The Inca Trail that leads to the famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Cusco, is one of the most popular and well-known excursions in Peru. The walk from Kilometer 43 groups a series of Inkas archaeological remains incredibly preserved. Along the route the natural landscape is impressive, with incredible views of snow-capped mountains and the cloud forest.
Visitors from all over the world come to Peru, not only to see Machu Picchu, one of the Seven New Wonders of the World, but also to do the Inca Trail. Permits for the Inca Trail are in high demand, due to the limited number of entries per day. Many times these permits are difficult to obtain as availability decreases as the high season approaches (June-August), which is not surprising since this route is one of the best in its kind.
The Inca Trail starts from a point in the Sacred Valley, called Kilometer 88. To begin the journey, cross a narrow bridge in Kusicancha, and then go to the left side of a eucalyptus forest. This trip is not suitable for people with heart disease, since it goes above 4600 masl. The path winds up, down and around the mountains on the ancient stone carved stairs, and then follows three steps of high Andean mountains, one of them with a disturbing name, Dead women Pass. Once at the top, when it is possible to catch your breath, you will surely be amazed again by the truly spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains of the Cordillera del Vilcanota. On the way visitors can experience a series of microclimates and observe the changes in flora and fauna, typical of the high Andes and the cloud forest as well as the enormous biological diversity of the Amazon.
Four days later, hikers will arrive in the magnificent city of Machu Picchu, discovered more than 100 years ago by an American professor by the name of Hiram Bingham. Arriving at Machu Picchu in the morning and seeing the sunrise is a worthy sight to be appreciated and completing the Camino del Inca is one of the best sensations in the world! Once in Machu Picchu you will climb to the top of Huayna Picchu for an incomparable view of the Historical Sanctuary, the neighboring town of Aguas Calientes and the Urubamba Valley.
Food on the Inca Trail
Steak, fish, cake, fruit carved in the shape of birds, animals or others. Believe it or not, all these things will be cooked for our cook on the Inca trail. Not just edible. Our cooks are specialized to prepare different dishes for you.
When hiking the Inca Trail, you must go with a licensed guide, porters and cook. Our chef is trained at a professional culinary. The dishes he create in a tent on the mountainside is absolutely incredible.
Each meal, breakfast included, consists of several dishes. Lunch and dinner usually start with a soup to warm, a few rounds of entrees including fish, steak, chicken and pasta, some additional sides, and dessert. All of that hiking work up an appetite.
First Day
Lunch:
- Fruit: bananas and apples
- Vegetarian or chicken Shepherd's Pie with cooked vegetables
- Choice of hot drinks
Tea Time:
- Cream Crackers
- Choice of hot drinks
Dinner:
- Vegetable Soup
- Roast Chicken or Tortilla with mashed potatoes and rice
- Local Hot Chili Salad
- Choice of hot drinks
Second Day
B'Fast:
- Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate, Milk and Coca Tea
- Bread, butter and jam
- Fruit Salad with Yoghurt and Muesli
Lunch:
- Minute Soup
- Pasta Salad with mushrooms and peas (sausage optional)
- Stuffed Hot Pepper with vegetables, peanut and sweet potato
- Special Tuna Salad
- Choice of hot drinks
Tea Time:
- Popcorn
- Choice of hot drinks
Dinner:
- Cream of Asparagus
- Spaghetti a la Napolitana or Bolognesa, with parmesan cheese
- Choice of hot drinks
- Dessert
Third Day
B'Fast:
- Pancakes with corn syrup
- Fruit Porridge
- Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate, Milk and Coca Tea
- Bread, butter and jam
Lunch:
- Tomato Soup
- Curried Rice with cooked vegetables
- Spicy Tuna Salad with Cucumber
- Roasted Yucca and Potato
- Vegetable Pasta Salad
- Choice of hot drinks
Tea Time:
- Sweet Papadum with Toffee Sauce
- Choice of hot drinks
Dinner:
- Pasta with vegetables, parmesan cheese and sauce cream
- Red wine
- Dessert-jell-o and peaches
Fourth Day
B'Fast:
- Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate and Coca Tea
- Pancakes with caramel or corn syrup
- Bread, butter and jam
- Fruit porridge
Other Hiking tours to Machu Picchu
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
- Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days
- Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 days
- Inca Quarry Trail 4 Days
- 2 Day Inca Trail Tour
- 2 Day Inca Trail with Camping
- 3 Day Inca Trail
- Vilcabamba Hike to Machu Picchu 6 days
- Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu 9 days
- Ausangate trek 7 days
If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu Ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your Vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.
When is the best time to hike to Machu Picchu?
The best season is during the dry season, which covers the months April to the end of September. In October the rains begin and you can find Machu Picchu covered by clouds. If you travel in June, we recommend you to book the Inti Raymi 2025 Tour that takes place in June 24th, and also hike the Palcoyo Mountain Tour, which is an incredible Rainbow Mountain located in the Andes.
