Well organized and executed trip. Top notch staff. Very safe. Food exceeded expectations.
Hiking the Inca Trail
Our Best Inca Trail Tours
Cynthia Kern The Inca Trail
Kerrie richards Inca Trail & the Amazon RainforestI’ve just returned from an unforgettable 15-day adventure through Peru with Exodus Travels, and I can honestly say it exceeded all expectations. The itinerary took us through some of the most iconic and breathtaking parts of the country, including the awe-inspiring Amazon Rainforest, the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and the serene and culturally rich Lake Titicaca. Along the way, we also explored a number of fascinating towns and cities that each offered their own unique character and charm.
Peru itself is an absolute gem of a destination. The landscapes are incredibly diverse — from the lush, wildlife-filled jungles of the Amazon to the dramatic peaks of the Andes and the tranquil high-altitude plains around Lake Titicaca. Every day brought a new view, a new climate, and a new surprise. The natural beauty is jaw-dropping, and the opportunities for spotting wildlife, exotic birds, and unique plant life were abundant, especially in the rainforest.
What really brought the trip to life, though, was the people. The Peruvians we met along the way were warm, welcoming, and incredibly proud of their heritage. Their traditions, art, and way of life gave real depth to the journey. The cultural experiences — from visiting local markets to sharing meals with families on the islands of Lake Titicaca — added a richness to the adventure that I’ll never forget.
A huge part of the success of this trip was down to our exceptional guide, Holger Collantes. Holger was more than just a tour leader — he was a storyteller, a cultural ambassador, a problem-solver, and a constant source of knowledge and encouragement. His passion for his country was evident in everything he did, and his deep knowledge of local history, wildlife, and customs really enhanced our experience. He made sure we were well taken care of at every stage, from coordinating logistics to offering invaluable tips and insights. Thanks to Holger, we didn’t just see Peru — we truly experienced it.
Walking the Inca Trail was a personal highlight — challenging, yes, but incredibly rewarding. The sense of achievement upon arriving at the Sun Gate and seeing Machu Picchu spread out before us was indescribable. It’s a moment that will stay with me forever. Similarly, our time in the Amazon was magical — waking up to the sounds of the jungle, taking boat trips along the river, and spotting everything from monkeys to macaws was like stepping into another world.
All in all, this trip was an extraordinary journey through one of the most beautiful and culturally rich countries I’ve ever visited. It combined physical challenge, natural beauty, and cultural immersion in a way that very few holidays can. I cannot recommend it highly enough — and if you’re lucky enough to get Holger as your guide, you’re in for a truly exceptional experience.
Judy Smith The Inca TrailIf you think you’ve only got one big trek in you, this is the one to do!
Why choose Exodus for your Inca Trail tour?
- Our local partners have years of experience taking groups on Inca Trail tours, and this means they know how to provide the best service on the Inca Trail.
- We time our arrival at the Sun Gate for later in the day when it is quieter. Then, after a good night’s sleep in a comfortable bed, feeling refreshed, we return to Machu Picchu the following morning for a full guided tour.
- We look after our local staff well, paying more than the average wage, providing suitable clothing, and working with local communities to improve the lives of our porters and their families.
- About 500 people start the trek every day during peak season; we have the experience and the know-how to avoid the crowds and queues (call us if you want to hear some of our secrets!).
- We have great gear and choose the best campsites, avoiding the crowded campsite at Wiñay Wayna, which most other groups use.
- We take toilet tents so each group has private facilities and doesn’t need to share the less-than-pleasant ‘public’ toilets.
- We have permanent staff in Cuzco whose sole job is to ensure all tents are in tip-top condition for each trek. All tents are set up and ready for when you arrive in camp in the afternoon, so you can truly relax as soon as you finish your walking.
- While many operators provide their clients with just a thin foam mattress, we use proper thermarests to ensure a good night’s sleep!
- Our excellent cooks prepare delicious, filling and fresh meals including three-course hot dinners and hearty lunches.
- We know the little extras that make a great trek an incredible trek: morning tea is delivered to your tent to get you going for the day, along with a bowl of hot water to wash in.
Inca Trail permits – early booking essential!
There is a daily cap on the number of trekking permits available for Inca Trail trips, and they sell out very quickly, especially for peak season treks. For this reason, we recommend booking your trek at least six to eight months in advance, particularly for the peak trekking months of May to September. Better still, book before the permits come on sale and we will try to purchase your trek permit as soon as they are released. If permits do sell out, we do also offer an alternative yet equally spectacular route – The Moonstone Trek – which does not require permits and can be substituted for the Inca Trail on most tours.
Inca Trail Highlights
Dead Woman’s Pass
The ascent to Dead Woman’s Pass, the first pass on the Inca Trail, is notoriously the toughest and most demanding part of the whole trail. Trekking to 4200m is slow going, relentless and requires every ounce of your stamina, especially if you’re still acclimatising to the altitude. Once you reach the top, usually on the second day, expect to be exhausted to the depths of your soul but totally uplifted by views of snow-capped mountains, endorphins and a powerful sense of accomplishment.
It’s impossible not to feel enormous respect for the Inca workers who carved the stairways into the mountainside and laid over 22,000km of these Inca roads stone by stone. You’ll also be in awe of your fighting-fit porters, the rightful descendants of Inca Chaqui messengers, who bound past you on the trail carrying bags, food and camping equipment without seeming to break a sweat.
Phuyupatamarca
After a tiring trek over the second pass and descent through exotic cloud forests you’ll notice the ancient Inca forts, store houses, tunnels and settlements begin to increase, a hint that you’re nearing the end of the Inca Trail tour.
Phuyupatamarca, the ‘town above the clouds’, is a real landmark on the Inca Trail. Complete with a fresh running water system devised by the Incas and beautiful ceremonial baths, it marks a welcome stop before one last test of endurance: the tough bone-shaking descent down 2600 worn Inca steps to Wayna Picchu.
Wiñay Wayna
Almost as beautiful as Machu Picchu itself, Wayna Picchu – ‘forever young’ or ‘to plant the Earth young’ – is set amid verdant green Inca terraces made up of spring-fed stone baths and a waterfall tumbling from the peaks above. Stop here to offer thanks to the Inca Earth Goddess Pachamama for getting you this far, because nearby is the campsite you’ll call home before your final trek along the Inca Trail to Intipunku and your first, unforgettable sight of Machu Picchu.
Intipunku and Machu Picchu
Most groups strike out for the entry point of the legendary Sun Gate of Intipunku in the dark in order to catch their first glimpse of Machu Picchu gloriously lit by the rising sun – a fitting end to your walk along the Inca Trail.
No matter how fatigued you are, no matter how badly your muscles ache, the moment you see the majestic sacred citadel of Machu Picchu laid out before you, birds singing in your ears and blood pumping through your veins, it makes every step of the Inca Trail worthwhile.
See our trips above for Exodus holidays that include Inca Trail tours and Machu Picchu.
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