All about the Inca Trail in Peru
Do the Inca Trail in Peru: all the information for hiking to Machu Picchu
The Inca Trail in Peru is by far the most famous trek in South America and is considered by many to be in the top 5 best hikes in the world. In just 43 km, it manages to combine magnificent mountain scenery, lush cloud forests, subtropical jungle and, of course, an amazing mix of Inca cobblestones, ruins and tunnels. The path has no better destination: Machu Picchu, the mysterious “lost city of the Incas” in Peru. It may be a goal for you, the adventure of a lifetime, and it is for this reason that you have gathered as much information as possible to organize your trek on the Inca Trail.
Be careful, do not get me wrong, this trek is not within everyone’s reach. The Inca Trail requires the passage of peaks (including one at 4200 meters) and the descent of slippery and uneven Inca cobblestones. Train at least a few weeks before your departure.
Inca Trail Permits 2023 and New Regulations
What to expect
The Inca Trail of Peru has become a bit of a hiking highway and it is for this reason that the government has limited the ascent to 500 people per day (including workers). You must go through an approved agency with a group to tread the Inca cobblestones, but if that’s really your wish then do it, it’s a unique experience.
When to do the Inca Trail?
The Inca Trail in Peru is closed in February for maintenance. Apart from this (rainy) month, it is possible to leave for the rest of the year. December to March is the rainy season.
June, July and August are the coldest, driest and therefore the most popular months. If you are a regular hiker, physically ready and with the necessary equipment, you can go on the trek at any time of the year (except February).
The Inca Trail is very popular. So to avoid the crowds, it is best to leave either from March to May or from September to November.
How to book the trek on the Inca Trail?
First of all, only 500 people can take the Inca Trail every day. Half of them are locals and work on the trail (guides, porters, cooks, etc.). Thus, it is often necessary to book several months in advance.
If you want to hike between May and August, book 6 months in advance.
For the rest of the year, you can get your entry a few weeks in advance, but there are no rules on that. You can only do the trek through an approved agency. There are about 200 travel agencies authorized to organize treks on the Inca Trail.
Make sure to compare services, prices and above all, check that the agency is approved by the Peruvian government. You will find the complete and updated list on the official website: www.machupicchu.gob.pe
How to get there ?
If you want to do this trek, it is surely that you have planned a trip to Peru. The first thing to do on the spot is therefore to go to Cuzco. It is from this city that the agencies are located that send groups of hikers every day.
What to pack for the Inca Trail?
The ideal is to take as many useful clothes as possible without your bag weighing too much. Easier said than done when you know that the intense heat of the equatorial sun rubs shoulders with the cold nights in the mountains under the tent on the Inca Trail. The best way to get away with these two extremes is to dress in layers rather than a chunky sweater. If you forgot something, don’t despair because you’ll easily find what you need in Cusco or any other important Peruvian city.
Suggested list to pack your bag for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu:
01. Backpack (65 liters should be quite enough).
02. Comfortable walking shoes with good ankle support.
03. Sleeping bag (can be rented in Cuzco)
04. Clothing
2 hiking pants (light)
2 T-shirts
1 Short-sleeved hiking shirt
1 Long-sleeved hiking shirt
2 Shorts
Underwear and socks (thermal underwear strongly recommended, being light, warm and good for cold nights)
05. Fleece jacket
06. K-Way or poncho
07. Hat or cap to protect yourself from the sun
08. Toiletries: soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and toilet paper etc…
09. Sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses
10. Flashlight
11. Basic first aid kit
12. Protection against insects
13. Belt to store your money + passport
14. Camera/camera
15. Water bottles
16. Water purification tablets (Micropur tablets can be found in Cuzco, they are very effective).
17. Walking sticks if needed
The Inca Trail Trek Peru — Itinerary
As we will see below, there are several trek choices, with different durations. But the 4-day trek is the most frequently used.
At kilometer 82, the village of Ollantaytambo is on the Cusco railway line. This is where you show your passport and permit for the trail. This first day consists of a simple hike of 11 km quite manageable. In particular, you will pass the Inca ruins at Llactapata for a taste of the rest of your trek.
The second day is the most difficult part of the hike: the main climb takes you to 4200m and the Warmiwañusca pass. At the top of the pass, you have a view of the whole valley and it becomes difficult to imagine the endurance of the ancient Inca chasquis (“messengers”) who traveled the path to deliver emergency messages between the tambos (“points of rest “). One day, perhaps, they delivered the news of the arrival of the Spaniards. From there, snap your photos, congratulate your group, and “escape” the strong winds to the cornucopia of cloud forest greenery below. Pacamayu Camp, 600 meters below, will be where you will spend the second (cool) night, but the third day indicates that the worst is over.
The third day begins with an hour and a half of ascent to another pass at Sayaqmarka. If this discourages you, you will find some comfort in the fact that now that you have climbed this pass, you are well on your way to completing the Inca Trail. Depending on the time of year you hike here, the colors of the orchids will lift your mood. You will then pass Wiñay Wayna where the Incas built cultivation terraces.
The fourth and final day is no ordinary hiking day. It is a real study of human behavior: during a short 2-hour trek to arrive at Inti Punku (Gate of the Sun), the guides will try to be the first at the checkpoint of the site. Some hikers get up well before 5:30 a.m. to secure their spot on the front line. Everyone tries to take the photo of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate without tourists being present in the background.
But here you are!
You have reached Machu Picchu and any feeling of fatigue, and bitterness towards these tourists in front of you gives way to a certain euphoria. Now enjoy the famous ruins. You will then take a shuttle to Aguas Calientes, then to Ollantaytambo by train and back to Cusco.
Price for the 4-day Inca Trail Peru
Prices for doing the Inca Trail can vary greatly and the many options can be confusing. In general, the price for the 4-day trek ranges from $560 to $660 and includes a tent, food, a cook, one-day entrance fee to the ruins of Machu Picchu, and the return train ride.
Alternative routes to get to Machu Picchu
The Inca Trail in 2 days: this is the shortest version of the fabulous Inca Trail, for those who have less time available and do not want to miss this unique trek. This hike starts at kilometer 104.
The Salcantay Trek: Less known and much more available, this trek is longer, higher, less frequented, with more “huge” landscapes, and fewer archaeological ruins. It is generally done over 5 days and it takes about $400.
