Inca Trail planning & trekking tips
Inca Trail permits
Inca Trail permits for each season's trekking are released the previous October. So For the 2020 trekking season, which begins in March, it is expected that permits will go on sale in October 2019. As with all permits, these can only be obtained via a licenced tour operator. There are a maximum of 500 permits per day for the Inca Trail, but as 300 of these are used by porters and guides, they sell out very quickly - especially for the peak trekking months of June, July and August, when it's recommended to book at least six months in advance. December, January and March tend to sell out slowest, as these are the wettest months (the trail closes for maintenance each February).
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.
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
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
Hiking the Inca trail holiday
An unrivalled combination of history and spectacular scenery
From
£2049 to £2549
11 days
inc UK flights
Peruvian Andes trekking holiday to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu with an International Guide and Doctor.
From
£2309
14 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 and Inca Trail small group tour
Take in all the best that Peru has to offer
From
£1295
15 days
ex 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 in depth and the Inca Trail holiday
Peru's stunning highlights with trekking the Inca Trail
From
£3208 to £3474
21 days
inc UK flights
Peru small group holiday, Inca Trail & Lake Titicaca
Exciting journey into enchanting Peru from Amazon to Andes
From
£2735 to £3080
21 days
ex flights
Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trekking holiday, Peru
Choquequirao - trek to a lost Inca City, Peru
From
£950
7 days
ex flights
19 day Peru tour, Incas and Amazon
A mix of ancient culture with adventurous and adrenaline induced activities
From
£1845
19 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 walking and cultural holiday
Trek the cultural sites and mountain scenery of Peru
From
£1917
10 days
ex flights
Peru multi activity holiday, bike, climb and hike
Go on a breath-taking adventure along the Inca Trail
From
£1950
10 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
Learn Spanish in Peru & trek the Inca trail
Inca trek & relaxed, professional Spanish lessons
From
£1184
13 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
Family Peru tour, 22 days
An unforgettable family adventure through Peru
From
£3675
22 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
Peru and Inca trail small group holiday
Travel from the Andes to the Amazon
From
£1885 to £2135
12 days
ex flights
Ancascocha 5 day trek in Peru
Off the beaten trek to Machu Picchu
From
£620 to £669
5 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
Classic Inca Trail holiday, 10 days
10-days: Lima, Cusco, 4-day Inca Trail & Machu Picchu
From
£1695
10 days
ex flights
Family Machu Picchu and Inca Trail holiday
Trek along the famous mountain trail to Machu-Picchu
From
£2999
15 days
inc UK flights
Family adventure holiday in Peru, Inca & Amazon
Pretty Sherpa villages and spectacular mountains
From
£3399 to £3699
16 days
inc UK flights
Tailormade holiday in Peru, Inca Trail & Amazon
Walk the Inca Trail with private guide, without the crowds
From
£5330
13 days
ex flights
Galapagos and Machu Picchu holiday
Cusco, Short Inca Trail & Galapagos Island Hopping
From
£3285
14 days
ex flights
Inca trail trekking holiday
Andean adventure small group holiday
From
£1928 to £2311
11 days
inc UK flights
18-29's Inca Trail hiking trip, Peru
Get straight down to business and up the Inca Trail.
From
£792 to £1035
6 days
ex flights
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
Simon Forster is the co-founder of our supplier, The Beyond Tourism Co. Here is his tip for planning your trek to Machu Picchu: "Make sure you know if you're getting a private guide or if you're part of a bigger group. People sometimes don't realise they could be added to a bigger group, even if they've booked a tailor made tour. The nature of the trail means you will always end up walking with other people anyway, but it does mean you won't have a guide to yourself."
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
Peruvian Andes trekking holiday to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu with an International Guide and Doctor.
From
£2309
14 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2020: 16 Sep, 1 Oct
2021: 10 Jul, 7 Aug, 11 Sep, 9 Oct
2020: 16 Sep, 1 Oct
2021: 10 Jul, 7 Aug, 11 Sep, 9 Oct
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.
Inca Trail tips from our travellers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
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.
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.
Plan for a few extra days in Cuzco and around the Sacred Valley, there is a lot to see apart from the trail.![]()
- Panagiotis Christakos
“You need your passport for the Inca trail!“ - Keren Jones
“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
“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
Take some gifts for the kids. We chose crayons and paper and were amazed at how appreciative they were.![]()
- Matthew Smith
“Listen to the advice of your guides who really know their stuff. As they say, it's not a race and 'the last is first'.“ - Linda James
“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
“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
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.
In between trekking, you can learn about archaeology, visit local communities and stay with your porters. The Inca Trail is about so much more than Machu Picchu.
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.
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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