7 Day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour
Trek the final portion of the Inca Trail in style, just as the Incas did hundreds of years ago, while overnighting in comfortable hotels along the way. This truncated version of the Inca Trail is the perfect tour-and-trekking opportunity for families or for those who are short of time but still want to experience the magnificence of the approach to Machu Picchu. Also included are guided tours of Cuzco, the capital city of the Incas; Lima, the cosmopolitan capital of Peru; and the Sacred Valley, the magnificent agricultural heartland of the Incas.
This fully customizable, private tour can be crafted by a Destination Expert to match the vacation of your dreams. From the moment you contact us, until the day you return home, we cater to your every whim.
See our preferred hotels for this itinerary by destination:
1 night in Lima | 2 nights in Sacred Valley | 1 night in Machu Picchu town | 2 nights in Cuzco
Highlights:
- A day to acclimatize to the altitude in the peaceful garden surroundings of a country hotel in the Sacred Valley, before the trail.
- Visits to important Incan sites at the town of Pisac, the agricultural terraces of Moray, the salt pans at Salinas and the ruins of Ollantaytambo.
- Starting the Inca Trail at KM104, seeing the best that the trail has to offer while reducing the time spent hiking.
- Overnight stays in comfortable hotels along the trail route, to give you the opportunity to rest your hardworking body and make use of all amenities.
- Enjoying panoramic views of Machu Picchu from Intipunku “the Sun Gate”.
- A private guided tour of the key sites of Machu Picchu, with free time to further explore at your leisure.
- A private tour of Cuzco, the capital of the Incan empire, with stops at Sacsayhuaman, with impressive Incan stonework, Koricancha, where the walls were once coated in gold, and Cuzco’s Cathedral.
- Time allowing, a private tour of Lima, with visits to the city’s key sites, including the Larco Archaeological Museum, the San Francisco Monastery and the picturesque waterfront district of Miraflores.
Trip At A Glance
- Day 1 – Arrive in Lima and spend the night in the only luxury hotel near to the airport, to minimize transit time.
- Day 2 – Journey to the Sacred Valley, stopping at the town of Pisac, and then acclimatize to the altitude in your hotel’s peaceful gardens.
- Day 3 – A private tour of the Sacred Valley, with stops at the terraces of Moray, the salt pans near Maras and the ruins of Ollantaytambo.
- Day 4 – Begin your Inca Trail hike at KM104, passing Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna, then view Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate.
- Day 5 – Take a guided tour of Machu Picchu, with free time to explore at your leisure, then journey back to Cuzco.
- Day 6 – Enjoy a private tour of Cuzco, with stops at the Incan sites of Sacsayhuaman and Koricancha, and Cuzco’s cathedral.
- Day 7 – Fly back to Lima where, time allowing, you can take a tour of the city’s key sites.
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Day 1 - Arrival in Lima, Peru
Upon arrival in Lima, you will be greeted and driven to your selected hotel. If you are staying at the Lima Airport Costa del Sol Ramada, you will only need to walk out the airport exit and cross the street to your night’s accommodation.
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Day 2 - Lima to the Sacred Valley
In the morning, you will either be collected from your hotel, or if staying at the Costa del Sol Ramada, you will simply cross the street to check in for your flight to Cuzco. Your guide will take you through the spectacular scenery en route to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. On the way, you will visit the town of Pisac and the Inca ruins perched on the hillside above the valley. Relax in the peaceful surroundings of your country hotel and enjoy the property’s gardens and facilities as you settle in and acclimatize to the altitude.
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Day 3 Private Sacred Valley Tour
The Sacred Valley is a land lost in time. This agricultural region once fed the Inca Empire, and today families farm using ancient techniques. Your guide will take you in private transport into this mountain-ringed valley to visit Moray, a circular terraced agricultural site, and the Salinas salt pans. In the afternoon, you'll explore Ollantaytambo with its massive ruins and charming town before returning to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.
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Day 4 - Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
In the morning, you’ll journey by train to KM104, where you’ll begin hiking along the rail line. You will first approach Chachabamba at 7,380 feet and then will gradually ascend for approximately three hours, towards the fascinating archaeological Wiñay Wayna at 8,690 feet. After lunch, you will continue through the semi-tropical forest towards Intipunku (the Sun Gate), where you will enjoy your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu. Spend the evening relaxing in your hotel, readying yourself for more extensive explorations tomorrow.
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Day 5 - Private Machu Picchu Tour
Today you will uncover the secrets of Machu Picchu during a guided tour of the Incan citadel. You’ll visit the most important parts of the ruins to learn how and why they were constructed. After the tour, you’ll have time to further explore the ruins or sit back and enjoy the magic of Machu Picchu. You can also hike to the top of Huayna Picchu for another bird’s eye view of the ruins. The steep path takes about an hour and a half to ascend. Then you’ll depart from Machu Picchu town, and take a train ride to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival at the train station you will be met and transferred to your Cuzco hotel.
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Day 6 - Private Half Day Cuzco City Tour
During your tour of Cuzco, the capital of the Incan Empire, you’ll visit Sacsayhuaman, an immense Incan complex with impressive stonework, Koricancha, one of the most important Incan temples (the walls were once actually coated in gold!), and Cuzco’s Cathedral where you’ll learn about the Cuzco school of art.
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Day 7 - International Departure
Enjoy a final morning waking to the Andean sun before meeting your transfer to the Cuzco airport. You’ll fly back to Lima, where you will connect to your international flight home. Depending on the time of your international flight out, a private tour of Lima's key sites can be arranged. You will visit the Larco Archaeological Museum, the San Francisco Monastery and its catacombs, Lima's historic colonial squares, and the picturesque waterfront district Miraflores before bidding farewell to Peru.
Pricing includes everything from your international arrival to your departure, with the exception of flights and a few lunches and dinners. Our specialty is private, customizable travel experiences.
7 Day Tour from $2,790 (Private Trek) / from $2,490 per person (Small Group Trek)
Includes:
- 6 nights in our preferred properties hand selected for comfort, convenience and quality
- Privately guided tours with your own personal guide and driver (outside Inca Trail)
- All private airport transfers with English speaking assistance (outside Inca Trail)
- A full day guided, small-group hike on the Inca Trail
- Nutritious meals, snacks and water
- Option Upgrade: Porter assistance to carry your personal belongings
- Roundtrip train to Machu Picchu Pueblo and the bus to ruins
- All required entrance fees
- All breakfasts
- 24hr support
- All taxes
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