Are you planning your Machu Picchu hiking tours and don’t know where to start? Here is a complete guide for everything you really need to know to plan your hiking tours to this wonder of the world.
Table of contents:
- Introduction
- Best time to take Machu Picchu hiking tours
- Permits
- Insurance, Vaccines, and Visas
- Acclimatization
- Camping gear
- Porters’ rights, Women Inclusion & Sustainable travel
- Tipping porters
- Inca Trail Tours, pros and cons.
- Alternative hiking tours to Machu Picchu; pros and cons.
Introduction to the Machu Picchu Hiking Trips
Taking a hiking tour to Machu Picchu is almost a religious experience for most visitors.
It will probably be the only chance you have to experience a site of this caliber and reputation, a unique treasure of humankind.
The mysterious aura surrounding this magnificent city captivates even the least spiritual person.
The feeling of awe and wonder quickly overtakes the most skeptical individuals as soon as they get absorbed by the impressive setting in which this place was constructed.
Machu Picchu was built on top of a mountain ridge overlooking a number of natural features such as snowcapped mountains, caves, rivers, and magnificent views of the milky way, which the Inca revered as deities.
You will get to experience all of it once you know everything about the hiking tours of Machu Picchu.
When Is the Best Time for a Machu Picchu Tour Tour?
The shoulder seasons are the best time of the year to take a Machu Picchu hiking tour; April, May, September, October, and November are the best months of the year to hike to Machu Picchu.
During these months, the weather conditions are great for the most part, while fewer crowds than the summer months, June, July, and August visit Machu Picchu ruins.
You can read more about the best time to visit Machu Picchu here.
What Kind of Hiking Trip to Machu Picchu should I take?
There are two different types of hiking expeditions to Machu Picchu.
The first one is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in any of their routes and itineraries, be that the four or five day itineraries or the two day short inca trail.
The second one is any of the alternative hiking tours to Machu Picchu, such as the Salkantay Trek or the Lares trek.
Read more about these two different Machu Picchu hiking tours below.
How to Obtain Permits For The Hike to Machu Picchu
Permits are required only for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in all its versions.
Some alternative hiking tours also need permits.
Inca Trail permits must be obtained at least six months in advance as a limited number of permits are available and a high demand make it very difficult to obtain them.
Permits for April, May, June and July tend to sold out quickly.
Permits must be obtained from certified tour operators only.
Evolution Treks Peru is an authorized tour operator and your best option for hiking to Machu Picchu. You can make your reservations for the Inca Trail trek online here on our page.
We have been featured in many media outlets such as Lonely Planet, National geographic, Fodor’s, travel, MSN, etc.
Our business model of inclusion and fair business practices has been featured at the Yale school of sustainable businesses in the USA and Sage publications in the UK. Take a look at the many people who have left a review about their experiences with Evolution
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Insurance, Vaccines, and Visas for the Inca Trail trek
Traveler Insurance is strongly recommended for hiking to Machu Picchu.
All responsible tour operators will demand proof of insurance at least a month before the start of your hike.
Vaccines are not necessary for any of these Machu Picchu hikes as they mostly take place in areas safe from any mosquito-borne diseases and others.
Visas are not required to enter Peru.
Passports must have at least a year left before the expiration date.
How to acclimatize for the Inca Trail hike
People must arrive in Cusco at least three days before the starting date of your Machu Picchu tour in order to acclimate to the altitude.
There are plenty of activities that people can do to acclimatize before the Machu Picchu hiking tour.
The Cusco city tour, the Sacred Valley tour, The Rainbow Mountain tour and the Humantay lake tour are highly recommended.
Drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcoholic beverages, and taking light walks around town can help you accelerate the acclimatization process.
Taking Diamox for at least three days before arriving at high altitudes is also recommended.
Camping Gear that you will need to hiking Machu Picchu
Most hikers choose to rent camping gear upon arriving in Cusco instead of bringing these things from home.
Sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and trekking poles are amongst the top three items that people rent prior to their Machu Picchu treks.
We recommend that people bring their own liners for the sleeping bags and small camping pillows.
Trekking boots, water containers or camelbacks, headlamps, first aid kits, insect repellent, and sunscreen are must-have items for hiking in the Andes.
