Inca Trail to Lake Titicaca Tour

Your Inca Trail to Lake Titicaca tour begins with our pickup from Lima International Airport and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Our transfer staff will be waiting for you at the airport, so be sure to listen for your name or look for a sign with your name on it. Once you meet our representative, they will take you to your hotel in Miraflores, a popular tourist area with many restaurants where you can explore on your own. Miraflores is also considered one of the safest places in Peru.

Please note that Day 1 is an arrival day with no planned activities, so you may arrive at any time. However, we can arrange guided city tours, recommend museums, or organize sightseeing excursions if you wish.

Lima, Peru's capital, is also known as the "City of Kings" because Francisco Pizarro founded it on the Day of the Three Kings (Epiphany) in 1535. The Plaza de Armas (Main Square) is the heart of Old Lima, where you will find the cathedral, government palace, and archbishop’s palace. Lima also has excellent museums that are well worth visiting.

Considered the best place to stay during your visit to Peru, Miraflores offers attractions such as Kennedy Park, famous for its many cats, and the Larcomar shopping center, which offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

The Inca Trail to Lake Titicaca tour continues today with a flight from Lima to Cusco. In the morning, our transfer will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport for your local flight. Upon arrival in Cusco, a representative will meet you at the airport with a sign bearing your name. Afterwards, you will be transferred to your hotel near the center of Cusco. You will have a comfortable place to stay, and you will have the rest of the day free. We recommend resting and sleeping to help your body acclimate to the 10,856-foot (3,450-meter) altitude.

Cusco is the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent and a hub of the South American travel network. It attracts visitors from all over the world who come to explore this unique destination and experience an ancient culture very different from modern Western life. Stone walls built by the Incas line most of the central streets, and other impressive Inca ruins are nearby. Cusco is a city steeped in history, traditions, and legends.

Every year, Cusco welcomes thousands of travelers eager to learn about its noble yet tragic past. Cusco is the perfect base for exploring the surrounding areas and enjoying a variety of outdoor activities.

The most important monument in Cusco is undoubtedly Coricancha, the "Golden Temple" and main temple of the Inca Empire (Tawantinsuyo), where the sun god was worshiped.

Our guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you on a journey through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop is the Pisac archaeological complex, where you will enjoy a guided tour of this important Inca site. Located on a hill called Intihuatana, Pisac boasts impressive terraces and stunning views of the valley. As you explore, you will see Inca terraces climbing the steep valley walls, the remains of Pisac’s temples, and sweeping vistas of rugged gray mountains.

After exploring the archaeological site, we will take the bus down to the Pisac market. There, you can browse colorful stalls, meet locals, and admire beautiful textiles. Pisac is home to one of the best fabric markets in the Andes.

Then, we will continue to the town of Urubamba, where we will enjoy a buffet lunch at one of the best restaurants in the Sacred Valley. After lunch, we will drive to the charming town of Ollantaytambo to see its traditional houses and well-preserved Inca layout. There, we will visit the Ollantaytambo archaeological site and climb 125 steps to reach the Temple of the Sun. From there, you will have spectacular views of Ollantaytambo and the surrounding landscape.

After the tour, we will transfer you to your hotel, where you will spend the night. In the evening, you can explore the small town on your own.

We will spend the night in Ollantaytambo before beginning the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu the following morning.

The Inca Trail is a famous trek in Peru. The hike to Machu Picchu lasts 4 days and includes a professional guide, trekking cook, super porters, and all camping equipment, such as a sleeping bag, air mattress, a pair of hiking poles, and other items to ensure a comfortable trek.

Inca Trail Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco - Km 82 - Llullucha Pampa

In the early morning, we will pick you up from your hotel and take you by private transportation to the starting point of the four-day Inca Trail hike: Piscacucho (also called Km 82), which is 2,350 meters above sea level. There, your tour guide will give you a briefing about the upcoming trek to Machu Picchu. Then, you will cross the checkpoint for the classic Inca Trail. You will then hike alongside the Urubamba River, visiting the Incan archaeological sites of Willca Raccay and the enormous Llactapata along the way. Later, you will continue up to the Cusichaca River Canyon, which offers magnificent views of the Cordillera Oriental, particularly Veronica Mountain (5,850 m). Have lunch in Chamana, then continue alongside the Cusichaca River, observing the Incan agricultural terraces and irrigation channels, until reaching the picturesque village of Wayllabamba. Then, you will begin ascending, appreciating the various ecosystems along the way. In the afternoon, you arrive at Llullucha Pampa, where you will set up camp for the night at an elevation of 3,850 meters. There, you will have dinner and rest afterwards.

