Janine Kelso takes a practical look at walking the Inca Trail as part of a feature on less crowded alternatives to Peru’s world-famous trek
The four-day Inca Trail starts from the Sacred Valley of Urumbamba and passes through cloudforest, moorland and ruins before arriving at dawn at the dramatic city of Machu Picchu.
Regulations
Only 500 people a day are permitted to trek the Inca Trail. Many of the spaces are used up by guides, porters and cooks, leaving about 200 places for trekkers.
Tourists must book through authorised agencies, to who they pay a non-refundable £150 deposit. Visitors are advised to book the Inca Trail about six months in advance.
The trail closes in February for maintenance.
What you need to take
Clothing
- Sunhat
- Waterproof clothes
- Two t-shirts
- Two pairs of trousers
- Two pairs of shorts
- Two long-sleeved shirts
- Fleece
Footwear
- Comfortable footwear, preferably walking boots
Essentials
- Sleeping bag
- Toilet paper
- Water bottle
- Torch
Health and wellbeing
- Water purification tables
- Insect repellent
- First-aid kit
When to go
The Inca Trail can be wet and dangerous during the winter. The best time to go is during the dry spring and summer months, from April to October, although waiting times can be four months or more.
Sample product
Cox and Kings offers the 10-night Inca Trail private journey, featuring the three-day trek, plus stays in Lima, Cusco and at the Machu Picchu Inn, for £2,595 per person, including flights, accommodation with most meals, transfers and excursions (020 7873 5000).
Useful links
- Inca Trial Peru [Independent travel advice site]
- Inca road system [Wikipedia]
- Inca Trail [Peru Tourism Board website]
- Find out what happened when our Mystery Shopper tested agents in Burton-on-Trent on an Inca Trail booking…
