Inca Trail

For many travelers to the Sacred Valley, hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is as much a part of the bucket list experience as seeing the ruins themselves.  If you want to visit the site but aren't an experienced hiker, you can instead look for day tours to Machu Pichu that don't involve trekking, along with 1- and 2-day treks on the "short Inca Trail."

It typically takes four days to cover the distance between Cusco and Aguas Calientes, with overnights at Huayllabamba, Pacamayo, and Huinay Huayna on the way. To walk the trail, you need to join a small group of fellow hikers led by a licensed guide. 

Tour companies will sort out your trail permits in advance. Inca Trail tickets are limited, and the Peruvian government only allows 500 hikers to be on the trail at any given time (including tour guides and porters). Make sure to book ahead.

• The trail is a must-see for adventure travelers.

• Inca Trail permits are limited, so it's important to book ahead.

• You cannot hike the trail without a licensed guide. 

• Dress comfortably and in layers. Don't forget sturdy hiking shoes.

• Bring a pair of trekking poles, even if you don't think you'll need them.

• To avoid altitude sickness, spend a couple of days in Cusco before your hike to get used to the high elevation.

Inca Trail tours start in the city of Cusco. Regular flights to the city's Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport depart from Lima and beyond. Inca Trail tours typically include pickup from Cusco hotels and the cost of the bus ride to Kilometer 82 along the railway between Cusco and Aguas Calientes, where the hike begins.

The June–October dry season brings the best weather and the biggest crowds to the Inca Trail; if you plan to hike during this time, be sure to book months in advance. The spring and fall shoulder seasons—May in particular—see fewer tourists hiking to Machu Picchu, but rain is a possibility. The winter months are prohibitively wet for most trekkers, and the trail closes for maintenance in February.

With the growing popularity of the Inca Trail—and the limited number of permits—visitors are considering alternative treks to Machu Picchu. These include the Lares trek, beginning in the town of Lares and finishing at the Ollantaytambo Ruins (a short train ride from Machu Picchu). Salkantay treks are also popular, and the route is famous for its diverse scenery.

The classic Inca Trail hiking route takes 3–5 days to complete—tour guides can tailor the duration according to their group. Some express tours guide you through the trail in only two days, but you’ll need an excellent level of fitness to complete the challenging trek in such a short time.

The best month to hike the Inca Trail is May—this marks the start of the dry winter season, when conditions are optimum for hiking. The months leading up to October are also optimum and come without the humidity, rain, and influx of insects that the warmer months of November through March bring with them.

The second day of the Inca Trail is considered the most challenging day of the trek. On day two, you’ll climb to the route's highest point at 4,215 meters (13,776 feet). You’ll also spend much of the day climbing steep stone steps.

Don’t expect too many long, hot showers on the Inca Trail. While there are showers at the campsite on day one and day three, the water will likely be cold, and you’ll need to pay extra. Most trekkers opt to go without for the duration of the hike.

No, it’s not recommended to do the Inca Trail in trainers—you’ll need a pair of sturdy hiking boots to contend with the steep and sometimes slippery surfaces you’re likely to encounter. Ensure they’ve a good grip and that you wear them plenty before starting the hike to avoid blisters.

Yes, you can wear shorts on the Inca Trail—though the evenings in the mountains can get cold, during the day in the dry season the weather is warm and sunny. If you’re hiking the Inca Trail during the wet season, wear waterproof hiking pants to protect you from both the rain and a higher volume of insects.