Estimated trekking time: 7-8 hours

Trekking distance: 17 km

Max. elevation: 3,850m (12,630 ft)

Min. elevation: 2,600 m (8,530 ft)

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

Day 2: Llullucha Pampa - Chaquicocha

After an early breakfast, continue your hike to Machu Picchu, ascending to the highest point of the trail, Abra Warmiwañusqa (Dead Woman's Pass), at 4,200 meters. Pass through the cloud forests of Yunkachimpa and Corral Punku, which offer excellent views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks. From Warmiwañusqa, you will descend to the Pacaymayo Valley (10,830 feet), where you will have a lunch break. Then, you will continue hiking through the valley to the Inca ruins of Runkuracay, where you will take a guided tour. Afterwards, you climb up to the second pass, Abra Runkurakay (12,693 ft), and walk on the "Royal Inca Highway" down to the next Inca site, Sayacmarca. Along the way, you will pass Yanacocha Lake. Finally, you will arrive at your second campsite, Chaquicocha (11,978 ft).

Estimated trekking time: 7-8 hours

Trekking distance: 12 km

Max. elevation: 4,200 m (12,630 ft)

Min. elevation: 3,500 m (11,480 ft)

Difficulty: Challenging

Day 3: Chaquicocha - Wiñay Wayna

Today, we start hiking passing through lovely subtropical vegetation and many important archaeological sites. Before we reach the first site, we get over Phuyupatamarca Pass (3,670 m) and just behind it, we can see the Phuyupatamarca Inka complex (3,600 m), one of the best preserved and most completed sites of this 4 day Inca Trail hike. The complex is located on the top of a mountain and it corresponds with its Quechuan name that means the "Town above the Clouds". After a guided tour, we have lunch there. Then, we start a steep descent via a cloud forest offering an opportunity to see beautiful orchids and different bird species on the way to our last campsite at Wiñay Wayna (2,700 m). There, we have a guided tour of the same-named impressive archaeological complex consisting of a religious sector, urban sector and an agricultural centre with lots of stepped terraces. Afterwards, we are served dinner and then we go to sleep to get ready for the exciting Machu Picchu hike!!

Estimated trekking time: 5-6 hours

Trekking distance: 10 km

Max. elevation: 3,670 m (12,040 ft)

Min. elevation: 2,700 m (8,860 ft)

Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4: Wiñay Wayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Today is the last day of the Inca Trail. After an early breakfast, we start climbing the ancient Inca steps to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) to witness the sunrise over the long-awaited citadel of Machu Picchu. After taking photos and admiring the breathtaking landscape, we will walk down to Machu Picchu. From near the Guardian House, we will take panoramic pictures of the Inca citadel.

Then, we walk to the entrance gate of Machu Picchu, reenter, and begin a guided tour, following the assigned circuit. According to the new Machu Picchu regulations, the Inca Trail permit does not include entry to Machu Picchu itself. For this reason, it is important to purchase an additional ticket. Our Inca Trail to Lake Titicaca tour includes this ticket, and our sales department will secure it based on availability.

Once your circuit is confirmed, your guide will take you on a tour of the citadel. Circuit 2 is the most popular, allowing you to explore the entire Inca site. The second option is Circuit 3, which visits the lower part of the citadel and reveals more about the history of the "Lost City of the Incas."

To add an extra adventure to your Inca Trail experience, we recommend climbing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains, which are located in front of the citadel. There is an additional cost, and it must be booked in advance due to limited availability.

After visiting Machu Picchu, take the shuttle bus down to Aguas Calientes, then board the train back to Ollantaytambo. Our driver will meet you there with a sign displaying your name and take you back to Cusco.

Your 4 day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu concludes when our driver drops you off at your hotel in Cusco, where you will spend the night.

Estimated trekking time: 3 hours

Trekking distance: 4 km

Max. elevation: 2,700 m (8,860 ft)

Min. elevation: 2,400 m (7,875 ft)

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Today is a relaxing day with free time to explore the fascinating imperial city of the Incas. You can visit the market, buy souvenirs, participate in optional activities, and prepare for your last night in the city.

Today, we take a tourist bus that stops at important sites along the Cusco–Puno route.

First, we travel through the Southern Valley (also called the Sun Route), stopping in the village of Andahuaylillas to visit the famous San Pedro Church, known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas” for the quality of its artwork. The church was built by the Jesuits at the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th centuries. Its architectural style is typical of small-town churches, while its thick walls are characteristic of colonial buildings. Made of adobe, its façade is decorated with white paint, and two stone columns frame the main entrance. Although the exterior is relatively modest, the interior is richly decorated with stunning wall paintings.

After visiting the church, we continue to the pre-Incan city of Pikillaqta, once one of the most impressive regional centers of the Wari culture. The Wari civilization was based in Ayacucho, and its settlements were later occupied by the Incas for many years. Today, Pikillaqta is a national archaeological park of great importance.

