Cusco City Tour Half Day
(888) 812-8687
info@tourleadersperu.com
LENGTH
Full Day Tour
MAX. ALTTITUDE
5,200m/17,060ft
Hiking Miles
7 km round trip
Group Size
8 People max
Difficulty
Sightseeing – Hiking
Sacred Valley Full-Day Tour – all-inclusive
Price From
$55 PP
City Tour Cusco Itinerary is certainly an important part of your visit to Peru and is without exception a principal stop along with the Citadel of Machupicchu. If you have plans to do other hiking tours around the Cusco region, or maybe you want to experience the flora and fauna of the Amazon Jungle such as Puerto Maldonado or Manu National Park, this city is definitely your first destination.
Acclimatization
City Tour Cusco Itinerary is For Acclimatization is not only the main introduction of the city, but this city tour will also show the impressive valleys of Cusco and the mountains that surround this majestic place. At the same time, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the warm and friendly people of Cusco city, We can assure you will have good memories from your visit at this amazing Inca Capital of Latin America.
You will start your City Tour Cusco Itinerary from above and visit the most important landmarks which are the following:
Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the Kenqo Labyrinth temple, the sources of Tambomachay life, as well as the Puka-Pukara Inca control point. After visiting these landmarks you will go down to the Main Plaza of Cusco and have a walking tour. You’ll visit the best of the city Center which includes the Cathedral of Cusco, the temple of the Sun (Qorikancha) and if you still have the energy it is recommended to visit the San Pedro market.
This tour is recommended for you to acclimate more easily to the altitude and to enjoy the most of your stay while you are in Cusco city. It is also helpful if you are planning to do other treks such as the Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, or other alternative routes that surround the region of Cusco. Welcome to Cusco city, known as World Heritage of humanity or navel of the world.
OVERVIEW %
- HIKING 100%
- FOOD 90%
- HISTORY/CULTURE/NATURE 100%
- PHOTOGRAPHY/ADVENTURE/CAMPING 100%
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TRAVEL INFORMATION
Watch Our Highlight VIDEO
INCA TRAIL MAP
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE MACHU PICCHU
- 100% Operated by Tour Leaders Peru, we never put you with other tour operators.
- Pick up from Airport and Hotel
- Top of the line equipment REI Co-op Half Dome 4 Tent. Only for Two Persons
- 8 kg per person, other companies offer you only 6 kg
- Best English Speakers Tour Leaders, We know Communication is very important in your trip
- Extraordinary Chefs! Don’t get stressed about food and forget your power bar. We serve you a 5-star outdoor restaurant with delicious organic gourmet food in your dining tent.
- Hotel Aguas Calientes with all facilities
- Free and Safe Storage in Cusco and Aguas Calientes while you are hiking and visiting Machupicchu
- Umantay Lake included (most companies skip this wonderful lake)
- Private transportation on each trip
- Perfect Location For Photographers
- Comfortable and Panoramic Train to Aguas Calientes.
- Visit Machu Picchu twice with this tour!
You will have the morning free to rest, shop, or do any other personal activities. At 1:00 pm we will meet you in your hotel lobby and commence our tour starting with the Main Plaza of Cusco, also known as Plaza de Armas. Here in this plaza we will also visit the Main Cathedral of Cusco still maintained since the Spanish conquest. We then head to the Qoricancha Museum (Temple of the Sun). This museum was an important place of worship to the Sun God for the Incas. When the Spaniards entered the city they ordered to paint all the walls with religious motifs to hide any Inca designs. After Cusco’s 1950 earthquake, the walls in this museum cracked, and out came to light those Magnificent Inca representations that were hidden for so long. You will enjoy the great history that is described in this place by our expert Tour Leader. After Qoricancha we head to the 4 most.
Important Archaeological sites within the city of Cusco:
Sacsayhuaman: Site of mysterious stone monuments weighing as much as 200 tons! This place is thought to be a fortress in the Inca capital of Cusco. After viewing all the stone structures you will appreciate the strength of this grandiose place.
Tambomachay: Site that was destined as a water sanctuary. You will observe great structures composed of aqueducts, channels, and several waterfalls.
Puca Pucara: Place that stands out because in Incan times it functioned as a military construction site.
Kenko: Site that is presumed to be one of the most important sanctuaries of the Inca.
