Peru
Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Program No. 19937RJ
The Incas created the largest pre-Columbian empire in the Americas. Hike and learn about their grand achievements as you explore sacred ruins, the Inca Trail and iconic Machu Picchu.
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13 days
12 nights
27 meals
11B 9L 7D
3
Fly to Cusco, Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo Ruins
Sacred Valley/Yucay
4
Sacred Valley, Moray Inca Ruins, Salinas Salt Pans
Sacred Valley/Yucay
5
Sacred Valley, Pisac Hiking, Market
Sacred Valley/Yucay
7
Inca Trail, Huayllabamba to Pacaymayo
Inca Trail
8
Inca Trail, Pacaymayo to Phuyupatamarka
Inca Trail
9
Machu Picchu, Phuyupatamarka, Wiñay Wayna, Intipunku Ruins
Machu Picchu/Aguas Calientes
13
In Transit From Program
In Flight
At a Glance
Let your feet carry you into natural beauty, mystery and even spiritual awareness on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The Inca constructed an advanced road and trail system over which agile runners would deliver messages (in the form of knotted cords known as quipu) and even carry fresh fish into the highlands for the ruling class. Led by experts, hike the most famous stretch of this road system, passing through lush cloud forests and alpine tundra and examining Incan ruins before successfully arriving at the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Challenging
Hiking up to six hours a day over varied terrain. Elevation sickness can affect even healthy, physically fit people. Two and a half days in the Sacred Valley are intended to help participants acclimate before starting the Inca Trail. Participants can return to Cusco after the first day if they feel unwell/unable to complete the Inca Trail (additional cost applies). Elevations up to 13,779 feet.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Hike the famed Inca Trail from Piscacucho to Machu Picchu.
- Experience the “Lost City of the Incas."
- Learn about the remarkable Incan agriculture system in the Sacred Valley from a local expert.
General Notes
Inca Trail permits are issued in limited quantities and on a first-come, first-served basis. The permits are person-specific and must match the bearer’s passport records. Participants must email or fax a copy of their passport identification page to the Program Coordinator upon enrollment.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Gustavo "Tito" Leon
A native of Cusco, Gustavo "Tito" Leon found himself fascinated with the music of the Andean highlands. This affinity led him to devote his life to the research and preservation of Peru's Andean music. His research has focused on the origins of Andean music, its different forms, influences and instruments. Gustavo is a talented musician and an expert on native Andean woodwind, percussion, and string instruments. His interactive style will get your toes tapping as he performs the various song styles and instruments of the Andes.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Gustavo "Tito" Leon
View biography
A native of Cusco, Gustavo "Tito" Leon found himself fascinated with the music of the Andean highlands. This affinity led him to devote his life to the research and preservation of Peru's Andean music. His research has focused on the origins of Andean music, its different forms, influences and instruments. Gustavo is a talented musician and an expert on native Andean woodwind, percussion, and string instruments. His interactive style will get your toes tapping as he performs the various song styles and instruments of the Andes.
Maywa Blanco
View biography
A lifelong resident of Cusco, Maywa Blanco is a university professor who teaches courses in genetics, the biodiversity of Andean crops and agricultural research. She attended the National University of Saint Anthony the Abbot in Peru and studied English at the Peruvian-North American Cultural Institute. She received a Fulbright Scholarship to study at Michigan State University, earned a master’s degree, and then returned to Cusco to work helping impoverished communities. In her free time, Maywa enjoys cooking, soccer and spending time with her family.
Suggested Reading List
(20 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Program Number: 19937
Turn Right at Machu Picchu
What happens when an unadventurous adventure writer tries to re-create the original expedition to Machu Picchu? A fascinating and funny account of his journey through some of the world's most historic, and remote landscapes guided only by an Australian survivalist.
Machu Picchu Revealed
Wright's handsome little tribute to Machu Picchu includes not only gorgeous color photographs but also a map, color rendering and suggestions for exploring the site.
