Travelers from all over the globe have their sights set on the magical Inca Trail. But how much do you really know about it? Indulge yourself in our complete guide to the Inca Trail and discover all the information that you could possibly need to know about this iconic trek.
Contents
- What is the Inca Trail
- The History of the Inca Trail
- 4 Day or 5 Day?
- Daily Stats
- Archeological sites visited on the Inca Trail
- Packing List for the Inca Trail
- Inca Trail Porters
- Tipping Guide
- Inca Trail Permits
- What the Inca Trail Should Cost
- Camping on the Inca Trail
- Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu
- Other Inca Trail Treks
- Extra Tips for the Inca Trail
- Extra Tips for Hiking the Inca Trail
What is the Inca Trail?
The Inca Trail is the most famous multi-day trek in South America, perhaps among the most well-known across the world. Found in the Cusco region of Southern Peru, it is an authentic Incan path that passes through multiple Inca ruins eventually reaching Machu Picchu through the iconic sun-gate. The Inca Trail is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all travelers, setting off from the Ancient Inca capital, Cusco.
Check out: Our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, a 5-day adventure that visits and supports the indigenous people of Peru by passing through their villages and sharing moments, stories, and meals with each other. This is an authentic and ethical way to interact with the real people of Peru.
The History of the Inca Trail
The Incan people traveled with their llamas, using an extensive collection of pathways and roads. They would construct buildings along the route (known as “Tambos”) as places for them to rest, worship, and restock supplies.
There are Inca trails across all of Peru and Ecuador, with sections branching out to Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia. The Atacama desert stops the trails in Chile, but there are still some to be found in the far north. You can hike on these Inca Trails if you miss out on your Inca Trail permit.
Today, experts think that in its prime Machu Picchu was a retreat for royalty and high-level nobles. It was essentially an upper-class holiday home (/city), with plenty of priests and worshipping spots there to ensure that the area remained holy.
One of the reasons why Machu Picchu is so famous is because of the level of engineering required for it to function as a citadel with its rather precarious placement high on the mountainside. That, and the fact the Spanish never found it- it has been argued for decades about whether Machu Picchu is the true ‘Vilcabamba’, the final stronghold of the Incas.
The ‘Inca Trail’ as we know it now was the path people would take to Machu Picchu. When it was discovered it was discovered ‘backward’. When Hiram Bingham ‘discovered’ Machu Picchu he also discovered the end of the Inca Trail, tracing it back to Ollantaytambo and across the Sacred Valley.
Should I do the Traditional 4 day Inca Trail, or try the 5-day trek?
Hiking in Peru is the perfect way to get up close with truly incredible nature while experiencing the Andes Mountains. Hiking the Inca Trail while in Peru is on many travelers’ bucket lists, and truly, it should be on many more.
There are two choices for taking on the classic Inca Trail. The 4-day route, or the 5-day route. Both options follow the same trails, but the 5-day Inca Trail allows more time in the ruins, more leisurely meals, later starts, and the opportunity to stop, take a beat and appreciate the world as it passes by around you.
Because so many people choose the regular 4-day route, it also means that the 5-day route offers an almost empty path- instead of being surrounded by the other trekkers who are all trying to experience as much as possible, as quickly as possible.
You can read a little more about the differences using our guide to the 4 days vs the 5 day Inca Trail, or you can compare the daily stats below:
Daily stats
Check out: Our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, a 5-day adventure that visits and supports the indigenous people of Peru by passing through their villages and sharing moments, stories, and meals with each other. This is an authentic and ethical way to interact with the real people of Peru.
