Inca Trail Treks to Machu Picchu
Quite a unique and innovative approach to depicting the magical beauty of Peru, Inca Trail Treks. It is the meeting of the storytellers. Here we spread the stories of the Incas, the diversity of Peru cultures and the loving people who inhabit the lands below the Andes.
looking for Inca Trail Treks to Machu Picchu?… Let’s help you with a snapshot overview of what are likely the Inca Trail Treks to Machu Picchu. At least, they are currently the most popular trek pacakes in Peru, based on number of trekkers, difficulty and beautifulness.
Each year the Inca Trail Treks to Machu Picchu attracts +100,000 trekkers. That also means that every year +100,000 people are faced with the hard choice of selecting which Inca Trail Treks to hike to explore to Machu Picchu. Let’s face it – this is not an easy choice.
How odd it may sound the decision of choosing your favorite hike to Machu Picchu might actually be easier made in your home country (likely with proper internet connection also…) than in the bustling trekking and tourist area, Cusco, where hundreds of trekking agencies inevitably will offer you different opinions as to which trek is the best Inca Trail Treks to Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
While some may believe there’s an ultimate answer to that question it does literally come down to your own personal trekking preferences. Let us exemplify with a few relevant aspects of trekking which you need to consider, before being able to zoom in on the best Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu, for you personally:
1.- What level of trekking difficulty are you seeking?
2.- How many days do you have available for trekking?
3.- Looking for a remote trekking destination, or, will a touristy one be okay as well?
4.- Are you a budget traveler or is price less relevant for you?
Below we’re listing the currently six most popular Inca Trail Treks to Machu Picchu
Looking for Inca Trail Treks to Machu Picchu?
In the list below you’ll find the Inca Trail Treks that leads you the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu; It is important to reserve in advance doe to the permits can be sold out very fast.
1. Short Inca Trail Trek 2 Days: Max. 250 Trekkers/day
Short Inca Trail is agreat trekking terrain! You’ll stand face-to-face with the world’s wonder – Machu Picchu (2,400m), and see multiple other mysterious Inca settlements. You’ll also see Scenic Mountains and tropical jungle. In short, fantastic trekking experience.
The Short Inca Trail Facts
Trekking Difficulty: Medium difficulty
Remoteness: Not Remote (due to the number of trekkers)
Accommodation type: Hotels
Restricted Permits: Yes
Max elevation: 2,750m, Sun Gate
2. Challenge Inca Trail Trek 3 days: +300 trekkers/day
Challenge Inca Trail Trek offers a good trekking terrain; great Mountains scenery; very challenge trekking, with lots of photo opportunities. In recent years road the route where restored; is very important to be fit and well adapted to the aititud.
Challenge Inca Trail Trek Facts
Trekking Difficulty: Challenge
Remoteness: Not Remote (due to the number of trekkers)
Accommodation type: Camping tents
Restricted Permits: Yes
Max elevation: 4,200m, Dead Woman’s pass
3. Standard Inca Trail Trek 4 Days.- 45km – +300 Tourist/day
Standard Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu; with three high passes, the highest of which reach to 4,200m. This route will allow you to stand face-to-face with the most beautiful landscape of the Andes, the tropical jungle and the world’s wonder – Machu Picchu. Only having 3 days for trekking and 1 day explore the Inca sanctuary of Machu Picchu
Standard Inca Trail Trek Facts
Trekking Difficulty: Moderate to Challenge
Remoteness: Not Remote (due to the number of trekkers)
Accommodation type: Camping tents
Restricted Permits: Yes
Max elevation: 4,200m, Dead Woman’s pass
4. Luxury Inca Trail Trek 5 days: +300 trekkers/day
Luxury Inca Trail Trek offers awe-inspiring views of the Vilcabamba Mountain range. It’s a great trek for families and non-experienced trekkers. In this trip you hike the some trail to Machu Picchu but lets you to explore the Inca sites along the trail.
