Inca Trail Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Inca Trail. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Classic 4-Day Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco

• Short 2-Day Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate

• Inca Trail 4-Day 3-Night Trek to Machu Picchu with Expert Guides

• Inca Trail 4-Day Hiking Tour to Machu Picchu from Cusco

• 4 Day - Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Group Service

To hike the Inca Trail, you must sign up for a guided trek. Most 2-day treks start around US$600; 4-day treks cost at least US$800. Most treks include round-trip transportation from Cusco, meals, Machu Picchu entrance, and luggage porters. It's around US$55 to climb Huayna Picchu.

Yes, the Inca Trail is worth experiencing. This world-famous scenic hike follows an ancient trail riddled with ruins and dramatic archeological sites that only those who walk it get to see up close. Because Peru limits the number of people on the trail per day, it's an exclusive way to immerse yourself in different ecosystems as you ascend and descend the mountain passes. Of course, it culminates with a visit to Machu Picchu, a destination in itself and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Per one customer who booked the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco, "Whilst visiting the Machu Picchu was an enjoyable experience, it was the 3 days hiking beforehand, which turned this into a memorable lifetime experience. It is the perfect example of the value is in the journey and not the goal."

The classic Inca Trail hiking route takes 3–5 days to complete—tour guides can tailor the duration according to their group. Some express tours guide you through the trail in only two days, but you’ll need an excellent level of fitness to complete the challenging trek in such a short time.

The best month to hike the Inca Trail is May—this marks the start of the dry winter season, when conditions are optimum for hiking. The months leading up to October are also optimum and come without the humidity, rain, and influx of insects that the warmer months of November through March bring with them.

The second day of the Inca Trail is considered the most challenging day of the trek. On day two, you’ll climb to the route's highest point at 4,215 meters (13,776 feet). You’ll also spend much of the day climbing steep stone steps.

Don’t expect too many long, hot showers on the Inca Trail. While there are showers at the campsite on day one and day three, the water will likely be cold, and you’ll need to pay extra. Most trekkers opt to go without for the duration of the hike.

No, it’s not recommended to do the Inca Trail in trainers—you’ll need a pair of sturdy hiking boots to contend with the steep and sometimes slippery surfaces you’re likely to encounter. Ensure they’ve a good grip and that you wear them plenty before starting the hike to avoid blisters.

Yes, you can wear shorts on the Inca Trail—though the evenings in the mountains can get cold, during the day in the dry season the weather is warm and sunny. If you’re hiking the Inca Trail during the wet season, wear waterproof hiking pants to protect you from both the rain and a higher volume of insects.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done hiking the Inca Trail. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in the Sacred Valley:

• Machu Picchu

• Quechua Village

• Aguas Calientes

• Lares Trek

• Choquequirao

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in the Sacred Valley.