19 Days | Take an epic hike along the Great Inca Road and then the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
![Travellers trekking along a mountain pass on the Great Inca Road](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt2f2a7a045693df59/65263428d5451d518153c23f/Intrepid-Travel-peru-great-inca-road-qhapaq-nan-day-05-FG8A1221_1100x735.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Group enjoying a warming drink in the campground on the Great Inca Road, Peru](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt117fcff6e7e081be/63c953fe6801b063c45f433b/intrepid-peru-great-inca-road-S82A7437_1100x735.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Local Pachamanca dancers on the Great Inca Road, Peru](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltd8eb5b639d1433cd/63c953f925e57234e7af2c63/intrepid-peru-great-inca-road-FG8A1366_1100x735.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Enjoy the company of a local community in The Sacred Valley in Peru](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt9cd66006be2e852e/63c8bb533d25573a35af08b0/Intrepid_Travel-Peru-Sacred-Valley-015.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Group of Intrepid travellers pose with sign at the start of the Inca Trail in Peru](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blte29636138ea39cf8/65eb8b9ce20a3d738416d541/Intrepid-Travel-Peru-Cusco-Inca-Trail-day1-group-photo-main-sign-at-the-beginning-of-the-Inca-Trail-09_Removed.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
On this epic 19-day trekking adventure, you’ll join a local leader and a traditional llama caravan to hike storied paths that few travellers have seen, visiting archaeological sites along the way on the iconic Great Inca Road. Acclimatise to the altitude in the adventure hub of Huaraz, hike through the spectacular surrounding landscapes and then carry on to Lima to retrace the steps of the Incas. Recharge in the capital city before your journey through the fertile heartland of the Sacred Valley, seeing the Ollantaytambo ruins along the way. Choose your own adventure (on the Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or the scenic train route) to Machu Picchu – sitting high in the Andes, you’ll be able to tick one of the Seven Wonders of the World off your bucket list! End it all in Cusco, a foodie’s paradise and cultural hub, and get closer to the secrets of the elusive civilisation that once resided here.
Trip overview
![Map of Trek The Great Inca Road And Inca Trail including Peru](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt58f297e15ad38664/65263424a095528eeb79101f/GGXGC_2024.gif?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
- Start
- Lima, Peru
- Finish
- Cusco, Peru
- Theme
- Expeditions, Walking & trekking
- Destinations
- Peru
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Basix
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- GGXGC
- Hike on the ancient and little-visited trade routes of the Great Inca Road, taking in seriously spectacular views of the Andes and visiting well-preserved yet remote Inca outposts.
- Your hike along The Great Inca Road will culminate at the incredible Maya site of Huanuco Pampa – where you’ll meet a local guide for a private tour of these significant ancient ruins.
- Whether you trek the Inca Trail, Inca Quarry Trail or take the scenic train route, you'll be travelling responsibly with a company that cares about balancing profit and purpose. Intrepid is the largest B Corp certified operator on the Inca Trail and we’re committed to operating our treks for the benefit of all.
- Set your sites on the mysteries of Machu Picchu, nestled within an Andean rainforest high in the mountains. This trip gives both trekkers and non-trekkers the chance to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World with the Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or train option.
- Travel through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, known for its steep and soaring scenery, mystical significance and Indigenous cultures that still reside here. Enjoy lunch at a local community and then visit an organic café providing support to local women.
- This trip visits places that are at high altitude, and as a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the Medical and health information section of the Essential Trip Information for more detail.
- This trip involves a lot of walking to see the sites, and if you trek the Inca Trail or Quarry Trail, there'll be strenuous hiking. The trip is recommended for those with a good level of fitness. Please bring comfortable footwear suitable to hiking. See the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more detail.
- This trip includes several nights of camping with basic facilities. It's definitely the journey as well as the final destination that makes this way of exploring Peru worthwhile.
- According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined route within the site. This route must be followed in one direction only, and once the guided visit commences exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. Once the guided visit concludes, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted. Please refer to the Itinerary for details.
- Travellers who choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), will not follow the same routes within Machu Picchu. This means that you may not be able to have photos together, overlooking Machu Picchu. This applies to travellers on the same booking or separate bookings.
- Can't decide which trek is for you? Read up on them here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/inca-trail-vs-quarry-trail/
Itinerary
Inclusions
16 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 7 dinners
Plane, private vehicle, taxi, train, bus
Great Inca Road portion: Hotels (7 nights), Camping (4 nights). Route 1 Inca Trail: Camping with basic facilities (3 nights), Hotel (4 nights). Route 2 - Quarry Trail: Camping with basic facilities (2 nights), Hotel (5 nights). Route 3 - Train option: Hotel (7 nights).