The name Pikillaqta comes from two Quechua words: piki (flea) and llaqta (town), meaning “City of Fleas.” This does not imply that fleas lived here or that its inhabitants were unclean. Instead, the name refers to the cramped living conditions, with each person occupying a very small room. Pikillaqta consists of over 200 kanchas (apartment-style buildings), 504 qolqas (storehouses), and other structures, housing an estimated population of about 10,000 people.

Some researchers believe that during Inca times, Pikillaqta became a settlement for mitimaes. The term mitimae comes from the Quechua word mitma meaning “resettlement,” referring to groups of families relocated by the Incas to loyal or newly conquered towns to fulfill political, cultural, social, and economic roles.

After the tour, we head to Raqchi to visit the Temple of Wiracocha, which is dedicated to the Inca creator god.

Then, we will reach La Raya, the natural border between the Cusco and Puno regions. This spot is famous for its viewpoint, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Andes.

Our final stop is the village of Pucará, where we will visit the Lithic Museum, which displays artifacts from a pre-Incan culture.

Finally, we arrive in Puno, where we check into our hotel.

Today, very early, transfer to boat, excursion boat across Lake Titicaca; on the trip we will visit two different islands. Firstly we'll visit Uros, floating islands, where people Andean live or Aymara, and then we'll visit the Amantani Island where we will have a warm reception of the local people. In the afternoon we do a trip to theTemple of Pachamama Pachatata or with the Guide. In the evening the family will make a welcome reception for new visitors with folk music. Here appreciate the traditional life for the local people.

 
The following day, we continue our motorboat ride after breakfast in the familial houses. Our next destination is Taquile Island, famous for its fine handwoven textile and clothing considered as the highest-quality handicraft of Peru. Taquile and its textile art was even recognized by UNESCO in 2005! 

After a visit of this spectacular island and enjoying its amazing Titicaca Lake views, we return to Puno at afternoon hours. There, we transfer you from the Puno´s port to your hotel.

Today is the last day of the Inca Trail to Lake Titicaca tour, when we say goodbye to Peru and its rich history. You will be transferred to Juliaca Airport (a city near Puno), or, if you wish, this is the perfect moment to extend your trip to Bolivia to visit La Paz and the Uyuni Salt Flats. If you are interested, you can contact our sales department, and they will prepare a tailor-made trip for you.

Please note: A return flight to Lima can be arranged upon request.

• Welcome by our Representative at arrival
• All airport arrival and departure transfers
• Accommodation: 3* hotels (8 nights), campsites (3 nights), a local homestay on Amantani Island (1 night)
• All entrance fees according to the itinerary
• Bilingual local Tour Guides as per itinerary
• A Cook for the Inca Trail
• Porters to carry food, camping and cooking equipment and 7 kg of each passenger's stuff during theInca Trail
• Meals: 12x breakfast, 7x lunch, 4x dinner, 3x afternoon tea during the Inca Trail;
• Camping equipment of the Inca Trail: personal double tents, sleeping foam matts, tables and chairs, a cooking tent with cooking equipment, dining and toilet tents
• Duffel bag
• Daypack
• A blanket and pillow 
• Rain ponchos
• Food for the Inca Trail
• A sleeping bag (for up to -5°C) for the Inca Trail
• 1x domestic flight: Lima - Cusco
• Tourist land transportation in accordance with the itinerary
• A shuttle bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes Town
• Tourist train (Expedition) from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) to Ollantaytambo
• Motorboat transportation on the Titicaca Lake.

• Pre & post tour accommodation,
• Last flight Juliaca-Lima,
• International flights and airport departure taxes,
• Meals not mentioned,
• Travel insurance,
• Tips and baggage portage to local staff (please note: it is a custom to give tips in Peru, however, it is not obligatory),
• Other extras not specified.
• Meal budget: Please allow USD 100-150 for meals not included.
• Single room Please note that if you have booked the "Single Room" option for this tour, you receive your own single room for all overnights and a single tent for the Inca Trail.
• Local flights: There is one local flight included in the cost of your tour. It is very important that we have got your passport details at the time of booking in order to process all air tickets! Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to each flight departure!

All-inclusive Inca Trail to Lake Titicaca tour

Our tour includes a professional Inca Trail Machu representative and experienced tour guides. A dedicated trekking cook and porters will accompany you during the trek to ensure a smooth and comfortable journey. Once you arrive at Lake Titicaca, our local guide will introduce you to a host family. You will have the opportunity to share in their traditions, walk around the island with them and experience authentic local culture.

Our tour guides are trained professionals who have studied tourism and English at university level. They are well prepared to provide you with the best possible experience throughout your journey in Peru. They have in-depth knowledge of Peru’s history, culture and traditions, as well as extensive experience of trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and other destinations included in your itinerary.

We also work with local guides who know the cities you will visit and can recommend places to eat and things to see and do to help you make the most of your visit. They are on hand to answer your questions and offer suggestions on the best places to visit during your stay.

