Classic Inca Trail vs. Cheap Inca Trail: What's the Difference?

Are you planning to visit Machu Picchu by the world-famous Inca Trail? If that is the case, this is the right article for you. The Inca Trail is one of the best trekking experiences, and deciding which tour is right for you can be difficult. Let us walk you through the similarities and differences between the Cheap Inca Trail and the Classic Inca Trail, both offered by Salkantay Trek Machu.

The Inca Trail is one of the most famous hikes to Machu Picchu, and one of the most popular treks in the world. You get the chance to see Peru's most pristine landscapes and experience an Andean journey through high mountain passes, highland meadows, and tropical cloud forest.

Salkantay Trek Machu offers two tour packages to choose from. Below, you will find their similarities and differences to help you decide which one is best for you.

Cheap Inca Trail Tour

The Cheap Inca Trail tour to Machu Picchu consists of 3 days of trekking and 1 day visiting Machu Picchu. During the trekking days, we make stops to rest and have lunch, and we travel through impressive landscapes before reaching our destination. During the 3 nights of camping, you rest under the stars in tents. On the final day, we reach Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), then begin a guided tour of the citadel.

This tour includes

• Pre-trek briefing (our guide will visit your hotel one day before the trek for your briefing)
• Transfer by tourist transportation to the starting point of the Inca Trail at Km 82
• Accommodation: camping (3 nights)
• Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu entrance fee
• Meals: 3x breakfast, 3x lunch, 3x dinner, and hot beverages each afternoon (if you are a vegetarian, please let us know in advance; a vegetarian meal option is available at no extra cost)
• Experienced bilingual tour guide (groups of up to 8 participants have 1 tour guide; groups of over 8 participants have 2 tour guides)
• A professional cook
• Porters to carry food, camping, and cooking equipment
• Camping equipment: personal double tents
• Sleeping mattress
• Water every day (except during the first 4 hours of the trek, when you need to bring your own)
• Tables and chairs, a cooking tent with cooking equipment, dining and toilet tents, and bottled gas
• Tourist train (Expedition Class) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Tourist bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• First aid kit, including an emergency oxygen bottle

This tour does not include

• Breakfast on the first day
• Lunch on the last day, in Aguas Calientes
• Sleeping bag (From $20)
• Thermarest mattress — inflatable mattress for extra comfort on the trail (From $20)
• Extra porter to carry your personal belongings (From $130)
• Bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes

Now that you know what's included, you can decide which tour best suits your needs. Salkantay Trek Machu was created to give every traveler excellent service on the Inca Trail, and whether you choose the Cheap or the Classic tour, the quality of our service remains the same.

Superior Inca Trail

Classic Inca Trail Tour

The Classic Inca Trail is the most legendary and by far the most well-known hike in Peru. If you are moderately fit, the Classic Inca Trail is a wonderful way to reach the hidden Inca city. After a night in Cusco, you begin a 43-kilometer trek along the old Inca trade route that winds through the Andes to the remote citadel of Machu Picchu.

Hiking for three consecutive days and crossing the highest pass at 4,200 meters, the Inca Trail is not for the faint of heart, but it is an unforgettable experience and a true highlight of any trip to Peru. The views across the Andean peaks are stunning, and it is hard to describe the sense of accomplishment you feel when you complete the three-day hike.

This tour includes

• Pre-trek briefing (our guide will visit your hotel one day before the trek for your briefing)
• Transfer by private vehicle to the starting point of the Inca Trail at Km 82
• Accommodation: camping (3 nights)
• Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu entrance fee
• Meals: 3x breakfast, 3x lunch, 3x dinner, and hot beverages each afternoon (if you are a vegetarian, please let us know in advance; a vegetarian meal option is available at no extra cost)
• Experienced bilingual tour guide (groups of up to 8 participants have 1 tour guide; groups of over 8 participants have 2 tour guides)
• A professional cook
• Porters to carry food, camping, and cooking equipment, plus 5 kg of each passenger's personal belongings
• Camping equipment: personal double tents (4-person tents for greater comfort and storage of backpacks)
• Thermarest mattress — inflatable mattress for extra comfort on the trail
• A sleeping bag (rated to -5°C)
• A pair of hiking poles
• A blanket per person
• A pillow
• Day pack rain covers
• Water every day (except during the first 4 hours of the trek, when you need to bring your own)
• Tables and chairs, a cooking tent with cooking equipment, dining and toilet tents, and bottled gas
• Rain ponchos
• A duffel bag for your personal belongings
• A T-shirt featuring the Classic Inca Trail map
• Tourist train (Expedition Class) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• A shuttle bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
• Tourist bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• First aid kit, including an emergency oxygen bottle

This tour does not include

• Breakfast on the first day
• Lunch on the last day, in Aguas Calientes
• Travel insurance
• Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu (From $80) or Machu Picchu Mountain (From $80)

Which Tour Should You Choose?

Both tours follow the same route, the same permits, and the same entrance to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. The real difference comes down to comfort on the trail: the Classic Inca Trail includes a private vehicle transfer, a sleeping bag, a thermarest mattress, hiking poles, a duffel bag, and a higher porter-carry allowance, while the Cheap Inca Trail covers the essentials for travelers looking for the same route at a lower cost. Whichever option you choose, Salkantay Trek Machu provides the same experienced guides, professional cooks, and safety standards on both tours.