Machu Picchu Inca Circuit

The ground

Shape of the days

A shape, not a script. Order and pacing move with weather, permits, and how the first days actually go.

1. Day 1

   Cusco and the Sacred Valley: first movement

   Day 1 sits inside the 1–3 arc titled Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Sleep low in Urubamba, then Ollantaytambo, Moray, and Maras with a proper archaeological guide. Graded walks to prepare for the pass. This opening slice sets the logistics and the first read of the ground before the denser days. This is the denser stretch. The Classic Inca Trail is capped at 500 permits a day including guides and porters, and peak-season dates sell out roughly six months ahead. Permits are per person, per date, non-transferable. Fitness for the block: Moderate. Four consecutive walking days at 2,700–4,215 m, with one sustained 1,200 m climb to the pass and long descents on uneven Inca stairs. Conditions: Dry-season days 18–24 °C in the valley, below freezing at the high camps. Expect a full field day measured in hours on foot, on the water, or in transit between sectors already named above. Private guiding means we can shorten or reorder, not that the underlying constraints disappear. The Classic Inca Trail is 43 km over four days on original Inca paving, crossing Warmiwañusca, Dead Woman's Pass, at 4,215 m on day two, with Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, and Wiñay Wayna on the way down before the Sun Gate. It is a moderate trek with one hard day and a lot of stone stairs. Geography stays inside Valle Sagrado, the Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu, Cusco, Peru. Season logic we plan against: May through September for the Classic trail. The Classic Inca Trail closes for the whole of February for maintenance, Salkantay, Lares, and train-based itineraries run normally then. For kit on these days: A bag rated to freezing for the.

2. Day 2

   Cusco and the Sacred Valley: day 2

   Day 2 sits inside the 1–3 arc titled Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Sleep low in Urubamba, then Ollantaytambo, Moray, and Maras with a proper archaeological guide. Graded walks to prepare for the pass. This middle slice stays inside the same sector already named for the block, with pacing adjusted to how the prior day landed. This is the denser stretch. From 1 January 2026 the Inca Trail permit and the Machu Picchu entrance are separate purchases for the same date, both capacity-controlled, with trekkers entering on a designated route. Fitness for the block: Moderate. Four consecutive walking days at 2,700–4,215 m, with one sustained 1,200 m climb to the pass and long descents on uneven Inca stairs. Conditions: Dry-season days 18–24 °C in the valley, below freezing at the high camps. Expect a full field day measured in hours on foot, on the water, or in transit between sectors already named above. Private guiding means we can shorten or reorder, not that the underlying constraints disappear. It is a moderate trek with one hard day and a lot of stone stairs. Geography stays inside Valle Sagrado, the Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu, Cusco, Peru. Season logic we plan against: May through September for the Classic trail. The Classic Inca Trail closes for the whole of February for maintenance, Salkantay, Lares, and train-based itineraries run normally then. For kit on these days: A bag rated to freezing for the high trail camps, layers for 4,215 m at the pass, and broken-in boots for long stone-stair descents.

3. Day 3

   Cusco and the Sacred Valley: closing movement

   Day 3 sits inside the 1–3 arc titled Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Sleep low in Urubamba, then Ollantaytambo, Moray, and Maras with a proper archaeological guide. Graded walks to prepare for the pass. This closing slice of the block consolidates what the earlier days opened, without inventing a new sector. This is the denser stretch. Citadel entry is time-slotted with a 30-minute grace period, no re-entry, a specific assigned sub-route, and passport checks against the ticket. Daily caps run 5,600 in high season and 4,500 in low season. Fitness for the block: Moderate. Four consecutive walking days at 2,700–4,215 m, with one sustained 1,200 m climb to the pass and long descents on uneven Inca stairs. Conditions: Dry-season days 18–24 °C in the valley, below freezing at the high camps. Expect a full field day measured in hours on foot, on the water, or in transit between sectors already named above. Private guiding means we can shorten or reorder, not that the underlying constraints disappear. Since 1 January 2026 the Inca Trail permit no longer includes citadel entry. Those are two separate capacity-controlled purchases for the same date, and trekkers enter Machu Picchu via a designated route. Miss either one and the trek ends at the Sun Gate. Geography stays inside Valle Sagrado, the Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu, Cusco, Peru. Season logic we plan against: May through September for the Classic trail. The Classic Inca Trail closes for the whole of February for maintenance, Salkantay, Lares, and train-based itineraries run normally then. For kit on these days: A bag rated to freezing for the high trail camps, layers for 4,215 m at the.

