4-Day Trek to Machu Picchu Through the Inca Trail

based on 344 reviews

Duration: (approx.)
Location: Cusco, Peru

From $833

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ADULT (Age : 7 to 77)

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Enjoy this trek to Machu Picchu, which is the only one to take you along the original Inca Trail, and reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. Along the way, you will enjoy incredible landscapes and changing environments. This is a spectacularly rich experience in the Andean Mountains in which you will immerse yourself in the Inca culture as you hike 26 miles (43 kilometers) through the heart of the beautiful Andes.

Please note that Inca Trail Trek permits (INCLUDED in your booking) sell fast, so we recommend booking in advance. If there are no more permits at the time you book the trip, we will suggest you an alternative hike to Machu Picchu, or you can get a full refund.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

✓ Pre-departure briefing
✓ First aid kit
✓
✓ The COMPLETE option INCLUDES a Thermal Sleeping Bag, Porter & Duffel Bag to carry a total of 7kgs of personal gear for each trekker (3kgs for your sleeping bag & mattress plus 4kgs of personal items)
✓
✓
✓ Small group experience; Max 15, Avg 6
✓ Porters and cook to carry all shared camping equipment
✓ Tourist Bus Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes
✓ Professional Bilingual Guide on trek & Machu Picchu tour
✓ Bus Ollantaytambo to Cuzco (1.5 hours)
✓ The BASIC option EXCLUDES a Thermal Sleeping Bag, Porter & Duffel Bag for personal gear.
✓ Camping Accommodation during trek (including tent for 2 people & Basic sleeping pad)
✓ Accommodation Pick-Up on Day 1
✓ Emergency oxygen bottle
✓ Bus Cuzco - KM 82 Piscacucho (starting point of trek)
✓ Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner) and three snacks (veggie option available)
✓ Tourist Train Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo (2 hours)

✗ Airport Pick-Up (please make your own way)
✗ Sleeping Bag for BASIC package (Rental $15 USD for the trek)
✗ Day 1 Breakfast, Day 4 Lunch, Bottled Water
✗ Guide for bus and train transfers (these portions are on your own)
✗ Optional Extras - Inflatable Sleeping Mattress ($15 USD for the trek) - Professional Trekking Poles ($15 USD for the trek) - Huayna Picchu Trek (200 Soles) - Machu Picchu Mountain Hike (200 Soles) Optional Huayna Picchu Trek (at an extra cost) must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.
✗ Accommodation in Cuzco
✗ Tips (Tipping is 100% optional depending on the service you received. Although tipping is customary in Latin America, it is NOT mandatory. If you do wish to give a tip, we recommend $40-50 USD per trekker for the entire team of porters, cooks and guides.
✗ Prices for optional activities are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Please confirm these prices before departing on the trek.

WHAT TO EXPECT

ADDITIONAL INFO

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Minimum age is 7 years
• Typical Meals on the Trek: On all of our Treks to Machu Picchu we search for great cooks who provide you with the best tasting meals on the mountain, with specialty menus and the freshest local ingredients available. 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, omelet or pancakes with fresh bread, fried bananas and boiled water for hot tea, coca tea, 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). Desserts: Fried plantains, chocolate pudding, chocolate or vanilla cake and boiled water for hot tea, coca tea, coffee, chocolate and milk. SNACKS: Boiled water for hot tea, coca tea, coffee, chocolate and milk with popcorn, cookies, crackers.
• IMPORTANT: Please note that Inca Trail Trek permits (INCLUDED in your booking) sell fast, so we recommend booking in advance. If there are no more permits at the time you book the trip, we will suggest you an alternative hike to Machu Picchu, or you can get a full refund.
• Accommodation options: During the trek single travelers will share a tent with another traveler of the same sex and couples will have a tent to themselves
• Physical Requirements: This hike is demanding, it’s important to be in good physical condition; The Inca Trail elevation changes make the hike strenuous as there are three passes during the hike and you will have 1.2 miles (1,950 meters) of uphill and 1.4-miles (2,250 meters) of descent
• Important: You must provide the following information upon booking: Full name (exactly as it appears on the passport), date of birth, nationality, passport number, date of passport expiration, which must be valid for at least 6 months past the date of travel; Without this information, the local tour operator will be unable to make the booking
• You will have a guide during the trek and on the Machu Picchu tour. However, during your bus and train transfers you will not be accompanied by a guide.
• Daily departures with a group of 4 or more
• No departures in February due to unfavorable climatic conditions
• The COMPLETE service INCLUDES a thermal sleeping bag, foam sleeping mat, duffel bag & porter to carry a total of 7kgs of personal gear for each trekker (3kgs sleeping bag & mat + 4kgs personal items). The reduced BASIC (LIGHT) service ONLY INCLUDES a basic foam sleeping mat and EXCLUDES the thermal sleeping bag, duffel bag & porter to carry personal gear. You will carry your own backpack, sleeping bag, mattress & personal gear. EXTRA ITEMS FOR RENT IN CUZCO: Inflatable Sleeping Mattress, Professional Trekking Poles.
• 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.
• DON'T FORGET THE ESSENTIALS: Original passport, visa (if applicable), insurance card, personal medications.
• Travellers who booked their trip using one passport, then renewed or replaced it afterward, must carry their old passport or a photocopy with them on the trip.
• *Please note that there is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at our Cuzco Headquarters one day prior to departure at 6 PM. You will receive detailed information on your excursion, a list of what to bring and confirm your departure details.
• As of June 11, 2022, all travelers over 18 years old must have three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. That means two regular doses plus a booster. Passengers from 12 to 17 years old must prove they are vaccinated with two doses. If they do not have a complete scheme, they must present the negative result of an RT-PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before boarding in their country of origin.
• No more than 500 people per day are allowed to start the Inca Trail trek at km. 82; This number includes all support staff (ie. porters, cooks and guides) and is very tightly controlled; Once this limit of 500 people is reached, the Trail is effectively closed off for the day and no further bookings can be made; Reservations are not held on the Trail and all permits to trek must be bought as far as possible in advance with complete and correct passport information, to which no modifications can be made; Any attempts at modifications will result in a loss of the permit and any money paid.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : timj10
Here are 4 reasons you should pick a different operator:
#1) First off, this is way over priced. I paid nearly $1,000 per person for this experience. After I booked, I found other operators offering the same trip for $400. Or book with a luxury operator like Alpaca Expeditions for $650. (Youtube "Inca Trail Hike". You will see Alpaca features multiple times. You will not see Babma featured, for good reason.)
#2) NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN!! That is their policy and they mean it. My wife got sick and was unable to go to Machu Picchu. They will not refund any portion of the payment. This includes the fees for renting equipment that you never used. And train tickets that they cancelled and kept the money. I understand that NO REFUNDS is there policy...it's just a very stupid, short-sighted policy.
#3) Poor Communication. Bamba: "Meet your Guide at Plaza del Armas at 6:00am" Me: What is the Guide's name? Bamba: . So I'm wondering around the giant plaza with no idea who I'm looking for, with no cell service. See my picture.
#4) Dishonesty. From my experience, they will say whatever they feel is needed to make themselves look good. Even in the face of physical evidence (whatsapp screenshots)