Inca Trail 4 Day Stats
Day One:
- Distance- 13km
- Elevation Change- 200m descent, 700m ascent
- Starting Point- Piscacucho, KM82 (Ollantaytambo)
- Finishing Point- Huayllabamba
- Sites Visited- Llactapata
Day Two:
- Distance- 11km
- Elevation Change- 1150m ascent, 850m descent
- Starting Point- Huayllabamba
- Finishing Point- Pacaymayo
- Sites Visited- Warmiwañuska
Day Three:
- Distance- 16km
- Elevation Change- 675m ascent, 1475m descent
- Starting Point- Pacaymayo
- Finishing Point- Wiñaywayna
- Sites Visited- Sayaqmarca
Day Four:
- Distance- 3km
- Elevation Change- 150m ascent, 300m descent
- Starting Point- Wiñaywayna
- Finishing Point- Machu Picchu
- Sites Visited- Phuyupatamarka, Wiñaywayna Intipunku (Sungate), Machu Picchu
Inca Trail 5 Day Stats
Day One:
- Distance- 6km
- Elevation Change- 500m descent
- Starting Point- Piscacucho, KM82 (Ollantaytambo)
- Finishing Point- Llactapata
- Sites Visited- Llactapata
Day Two:
- Distance- 9km
- Elevation Change- 1590m ascent
- Starting Point- Llactapata
- Finishing Point- Llulluchapampa
- Sites Visited- n/a
Check out: Our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, a 5-day adventure that visits and supports the indigenous people of Peru by passing through their villages and sharing moments, stories, and meals with each other. This is an authentic and ethical way to interact with the real people of Peru.
Day Three:
- Distance- 15km
- Elevation Change- 1035m ascent, 1225m descent
- Starting Point- Llulluchapampa
- Finishing Point- Phuyupatamarca
- Sites Visited- Warmiwañuska (dead woman’s passage), Sayacmarca
Day Four:
- Distance- 12km
- Elevation Change- 1250m descent, 150m ascent
- Starting Point- Phuyupatamarca
- Finishing Point- Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo)
- Sites Visited- Phuyupatamarka, Wiñaywayna, Intipunku (Sungate)
Day Five:
- Distance- n/a
- Elevation Change- n/a
- Starting Point- Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo)
- Finishing Point- Machu Picchu (and return to Cusco)
- Sites Visited- Machu Picchu
Archeological Sites Visited On the Inca Trail
Llactapata
An important Inca ruin that was used for multiple purposes, with a ceremonial center, an urban center, and a cemetery, among other things. These ruins were discovered by Hiram Bingham, much like Machu Picchu was, but it took much longer for them to be properly excavated.
Warmiwañuska (dead woman’s passage)
This is not a ruin, just the highest point on the trail, and a truly incredible sight to behold.
Check out: Our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, a 5-day adventure that visits and supports the indigenous people of Peru by passing through their villages and sharing moments, stories, and meals with each other. This is an authentic and ethical way to interact with the real people of Peru.
Sayaqmarca
Believed to be both a village and a sacred area, the direct translation of Sayaqmarca is ‘inaccessible’ (or a place that you cannot enter). Despite the name, visitors can explore the ruins while accompanied by a guide.
Phuyupatamarka
Also known as the town in the clouds, Phuyupatamarka sits, somewhat unsurprisingly, above where clouds gather. It’s a magical place to stay the night as the morning will greet you with an incredible view, either of the surrounding valley and the ruins you have yet to visit, or of a blanket of clouds covering the landscape.
Intipata
Previously shrouded in overgrown vegetation, Intipata is the place where the sun hits just right, (implied by the name, which directly translates to ‘Sun Place’) and is found at the top of the descent to Wiñaywayna.
Wiñaywayna
Directly translated to ‘Forever Young’, the purpose of Wiñaywayna is often debated. Regardless of whether it was used as a rest point for visitors to Machu Picchu, or a religious ceremonial center, these ruins are spectacular, and even more so up close. Just over 3km from Machu Picchu, they’re also the welcome signal of a trek almost finished.
Intipunku (Sungate)
The gateway to Machu Picchu. The Sun Gate is widely considered to be one of the most important sections of Machu Picchu as it was a checkpoint for those entering and leaving, as well as being a crucial offering to Inti, the Incan sun god.
What to Pack for the Inca Trail
Because of the extreme changes in altitude, elevation, and climate on the route, it’s important to pay heed to the recommended packing list. Below is a list of suggested items that will help to make your Inca Trail trek that much more enjoyable.
