Looking for all the essential information and the ultimate guide to hiking the Inca Trail? You’ll find it in this post.
The Ultimate Guide to Hiking the Inca Trail: Everything you need to know
As someone who has had the (pleasurable?) experience to have hiked the Inca Trail before, I wanted to share my hard-earned insights, advice, and tips to help you plan and prepare for your own successful Trail experience – all neatly whittled down into this comprehensive guide to Hiking the Inca Trail .
One of the most popular things to do in South America – and one of the world’s most famous hikes – the Inca Trail is the sort of unique adventures for which we all travel. The hike itself brings you along ancient narrow paths deep into the Peruvian landscape and high into the Andean mountains. It is gorgeous! Perfect Incan ruins, cloud forests, and majestic valley views are laid out along the way to perhaps the greatest end-point of any multi-day hike on earth, the iconic Machu Picchu.
So, whether you’re heading there in high or low season and want to understand the camping and accommodation situation better, have no idea what to pack or how to get a permit, are worrying about whether you’re fit enough, will get altitude sickness or if it’s too late to book a spot on a tour, then this post will provide you with all the necessary information on hiking the Inca Trail.
Ready? Here’s everything you need to know- The Ultimate Guide to Hiking the Inca Trail. Let’s go!
What is the Inca Trail?
The Inca Trail is a well-established and iconic 4-day, 3-night hike which leads travellers from KM-82 (the start point which is 40 minutes outside the town of Ollantaytambo) all the way to Machu Picchu via its exclusive Sun Gate (also called Inti Punku).
The good news is that it’s a lot shorter than you may expect at only 40 kms (25 miles). The bad news? A significant chunk of that 40 kms is up steep, narrow Andean mountain paths at altitude. Don’t worry though, this guide to hiking the Inca Trail will help you overcome these things.
The Incan Empire created thousands of kilometres of trails to link its important settlements and centres of civilisation, but it is this specific 4 day route which is known as the one and only ‘classic Inca Trail’.
Pro Tip: If you see a tour with fewer days offered, then you are only going to be hiking a small section of the route.
Why is it so popular?
The Trail is the perfect depiction of Peru; lush green cloud forest alive with birds, Andean peaks and steep mountain passes, a landscape dotted with centuries old ruins, accessible only to those that follow this most famous pathway.
However, as truly beautiful as the hike may be, the real reason for its popularity lies at the very end of this four day adventure; passing through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of Machu Picchu in the distance. Only Inca Trail hikers can access the Gate at sunrise, and it is this crescendo, at one of the new seven wonders of the world which makes this hike a feature on so many ‘South America bucket lists’.
Arriving via the Sun Gate with sweaty brows and tired feet rather than taking the morning bus from Aguas Caliente with thousands of others clearly marks a unique experience that is unbeatable as the best way to arrive at one of the world’s most iconic attractions.
You will not regret it.
Booking the Inca Trail Hike
What are Inca Trail Permits and do you need a guide?
Since 2002, access to the Inca Trail has been limited to 500 people per day (roughly split between 200 tourists and 300 accompanying guides and porters), no matter the time of year. This means it is necessary for everyone to obtain permits in advance to do the hike.
Securing a permit is only possible with an approved tour provider, who buy these daily permits in advance.
What is the best time of year to hike the Inca Trail?
Peru has two seasons – dry and wet – and it is possible to do the Inca Trail in either. Each however, come with their own pros and cons.
Dry Season (May – October)
Pros | The chance of rain, as the name would suggest, is significantly reduced and you can expect hot, dry mornings and afternoons.
Cons | Dry season also coincides with high tourism season in Peru (June – August), so the Inca Trail will be at full capacity each day. This means fuller camp sites and more traffic along the Trail. Demand for tours also increases in dry season, so you really need to book your own tour further in advance. Lastly, our guide told us that the nighttime temperatures in dry season drop significantly, so expect cold nights in the tent.
