Walking the Inca Trail to the lost city of Machu Picchu is often at the top of travellers' bucket lists and it is little wonder why. Watching Machu Picchu appear from the mist as you descend from the Sun Gate after trekking the Inca Trail is a sight never to be forgotten. And that's just one highlight of the Inca Trail walk. Along the way you'll see, and walk through, several other fascinating ruins and take in breathtaking views over the spectacular mountains and valleys. The experience of walking the Inca Trail and camping along the way, will create memories to last a lifetime. 

You can visit Machu Picchu by train, but most hikers would agree an Inca Trail walking tour is the perfect way to reach the site, building anticipation as the destination approaches. Our popular Inca Trail Trek holiday includes Cusco and the Trail. We also offer 14- and 19-day trips that take in more of Peru including Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, the Sacred valley and Palccoyo. And why not make the most of your journey to Peru by adding a stay at an Amazon rainforest lodge? The Peruvian Amazon is full of wildlife, from vibrant birdlife to snakes and frogs - a must for wildlife lovers.

Read on to discover the trips we offer that hike the Inca Trail. Or would you prefer to take the train? Visit our Machu Picchu page to discover the trips that take you to the site by train. 

The Inca Trail is one of the most scenic and well-known treks in the world. It's a challenging walk at times but our porters will help carry the load and will cook you delicious food each evening of the hike. Trek the Inca Trail with us and you'll be in a small group with other like-minded travellers who will share the exhilarating experiences and take in the breathtaking views with you. 

The rush of adrenaline you get as you near the Sun Gate on the last day will make the hike completely worth it. Then, when all the hard work is done, you descend down and the majestic Machu Picchu starts to appear through a layer of clouds - a truly magical experience. 

Our Inca Trail and Machu Picchu tours are small group tours, with average group sizes of 10-16. No matter if you're travelling solo or with a friend or partner you'll have other like-minded travellers in your group to share the experience with. You'll also have an Explore leader with expert local knowledge plus a team of porters and cooks to aid you on your hike. The porters will carry your main luggage so you only need to carry a daysack while you walk, and they will set up the campsites and cook your meals.

Walking the Inca Trail requires a good level of fitness but with a little pre-tour training it should be well within the capabilities of anyone who leads an active and moderately healthy lifestyle. It isn’t a race, you have the whole day to cover the distance and take in all the marvellous views and Inca ruins. The longest day is 15km on uneven terrain, summiting two different passes over 4000m altitude. If you are reasonably fit and active in general life and have the mental and physical stamina to walk 6-8 hours per day for 4 days, then you'll comfortably be able to do this hike. For those that struggle with their knees on descents, we recommend getting used to walking with trekking poles as they help spread the weight really effectively. We recommend preparing for your trip with walks in hilly terrain or on a step trainer.

Before your trip we recommend doing some endurance training - walking up hills and climbing stairs are both great ways to get your lower body in shape. As you will need to carry a daysack each day on the trail, we'd also recommend that you add weight to your hikes to get used to it. To get used to walking day after day, doing a multi-day walk is also a good idea. And don't forget to wear in your boots before your trip!
 

What is the Inca Trail?

One of the most exciting and rewarding ways to visit Machu Picchu is by hiking the Inca Trail. The Inca Trail in Peru is South America’s most iconic trek and thousands of walkers make the journey each year. However, if you’ve never been to South America before or done a multi-day trek, the idea of walking 43 kilometres at altitude may seem a little daunting – but we’re here to put your mind at ease. 

Where is the Inca Trail? 

The Inca Trail is in Peru, South America. Most travellers fly into Cusco, a city towards the south of Peru. Cusco sits at 3,400 metres above sea level so is a good place to spend some time to acclimatise. Our Inca Trail tours cover Cusco, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa, and you can also add the Peruvian Amazon to your trip.

What is Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu is the ruins of a citadel (a fortified town or city) set high in the Andes Mountains. It was built by the Incas in the 15th century and later abandoned, possibly due to the Spanish colonisation of other Inca cities in Peru. It's believed that the huge stones and rocks used to build the site were pushed up the steep mountain side by hundreds of men. The city was largely forgotten to the outside world until American historian Hiram Bingham rediscovered it (by accident) in 1911.

Do I need a permit and how do I get one?

Only about 200 trekkers per day are given permits to walk on the Inca Trail, so popular dates such as the peak month of May sell out months in advance. The date at which the permits go on sale changes each year, but it is usually in October for all treks in the following year. As the passes sell out quickly, particularly in high season months, we recommend that people book at least six months in advance, or the year preceding their preferred trip. When you book an Inca Trail tour with Explore we'll sort your Inca Trail permit for you. 

Altitude and the Inca Trail

Altitude affects everyone differently (and some not at all), and very few people experience any significant negative impact from the altitude. The more time you spend at altitude prior to the trek will help your body acclimatise so we plan this into the itinerary. You dehydrate much quicker so keep up your liquid intake; and as the sun shines stronger the higher you go, we would recommend investing in good quality sunglasses, covering up as much as possible and using sun block or a high factor protection.

