Self-Launched Inca Discovery: Cusco & the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ). Take an authorised airport taxi to your accommodation in the San Blas or Plaza de Armas area — fixed-price taxis cost around S/.50–60 (approx £10–12). Spend the rest of the day resting and acclimatising to the altitude (3,400m). Drink plenty of coca tea, eat light, and avoid strenuous activity. Pick up a local SIM card at the airport or on Avenida El Sol for mobile data.

🚌Authorised airport taxi to city centre (~£10–12). Alternatively, public combis (minibuses) run along main routes for S/.1 (~£0.20) but are harder to navigate on arrival.

🛏Hostel in San Blas or Plaza de Armas area — e.g. Loki Hostel Cusco or Pirwa Hostel Colonial. Dorm from ~£8–12/night, private room from ~£20–28/night.

• →Arrive at Cusco airport and take an authorised taxi to your hostel
• →Acclimatise with coca tea and light walking around Plaza de Armas
• →Pick up a local SIM card for data and maps
• →Grab dinner at a local restaurant on Plateros Street — try lomo saltado or ceviche for around £4–6

Take the day to explore Cusco's incredible mix of Incan and Spanish colonial architecture. The Boleto Turístico (tourist ticket, ~£25) covers entry to many key sites including Sacsayhuamán fortress, Qorikancha ruins, and several museums — well worth buying if you plan to see multiple sites. Alternatively, explore the free markets, San Pedro Market, and the streets of San Blas on foot. For the adventurous, optional activities like whitewater rafting on the Urubamba River (~£25 via GetYourGuide), horseback riding (~£30), or mountain biking (~£35) can all be booked independently online or via hostels.

🚌Walking within Cusco. Shared combis available for S/.1 (~£0.20). Taxis within city ~£1.50–3.

🛏Same hostel as Day 1 — Loki Hostel or Pirwa Hostel Colonial, Cusco.

• →Visit Sacsayhuamán fortress ruins above the city (included in Boleto Turístico, ~£25)
• →Explore Qorikancha — the Temple of the Sun (entry ~£5 without full tourist ticket)
• →Browse San Pedro Market for local produce, snacks, and souvenirs
• →Optional: book whitewater rafting on the Urubamba River via GetYourGuide (~£25–30)
• →Optional: Sacred Valley day trip by shared minibus from Cusco (~£15–20 all-in)
• →Wander the artisan district of San Blas and try chicha morada at a local café

Your licensed guide and porter team will collect you from your Cusco accommodation early (typically 5–6am) and transfer you by van to Ollantaytambo, then on to km 82, the official Inca Trail starting point. After checking in your permits at the checkpoint, the trail begins alongside the Urubamba River through the Sacred Valley floor. Today's hiking is relatively gentle — around 12km — passing Andean farmland, scattered ruins, and crossing rivers on Incan bridges. You'll arrive at camp (Ayapata or Huayllabamba) by late afternoon. Porters will have set up your tents and cooked a hot meal. Note: Inca Trail permits are strictly limited and must be booked months in advance (typically 6+ months for peak season, March–October). Book via a licensed Peruvian operator such as Alpaca Expeditions, Inca Trail Reservations, or Llama Path — prices typically include guide, cook, porters, camping gear, and most meals. Budget ~£350–450 per person for the 4-day classic trail package.

🚌Van transfer from Cusco hostel to km 82 trailhead, included in your licensed trail operator package.

🛏Camping — tents provided by your licensed guide/porter operator as part of the trail package.

• →Early morning transfer by van from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, then to km 82 trailhead (~3hrs)
• →Check in permits at the official Inca Trail checkpoint
• →Hike ~12km from km 82 through the Urubamba Valley to first campsite
• →Visit Llactapata Incan ruins (en route, included in trail permit)
• →Dinner prepared by your trail cook at camp

The hardest day on the trail — start early. The climb to Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman's Pass) at 4,198m is long and relentless, rising around 1,200m over roughly 7km. Take it slow, breathe deeply, and let the porters overtake you — they always do. The views from the top are extraordinary on a clear day: sweeping Andean peaks in every direction. The descent to Pacaymayu camp is steep but manageable. Most trekkers arrive at camp by early afternoon, leaving time to rest before a hot dinner. Bring high-energy snacks, electrolyte tablets, and warm layers — temperatures drop sharply at altitude.

