Walking The Inca Trail (Everything You Need To Know For 2024)
Are you thinking of walking the Inca Trail? Then you’ve come to the right place where we share everything you need to know about this incredible Andean hike.
The Inca Trail combines unbelievable mountain precipices, cloud forests, glacial peak views and wildlife all into one memorable hike. It’s all known for its well-preserved ancient archaeological ruins too, such as Wiñay Wayna, Sayaqmarca and Intipata which were all once important sites of the Inca civilization.
In this guide we’ll share everything you need to know about walking the Inca Trail. This includes the route length, the difficulty, picking the right season as well as how to best prepare before your walk.
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Important Things To Know Before Walking The Inca Trail
Below we’ll now cover the most important things you’ll need to know about the Inca Trail, which are great for setting the right kind of expectations before beginning your hike.
The Inca Trail Route And Detailed Map
The Classic Four Day Inca Trail follows a circuit of 43km that winds around towering mountains, and also passes through cloud forests and the high Amazon Jungle.
Below in the map we can see the starting point begins at the trailhead of Km 82 (also known as Piscacucho), and on the first day we will pass along remote villages and see ruins such as Llactapata and Salapunku.
Days two and three take us through some of the more impressive and epic sceneries. Day two has more classic mountain vistas where we hike over the Dead Woman’s Pass, and where we will also see Runkurakay and wild Alpacas grazing along the route. Day three is located in the cloud forest, where we will see formidable ruins like Sayaqmarca and Wiñay Wayna and potentially spot animals like the rare Spectacled Bear and emblematic Cock-of-the-rock Bird.
Our final day ends the circuit by hiking to the Sun Gate and into Machu Picchu. From here we will then begin to take buses as well as the comfortable train ride back to Cusco where we finish the tour.
How Long Does It Take To Walk The Inca Trail?
The Full Inca Trail route takes four days to complete, although there is also a longer five day option for those who want more flexibility where you can spend longer at each site (it’s also less physically demanding since you’ll walk less each day).
Usually you’ll be walking between 5-8 hours each day along the path, however it’s important to remember that everyone is different and has different capabilities (so may take less time or longer). For this reason it’s vital to maintain a rhythm that is good for you personally, and to not rush yourself where you can risk burning out too quickly. The Inca Trail is a marathon and not a spirit, after all!
It’s also important to know that there is also a Shorter 2 Day Inca Trail trek, which is perfect for those who have less time available. Whilst also culminating at Machu Picchu at the very end, this option follows a different route so you will see different scenery and archaeological sites before reaching the Incan ruins of Wiñay Wayna.
Is The Inca Trail Hard To Walk?
This really depends on you and your own fitness levels and hiking abilities, however in general we could class the Inca Trail trek as a moderately difficult hike.
The most difficult part of the trail will be the uphill stretches, and especially those that you’ll need to walk up on day two (which includes hiking over Dead Woman’s Pass and also through Rukunkuray Pass. Again this is why we recommend following a physical preparation plan prior to the trek, which will help improve your overall experience.
It’s also important to mention other factors that can also influence how difficult the route is. The altitude of this trek can be challenging for some (with a peak elevation of 4215m), however in general it is one of the easiest and lowest altitude multi-day treks around the Cusco region. Hiking the wet season may be a bit more challenging too as you’ll have to be more focused when walking on slippery stretches – however it’s still worth it given the incredible green scenery you’ll get to witness during these times!
Below you can check out our Vlog that we made with George when he walked the Inca Trail with us in January.
Preparing For Your Inca Trail Walk
Now that you’ve decided to take on the Inca Trail, it’s now time to prepare properly. Below we’ll cover the most important things to check-off before heading over to Peru.
Choosing The Right Season To Walk The Inca Trail
There are two main seasons you can choose between, which both offer different experiences as well as their own pros and cons.
Firstly we have the dry season that runs from May until October, which is the overall most popular time to hike the Inca Trail. The advantages here are clear blue skies and very little rainfall, which are perfect hiking conditions. The main disadvantages are that the trail will be at its most busy this month (you’ll need to book several months before to guarantee your spot), and that evening temperatures will be colder.
