We rank our classic Inca Trail trip as “moderate,” due to the rugged terrain, high altitude and the number of hours you will be trekking each day. The highest elevation you can expect to reach on our Inca Trail trips is Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 meters [13,828 feet; 2.6 miles]). Some may experience varying degrees of altitude sickness at this point in the trek, but prior to this, you will have spent a few days in Cusco and other points of high elevation before you begin your hike to give you time to acclimatize to your surroundings and reduce the risk of altitude sickness on the trail.
The classic Inca Trail route runs approximately 42 kilometers (26 miles) and takes around four days to complete, with our groups walking typically six to eight hours a day. Some parts of the trail will be physically demanding, and you will need to tackle steep ascents and descents, while also managing changes in elevation along the way. The Peruvian government have taken steps to preserve the entirety of the trail through tourist permits, regulations, continual maintenance and waste management, but you should expect some parts of the trail to be uneven, especially on sections of stone steps, which may put additional strain on your ankles and knees, in order to keep your balance.
The Andean Mountains are also prone to temperature fluctuations, so it’s best to come prepared for all types of weather, regardless of the season. There are also higher UV levels in higher altitudes, even on cloudy days, so you should always pack sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. As this hike is rated “moderate,” you will need to have a good level of physical fitness to handle six to eight hours of hiking. Prior experience of hiking in high elevations is helpful, but not essential to complete this trail. Although this trail can be challenging at times, the rewarding sense of achievement when you reach Machu Picchu is a moment you’ll never forget. With adequate training, good physical fitness and realistic expectations, we believe that if you’re reasonably fit and in good health, you can complete this hike with the help of our expert local guides. If you have any other questions about what the trail is like, please contact a member of our team.
You can expect full-service camping and porterage on The Inca Trail, Inca Trail, Titicaca & Nazca, Essential Inca Trail, The Inca Trail in Comfort and Inca Trail & the Amazon Rainforest on the days you’re trekking along the trail. When completing the four-day, 42 kilometers (26 miles) hiking along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you’ll sleep at our designated campsites along the route. The campsites are all pre-arranged by our incredible porter staff, who get up earlier than the group every day, help to carry the camping equipment and trek towards the next campsite to set everything up for your arrival, so you can focus all your energy on the hike and enjoying the experience. On some of our trips, you’ll get to spend an evening at the breathtakingly beautiful Phuyupatamarca campsite which sits on the ridge just above the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca – something many of our competitors don’t offer. After a day on the trail, you can enjoy great views of Salkantay’s snow-capped peak, and at 12,073 feet (3,680 meters) above sea level, you will feel like you’re sleeping in the clouds.
Exodus Adventure Travels also provides all the necessary camping equipment, such as good four-season tents and toilet tents. Boiled and filtered drinking water is offered for everyone in the group in the mornings, at lunch and dinner times, alongside hearty breakfasts, cooked lunches and three-course dinners prepared by your designated chef and sous chef on the four-day hike.
No, you can’t walk the Inca Trail independently or as part of your own group. The Peruvian government requires that all hikers who wish to visit or trek across the Inca Trail must be accompanied by a licensed tour guide. This rule was implemented back in 2001 to help preserve the trail, Inca ruins and Machu Picchu, (a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site), while also ensuring the safety of trekkers at all times.
Permits are currently limited to 500 per day (an estimated 300 of which go to guides and porter staff). As this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, permits tend to sell out quickly, especially during the dry season (May to September). It’s advisable to book at least six months in advance. It’s also useful to have a few flexible travel dates in mind, which will help to increase your chances of securing a permit.
You cannot buy permits independently; they can only be purchased through licensed tour operators. To get the best experience possible and secure your permit successfully, it’s essential to choose a reputable tour operator that is authorized by the Peruvian government to operate on the Inca Trail. With over 50 years of experience under our belts, we’re proud to have some of the best, most experienced guides in the business and have full authorization to work in Peru. Each of our guides has extensive local knowledge of the trail, and are trained in first aid if any altitude-related issues or other medical problems arise.
Once you’ve contacted a member of our team and told us your preferred dates, you’ll need to provide the following information, including your full name, passport number, date of birth, and nationality. This information must match your passport exactly, as all Inca permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you have updated your passport between getting your permit and going on your trip, please ensure that you bring both passports with you.
At Exodus Adventure Travels, the cost of your hiking permit is automatically included in all of our Inca Trail vacations once you book with us, so there are no additional fees to be paid. We also take care of the logistical side of acquiring the permit on your behalf. Permits are usually released for the whole year over a couple of weeks in October when different months go on sale on different days. This means your best chance of securing your favorite departure date is by booking your adventure with Exodus before October. You may find that some permits are also gradually released throughout the year during popular trekking months, such as May, June, July and August during the peak trekking months, but sadly they almost always sell out instantaneously as they go on sale, so it is best to book a spot on one of our trips before October of the following year you want to travel in, so we can do our best to secure your permits.
It’s important to ensure that you’re in good physical health before you book to trek the Inca Trail. Sections of the trail are demanding with steep inclines up stone staircases and tough descents. High altitudes are also a factor that contributes to the challenging nature of the trail. However, if you start regular training a couple of months before you go, you can set yourself up for an incredibly rewarding trek to the famed Machu Picchu.
We encourage our customers to start doing regular cardiovascular exercises such as cycling, running, swimming or taking up brisk walking for at least three to six months before the trip. In terms of timings for cardio workout sessions 30-60 minutes of cardio workouts, three to five times a week will help massively when it comes to tackling the trail. Couple this with strength training to help with carrying your 7-kilogram (15-pound) bag along the trail.
This can include exercises like step-ups, deadlifts, squats, planking and lunges. Introducing yoga exercises into your routine can also enhance your balance and overall stability while you’re trekking along uneven terrain. Also, where possible, it’s great to go on practice hikes as much as possible, with the loaded day bag you’re expecting to bring with you. The more varied terrain and higher elevations on your practice hikes will ultimately help you become better prepared for what you can expect to encounter on the Inca Trail. If you are in good health and take time to do the right preparation, we believe that most can have a fantastic experience and complete the rewarding trek to Machu Picchu.