Porters’ rights and Sustainable Travel on The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
First things first, It would be practically impossible for people to hike the Inca Trail without the help that the Inca Trail porters provide.
According to the Peruvian laws in the National Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail porters must carry 20Kgs, including their personal belongings.
Porters must receive proper camping gear such as tents and sleeping pads, food, and clothes for working outdoors from tour operators, but not many tour operators abide by these rules.
The porters’ working conditions have been addressed by some renowned media outlets to raise awareness amongst travelers about the need to book with responsible and ethical tour operators.
A big part of planning for the Inca trail involves doing some in-depth research regarding the working conditions of porters and the role that tour operators play.
Also, sustainable tourism is void if it doesn’t include women.
Gender inclusion and respect for the working rights of porters are the tenets of responsible traveling.
besttTipping porters on your Machu Picchu trekking tours.
Tipping is not mandatory on any of the Machu Picchu trekking tours, but it is highly recommended.
The best thing one can do is to pay attention to the fantastic work that these porters do and tip based on such performance.
Tips range from 30 to 40USD per porter for the full duration of the tour. Cooks get double than that for their impressive culinary skills.
For instance, if you have six tourists in your group, then the total number of porters is 11 plus one cook.
The amount to tip porters and the cook would be 390USD divided amongst six travelers, which ads up to 65USD per person.
Tour guides are tipped on a personal basis, based on performance. A recommended tip for a guide is 10% of the total cost of your tour.
How long does it take to visit Machu Picchu?
The guided visit takes approximately 3 hours depending on the interest that you have in the Inca sites Machu Picchu. Upon entering this wonderful place you will have a chance to visit the most important temples, places, plazas, and streets of this lost city. As you might know, the Inca were the masters of this land and the guide will share his best knowledge about this impressive site in just one day. The visit ends at the exit gate where you will be able to catch your bus down to Aguas Calientes.
Should I climb Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain?
The Machu Picchu Mountain
The price of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu Mountains are 90 per adult USD.
Inca Trail Tours
Five-Day Private Women-Only Inca Trail Tour to Machu Picchu.
Difficulty level: Moderate.
Distance covered: 31.06 Miles / 50 Km
Highest Elevation: Dead Womans’ pass: 13,800ft / 4,201m
Pros
The five-day Women Only Inca Trail Tour is the only hiking tour of its kind in the world. The tour is tailored for women, led by women and supported by women porters.
It offers the opportunity to explore almost every single Incan site located within the Machu Picchu National Sanctuary while giving you the leisure of having the trail and some campsites practically entirely to yourself.
Notice
Except for day one, the route followed by this itinerary is almost entirely the same as the four-day option. Due to the different arrangements of campsites and itineraries, the five day Inca Trail provides a chance to have a second visit to Machu Picchu. First, on the fourth day at sunset, and again on the last day in the morning for the sunrise.
Cons
There are no group tours for this itinerary; most five-day Inca Trail tours are operated on a private basis. Read more here.
Five-Day Macchu Picchu Hiking Tours
Difficulty level: Moderate.
Distance covered: 31.06 Miles / 50 Km
Highest Elevation: Dead Womans’ pass: 13,800ft / 4,201m
Pros
The five-day Inca Trail is the best way to hike the Inca Trail.
It offers the opportunity to explore almost every single Incan site located within the Machu Picchu National Sanctuary while giving you the leisure of having the trail and some campsites practically entirely to yourself.
Notice
Except for day one, the route followed by this itinerary is almost entirely the same as the four-day trails. Due to the different arrangements of campsites and itineraries, the five day Inca Trails provide a chance to have a second visit to Machu Picchu. First, on the fourth day at sunset, and again on the last day in the morning for the sunrise.
Cons
There are no group tours for this itinerary; most five-day Inca Trail tours are operated on a private basis. Read more here.
Classic Four-Day Inca Trail
Difficulty level: Moderate.
Distance covered: 21.18 miles / 34.6Km
Highest Elevation. Dead Womans’ pass: 13,800ft / 4,201m
Pros
The Machu Picchu four-day Inca Trail offers a shorter trip for those who don’t have time to spend an extra day hiking.
