This is the complete all inclusive tour package that gives you the most important cultural and archeological highlights: Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, the Sacred Valley with all of its treasures to discovery and archeological sites, and the Classic Inca Trail with Machu Picchu. Finish your journey with the unique experience of the floating islands on Lake Titicaca. This adventure hiking package is the best choice for the complete Peruvian experience! Book your unforgettable tour now and make memories that will last a lifetime!
Cusco
Up to 8 People
Group
Adventure
Moderate
with reservation
Upon your arrival in Cusco for the Custum Inca Trail Package, you will be welcomed by our friendly representative at the airport and transferred to your hotel. There, you will receive a short briefing with the rest of the morning being at your leisure to rest and acclimatize. We will pick you up from your hotel in the afternoon and start your visit of the Imperial Cusco City, a living example of the mix of Andean and Spanish cultures. Continuing our journey we visit the Santo Domingo Convent built over the Koricancha, as well as the ancient Inca Palace and the main worship center of the Sun God. You will have time to enjoy these beautiful sights, then will next visit the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman with its military Inca architecture, which dominates the city.
Finally, we go to the north east of the city to the archaeological sites of Q’enqo, Puca Pucará and Tambomachay. Afterwards, we take you back to your hotel in early evening to rest and then you can enjoy Cusco by night in one of the many terrific restaurants surrounding the Main Square of the Plaza de Armas.
We start this beautiful day at 7:30am, when your guide picks you up at your Cusco hotel in our private van. Our route to the Sacred Valley of the Incas leads us towards Pisac. We stop first at the Mirador of Taray to enjoy an expansive view of the Urubamba valley and its traditional farming villages. You will see how little the agriculture in the Sacred Valley has changed in the past five hundred years. Onward, we drive to the archeological site of Pisac, where you can see an impressive Inca cemetery with more than 2,000 tombs. There, we can admire the carefully engineered farming terraces carved into the mountain, explore the Inca tunnel and the religious area of this important citadel. Here, we will spend about 2 hours, exploring the Inca city. Then, we head down to the colorful market of Pisac, spend about 20 minutes visiting it and then drive to Urubamba for lunch.
Our next stop is the fascinating archeological site of Moray also known as “The Greenhouse of the Incas” a deep basin of architectural wonder. Levels of terraces are carved into a huge bowl, which was carefully engineered by the Incas. The terraces have varied microclimates depending on how deep into the bowl they are placed. Archeologists believe that they were used by the Incas to discover the optimal growing conditions for their crops and to experiment in hybridization.
Continuing on our journey to the colonial town of Maras, we look down onto the pre-Inca salt mines, called “salineras” in Spanish. The salt pans and their methods have been passed down through countless generations and used for salt extraction since before Inca times. A hot spring at the top of the valley discharges a small stream of heavily salt laden water, which is diverted into salt pans and evaporated to produce salt. This is one of the few places in the world where you can find naturally pink salt!
Finally, we drive to Ollantaytambo, taking the time to explore the Inca village that has remained intact since Inca times and the massive Inca Ruins, with a tour provided by our guide. Visit the massive architecture of the Sun Temple at the top of the formidable terraces and learn about the importance of this site for the Inca during the beginning of the Spanish conquest. Here you spend the night at your hotel in Ollantaytambo, ready to start the Inca Trail the next day.
Today begins your adventure of a lifetime with the Classic Inca Trail! Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in our private van at 6:30am. From there, we travel to Piskacucho, which is known as Kilometer 82, where the Classic Inca Trail begins. Along the way, we stop for breakfast in Ollantaytambo at about 6:30-7:00 to load up on energy for our first big day. (Breakfast is not included)
Arriving at KM82 (8:30am), we will have some time to organize ourselves, use the restrooms, apply sunscreen, insect repellent, etc. Here you will give your duffel bag to the porters, keeping only a small daypack with the essentials you need during the hike. Check our packing list for more information. Once at the Inca Trail checkpoint, be ready to show your passports and your student ID card, if you booked as a student. Your guide will have all of your permits and tickets.
At the start of the trail (2,720m/8,923ft) you will cross the Vilcanota River and follow its scenic route. The first day is relatively easy, a warm-up along the rolling ‘Inca flat’ terrain. There are great views of the Inca Fortress of Huillca Raccay, the vast and incredible Inca site of Llactapata, (also called Patallacta), the Urubamba mountain range that divides the jungle, the Andes Mountains, and the beautiful snow-capped peak of Veronica (5,860m/19,225ft), also known as W’akay Willca. You stop for your first gourmet lunch at Hatunchaca, after which you only have about three hours of walking to camp.
