Our Inca Expert travel advisors will help you plan a trip that is perfectly tailored to your interests and preferences.
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"It exceeded my expectations and I loved the people I met there. The hikes were so well organized, food was amazing, and the guides were super caring even getting the cooks to make a cake for me on my birthday on the Lares trek."
Araceli Gutierrez
MO, USA
Traveled to: Lima, Cusco, Lares, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain
"Based on the trip you organized, the historical knowledge, the people, the food, the culture and the natural beauty of Peru, it was simply the best trip I’ve ever taken. This trip will forever be in my memory."
Gilles Verrier
MB, Canada
Traveled to: Lima, Puerto Maldonado, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Lares Trek, Machu Picchu
"We wouldn’t stop talking about how well executed and planned everything was. I personally loved the Inca trail addition and I am so glad you gave that to us as an option. The hike to Huayna Picchu was also a group favorite."
Natasha Mehta & friends
NY & PA, USA
Traveled to: Cusco, Lares + 2-day Inca Trail Trek, Machu Picchu
"All in all we had an absolutely amazing time and the trip completely blew my expectations out of the water. The hotels were all fabulous with beautiful views. Thank you sincerely for the trip of a lifetime!"
Aggie Szymanska
CA, USA
Traveled to: Lima, Paracas, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley
"Our trip to Peru was nothing short of magnificent. As for our favorite part, we loved it all. Machu Picchu was everything we thought it would be and more. We had a wonderfully successful trip to Peru!"
Steven Kopelic
PA, USA
Traveled to: Amazon, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco
Difficult. The Inca Trail is a strenuous hike that involves physical exertion to complete. The trail takes you up to elevations of up to 13,800 ft (4,215 m) above sea level and is comprised of sections of steep stone steps. However, it makes for an unparalleled sense of accomplishment arriving to Machu Picchu after four days of hiking.
Yes. The Inca Trail is one of the most popular hikes in South America and can sell out sometimes 6-months in advance. Permits go on sale at the end of each calendar year so booking before October for the next year will better ensure you obtain an Inca Trail permit for your preferred dates. If your travel dates are flexible, hiking during a shoulder season (March/April, October/November) or the rainy season (December/January) will mean less advanced planning is required.
Yes. Your Inca Expert travel advisor can customize your Peru itinerary to include both the Inca Trail trek and a hike up to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain within the Machu Picchu citadel. Like the Inca Trail, these hikes have a limited number of permits per day so booking in advance will better ensure your ideal time slot is available.
No. In 2002, Peru’s Ministry of Tourism decreed that trekking independently on the 2-day and 4-day Inca Trail has been prohibited and must be done with a professionally qualified guide.
Packing essentials for the Inca Trail are:
Regular physical activity prior to your Inca Trail hike is the best way to prepare beforehand. Walking, jogging, or hiking in your neighborhood/region, cardio exercises at a gym, or yoga and other physical activities are all great ways to increase your physical condition and stamina.
It is also imperative to acclimate to the altitude by spending at least two days in Cusco prior to your Inca Trail hike.
40-50% of travelers experience minor symptoms of altitude sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness, like shortness of breath, fatigue, and dizziness when traveling in high altitude destinations in Peru such as on the Inca Trail, in Cusco, Arequipa, and Lake Titicaca. Symptoms of altitude sickness generally alleviate after 24-48 hours in altitude. Best practices for minimizing its impact on your trip include: taking the time to acclimate, drinking lots of water, resting, avoiding alcohol, and eating light non-fatty foods upon arrival at altitude.
Consult with your doctor before traveling to high-altitude destinations.
For optimal weather conditions on the Inca Trail, reserve your Inca Trail permit between the months of May to September. This is the dry season in the Andes where daytime temperatures are mild and nighttime temperatures drop, rain is less likely to occur on your hike in the dry season. For those planning with shorter notice, opt for hike dates in the shoulder seasons, March-April and October-November for a better likelihood of permit availability.
Hiking the Inca Trail in the rainy season, from December to January, isn’t recommended unless you don’t mind wet hiking conditions and prefer fewer people on the trail. The Inca Trail is closed for maintenance and safety reasons throughout the entire month of February.
The 4-day Inca Trail tour with Inca Expert will include plenty of food to keep you satiated and energized on this exhilarating hike.
Enjoy coffee, tea, and breakfast spreads, hot lunches and dinners of chicken and rice, fried fish, veggies, soups, steak, and more.
Tell your Inca Expert travel advisor in advance if you have any dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc. Dietary restrictions are easily accommodated and will have just as much nutritious food.
Read through our raving testimonials for first-hand feedback about Inca Trail hikes with Inca Expert.
The 2-Day and 4-Day Inca Trail hikes are the only hiking options that culminate at the Machu Picchu citadel. Alternative hiking options to the Inca Trail, like the Lares Trek or Salkantay trek, include a Machu Picchu tour on the last day but do not lead directly to the ruins by foot.
Inca Expert group Inca Trail tours have a maximum of 8 hikers per guide. Talk to an Inca Expert travel agent about hiking the Inca Trail in private.
Yes. Private Inca Trail treks are ideal for those who are concerned about their experience level affecting the pace of the group or for those simply wanting to do the trail with fewer people. Let your Inca Expert travel advisor know if you’d prefer to do this iconic trek in private.
Inca Expert recommends insurance companies such as itravelinsured, World Nomads, insuremytrip, and SquareMouth. Please note that Inca Expert does not have any affiliation with the listed travel insurance companies. For a free quote and policy options, please contact the companies directly.
Contact Us today to cross the Inca Trail off your hiking bucket list!