Altitude sickness is something a lot of people worry about, however you can help yourself on your trip to the Inca Trail by walking steadily, keeping well hydrated and drinking coca tea. Your Explore Leader will be instrumental in getting you to the Sun Gate, so make sure you listen to what they are saying, and be open about any symptoms that you are feeling.
 

There is less oxygen the higher you go and you may find you become out of breath quicker and take a bit longer to recover; it's also helpful to try to shorten your normal stride and go slow and steady. Your digestive system slows down slightly so we recommend avoiding overeating, especially in the late evening, as it may impact on your ability to have a good night’s sleep.

The first day of your Inca trek in Peru is designed to ease you in, allowing you to find your pace and adjust to walking at altitude with a two and half hour walk to the first campsite at Llactapata. The second day of walking to Llulluchapampa is more of a full on day, following the Kusichaca river and gradually ascending with the views of the surrounding peaks emerging as you reach the campsite. Day 3 from Llulluchapampa to Puyupatamarca is the longest day with three passes to go over. It is on of the best days on the trek, culminating in 360 degree views watching the setting sun light up Salkantay peak in iridescent pink. The final day is generally all downhill, taking around 6 hours with stops along the way to visit Inca sites before your first glimpse of Machu Picchu itself, a much anticipated moment!

Check out our Inca Trail map below! It spills the beans on what each day's hiking includes and the campsites that we stay at. Our route is a bit different compared to other tour operators - we've paced it slightly differently and stay at quieter campsites. We may reach Machu Picchu a bit later, but we come back the next day, for a full guided tour of the site allowing you more time to explore. 

 

What is the best route to take?

There are different hiking routes to Machu Picchu but we offer tours that follow the most popular and well-known route, the 'classic' Inca Trail, also known as the Camino Inca. The trail is known for its finishing point, Machu Picchu, but you also get to see many other Incan ruins along the way. The trail starts at an altitude of about 2,800 metres and ends four days later at Machu Picchu, at 2,500 metres. The highest point of the trek is the notorious ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ at 4,200 metres. You'll follow rivers through the dramatic Andes Mountains, hiking past scenic hillside Inca ruins and through cloud forests.

When Inca Permits have sold out for the classic Inca Trail trek, don’t worry! It’s still possible to book with Explore, and instead of doing the four-day Inca Trail trek, we will purchase tickets for the quieter Quarry Trail trek. This alternative trek through the Sacred Valley passes through beautiful mountain villages, and still includes the entrance to the final day of the Inca Trail. You will therefore walk for three days in the valleys surrounding Machu Picchu, and one day on the Inca Trail, entering Machu Picchu through the famous Sun Gate.

Inca Trail porters

One of the most helpful elements of hiking the Inca Trail are the porters. The porters do an incredible job, often behind the scenes, to help your Inca Trail run seamlessly. The porters carry your main luggage, all food and equipment, as well as setting up and breaking down our camp (pack animals such as horses are not permitted on the Inca Trail).

We ensure the best conditions for our crew and we have been working closely with the Andean community of Misminay, located in the Sacred Valley, for over two decades and all of our porters originate from this village. These relationships are key to the success and consistently positive feedback we receive from Inca Trail trekkers.

Plastic and other waste

Single-use plastic has been prohibited on the Inca Trail (and at Machu Picchu) since 2018. All rubbish is weighed at each check-point and at the end to ensure that all waste is taken away. There's no refuse collection on the Inca Trail, so anything that goes with you must come back off the trail (either with you or as part of the porters' rubbish).

We recommend using a Water-to-Go bottle. Their filters removes 99.9% of contaminants, bacteria and viruses, and can also be filled up from any non-salt water sources. Take advantage of the streams and ancient water fountains along the route to top up. The support team also boil water at each stop for you to refill, too.
 

Locally sourced food

Our Inca Trail cooks prepare meals that have been planned to be nutritious and suited to the physical exertion of the trek. Hygiene standards are very high and we prepare typical Andean fare using local ingredients so you will also learn about the local cuisine along the way. Customers are always surprised at how great the food is.

There are three sit down meals: breakfast, dinner and an evening meal under canvas. Seconds are always available if you wish and snacks are provided for in between meals. You’re given a snack bag for each day’s hike plus tea and biscuits to welcome you back to camp. Eating together as group is a change to reflect on the day’s hike and relax and enjoy the company of your group.

Wild camping

To protect the history, the locals' livelihoods and the natural environment, no wild camping is allowed on the Inca Trail. Locals till the land that their families have been working for centuries, and no trekkers can hike the trail without a certified guide, ensuring everyone sticks to the designated path and limits any damage to the path and surrounding flora.

Two-man tents are provided with plenty of room for two people and your bags. The tents are well maintained and after a day of fresh mountain air and walking they make for a comfy place to lay your head. The views when you pop your head out in the morning are hard to beat!  As for toilets, there are now permanent toilets along the trail and we provide portable bathrooms (toilet tents) with biodegradable bags, a less rustic alternative for our small group to use.