Our top activities
Hike up Huayna Picchu
The famous green peak which serves as a backdrop to Machu Picchu in thousands of photos around the world harbours its own hidden temples - including an arrow-shaped stone which points due south, and the Temple of the Moon, carved into a cave on the mountainside, which is believed to have been a royal tomb or possibly a place of sacrifice.
As you would expect, ascending the mountain is onerous, with exposed steps winding round sheer faces. The climb takes around two hours, and should not be attempted by anyone with vertigo. New regulations only give permits to 400 visitors, who climb in two morning shifts, so you need to arrive at Machu Picchu early to secure your spot on the 'Young Peak'.
As you would expect, ascending the mountain is onerous, with exposed steps winding round sheer faces. The climb takes around two hours, and should not be attempted by anyone with vertigo. New regulations only give permits to 400 visitors, who climb in two morning shifts, so you need to arrive at Machu Picchu early to secure your spot on the 'Young Peak'.
Our Inca Trail trek Holidays
Peruvian Andes trekking holiday to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu with an International Guide and Doctor.
From
£2309
14 days
ex flights
Hiking the Inca trail holiday
An unrivalled combination of history and spectacular scenery
From
£2049 to £2549
10 days
inc UK flights
Peru walking and cultural holiday
Trek the cultural sites and mountain scenery of Peru
From
£1917
10 days
ex flights
High Inca Trail trek in Peru
Machu Picchu, Inca fortresses and cloud forest
From
£2449 to £3179
16 days
inc UK flights
Peru highlights tour, Inca trail, Titicaca and Nazca
Taste Peru's diverse landscapes and fascinating culture
From
£2949 to £3599
17 days
inc UK flights
Inca Trail trek in Peru
Classic trek on Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
From
US $2526 to US $2856
10 days
ex flights
Peru and Inca Trail small group tour
Take in all the best that Peru has to offer
From
£1295
15 days
ex flights
Galapagos and Machu Picchu holiday
Cusco, Short Inca Trail & Galapagos Island Hopping
From
£3285
14 days
ex flights
Peru adventure holiday, small group
Experience coastal deserts, mountains and the Amazon Jungle
From
£2129 to £3369
19 days
ex flights
Lima to Cuzco overland truck tour in Peru
Explore Peru and the majestic Machu Picchu
From
£900 to £950
17 days
ex flights
Inca Trail trekking holiday in Peru
Trek the legendary Inca trail
From
£2479 to £2979
10 days
inc UK flights
12 Day Cusco to Lima-Inca Trail & Lake Titicaca tour
Highlights of Peru in 12 days
From
£995
12 days
ex flights
Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trekking holiday, Peru
Choquequirao - trek to a lost Inca City, Peru
From
£950
7 days
ex flights
Inca Trail hiking holiday, Peru
The Sacred Valley, one of the world’s best known hikes
From
£620 to £799
7 days
ex flights
Hiking the Inca Trail in Peru
Fully supported Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu
From
£733
4 days
ex flights
Inca Trail walking tour, Peru
Customisable holiday including comfort service Inca Trail
From
£1285
8 days
ex flights
Lake Titicaca & Peru highlights holiday
Explore the attractions of south Peru with Inca Trail trek.
From
£1895 to £2855
15 days
ex flights
Inca Trail with homestay holiday
World-famous Inca Trail and an active, cultural twist.
From
US $975 to US $1045
3 days
ex flights
Machu Picchu & Amazon small group holiday, Peru
Explore Peru from Machu Picchu the Amazon rainforest
From
£1445 to £1799
12 days
ex flights
Peru small group holiday, Inca Trail & Lake Titicaca
Exciting journey into enchanting Peru from Amazon to Andes
From
£2735 to £3050
21 days
ex flights
Southern Peru tailor made holiday, Alternative Inca Trail trek
Alternative Inca Trail to Machu Picchu without camping
From
£5715
19 days
ex flights
Peru and Inca trail small group holiday
Travel from the Andes to the Amazon
From
£1885 to £2135
12 days
ex flights
Peru 8 day trekking holiday, ultimate Machu Picchu
Trek into the Andes to reach Machu Picchu
From
US $1499
8 days
ex flights
Peru & Inca Trail small group holiday
Get an in depth insight into the lost land of the Incas
From
£2379 to £2499
19 days
ex flights
Inca trail & Amazon Rainforest holiday
Inca Trail, Machu Picchu & rainforest
From
£3399 to £3949
17 days
inc UK flights
Inca Highlights, adventure tour
Allow yourself to absorb the magic of Peru
From
£1808 to £2969
14 days
ex flights
Alternative Inca trail trek in Peru, Salkantay Trek
Salkantay trek - an alternative Inca Trail adventure
From
£750
5 days
ex flights
Inca trail trekking holiday
Andean adventure small group holiday
From
£1928 to £2311
11 days
inc UK flights
Classic Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu
Hike the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for 4 days
From
US $645 to US $690
4 days
ex flights
Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru
An adventure of a life time hiking to Machu Picchu, Peru.
