- Trek the classic Inca Trail
- Morning tour of Machu Picchu when it's at its quietest
- Jungle walks, canopy towers and boat rides to discover the Amazon Rainforest and its wildlife
- Time to visit the markets and museums of Cuzco
- Chance to go mountain biking, paddle-boarding or zip-lining in the Sacred Valley (all optional)

Inca & Amazon Adventure Family Holiday
- Home
- South America
- Peru
- Family
- Inca & Amazon Adventure Family Holiday
The classic Inca Trail combined with the tropical Amazon Rainforest
The ancient Inca capital of Cuzco is brimming with Spanish churches and Inca fortresses just waiting to be explored. There’s fun to be had in the nearby Sacred Valley, with the chance to go paddle-boarding on Lake Piuray or mountain biking around the salt flats of Maras. Having acclimatised, we follow in the footsteps of the Incas along the classic four day Inca Trail to the mysterious citadel of Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate. In contrast to the Andes we delve into the tropical Amazon Rainforest and spend three days exploring the jungle trails, canopy towers and river banks in search of wildlife.
Highlights
Key Information
- 7 nights en suite hotels, 3 nights full-service camping and 3 nights rainforest lodge
- 4 days point-to-point walking with full porterage.
- Group normally 8 to 16, plus leader and support staff
- Altitude max. 4215m, average 3050m
- Travel by minibus, train, 2 internal flights, boat and on foot
- 7kg personal weight limit on trek
- Alternative Lares Trek or One Day Inca Trail Option available when Inca Trail permits have sold out
- Countries visited: Peru
Whats Included
- All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners
- All transport and listed activities
- Tour leader throughout
- Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Full porterage throughout trek
- Exodus kitbag
- Inflatable sleeping mat while camping
Whats Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request)
- Visas or vaccinations
- Sleeping bag hire for Inca Trail (hire locally from US$20)
5 Days of Walking & Trekking
Approximately 5-6 hours' walking per day.
High altitude; good paths, lots of steps.
11 km / 6.8 miles
10 km / 6.2 miles
12 km / 7.5 miles
9 km / 5.6 miles
People, Places & Planet
We work hard to create trips which improve life for the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
- The use of a local guide means our customers will be well informed about local traditions, and cultural and social sensitivities.
- This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally-owned hotels and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food and support of other local enterprise.
- The porters we work with are not directly employed by our local partner, but we work with the same communities each year; they are fairly paid and we also supply uniforms, walking shoes and provide safe transport and community support for them. Our trek manager is a leading figure and consultant for the Porters' Federation, which campaigns for the fair treatment of porters in the region.
- We’re passionate about the welfare of our punctilious porters. Alongside setting the golden standard for fair treatment, we've taken the next step with our pioneering Porter Project. In Peru, despite trekking the Inca Trail numerous times, most porters never have the opportunity to visit the stunning ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. We’ve taken the initiative to fix this and in 2018 started a project to ensure each of our porters has the opportunity to experience an important part of their own cultural heritage. We can now proudly say that over 164 porters have been involved this project, and our mini-documentary ‘Carried Away’ about our porters, has helped raise awareness of the awesome job these porters do.
- The free day in Cuzco is a good chance to visit Café Manos Unidas, the first vocational training site for young adults with disabilities in Cusco, creating employment opportunities for youth in their own community. In 2018, Exodus funded £5,000 where during the first three months of operation has directly benefitted 15 youths as well as 52 other community members indirectly.
- Funded by the Community Kickstart Project, our operator is working with Medlife to deliver emergency food parcels to the households of porters and other staff members who have continuously worked hard to guide our clients along the iconic Inca Trail.
Places
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
- By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
- Trekking trips have little detrimental impact on the environment and our entrance fees for the archaeological sites, museums and churches we visit, including Machu Picchu, help support their maintenance, restoration and upkeep.
- We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead providing refills for re-usable bottles.
- We operate a zero-impact policy on the Inca Trail removing all waste from campsites and separating it so that it can be easily recycled or composted. This ensures no rubbish or plastic is left behind in the places we visit.