Our first campsite is about 2 hours past the small village of Wayllabamba (3,000m/9,842ft) located in the temperate green valley of the same name. Temperatures at night can be as low as 5ºC, depending on the season. It is generally colder in the dry season from May to September.
When you arrive at camp, your afternoon tea and appetizers will be ready for you. Enjoy a hot drink and settle into your tents, which will already be set up for you as you wait for a delectable dinner.
Your guide will wake you up with a hot mug of tea or coffee at 5:30am. Enjoy your hot drink in your sleeping bag before getting up for a delicious and hearty breakfast. With your daypacks as light as possible, you start a steep ascent towards the highest pass, Abra de Warmihuañusca, also known as “Dead Woman’s Pass” at (4,200m/13,779ft). Depending on your experience with hiking high altitudes it may be wise to bring altitude pills in order to avoid altitude sickness. While this may be the most difficult part of our journey; a true sense of accomplishment and an impressive view await you at the summit! After a well-deserved break for photos, you begin the descent towards your lunch spot, which is located at Pacaymayu (3,550m/11,646ft).
On your way up towards the pass, you will see an array of hummingbirds and a variety of other species of birds. There will be plenty of time to appreciate the incredible variety of native plants and the Polylepis, or Q’ueuña trees, which grow in the astonishing cloud forest located at (3,650m/11,972ft)!
After a gourmet lunch, you begin the second two-hour steep climb towards Runkuraqay pass (4,000m/13,123ft). You arrive at your campsite by 5 pm, where your afternoon tea and appetizers are waiting for you. Temperatures at this campsite are around 4ºC during the night so be prepared to bundle up!
Get ready for a day that will leave you awestruck as we begin another ascent on day three of our journey! Your guide will wake you up at 6am with another hot mug of tea or coffee in your tent before you get up for breakfast. You start the day with a gentle climb towards the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca, which means ‘Village in the Clouds’. Here, we reach the third highest point along the Inca trail (3,680m/12,073ft). The views of the mountains, canyons and surrounding areas are spectacular!
The extensive Inca site of Phuyupatamarca, is located a few minutes’ walk from the third pass. After visiting this site, you continue walking down 3,000 stairs through the cloud forest to the impressive Inca site of Intipata. As you descend from the mountains, you will feel the temperature rise. You are approaching not only Machu Picchu, but also the beginning of the Amazon jungle! After taking some time to visit Intipata, you continue to your third campsite Wiñay Wayna (2,680m/8,792ft). Today, you will only walk about 4 to 5 hours. You will arrive at camp by lunchtime! During the night, temperatures hover around 12ºC or 53°F, so you can anticipate a comfortable evening.
A short walk from your campsite is the famous Inca site of Wiñay Wayna which means “Forever Young” in Quechua. It is named after a special orchid which grows abundantly in the area.
At around 4:00am, it is time to wake up with another hot drink and start day 4 on the Inca Trail. This is the final part of your journey, and you arrive by 6:00am at the Sun Gate, also known as Inti Punku. At that point, the majestic Machu Picchu Citadel will be in front of you with its mystic beauty – an incredible sight for all to see. At the Sun Gate, you will watch the waking sunlight spread down over the citadel like melting goal. Finally, we walk downhill towards Machu Picchu Citadel (2,400m/7,872 ft). After walking about 40 minutes, we enter the citadel from the top through the “House of the Guardians”, where you can take those postcard perfect pictures of Machu Picchu. From there, we proceed towards the control point, where we register and leave any large backpacks or walking poles. You are only allowed to take small bags into the citadel, such as camera bags. Walking poles are not allowed because they can damage the stones.
Your guide will give you the full guide tour and educate you about the history of the ruins which takes about two hours. You will see most of the important parts of Machu Picchu and learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious.
After your tour, those who have booked in advance for the extra hikes up Huayna Picchu Mountain will have time to enjoy those views on their own. When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs.
The Vistadome train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm, 3:20pm, 4:22pm or 6:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. You can also see Wiñay Wayna from the train, if you look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel between 7pm and 10:30pm.
Please note: In the rainy season, January through April, the Vistadome Train only runs to the Ollantaytambo station. We will drive you from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco.
We will pick you up from your hotel at 4am, and begin with our amazing Rainbow Mountain Trek Adventure. We set out on our drive for 3 hours through the South Valley; ending up at the trailhead at Llacto (4,638m / 15,216 ft). The early morning drive is dark and is a great opportunity to rest or even sleep before we reach our incredible destination.
