Inca Trail data · 2026 season
Inca Trail 2026: What 678 Hikers Tell Us
98.8% of our hikers finished the classic Inca Trail in 2026, and none turned back because of altitude. These are the numbers behind every trek we ran this year: who hiked, who did not finish and why, and what hikers chose to add.
By Miguel Angel Gongora Meza, Inca Trail porter from 1996, guide since 1998 · Updated November 2026
98.8%
finished the classic Inca Trail (670 of 678)
0
turned back because of altitude
54%
of hikers were women
9 to 79
age range of our hikers
23
countries
49%
came recommended by friends or family
What percentage of hikers finish the Inca Trail?
In 2026, 98.8% of Evolution Treks Peru hikers finished the classic Inca Trail: 670 of 678. The 8 who did not finish turned back to KM 82 because of stomach problems. None turned back because of altitude sickness.
| Classic Inca Trail, 2026 | Hikers |
|---|---|
| Started at KM 82 | 678 |
| Finished at Machu Picchu | 670 |
| Turned back to KM 82 | 8 |
| Turned back because of altitude sickness | 0 |
| Turned back because of stomach problems | 8 |
| Completion rate | 98.8% |
Source: Evolution Treks Peru booking and guide records, 2026 season.
Do people turn back on the Inca Trail because of altitude?
Rarely. Of 678 Evolution Treks Peru hikers in 2026, none turned back because of altitude sickness, although the trail climbs to 4,215 m at Dead Woman's Pass. Our guides check every hiker with a pulse oximeter, carry emergency oxygen and ask you to spend 3 to 5 days in Cusco first.
Altitude is what most hikers worry about, and the numbers show why acclimatising works. Spending a few days in Cusco (3,400 m) before the trek, walking at your own pace over Dead Woman's Pass and drinking plenty of water are what we ask of every hiker. Read our 4-day group Inca Trail page for the daily climbs.
What is the most common reason hikers leave the Inca Trail?
Stomach problems. All 8 Evolution Treks Peru hikers who left the trail in 2026 did so for this reason. In Cusco before your trek, drink bottled or filtered water, avoid raw salads and ice from street stalls, and tell your guide if you feel unwell before day 1.
How to protect your stomach before the trek
- Drink only bottled, boiled or filtered water in Cusco, and brush your teeth with it.
- Skip raw salads, unpeeled fruit and ice from street stalls for the 2 days before you start.
- Bring your own stomach medicine and rehydration salts.
- Tell your guide at the briefing if you feel unwell. On the trail, all our water is boiled and filtered.
Who hikes the Inca Trail?
In 2026, 54% of our Inca Trail hikers were women, and they came from 23 countries. 61% were from the United States, 12% from the United Kingdom and 10% from Canada.
| Hikers in 2026 | Share |
|---|---|
| Women | 54% |
| Men | 46% |
| United States | 61% |
| United Kingdom | 12% |
| Canada | 10% |
| Australia | 5% |
| Germany | 3% |
| Other countries (18) | 9% |
Source: Evolution Treks Peru booking and guide records, 2026 season.
Is there an age limit for the Inca Trail?
There is no official age limit. In 2026 our Inca Trail hikers were aged 9 to 79, with a median age of 33. 89 hikers were 50 or older and 37 were 60 or older. The oldest, aged 76 to 79, chose a private trek so the pace could be set around them.
| Trek | Median age | Age range |
|---|---|---|
| All classic Inca Trail hikers | 33 | 9 to 79 |
| 4-day group | 32 | 9 to 69 |
| Private 4-day and private 5-day | 37 | 11 to 79 |
| Luxury and semi-luxury | 42 | 23 to 70 |
Source: Evolution Treks Peru booking and guide records, 2026 season.
What are the busiest months on the Inca Trail?
In our 2026 season, May was the busiest month (134 hikers), followed by April (118), September (100) and June (79). The trail closes every February for maintenance.
Hikers on the classic Inca Trail by start month, 2026 (623 hikers with a recorded start date).