- Huaraz: LLanganuco lakes and Laguna 69 guided hike
- Huaraz: Laguna Churup guided hike
- Huaraz: Pastoruri glacier & Huascaran National Park guided hike
- Great Inca Road: Castillo to Soledad de Tambo guided hike
- Great Inca Road: Soledad de Tambo Archaeological guided site visit
- Great Inca Road: 4 days fully supported (Porters, Llamas, all meals and equipment)
- Chavín de Huántar archaeological site guided visit
- Great Inca Road: Soledad de Tambo to Quenhuajirca guided hike
- Great Inca Road: Meeting with traditional master weaver
- Great Inca Road: Quenhuajirca to Tambo Grande guided hike
- Great Inca Road: Tambo Grande to San Lorenzo de Isco guided hike
- Great Inca Road: San Lorenzo de Isco to Huanuco Pampa guided hike
- Great Inca Road: Huanuco Pampa Archaeological site visit
- Sacred City of Caral-Supe guided visit
- Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
- Sacred Valley - Community visit & lunch
- Sacred Valley - Coffee & cake
- 3 Night/4 Day Inca Trail (or 2 Night/3 Day Inca Quarry Trail) guided hike(s) with porters' support. Or guided Cusco stay (Machu Picchu by train)
- Machu Picchu - Guided tour
- Lima - Museo de la Nacion (entrance fee) - PEN10
- Lima - Coast Biking Tour - Urban Adventure (Price based on 2 participants) - USD52
- Lima - Museum of the Inquisition - Free
- Lima - Archaeological Museum (entrance fee) - PEN15
- Lima - Gold Museum Entrance Fee - PEN35
- Lima - Guided tour of San Francisco Monastery, including The Catacombs Admission Fee - PEN20
- Lima - Private Lima: Home Cooked Tour Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD85
- Lima - Cathedral of Lima (entrance fee) - PEN12
- Lima - Pachacamac Tour (30 km from downtown) (Based on 4 participants) - USD37
- Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass (access to 16 archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN135
- Cusco - Half Boleto Turistico Pass (access to selected archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN75
- Cusco - Cathedral Entrance Fee - PEN40
- Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee) - PEN15
- Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD57
- Cusco - Pre-Colombian Museum - PEN20
- Cusco - Inca Museum (entrance fee) - PEN10
- Cusco - Cusco Eat Street (Price based on 4 participants) - USD50
- Cusco - Cusco Cooking Class - USD70
- Ollantaytambo - Archaeological site - PEN70
- Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD105
- Cusco - Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 paticipants) - USD100
- Sacred Valley - Mountain Biking (Price Based on 2 Participants) - USD170
- Cusco - Humantay Lake Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD130
- Cusco - Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline - USD95
- Cusco - Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (Based on 4 participants) - USD85
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 6-10 (Camping) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. We recommend that travellers intending to depart Cusco on the final day of the trip book flights out of Cusco no earlier than 12 pm to allow for possible delays on the final section of the trail.
3. Please ensure you bring all necessary hiking gear with you (boots, waterproof clothing, thermals, walking poles, etc). While there is an outdoor store in Huaraz, it’s better to rely on your own gear. Please refer to the Packing section of the Essential Trip information for more details.
4. Full passport details are required at the time of booking. The passport you travel with must match the booking details provided to us. This will be used to apply for your Inca permit and if any info doesn’t match your passport, the Inca authorities will refuse your entry. Delays in providing this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.
5. At the time of booking, please advise whether you would like to hike the classic Inca Trail, Inca Quarry Trail or take the train. When available, the Inca Trail will be booked as the default option. Fees may apply to changes made after the time of booking, and availability on other options cannot be guaranteed.
6. Inca Trail permits are sold on a request basis only. Once a deposit is paid and passport details are provided, Intrepid will endeavour to secure a permit for you. If Inca Trail permits are unavailable by the time you book, you can opt to hike the Quarry Trail instead https://www.intrepidtravel.com/machu-picchu-peru/quarry-trail or travel to Machu Picchu by train.
7. The Inca Trail closes in February to allow cleaning and restoration works. If the trek portion of your trip starts in February, you will be automatically booked to hike the Quarry Trail.
8. As you can choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), you may be joined by other Intrepid and/or non-Intrepid travellers. There is also a small chance you may be the only traveller from your group on your selected option.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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