Wet Season (November – April)
I hiked with G Adventures March, so I was ready for some rainy days. Thankfully, the weather gods were looking over me and I only encountered rain at the highest peak (Dead Woman’s Pass).
Pros | A less popular time to hike, so the number of people you’re sharing the Trail with is notably reduced, as are the crowds at Machu Picchu. Tours are slightly cheaper and easier to book with only a few weeks notice. Temperatures at night are also less chilly.
Cons | Hiking and camping in the rain for four days is never fun, so you are increasing the chances of that. If there is notable rainfall, then hiking conditions become slippery and more difficult.
Pro Tip: The Inca Trail is closed in February for maintenance.
How much does the Inca Trail Cost?
One of the most important thing on this guide to hiking the Inca Trail is understanding the costs associated. All companies operating the Inca Trail must be registered and have a special operators license, which is renewed annually. New operators are added to the list each year so, as you can imagine, quality, experience, and equipment offered will vary quite a lot.
Inca Trail tour prices range from $1000 AUD per person up to $1,900 AUD; if you see a price any cheaper than the bottom-end of this range, then be very sceptical. If you are seeing a higher price than this, then you will either be on a very very luxury tour or likely booking through a tour agent.
The G Adventures tour I joined included two nights hotel accommodation in Cusco, one night hotel accommodation in Ollantaytambo, private transport, all meals on the Trail, our Inca Trail permit, camping equipment, entrance and a guided tour around Machu Picchu, a support team of 15 or so guides, porters, and chefs, and visits to several local community enterprises and projects in the Sacred Valley.
You can see the full G Adventures Inca Trail tour details and itinerary here.
Pro tip: You need to pay a deposit in advance to secure your Inca Trail permit, so if you go with a new, non-established, or cheaper provider, make sure you have done enough research into them before paying anything. After all, you don’t want the upfront savings to mean inadequate equipment, poor quality food, or a less memorable experience.
Preparing for the Inca Trail
Once you’ve booked a tour and committed to the hike, there are some key milestones to hit before you get anywhere near South America. Preparing for the Inca Trail isn’t just a case of throwing some unworn hiking boots in your backpack and hoping for the best, but rather doing the necessary to ensure you have a successful and unforgettable adventure in the Peruvian mountains for all the right reasons! Here’s your guide on how to prepare for hiking the Inca Trail:
How fit do you need to be?
The Inca Trail isn’t just a walk in the park.
For some it may be the most physically challenging hike you’ve ever done. You do not need to be a vastly experienced hiker, but acquiring a good level of physical fitness prior to arriving in Peru will make everything easier and more enjoyable. If you’re reading this and don’t fit the description of someone who does a lot of exercise or could do with losing a few lbs – then don’t be too despondent. Instead, view the Inca Trail as your challenge, your motivation, and your deadline to start walking more, to lose some weight, and to make some positive changes before you fly to Peru (and if you need some inspiration, read my recount of the trekking the Inca Trail.
What do you need to pack for the Inca Trail?
Packing for the Inca Trail is easier said than done, and it requires a bit of planning. One essential thing to keep in mind is that walking it is harder than you may think, given the altitude and the almost daily rain. What you pack depends on whether you intend to hire a porter.
There’s a strict, no more than 6 kg of weight that an individual can give to a porter, and that also includes the weight of the sleeping bag.
If you decided to carry your own backpack you can obviously take on more weight. My top recommendation is to pack as light as possible, take advantage of hiring the services of a porter (included in the G Adventures Inca Trail tour option), and only take a small day pack with daily essentials.
With this guide to hiking the Inca Trail comes my strictly essential packing list for walking the Inca Trail:
Clothes and gear–
- Hiking boots will give you extra ankle support, running shoes are lighter and more comfortable. It’s up to you, I used running shoes.
