Self-Launched Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu
9 days · Peru
Exodus charges £4,060
No-markup version: ~£820 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Trek the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu independently — same iconic route, same jaw-dropping ruins, a fraction of the price. You'll hike from Km82 along the Urubamba River, cross Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215m, pass cloud-forest ruins and emerge at the Sun Gate for your first sight of Machu Picchu. Inca Trail permits are strictly limited and sell out months in advance, so book early. Swap the glamping package for a licensed group trek operator (the most cost-effective way to access the trail), budget hotels in Cuzco and Aguas Calientes, and self-organised city sightseeing. All costs are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Cuzco — Acclimatise and Explore
Cuzco
Fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ). Take a taxi or pre-booked airport transfer to your hostel in the San Blas or Plaza de Armas neighbourhood (~£5 by taxi). Spend the afternoon acclimatising — walk gently around the Plaza de Armas, sip coca tea and eat light. Head out for a solo dinner at one of the excellent budget restaurants on Plateros or Procuradores streets. Don't rush — altitude sickness is real at 3,400m.
🚌Taxi from airport to city centre ~£5
🛏Hostel Kokopelli Cusco or Wild Rover Cusco (dorm ~£12/night, private ~£30/night)
- →Arrive at Cuzco airport and transfer to hostel
- →Gentle exploration of Plaza de Armas and San Blas neighbourhood
- →Coca tea acclimatisation at your hostel
- →Dinner at a local Peruvian restaurant on Plateros Street
Cuzco City Tour — Cathedral, Qorikancha & Sacsayhuaman
Cuzco
Purchase the Boleto Turístico del Cusco (BTC) at the official office on Avenida El Sol (~£35) — it grants entry to Qorikancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay and many other sites. Start the morning at the Qorikancha Sun Temple (partially covered by BTC; the church entry ~£3 extra), then explore the Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas (~£8 separately). In the afternoon, take a short taxi or walk uphill to Sacsayhuaman fortress and continue to Qenqo and Tambomachay. You can hire a local licensed guide at the entrance to Sacsayhuaman for ~£10 for a 1-hour tour, or book a half-day city walking tour via GetYourGuide from ~£15.
🚌Walk or taxi to hilltop sites ~£3
🛏Hostel Kokopelli Cusco or Wild Rover Cusco
- →Purchase Boleto Turístico del Cusco (~£35)
- →Visit Qorikancha Sun Temple
- →Tour Cuzco Cathedral on Plaza de Armas
- →Explore Sacsayhuaman Inca fortress
- →Visit Qenqo Archaeological Complex and Tambomachay
Sacred Valley — Pisac Ruins & Ollantaytambo
Sacred Valley / Ollantaytambo
Book a shared Sacred Valley day tour from Cuzco via GetYourGuide or local agencies on Plateros Street from ~£20–25 per person — these typically include Pisac ruins, a craft market stop and Ollantaytambo ruins with a guide. Alternatively, take a colectivo (shared minibus) from Cuzco's Puputi terminal to Pisac (~£1.50) and another to Ollantaytambo (~£2). Entry to Pisac ruins is covered by your BTC; Ollantaytambo entry is ~£8 if not on BTC. Stay overnight in Ollantaytambo or the Urubamba area in a guesthouse to be closer to the Inca Trail start.
🚌Shared Sacred Valley tour or colectivos from Cuzco ~£5–8 total
🛏El Albergue Ollantaytambo or Hostal Iskay (~£18–25/night)
- →Visit Pisac Inca ruins and terraces (BTC entry)
- →Browse Pisac artisan market
- →Explore Ollantaytambo royal Inca estate and fortress (~£8 entry or BTC)
- →Check into guesthouse near Ollantaytambo
Inca Trail Day 1 — Km82 to Huayllabamba (11km)
Inca Trail — Huayllabamba Camp
Your licensed Inca Trail operator will collect you from your accommodation early morning. The Inca Trail requires a government-issued permit (booked months in advance via a licensed operator — permits sell out fast!). Book a 4-day/3-night Inca Trail group trek with a licensed operator such as Alpaca Expeditions, Llama Path or Inca Trail Reservations from ~£350–500 per person, which includes the permit (~£90), a guide, porters, all meals on trail and basic camping equipment. Today's hike follows the Urubamba River, passing Llactapata ruins, to the campsite at Huayllabamba.
