Hiking is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in nature; you become part of the landscape, not merely an observer. As you climb steep terrain, witness stunning vistas, and feel the fresh air fill your lungs you sense a connection with the natural world. This is no more true than on the Inca Trail—an ancient byway left by a renowned civilization leading to the marvelous and mysterious Machu Picchu.
The Inca Trail is a four-day trek that leads you through cloud forests, mountain tundra, high mountain passes, and along meandering streams. You'll witness some of the most beautiful flora and fauna in the world, dotted with the ruins left by the Incan people. And at the end of the Trail, you'll enter at dawn into Machu Picchu—a spectacular World Heritage site.
While this is a strenuous high-altitude hike, you don't need to be an athlete to achieve it. A little preparation for the months leading up to your journey will prepare you well. (The Stair Climber is your friend for this one!) Your only focus, however, will be on the hike itself as porters will help carry your belongings. On the Trail, your porters will set up camp and you'll sleep amidst the gentle sounds of the forest.
Who Were the Inca People?
Incan culture was rich and diverse, with a complex social hierarchy, sophisticated religious beliefs, and impressive achievements in art, architecture, and agriculture.
The Incan Empire itself was the largest ancient empire in the Western Hemisphere, built through both alliance and conquest. They built a truly remarkable society, complete with impressive architecture and advanced agriculture, without knowing about wheels, horses, or iron—and they didn't even have a written language. Despite the lack of these seemingly basic inventions, they built an extensive network of roads, terraced farms, canals, and great cities, fortresses, and temples using only finely cut stones that fit together without the use of mortar.
Culturally, they had fairly rigid social stratification with nobles holding the political and economic power. Despite that, they sought to provide basic social welfare and reduce poverty by providing basic needs and distributing emergency stores of food when times were hard. They were skilled artists and master agriculturalists, employing techniques like irrigation systems and crop rotation to maximize yields in the harsh Andean highlands. And while they didn't have written language, they did developa complex system of record-keeping using knotted strings called quipus.
In many ways, the Inca are an enigma of history. They didn't have the "basics" like the wheel or writing, yet they built a complex and well-organized society that cared for those in need. Alas, much of the culture was destroyed and lost by Spanish conquistadors in the 1500s. Some ruins remain, including the famous Machu Picchu estate and various ruins all throughout the Sacred Valley, many of which you'll be able to see what remains when you hike the Inca Trail.
Getting to Machu Picchu
At the end of the Inca Trail, on a high ridge surrounded by steep cliffs and dense forests, is the incredible citadel of Machu Picchu. While its purpose is still somewhat of a mystery, it's believed to have been a royal estate for the Incan Emporer. It may also have had religious or astronomical significance as many buildings are aligned with key celestial events.
Machu Picchu was abandoned and ultimately lost around the time of the Spanish conquests. Rediscovered in 1911, the lack of plundering and advanced earthquake-withstanding construction led to remarkable preservation, and today the site is a UNESCO World Heritage site and on many people's bucket list. Hike the Inca Trail and you'll be following the same route the Incan Emperor would've taken to get to his mountain estate.
Planning Your Inca Trail Adventure
The Inca Trail itself is a four-day trek through majestic forests and mountains, but while you're in Peru it's worth adding days in Cusco or other cities to truly immerse yourself in the modern and ancient cultures. Because the Trail is high-altitude (up to 13,769 feet), we also strongly recommend arriving a day or two early to acclimatize.
The Hike itself can be added to any Peruvian or South American vacation for $899 per person, which includes 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners, camping on the trail, and the train ride from Machu Picchu back to Cusco. But we recommend making the most of your journey with additional adventures as well. Here are some of our favorite tours:
Inca Discovery
This 8-day adventure gives you a rich sample of life in the Andean Mountains. Explore the cities of Lima and Peru, or opt into a Peruvian cooking class, before meeting with your small group to explore the beautiful lands and rich historical treasures. You'll have a full-day guided tour of the Sacred Valley that includes meeting with the local Women's Weaving Co-Op and enjoying lunch at a community-run restaurant. Then it's time for the hike, which includes ancient ruins all along the way and some of the best views you'll find in the world. A train brings you back to Cusco at the end of your tour.
| Length | 7 Days |
|---|---|
| Meals | 7 breakfasts 4 lunches 3 dinners |
| Accommodations | Hotels (4 nights) Camping (3 nights) |
|---|---|
| Extras | Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley |
Journey Through the Inca Empire
Go deeper with this incredible South American adventure that includes two countries, pre-Incan ruins, the Inca Trail, and more. You'll start in La Paz, Bolivia, where you'll explore ruins the predate the Inca. You'll experience the rich culture of multiple cities, plus have a guided tour of the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca. You'll get to live like a local with a one-night homestay, before making your way to Machu Picchu along the Incan Trail. This 2-week experience gives you all the flavors of past and present cultures while witnessing the sheer beauty of the Andean Mountains.
| Length | 15 Days |
|---|---|
| Meals | 14 breakfasts 5 lunches 4 dinners |
| Accommodations | Hotels (10 nights) Camping (3 nights) Homestay (1 night) |
|---|---|
| Extras | Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley Lake Titicaca Homestay |
Peru Multisport Adventure: Hiking, Biking, Kayaking
Get ready for the ultimate adventure in Peru! Imagine traversing the Sacred Valley, conquering the Inca Trail, and exploring Lake Titicaca, all while biking, kayaking, and pumping up your adrenaline! This is the perfect trip for thrill-seeking athletes and fitness enthusiasts who want to experience culture and tradition through heart-pumping activities. Scale mountains, race through villages, bike your way to historical landmarks, and kayak on the amazingly beautiful Lake Titicaca. Don't miss out on this opportunity to create lasting memories and explore Peru like never before.
| Length | 15 Days |
|---|---|
| Meals | 14 breakfasts 5 lunches 4 dinners |
| Accommodations | Hotels (10 nights) Camping (3 nights) Homestay (1 night) |
|---|---|
| Extras | Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley |
