Follow the footsteps of Incan emperors on the way to ancient, captivating citadels surrounded by awe-inspiring nature, and to sites that bring out the inner archaeologist in every visitor. There’s a reason (actually many) that hiking the Inca trail is on the bucket list of so many adventure travellers. The Trail is still the highlight of many trips to South America, living up to the hype.
The downside is that prices go up every year since demand is so high. You also have to book way in advance to ensure you have a spot. Fortunately there are many options for hiking in the area. They offer more than a break from your daily routine. Each one offers an unforgettable and sometimes spiritual experience.
In this article I’ll address the most common questions on the Inca Trail. Then, I’ll list the top adventure hikes from Cusco to Machu Picchu.
Common Questions About the Inca Trail
These are the most common questions about the Inca Trail. While the questions are specifically about the normal Inca Trail, most relate to other hikes in Cusco, too.
How Do I Get There?
Good question! You have to get to Cuzco in order to do the Inca trail. From Cuzco you’ll take a train or bus to the starting point of the Trail. Your tour operator will likely include transportation from your hotel in Cuzco.
When To Go
The best time to hike in Cusco is from May through October. The rainy season starts around November and ends in April. Because of this, the best time to go is May. The landscape is green from months of rain, and it’s not yet peak tourist season (June-August).
The non-peak, dry months (April, May, September, and October) are best for finding good deals and last-minute reservations. Finally, I don’t recommend these hikes during the peak of the rainy season (January and February). In February the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are closed.
The summer solstice (Inti Raymi) is the most popular time to go. The people of Cusco hold cultural and religious ceremonies that are centuries old. Of course, prices are at their highest and it’s difficult to find a hotel or tour operator if not done in advance (at least 3 months is best). Another popular time is Peru’s Independence Day (July 28th).
How To Choose A Tour Operator
This is a loaded question! First, make sure they have good reviews and a commitment to ethical tourism. That includes sustainable tourism but also a commitment to fair wages. Some companies like Cachi work directly with local communities on projects, too.
Avoid choosing the cheapest operator at first glance. Some companies don’t include the full package (entrance to Machu Picchu, train ticket, food, etc.). For this reason you should read the fine print on what is, and what isn’t, included in the listed price.
Most operators provide guides in English. So if you share my talent for making embarrassing mistakes in Spanish, no worries ;)
How Much does the Inca Trail Cost? Should I Tip?
Again, you must use a tour operator to do the Inca Trail (it’s the law!). So the price depends on the company. And these vary in quality. However you can find tours for under $500/person. Public tours, in which any person can join until the quota is full, are cheaper.
For more private tours (ie, your group only), the hike is more expensive but you’ll get a more personalized experience. A good price for a private tour is $750/person.
Tipping is not customary in Peru but is common in touristy areas. Something like S/ 10 per day to your porter, cook, and guide goes a long way, though.
What Should I Pack?
Most companies provide food, shelter (tent), water, hiking poles, rain poncho, and cooking gear. Double check with your tour company, though. You should bring these for the Inca Trail or its alternatives:
- Snacks
- Camera + batteries
- Sunblock
- Insect repellant
- Hand sanitizer
- Soap (if you want to use the very basic shower accommodations along the trail)
- Backpack
- Good hiking shoes or boots
- Baseball cap
- Cold weather jacket
- 1 change of clothes
- Water bottle
- Headlamp
- Sleeping bag
What’s The Food Like?
Again, it depends on the tour company! But Peruvians are very proud of their food. Because of this many reviews of the Inca Trail mention the unexpectedly good food!
What Are the Accommodations?
You’ll sleep in a tent or under the stars at night. The bathrooms and showers are basic, and you’ll probably wait in line for a toilet. There is running water but no electricity (wear your headlamp at night :))
Do I Need Travel Insurance?
It’s HIGHLY recommended to get travel insurance for Peru. Peru has a universal health system, but often it’s best to use a private facility or clinic. Make sure your plan covers all activities on your trip.
