The Inca Trail: Cost Details

The Inca Trail cost depends on various factors. Here’s what to know before partaking in this mesmerizing trek during a week-long vacation to Peru.

While we agree it is difficult to plan a short trip that touches on everything that Peru has to offer, making a trip of any length worthwhile is key. 

To make things easier for you, we’ve put together a sample budget for those of you who want to hike the Inca Trail with just a week to spare. 

The prices we provide reflect costs you should expect to pay for a typical trip. A more luxurious tour will cost up to twice as much. On the other hand, deals can be found during off-season.

Day 1 and day 7 in Lima

Staying in the capital of Peru can prove quite spendy in comparison to other parts of the country. Average prices per day are as follows:

Accommodation: It can range from US $9 (S/ 30) for a hostel room, to US $75 for a 3-star hotel room, per day.

Breakfast: Can range from US $1.5 to $3 (S/ 5-10) for fresh juice at the market, to US $6 (S/ 20 or more) for juice, coffee and toast.

Lunch: A typical “menu”, or lunch special, can go for around US $5 (S/ 15).

Dinner: US $15 (S /50) for an entree and beverage.

Drinks: US $6 (S/ 20) per day for tea, coffee, and water throughout the day. (Add about S/ 15-20 if you want a pisco sour in between).

Transportation: Up to US $18 (S/ 60) per day, depending on frequency and distance.

Flight prices from Lima to Cusco round-trip vary between US $75 and US $180, but US $100 is average. For a budget airline, check out Viva, Sky or Peruvian Airlines. Keep in mind these airlines charge extra for luggage, seat selection, etc.

Day 2 in Cusco

Accommodation: From US $7 to $26 for hostels (S/25-90) up to US $90 for 3-star hotels.

Breakfast: can range from US $2 (S/ 5-7) for fresh juice at the market to US $6 (S/ 20 or more) for juice, coffee and toast.

Lunch: A typical “menu”, or lunch special, can go for around US $3.5 (S/ 10-12).

Dinner: US $12 (S /40) for an entree and beverage.

Drinks: US $6 (S/ 20) per day for tea, coffee, and water throughout the day. (Add about S/ 15-20 if you want a pisco sour in between).

Transportation: Cusco is a very walkable city but if you want to move around in taxis, it can cost up to US $9 (S/30) per day, depending on frequency and distance.

Onwards to the Inca Trail

This is a four-day, three-night package tour which includes visits to Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.

Several stops will be made along the way to visit ancient archeological ruins that can only be seen when traveling by foot. For example, the third day involves a visit to the Runkuraqay ruins after climbing up its pass – at 3,800 m.a.s.l.

The average cost of the Inca Trail when booked through a reputable travel agency is US $800. Do keep in mind that foreign travel agencies can easily charge up to twice as much for the same trip.

Learn more about the day by day on the Inca Trail here.

Roundtrip airfares to and from Peru

The following figures are approximations. Lower prices can be found with low-cost carriers and discounts during the off-season.

New York: 600 – 2,122 USD
Miami: 600 – 1,200 USD
Copenhagen: 1,110 – 2,332 USD
Canberra: 1,200 – 2,422 USD
Ottawa: 800 – 2,022 USD
London: 1,020 – 2,242 USD
Paris: 1,000 – 2,222 USD
Berlin: 1,140 – 2,362 USD
Vienna: 1,050 – 2,272 USD
Nairobi: 1,800 – 3,022 USD
New Delhi: 1,500 – 2,722 USD
Abu Dhabi: 1,800 – 3,022 USD

Reach out to us at yourfriends@livinginperu.com concerning any additional travel questions you may have. We are here to help.

Cover photo: AmaraPhotos.com

This article has been revised and updated from its original publication on August 9, 2018.