- Hiking pants/trousers – best if water-resistant
- A good rain and windproof jacket. Keep in mind that if walking in the winter, it may get even colder than expected
- A change of pants/trousers – preferably leggings which can also be worn as pajamas
- A thermal long sleeve– it does get really cold at night
- One or two extra t-shirts
- A good sweater, best if a fleece
- A hat and a scarf
- A few changes of underwear
- Hiking socks- a few pairs in case some get wet
- Flip flops/thongs – for resting your feet at night
- A refillable water bottle
- A headlamp
- Snacks – they are typically provided on the trail, but they are very basic (popcorn, some fruit) so if you think you’ll need the extra energy, carry a couple of energy bars and some trail mix
- Cash – to tip the guides and the porters
- Camera and/or phone
- Power bank – there’s no way to charge anything during the hike
- Extra memory card
Toiletry/medical essentials
You won’t be able to shower at all during the Inca Trail, so spare yourself the weight and just take a small bar of soap and hand sanitizer, a pack of wet wipes, deodorant, travel toothbrush and toothpaste, sunscreen and a small moisturizer (take a sample size), mosquito repellent & lip balm
- A small quick towel
- A roll of toilet paper
- Prescription medications and common medication such as– paracetamol, Imodium, etc
Pack light, pack smart, and pack for two very different temperatures – that’s the key advice for every Inca Trail experience. However, there are a few key things to know about how luggage and kit is transported on the hike before you even think about whether you really need that extra pair of pants.
Firstly, you are going to leave the bulk of your luggage securely in a luggage storage room back at the hotel in Cusco; don’t leave valuables here though as that’s just silly.
Secondly, for our G Adventures tour, we were each supplied with black duffel bags at the hotel. This duffel bag is allowed to hold up to 6 kg, and is going to be where the majority of the kit + equipment you bring for the Inca Trail will be stored (i.e. clothes, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, toiletries). Every Inca Trail tour worth its salt employs and includes an incredible team of support staff who will carry the camping and cooking equipment plus food supplies on the Trail to each campsite (the tour company provides all of this equipment), as well as everyone’s 6 kg duffel bag.
These local porters are the true heroes of every Inca Trail experience and they will each carry up to 25 kg on their backs for the group! (Yep, and you were worried about how hard the Trail would be for you!) Your duffel bag will be collected and weighed each morning to ensure it’s not over the weight limit, and will be waiting for you alongside an erected tent at each campsite.
When & where do you need to be in Peru?
It is possible to book a longer organised Peru tour which includes the Inca Trail within it, or to simply include it on your own independent Peru + South American adventure. Regardless of which option you go for, all roads will lead to Cusco – the start point for the vast majority of all Inca Trail tours.
Cusco, in the south-east of Peru, thankfully doubles up as one of the country’s most popular destinations due to its history and position as an access point to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, so every Peru itinerary is guaranteed to include at least a few nights here.
Cusco is exceptionally easy to reach from various parts of Peru, but there are no direct flights to Cusco from Australia, the US or Europe. Instead, these are your best options:
Flights |Fly into Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru’s capital city, and connect onto one of the frequent flights from Lima – Cusco run by several airlines. These are consistently cheap (starting from $85 AUD per person), reliable, and only take 90 minutes.
If you’re already in Peru or elsewhere in South America, then taking a flight from Lima – Cusco is the quickest and most sensible option.
Bus | There is a bus which runs from Lima to Cusco, but it takes 24 hours and these days isn’t worth taking as flights are so quick and affordable.
Train |There is a train which runs from Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes (the Machu Picchu town), but this is really a tourist service and not relevant for reaching Cusco.
Our G Adventures tour required all participants to be in Cusco for the first night of the 7 day trip, and it’s in the city where you will receive your briefing, rent any additional equipment and meet your tour mates. I’d recommend arriving into Cusco at least two days before your tour starts so that you can acclimatize to the altitude (it’s at 3,339 metres above sea level) and enjoy what the city has to offer without aching limbs. You can read more about altitude sickness in the ‘Health & Safety’ section towards the bottom of this post.