- Our local operator has been certified and verified by Rainforest Alliance since 2015.
- Our Animal Welfare Policy ensures all our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regards to working animals and wildlife viewing.
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
- Through our Planet Promise, we have pledged to halve the carbon footprint of our trips by 2030 and made rewilding and carbon compensation commitments for every customer who travels.
- Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
- Vegetarian options are available at majority of accommodation and restaurants.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
- Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
- Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own re-usable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.
Itinerary
Cuzco Lima London London
The group flights are scheduled to depart London this evening.
Set amidst hills in the altiplano, the Imperial City of the Incas, Cuzco (3,400) was the geographic, cultural and political centre of a vast empire which, at its peak, stretched from present-day Quito in Ecuador to Santiago in Chile. After the Spanish conquistadores invaded the city they started building on top of the Incan structures, resulting in unique architecture, a fusion of the Incan and Spanish colonial styles. There will be a walking orientation tour this afternoon. It is recommended to take it easy upon arrival into Cuzco and to drink plenty of water to allow your body time to acclimatise to the altitude (3,400m). There will be a welcome briefing in the hotel lobby this evening.
Koyllur Inn / Hostal Inkarri (or similar)
Set amidst hills in the altiplano, the Imperial City of the Incas, Cuzco (3,400) was the geographic, cultural and political centre of a vast empire which, at its peak, stretched from present-day Quito in Ecuador to Santiago in Chile. After the Spanish conquistadores invaded the city they started building on top of the Incan structures, resulting in unique architecture, a fusion of the Incan and Spanish colonial styles. There will be a walking orientation tour this afternoon. It is recommended to take it easy upon arrival into Cuzco and to drink plenty of water to allow your body time to acclimatise to the altitude (3,400m). There will be a welcome briefing in the hotel lobby this evening.
Koyllur Inn / Hostal Inkarri (or similar)
The next two days have been left free for exploring Cuzco, one of South America's most beautiful cities. The Plaza de Armas is a fantastic spot for people watching, and Qorikancha - Sun Temple, located in the Santo Domingo Church and monastery are worth a visit. The Mercado San Pedro is the place to try some local produce and there are many handicraft markets to shop for souvenirs such as alpaca jumpers and scarves.
Outside the town are more Inca ruins, notably the fortress of Sacsayhuaman where the Inca armies made their last stand against the Conquistadores. Cuzco is also the gateway to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and should you wish to visit the sites, your leader can help organise an excursion, including Pisac Market (optional).
If you fancy something more active then there is an array of other optional activities available from Cuzco. These include a cookery lesson, paddle-boarding on Lake Piuray, mountain biking in the Sacred Valley between Maras and Moray, or a combination of via ferrata and zip-lining in the Sacred Valley. For some activities, a minimum number of participants is required.
On your last evening in Cuzco, there will be a full trek briefing. You will also need to pack and weigh your duffel bag ready for the Inca Trail the following day (the weight limit is 7kg per person for your duffel bag) - remember to keep your passport somewhere accessible.
Koyllur Inn / Hostal Inkarri (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
The Classic Inca Trail is a tangential branch part of a 45,000km road network linking the whole empire to Cuzco. It was built in the 15th Century to reach Machu Picchu but was abandoned soon after the Spanish conquest. American adventurer Hiram Bingham travelled along the trail when he came across Machu Picchu in 1911. The trail opened to the public in 1970.
We leave Cuzco early and drive for roughly two hours to Ollantaytambo, our last chance to buy any items needed for the trek. From here we veer off the road and follow a track beside the river (45 minutes) to the start of the Inca Trail at Piscacucho, commonly known as Km82. After greeting our trekking crew, we show our passports at the checkpoint and begin the Inca Trail trek. The trail runs alongside the Vilcanota River beneath the impressive snow-capped Nevado Veronica, passing through cactus gardens and fields of corn until we reach the enormous Inca ruins of Llactapata, where we continue up a side valley to camp near the hamlet of Huayllabamba.