I could go on. You'd think with a premium price should come good service?
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-02-07 10:08:57

Posted By : 642charlotten
My thanks to the porters, Kwanale and especially to our guide Cesar, the guide, who made us feel very comfortable at the trail. Me and my boyfriend (now veyoncé) did the 4 days trek and Cesar made us feel safe and didn’t try to rush at all. The porters were great and worked very hard. The food the chef made was also very nice (you can eat as much as you can). We had a small group what was very nice. Cesar did his best to get to know you and made you feel welcome. Bamba travel is a great company!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-02-07 08:43:13

Posted By : Andrea L
Doing the Inca trail was one of the most wonderful experiences I’ve done in my life!
Walking the same path that the Inca and followers used to do and connecting with the nature reminds us of what’s really important.
I would recommend everyone that wants to do this trail to check the path beforehand to ensure that you’re able to do it. The trail comprises more than 45km and many ascents and descents that can be very difficult, specially in the second day!
Our guide, Lisandro, was wonderful! He always made sure that we were feeling okay, providing us with Coca leaves and sharing the amazing stories of each ruin.
The porters were unbelievable, kind and always had a smile on despite the strenuous work they had to do! Every time we’d arrive to the camp, all tents were set up, and we would be welcomed with a warm tea or fresh beverage.
A great positive surprise was the food! Every meal, we’d have a soup, 4 different meals of choice and a warm tea! For dinner, we’d even have the right to a dessert and to a cake in the last dinner! The food was delicious and prepared with love by our cook!
I definitely recommend everyone to do this trail, it’s an experience I will never forget!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-01-17 07:03:16

Posted By : Marc_O
I wil do my best to write about my experience. The whole adventure was by far one of my most enjoyable and terrifying things I have done in my life. One of the reasons I did this was because of my fear of heights. Obviously, that was tested! Francisco and the whole team were so very helpful and accommodating. They ere informative and engaging. The porters were beasts and so very kind! Telling stories now that I’m back home, the experience seems so surreal. This will be a highlight of my traveling days for a lifetime!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-11-05 14:28:35

Posted By : Don H
This was an absolutely fantastic experience. The altitude was tough to get adjusted to but still well worth it!! I will be back!!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-25 21:52:13

Posted By : Jono M
If you are going to Peru Machu Picchu is a must and they delivered. Having all transportation, meals, accommodation and adventure meant I could enjoy without any worries. By far the best tour I did during my time in Peru!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-09-14 09:14:27

Posted By : 128huibd
Amazing experience great views we had a great time with the porters. The head porter Santos. Oscar the Cook and Eddy Puma our Guide. We felt as one family together.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-09-13 13:40:50

Posted By : Robert_O
The trip was fantastic and beyond our greatest expectations! The guide, Percy, was wonderful--so kind, helpful, friendly and encouraging. I would recommend him to anyone. And the porters were amazing!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-08-24 15:29:49

Posted By : 50femkec
The Incatrail and the machupicchu itself are great, but it was our guide Francisco and our cook and porters who made it one of the best experiences of my life. Francisco really makes sure you have the ultimate experience (the best views, the most information and also a taste of the andean religion). The food we ate there, was the best food I had on my 2 months trip. The porters always made sure everything was ready for us to have a ‘luxery life’.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-06-10 12:33:40

Posted By : 699nadyay
I had a great experience with Bamba on a 4-day Inca Trail. Everything has been perfectly organized from A to Z (including transportation, tents, food, porters, etc). But I would like to highlight in particular the work of our guide Francisco - he has been amazing throughout the trip, super friendly and knowledgeable (I learned so much about Inca culture thanks to him).

Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-06-09 21:48:22