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Trek the Great Inca Road and Inca Trail

Trek the Great Inca Road and Inca Trail

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Trek the Great Inca Road and Inca Trail

19 Days Starting in Lima and ending in Cusco

Visiting: Peru

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

GGXGC

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

High

Age range:

15-99 years

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

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.

Highlights

  • 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.

  • 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.?

  • 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.?

  • 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.???

Itinerary

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    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: Hot

  • Meals
    16 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 7 dinners

  • Huaraz: LLanganuco lakes and Laguna 69 guided hike

  • Huaraz: Pastoruri glacier & Huascaran National Park guided hike

  • Huaraz: Laguna Churup 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

show more

Transport

  • Plane , private vehicle , taxi , train , bus

Accommodation

  • PERU
  • Due to local energy supply and infrastructure issues, please be prepared for some cold showers while travelling in Peru.
  • CAMPING
  • On camping nights we stay in twin share tents, set up by our porters. If you have booked a single supplement, a single tent will be provided. Foam camping mats are supplied but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag. See the 'Packing' section for more information.

Important Information

  • 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.

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    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/

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

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  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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