The Inca Trail Hiking Guide

The Inca Trail Trekking Guide

Walking the Inca trail can be very rewarding and is possible for all ages as long as you are fit. Over the course of the Trail, you gain and lose 1000 meters several times, all of which is over 3000 meters where oxygen is noticeably thinner. Acclimation to the altitude is a must and good physical condition advised. The journey winds through the valleys and hills of the surrounding area, taking you the through the scenic landscape, from high alpine to cloud forests.

Since 2001, the Peruvian government has instituted a quota system on how many travelers can be on the trail on any given day and the passes now sell out months in advance during the high season. You must book with a tour operator well in advance of when you wish to walk the trail, as it is not allowed to organize your own trip. Don't expect to pick up last-minute cancellations either, as tour organizers must register client passport numbers with the government, and they are strictly checked at control points on the trail.

The Inca Trail is part of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary, a protected area of 32,592 hectares, managed by the National Institute of Natural Resources, INRENA. Every visitor must obey park regulations prohibiting littering, cutting or damaging trees, removing or damaging stones of ruins and the Trail, removing plants, killing animals, lighting open fires or camping in the archeological sites.

Cuzco has a temperate climate with year round temperatures fluctuating between 14-16°C, with warm days and cold nights. The rainy season in Cuzco is from December to March . Machu Picchu has a semi-tropical climate, with warm and humid days and cold nights. The rainy season in Machu Picchu is from November to March, so be prepared. The wet months are January to April, when roads are often closed by landslides or flooding. The best months for visiting Machu Picchu are from April to October. The High season is June to August (book well in advance). The trail is closed in February to clean up the garbage left behind.

Preparation

At its highest, the trail reaches 4200m above sea level, so you should spend at least 2 days in Cuzco acclimatising before you start the trek. If you don't, altitude sickness could make your first few days pretty uncomfortable.

Book your spot a few months in advance. The number of trek permits issued is limited to 500 per day (including tour guides and porters). In the high season you'll need to book 3 months in advance.

What to Bring

Insect Repellent and sun block

Cost

Around US$300. If you are paying less than US$250 for the 4 day trip, something is fishy. Make sure your tour includes the entrance ticket to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu (US$75) and the Backpacker train back to Cusco (US$46).

Facts about the Inca Trail

The Inca Trail is part of the more than 23,000 km of Inca road system built by the Incas across South America. It connects the Tahuantinsuyo Empire from Colombia, the west of Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia to the centre of Chile and the north of Argentina.

The trails varied in quality and size, they could be up to 8 metres wide on the coast, in the mountains the paving was about one metre wide. The path was audaciously steep and climbed over the difficult Andean mountains.

The Trail
Inca Trail Tour Guide

Your tour guide is the connection to a great adventure. The guide will make sure to tell you all the information you need to know about the entire trail. You should trust the guide when it's time to set the pace, when to take a break and when to push it.

Your guide will also provide history of the Inca's Empire, the ruins along the way and Machu Picchu, don't panic when you hear those tales of how the Inca trail is haunted by the ghosts of dead porters. Your guide is crucial. Guides normally speak English, Spanish and Quechua.

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