Booking the Inca Trail: Step-by-Step Guide

In March 2012, I did the 4-day, 3-night Inca Trail trek. I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of tour companies and different options for a single hike. That said, I knew what I wanted to do: (1) Walk the traditional ‘Camino Inka’, (2) Camp under the stars, and (3) Descend through the Sun Gate and into the Machu Picchu ruins during sunrise. If this the Inca Trail experience you want, follow these 5 steps below.

1. Check Inca Trail permit availability

• Before you can book a trek, you’ll need to confirm which dates have permits available to hikers: https://www.inca-trail.com.pe/dispo/
• You will need an official permit and licensed guide — these are strict requirements, regardless of the tour company you choose. Therefore, if someone is trying to sell you a trek on a date that’s fully booked, it’s a definite fraud. All tour companies are required to book a permit with your name and your passport number.
• The Peruvian Government has a website showing real-time permit availability. As the number of daily hikers is capped at 500 people, you will want to plan your trip in advance.

2. Choose a trekking date

• You may get lucky and find last-minute availability (especially in October / November, but those months can be especially rainy and wet).
• The trail is closed in February, the wettest and most dangerous month of the year (flooding and mudslides do happen on the trail).
• I visited in March and would strongly recommend mid-to-late March. It’s the tail end of their wet season, the hills are lush and green, the mountaintops are still snow-capped, and the overnight temperatures aren’t too frigid.

3. Book a trek with Llama Path

• THE best tour company on the trail is Llama Path, bar none
• They aren’t the cheapest company around, but they’re service and knowledge are worth every penny.
• During my time on the trail, I frequently saw tour companies with 15-20 people per guide. On the other hand, the week I hiked, Llama Path had a much more manageable group of seven people per guide.
• You should also consider that your tour company will be supplying you food, water, and shelter during for the four days you’re on the trail. The quality of the food and water will be crucial to your rest and stamina. Not a single person in my camp was sick, but I can’t say the same for other groups we saw on the trail.
• Lastly, Llama Path was the most organized company on the trail, which allowed us to have the best campsites during my 3 nights there. We were always close to bathroom facilities and running water, and our prime location gave us an opportunity to get a head start on the day.

4. Choose a route and your amenities

• The traditional ‘Camino Inka’ is a 42 km (30 mi) 4-day Trek. From the trail’s highest point, Dead Woman’s Pass, which sits at 4,215m (13,828 ft), the trails descend nearly 1,800 m (5,905 ft) before finally reaching Machu Picchu. Here’s a map that illustrates numerous the elevation changes.
• To accommodate slower-paced hikers, Llama Path offers a 5-day Trek as well. According to their website, this options is recommended for travelers aged 60+.
• As part of your route booking, you will need to select how much gear Llama Path will need to provide (e.g. tents, sleeping bags, etc.). The Inca Trail is the only source of monetary income for many of the Quechuan people, and as such, it’s highly recommended to book at least one porter per person. They’ll carry all of your gear and you’ll help provide these people with income for their families and rural villages.

5. Finalize your plan

• Lastly, there are a few ‘add ons’ you can do once you’ve booked your trip:
  • If you prefer, you can stay an extra day at Aguas Caliente, the town just below the ruins. In my opinion, it’s worth visiting Machu Picchu on multiple days as you’ll never know what the weather will bring. Plus, an extra day at the site will allow you to recover from the hike in the natural hot springs.
  • The mountain sitting behind the postcard Machu Picchu shot is called Huayna Picchu. It’s also littered with Ruins, and if you’re brave enough to take this spiraled, narrow path to the top, you’ll be rewarded with a view very few visitors see. Like the ruins themselves, there is a limit to the number of people that can climb this peak. As such, I encourage you to book this in advance, when you obtain your trail permit.
• Take a first class train back to Cusco. After ‘camping’ for multiple days, you’ll want a comfortable place to nap. It’s definitely worth the few extra dollars.
• Check out the Llama Path website for other great resources, including packing tips and FAQs.

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