Once in Cusco, all your transport to the Trail and the return trip to Cusco from Machu Picchu will be arranged by your tour company and included in the overall tour price. This will include a private minibus to Ollantaytambo and Km 82 (the Inca Trail start point) and either a train or minibus back to Cusco.
Guide to Hiking the Inca Trail
Inca Trail Map & Route
I’ve outlined the route on the Inca Trail below and this is the sort of itinerary you can expect (note that this relates solely to the days spent on the hike, not the days of travelling to/from Cusco and Ollantaytambo):
Day One: Travel from Ollantaytambo to Km 82 in the morning and hike to campsite
Distance | Approx. 6.8 miles/ 11 km
Elevation Gain | 350 metres
Difficulty | Moderate, with a steep tiring section towards the end.
Day Two: Early rise to hike through cloud forest and up to Dead Woman’s Pass and the descent to campsite
Distance | Approx. 7.5 miles/ 12km
Elevation Gain | 1,115 metres
Difficulty | High, this is the hardest day of walking but after you reach DWP, it’s mostly downhill.
Day Three: Early rise to hike the most photogenic section of the Trail
Distance | Approx. 9.6 miles/ 15.5km
Elevation Gain | Minus 1,000 metres
Difficulty | Moderate to a little difficult as there are several steep sections.
Day Four: Very early rise (3 a.m.) to reach the entry check-point and hike 1-2 hours to the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu.
Distance | Approx. 3.1 miles/ 5 km
Difficulty | You’re almost at the end and Machu Picchu, you should be hopping, skipping, and jumping all the way there!
The well-established route is outlined in the below image below (red line) but do note that your own specific campsites and stops may differ depending on your tour provider.
How difficult is hiking the Inca Trail?
As the above has hopefully made clear, the Inca Trail is not as difficult or challenging as you may think, but every person’s own hike experience will be very subjective based on your fitness, hiking experience, your group’s approach, attitude, the weather conditions on the route, and a bunch of other factors. Day Two of the hike, which leads you from your campsite all the way upto the Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,200 metres (13,776 ft) is widely regarded as the most difficult day of hiking – once you’re passed that, you’ll be laughing (or crying).
Personally, I had some really difficult moments on Day One and Two on the Inca Trail hike, but reaching the end point- Machu Picchu- makes it all completely worth it in the end. If you follow this guide to hiking the Inca trail- it will definitely help to make things a lot easier for yourself in planning and preparing for it yourself.
Do you need hiking poles?
In short, hiking poles are not essential for the Inca Trail; it is 100% possible to do it without them. However, using them may make the hike easier for a number of people and result in fewer aches and pains during and post-Trail.
Personally, I ditched mine by Day Two.
Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail
Although all hikes are more about the journey than a final destination, the Inca Trail stands out as having a destination to beat all others. After all, reaching Machu Picchu is the reason that many of you will be considering this hike in the first place!
A common misconception about the Inca Trail is that it will allow you to be amongst the first people into Machu Picchu – this simply isn’t true as it’s much easier to get through its gates just after opening if you stay in Aguas Calientes the night before and hike or take the bus up. Instead, you’re treated to an entry at the Sun Gate just after sunrise (expect about 6-7 a.m.) and then a wonderful descent down to an uncrowded Machu Picchu with special views of it all the way.
The ticket for the $12 shuttle bus (30 minutes) down to Aguas Calientes will be included in your tour price and the ticket provided on the day by your guide.
Does the Inca Trail tour include your Machu Picchu entrance fee?
Yes, the cost of entry is included in the tour price and it’s the responsibility of the tour company to take care of all that and provide you with the ticket on the day you’re entering the site. For all the essential details on visiting Machu Picchu independently, read this post.
How much time will you have at Machu Picchu?
This will vary from tour to tour, and also may evolve as Machu Picchu continues to change its own rules and restrictions to abide by UNESCO’s concerns, but on myown tour we enjoyed a full morning to explore Machu Picchu from about 7 a.m. until midday. This also included a guided tour around the site.
