Inca Trail tips
Inca Trail permits
If you miss out on a permit, you can always trek one of the alternative routes to Machu Picchu, such as Lares or Salkantay. No permits are required for these.
Our Inca Trail trek Holidays
Hiking the Inca trail holiday
An unrivalled combination of history and spectacular scenery
Peru highlights tour, Inca trail, Titicaca and Nazca
Taste Peru's diverse landscapes and fascinating culture
High Inca Trail trek in Peru
Machu Picchu, Inca fortresses and cloud forest
Peru and Inca Trail small group tour
Take in all the best that Peru has to offer
Inca Trail trek in Peru
Classic trek on Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Peru small group holiday, Inca Trail & Lake Titicaca
Exciting journey into enchanting Peru from Amazon to Andes
Inca trail holiday, Peru
Retrace the steps of a fascinating civilisation
Classic Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu
Hike the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for 4 days
Peru adventure holiday, small group
Experience coastal deserts, mountains and the Amazon Jungle
Inca Trail trekking holiday in Peru
Trek the legendary Inca trail
Luxury Inca Trail trek, Peru
Spectacular trek on the Inca Trail through the high Andes
Inca trail experience, 10 days
Experience the cultural wonder that is Peru in just 10 days
Peru multi activity holiday, bike, climb and hike
Go on a breath-taking adventure along the Inca Trail
Ancascocha 5 day trek in Peru
Off the beaten trek to Machu Picchu
Inca Highlights, adventure tour
Allow yourself to absorb the magic of Peru
Alternative Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu
Remote trekking to Machu Picchu
Southern Peru tailor made holiday, Alternative Inca Trail trek
Alternative Inca Trail to Machu Picchu without camping
Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru
An adventure of a life time hiking to Machu Picchu, Peru.
Family adventure holiday in Peru, Inca & Amazon
Pretty Sherpa villages and spectacular mountains
Machu Picchu & Amazon small group holiday, Peru
Explore Peru from Machu Picchu the Amazon rainforest
Inca trail trekking holiday
Andean adventure small group holiday
Learn Spanish in Peru & trek the Inca trail
Inca trek & relaxed, professional Spanish lessons
Hiking the Inca Trail, Peru
An authentic trek through the land of the Incas
Peru walking and cultural holiday
Trek the cultural sites and mountain scenery of Peru
Inca Trail hiking holiday, Peru
The Sacred Valley, one of the world’s best known hikes
Peru adventure holiday, Sacred Land of the Incas
Discover a land of contrasts
Family Peru tour, 22 days
An unforgettable family adventure through Peru
Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu trek
Bucket List Adventure Trekking to Machu Picchu
Booking tips
Adam Walker, from our supplier Saddle Skedaddle, shares his Inca Trail tips for making a booking: "The thing I would stress most about the Inca Trail is how important it is that people get their act together. They only sell 500 permits a day, and around 300 of those are for guides and porters, so people just don't realise how far in advance they have to book it. Five to six months is on the safe side. If people call us three months before the high season, it might be too late."Inca trail planning tips
Inca trail trekking tips
Kathy Jarvis is the director of our supplier, Andean Trails, and has recently updated Bradt's Peru Trekking guide. Here are her Inca Trail tips on preparing for the trek: "Make sure you acclimatise as much as possible. The more acclimatised you are, the more you'll enjoy it. You can suffer a lot if you try and force your body too high, too soon - as well as it being dangerous. So allow as much time as possible as you can before trekking. And then it's a case of having the right clothes - good kit, jackets, waterproofs, warm gloves, hats... It's also better to bring your own sleeping bag. There are some for hire, but it's quite a personal thing!"Health & safety
HEALTH
SAFETY
Our top Inca Trail trek Holiday
Hiking the Inca trail holiday
An unrivalled combination of history and spectacular scenery
2019: 18 Dec
2020: 25 Mar, 8 Apr, 29 Apr, 7 May, 13 May, 27 May, 4 Jun, 13 Jun, 2 Jul, 16 Jul, 30 Jul, 5 Aug, 8 Aug, 20 Aug, 2 Sep, 5 Sep, 10 Sep, 19 Sep, 24 Sep, 8 Oct, 14 Oct, 21 Oct, 28 Oct, 4 Nov, 2 Dec, 18 Dec
2021: 26 Mar, 9 Apr, 30 Apr, 6 May, 20 May, 27 May, 3 Jun, 12 Jun, 17 Jun, 1 Jul, 10 Jul, 22 Jul, 29 Jul, 7 Aug, 12 Aug, 19 Aug, 26 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 23 Sep, 8 Oct, 12 Nov, 3 Dec
Inca Trail tips from our travellers
We have selected some of the most useful Inca Trail tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.


“I would definitely recommend exercising before taking this holiday. It isn't overly tough, but training will allow you more enjoyment from it.“ - Anthony Spencer
“On the third day there's an optional detour to a set of ruins called Intipata. It only adds about 20 or 30 minutes walking but hardly anyone goes there so you have the place to yourself - definitely worth it.“ - Graeme Cade
“Bring lots of extra toilet paper and Pepto Bismol. Make sure you have extra batteries for cameras, since there won't be anywhere to charge them. Take a day in Aguas Calientes to recover from the hike - we did and others we spoke to who left the same day they arrived were simply exhausted.“ - Christy Smith


“The trail was tough mainly because of the altitude - at sea level this would have been a relatively easy 'walk-up' for a fit person.“ - Norman Meehan
“It is nice to stay in modern hotels and travel on trains, but let your guides take you to the markets and try and fit in a stay with a local family to get an idea of life in Peru.“ - Chris Simmons
“Have some Soles in small denominations as change is very hard to find.“ - Keith Charters