It’s no surprise that every keen adventure traveller wants to take on the Inca Trail and witness the mighty Machu Picchu in all its glory. The Inca were a highly organised civilisation and created many paths throughout the Andes in a network they called Qhapaq Ñan. The most famous of all the paths is known simply as Camino Inca or The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the royal route to the remnants of the breathtaking mountaintop city of Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail is a classic example of why the journey is often just as fantastic as the final destination itself. Along the pathways you will witness various other Incan archeological sites as well as lush Andean scenery, often sharing the walkways with llamas and other wildlife.
A permit is required before you commence the Inca Trail trek. The trail is also closed during February for conservation and cleaning. In order to preserve the Inca Trail Trek and its surrounds, the Peruvian authorities cap the number of Inca Trail trekking permits to 500 per day. This number includes trekkers, guides, porters and other support staff. Permits often sell out several months in advance and you must book well ahead to secure your place, particularly if you want to trek in the high season between May and September.
The trek will be led by an experienced guide with extensive local historical and archaeological knowledge. You will pass many Inca ruins along the way and your guide will conduct short tours wherever it is possible to do so. A team of porters will carry all equipment leaving you with just a small daypack to carry. The cook will prepare three meals a day (while camping) plus provide hot drinks and snacks.
All camping gear (tents are two person) and cooking equipment is supplied (except sleeping bags). Each day the porters will overtake the group to arrive in camp well in advance. This gives them plenty of time to set up camp and start to prepare dinner. Tents are two person A-frame style and there is a communal dining tent for eating and staying dry if it rains. Sleeping mats are provided and these will be laid out in the tents by the porters. When you get into camp you will be able to collect your duffle bag and access your clothes/toiletries. The porters usually also provide a small bowl of warm water, soap and a small flannel / towel for every person to wash their hands when reaching camp and each morning. Campfires are not permitted so there is not a lot to do after dinner and most people retire to bed early. Please note that campsites are subject to change depending on availability. You will be advised at the Inca Trail trek briefing of the exact campsites you will be staying at.
Your porters, guides and cooks have amazing strength, stamina and skill and generally make your trek a thoroughly enjoyable and hassle-free experience by helping to setup camp every day, prepare meals and carry extra luggage. Most people would almost certainly not be able to complete the trek without them. It is therefore commonly accepted that porters, guides and cooks are all tipped well. On a Tucan Travel group tour, we include the tips in the tour cost to ensure that all porters and other Inca Trail staff are tipped fairly and equally.
You will need a good warm sleeping bag for the Inca Trail trek. Where possible we recommend you bring your own sleeping bag, however adequate ones can be hired locally (for approximately US$15) but we can take no responsibility for the standard. If you are planning to hire a bag it is a good idea to bring a silk sleeping bag liner to use inside for added warmth and comfort.
A four season* (or -10) bag is recommended for the winter months. At other times you will probably be fine in a 3 season (or -4/-5) bag although this depends on how much you feel the cold and is given as a guideline only. Roll mats are provided on the Inca Trail however for greater comfort and warmth, Thermarest style mattresses can also be hired in Cusco for US$15.
*Please note: If you are travelling in winter and you do not wish to invest in a 4 season bag you may want to consider purchasing a 3 season bag plus a sleeping bag liner and bringing additional clothing
Good quality, comfortable footwear is essential. Whatever you wear on your feet the most important thing is comfort. It is vital to ensure your boots are well worn in and lightweight. Ankle support and waterproofing is recommended but if you already have something comfortable with good grip on rocks then don’t go rushing out to buy new boots – you are better off with your well worn in pair! Make sure you back a pair of flip-flops/thongs in your duffel bag too. There’s nothing like feeling letting your feet ‘air’ after a long day of trekking in hiking boots.
During the Inca Trail trek your main luggage will be stored in Cuzco and you will receive a small duffle bag at your Inca Trail briefing (which will be held the evening before you start the trek) to pack clothes for 3-4 days. Your team of porters will carry these bags together with the food and equipment for the trail. Please note that you will not have access to these items until the end of each day as the porters will always be ahead of the group and you should therefore bring a day pack in which you can carry personal belongings such as your camera, water and sunscreen etc. By Peruvian law the duffle bag carried by the porters must not weigh more than 5kg (10lbs) which is to include your sleeping bag – this limit is set to protect the health of porters. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 5kg, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra amount together with your day pack. For more details on packing for the Inca Trail please see our handy packing list blog.
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