Your Tour Leader will give you a thorough explanation of all sites visited and answer any questions you may have. After visiting all the sites stated we will transfer you back to your hotel at approximately 6 pm. If time permits you to, we highly suggest you visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is a full 1-day tour. In the end, you will be in awe of the sites visited. Come with TLP Adventure and visit more of Cusco’s wonders!
What You Must bring
Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turistico) Not included in the price
Passport
Money for personal expenses
Sun Protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, hat)
Jacket or Fleece (for the cold weather in the afternoon)
We are excited to be part of your adventure and lead you to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Make sure to book your tour in advance. Only 500 people a day are permitting on the Inca Trail of which 250 are reserved for tourists. Machu Picchu allows 2500 tourists daily. Don’t miss your adventure!
Price $180
This Cusco City Tour For Acclimatization is a private personalized service. We do not mix with other groups and have Licensed Tour Guides to lead you to Cusco’s treasures within the city. As a private service, you have the opportunity to ask away all the questions you may have and take as many pictures as you wish.
2 – 4 people: $180 total per group
5 –8 people: $220 total per group
Tour Leaders Peru truly cares about its Customers, Staff, and our Environment. We are Eco-friendly.
Note: An initial deposit of $400.00 is required to reserve your spot. We require this deposit to buy train and bus tickets, entrance fees to Machu Picchu, Inca trail admission ticket, and for your return transportation. The remaining balance is due 21 days prior to your trek. Please see our Terms and Conditions.
minimum of 2 people to book a tour
This price is based on Double Accommodation
SPECIAL DISCOUNT INFORMATION
SPECIAL DISCOUNT INFORMATION If you have a group of 6-8 people we give you a special discount. More than 10 people you can even travel free! If your interested starting date IS NOT LISTED we can open a new departure date at a group rate.
Additional Upgrades
Hauyna Picchu
If you want to climb Huayna Picchu make sure to book in advance as there are only 400 permits allowed daily to this location.
$40 per person Please notify us during your booking if you wish to purchase this upgrade.
Vistadome Train
From Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo: Prices vary from $57.00 to $73.00 per person one-way.
Machupicchu Mountain
Machupicchu Mountain offers even more magnificent views than Huayna Picchu. There are also only 400 permits allowed daily to this location. A 360-degree view of Machupicchu and the surrounding valley and glaciers are seen from this mountain.
US$35 per person Please notify us during your booking if you wish to purchase this upgrade.
Additional Night in Aguas Calientes hotel
The price depends on the season and Hotel availability.
Inka Bridge
If you did not have the opportunity to book an additional upgrade this one is available for free. It is an hour and a half round trip hike.
Sun Gate
If you did not have the opportunity to book an additional upgrade this one is available for free. It is a two-hour round trip hike.
- Single Tent $40 (if you wish to sleep alone)
- Sleeping Bag $20 per person (minus 5 degrees Celsius)
- Air Mattress $20 per person (REI inflatable mattress)
- Professional Walking Poles $20 per pair
- Backpacks $25
- Head Lamp $10
- Extra kilograms $10/kg (Example 5kg=$50)
- Original passport and (ISIC student card if applicable).
- A comfortable 45 Lt trek backpack if you want to carry all your belongings.
- A small daypack to carry your personal belongings
- Warm sleeping bag Minus 8ºC (You can hire from SAS Travel.)
- Lighter style trekking boots with good ankle support or tough sport shoes, (light sandals or clogs are recommended to rest at campsites).
- Trekking poles with rubber tips. (metal tips are not allowed on the trail).
- Warm clothes, layers for variable temperature especially at night
- Thermal underwear can be worn in the sleeping bag or in cold conditions
- Gloves or mittens, scarf, wool socks, woolen hat for cold nights
- T-shirts and trekking pants that zip off to short pants for comfort
- Flashlight, head torch, and extra batteries
- Camera and extra batteries, – Binoculars
- Wear a hat with a broad visor to keep the sun off your face
- Sunscreen, and sunglasses
- Personal medical kit, insect repellent
- Rain Gear: a good rain jacket, rain poncho
- Toiletries, toilet paper, small towel
- 2-liter water bottle, (disposable plastic bottles are forbidden).
- Bathing suits for hot springs for hikers with a night in Aguas Calientes (5 Day Special Inca Trail)
- Extra money for drinks en route, Machupicchu and Aguas Calientes. ($10-15)
- Tips for (porters, cooks, guides. ($30-40) Not mandatory.