The other option is to walk the Inca Trail during the wet season, which begins in early November and lasts until April. The benefits of this time are more green and fresh landscapes, and also that there will be fewer hikers on the path (making it a much more quiet and authentic experience). Whilst temperatures will also be warmer, the overall higher levels of rainfall will be the main disadvantage here. It’s important to know that as a result of the bad weather, the Inca Trail is closed during the month of February every year where conditions are at their most difficult.
How Fit Do You Have To Be To Walk The Inca Trail?
Whilst many think that you have to be a super athlete or in the best shape of your life to complete the Inca Trail, this is really not true. Overall you’ll need to have a basic level of fitness before starting the hike, which means that you’ll want to be able to walk for at least 6 hours a day without too much difficulty.
Again this is where preparing properly the months prior will really help you to have an easier and more enjoyable experience. It’s also important to note that regardless of your current abilities, you’ll also want to properly acclimate to the higher altitudes beforehand which can sometimes make things difficult.
Dealing With Altitude Sickness When Walking The Inca Trail
One of the biggest challenges that travelers face when heading to the Cusco region is the higher altitude, which can sometimes cause altitude sickness symptoms.
Thankfully the Inca Trail is not so high when compared with other treks here (elevations range from 2430m to 4215), so most people have little issues when walking the route. However it’s still recommended to acclimate in the city of Cusco for a few days beforehand, which is located at a convenient altitude of 3399m.
Everyone reacts differently to being at higher altitudes, so you may find you are perfectly fine or have to manage a few symptoms along the trek. As a result we recommend preparing just in case you do get affected, which includes bringing Coca Leaves and Soroche Pills which help prevent altitude sickness symptoms.
Booking Your Inca Trail Permit And Tour
Once you are ready to hike along the spectacular route of the Inca Trail, it’s now time to book in your tour.
It’s important to know that you must head with a licensed operator, and that you cannot head along the trek independently. There are only two entrances into the route, and they will only allow entry to those who have an Inca Trail Permit and are also accompanied by an authorized guide.
Here at AB Expeditions we operate our official Four Day Inca Trail Trek which covers the classic route right from the beginning until Machu Picchu. As well as walking with professional guides, you will also have all transport, meals, high quality equipment (such as comfortable tents and trekking poles) and your entrance permits to both the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu all included.
Our Very Best Tips For Walking The Inca Trail
Having organized successful Inca Trail hikes for many years now, we have picked up various helpful tips which we will now share below to help you have the best experience possible.
Take Physical Preparation Seriously Beforehand
Being in good shape before starting your route is highly suggested, which is why we recommend following a fitness plan for at least a couple of months beforehand. This also includes acclimating well in Cusco before your trek. The reason for this is that you’ll be able to enjoy your experience much more if you aren’t struggling the entire way!
Book At Least 6 Months In Advance
Whilst you may get lucky and find available Inca Trail spots closer to the time, we highly recommend booking your spot well in advance. Not only does this guarantee your place and give you plenty of time to prepare for the trek, you’ll also have a much better chance of securing the very best camping spots along the route (which can otherwise sell out fast).
Get Inspired For Your Inca Trail Walk
Whilst you’ll most likely have already heard of the more famous sites like Machu Picchu and the Dead Woman’s Pass, it’s also worth learning about the other hidden highlights along the way. This includes sites like Sayaqmarca, Wiñay Wayna and Runkurakay Pass, all of which you’ll be excited to keep trekking towards each new day.
Overview Of Walking The Inca Trail
And that’s all for this guide on everything you need to know about walking the Inca Trail.
One the most famous four day archaeological treks on the planet, the Inca Trail is a true bucket list item for anyone that wants to visit Peru here in South America. Not only can we see fantastic sites and breathtaking Andean landscapes, we can also enjoy authentic culture every step of the way too.
Are you ready for your own Inca Trail adventure? Book your Four Day Inca Trail Tour with us today and make your own dream of hiking this sacred route a reality!