Estimate Cost : USD

Time Needed : 180 days 00 hours 00 minutes

How To Book The Inca Trail

1. Table of Contents

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   When to Book the Inca Trail

   There is no right or wrong time to book this particular hike.  The only time during the year it is completely certain that the Inca Trail won’t be running is February.
   
   During this particular month (which is also the wettest month in the Peruvian highlands) the classic Inca trail is going through maintenance work. 
   
   If you want to check out what the differences in season are for the Cusco, Machu Picchu, and all the hikes, please check out the article Machu Picchu Weather. It’ll point out which months fall under the wet or dry season, what to expect from each one, and lastly, which best fits your travel timeline.

2. Choosing Inca Trail Dates in Advance

   Once you have gone through the article where we go over both wet and dry seasons, and you have a better idea of when you’d like to book the Inca trail, Congratulations! The hard part is done.
   
   Now that you’ve pinpointed what season you’d like to hike, it’s time to make sure the availability is high. 
   
   Let’s take the example of booking the Inca trail in June of this year.  By now, there are no more permits available.
   
   June falls under the high season for trekking to Machu Picchu, and most likely, permits have been issued already.  Normally, if someone wants to take this hike in June, they would likely need to have made their reservation by October of the previous year. 
   
   Remember to have a good idea of what dates you would like to start the hike and take into consideration that you will need to arrive in Cusco a few days beforehand to acclimate to the elevation.  
   
   We have a great section on how to acclimate to the elevation in our 10 Day Peru Itinerary article which you are free to look into. It details the time required, items that should help, exercise routine, meals, etc.

3. Inca Trail Group Size Matters

   Now that you’ve successfully selected dates for the start of your hike, we can move on to group sizes.  This is also a key part in booking the Inca trail. There are 3 different group sizes for the classic Inca trail. 
   
   The first is a larger group. These can be as large as 20 – 30 travelers. This does not include the guides or porters who carry your camping equipment, not to mention the cooks who also come along for the trip. 
   
   With larger groups you will find slightly cheaper pricing, you might need to share a tent with someone if you are a solo traveler. This can add to the fun or make it quite uncomfortable for some. 
   
   The second option would be a small group Inca trail trail, this is what we specialize on when it comes to hikes.
   
   Our group Inca trail will have anywhere from 4-10 travelers, this does not count the porters, chef and of course the specialized guide. 
   
   The price might be slightly higher; however, you won’t ever have to share a tent with someone you don’t know. The hike also becomes more personalized since you’ll be able to have more time to interact with the guide. 
   
   The final option is to do the hike in private. This does not mean you have to do it by yourself, it just means that you won’t have to be in a group with unknown people.
   
   A private Inca trail tour can mean you are only going to hike with your group of friends, family, etc.  The costs tend to be a bit higher than the general group tours but not by much.
   
   If you bring a big enough group of friends, the cost will be about the same and in some cases much less expensive. A private group of 12 friends will have a cheaper cost/person than the general group tour of 10. This will also be a private group for the guided Machu Picchu tour at the end of the hike.

4. What Is Included When You Book The Inca Trail?

   When you book the Inca trail you receive quite a few services, it’;s not just a permit for hiking the traditional route.  It is more similar to a hiking package due to all the permits, activities, and fees it already includes. It also includes your Machu Picchu Reservations as well as everything detailed below.
   
   The Classic 4 Day Inca Trail Includes:
   
   – Pick up at your hotel in Cusco and transportation to the start of the hike.
   
   – Porters for camping equipment.
   
   – Bilingual guide.
   
   – All meals during the hike (specially meals like vegan or vegetarian are also available as long as we get a heads up first.).
   
   – Official Inca Trail permits.
   
   – Camping equipment/tents.
   
   – Machu Picchu entrance ticket for 6am entrance and 2.5 hour guided tour. 
   
   – Train ticket to Cusco.
   
   

5. What To Pack When You Book The Inca Trail?

   Now that the season and exact dates are set, it’s time to make sure you bring the right equipment. When you book the Inca trail you are getting into a moderate hike that will eventually have you reach 16,000 feet above sea level (4,600 meters).
   
   Depending on the season you might need the following items listed below.
   
   Packing List for the Inca Trail: 
   
   – Hiking shoes (hiking boots aren’t really necessary).
   
   – Trekking style pants.
   
   – Spare of socks (it will get damp and muddy in some parts)
   Easily removable clothing – during the trek, it will range from warm to cold, rainy, maybe some snow, and sunny again. So removing and putting clothing back on easily is key to feeling comfortable. 
   
   – Maybe a set of thermals for the overnight camps.
   
   – Sunscreen – it can be sunny and not warm, but since we are so high in altitude, you can still get pretty sunburnt.
   
   – Chapstick or lip balm – same principle as sunscreen, the dry wind + altitude can do quite a number on your lips.
   
   – Sleeping bags – you can bring your own or you can rent them with us, the cost is of $20/person for the entire trek.  The rest of the camping supplies are provided by us. 
   
   – Backpack – you don’t need a big trekking backpack just something where you can store items you want access to at all times (snacks, water, deodorant, toilet paper, etc.).
   
   – Items such as those (except deodorant) are provided by us but it is always good to have your own. Imagine suddenly having to go to the bathroom and having to wait for the porters to unpack toilet paper? No fun, so it’s just better to have some of these items on hand.
   
   

6. Additions To The Inca Trail Experience

   The Inca trail is an amazing experience all on it’s own, however there are a few activities that can bring the entire Peru experience to another level. 
   
   Since you are already in Peru, it might be a good idea to check out the Sacred Valley tour before the Inca Trail. The tour starts in Cusco and heads to Urubamba, where you’ll visit Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and other towns. 
   
   Lastly you’ll want to visit the Rainbow mountain.  This full day hike which extends from 4am to 7pm should be reserved for the end of your trip once you are fully acclimated. 
   
   The rainbow mountain will eventually take you to over 17,000 feet above sea level (5,000 meters) so it’s best to be prepared.  If you’d also like to check that out please visit The Rainbow Mountain Peru.