In short, you will have plenty time to explore Machu Picchu and take some great photos before the crowds arrive.
Read my full guide on The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Machu Picchu in 2020: Tickets, Rules + more!
Facilities & Accommodation on the Inca Trail
There are no hotels on the Inca Trail and your only available accommodation comes in the form of a tent and a sleeping bag in the middle of nature!
The tents are all two-person, meaning you will either be sharing with a friend/other half, or a randomly assigned member of the same sex. For those that would prefer more privacy, you can also pay extra for your own one-man tent.
The porters carry all the tents along the Trail, but you will be responsible for including your sleeping bag and mat in the 6 kg duffel bag allowance.
Do you need to set up camp each day?
The porters are responsible for setting up the tents each afternoon before you get near camp, and for taking them down and packing up in the morning.
Are there going to be toilets and shower facilities available?
Each campsite has toilet facilities available, but these are often limited to squat toilets/holes in the ground and with campsites being so remote and over-populated, cleanliness understandably isn’t the highest.
Make sure to bring your own toilet paper and hand-sanitiser, and just hold your nose (and maybe close your eyes too) when you need to go. On the first two days of the Trail, there are also local people who have set up toilets for trekkers and there’s also the bush. Just remember that the 2 soles you’ll pay to enter the modern squeaky clean toilets at the Machu Picchu site will be money very well spent.
In terms of showers, let’s just say that those wet wipes are going to come in handy. In short, there are no showers for the next 3 days.
Health & Safety on the Inca Trail
Being in decent shape, acclimatizing, carrying out a few practice hikes at home, keeping yourself hydrated, wearing in your hiking boots, and taking out the correct travel insurance are essential to staying safe and healthy on this hike. If you’ve made it this far down in my guide to hiking the Inca Trail and taken my advice on board, then you should have very few issues once you hit the Trail.
Will I get altitude sickness on the Inca Trail?
Cusco is situated at a high altitude. This means that for anyone planning a trip to Peru and understanding altitude sickness (and how to avoid it) is incredibly important. In fact, not approaching altitude correctly is one of the biggest mistakes of travellers in South America.
The best way to minimise the likelihood and / or impact of altitude sickness is factoring in enough time into your Peru itinerary to acclimatise to the conditions. This means that it is incredibly sillyto arrive in Cusco, which is at 3,339m (11,151 feet) above sea-level, and leave the next day to do a strenuous hike or even start the Inca Trail. Your body needs the time to adjust!
A good rule of thumb is to give yourself and your body two easy days at altitude to acclimatise to the change, and to keep yourself well hydrated throughout.
Money & Food on the Inca Trail
What are the meals like on the Inca Trail?
The biggest surprise for me was just how incredible the food provided was every single day. With G Adventures, two chefs are included as part of the support staff, and the unanimous opinion of our group was that those two performed absolute miracles.
All food, apart from snacks along the way (although we were also provided with a bag of snacks), is included in the up-front tour price – and you won’t have to lift a finger to prepare it or wash up. Instead, around a table in a make-shift tent dining room, we were treated to three-course lunches and dinners and a decent breakfast. Amazingly, no meal was the same as the last!
Is there drinking water on the Inca Trail?
Tours should provide you with purified, safe-to-drink water at camp each night and morning; this in addition to drinks purchased in advance and along the way (and the endless cups of tea drunk at camp) should be sufficient to keep you well hydrated.
How much money should you bring on the Inca Trail?
The vast majority of costs should be covered in the up-front price of your tour, but there are a few costs along the way for which you’ll need to bring cash:
- Snacks and drinks from stallholders
- Toilet entry fees (usually 1 sol, 2 soles at Machu Picchu)
- Tips for porters and guides .
- Lunch at Aguas Calientes.
It’s sensible to take this money in the form of smaller notes and coins.
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