The herds of alpacas and llamas near your breakfast place will entertain you in the early morning. Once we reach the trailhead, we start on our hike following a lovely stream. As you start your hike, you will have views of the Ausangate Mountain and glaciers. This is a great opportunity to interact with the local people, who are still keeping traditional Quechua culture alive. Learn about their traditional clothes and the significance of the different hats worn by the men. Ask your guide to teach you a few words of Quechua!
After a total hike of 1.5 hours, we finally reach our destination: the Rainbow Mountain (5,020m /16,466ft). After admiring the unique beauty, you will have time to explore the area. You can take pictures or just soak up the view. We recommend you take a short hike up the neighboring mount to get a better view and better photo of the vibrant natural colors. We will spend approximately 30 minutes at the top. Afterwards, there is an optional hike across to the top of the Red Valley to marvel at the vas valley and mountains covered in dark red. This walk takes about 45 minutes longer to get back to the trailhead.
After finishing our sightseeing, we hike back down the way we came. The hike takes 1 hour,and we meet our driver to take us to our lunch spot. (included)
We will embark on the 2-hour drive on the way to Raqchi to explore this unique and amazing Inca city. Finally we drive to Puno for 3 hours, arriving to our hotel by 6pm
We pick you up at your hotel in Puno at 7:30am and transfer you to the port of Puno. This is where your adventure begins to the Uros floating islands. An ancient ethnic group of people have lived on Lake Titicaca since pre-Incan times. They are still maintaining their original lifestyle of fishing, hunting birds, gathering eggs, and making optimum use of the reeds. At about 8:30 you will arrive at the islands and get the opportunity to interact with the local families. You will visit their homes, and have a demonstration of how they live their lives, and how they construct the floating islands. For 10 extra soles you will have the opportunity to ride one of the magnificent reed boats constructed by the locals. After enjoying some time on the Uros Islands, you will be on your way to Taquile Island arriving around 11am. There you will have the opportunity to experience some local music and dance, have a scrumptious lunch at a local restaurant, and take time to hike around the island and enjoy the spectacular landscape and views of Lake Titicaca. You will arrive back to Puno at around 3:30pm and be transferred back to your hotel.
***You can add at 2 day trip on lake Titicaca with an overnight stay with local family for $50 more.
After having breakfast at the hotel, enjoy your remaining time in Puno, then in the late morning or afternoon we will drop off at the airport in Juliaca to take your plane back to Lima or bus station in Puno. Please let us know at time of booking if you require transfer out to Juliaca.
***Huayna Picchu is an optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which does not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.
This unique Custum Inca Trail Package can leave on any date, as long as we have a minimum of 2 participants!
*** All prices include 3 nights camping and 1 night homestay.
***Private service is available for an extra $400 per person (except in Puno – the Last 2 days)
| 18 to 25 years old: | $30 USD. Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card is required at booking for government approval for discount. |
| Under 18 years old: | $30 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking. |
| Under 11 years old: | $507 USD |
**Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are optional treks within Machu Picchu Citadel which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.
SAM CORPORATIONS is a family owned travel agency and a local tour operator based in Cusco with personal experience over many years of trekking. SAM CORPORATIONS is a 100% Cusqueñian Company without any shareholders.
Our dream as a locally based company is to create small personalized tours & treks strictly and only operated by local professional staff catering in PERSONALIZED and HIGH QUALITY SERVICE.
We take pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. Our staff are our extended family. We ensure they are supported financially by offering them a fair salary. We are proud of our team without them , we wouldn’t be able to offer the best service and lifetime experiences to our clients.
SAM CORPORATIONS knows how important it is to trust in a reliable honest operator to create your adventure of a lifetime while in Peru. Check out our reviews and certificates of excellence on, TRIPADVISOR for yourself! Also we are highly recommended on Conde Nast Travelers, Lonely Planet and by many blogs like: Salkantay/Inka Trail ! July 14th to 20th 2016 Trek de Lares 4 hours, “It’s the journey, not the destination…”, Lares Pass – Day 3, Trekking in the Sacred Valley.
To ensure a more personalized service for our guests, at SAM CORPORATIONS we have a policy that our groups will not exceed 8 people. This fact alone sets us apart from other companies that operate departures with bigger groups.
We are so proud of our guides! They are highly professional and speak fluent English. They are very knowledgeable and passionate for Inca heritage and history. Our guides are dedicated to continuous personal and professional development. They do research to ensure that you receive accurate and recognized theories in Inca and Andean culture. Our crew is fun loving, great sports and well-educated. They all hold degrees in one of the following: Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History or Anthropology.