Its itinerary guarantees a sunrise view of Machu Picchu from the Sungate on the fourth day in the morning.
Cons
It is much more crowded than the five-day option. 95% of hikers take this route. Its itinerary does not cover a visit to all the Incan sites along the way, nor it offers a second visit of Machu Picchu.
The Six-day Salkantay trek + Classic 4-day Inca Trail
Difficulty level: Strenuous.
Distance covered: 27.5 miles / 44.25Km
Highest Elevation. Inca Chiriaska pass: 16,125ft / 4,916m
This tour is recommended only for experienced hikers. It is the most difficult version of all Inca Trail tours due to the altitude reached and the unevenness of the terrain.
Pros
Solitude, off the beaten path locations on the first three days. It joins the classic Inca Trail and gets access to the most beautiful campsites. It allows a second visit to Machu Picchu, just like the five-day tour.
Cons
Difficult. It demands at least four days of acclimatization before the hike. It is a much longer trek in terms of distance and time.
The Two-day Inca Trail
Difficulty level: Easy – Moderate
Distance covered: 5.81 Miles / 9.35Km
Highest Elevation. Winaywayna 8,787ft / 2,678m
The short Inca trail to Machu Picchu hike is a tour recommended for those folks who don’t have much experience hiking or do not have the time to take any of the longer versions.
Pros
It is a moderate hike, easy for the most part. It allows for a second visit to Machu Picchu. First at sunset on the first day, and then at sunrise on the second day.
Cons
Not many Incan sites along the way to visit.
Alternative Machu Picchu Hiking Tours
Classic Salkantay trek via Llaqtapata
Difficulty level: Difficult
Distance covered: 46 Miles / 74 Km
Highest Elevation. Salkantay Pass 15026ft / 4580m
Pros
Amazing views, ecologically diverse, hot springs, and other adventure sports such as ziplining.
Cons
The classic Salkantay hike to Machu Picchu is the second most visited hiking destination after the Inca Trail.
Due to its location outside the Machu National Sanctuary, the Salkantay lacks regulations and park rangers, which is detrimental to the beauty of this hike as the crowds can sometimes turn it into a massive circus in the mountains.
During the high season, thousands of people a day flock to this area and the Humantay lake.
If you are someone who does not enjoy heavy crowds, you should consider the Salkantay Trek and Short Inca Trail Trek to beat the crowds.
Salkantay Trek + Short Inca Trail
Difficulty level: Difficult – Strenuous
Distance covered: 27.5 Miles / 44 Km
Highest Elevation. Inkachiriaska Pass 16000ft / 5000m.
Pros
The Salkantay plus short Inca trail trek is by far the best alternative hike to Machu Picchu.
Its itinerary allows for very few crowds along the way, do not be surprised if you happen to be the only ones in the campsites.
Its impressive views of the Salkantay glacier have no match amongst other hiking routes.
There are many Incan sites along the way, as this trek takes place entirely within the Machu Picchu National Sanctuary.
Also, hikers enter Machu Picchu via the Sungate and the Short Inca Trail, which allows for a second visit to Machu Picchu. Overall, the best to Machu Picchu adventure.
Cons
The trek is strenuous, not recommended for newbies.
The impressive views demand patience and sacrifice.
You need to book at least 4 months in advance to get Short Inca Trail permits.
Also, People must arrive in Cusco at least three days before the departure time to acclimatize to the altitude.
Lares Trek Plus Short Inca Trail Trek
Difficulty level: Difficult – Strenuous
Distance covered: 27.5 Miles / 44 Km
Highest Elevation. Inkachiriaska Pass 16000ft / 5000m
Pros
It is one of our favorite ‘off the beaten path’ destinations.
Because of its isolation, tourist crowds do not trek these mountains very often.
These section of the Andean mountains is the home of thousands of native Andean villagers dedicated to herding llamas just like their ancestors did a few hundred years ago.
The Lares area is an area where the Andean culture survives more originally.
Also, hikers enter Machu Picchu via the Sungate and the Short Inca Trail, which allows for a second visit to Machu Picchu.
Overall, the best alternative hike to Machu Picchu.
Cons
This hike is located outside the National Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Train and bus ride connections are necessary to get to Machu Picchu.