Check out: Our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, a 5-day adventure that visits and supports the indigenous people of Peru by passing through their villages and sharing moments, stories, and meals with each other. This is an authentic and ethical way to interact with the real people of Peru.
- Comfortable clothes for travel
- Zip-off Shorts
- Long-sleeved T-shirts
- A warm fleece or down jacket
- Thermal underwear
- Day-sack and rain-cover
- Warm hat, gloves, scarf
- Sweater (available in Cusco)
- Waterproof coat and trousers (poncho)
- Socks / underwear
- Trekking trousers
- After trekking trousers and t-shirt
- Good, well worn-in walking boots
- After trek shoes (sandals)
- Sleeping bag (-5°C)
- Small Towel
- Water bottle
- Sunglasses
- Head torch and spare batteries
- Book, notepaper and pen (optional)
- Sunscreen factor 40+ / Lip balm
- Sun-hat
- Insect Repellent
- Camera and spare memory
- Personal toilet kit
- Money belt
- Personal first aid kit to include: painkillers, plasters (band-aids), moleskin, antiseptic cream, after-bite, anti-diarrhea tablets, throat lozenges, re-hydration salts & personal medication. (Your trek provider SHOULD carry an extensive first aid kit and Oxygen on the Inca Trail, but these are generally for emergencies only)
What are the Inca Trail Porters for?
The porters are there to carry your equipment while on the trail. There are strict guidelines about how much weight they can carry, and there are regular checkpoints along the way to ensure that they are not being overworked. Much of the Inca Trail fees and prices will go towards paying the porters. Because of this, be extremely wary of cheaper options.
It is necessary to use porters as the trail is unsuitable for mules and other traditional methods of equipment carrying. The terrain is unsafe for mules, and besides, the path is too delicate to support 500 people worth of donkeys every day.
Naturally, the work and physical exertion of human people cost more than that of a mule. The sleeping standard and food requirements are significantly higher and more expensive than that of a mule, and so with the Inca Trail it’s very important to not shop for the cheapest option, as the cheapest option invites the exploitation of both porters and guides.
Please be aware that a cheaper Inca trail tour will generally mean that your porters are being underpaid and will not experience good working conditions (think food, sleeping conditions, etc). If you do choose to travel with a cheaper Inca trail tour agency then be sure to consider how much of a tip you will be willing to give your porters. If you’re not willing to tip them fairly or pay for a more expensive tour with a porter protection policy then rethink doing the Inca Trail.
Check out: Our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, a 5-day adventure that visits and supports the indigenous people of Peru by passing through their villages and sharing moments, stories, and meals with each other. This is an authentic and ethical way to interact with the real people of Peru.
(You can check out how we treat our porters and guides here)
What Should I Tip on the Inca Trail?
As a background, Peru has a minimum salary of 940 Nuevo Soles (US$250) monthly for a 6 day 48 hour week. However, in many of the lower-paid jobs (eg waiters, porters, etc) this is not always honored (as mentioned in the above section, lower-priced tours are likely to underpay their porters). This is avoided by having porters work freelance or on unofficial contracts (aka cash-in-hand jobs).
On the Inca trail, where you will be supported by a full crew of cooks, assistants, and a host of porters, etc, it is more complicated and confusing knowing what to tip. We recommend that each traveler contributes 100-300 soles (30-90 US$) into a pot and following the advice of the guide divide it out between the crew of cooks, waiters, and porters.
Inca Trail Permits
Inca Trail permits can be elusive beasts. There was a time you would need to book 6 months to a year in advance in order to secure your Inca Trail permits, essentially freezing out a large percentage of people who may want to shop around, potentially invoking panic buying, and leaving unused tickets as peoples plans change.
In the post-pandemic world, who knows how long in advance the trail with sell out? (Check out our guide for what to do when the Inca Trail permits sell out). Certainly, the sell-out times have been gradually increasing, creeping back towards the 6 month mark. Remember, there are 500 permits available per day- but the porters, guides, and cooks all require permits as well as just hikers.