Trekking with SAM CORPORATIONS is a life changing experience with a fully portered trek, where your comfort and enjoyment are our first priority. We make sure that you get the best experience for your holiday in Peru, while you interact with the locals, explore fantastic sites and re-discover remote ancient Inca towns. Our porters will carry your gear, prepare your meals, set up your tents by avoiding crowded campsites and take care of you while you sit back and relax.
We provide the following items to our porters for free: Jacket, sun hat, warm hat, t-shirt, pants, hiking boots, comfortable duffel bags, canteen and girdle for protecting their spine, sleeping bags, mattresses and travel insurance. All of our porters are hired from isolated communities and are given the opportunity to work with our company, in regards, to better their economic circumstances as well as getting help for their children’s education! We ensure that all of our porters are treated like family!
Our team (guides, cooks, porters, horsemen) and our equipment also makes SAM CORPORATIONS stand out from all of our competitors! For all our adventurous hikes, we include the following items:
SAM CORPORATIONS has always believed that we should give back to the communities we pass through on our treks. Therefore, as part of our commitment in responsible tourism, we socially support and employee from these communities.
SAM CORPORATIONS is proud to be able to support our beautiful local people. We not only in hire them for work but we also bring things back to our grassroots, to share in their homes and families. It makes us happy to have a holistic approach with our highland employees and their families!
Please read carefully the following information as it will help you answer all of your questions about our services and the Custum Inca Trail Package
You will be welcomed at Cusco airport and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to your Custum Inca Trail Package. Look out for our representative holding an orange board of SAM Corporation at the arrival terminal. You must exit the terminal in order to find our representative because due to regulations, they cannot enter inside the airport.
It will take place the night before the tour at 6pm in our office which is located at Calle Santa Teresa Nº383 ; 107 (second floor). We are next to SUBWAY restaurant and share a lobby with Casona Corrales.
Of course! During your tour or Custum Inca Trail Package your main luggage can be storde at our office or at your hotel, both services are free.
FIRST, to book your Custum Inca Trail Package, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase an Custum Inca Trail Package permit without the following information:
SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person in order to purchase a permit for the Classic Inca Trail Machu Picchu. You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.
Unfortunately the answer is no. Once the tickets have been bought, the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure dates after the ticket has been bought. Tickets are also not transferable or refundable.
If you cancel your Custum Inca Trail Package, we are unable to refund your deposit!
The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. We recommend to always dress in layers as that makes it easier to adjust to the different quickly changing weather conditions.
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the tour. It inspires excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SAM Travel Peru destinations. Of course you are free to tip as much as you feel appropriate, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your tour. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Yes, we are a local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator! We incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in
As a Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra porter who will carry up to 7 kgs or 14 pounds including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing. By Peruvian law, a duffel bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15lbs). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters or horses. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 7 kilograms, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra weight with your day pack. In this 7 kilos, please count 2 kilos for your sleeping bag and 1 kilo for your sleeping pad. This leaves you about 4 kilos for your personal gear.
We highly recommend that you bring a small backpack of 30 to 40L for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag which is carried by the porters during the day. You will have access to this duffel at camp each evening.
Imperial City of Cusco
Discover the culture and its beautiful archaeological sites of the ancient Inca empire
The Incas’ Sacred Valley
You will fall in love with the beautiful views offered by the Sacred Valley and its incredible archaeological sites.
Inca Trail
Rainbow Mountain
Puno
Sam Corporations
Our company is 100% locally owned. We directly contribute to economic development and environmental sustainability in Peru.
The quality of our service is one of our most important values which demands all our effort, determination, and courage to be successful in what we are doing and the services we provide
We aim to have a positive impact in all the areas that we visit. Through our training sessions and social projects, we empower women, indigenous communities and children
Our groups never exceed 10 people, giving you a personalized tour in our small comfortable vans
Interested in visiting only specific destinations? No problem, all our packages can be fully customized to suit your budget and schedule. Contact our travel advisors to plan the most comprehensive trip of a lifetime.
We commit socially and culturally to the community and adapt our business strategies to the preservation of the environment
Quality
Contact our travel advisors to plan the most complete trip of your life.
Simplified ease of communication, text us on WhatsApp, email or call us.
Our guides are local and have vast knowledge in Peruvian culture and history.
100% local company. Development and environmental sustainability
Our groups never exceed 10 people, giving you an unforgettable experience
Discover an exceptional journey where perfection meets adventure.
