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Inca Trail: prices and discounts
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The Inca Trail is the most famous hiking route in Peru. Perhaps its fame lies in the fact that it ends in nothing less than the Inca city of Machu Picchu. Therefore, its cost is higher than in other hiking routes in Cusco. Learn about the prices and discounts of this incredible hike, one of the best in the world.

 


Inca Trail and the hiking routes of Cusco

The Inca Trail is the quintessential trekking route in Peru. As its name suggests, it travels the part of the qhapac ñan (Inca roads) that leads to Machu Picchu . Travel approximately 39 kilometers. This distance is covered in four days and three nights of camping.

In Cusco there are other famous hiking routes such as the 5-day Salkantay trek, the 4-day Lares trek or the 3-day Huchuy Qosqo trek or the 4-day Inca Jungle. As well as the Inca Trail, all these treks end in the Inca city of Machu Picchu.

What differentiates the Inca Trail from the other hiking trails in Cusco is that it is protected by the Peruvian State. That is, no unauthorized person can go through it. The other walks in Cusco can be done without a tour. The Inca Trail, no.

On the other hand, the Inca Trail is the only route that crosses the Qhapac ñan . Along the way, you can also see other Inca archaeological sites such as Llactapata, Runkuracay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñayhuayna.


How to do the Inca Trail 4 days?

The only way to do the 4-day Inca Trail is through an all-inclusive tour contracted with an authorized tourism agency . Because it is a route protected by the Ministry of Culture of Peru, it is not allowed to do it on your own.

Likewise, because there are many tourists who request a tour to the Inca Trail, it is necessary to make the purchase of the tour online and with an anticipation of 6 or 7 months, approximately.

In the case that you cannot acquire a tour to the Inca Trail, it is best to take another tour such as the short Inca Trail (only 2 days), the Salkantay trek, the Lares trek, the Huchuy Qosqo trek or the Inca Jungle. All of them can be booked on short notice.


Prices

The price of the Inca Trail tour varies depending on the tourism agency you choose. Below we show you an approximate price and the discount offered by tourism agencies.

ToursPrice*University discount with card
Inca Trail Tour 4 days 620 USD. – 25 USD.

* Approximate prices (vary according to tourism agency).


About discounts

The 4-day Inca Trail tour offers discounts of 25 US dollars for university students as long as they are under 25 years old and have a valid university card (the international ISIC card).


Additional services

In case the tourist does not have some personal implements. Or maybe you want to add some extra services to the Inca Trail 4 days, you can add the following additional services:

Additional servicesPrice*
1 additional carrier 115 USD.
1 additional tent 25 USD.
1 additional sleeping mat 15 USD.
1 sleeping bag 18 USD.
1 walking stick 8 USD.
Vistadome train service (return) 30 USD.
1 entrance to the Huayna Picchu mountain 65 USD.

* Approximate prices (vary according to tourism agency).


Other hiking trails in Cusco and their prices

In addition to the Classic Inca Trail (4 days), Cusco offers various hiking routes to Machu Picchu such as the Short Inca Trail (2 days), the 4-day Lares trek, the 5-day Salkantay trek, the 4-day Inca Jungle or the Huchuy Qosqo trek of 3 days. Know their approximate prices and discounts:

ToursPrice*University discount with card
Inca Trail Tour 2 days 500 USD. -25 USD.
Tour Lares trek 4 days 675 USD. -25 USD.
Salkantay trek tour 5 days 500 USD. -25 USD.
Inca Jungle Tour 4 days 360 USD. -25 USD.
Huchuy Qosqo Tour 3 days 490 USD. -25 USD.

* Approximate prices (vary according to tourism agency).


Payment methods

The first thing to do to buy the Inca Trail is to check availability . Then, the tour must be paid online with any credit or debit card, especially Visa and MasterCard. Some tourism agencies also allow you to make purchases with other cards such as American Express, Diners Club or even PayPal.

In no case is it possible to make the payment in person. This is due to the high demand and the limited availability of free spaces. It is estimated that the purchase must be made 6 or 7 months before.


More information

The Peruvian Government continues working on reforms for the proper use of the Inca Trail . The aim is to reduce the number of hikers and avoid further damage to the route. For example, currently it is only allowed that 500 people per day can start the route.

The most recent regulations indicate that all hikers must go to said Inca Trail in groups organized by a travel agency, with a tourist guide authorized by the UGM (Management Unit of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu). All hikers must carry their original passport. In the case of university students, the ISIC international student card at all times. These must be displayed at the checkpoints along the way.

 

By Inca Trail Machu Picchu - Last updated, 22-08-2024


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