — one of the most iconic views on earth. Descend the 45-minute trail into the citadel for your guided tour of Machu Picchu (entry included in your trek permit). Explore freely after the tour — the Inca Bridge is a free 15-minute detour well worth taking. Take the bus down to Aguas Calientes (~£6 return) for lunch and some downtime. Book your return train to Ollantaytambo in advance via PeruRail or Inca Rail (~£35-50), then a shared minibus from Ollantaytambo back to Cusco (~£3-5). Trip ends on arrival in Cusco.
🚌Bus Machu Picchu → Aguas Calientes (~£6 return). Train Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo via PeruRail/Inca Rail (~£35-50pp). Shared minibus Ollantaytambo → Cusco (~£3-5pp).
🛏Return to Cusco — re-check into your hostel if extending your trip, or head to the airport
- →Hike to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) for sunrise over Machu Picchu — included in Inca Trail permit
- →Guided tour of Machu Picchu citadel (included in trek permit)
- →Free exploration of Machu Picchu — visit the Inca Bridge (~15 min detour, free)
- →Bus from Machu Picchu gate down to Aguas Calientes (~£6 return, book at the gate)
- →Lunch in Aguas Calientes (~£6-10 at a local restaurant)
- →Book return train Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo via PeruRail or Inca Rail (~£35-50pp, book in advance at perurail.com or incarail.com)
- →Shared minibus Ollantaytambo → Cusco (~£3-5pp)
Self-launched vs. Gap360
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Gap360 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£390 | £729 |
| Duration | 5 days | 5 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £339 per person (47%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Gap360-style trips? Check them out here.~£390
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley Self-Launched Adventure (Inca Trail Option) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £390 per person for 5 days in Peru. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Gap360?+
Yes — Gap360 charges around £729 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £390 — a saving of roughly £339 (47%) per person.
How long is the Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 5 days, covering 5 day-by-day stops through Peru.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Peru, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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