What do hikers add to their Inca Trail?
About 1 in 6 hikers add a mountain at Machu Picchu, and more than 1 in 4 rent our comfort package.
| Add-on, 2026 | Share of hikers |
|---|---|
| Comfort trekking package (premium sleeping bag, inflatable pad, trekking poles, pillow) | 28% |
| Huayna Picchu | 13% |
| Extra porter, full (14 kg) | 9% |
| Extra porter, half (7 kg) | 8% |
| Machu Picchu Mountain | 3% |
Source: Evolution Treks Peru booking and guide records, 2026 season.
Can vegetarians and vegans eat well on the Inca Trail?
Yes. In 2026, 9% of our hikers were vegetarian, 3% pescatarian, 2.4% vegan and 1.5% gluten-free, and each got their own dishes from the same trail kitchen.
| Diet, 2026 | Share of hikers |
|---|---|
| No restrictions | 84% |
| Vegetarian | 9% |
| Pescatarian | 3% |
| Vegan | 2.4% |
| Gluten-free | 1.5% |
Source: Evolution Treks Peru booking and guide records, 2026 season.
How do hikers choose an Inca Trail company?
Nearly half by recommendation: 49% of our 2026 hikers heard about us from friends or family, 25% on Google and 25% through online articles.
If you are comparing operators, ask each one for its completion rate, what its porters earn and how much they carry. See our Porter Lives Matter checklist.
How we counted
The figures come from our 2026 booking records and our guides' trip reports for the classic Inca Trail from KM 82: the 4-day group, private 4-day, private 5-day and luxury treks, 678 hikers in total. Shares of age, gender, nationality, diet and how hikers found us use only the bookings where that detail was recorded. Short Inca Trail, Salkantay and day tours are not included. No names or personal details are published.
These figures cover the 2026 season up to 5 November 2026, including hikers already booked for November and December. We will publish the full-year numbers in January 2027, and new numbers every season after that.
Questions about our Inca Trail data
What percentage of hikers finish the Inca Trail?
In 2026, 98.8% of Evolution Treks Peru hikers finished the classic Inca Trail: 670 of 678. The 8 who did not finish turned back to KM 82 because of stomach problems. None turned back because of altitude sickness.
Do people turn back on the Inca Trail because of altitude?
Rarely. Of 678 Evolution Treks Peru hikers in 2026, none turned back because of altitude sickness, although the trail climbs to 4,215 m at Dead Woman's Pass. Our guides check every hiker with a pulse oximeter, carry emergency oxygen and ask you to spend 3 to 5 days in Cusco first.
What is the most common reason hikers leave the Inca Trail?
Stomach problems. All 8 Evolution Treks Peru hikers who left the trail in 2026 did so for this reason. In Cusco before your trek, drink bottled or filtered water, avoid raw salads and ice from street stalls, and tell your guide if you feel unwell before day 1.
Is there an age limit for the Inca Trail?
There is no official age limit. In 2026 our Inca Trail hikers were aged 9 to 79, with a median age of 33. 89 hikers were 50 or older and 37 were 60 or older. The oldest, aged 76 to 79, chose a private trek so the pace could be set around them.
Who hikes the Inca Trail?
In 2026, 54% of our Inca Trail hikers were women, and they came from 23 countries. 61% were from the United States, 12% from the United Kingdom and 10% from Canada.
What are the busiest months on the Inca Trail?
In our 2026 season, May was the busiest month (134 hikers), followed by April (118), September (100) and June (79). The trail closes every February for maintenance.
How many hikers add Huayna Picchu?
About 1 in 6. In 2026, 13% of our Inca Trail hikers booked Huayna Picchu and 3% booked Machu Picchu Mountain.
Can vegetarians and vegans eat well on the Inca Trail?
Yes. In 2026, 9% of our hikers were vegetarian, 3% pescatarian, 2.4% vegan and 1.5% gluten-free, and each got their own dishes from the same trail kitchen.
Hike the Inca Trail with the team behind these numbers