4. Days 4–5

   Inca Trail or an alternative: opening

   Days 4–5 continue the Inca Trail or an alternative block. The Classic four-day trail from Km 82 with private camp and porter support, or Salkantay, Lares, or the Km 104 short trail when Classic permits are gone or the calendar says February. This opening slice sets the logistics and the first read of the ground before the denser days. Field days stay inside the ground already described for Peru. The Sacred Valley sits lower than Cusco, which is why we sleep in it first, Urubamba at 2,870 m is a kinder place to acclimatise than the city at 3,400 m, and it puts Ollantaytambo, Moray, and the Maras salt pans on your doorstep. The Classic Inca Trail is capped at 500 permits a day including guides and porters, and peak-season dates sell out roughly six months ahead. Permits are per person, per date, non-transferable. Private trek with your own guide, cook, and porter team; the trail itself is shared with other permit holders and the campsites are fixed. Expect a full field day measured in hours on foot, on the water, or in transit between sectors already named above. Private guiding means we can shorten or reorder, not that the underlying constraints disappear. The Classic Inca Trail is 43 km over four days on original Inca paving, crossing Warmiwañusca, Dead Woman's Pass, at 4,215 m on day two, with Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, and Wiñay Wayna on the way down before the Sun Gate. It is a moderate trek with one hard day and a lot of stone stairs. Geography stays inside Valle Sagrado, the Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu, Cusco, Peru. Season logic we plan against:.

5. Days 6–7

   Inca Trail or an alternative: continuation

   Days 6–7 continue the Inca Trail or an alternative block. The Classic four-day trail from Km 82 with private camp and porter support, or Salkantay, Lares, or the Km 104 short trail when Classic permits are gone or the calendar says February. This closing slice of the block consolidates what the earlier days opened, without inventing a new sector. Field days stay inside the ground already described for Peru. The Classic Inca Trail is 43 km over four days on original Inca paving, crossing Warmiwañusca, Dead Woman's Pass, at 4,215 m on day two, with Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, and Wiñay Wayna on the way down before the Sun Gate. From 1 January 2026 the Inca Trail permit and the Machu Picchu entrance are separate purchases for the same date, both capacity-controlled, with trekkers entering on a designated route. Private trek with your own guide, cook, and porter team; the trail itself is shared with other permit holders and the campsites are fixed. Expect a full field day measured in hours on foot, on the water, or in transit between sectors already named above. Private guiding means we can shorten or reorder, not that the underlying constraints disappear. It is a moderate trek with one hard day and a lot of stone stairs. Geography stays inside Valle Sagrado, the Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu, Cusco, Peru. Season logic we plan against: May through September for the Classic trail. The Classic Inca Trail closes for the whole of February for maintenance, Salkantay, Lares, and train-based itineraries run normally then. For kit on these days: A bag rated to freezing for the high trail camps, layers for 4,215 m.

