Inca Trail or Lares Trek - The best way to get to Machu Picchu

Click links to find info on this page:
About Machu Picchu 'Lost City of the Incas'
Hike the Inca Trail Trek
 - Discovery Tours, Adventure Tours & Overland Expeditions
 - Budget Expeditions
 - Independent Travel options
 - Tips and links to further information
 - Cross section of the Inca Trail
Hike the Lares Trek
 - Discovery Tours, Adventure Tours & Overland Expeditions
 - Budget Expeditions
 - Independent Travel options
 - Tips and links to further information
 - Inca Trail Trek & Lares Trek comparison map
Taking the train to Machu Picchu
How to book and get a permit for the Inca Trail Trek
February closure of the Inca Trail
Price changes

Machu Picchu 'Lost City of the Incas'
Unesco World Heritage-listed Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful and enigmatic archaeological sites in the world, set deep in the Andes mountains of Peru. Known as the Lost City of the Incas, the citadel was originally completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces sufficient to feed the population and watered by natural springs. Located high above the Urubamba River, the cloud-shrouded ruins include palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses, all in a remarkable state of preservation that will take your breath away.

To experience the wonders of  Machu Picchu you can join a group tour or take an Independent Travel package and hike the spectacular Inca Trail Trek or Lares Trek, or enjoy a day excursion to the site from Cuzco.

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Hike the Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu
The classic 4-day Inca Trail, also known as Camino Inca
The Incas were a highly organised civilisation and created many Inca paths throughout the Andes in a network they called Capaq Ñan. The most famous of all the paths is known simply as ‘the Inca Trail’, the royal route to the remnants of the breathtaking mountaintop city of Machu Picchu. Spread over 4 days, the spectacular 44 km Camino Inca crosses three stunning high passes and encounters many ancient archaeological sites, culminating at the citadel of Machu Picchu. There are few treks in the world that combine natural beauty, history and mystery with such an awe-inspiring final destination.

The trekking group is led by an expert local guide and supported by a team of porters and cooks, leaving you with only a small day pack to carry. The Inca Trail Trek can be demanding but can be completed by anyone who leads a reasonably active life - you certainly don’t need to be an athlete. Everyone is able to walk at their own pace and there is no rush to finish. If you are in any doubt or if you have any condition that may affect your ability to trek, we advise that you consult your doctor.

Discovery Tours, Adventure Tours and Overland Expeditions - Inca Trail
Tucan Travel offers more than 90 different group tours which offer the chance to hike the Inca Trail Trek. All group tours which include time to complete the Inca Trail Trek (Discovery Tours, Adventure Tours and Overland Expeditions) are clearly marked on the maps on this website and in our brochures. 

Please note: Due to Inca Trail permit restrictions, you MUST decide at the time of booking if you are going to hike the Inca Trail Trek so that there is plenty of time to organise your permit in advance. If the Inca Trail Trek is an included excursion on your tour and you choose not to participate, a discount will be deducted from your tour cost and you will have free time in Cuzco and a train trip to Machu Picchu will be included instead. Please note the tour discount will not apply if you do not participate in the trek (or the alternative Lares Trek) after your place has been confirmed.

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Discovery Tours
Adventure Tours
Overland Expeditions

Budget Expeditions - Inca Trail
All Budget Expeditions tours to Latin America which visit Cuzco in Peru have enough time allocated to complete the Inca Trail Trek. This is an optional excursion with an additional cost, and MUST be booked at the same time you book your Budget Expeditions tour. The following prices apply to Budget Expeditions tours only as the Inca Trail Trek is optional in this travel style.

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Budget Expeditions including the Inca Trail Trek/ Lares Trek

Independent Travel - Inca Trail
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Inca Trail Trek & Machu Picchu packages

Important Inca Trail Trek tip: The peak season for the Inca Trail Trek is between June and August and permits usually sell out several months in advance. Due to conservation regulations, permits are limited to a maximum of 500 people per day which also includes porters and other support staff. Book early in the year to avoid disappointment, and don't forget that flights may be cheaper in May, September and October, in the off season. 

