Inca Trail tours & trekking trips

Although Peru is a year-round destination, most travellers trek the Inca Trail in the winter/dry season (May to October). For the best trekking conditions, plan your trip between June to August – just be aware that this is when it’s most crowded. 

Treks still run in the summer/wet season (November to April), but be prepared for muddier terrain, cloudy skies and showers. The upside though is that the valleys are extra green and there may be thinner crowds at Machu Picchu. 

The Inca Trail closes every year in February (the wettest month of the year) for maintenance.

The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance. This also coincides with the heaviest rains, which can create dangerous conditions for hikers. If February’s the only month you can plan your trip, the Quarry Trail is an excellent alternative.

You sure do. To help preserve the Inca Trail, Peruvian authorities restrict the number of permits to 500 per day (200 for tourists, and 300 for guides, porters and chefs). All trekkers must also be with a licensed guide, so you'll need to book with a registered operator like us. 

Permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so booking well in advance is essential – especially during peak season from May to October. Make sure you have your passport details ready when booking your trip. 

Very important: since permits are non-changeable and non-refundable, please contact us before changing any passport details after booking, as this may result in your permit being invalid. 

If you’ve booked a trip and we can’t secure your Inca Trail permit, you can: 

• Change to another trip or choose a different departure date without incurring extra costs 

• Hike the equally incredible Quarry Trail, which includes a day trip to Machu Picchu after the trek 

• Stay two nights in Cusco, then take the train to Aguas Calientes, the gateway town to Machu Picchu, and spend the day exploring the ruins. 

The number of Inca Trail permits are limited, with only around 200 tourist spots available each day. During the high season from May to October, we recommend booking and confirming your trip 6 to 7 months in advance as permits sell fast. 

You’ll have around 2 hours at Machu Picchu.

The fourth and final day of the trek starts with breakfast at 4.30 am. You’ll then say farewell to the porters as they descend to the train station and begin your hike to Inti Punku, aka the Sun Gate, at 5.30 am (approximately 2.5 hours). When you arrive at Machu Picchu, you’ll meet a local guide for a 1.5 to 2 hour tour. 

Tours are led by a local guide and usually last for 1.5 to 2 hours. All visitors must follow a pre-determined circuit within the site to relieve crowding. Circuit-based tickets are available on a first come, first served basis, and while we'll try our best to get everyone in your group travelling on the same route, it's not always possible and you may end up on different circuits. 

After the tour, all visitors must exit the site – exploring on your own is currently not allowed. 

There’s no official minimum age to hike the Inca Trail, but we do have age restrictions on most of our trips (check the Essential Trip Information).

Parents considering taking their child on the Inca Trail should be mindful of the physical demands. While it’s labelled a moderate trek, most people find it challenging due to the altitude (over 3000 m) and steep ascents and descents. People with moderate fitness can generally complete it without any issues, but it’s worth considering whether it’s suitable for your child. 

You’ll move up and down through varying altitudes each day, with the highest part of the trek being Dead Woman’s Pass on day two, sitting at 4215 m above sea level. This is nearly 1800 m higher than Machu Picchu (2430 m).

The Inca Trail is rated a moderate trek. It’s doable for most reasonably fit people, but it definitely pays to come prepared, as you’ll cover 43 km through varied landscapes, uneven terrain and many steep ascents and descents. Walking at an altitude of over 3000 m can also be challenging.

Don’t worry though, the pace will be nice and steady and there’ll be plenty of stops for water, snacks and lunch. 

You’ll hike for about 7 hours every day. On most days, the group is up and ready for breakfast at around 7 am – except on the final day which starts at 4.30 am to make it to the Sun Gate in time for sunrise. 

The Quarry Trail is a 3 day/2 night loop trek that covers 26 km. The scenery is just as spectacular, but instead of finishing at the Sun Gate overlooking Machu Picchu, you’ll end in Ollantaytambo where you'll stay the night in a hotel before taking the train the following morning to Aguas Calientes – the gateway town to Machu Picchu.

While the Quarry Trail is shorter than the 43 km Inca Trail, it does reach a higher altitude of 4450 m. It's also less crowded than the Inca Trail and doesn't require a permit.

During the dry/winter season from May to October, daytime temperatures sit in the mid 20s°C, while nights can get cold – sometimes dropping as low as -5°C, so bring warm clothing. In the summer/wet season from November to April, nights are milder, usually ranging from 4°C to 7°C. 

Most people start to feel the effects of altitude at over 2000 m ft regardless of age, gender or fitness level. While our guides are first aid-trained and carry oxygen tanks for emergencies, it’s very important to make yourself aware of the cause and effects of travelling at altitude, monitor your health and seek assistance accordingly. Take it easy, drink plenty of water and let your guide know if you feel unwell. 

We recommend seeing your doctor if you have any health concerns before the trip. Particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking any medication.

While you’re trekking, the bulk of your luggage will be stored at your hotel in Cusco. The evening before you leave Cusco, you'll receive a small duffle bag to carry your clothes for the next four days (5 kg maximum). Our porters will carry these bags for you, together with camping gear and food supplies. 

Keep in mind that you won't have access to your stuff until the end of each day, as the porters will always be ahead of the group. Bring a day bag for any essentials – water bottle, rain jacket, hat, camera, etc. 

We provide twin-share tents and sleeping mats, and your porters will set these up for you for when you arrive at camp – all you need to do is roll out your sleeping bag. There’ll also be a communal dining tent to eat your meals and chill out. 

We’ll provide breakfast, lunch, dinner and plenty of snacks to keep your energy up. Our chefs try to include as many local dishes as possible to give you a taste of the Andean highlands. 

Breakfasts are carb heavy – think porridge, pancakes or toast, fruits and tea/coffee. Lunch may be a comforting soup or trout with rice, followed by something hearty like chicken stew for dinner – and then dessert, of course. You’ll be amazed by the meals our chefs can whip up at a high-altitude camp! 

They can cater to all dietary requirements – just let us know when booking.  

Your trekking crew will provide a daily supply of boiled water. You should carry at least two litres of water every day while trekking. Depending on whether you have a hydration bladder in your bag or not, we recommend bringing two (one litre) bottles that can be refilled along the way. 

There are a few blocks with squat toilets along the trail and at some campsites, but you’ll need to bring toilet paper and hand sanitiser for when nature calls while you’re walking.

Our porters will also set up a small tent with a portable chemical toilet at each camp – and carry it down the mountain at the end of the trek.

You’ll find a complete list of what to pack for the Inca Trail under ‘Packing’ in your Essential Trip Information. 

Yes, we recommend hiking poles as they’ll give you some extra support on those steep climbs and descents. If you’re bringing poles from home, make sure they have rubber stoppers as metal spikes can damage the trail. If not, you can hire poles locally for the four days. 

You can find information about tipping amounts in your Essential Trip Information under the ‘Money matters’ section.

We recommend carrying cash in small bills to tip your trekking crew on the last day. This makes splitting the tip easier, as tips will be divided into envelopes – one per porter, assistant guide and guide.

It's largely dependent on your specific needs and what support will be available to you. Get in touch and we’ll let you know what adjustments or alternatives might be possible. 

Yes, just let us know when booking if you’d prefer to:

• Hike the equally incredible Quarry Trail, which includes a visit to Machu Picchu

• Stay two nights in Cusco, then take the train to Aguas Calientes and spend the day exploring Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco.

These changes are free of charge if made at the time of booking. Changes after Inca Trail permits have been purchased, or within 60 days of departure, may incur additional fees.