The Inca Trail is the most famous trek in South America and rated by many in the worlds top 5 treks. It combines beautiful scenery, lush cloud-forest, subtropical jungle and a stunning mix of Inca paving stones and ruins. The climax of the trek is Machu Picchu, the mysterious "Lost City of the Incas". You can make the most of your trek with this handy guide.
There are two main routes to machu picchu. The classic 4 day inca trail trek, this can become booked up in the high season between June and August so you are advised to book early. The alternative is a more arduous 7 day inca trail hike via Salkantay, a marvellous snow capped mountain. See our overview of inca trail tours for more information.
The Inca Trail is high in the Peruvian Andes. The city of Cusco serves as the base for tours and trips to Machu Picchu. There are short flights to Cusco from Lima, Arequipa, Iquitos and Puno. There are also bus services from Arequipa (10 hours), Nazca (14 hours), Puno (8 hours) and Lima (20 hours).
The classic Inca Trail Trek is 25 miles and takes four days. The distance is not that great but the altitude can cause problems and you will need several days to acclimatise. The trail has a minimum altitude of 2650m at the ruins of Llactapata on day 1. The maximum altitude of the trail is 4200m at "dead woman's pass" on day 2. If you have a a reasonable level of fitness you will be able to complete the trail.
The best months for trekking the inca trail are from May to September when the weather is drier and sunny. During the months of June July and August there is a high demand and permits for the trail can sell out months in advance. Our featured tour operator can reserve your space on the trail. During February the trail is closed for conservation work. Check our Machu Picchu Weather Guide
Citizens of the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA do not need to arrange a Visa before travelling to Peru. At Peruvian immigration control you will be issued with a visa valid for between 30 and 183 days provided that you have a valid passport and a return ticket or ticket for onward travel. Other nationalities should check with the Peruvian embassy.
Flights to Peru can cost as little as £550, provided you book more than 4 weeks in advance and are flexible on your route and dates. During peak times you may need to book further in advance for the cheapest fares. Most flights will involve a connection in either Madrid (Iberia), Sao Paolo (Tam Brazil), Amsterdam (KLM), or the USA (Continental and American Airlines). The most direct route is via Madrid to Lima with Iberia airlines. When travelling throughout Peru it's good to have an idea of bus and air routes. It's useful to have a guide book like thelonely planet to help plan your itinerary.
For more Inca Trail information, including alternative routes and walking holiday options see the Inca Trail Tours page. Before you depart for Machu Picchu make sure you read our Top Tips.