Inca Trail Tours & Treks

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 hiking the trail. 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. Hike the 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.

When is the best time to hike the Inca Trail?

Peru’s dry winter season runs from May to September, making this an ideal time to trek the Inca Trail. June to August is particularly cold at night, especially at altitude, and lots of layers are essential for taking you from day to night. March, April, October and November are warmer months but there may be some rain. Many people say that September and October are the best months to travel to Machu Picchu - there are fewer tourists, but the weather is warm and mild.

Do I need permit? How do I get one?

Only about 200 trekkers per day are given permits to walk on the trail, so popular dates such as the peak month of May sell out months in advance. The permits go on sale at the beginning of October each year. We recommend that people book the year preceding their preferred trip. When you book an Inca Trail tour with Explore we will sort your Inca Trail permit for you. 

How long does it take the trek the Inca Trail?

The classic Inca Trail takes four days to walk. The time and distance of walking each day varies, depending on the terrain and the speed you walk. 

Day 1 - 2.5 hours (6 kilometres (km))

Day 2 - 6 hours (10 km)

Day 3 - 8 hours (15 km)

Day 4 - 6 hours (14 km)

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.

What are the camping facilities like?

On our Inca Trail tours you'll camp for three nights. After each day's walking you will reach your campsite where our porters will have set up your tents. Two-man tents are provided with plenty of room for two people and your bags. It may be possible (depending on availability) to have your own tent as a solo traveller for an extra cost, check the trip page for the price. 

The tents are well cared for 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 intermittently along the trail so you shouldn’t find yourself left short. At the campsites we provide portable bathrooms (toilet tents) with biodegradable bags, which are available for only our one small group to use.

How fit do I need to be to hike it?

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.

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! Learn more in our how to prepare for a walking holiday blog.

Altitude sickness is something a lot of people worry about, however by walking steadily, keeping well hydrated and drinking coca tea, most people encounter no problems. 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.

What do I need to pack for the Inca Trail?

Whatever the season, the weather in the Andes can be unpredictable, and you will need waterproofs, sun cream and sturdy walking boots with you everyday. We also recommend walking poles (they must have rubber tips) to help you keep steady on the uneven terrain and for the ascents and descents through the steep Inca ruins. The Inca people may have been short but they built their steps very big! 

Responsible Travel on the Trail

All of the porters and cooks for our tours are local people, often farmers, employed from the Sacred Valley area. We ensure that they are all paid fairly - being a porter on the Inca Trail pays much better than a farming job and one trip can often mean that they can support their family for weeks.

In 2018 non-reusable plastic was banned and the porters are asked to weigh their rubbish before and after the hike, to meet regulations. We only use designated campsites on the trail and all water is boiled. The food served is sourced from the local area - you'll likely have fish from the rivers and vegetables from the surrounding farms.