6. Day 8

   Machu Picchu

   Day 8 sits inside the 8 arc titled Machu Picchu. Timed entry on the assigned circuit with a licensed guide, then the train and transfer back to Cusco. The day order inside this block can shift when weather or access forces a rewrite. Field days stay inside the ground already described for Peru. The rules changed meaningfully. Citadel entry is time-slotted with a 30-minute grace period, no re-entry, a specific assigned sub-route, and passport checks against the ticket. Daily caps run 5,600 in high season and 4,500 in low season. Private trek with your own guide, cook, and porter team; the trail itself is shared with other permit holders and the campsites are fixed. Expect a full field day measured in hours on foot, on the water, or in transit between sectors already named above. Private guiding means we can shorten or reorder, not that the underlying constraints disappear. The Sacred Valley sits lower than Cusco, which is why we sleep in it first, Urubamba at 2,870 m is a kinder place to acclimatise than the city at 3,400 m, and it puts Ollantaytambo, Moray, and the Maras salt pans on your doorstep. Geography stays inside Valle Sagrado, the Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu, Cusco, Peru. Season logic we plan against: May through September for the Classic trail. The Classic Inca Trail closes for the whole of February for maintenance, Salkantay, Lares, and train-based itineraries run normally then. For kit on these days: A bag rated to freezing for the high trail camps, layers for 4,215 m at the pass, and broken-in boots for long stone-stair descents.

Access and permits

The constraints that actually decide whether a date is possible.

• The Classic Inca Trail is capped at 500 permits a day including guides and porters, and peak-season dates sell out roughly six months ahead. Permits are per person, per date, non-transferable.
• From 1 January 2026 the Inca Trail permit and the Machu Picchu entrance are separate purchases for the same date, both capacity-controlled, with trekkers entering on a designated route.
• Citadel entry is time-slotted with a 30-minute grace period, no re-entry, a specific assigned sub-route, and passport checks against the ticket. Daily caps run 5,600 in high season and 4,500 in low season.

What the price reflects

From $6,500. The floor sits here rather than lower because a genuine Sacred Valley programme with the better lodges, a private guide and porter team, and both sets of capacity-controlled tickets does not come cheaper. Group treks with shared guides sell for a fraction; they are a good product and a different one. What moves a quote inside that picture is party size, season, and the lodge or camp class actually available for your dates. Private trek with your own guide, cook, and porter team; the trail itself is shared with other permit holders and the campsites are fixed. Sacred Valley days fully private. On the included side, the band already assumes items such as: Inca Trail permits and, separately, Machu Picchu citadel tickets with a timed slot and assigned circuit; Licensed archaeological guide, cook, and porters carrying personal kit; Private camp equipment, all meals on trail, Sacred Valley and Cusco hotels. Still outside the band unless we write them in: Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain unless booked at the time of ticketing; International flights; Any date in February for the Classic route. Nothing is confirmed until it is confirmed in writing.

Party size

Per-person cost usually falls as the private team is shared across more guests, up to the format limit implied by the guiding and lodge picture. Private trek with your own guide, cook, and porter team; the trail itself is shared with other permit holders and the campsites are fixed.

Season and dates

Window on the card: May–Sep. Planning note: May through September for the Classic trail. The Classic Inca Trail closes for the whole of February for maintenance, Salkantay, Lares, and train-based itineraries run normally then. Peak dates inside that window tighten lodge and permit availability, which is what usually pushes a quote toward the top of a published band.

Lodge or camp class

Accommodation in the band reflects: Private camp equipment, all meals on trail, Sacred Valley and Cusco hotels. Moving up or down a class, or shifting to a scarcer property, changes the quote without changing the route.

Internal transport

Transfers and regional legs follow the trip design. Watch for: International flights. Charter or peak-season domestic seats, where they apply, sit outside a simple road transfer.

Permits and access

Access cost tracks what the ground already requires. Inca Trail permits and, separately, Machu Picchu citadel tickets with a timed slot and assigned circuit We do not invent fee figures beyond what the catalogue already states.

Outside the band

Not assumed unless written in: Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain unless booked at the time of ticketing; International flights; Any date in February for the Classic route.

Bands are per person sharing and move with party size, season, and lodge choice. Nothing is confirmed until it is confirmed in writing. How we price.

Where this is

Valle Sagrado, the Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu, Cusco, Peru.

Elevation: Cusco 3,400 m · Warmiwañusca pass 4,215 m · Machu Picchu 2,430 m. Season as published: May–September (Classic); closed February; Salkantay/Lares alternatives shoulder. Difficulty as assessed: Moderate.