🚌Transfer from Ollantaytambo to Km82 included by trek operator
🛏Huayllabamba Campsite (provided by licensed Inca Trail trek operator, tent and sleeping gear included)
- →Transfer to Km82 trailhead at Piscacucho
- →Passport check at trail entrance checkpoint
- →Hike alongside the Urubamba River with archaeological site stops
- →Visit Llactapata ruins
- →Arrive at Huayllabamba campsite (~2,950m)
Inca Trail Day 2 — Dead Woman's Pass (10km)
Inca Trail — Pacaymayu Camp
The hardest day on the trail. A steady climb through cloud forest leads to Llulluchapampa meadows, then the summit of Dead Woman's Pass (Warmihuañusca) at 4,215m — the highest point on the trail. Celebrate at the top, then make the steep descent on original Inca stone steps to the Pacaymayu Valley campsite at ~3,600m. All meals are prepared by your trek's cook. Drink plenty of water and pace yourself.
🚌Trekking on foot
🛏Pacaymayu Campsite (provided by licensed Inca Trail trek operator)
- →Early morning climb through cloud forest to Llulluchapampa
- →Summit Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215m
- →Steep descent on original Inca steps to Pacaymayu valley
- →Relax at camp and stargaze over the Andes
Inca Trail Day 3 — Runquracay Pass & Cloud Forest Ruins (12km)
Inca Trail — Phuyupatamarca Camp
After breakfast at camp, climb past the circular Runquracay ruins to the second major pass at 3,930m. The trail becomes a beautifully paved Inca road leading to the dramatic cliffside ruins of Sayacmarca, perched above the cloud forest. Continue to the campsite near the ruins of Phuyupatamarca at 3,680m — arguably the most atmospheric campsite on the trail, with views of Salkantay and potentially a spectacular Andean sunset.
🚌Trekking on foot
🛏Phuyupatamarca Campsite (provided by licensed Inca Trail trek operator)
- →Climb past Runquracay ruins to second pass at 3,930m
- →Explore Sayacmarca ruins perched above the cloud forest
- →Hike through cloud forest with wild orchids
- →Arrive at Phuyupatamarca campsite for sunset views
Inca Trail Day 4 — Sun Gate & First Sight of Machu Picchu (9km)
Inca Trail → Aguas Calientes
An early 5:30am start — you'll want to reach the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) for optimal photos. Descend the famous Inca stone staircase with panoramic views of the Vilcabamba peaks and the Urubamba River below. Visit the beautiful Wiñay Wayna ruins, then continue through cloud forest and wild orchids to the Sun Gate — your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. Descend to the ruins, then take the bus down to Aguas Calientes (~£6 return) for a hot shower and a well-earned meal. Book accommodation in Aguas Calientes in advance as it fills up.
🚌Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes ~£6
🛏Hostal Rupa Wasi or La Cabaña Aguas Calientes (~£20–30/night)
- →Early start for sunrise approach to Sun Gate (Inti Punku)
- →Visit Wiñay Wayna ruins
- →First sight of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate
- →Descend to Machu Picchu entrance and take the bus to Aguas Calientes (~£6)
Guided Machu Picchu Tour & Train Back to Cuzco
Machu Picchu → Aguas Calientes → Cuzco
Take the early bus back up to Machu Picchu (~£6). Entry to Machu Picchu must be pre-booked online at the official government site (machupicchu.gob.pe) — costs ~£35–45 depending on circuit and time slot; book months in advance as slots sell out. Hire a licensed guide at the entrance for a 2-hour tour (~£15 per person) or book one in advance via GetYourGuide. In the afternoon, take the PeruRail or Inca Rail train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (~£35–50 one-way; book in advance at perurail.com or incarail.com), then a shared colectivo or bus to Cuzco (~£3).
🚌Bus to Machu Picchu ~£6; Train Aguas Calientes–Ollantaytambo ~£40; colectivo to Cuzco ~£3
🛏Hostel Kokopelli Cusco or Wild Rover Cusco
- →Bus up to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes (~£6)
- →Pre-booked Machu Picchu entry (~£35–45)
- →Guided tour of Machu Picchu ruins (~£15 guide fee)
- →Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (~£40)
- →Colectivo or bus from Ollantaytambo to Cuzco (~£3)
Depart Cuzco
Cuzco
Enjoy a final breakfast in Cuzco before heading to the airport or continuing your Peru adventure. Consider extending to Lake Titicaca, the Amazon or Colca Canyon — all easily accessible from Cuzco by bus or flight. Taxi to the airport costs ~£5.
🚌Taxi to airport ~£5
🛏Check out
- →Final breakfast in Cuzco
- →Last-minute souvenir shopping in San Blas neighbourhood
- →Transfer to Cuzco airport (~£5 taxi)
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£820 | £4,060 |
| Duration | 9 days | 9 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £3,240 per person (80%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£820
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £820 per person for 9 days in Peru. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £4,060 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £820 — a saving of roughly £3,240 (80%) per person.
How long is the Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 9 days, covering 9 day-by-day stops through Peru.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, culture trip through Peru, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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