Walk Profile: approx. 11km / 6‐7hrs walking
Full-service Camping - Huayllabamba Camp
Inca Trail - Meals Included: breakfast lunch dinner
We leave Cuzco in the morning and drive up to the Lares Pass at 4400m, stopping to purchase snacks en route and to visit the Inca site of Totora. From the pass it is another hour and a half drive to the Lares hot springs where we stop for lunch. After lunch our trek begins; we’ll walk up through the valley to the Cuncani community where we spend the night.
Walk Profile: approx. 11km / 4-5hrs walking
Full‐service Camping
Lares Trek - Meals included: breakfast lunch dinner
The hills above Cuzco city are dotted with some of the most interesting Inca ruins. We drive to the highest, Tambomachay, and return on foot to Cuzco via Puca Pucara, Qenco and Sacsayhuaman: an easy acclimatisation walk to get used to the altitude. An open-air picnic lunch is included during the hike near the spectacular ruins.
Walk Profile: approx. 6.5km / 5-6hrs walking (inclusive of the time for visiting the sites)
Hotel Warari / Koyllur (or similar)
One Day Inca Trail Option - Meals Included: breakfast lunch
This is the longest and most strenuous day of the trek. A long climb takes us first through an area of cloud forest to the meadows of Llulluchapampa, then over the Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman's) Pass – at 4215m the highest point on the trek. After quite a long, steep descent we camp in the scenic valley of the Pacamayo River (3600m).
Walk Profile: approx. 10km / 6‐7hrs walking
Full-service Camping - Pacamayo Camp
Inca Trail - Meals Included: breakfast lunch dinner
This morning we start our walk through a small valley, passing waterfalls and incredible blue lagoons until we reach the Wilkiqhasa Pass at 4200m. The climb up to the pass is quite steep and goes up in a zig zag pattern. Reaching the top, we are rewarded with views of the snow-capped Qolqe Cruz, Sawasiray and Pitusiray mountains, some of the highest mountains in the Urubamba mountain range. Our trek continues down through the Kisawarani Collana conservation area to lake Queunacocha where we stop for lunch. After lunch it is only another hour until we reach our campsite at Kiswarani.
Walk Profile: approx. 11km / 7 hrs walking
Full‐service Camping
Lares Trek - Meals Included: breakfast lunch dinner
This morning we will spend two hours in a local musician’s home in San Blas. He will play local instruments for us as well as explain some of the history of these instruments - some which have been played since before Inca times and others which were inspired by the conquistadors’ influence and which are now part of a blended culture. You will get the chance to play some of your favourites among the drums, strings and wind instruments – and will get the chance not only to play the most emblematic Andean pipes, the zampoña, but also to make one! You will get the chance to make your own zampoña and take it with you as a souvenir of your time in Peru.
Hotel Warari / Koyllur (or similar)
One Day Inca Trail Option - Meals Included: breakfast
We start the day with an easier climb which takes us past the ruins of Runquracay and over the Runquracay Pass (3930m). From now on the Inca Trail becomes a clearly defined path made of flat boulders. As we leave behind the ruins of Sayajmarca, we suddenly enter rainforest; at one point the trail passes through an Inca tunnel. We spend the night at a spectacular campsite on the ridge above the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca (3680m) to benefit from the views of sunset and sunrise.
Walk Profile: approx. 12km / 5-6hrs walking
Full-service Camping - Phuyupatamarca Camp
Inca Trail - Meals Included: breakfast lunch dinner
We start early today, walking uphill for approximately 4 hrs, with views of the Kiswarany Valley and several lakes below, to reach the highest point of the Lares Trek, the Pachakuteq Pass at 4600m. From this high point, we once again will have views of the snow-capped Qolqe Cruz, Sawasiray and Pitusiray mountains. From the summit, we walk mostly downhill for approximately an hour to reach Acopata, where we’ll stop for lunch. After lunch we will walk approximately 2 hours, mostly downhill, to reach our campsite in Cancha Cancha.