- Emergency money at least 200-300 soles. ($ 120)
- Temperature checks for all traveler are mandatory
- Face masks required for travelers and staff in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff at all times
- High traffic places and equipment sanitized regularly between use
- Maximum 8 people per group to reduce crowds, for bigger groups we will assign two teams
- Transportation and touristic sites capacity will be reduced to 50%
- Printed material such as maps or vouchers will be avoided.
- 100% online payments with no booking fees at all
- Flexible bookings during COVID – 19 outbreak
INCLUSIONS
INCLUDE
- Pre-departure briefing at 7:00 pm the night before your tour in our office or your Hotel.
- Collection from your Hotel in Cusco from (05:30 am) or from Sacred Valley.
- Private transportation (Start of our trek).
- Breakfast in Urubamba in our farmhouse,
- 11 Full meals for the entire tour (4 Breakfast, 4 Lunch 3 Dinner) + snacks (vegetarian, vegan option, gluten, wheat-free, or special diets upon your request.)
- Permit and fees for the Inca Trail Park and Machupicchu Sanctuary.
- Porters to carry (camping equipment: client tents, dining and cooking tents, table, stools, cooking gear, stove, gas container, cutlery, plates, food, and fresh vegetables).
- 7-kilogram duffle bags (per Person)
- 2 Excellent experienced top tour guides (9-16 person / 6-8 with 1 tour guide)
- 2 expert gourmet mountain cooks, assistants.
- Hot drinks every afternoon include popcorn.
- Boiled water provided from 2nd day.
- 2 people per tent, clean, new, spacious (4 people REI Half Dome 4 tents).
- Thick, comfortable sleeping mattress,
- Buckets of hot water for washing in your tent every day.
- Biodegradable soap and hand cleansing gel.
- Emergency First-aid kit and Oxygen assistance.
- 3-4 hours guided tour in Machupicchu
- Round trip Bus Ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu.
- Tourist Expedition train return to Poroy Station or Ollantaytambo.
- Bus to Cusco
NOT INCLUDE
- Sleeping bag (4 season -Minus 8ºC)
- Tips for the trekking crew, Guides, Cooks, and porters at your discretion.
- Flight Ticket to Cusco.
- Accommodation in Cusco. (see recommendation)
- Travel Insurance. (check that your insurance covers you for treks above 4,200 masl) and (COVID-19)
Message Us
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Call Us
(888) 812-8687
RELATED INCA TRAIL TOURS
CLASSIC INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU 4D/3N
5 DAY INCA TRAIL | FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Total distance: 26 miles/23km
Elevation: 4,200m/13,779ft
Good for Hikers
Difficulty: Quite Challenging
Inca Trail: Permit Require
SALKANTAY & INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU 7 DAYS
Total distance: 46.7 miles/75km
Elevation: 4,821m/15,817ft
Good for Hikers
Difficulty: Quite Challenging
Inca Trail: Permit Require
LARES TREK & INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS
Total distance: 29,3miles/47km
Elevation: 4,700m/15,419ft
Good for Hikers
Difficulty: Quite Challenging
Inca Trail: Permit Require
Food & Drink
Healthy Organic Gourmet meals in all of your trips
Daily Seasonal Food on each trip and Tours
Peruvian cuisine has only recently exploded onto the international culinary stage, but Peruvians have always been crazy about their nation’s culinary heritage, and they steadfastly cling to the traditional, multiculti flavors of home. Even in the face of modern gastronomic innovation. A range of climates, from high altitude to low, offers an impressive diversity of produce. Yes, that means potatoes over 3800 kinds but also a variety of corn and other grains, to say nothing of the country’s native aji chilies that are often puréed into sauces.
Coffee, Tea, Water, & Assorted Beverages
Every morning and afternoon, before and after your daily hikes you will find hot drinks and snacks in your dining tent.
*Special Diets Available Upon Request
TRAVEL REVIEWS
Travel Perks when you book with us
Free Storage
Free luggage storage when you are traveling or Hiking with us
REI Camping Equipment for each trip
We are not affiliated with this REI Brand But as a local Tour operator we support local business and our customer enjoy their private Sleeping tent only for two persons learn more in our Camping Equipment for Inca trail
Private Eco Toilets
We do not share public toilet along the Inca trail we carry our portable ECO Toilets Only for our Groups
Peruvian Gourmet Food on each Tours
Food Include in each Trek, Vegetarian option available. we really take care of your gluten-free food contact with our office for any food restriction.