It is not possible to hike the Inca Trail without a licensed guide, and it is unwise (and perhaps impossible to find a company willing to send you) to hike it without porters. Even if you are used to long-distance treks, the high altitude coupled with the steep uphills and endless 500 year old stone steps are a recipe for disaster for those who are not locals. (Even with time to acclimatize, you may still struggle with just your day pack).
While 500 permits may seem low, there are twice as many permits available for the KM104, the final day’s walk that passes through the Inca Sungate. That means that if you miss out on your full Inca Trail opportunity, you can still add the KM104 onto an alternative hike into Machu Picchu.
Check out: Our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, a 5-day adventure that visits and supports the indigenous people of Peru by passing through their villages and sharing moments, stories, and meals with each other. This is an authentic and ethical way to interact with the real people of Peru.
Why are some Inca Trails so much more expensive than others?
Put simply, some Inca Trail tours are more expensive than others because they treat their staff with respect, pay them fairly, offer them better sleeping conditions and better food. The more expensive tours will, equally, offer their hikers a better camping experience, better food, and higher quality equipment.
In a place like Peru, it can be difficult to find tours that strike the right balance between ethical travel and fair prices (check out our ethics and commitments to sustainability here). However, consider the quality of life of your porters and guides and think about if that’s worth a few extra bucks to you.
If you choose an Inca Trail trek that is priced cheaply, the money is made up by cutting the staff wages (it’s not uncommon for porters to make their money almost entirely off tips, or for workers to be exploited in Peru- particularly in the post-pandemic world where competition is fierce and work is scarce), slashed equipment costs, and other corners cut.
Likewise, a cheaper tour may not have the correct first aid kits, evacuation plans, or oxygen available. A place like the Inca Trail, where there are no exit routes, a place that is so distinctly remote, is not a place you want to risk paying less and not being able to receive the medical care that you need.
Camping on the Inca Trail
There are many campsites across the Inca Trail, and the campsites that you stay in will depend on two things:
- The preference of your tour company, and
- How many days you will be taking the Inca Trail over
Those who are doing the 4-day traditional Inca Trail trek will be in busier campsites (regardless of the companies preferences), as this is where the majority of travelers will be staying. As we already discussed, of the 500 daily permits 490 will be doing the 4 day Inca Trail trek.
Owing to weight limitations for the porters, it’s much less easy to facilitate ‘glamping’. Because of this, if camping is not your preference then it may be a wise idea to consider an alternative to the Inca Trail.
However, if you’re a camping enthusiast then the Inca Trail could be your match made in heaven. You can find out everything you need to know about camping, the campsites, and all things tarp with our guide to camping on the Inca Trail.
Check out: Our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, a 5-day adventure that visits and supports the indigenous people of Peru by passing through their villages and sharing moments, stories, and meals with each other. This is an authentic and ethical way to interact with the real people of Peru.
Alternative treks to Machu Picchu
For those who know in their heart that 3 or 4 days camping in the Andes is not their scene, for those who are concerned about exit strategies and injury protocols, or just if you waited too long and couldn’t secure a permit, there are plenty of alternative hikes to the Inca Trail.
A brief overview of some of our favorite options are below (you can read our complete guide to alternative routes to Machu Picchu here):
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The Lares Trek
The Lares Trek is one of the most culturally immersive hikes in Peru. If you choose the right company then you will explore the local villages and enjoy a little taste of local life on the way. The Lares Valley trek is a beautiful experience that shares with local culture and incredible mountain scenery. It’s also possible to add on the KM104 trek into Machu Picchu.
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The Salkantay Trek
The Salkantay Trek is by far the most popular alternative trek to Machu Picchu. It is beautiful, and there are plenty of reasons to hike the Salkantay Trek– but bear in mind that it will be the busiest alternative (sometimes even busier than the Inca Trail itself, because the Inca Trail has a cap on permits that the Salkantay trek does not).
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Inca Jungle Trek
Not really a trek, more of a multi-sport to the citadel, the Inca Jungle Trek has mountain biking, climbing, rafting, and ziplining on a fun-filled adventure.
