Departures:

May - December 2025

From

$$$

AUD

Trip Style
Group Adventures
Hiking & Trekking
Departure city: Cuzco, Peru
End city: Cuzco, Peru
Tour Leaders / Guides
Someone local to show you around
Small Group Experience
Meet like-minded people and new friends
Experience an incredible backpacker trek through the beautiful Andean mountains and finish your journey with a visit to the spectacular archaeological site of Machu Picchu. Enjoy some stunning views of the snow-capped mountains, the magnificent waterfalls, and the Andean vegetation. Get a guided tour of the mysterious city of Machu Picchu and learn about the history of this unique place.
Trip

Highlights

  • Hike through the beautiful Andean mountains
  • Marvel at the scenic panorama of snow-capped peaks
  • Explore the incredible city of Machu Picchu
Trip

Inclusions

4 Nights Accommodation
camping during the trek (including a basic sleeping mattress and tent for 2) + hostel accommodation in Aguas Calientes
Transport
Accommodation pick-up in Cuzco, Van transfer Cuzco to Mollepata to Challacancha (starting point of the trek), Car transfer La Playa to Santa Teresa + Tourist bus Ollantaytambo to Cuzco
Meals
4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Train
Tourist train Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
Extras
Machu Picchu Entrance Fee, Horseman and mules to carry a total of 7 kg for each trekker (including 3 kg for your sleeping bag and mattress plus 4 kg of personal items) + First aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle
Guide
Professional English-speaking guide
What's Not Included
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off (please make your own way)
  • Roundtrip bus Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
  • Sleeping bag
  • Guide for bus and train transfers (those portions are on your own)
  • Breakfast on day 1 and lunch on day 5
  • Other meals/drinks
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips
  • Optional activities (Hot Springs Santa Teresa, Huayna Picchu Trek, Machu Picchu Mountain Hike)
  • Anything not mentioned in the ‘inclusions’
Trip

Itinerary

Additional Information

DESCRIPTION OF MACHU PICCHU GUIDED SITE VISIT: The is one and only, the most spectacular (and not to mention the most popular) archaeological site in all of South America. Your guide will take you on a 2-hour tour of Machu Picchu walking you through the most important sites and covering the history of the place (if you haven’t already heard it all during the Salkantay Trek). Then you will have free time to explore on your own and take pictures at your leisure.

*If desired, an extra night in Aguas Calientes town can be arranged. (Please let us know whether you would like to stay an extra night when booking your tour.) .

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Brief History of Machu Picchu & Advice:

Machu Picchu was (relatively recently) “discovered” by American historian, Hiram Bingham, in 1911 while searching for the legendary “lost city of the Incas”. Hiram Bingham and his local guides stumbled across the site which was then covered in thick vegetation which was later cleared revealing the magical mountain-top archaeological site and opening up the possibility for archaeologists to conduct research on the site by 1915. Whether arriving via Inca Trail or entering from Aguas Calientes don’t miss the excellent photo opportunities from the following spots: Hut of the Caretaker of the Funerary Rock (a restored building with a thatched roof), Sacred Plaza with views of the Cordillera Vilcabamba in the distance and Rio Urubamba below. Take a short walk out to the Inca Drawbridge (30 minutes) and Inti Punku (45 – 60 minutes) for great views of the site as dawn breaks and the clouds lift over Machu Picchu.

Small Group Travel

This small group experience has a maximum of 15 people and a average of 4 people.

Accommodation Options:

Days 1-3: Single travellers will share a tent with another traveller and couples will have a tent to themselves.
Day 4: Single travellers will share a room with another traveller and couples will have a private room.

Physical Requirements:

This hike is demanding, it is important to be in good physical condition. There are important temperature changes associated with altitude changes (from 4000 metres to 2000 metres).

Suggested Packing List:

Bring or Rent in Cuzco: hiking poles, rain pants, rain poncho, trekking boots, sandals, warm socks, sweater, thermals, hat, gloves, sun hat, sun block, sun glasses, flashlight/torch, camera, extra batteries and memory card (there is limited to no electricity available during the trek), waterproof bags for your camera, hand sanitizer, personal first aid kit, water bottle. Bring extra cash for snacks, water, gatorade which doubles or triples in price along the trail. Bathing suit for hot springs in Santa Teresa Town (this activity is available at an additional price).

Don't Forget The Essentials:

Original passport, visa (if applicable), insurance card, personal medications.

Typical Meals on the Trek:

On all of our Inca Trail Treks and Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu, we search for the best cooks who put forth their best effort to provide you with the best tasting meals on the mountain.

All of our cooks pride themselves on their delicious specialty menus with the freshest local ingredients available. Every meal is prepared fresh with plenty of variety and an abundant quantity of food including a vegetarian option for every meal (please advise prior to departure). Here is an idea of what you will be eating during your trek.

Vegetarian Option Available Upon Request (please advise at least 2 days in advance).

BREAKFASTS:
Hot porridge, quinoa or oats, fried eggs, egg omelette or pancakes with fresh bread, fried bananas and boiled water for hot tea, coca, coffee, chocolate and milk.

LUNCH & DINNER:
First Course: Quinoa, corn, noodle, asparagus, mushroom or vegetable soup, stuffed avocado or potatoes
Second Course: Chicken breast, beef stew, quinoa, fried rice, hamburgers, fried chicken, spaghetti bolognese, typical dishes: aji de gallina (chilli pepper chicken), escabeche de pollo (marinated chicken) or ajiaco de olluco (spicy potato stew).
Deserts: Fried plantains, chocolate pudding, chocolate or vanilla cake and boiled water for hot tea, coca, coffee, chocolate and milk.

SNACKS:
Boiled water for hot tea, coca, coffee, chocolate and milk with popcorn, cookies, crackers.

Optional Extras:

Take an OPTIONAL hike up the steep peak named Huayna Picchu, which is located inside the Machu Picchu archaeological site. This sometimes muddy peak takes about 45 – 60 minutes to hike up and awards you with unforgettable views of Machu Picchu from a coveted perspective. Keep in mind that if you want to take this optional hike, you must now purchase your ticket at least 2 weeks in advance for an additional cost in order to get one of the 400 passes (200 people are allowed up at 7:00 am and 200 more at 10:00 am). Please send us an email directly to request this extra ticket.

Terms and conditions apply. Subject to change and availability. Prices are per person twin share and subject to currency fluctuation. (ba)