For those considering a guided holiday to Peru’s Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, it’s easy to understand the appeal. Watching the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu appear from the mist as you approach the Sun Gate is an unforgettable moment – and just one of many on the trail. Along the way you'll encounter ancient ruins, dramatic mountain scenery and dense cloud forests, teeming with life.

You can visit Machu Picchu by train, but most hikers agree that travelling the Inca Trail on foot with a small group tour offers the perfect way to reach the ancient citadel, giving you the opportunity to explore the region’s breathtaking scenery as you hike the Andes mountains. Our popular Inca Trail Trek holiday includes both Cusco and the full Classic Trail. For those who fully wish to explore more of Peru, we also offer extended itineraries of 14 and 19 days, with visits to Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, the Sacred Valley and Palccoyo.

Why not enhance your journey further by adding a stay in an Amazon rainforest lodge? The Peruvian Amazon is a paradise for wildlife lovers, offering encounters with vibrant birdlife, amphibians and reptiles.

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 Classic Inca Trail is one of the most scenic and renowned multi-day hikes in the world. Though it can be physically demanding, our team of experienced porters and cooks will ensure your experience is smooth and enjoyable. Travel to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu with Explore and you'll be part of a small group of like-minded adventurers to share this extraordinary journey with.

As you approach the Sun Gate on the final morning of your adventure, four days of effort will pay off as you watch Machu Picchu appear through the dense cloud cover.

Our Inca Trail holidays operate in small groups with an average group sizes of just 10-16 people. Whether travelling solo or taking a travel companion, you’ll be supported by an Explore leader with expert local knowledge alongside 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, set up the campsites and cook your meals.
The Inca Trail demands a good level of fitness, but anyone who’s reasonable active should be able to complete with trek with a little pre-tour training. The longest day covers 15km (9 miles) and summits two passes over 4000 metres in altitude. With a steady pace, support from the crew and time to rest, it’s an achievable and incredibly rewarding challenge.

We strongly suggest some pre-tour preparation: walking on hilly terrain, carrying a weighted pack and using trekking poles if you struggle with steep descents. To get used to walking day after day, doing a multi-day walk is also a good idea to build up your stamina and reduce the risk of injury. And don't forget to wear in your boots before your trip!
 

What is the Inca Trail?

The Inca Trail is a legendary 43km (27 mile) hike through the Peruvian Andes, following an authentic Inca route to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail is one of South America’s most iconic treks, and attracts thousands of hikers every year. If you’ve never been to South America or completed a multi-day trek before, the idea of walking 43 kilometres at altitude may seem a little daunting, but our team of experienced guides are on-hand to support you.
 

Where is the Inca Trail? 

The Inca Trail is in Peru, South America. Most travellers fly into Cusco, the region’s central hub at 3,400 metres above sea level. Our Inca Trail tours also include time in Cusco, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa, and you also have the option to include time in the Peruvian Amazon to your trip.
 

What is Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu is the ruins of a 15th-Century Incan citadel (a fortified town or city) located amongst the dramatic scenery of the Andes Mountains. Built with monumental stonework and precision engineering, the site was later abandoned during Spanish colonisation. Machu Picchu remained hidden for hundreds of years until it was rediscovered by historian Hiram Bingham rediscovered it in 1911. Today, the ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the highlight of any Inca Trail tour.
 

Do I need a permit and how do I get one?

Yes. The Inca Trail is culturally important to Peru, and the impact of large crowds takes its toll on the route’s ancient pathways and surrounding areas. In 2002, the Peruvian government introduced mandatory permits to hike the Inca Trail, which are limited to 200 trekkers per day. These permits are released annually, usually in October, and sell out very quickly, particularly for high season months. Booking your walking tour at least six months in advance is essential. When you book an Inca Trail tour with Explore we'll sort your Inca Trail permit for you. 

Altitude and the Inca Trail

Altitude affects everyone differently and very few people experience any significant negative impact from the altitude. Our itineraries are designed to offer plenty of time to acclimatise to the altitude. Beyond acclimatisation, there are other ways to effectively manage altitude sickness including staying hydrated and maintaining a steady pace. 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 may be feeling.

The higher you go, the less oxygen there is to breathe and you may find you become out of breath quicker, you may also take slightly longer to recover after exertion. Altitude may also impact your digestive system, so we recommend avoiding large meals, especially in the late evening, as it may impact your sleep. Sun protection is very strongly recommended as UV exposure is stronger at altitude.

Our pacing allows you to acclimatise gradually, using quieter campsites and avoiding the busiest parts of the trail. We return to Machu Picchu the next day for a full guided tour — a key highlight of our Inca Trail tours.

 

What is the best route to take?

We follow the classic Inca Trail (Camino Inca), which starts at 2,800m and ends at Machu Picchu (2,500m), peaking at Dead Woman’s Pass (4,200m). The trail winds through cloud forests, ancient ruins, and mountain passes — making it one of the most spectacular hiking trips to Machu Picchu.

If permits for the Classic Trail are sold out, we offer the Quarry Trail — a quieter, three-day trek through Andean villages, culminating in entry to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate.

Inca Trail porters

One of the most helpful elements of hiking the Inca Trail are the porters. The porters do an incredible job, often behind the scenes, to help your Inca Trail run seamlessly. The porters carry your main luggage, all food and equipment, as well as setting up and breaking down our camp (pack animals such as horses are not permitted on the Inca Trail).

We ensure the best conditions for our crew and we have been working closely with the Andean community of Misminay, located in the Sacred Valley, for over two decades and all of our porters originate from this village. These relationships are key to the success and consistently positive feedback we receive from Inca Trail trekkers.
 

Plastic and other waste

Single-use plastic has been prohibited on the Inca Trail (and at Machu Picchu) since 2018. All rubbish is weighed at each check-point and at the end to ensure that all waste is taken away. There's no refuse collection on the Inca Trail, so anything that goes with you must come back off the trail (either with you or as part of the porters' rubbish).

We recommend using a Water-to-Go bottle. Their filters remove 99.9% of contaminants, bacteria and viruses, and can also be filled up from any non-salt water sources. Take advantage of the streams and ancient water fountains along the route to top up. The support team also boil water at each stop for you to refill, too.
 

Locally sourced food

Our Inca Trail cooks prepare meals that have been planned to be nutritious and suited to the physical exertion of the trek. Hygiene standards are very high and we prepare typical Andean fare using local ingredients so you will also learn about the local cuisine along the way. Customers are always surprised at how great the food is.

There are three sit down meals: breakfast, dinner and an evening meal under canvas. Seconds are always available if you wish and snacks are provided for in between meals. You’re given a snack bag for each day’s hike plus tea and biscuits to welcome you back to camp. Eating together as group is a change to reflect on the day’s hike and relax and enjoy the company of your group.

Wild camping

To protect the history, the locals' livelihoods and the natural environment, no wild camping is allowed on the Inca Trail. Locals till the land that their families have been working for centuries, and no trekkers can hike the trail without a certified guide, ensuring everyone sticks to the designated path and limits any damage to the path and surrounding flora.

Two-man tents are provided with plenty of room for two people and your bags. The tents are well maintained 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 along the trail and we provide portable bathrooms (toilet tents) with biodegradable bags, a less rustic alternative for our small group to use.