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Choquequirao to Machu Picchu
If you are a lover of hiking, history, and culture, and you have a bit more time to spare, this could be the perfect choice for you. By far the most taxing of the options laid out here, the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek is a 7 Day adventure that visits both Machu Picchu and Choquequirao, a bigger, better preserved, barely visited Incan Citadel deep in the mountains.
Check out: Our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, a 5-day adventure that visits and supports the indigenous people of Peru by passing through their villages and sharing moments, stories, and meals with each other. This is an authentic and ethical way to interact with the real people of Peru.
To find out more about the Choquequirao Trek, click here.
Alternative Inca Trail treks
Okay, so you’ve settled on your alterntive trek to Machu Picchu- but perhaps it’s not quite enough Inca Trail for you? As we mentioned earlier, the Inca Trail spanned from Argentina to Colombia, with (at its peak) a staggering 40,000 miles of road across the continent.
Naturally, there are a few more Inca trail hikes that you can explore in Peru, with some of the best in Cusco. You can find a guide to our favorite Inca Trail alternatives here, or enjoy a brief synopsis below:
Perched on the brink of the Apurimac Canyon, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful destination- and it’s barely visited so you’ll likely have the place to yourself. We strongly recommend spending two days here so you can enjoy the sunrise and really have time to explore and soak in your surroundings.
Wind your way along ancient Inca Trails, through remote farming communities and heards of friendly llamas and alpacas to find your way to these remote ruins. Huchuy Qosqo is far, far away from the crowds, and a great opportunity to experience the Andes in private. The trek is possible to do in one or two days.
Perhaps the most cultural and easiest option, this day hike explores the wool-making district of Chinchero (a good tour will include a guide on how to dye and make the wool), followed by a gentle downhill hike along Inca Trails to the village of Huayllabamba.
Practical Tips for Hiking the Inca Trail
- Give yourself time to acclimatize in Cusco before starting the trek.
- Be prepared: As we mentioned before, the Inca Trail can be tough thanks to its high altitude and there are very few exit strategies. Be prepared and get fit before you go.
- Bring Coca leaves for the altitude, a traditional remedy.
- Bring your health and safety kit- BUG SPRAY, sunscreen, and blister patches.
- Break in your shoes before trying the hike. Seriously, just do it.
- Be prepared- bring external chargers for your electronics and don’t get caught short at Machu Picchu.
- The porters carry all your heavy camping gear but this is inaccessible during the day so bring a small day-pack to carry your personal day gear in.
- Due to Inca trail rules limiting the numbers of porters and the weight they carry, limit your heavy gear to 8kg per person – this is usually more than enough.
- Inca trail regulations stipulate trekking poles are only allowed with rubber protecting tips. This is to prevent trail damage. ‘Native’ tree walking sticks are also banned on the trail, this is to prevent de-forestation.
- We recommend trekkers take around 600/s in local currency for any emergencies and expenses in Machu Picchu.
Check out: Our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, a 5-day adventure that visits and supports the indigenous people of Peru by passing through their villages and sharing moments, stories, and meals with each other. This is an authentic and ethical way to interact with the real people of Peru.
Extra Tips for Hiking the Inca Trail
- Accept the conditions. There may not be showers available, and the toilet is a portable toilet carried by one of the porters. You’re going to be roughing it a bit, it’s part of the charm of the mountains.
- Any excess gear may be stored in Cusco at your hotel whilst on the Inca trail.
- The Huayna Picchu peak entrance is not included in your Inca Trail permit. If you wish to climb this peak it requires an extra, limited-availability permit. Let your tour company know at the time of booking. Alternatively, you can hike Machu Picchu Mountain. Discover the differences here.
- At every hotel check-in and at your trip briefing, you will be requested to provide your passport and Immigration card to be photocopied. This is required, by law, for tax purposes.
- Check that your company has a ‘porter protection policy’ that ensures all porters are well treated, paid, insured, fed, and looked after.
- Most good quality sporting equipment is unavailable in Peru so if you wish to donate any outdoor clothes, sleeping bags, etc they will be gratefully received by your porters and guides.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed this complete guide to the Inca Trail. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below and we will answer them for you.
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