🚌Hiking only.

🛏Camping — tents provided by your licensed guide/porter operator.

• →Early breakfast at camp (prepared by cook)
• →Hike ~16km including the ascent to Dead Woman's Pass at 4,198m — the highest point of the trek
• →Descend to Pacaymayu campsite (~3,600m)
• →Rest, hot drinks, and dinner at camp
• →Stargaze from the Andes at altitude — spectacular on a clear night

A spectacular day crossing two further mountain passes and descending into the lush cloud forest. The first pass, Runkurakay at 3,950m, offers views of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba on clear days. The second pass at 3,700m is followed by a gentle descent through original Incan paving and tunnels. Arrive at Phuyupatamarca ('Town Above the Clouds') at 3,650m — one of the best-preserved ruins on the trail. Continue down the steep Incan steps (around 1.5hrs more) to Wiñay Wayna ('Forever Young') ruins at 2,650m, where the campsite sits beside extraordinary terraced ruins. Tonight is the final night on the trail — celebrate with your porter team.

🚌Hiking only.

🛏Camping at Wiñay Wayna campsite — tents provided by operator.

• →Cross Runkurakay Pass (3,950m) with views of Cordillera Vilcabamba
• →Hike through original Incan tunnels and cloud forest
• →Explore Phuyupatamarca ruins at 3,650m
• →Descend Incan stone steps to Wiñay Wayna ruins at 2,650m
• →Final night camp at Wiñay Wayna — tip your porters (S/.150–200/£30–40 is standard and greatly appreciated)

A 3:30–4am wake-up call for the final push to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) to catch sunrise over Machu Picchu — an utterly unforgettable moment. Hike down into the citadel for a guided tour of the ruins with your licensed guide. After exploring Machu Picchu, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes (~£6 return) for a well-earned hot meal and shower. Your train back to Cusco departs from Aguas Calientes in the afternoon — book Perurail or Inca Rail tickets in advance (£25–45 depending on service). Note: entry to Machu Picchu is included in your Inca Trail permit. Additional entry to Huayna Picchu or Montana mountain can be booked separately via the official Machu Picchu government ticketing site (machupicchutickets.gob.pe) for ~£15.

🚌Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (~£6). Train: Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo via Perurail or Inca Rail (~£25–45 — book at perurail.com or incarail.com). Shared bus/colectivo from Ollantaytambo to Cusco (~£5–8).

🛏Return to your original hostel in Cusco — Loki Hostel or Pirwa Hostel Colonial.

• →Pre-dawn hike to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) to watch sunrise over Machu Picchu
• →Guided tour of Machu Picchu citadel with your licensed Inca Trail guide
• →Optional: hike Huayna Picchu or Montana mountain (pre-booked via official site, ~£15 extra)
• →Bus from Machu Picchu entrance down to Aguas Calientes (~£6 return)
• →Hot shower, lunch, and rest in Aguas Calientes
• →Afternoon Perurail or Inca Rail train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (~£25–45), then bus/taxi to Cusco (~1hr, ~£5–8)

A free morning in Cusco before your departure. Sleep in, grab a final breakfast in the Plaza de Armas, or pick up last-minute gifts at San Pedro Market. If your flight is in the afternoon or evening, you may want to store luggage at your hostel (typically free or S/.5) and do a final wander through the city. Take an authorised taxi to the airport (~£10–12) — allow at least 90 minutes before departure. The airport is only 20 minutes from the centre but queues can build.

🚌Authorised taxi from city centre to Cusco Airport (~£10–12).

🛏Check out of Cusco hostel. Luggage storage available.

• →Leisurely breakfast at a café on Plaza de Armas or Plateros Street
• →Final browse of San Pedro Market for alpaca goods and local crafts
• →Store luggage at hostel if needed
• →Authorised taxi to Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (~£10–12)