If you’re traveling from the USA, contact your health care provider. Many plans in fact include travel (but for some reason don’t make it obvious…).
How Difficult is the Hike?
Overall the Inca Trail is a moderately difficult trail. Day 2 is difficult, as you’ll go over Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,600 meters (15,000 feet) above sea level.
Each day can vary a bit according to your preference or that of your guide. But almost all tours start at at KM82 outside of Ollantaytambo. Day 1 is easy and can take 5-6 hours total of hiking. You’ll probably hike 9 km (5.6 miles) and finish the day at Wayllabamba.
On Day 2 the difficulty increases dramatically as you ascend for 7 km (4.3 miles) to Dead Woman’s Pass. Then you’ll descend for 5 km (3.1 miles) to Paccamayu, at 3,600 meters (11,800 feet) above sea level.
Day 3 is often the longest hike. You might hike all the 16 km (10 miles) to Wiñayhuayna. This day will include multiple archaeological sites and mountain passes, and is normally considered to be moderately difficult.
You wake up early on Day 4 (think 4AM) to get to Machu Picchu in time for sunrise at the Sun Gate. The walk is considered easy and you have the morning to tour the site before taking the train back to Ollantaytambo, Urubamba, or Cusco.
Will I Get Altitude Sickness?
Most people encounter altitude sickness in Cusco or the Inca Trail. The symptoms are usually a headache and fatigue, but can become serious (vomiting) if you don’t take time to acclimate.
Therefore spend at least 2 days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before you go hiking the Inca Trail. The Trail ascends to 4,600 meters above sea level (15,000 feet), so you want to be as acclimated to the altitude as possible before starting.
I loved coca tea with sugar when I had altitude sickness, and chewing the leaves works too. The taste is a little bitter but the leaves give you a boost. Consider buying altitude sickness pills if you aren’t sure how your body will react.
Does The Ticket Include Machu Picchu?
Yes, at least for the regular Inca Trail. The ticket should include the Inca Trial and Machu Picchu. This is because you arrive at the Sun Gate on Day 4 of the Inca Trail.
The official website for buying tickets to Machu Picchu, Huaynu Picchu, and Machu Picchu Mountain is here.
To buy tickets in Cusco, go to the Direccion Regional de Cultura at Avenida de la Cultura 238, Condominio Huáscar, in Cusco. The office is open Monday-Saturday from 7:15AM to 6:30PM. Bring your passport. You can pay in cash or with card.
What If There’s An Emergency?
It’s understandable to worry about this, since you aren’t close to medical facilities on the trail. If someone really doesn’t feel well or has an accident, they are usually brought down the trail to the nearest highway or train tracks. In extreme cases a helicopter may be used. However, this is rare.
The most common cause of sickness is from the altitude. So, take time to acclimatize while in Cuzco, and definitely pick a reputable tour agency.
Now we’ve gone over the most common questions on the Inca Trail. So let’s dive into your hiking options, starting with the “regular” 4-day Inca Trail:
The OG- The “Real” Inca Trail
Although kind of a misnomer, the original Inca Trail still receives the highest number of hikers, and for good reason. This is an epic trek that strategically ends at Machu Picchu on sunrise on the final day. It’s a 43-km (26.7 mile), 4-day journey that only 500 hikers are permitted to enter daily.
You’ll see impressive archaeological sites, go up to 4,600 meters above sea level (15,000 feet), and witness how the Incas incorporated buildings into the beauty of the Andes. Because it’s so regulated and limited, try to book your Inca Trail tour at least half a year in advance. The hike starts at km 88 of the railway, next to the village of Ollantaytambo.
There is also a shorter version of the trail, lasting 2 days.
Alternative Hikes to Inca Trail (Ending at Machu Picchu)
Salkantay
This is the most popular adventure alternative to the original Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It’s regarded as the nature-lover’s and adventurer’s option. Because of this, Salktantay is a bit more difficult and is longer (5-7 days depending on the route) than the Inca Trail.