Peru, Travellers' Wildlife Guides
Featuring 500 illustrations of the birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and insects of the Amazon, Andes and Pacific Coast.
Archaeological Map of Machu Picchu
Ken Wright's full color site plan shows monuments, topography and physical features of the Inca sanctuary in exquisite detail.
The Inca Trail, Cuzco & Machu Picchu
An excellent overview of local culture and history, including chapters on exploring Cuzco, the Sacred Valley and Lima. Fifth edition.
Peru, Birds of the Forest
A handy, double-sided laminated card depicting 100 commonly encountered par-rots, motmots, hummingbirds and other forest birds of Peru.
Conquest of the Incas
This classic prize-winning history of the Inca struggle against the Spanish invasion weaves wide-ranging, scholarly material into a gripping narrative.
Stone Offerings
Torrey captures the dramatic setting, solitude and intricate construction of the Inca site of Machu Picchu in 100 striking color photographs taken over a few days at summer and winter solstice.
The Bridge of San Luis Rey
The classic tale of Franciscan missionaries in 18th-century Lima, Peru by the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist. First published in 1927.
Machu Picchu, Unveiling the Mystery of the Incas
Burger and Salazar vividly evoke the art, architecture, culture and society of Machu Picchu in this illustrated, up-to-date survey. With Hiram Bingham's original report, archival and modern photographs and excellent chapters on recent archaeology at the site.
The Incas
Featuring archival drawings and photographs, a chronology and chapters on Atahualpa, the Conquistadors and Hiram Bingham, this handy book (previously published as People of the Sun) illuminates the daily life, monuments and history of the Incas.
Lost City of the Incas
This first-rate adventure story by the man who brought Machu Picchu to the attention of the world is not just a gripping tale of exploration and archaeology, it also sets the scene for any visitor to the site.
Peru Mammals
A handy, double-sided laminated card depicting over 60 commonly encountered mammals of Peru. Beautiful and accurate full-color illustrations.
The Heights of Macchu Picchu
An indispensable contribution to 20th-century poetry, Neruda’s ode to Machu Picchu celebrates the Incan civilization while abhorring that the ancient estate was built by slave labor.
Inca Trail: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Cusco Map
This fact-filled map shows the whole of the Sacred Valley, from Cusco to Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, on one side, and, on the reverse, the area surrounding the sanctuary in splendid, topographic detail (1:50,000). It's the best map for those making the trek from kilometer 88 to the site and an excellent choice for those exploring by bus or train.
Lima, A Cultural History
An erudite guide to the cultural gems and literary history of Peru's capital city. James Higgins, who specializes in Peruvian literature, covers the scope of the city's history from its pre-Columbian museums, to its conquistador heritage, to its dynamic present.
A Sacred Landscape, The Search for Ancient Peru
Hugh Thomson travels all over Peru with his archaeologist pals, visiting Moche, Chavin, Nasca and other ancient sites in this thrilling account of adventure. His tale is bracketed by an account of his discoveries with Gary Ziegler at Llactapata, a newly excavated observatory barely two miles from Machu Picchu and essentially lost since Bingham happened upon the place in 1912. He concludes with wise words by John Hemming, "Anyone can find a ruin in the jungle; but it can take a lifetime to understand what you have found."
Peru Map
A detailed laminated relief map of Peru at a scale of 1:1,750,000. This is a very clear, colorful map, which also features detailed insets of Lima and Cuzco and even a site plan of Machu Picchu.
Art of the Andes, from Chavin to Inca
This authoritative and concise illustrated survey of Andean art and architecture covers not only Machu Picchu and additional Inca monuments, but also Chan Chan, Nasca and other archaeological sites and cultures.
Insight Guide Peru
Panoramic in scope, this illustrated overview brings Peru to life in hundreds of color photographs and vivid essays by a team of experts writing on history, archaeology and culture.