Your dedicated Inca Trail Machu representative will ensure that everything runs smoothly throughout your tour, from Lima to Lake Titicaca. They speak English and will liaise with our local operators, guides and drivers to ensure everything is on track. They will also be available to assist you in case of any emergency. They will also regularly check in with you to ensure your needs are met.

Please note that we highly recommend having WhatsApp installed on your phone, as this will be the primary means of communication during your trip. If you don't have it, please download it - over 90% of Peruvians use WhatsApp for daily communication.

Upon your arrival at each destination in Peru, our representative and guide will meet you at your hotel. Your guide will provide a detailed tour briefing. Our representative will also request a photo or copy of your passport for Peruvian tax purposes.

Inca Trail Machu Tour operator will provide the double tent. Our tents are of the brand  EUREKA MOUNTAIN PASS 3XTE designated for 4 seasons. We provide with 3 person capacity tents; however, just 2 trek participants use it! In this way, we provide you more space and comfort. In case of a single traveller, we provide with a 2 person capacity tent. After each trek, we carefully check our tents and fix them if necessary

Inca Trail Machu will provide the clean Sleeping bag, Inflatable pillow and blanket. Our porters will leave inside your tent. Once arrived to the camping, you will find inside your all camping equipment.

Highlights of Archaeological Sites

• Explore the Machu Picchu citadel
• The best way to travel from Machu Picchu to Lake Titicaca
• Visit Lake Titicaca
• Discover the Sacred Valley
• Hike along ancient Inca steps
• Enjoy breathtaking landscapes at every site

Best Moments from the Trek

• Arriving at the Machu Picchu citadel and enjoying the view of Lake Titicaca
• A 4-day hike from Kilometer 82 to Machu Picchu
• Taste the best natural Andean food prepared by our trekking cook
• See the most beautiful landscapes of the Andes and tropical zones
• Conquer the two highest passes of the Inca Trail: Warmiwañusca and Pacaymayo
• Enter Machu Picchu through Inti Punku, the Sun Gate
• Make lasting friendships during your Inca Trail hike
• Create unforgettable memories that will become part of your life’s story
• Machu Picchu is open today—one day it may be closed, and only remembered in history

Here is everything you need to know about Inca Trail and Titicaca Lake, one of our most impressive routes.

Where is located the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and Titicaca Lake?

The Inca Trail is located in the heart of the Peruvian Andes, between Cuzco, Capital of the ancient Inca Empire, and the citadel of Machu Picchu. The alternation of mountains and valleys along the walk offers incredible and diversified landscapes.

On the other hand, Titicaca Lake is located on the Andes mountain range, between Peru and Bolivia. Specifically, 56% of its water body belongs to Peru, while the remaining 44% belongs to Bolivia. Titicaca Lake is the highest navigable lake in the world. It occupies a surface of 8.562 km², located to an average altitude of 3.812 meters, and its mass of water reaches a maximum depth of 281 meters.

Altitudes in Inca Trail Machu Picchu to Titicaca Lake

Titicaca Lake, as we said, is considered the highest navigable lake in the world, because it is located at an altitude of 3,821 m a.s.l.

During Inca Trail, we will find the following altitudes:

• "Llulluchapampa" at 3,850 m.a.s.l.
• "Chaquicocha" at 4,200 m.a.s.l.
• "Wiñaywayna" at 3,670 m.a.s.l.
• "Machu Picchu" at 2,700 m.a.s.l.

How many kilometers is walked during the Inca Trail and how many hours do we walk per day?

The Inca Trail is 43 kilometers long or 26.12 miles long. There are camping sites assigned by the Ministry of Culture that are between 10 and 13 kilometers away from each other, so the daily walking time can vary between 5 to 8 hours per day for the first three days and approximately 2 hours for the last day. The hours of walking and the distance covered may vary according to the physical condition of each person.

What does "Machu Picchu" and "Titicaca Lake" mean?

"Machu Picchu" means 'Old Mountain' in the indigenous Quechua language. "Machu Picchu", the lost city of the Incas, is an unprecedented historical, natural and architectural complex, a tourist destination that has earned the category of inescapable.

The Titicaca meaning in Quechua Language means "Stone Cougar", formed by the word "Titi", meaning cougar; and "Caca", meaning stone (in reference to the "Sacred Rock" located on the "Sun Island").

How difficult is the Inca Trail?

The Inca Trail is considered an intermediate level trek. Since it does not include rock climbing, or hiking on snow, isn´t required previous experience. The most difficult part comes the second day, when we climb a number of stairs and start from 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) to climb to more than 4000 meters (13,123 feet) walking through a small space, later things become more easy as the road continues downhill. Keep in mind that you will carry your personal items, which may include clothing, camera, water, camp equipment, etc; which may add difficulty to the trek because of the weight.