Walk Profile: approx. 14km / 7-8 hrs walking
Full‐service Camping
Lares Trek - Meals Included: breakfast lunch dinner
This morning, we head out of Cuzco to the colourful handicraft market at Pisac, at the entrance to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After some free time to browse the stalls, we take a walking tour of the huge Inca ruins above the village. We will enjoy a local meal in a community along the Valley and will learn about local lifestyle and activities.. After lunch, we drive down the valley to Ollantaytambo where we visit the immense Inca fortress and explore the unique village whose streets still follow the pre-conquest grid plan.
Tunupa Lodge (or similar)
One Day Inca Trail Option - Meals Included: breakfast lunch
From the ridge, we embark on the infamous Inca steps: a two kilometre stone staircase taking us rapidly downhill amid a panorama of overwhelming immensity, with the peaks of the Vilcabamba range above, and the river thousands of metres below. After visiting the attractive ruins of Wiñay Wayna, we have an undulating walk through cloud forest high above the river to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. From here we get our first full sight of Machu Picchu itself, with Huayna Picchu rising behind.
Traditionally busy with groups of trekkers clamouring for photos, we plan our arrival at Inti Punku later in the day so we can enjoy unobstructed views of the magnificent ruins. Passing around the edge of the ruins, we exit the site and descend to Aguas Calientes for a well-earned rest, a shower and a comfortable bed for the night. Our trekking permits allow us one entry into the site, which we use for our tour tomorrow.
There is usually time for an optional visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes, however, in recent years they have become over-crowded and the water quality can suffer as a result. We will be reunited with those who have been on the Lares Trek or One Day Inca Trail Option at the hotel this afternoon.
Walk Profile: approx. 9km / 6-7hrs walking
Hotel Presidente / Inti Punku El Tambo (or similar)
Inca Trail - Meals Included: breakfast lunch
An early start this morning as we walk downhill for approximately four hours to reach the Sacred Valley at Huaran town. Along the way we’ll pass farms and have the chance to see llamas and alpacas. We’ll stop for lunch at the end of the trek and then say goodbye to our trekking staff before the drive to Ollantaytambo town (approximately 1 hour). We’ll have a short walking tour and the chance to explore the ancient town of Ollantaytambo before making the scenic train journey through the Urubamba River Valley to Aguas Calientes (approx. 1 hour 30 minutes), arriving in the late afternoon. We will be reunited with those who have been on the Inca Trail or One Day Inca Trail Option at the hotel when we arrive.
Walk Profile: approx. 10 km / 4 hrs walking
Hotel Presidente / Inti Punku El Tambo (or similar)
Lares Trek - Meals included: breakfast lunch
This morning we travel to Ollantaytambo and take the train to Km104 where we embark on the infamous Inca steps: a two kilometre stone staircase taking us rapidly downhill amid a panorama of overwhelming immensity, with the peaks of the Vilcabamba range above, and the river thousands of metres below. After visiting the attractive ruins of Wiñay Wayna, we have an undulating walk through cloud forest high above the river to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. From here we get our first full sight of Machu Picchu itself, with Huayna Picchu rising behind.
Traditionally busy with groups of trekkers clamouring for photos, we plan our arrival at Inti Punku later in the day so we can enjoy unobstructed views of the magnificent ruins. Passing around the edge of the ruins, we exit the site and descend to Aguas Calientes for a well-earned rest, a shower and a comfortable bed for the night. Our trekking permits allow us one entry into the site, which we use for our tour tomorrow, but anyone wishing to visit the citadel on both days can purchase an additional entry ticket today – your tour leader will assist with this.
There is usually time for an optional visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes, however, in recent years they have become over-crowded and the water quality can suffer as a result.
Walk Profile: approx. 9km / 6-7hrs walking
Hotel Presidente / Inti Punku El Tambo (or similar)
One Day Inca Trail Option - Meals Included: breakfast lunch
In order to beat the day-trippers arriving from Cuzco and reach the ruins as early as possible, a very early start is required to queue for Machu Picchu; only government-registered buses can make the 30-minute drive up the winding road to the site entrance and during high season (May-October) queues can be hours long.
