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). 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 acclimatise to your surroundings and reduce the risk of altitude sickness on the trail.
The classic Inca Trail route runs approximately 42 kilometres and takes around 4 days to complete, with our groups walking typically 6-8 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 6-8 hours of trekking. Prior experience of trekking 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.
Yes, a beginner can hike the Inca Trail, but it does require proper preparation and training, the right gear and realistic expectations of what the four-day hike will entail. Ideally, we’d recommend that our customers begin training for the trail at least several months before the trip. A mix of cardiovascular (like cycling, swimming and running) and strength training (like lifting weights, working with resistance bands and climbing stairs) are all great preparation for beginners. We also recommend broken-in hiking boots, moisture-wicking base layers, waterproof jackets, small 7kg backpacks, sustainable water bottles and trekking poles (if desired) for additional support and balance on the stairs. Medication such as dexamethasone, acetazolamide or nifedipine may be helpful to take for altitude sickness, but please always consult your doctor/GP before taking any medicine. It’s also important to remember that this isn’t a race and that your expert leader is well-adapted to working with different levels of ability in one group. There will also be plenty of time for regular breaks to hydrate, rest and soak up the breathtaking Andean scenery.
You can expect full-service camping and porterage on The Inca Trail, Inca Trail, Titicaca & Nazca, Essential Inca Trail and Inca Trail & the Amazon Rainforest on the days you’re trekking along the trail. When completing the four-day, 42-kilometre trek 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 3680m 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 trek.
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 6 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 authorised 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 authorisation 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 trekking permit is automatically included in all of our Inca Trail holiday trips 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 favourite departure date is by booking your adventure with Exodus before October.
