Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tours

Machu Picchu is located high in the Andes Mountains in Peru, South America. The Inca Trail is one of the greatest hikes in the world. The Trail meanders through an area where the snowy Andes Mountain range meets the Amazon jungle and then ends at Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu is 2,430m above sea level, though many parts of the Inca Trail are much higher.

The classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu tour is 45km long. The trail is usually hiked over 4 days and 3 nights, but longer tours are available. Starting at Cusco, you will be driven to km 82 where the Inca Trail begins. On the first day you will trek 11km through stunning scenery and ancient Incan ruins to Wayllabamba Camp. Then you will encounter steeper terrain on day two on the way to Warmiwañusca and the highest point of the whole trail at 4,196m. The third day is a full day of hiking with 16km to cover, crossing two more passes and spectacular ruins to Wiñaywayna. The final day is an early start to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise and catch the first views of the iconic ruins of Machu Picchu.

The warm and dry conditions of August and September are generally regarded as peak times for holidaymakers and travellers. We recommend trekking the Inca Trail in July or October when it’s less busy but still fairly warm.

The Peruvian government issues up to 500 permits to hikers who want to access the Inca Trail per day. Luckily for you, these permits are included in every trek, or tour that encompasses a trek, that we sell (subject to availability). 2018 permits have been released already, (much earlier than in previous years!), so if you'd like to make the pilgrimage next year, you should get your planning hat on sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment. You can lock in all of your Peru and South America tours online with a deposit, starting from £60. 

Inca Trail hikes are regarded as moderate, so if you’re relatively fit you should have no problems whatsoever. However, as the trek reaches altitudes of more than 13,000 feet we’d recommend arriving in the village start-point a day or two before your tour to acclimatise in order to avoid altitude sickness. Some parts are steep, especially the three high passes – the Inca Trail itself, plus the Choquequirao and Salkantay routes, the latter of which reaches an elevation of 4,600m (15,091 ft)! We offer a number of Inca Trail tours for all levels of ability and budgets. Speak to an Travel Expert for more advice... and get squatting!