Machu Picchu is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the ancient world and what makes it all the more dramatic is its mountain backdrop of staggering immensity. The Spaniards never found it; the Incas left no records of it, and so Machu Picchu remained a great enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham.
New regulations for visiting Machu Picchu are now fully enforced; of the three possible visiting slots, Exodus will purchase the morning slot from 06:00 until 12:00 (unless unavailable), you will be limited to a maximum of four hours within the site and must be accompanied by a guide. There will also be three set routes to follow around Machu Picchu; Exodus selects the most comprehensive route.
We catch an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30 mins) and continue by private bus to Cuzco (2hrs 30 mins).
Koyllur Inn / Hostal Inkarri (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today has been left free to relax after the trek or explore Cuzco further. Again, your leader can help to arrange optional excursions and activities for you - please see the Optional Activities section of the Trip Notes for more details.
Koyllur Inn / Hostal Inkarri (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We leave Cuzco early today as we take a short flight to Puerto Maldonado (please note that due to poor flight availability, on some departures this flight will connect through Lima and be considerably longer), a small town in the rainforest. On arrival, we transfer to the dock for a boat trip to our lodge in the Tambopata Reserve (approx. 45mins by boat). On the way, we may see river turtles and a wide variety of birdlife.
The order of activities in the rainforest may change depending on the weather and other factors. However, there will be a briefing upon arrival at the lodge followed by the chance to learn about the traditional use of bow and arrows – and even get a chance to try your hand at it!
After dinner, we will go by boat in search of alligators in the river, using torches to look for the red reflections of their eyes on the riverbank, as well as looking for other nocturnal animals.
Accommodation: Nape Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The next two days are spent exploring the forest, rivers and lakes surrounding the lodge, on foot and by boat. Although a lot of the wildlife tends to hide in the dense foliage, we should expect to see a wide variety of birds, including herons and egrets, jacanas, macaws and the almost prehistoric-looking hoatzin, as well as several species of monkey, reptiles and insects, and with luck the giant otters which live in the rivers of the Amazon basin.
We will visit Tres Chimbadas Lake where we hope to see a great variety of wild fauna such as monkeys, macaws, black alligators, flying parrots and if we are lucky, one of the families of the River otter in the area. We will also visit a Parrot clay lick where every morning at dawn, different types of parrots and parrots and other species of birds meet. We will go on a night walk in search of insects, amphibians, tarantulas, bats, nocturnal birds and large nocturnal mammals.
Accommodation: Nape Lodge (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A dawn start is required for the boat transfer back to Puerto Maldonado, giving memorable views of the sunrise over the river. Look out for the early morning wildlife, which is particularly active at this time. Howler monkeys are frequently heard as they stake out their territories. The adventure ends at Puerto Maldonado airport. We’ll say goodbye to our leader at Puerto Maldonado airport and take a short flight to Lima. A local representative will transfer us to our included hotel where we will spend the night.
Hotel El Tambo 1 (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for your flight to London.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our adventure ends after breakfast this morning in Lima.
Meals Included: Breakfast
The group flights arrive back into London this afternoon.
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Essential Info
Visa
Peru
Visas are not required by UK citizens, Western European nationals, Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, South Africans and most other nationalities. If you are in any doubt please contact the nearest Peruvian Embassy.
Vaccination
Peru
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements.
Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A.
Zika fever is a mosquito‐borne viral disease and a known risk in places visited on this trip. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, we therefore strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
If you are travelling to the Tambopata reserve in the Amazon rainforest, the risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. We also strongly recommend that you obtain a Yellow Fever vaccination. Dengue fever and/or Chikungunya are known risks in the Amazon region. Both are tropical viral diseases spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for either, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites: always apply insect repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers while in the rainforest to avoid being bitten.
Eating and Drinking
All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners included in the price of the tour.
