The Inca Trail

Traversing the Andes mountains and reaching heights of over 5,000 m (16,500 feet) above sea level, the trails connected the regions of the Inca empire from the northern provincial capital in Quito, Ecuador past the modern city of Santiago, Chile in the south.

Because the Incas did not make use of the wheel for transportation, and did not have horses until the arrival of the Spanish in Peru in the 16th century, the trails were used almost exclusively by people walking, sometimes accompanied by pack animals, usually the llama.

The trails were used by the Inca people as a means of relaying messages, carried via knotted-cord quipu and by memory; and for transporting goods.

By far the most popular of the Inca trails for trekking is the Capaq Nan trail, which leads from the village of Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu. There are many well-preserved ruins along the way, and hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world make the three- or four-day trek each year, accompanied by trekking guides.

The Classic Capaq Nan Trail (four-day trek)

Arriving at km82 we begin this challenging 42km walk. Your guide will also allow ample time to explain and explore the several ruins which line the trail. As the second day includes the highest point of the trail, it is physically, the most demanding. Be prepared for this tough trail and if you’re moderately fit, it will be achievable. We stop frequently to investigate the many ruins along the route, as well as pausing to take in the spectacular views which greet us along the way. However, on reaching 4200m you will realise an amazing sense of achievement.

Camping the final night close to our destination, we explore the Winay Winay ruins – a terraced hillside overlooking the valley below and a fantastic entrée to the ruins of Machu Picchu, the so-called "Lost City of the Incas".

Waking early, we complete the final part of the trek prior to dawn. Climbing the steps to the Sun Gate, we all hope for a sunny and clear day ahead. After we have had a guided tour the site, there is ample time to independently explore, before catching the train back to Cuzco this evening.

Tours that do the Inca trail are listed below -

Inca Trail Permits and how to book

In an effort to preserve and protect the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the Peruvian governing bodies have taken drastic measures in the past few years to limit the amount of people hiking the Trail. As of March 2004, no more than 500 people (including support staff) per day are allowed on the Inca Trail and this number is strictly adhered to. As Sustainable Tourism is constantly at the forefront of our business philosophy, Gap Adventures is happy to work within the framework of these regulations in order to properly protect the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. Our company policies regarding the Inca Trail are put in place in order to guarantee an excellent passenger experience and also as a way to directly address these issues and make sure that this information is clear and understood.

The rules and regulations controlling the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are continually changing and it is important to be aware of the issues detailed in this document before embarking on your adventure to Peru.

Current Inca Trail Regulations

As stated above, no more than 500 people per day are allowed to start the Inca Trail trek at km. 82. This number includes all support staff (ie. porters, cooks and guides) and is very tightly controlled. Once this limit of 500 people is reached, the Trail is effectively closed off for the day and no further bookings can be made. Reservations are not held on the Trail and all permits to trek must be bought as far as possible in advance with complete and correct passport information, to which no modifications can be made. Any attempts at modifications result in a loss of the permit and any money paid.

• Bookings made 65 days or more before the Inca Trail portion* of any tour that includes the Inca Trail, should proceed without any issue if we receive the following pieces of information:
• Full name (exactly as it appears on the passport)
• Date of birth
• Passport number
• Nationality
• Date of passport expiry

Bookings between 64 and 31 days before the Inca Trail portion* of any tour will be taken on a request basis.

Please Note: The passport number and name that is submitted to us, at time of confirmation, will be used to purchase the Inca Trail permit. This passport number and name will be used to identify yourself as you enter the check point at the start of the trail and throughout the hike. If this information does not match the information you have submitted at time of confirmation, then you will be subject to delay, fine, and/or cancellation of admission to the Inca Trail.

*When booking any trip involving the Inca Trail, please book as far in advance as possible in order to increase the possibility of securing space on the Trail during the peak periods of the year.

Alternatives to trekking the Inca Trail

If you have always dreamed of trekking the Inca Trail be warned – the numbers are strictly controlled and the trail is periodically closed due to maintenance and/or inclement weather. So please book early!

The Lares Trek

If the Inca Trail is unavailable we will offer the Lares Trek as an alternative. With its breathtaking passes, glacial lakes and hot springs, this less crowded option, which also ends with a full day’s visit to Machu Picchu, is thought to be more spectacular and has more to offer than the Inca Trail (includes 2 nights camping, 1 night hotel – Aguas Calientes & comprehensive tour of Machu Picchu).

Machu Picchu By Train

If you’re not one of these people and would rather set your weary head upon a comfy pillow than spend 2-3 days hiking either Trail, then why not spend those days in the relative comfort of your Cuzco Hotel? On the day before the group reaches Machu Picchu, you will travel by train to Aguas Calientes and overnight. The next morning we take the bus to the Machu Picchu entrance and rendezvous with the hikers at the ruins (includes 2 nights Cuzco, 1 night Aguas Calientes & comprehensive tour of Machu Picchu). See our Machu Picchu by Train bolt-on for further details.

Please specify either preference when making your reservation.

What to Pack

The following items are recommended for the Inca Trail:

• Inner sheet (for sleeping bag)
• Fair sized daypack
• Wool hat, mitts or gloves (preferably waterproof)
• Rain poncho
• Strong plastic bags to help keep gear dry
• Sleeping bag (this can also be hired locally for approximately $10 USD)
• Mattress (a foam mattress is included as part of the hike; self inflating type mattresses are available for hire locally)
• Anti-inflammatory tablets (e.g. Ibuprofen)

Note: If bringing a walking stick, it must be rubber tipped as steel tips are not allowed on the Inca trail.

All other camping equipment is provided for the Inca Trail excursion. Porters carry the camping gear, food, and a portion of your personal belongings. All you will need to carry is a day-pack, containing waterproof jacket, fleece top, camera, water bottle, snacks, sunscreen, and hat during the hike.

In our continued effort to support the rights of the porters on the Inca Trail we would like ensure that they never exceed the weight limit for their packs as set out by the Peruvian authorities. Porters are allowed to carry no more than 6Kg of personal belongings per hiker. That means that including your sleeping bag, toiletries, clothing, etc... you are allowed a total weight of 6KG for the hike which will be carried in a duffle bag provided by our local office. Any additional weight must then be carried by you in your day pack. To help achieve this goal we recommend that you carry travel sized toiletries, eg. contact lens solution, that you bring sport sandals that can be worn with socks (which are lighter than running/walking shoes) and that you limit electronics such as MP3 players to those that you are willing to carry.