Private Transportation on each trip
As a responsible tour operator in Peru, we do not share our mobility with other tourists, all our transportation is only for your group or family members.
Best Chaskis (Porters)
We do not overbear our staff, they are principal resources in this travel industry
We leave no trace
We carry all our Trash From The begging to the end of each hike keeping clean all our hiking trail
Product Types
- Private and Group Tours
- Small-Group Tours (consisting of 8 people)
- Escorted Bus Tours
- Independent City Stays
- Multi-Destination Rail Packages
- Customized Travel Vacations
- Custom Groups and Individuals Packages
- Group Air Packages
Book with Huayna Picchu Mountain
Book with Machu Picchu Mountain
Machu Picchu Visitor Policy
Have a Question?
Talk With The Experts
FAQ
The trail itself is breathtaking, but the end of the trail is a spectacular sight as you reach the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu at sunrise. The classic Inca trail runs 26 miles (42 km) long, is usually hiked over 4 days and 3 nights and is tucked away in the beautiful Andes mountains in Peru.
How much it actually cost to hike the Inca trail to Machu Picchu?
The price tag for hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu depends largely on the tour company, package, and guide you choose. Here are some of the general costs, plus actual specifics from our own recent treks on 2021.
Doing the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu independently is not an option. The Peruvian government limits the number of hikers on the trails each day. Everyone must have a permit and be accompanied by a licensed guide. And yes, through a series of checkpoints on the trail, they actually enforce it.
The general cost for Inca Trail trek: $600
On average, the classic Inca Trail hike costs around $600/person (this generally includes transportation to the trailhead from Cusco, a guide, porters, three meals a day, hiking permits, entry to Machu Picchu, and tents). You can find it even cheaper. But besides the advertised sticker price, there are a few other things to consider when choosing a tour company: How many hikers are in each group? How often and how much food is provided during the trek? And finally, what’s the reputation for the company’s treatment of its porters?
Even though we tend to focus on budget traveling, it’s good to remember that sometimes the cheapest option isn’t always the best option. Cheaper companies for the Inca Trail often have larger groups (15-25 people), provide smaller meals, and/or no snacks. Some even have a bad reputation for inadequately providing their porters (i.e. lacking rain ponchos, jackets, or even proper hiking shoes). I was surprised by how many people online included snacks as a necessary item to pack and bring along because some companies don’t provide enough food pro by other companies.
How hard is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
One of the most popular things to do in South America – and one of the world’s most famous hikes – the Inca Trail is the sort of singular adventures for which we all travel. The hike itself, which brings you along ancient narrow paths deep into the Peruvian countryside and high into the Andean mountains, is gorgeous; perfect Incan ruins, cloud forest, and majestic valley views laid out like breadcrumbs along the way to perhaps the greatest end-point of any multi-day hike on earth, the iconic Machu Picchu.
After our own hike, we wanted to share our hard-earned insights, advice, and tips to help you plan and prepare for your own successful Trail experience – all neatly whittled down into this comprehensive guide.
So, whether you’re heading there in high or low season and want to understand the camping and accommodation situation better, have no idea what to pack or how to get a permit, are worrying about whether you’re fit enough, will get altitude sickness or if it’s too late to book a spot on a tour, then this post will provide you with all the necessary information answers from experienced fellow travelers (and, we hope, quite a bit of excitement and inspiration for the hike itself!).
Ready? Here’s everything you need to know before doing the Inca Trail hike.
How hard is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
One of the most popular things to do in South America – and one of the world’s most famous hikes – the Inca Trail is the sort of singular adventures for which we all travel. The hike itself, which brings you along ancient narrow paths deep into the Peruvian countryside and high into the Andean mountains, is gorgeous; perfect Incan ruins, cloud forest, and majestic valley views laid out like breadcrumbs along the way to perhaps the greatest end-point of any multi-day hike on earth, the iconic Machu Picchu.
After our own hike, we wanted to share our hard-earned insights, advice, and tips to help you plan and prepare for your own successful Trail experience – all neatly whittled down into this comprehensive guide.