Peruvian cuisine has developed a reputation for its flavours and originality and it’s well worth trying out a few of the local delicacies. Amongst these are ceviche (a spicy dish of seafood or fish marinated in lime juice), lomo saltado (a Peruvian take on a beef stir-fry) and various hearty soups such as the delicious quinoa soup. Other dishes include roasted cuy (guinea pig), alpaca steak, and to drink, the national beverage: Pisco Sour.
Drinking water is provided. The tap water in Peru is not safe to drink; boiled and filtered drinking water is provided on the trek and elsewhere your leader will buy large water containers for you to refill your bottle from.
Hotel breakfasts are normally simple buffet-style affairs, usually including bread/toast and jam, cereal, sometimes eggs or a cooked dishes, sometimes fruit, tea/coffee and fruit juice. Regrettably, we cannot guarantee that wheat/gluten-free products will be available for breakfast in all locations - if you have an intolerance you may wish to bring your own breakfast food.
Where lunch and dinner is not included in Cuzco/Aguas Calientes we'll visit a variety of cafes and restaurants.
During the Inca Trail or Lares Trek hearty breakfasts are served and good quality cooked lunches and dinners are provided, and usually consist of soup or a starter, a main course with meat/fish and some form of carbohydrates, followed by a dessert. Some snacks between meals are also provided. Drinking water (boiled and filtered) is provided in the mornings and at lunch during the trek so that you can refill your bottles. Bed tea/coffee is brought to your tent each morning and juice or hot drinks are provided with all meals during the trek.
Whilst in the Amazon, all meals are included at the lodge.
Weather
Peru's diverse geography results in a very varied climate. The coastal desert, including Lima, is generally dry but cloudy through most of the year. The exception is January to March when the skies are clear and the temperatures rise.
Cuzco and the Andes have a temperate climate. December to March is the rainy season in Cuzco/the Andes and April to November is the dry season; characterised by clear skies and strong sunshine in the mornings, sometimes clouding over as the day progresses. Daytime temperatures are usually pleasant (approx. 20 degrees C on average) but night times only 5-10 degrees C, except for May, June, July and August when days are cooler and nights are often close to, or a few degrees below, freezing. In the Andes, however, anything is possible at any time of year, including cloud, rain or even snow, and rapid and unexpected changes!
Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are in the cloud forest and as such attract large amounts of precipitation all year as clouds move up from the Amazon Basin. Rain here can be heavy, but is seldom prolonged. Cold fronts sometimes occur from July-August.
Whilst the Amazon Rainforest is generally warm and humid, it can be subject to drops in temperature caused by cold fronts pushing in from the south - this can occur at any time of year, but happens most often in June and July. This can send temperatures dropping into single figures, and we recommend that you take some warm clothing with you to the lodge in case of sudden changes in the weather.
Peru is affected by the El Niño weather phenomenon whereby warming of Pacific Ocean surface water off South America drives a shift in the atmospheric circulation resulting in abnormally high levels of rainfall over parts of South America. These events occur at irregular intervals of two to seven years, and last nine months to two years. A strong El Niño event occurred in 2014-16. In El Niño years, temperatures in Lima can be much warmer than described above but it still rarely rains in Lima.
Weather Charts
Cuzco, Peru

Is this trip for you?
This trip is graded Level 5, Challenging. It is designed for ages 13 to 16.
Our family activity levels are aimed at children in the primary or ‘Designed for’ age group. Please see the family activity levels on our website for further information. When grading our trips we consider multiple factors, the pace — how busy an itinerary is — and the level of activity involved as well as the amount of time a family will spend travelling. The weather is an important factor too as is the altitude on this itinerary.
We consider the Inca Trail as 'challenging' (for families) and this tour is designed for families with older (teenage) children in mind - please refer to our activity level guidelines. There are four days point-to-point walking with full porterage, reaching a maximum altitude of 4,215m, average 3,050m. You may walk for up to seven hours a day and the route involves considerable ascent and descent. Though not without its difficulties (in particular the ascent and descent of the first pass, known as Dead Woman's Pass!) this trek is certainly possible for anyone in a good state of health and fitness, but we would not recommend it as a beginner's trek to anyone with no previous walking experience. If you are not a regular walker you should put in some physical preparation beforehand. The trek is also not particularly suitable for those with bad knees due to the number of steep and uneven steps, particularly on the third and fourth days of the trek. We have many Exodus staff members who have completed this trek therefore if you have any concerns about the difficulty of the walking or your own/your families capabilities please feel free to speak to us before booking on.