Quick links for further information:
Learn how to book and get your Inca Trail permit.
Download detailed Inca Trail Trek information sheet
Inca Trail Trek Passport Form

Inca Trail Cross Section



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Hike the Lares Trek and visit Machu Picchu afterwards
A quieter, 3 day alternative to the Inca Trail; no permits required
Hidden within the magnificent snow-capped Andes, the beautiful Lares Valley has all the natural beauty of the Inca Trail – magical mountain scenery and the legacy of the Incas – but without the busy tourist crowds. In fact, the Lares Trek is so far off the beaten track that it has changed little over the last 500 years. With stunning landscapes and remote settlements, the area has remained largely untouched by tourism and retains its authenticity, offering a glimpse of life the way it used to be in Peru. You will meet traditionally dressed Andean farmers, and wander markets trading as they have done for centuries, see thatched stone and adobe houses and watch herds of llamas and alpacas roaming free. The Lares Trek is a similar grade to the Inca Trail Trek (with one challenging high pass) and is fully escorted, with 2 nights camping and one night in Aguas Calientes before an early bus ride up to Machu Picchu on day 4.

Discovery Tours, Adventure Tours and Overland Expeditions
Discovery Tours, Adventure Tours and Overland Expeditions which include time to complete the Lares Trek are indicated by the Inca Trail Trek icon on the tour map. This is because most people choose the Lares Trek as a quieter alternative to the more popular Inca Trail. As permits are not currently required for the Lares Trek we can generally guarantee your place on this excursion.

When booking your tour you will pay your tour deposit plus a non-refundable Lares Trek deposit. This is not an extra payment and will be deducted from your final tour payment. If you are the only person from your group tour that is doing this trek you will be required to pay a single supplement. The supplement is payable to your travel consultant at the time of booking and will be refunded in Cuzco if any additional group members join your trek.

If you choose not to participate in either the Inca Trail Trek or Lares Trek, a discount will be taken from your tour cost and a train trip to Machu Picchu will be included instead. Please note the tour discount will not apply if you do not participate in either of the treks after your place has been confirmed. Due to time constraints it is not possible to do both the Inca Trail Trek and the Lares Trek on the same tour.

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Discovery Tours
Adventure Tours
Overland Expeditions  

Budget Expeditions
All Budget Expeditions tours to Latin America which visit Cuzco in Peru have enough time allocated to complete the Lares Trek. This is an optional excursion with an additional cost, and MUST be booked at the same time you book your Budget Expeditions tour. The following prices apply to Budget Expeditions tours only as the Lares Trek is optional in this travel style.

Budget Expeditions Only	GBP	EURO	CHF	USD	CAD	AUD	NZD
Lares Trek	£330	€ 390	CHF590	$525	$590	$710	$870

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Budget Expeditions with time for the Lares Trek (28 tours)

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Take the train to Machu Picchu
Enjoy a day trip to the Lost City of the Incas
For a relaxing trip to Machu Picchu with no trekking involved, we take a short transfer from Cuzco to Poroy (20 mins), followed by a scenic rail journey to Aguas Calientes (3 hours 30 mins) and then a short bus ride to the summit entrance of Machu Picchu (30 mins). Seated in comfort in economy class, you will enjoy impressive passing views of the Andes and have plenty of space to store your belongings above your head or in luggage compartments.

Discovery Tours, Adventure Tours and Overland Expeditions - train & free time
If you are on a Discovery Tour, Adventure Tour or Overland Expedition that includes time to trek but you would prefer not to take part, you will have free time to enjoy the sights in and around Cuzco. You will be able to visit Machu Picchu on a day excursion by bus and train, which is included in your tour price.

Budget Expeditions
If you are on a Budget Expeditions tour and prefer not to participate in a trek, you can have free time in Cuzco and book a bus/train ride to Machu Picchu as an optional excursion. The following prices apply to Budget Expeditions tours only as the overnight train is optional in this travel style.
The following prices apply to Budget Expeditions tours only as the overnight train to Machu Picchu is an optional excursion in this travel style.