So, whether you’re heading there in high or low season and want to understand the camping and accommodation situation better, have no idea what to pack or how to get a permit, are worrying about whether you’re fit enough, will get altitude sickness or if it’s too late to book a spot on a tour, then this post will provide you with all the necessary information answers from experienced fellow travelers (and, we hope, quite a bit of excitement and inspiration for the hike itself!).
Ready? Here’s everything you need to know before doing the Inca Trail hike.
Are there toilets on the Inca Trail?
This is where the bad news begins. Inca Trail toilets are not the most hygienic, clean or private affairs. You’ll be lucky if your toilet has a lock. On the first day the toilets are usually fairly decent and clean. However, as you venture further along the trail the quality rapidly decreases.
Our Inca Trail toilets – Portable option
As a tour operato, the best option on the Inca Trail is to hire a tour company that provides a portable toilet all the way up. These are known as ‘toilet tents’.
Although not as common, this is probably one of the most important things we would recommend when deciding on what tour operator to use. You’ll probably have to book with a western operator and it may cost slightly more, but it’s definitely worth it! The toilet tent is carried up with you by porters.
Our Toilete sit and tent are clean and only used by your group. You’ll be able to sit on a toilet drum within the privacy of a tent, and if there are any issues, we will solve immediately.
When to book the Inca Trail trek 4 days?
The government has strictly limited the number of people permitted on the Inca Trail (permits are issued to about 200 trekkers per day plus 300 porters this 500 permits include 4 days inca trail). We recommend that you make a trek booking as early as posible we recommend 4 months in advance.
It is recommended to book the tour inca trail to Machu Picchu 2 days in advance, before booking flight tickets and hotels, because there are limited spots to reservation for Inca trail at INC and PERU RAIL (train Tickets).
How Many Miles is The Inca Trail from km 82?
We’ve outlined our own route on the Inca Trail below and, in broad terms, this is the sort of the itinerary you can expect (note that this relates solely to the days spent on the hike, not the days of travelling to/from Cusco and Ollantaytambo):
Day One: Travel from Ollantaytambo to km.82 in the morning and hike to campsite
Distance | Approx. 6.8 miles/ 11 km
Elevation Gain | 350 metres
Difficulty | Moderate, with a steep tiring section towards the end.
Day Two: Early rise to hike through cloud forest and up to Dead Woman’s Pass and the descent to campsite
Distance | Approx. 7.5 miles/ 12km
Elevation Gain | 1,115 metres
Difficulty | High, this is the hardest day of walking but after you reach DWP, it’s mostly downhill.
Day Three: Early rise to hike the most photogenic section of the Trail
Distance | Approx. 9.6 miles/ 15.5km
Elevation Gain | Minus 1,000 metres
Difficulty | Moderate to a little difficult as there are several steep sections.
Day Four: Very early rise (3 a.m.) to reach the entry check-point and hike 1-2 hours to the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu.
Distance | Approx. 3.1 miles/ 5 km
Difficulty | You’re almost at the end and Machu Picchu, you should be hopping, skipping, and jumping all the way there!
Best time to hike Inca Trail
Machu Picchu hike difficulty
First, the numbers: if you tackle the classic four-day Inca Trail you’ll have 24-26 miles to trek (depending on which trailhead you set out from), over 2,000 metres to haul yourself up and level yourself down, and over 3,000 steps to deal with in total.
In terms of fitness and technical challenge, this is considered to be a trek of moderate difficulty. The effort required, though, isn’t evenly distributed across the four days. Rather, the greatest lung-bursting effort is front-loaded into the first day and a half. The high point, Dead Woman’s Pass, is – at 4,198 metres – definitely the toughest of the three passes, both in terms of the potential effects of altitude and the sharpness of the elevation gain. There are, however, a number of campsites on the way to this first pass, and some groups opt to make the second day easier by staying at the highest campsite on the first night.
Due to Coronavirus Machu Picchu Tickets and Inca Trail, Permits can be Changed
This is an unprecedented opportunity to perhaps salvage some of your expenses if you canceled a trip to Machu Picchu. The borders of Peru are closed and train service to Machu Picchu is suspended since March 17, 2020, to limit the spread of Covid19. The Peru government has extended the border closing now until October 30, 2020. However, they announced that international flights to Peru will resume on January 1, 2021.
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Join us in 2021
04/16/21
INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU 4 DAYS
06/12/21
INCA TRAIL 2 DAYS WITH HOTEL
06/16/21
INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
08/02/21
INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU 4 DAYS
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