You may find our Fitness Training Guide a useful reference.
The climate in the Amazon is hot and humid which can make activities tiring.
There is a degree of flexibility within the itinerary, with an array of optional activities to choose from in Cuzco depending on your family's interests.
Protest action/strikes are not uncommon in Peru, and whilst these are generally peaceful, they can involve roadblocks and cause disruption to travel. Occasionally your leader may have to adapt your itinerary in response to this.
As this trip spends considerable time at altitude, we ask you to refer to the altitude warning within the Trip Notes. We spend three days in Cuzco (3,400m) acclimatising before starting the trek.
Walking hours stated within the itinerary are given as approximates only. Timings stated include lunch and photo stops and will vary depending on the pace of your group.
Inca Trail Regulations
An Inca Trail permit is required for this trip. There are a number of important regulations regarding the Inca Trail that we would like to make you aware of:
- Spaces on the Inca Trail are on a first come, first served basis and we urge you to book as early as possible.
- If you cancel your booking more than 8 weeks before departure and wish to transfer your deposit to another departure or another trip the transfer fee is £150 as we will lose the permit we have purchased on your behalf. This is an amendment to our Booking Conditions. No transfers are possible within 8 weeks of departure.
- Bookings can only be made if we are supplied with your full name, passport details, date of birth and nationality, exactly as per the passport you will be using to travel to Peru (this information is used to purchase your Inca Trail permit). If your passport details do not match those on your permit you will be refused entry to the Inca Trail by the local authorities.
- Should the passport used to purchase your permit be lost, stolen or expire before your Inca Trail start date, you must purchase a new passport and notify Exodus immediately as we will need to apply to amend your Inca Trail permit. To do so, you must supply copies of both your old and new passports to Exodus in advance of travel and pay an administration fee of £25. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you make a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
- Please be aware that these regulations may change at any time, and Exodus is not responsible for the decisions made by Peruvian authorities.
- There is a possibility that the Peruvian authorities may increase the entrance fees to the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and other major sights at any time. If they do so, we will inform you of this increase and the extra amount will need to be paid locally in cash in Peru.
Please Note: Whilst your departure date may be 'Guaranteed', your Inca Trail permit itself will initially be 'On Request'. If travelling within the current year we will try to purchase your permit immediately upon receiving your booking. If travelling next year, we will apply for your permit as soon as they are released for sale. In either case, in the event that we are unable to get your permit we will contact you to discuss your options.
List of Regulations for visiting Machu Picchu:
The main points impacting your visit are the following:
- The tickets are valid only for one entry which means that you cannot leave the site and re-enter.
- Once you have done the chosen circuit with your guide, you cannot walk back to view anything already visited and once you finish the circuit, you will have to leave the site. You can no longer explore the site further after the guided tour.
- The two visit times for visiting the site, either 6am-12pm or 12-16.30pm.
- The local authorities have restricted the temples which can visited at Machu Picchu depending on the time of the visit to the site.
These regulations will affect how long you are able to spend at Machu Picchu and which temples you can visit. In the past, after the guided tour passengers could stay longer to explore the site, this is not possible anymore. The alternative that we are implementing on our visits to allow you further time, is to explore the upper part of Machu Picchu (Sun Gate and Inca Bridge) before starting the guided tour. The guided tour will be about 2 hrs in duration, and unfortunately at the end of it, you will need to exit the site. You will be able to visit the Condor’s Temple, but not the Sun Dial Temple or the Sun Temple on this itinerary.