The hike is centered on the Salkantay snowcapped mountain, an important mountain god in Quechua culture that dominates the landscape at 6,217 meters (20,397 feet) in height. This trail does not end at Machu Picchu, but tour operators include the ticket to the Incan city as part of the overall package. It starts at the same spot as the Inca Trail, next to Ollantaytambo. With the proper planning you can do this hike by yourself, too.
Extreme Inka
I love this option because it’s perfect for someone like me, who can’t decide on what activity to do! This involves hiking and mountain biking, with ziplining and rafting offered by tour operators as well. It’s a 3-4 day adventure that takes the “back way” to Machu Picchu, making it potentially less expensive than the Inca Trail or Salkantay hikes.
You can start this from Cusco. As always, make sure the tour operator is safe and well-regarded, especially since the first part of this adventure is a four-hour bike ride downhill!
Here’s my review of Cachi’s Extreme Inca package if you’re interested in this tour.
Alternative Hikes to Inca Trail (Without Machu Picchu)
Ausangate
The Ausangate tour is another option centered on a sacred snowcapped mountain. This is a five-day hike through rural areas and mountains. Definitely hire a local guide for this route and bring your hiking supplies with you. It’s best to stay in Tinqui for a night before departing.
Choquequirao
Choquequirao is bigger than Machu Picchu, the hike is tougher, there’s less tourists, and there are gigantic LLAMA figures built into the site! What is not to love about it? This four-to-five day hike is 30 km long (18.6 miles) and should be done with a tour operator. Of course, that is just my preference since I’m a light packer and planner. It is possible to bring the necessary equipment and do this trek alone.
You will be practically alone in the Inca’s “cradle of gold” (meaning of Choquequirao in Quechua) if you go. First you’ll have to take a car from Cusco to Cachora, a four hour ride.
Vilcabamba & Vitcos
Admittedly, this is for the hard-core adventurers. These tropical sites were the last homes to the rebel Incas as they fought against the invading Spanish, so they are not easy to access. The hikes themselves are not considered as difficult as the ones above, however do go via a tour operator or at least with a local guide (and all the necessary trekking equipment).
You can actually take a bus to Espiritu Pampa (Vilcabamba’s modern name) from Cusco via Quillabamba. This is an 8-11 hour journey. There are places to stay in Quillabamba. From there, it takes under 3 hours to get to Espiritu Pampa. Vitcos is 5km (3.1 miles) further.
Once At Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is big, so make sure your train ticket back allows for at least a few hours at the site. I recommend adding on Huaynu Picchu if you have one day. This is a vertigo-inducing hike, often with the assistance of ropes, to a peak overlooking the Urubamba river and Machu Picchu. Tickets for Huaynu Picchu sell out quickly. You have to enter at a designated time, too.
Another option is Machu Picchu Mountain. This is a 3-hour hike up Incan stairs, worth it for the view of everything below. But I wouldn’t do this if you only have half a day in Machu Picchu, or else your whole experience will be going up and down stairs (much like I did the first time I planned a Machu Picchu trip).
Keep in mind you can take a tour of Machu Picchu with the regular ticket. For this reason, Huaynu Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are optional.
My Final Tips
Get prepped!! Train for long hikes during the months before your trip. Once in Peru, get acclimated to the altitude by taking it easy in a high-altitude city, like Cusco, for a couple of days.
Oh, and definitely try the coca tea and leaves! They give a great energy boost and help with the altitude, on top of being a cool cultural experience.
And remember there is NO water or food sold in Machu Picchu.
I recommend buying tickets for everything in Cusco ahead of time, even the less-popular hikes, just in case. For the regular Inca Trail try to buy tickets 3 to 6 months in advance.
What Now?
Read my article on the Extreme Inca Tour if you’re interested in that or another hiking option with Cachi Life.
Have you done any of these trails, or is there one that I missed? Please comment below to share with the adventure community!