Luxury Inca Trail Trek Facts
Trekking Difficulty: Moderate to Challenge
Remoteness: Not Remote (due to the number of trekkers)
Accommodation type: Camping tents
Restricted Permits: Yes
Max elevation: 4,200m, Dead Woman’s pass
5. Imperial Inca Trail Trek 7 Days: Explore Cusco and Machu Picchu
Imperial Inca Trail Trek is the best option to visit Cusco and trek to Machu Picchu if you have only one week of available time; The trip allows you to visit the culture, history and the tradition of the Incas in the city of Cusco, which was the capital. You also explore the sacred valley of the Incas and trek the classic Inca trail to Machu Picchu. Is all portered trekking.
The Imperial Inca Trail Trek Facts
Trekking Difficulty: Moderate to Challenge
Remoteness: Not Remote (due to the number of trekkers)
Accommodation type: Camping tents
Restricted Permits: Yes
Max elevation: 4,200m, Dead Woman’s pass
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: Alternative Trek
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is an alternative trek if you miss out the permits for the Inca Trail; this trek takes you to higher elevation; it runs parallel to standard Inca Trail. For this trek is Not necessary to get permits for now, It is a full portered trekking to Machu Picchu.
Salkantay Trek Facts
Trekking Difficulty: Moderate
Remoteness: Not Remote (due to the number of trekkers)
Accommodation type: Camping tents & hotel
Restricted Permits: No
Max elevation: 4,600m, Salkantay Pass
THE INCA TRAIL PERMITS WILL BE RELEASED STARTING OCTOBER 1ST. We highly recommended you to reserve in advance your trekking holiday to Machu Picchu
4, 5 & 7 Day Inca Trail Availability for 2023
Why booking early is so important for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
Trekking to Machu Picchu is a dream for many trekker, nature lovers and adventure seekers, but it involves a lot of advance planning. In order to hike this amazing trail, you must book through a licensed operator, like “SUNRISE PERU TREK”, to secure permits for your Inca Trail Trekking. Permits are extremely limited and sell out almost immediately. Here are some answers to the most common questions about this process…
Do I really need permit to hike the Inca Trail?
Yes, everybody needs permits from the government in order to hike the Inca Trail, because the Inca Trail runs across the national park of Machu Picchu, a protected area.
How do I acquire the Inca Trail permit?
Only a licensed “Inca Trail Tour Operator”, like “SUNRISE PERU TREK” can help you to get the permits on your behalf.
How many permits does the government give out?
The government issues 500 permits per day for the Inca Trail. EVERYONE needs a permit, including your crew, which means that only about 200 – 300 visitors will be able to start this hike every day.
When do I need to book my trekking holiday?
A.S.A.P. The day that the government releases next year permits, which should be early October, most of March, April, May and June will be sold out. Because of the limited number of permits, they sell out extremely quickly.
The Inca Trail Trek with Oldest Adventure Tour Company
We would like to introduce “Sunrise Peru Trek” as one of the leading trekking companies in Peru. We are approved by the Government of Peru, the Ministry of Tourism and we are an active member of AATC – Peru (Association Travel agencies of Cusco – Peru). The travel agency of “Sunrise Peru Trek” is a Inca Trail Trek Company dedicated to provide excellent and personalized service.
“Sunrise Peru Trek” is proud to share our country; its nature & four-century old cultures and many years of experience in this field with you and give you an excellent opportunity to explore our beautiful Country; especially the XV century Inca settlement known as Machu Picchu.
At “Sunrise Peru Trek”, we offer the best treks at the best prices!. As a local trekking agency that have been operating for more than 20 years; we can offer you better prices than the big corporate agencies. Plus a more personal enjoyable trekking experience!. All our prices here include airport pick up, accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, a guide and the trekking permits.
We reply all your queries on time, and provide complete information you request in your email… The best treks in Peru are a veritable bucket list of amazing places, but firstly you should lower your expectations – not of the incredible landscapes you’ll navigate, but of the time it will take you to get there. The Peru’s best trekking routes stretch elegantly in an east-west line across Southern Peru’s Mountain Range.