From
£3325
9 days
ex flights
The fascinating yet little-visited Museo de Sitio Manuel Chávez Ballón is dedicated to the history and exploration of Machu Picchu.![]()
Learn about the archaeology
Virtually no information exists at the ruins themselves, but this little museum lies a half hour walk from Aguas Calientes, and has exhibits on the construction of this extraordinary city, as well as curious Inca artifacts. There's also a pleasant botanical garden to relax in after your hike.
Stay with your porters
Simon Forster is a co-founder of our supplier The Beyond Tourism Co., who offer homestays in the porters' villages. Here's his top activity for the Inca Trail: "We include an extra day at the beginning of the Trail where you spend the night in the porters' home village, so you get to know them before you go on your trek. This makes for more personal interaction so you enjoy your experience more, but it also gives you a better understanding of the porters' lives. Being a porter has actually become a culture and identity for people from the area, not just a day job, so we want to highlight that as well. Often on the Trail, the porters can be overlooked or taken for granted. You may not understand much about porters' rights, the person you're booking your tour with might not understand it and their incredible hard work goes unappreciated. Staying with them creates better understanding and a better experience for both of you."Our top Inca Trail trek Holiday
Hiking the Inca trail holiday
An unrivalled combination of history and spectacular scenery
From
£2049 to £2549
10 days
inc UK flights
Small group travel:
2020: 8 Oct, 14 Oct, 28 Oct, 4 Nov
2021: 26 Mar, 9 Apr, 30 Apr, 6 May, 20 May, 27 May, 3 Jun, 12 Jun, 1 Jul, 10 Jul, 29 Jul, 7 Aug, 12 Aug, 19 Aug, 26 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 23 Sep, 8 Oct, 15 Oct, 22 Oct, 5 Nov, 12 Nov, 3 Dec, 18 Dec
2020: 8 Oct, 14 Oct, 28 Oct, 4 Nov
2021: 26 Mar, 9 Apr, 30 Apr, 6 May, 20 May, 27 May, 3 Jun, 12 Jun, 1 Jul, 10 Jul, 29 Jul, 7 Aug, 12 Aug, 19 Aug, 26 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 23 Sep, 8 Oct, 15 Oct, 22 Oct, 5 Nov, 12 Nov, 3 Dec, 18 Dec
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Inca Trail trek or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
The ruins become increasingly spectacular along trail, and the last stop before Machu Picchu is Wiñay Wayna, meaning 'eternal youth'.![]()
Discover that it's not all about Machu Picchu
Built into a precarious slope, this large site comprises houses connected by a sheer staircase, with agricultural terraces above and below. The setting is suitably dramatic, as are the views of the Urubamba River. Wiñay Wayna is not always on Inca Trail itineraries, but it is one of the most impressive detours, so try and book a tour that stops here. You can also hike there directly from Machu Picchu.
More about Inca Trail trek
The best time to trek the Inca Trail is in the cooler, drier months of May to September - but you'll need to book early to secure a permit. Find out more in our guide.
Our travel guide answers any questions you may have about hiking this iconic trail, along with a day by day sample itinerary and a brief history of the Inca Trail.
Our Inca Trail map showcases the highlights along the trail, along with a detailed day by day itinerary, to help you get your head around the hike.
Our guide to Machu Picchu reveals the history of this sacred site, with tips on what to see, how to travel there and the best time to visit...
There are alternative Inca Trails that lead to Machu Picchu, taking in cloud and rainforest, high passes and indigenous villages, including the Salkantay and Lares treks...
Trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu usually takes four days, with three days of camping.
Trekking the Inca Trail with kids is not going to suit every family, but there are wonderful opportunities for bonding, education and exploration. We offer tips for parents and kids.
Get tips on everything from planning and packing, to how to travel safely on the Inca Trail. Our tour operators and travellers share their top Inca Trail advice.
Find out about Quechua homestays, porters' rights and responsible trekking on the Inca Trail, to ensure this path and its people are treated as respectfully as possible.
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