Schedule of visit to Machu Picchu on this itinerary:
- Early bus to Machu Picchu and explore upper part with the tour leader
- Between 9-10am start the guided tour
- Between 11.30am-12.30pm passengers leave Machu Picchu
Please see our COVID Travel Guide for Peru for more information on current guidelines for travel in Peru.
Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.
Hotels, Camping & Lodge
7 nights en suite hotels, 3 nights full-service camping and 3 nights rainforest lodge.
All hotels have en suite facilities, are centrally located and most have colonial charm. On the Inca Trail our camp staff erect and dismantle the tents, cook and do all camp chores for you – you need only carry your daypack. There will be a toilet tent, dining tent and bowls of warm washing water are supplied. Our rainforest lodge has en suite rooms and mosquito nets are provided. Power is by generator for a few hours a day in the main building only but lanterns and candles are supplied.
Single accommodation
A limited number of single supplements can be booked, subject to availability (the supplement excludes the stay in the rainforest lodge, where singles are not available).
Reviews
Add your own reviewChantal Sargent
Reviewed August 2018
Inca Trail Challenge and Amazing Amazonia
Fiona Crawford
Reviewed August 2018
Peru
Jane Trevorrow
Reviewed August 2018
Trip of a lifetime
Kim Sabey
Reviewed October 2016
Inca Trail September 2016
Imran Arshad
Reviewed August 2016
Inca Trail and Amazon Adventure
Ruth Hewitt
Reviewed August 2015
Inca Trek family Holiday
Susan Penman
Reviewed August 2015
Inca Trail
Covid-19 refund commitment
You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.
Start
Finish
Availability
Adult Price From
Child Price From
Optional Single Supplement
Monday Sunday
03 Apr 2023 02 Apr 2023
Sunday Monday
16 Apr 2023 17 Apr 2023
Availability Available
Adult Price From $ 5,045
Child Price From $ 3,775
Optional Single Supplement +$ 855
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesMonday Sunday
24 Jul 2023 23 Jul 2023
Sunday Monday
06 Aug 2023 07 Aug 2023
Availability Available
Adult Price From $ 5,045
Child Price From $ 3,775
Optional Single Supplement +$ 855
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesMonday Sunday
31 Jul 2023 30 Jul 2023
Sunday Monday
13 Aug 2023 14 Aug 2023
Availability Available
Adult Price From $ 5,045
Child Price From $ 3,775
Optional Single Supplement +$ 855
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesMonday Sunday
07 Aug 2023 06 Aug 2023
Sunday Monday
20 Aug 2023 21 Aug 2023
Availability Available
Adult Price From $ 5,045
Child Price From $ 3,775
Optional Single Supplement +$ 855
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesMonday Sunday
14 Aug 2023 13 Aug 2023
Sunday Monday
27 Aug 2023 28 Aug 2023
Availability Available
Adult Price From $ 5,045
Child Price From $ 3,775
Optional Single Supplement +$ 855
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesNo departures found.
Would you like to include flights with your booking?
- ATOL protected
- Competitive flight prices
- Full refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
- Specialist support to rearrange flights and transfers
- Regional flights available from many UK airports
*Please note any date & price adjustments will be displayed on the next step of booking. You will be able to revert back to booking without flights if the options aren't suitable for you.
Looking to travel with your own group?
Then why not try out our Private Group Adventures

Inca Trail Permits: An Inca Trail permit is required to walk the Inca Trail. These are strictly limited and are highly sought after, therefore we strongly recommend booking at least 6-8 months in advance to avoid disappointment. On dates where Inca Trail permits have sold out we can offer the spectacular remote Moonstone Trek in its place – please enquire for details.
Inca Trail Permit Status: Whilst your departure date may be 'Guaranteed', your Inca Trail permit itself will initially be 'On Request'. Inca Trail permits are strictly limited and are only released one year at a time. We cannot reserve or pre-purchase them. If travelling within the current year we will try to purchase your permit immediately upon receiving your booking. If travelling next year, we will apply for your permit as soon as they are released for sale. In either case, in the event that we are unable to get your permit, we will contact you to discuss your options.
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