This post was originally published on A Globe Well Travelled in 2015. The content has been revised and updated with fresh information.
I had one worry on my mind before beginning the iconic four-day trek in mountainous Peru—how hard is the Inca Trail actually going to be?
With no idea what to expect and not much experience in long treks, I’ll admit—I was nervous. Would I collapse halfway and have to crawl the remainder? Would I need to pay thousands for a helicopter rescue? Would I just wither away at a campsite, waiting for some heroic stranger to carry me to the finish line?
Well, luckily none of these things happened (except maybe the collapsing part, but that was only temporary). After four days of intense hiking, I proudly set my eyes on the famous ruins of Machu Picchu, marking the completion of the Inca Trail. It was hard, but somehow I managed it. The sense of achievement I felt was extraordinary.
If you’re wondering whether you’ll survive the Inca Trail, here’s a rundown of my experience with answers to FAQs, plus some tips to help you prepare!
Quick Summary:
Thinking about hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? This post covers everything you need to know—from how tough it really is to what to expect each day, how to prepare, and why it’s one of the most rewarding travel experiences you’ll ever have.
Recommended Tours:
🥾 4-Day Classic Inca Trail Trek – The iconic route to Machu Picchu, including porters, meals, and guided hikes through Inca ruins.
👣 2-Day Short Inca Trail – A condensed version with just one day of hiking, finishing with the Sun Gate and a hotel stay near Machu Picchu.
Inca Trail FAQs:
Q: Why should I do the Inca Trail?
The Inca Trail is by far the most rewarding way to see Machu Picchu in Peru. There’s something really special about following the same ancient path that the Incas once took, and this pilgrimmage will make your visit to the final destination feel as though it’s well-earned.
While Machu Picchu is stunning on its own, the other ancient ruins that you’ll see on the Inca Trail are equally as incredible (if not more), and they don’t have crowds of tourists roaming around, so you’ll have these beautiful sites all to yourself. Plus, the scenery along the way is breathtaking, with rugged peaks and serene valleys that not many other people have the opportunity to see.
🥾 The Classic 4-day Inca Trail trek is the most popular choice for people visiting Machu Picchu by hike.
You can treat the Inca Trail a chance to unplug, to connect with nature, and meet like-minded travellers. It’s also a chance to challenge yourself, to see what you’re actually capable of. I wasn’t sure whether I could do a such an intense trek, but now I know that I can! Once I reached the Sun Gate and got my first glimpse of Machu Picchu, I could finally understand why so many people say that trekking the Inca Trail is life-changing.
Q: Just how hard is the Inca Trail?
In one word: tough. There are steep climbs, and when combined with the high altitude which adds an extra layer of difficulty, ascending the mountains in Peru can make even the most experienced of hikers feel inadequate. There were two people in our group who had previously hiked Kilimanjaro, and they both admitted that the 4-day Inca Trail trek was harder because of the altitude.
During our hike, our guide told us stories of people he’d had on past treks who’d had full-on tantrums, complained the entire way, or been so slow that they’d arrived at camp in the middle of the night.
For me, the hardest part was the mental challenge. During the climb to Dead Woman’s Pass on Day 2, I was constantly questioning whether I’d make it. I felt like I could barely breathe, and I even had a panic attack at one point about 30 minutes from the top. But once I passed that point, I knew I could follow through to the end. After Dead Woman’s Pass, it’s all (metaphorically) downhill as after that it becomes easier to go forward than to turn back.
By Day 3, the breathtaking scenery helps push you forward. And when you finally reach the Sun Gate on Day 4 and see Machu Picchu for the first time, that overwhelming feeling of accomplishment makes every aching muscle worthwhile. So yes, the Inca Trail is hard—but that’s what makes it such a rewarding experience.
Q: Is there an easier option?
👣 If you’re short on time (or nervous about the full trek), there’s also the option of booking a shortened 2-Day Inca Trail Trek which has just one day (6-7 hours) of hiking.
If you don’t want to camp along the trail, this might be a good option as you will stay in a hotel in Aguas Calientes instead.
Q: What should I expect on the Inca Trail trek?
Over four days, you’ll hike through stunning mountain passes, lush cloud forests, and ancient Inca ruins. Here’s a breakdown:
- Day 1: A manageable start with scenic views and an introduction to the Andean trails. Expect a few hours of hiking to get to the first campsite.
- Day 2: The toughest day—climbing Dead Woman’s Pass, the highest point of the trek. I won’t sugarcoat it–Day 2 is brutal.
- Day 3: Magical landscapes, lush greenery, and fascinating Inca ruins. Plus, the hike is mostly downhill! This was definitely my favourite day of the trek.
- Day 4: A very early start, but it’s only a short hike to reach the Sun Gate and witness Machu Picchu at sunrise.
Q. Do you have to carry your own gear on the Inca Trail?
No. You’ll need to carry a small daypack with essentials like water, snacks, and extra layers, but your booked tours will usually include porters who carry the bulk of the gear including tents, cooking supplies, and backpacks.
I was amazed at how fast and fit our porters were, completing each section of the trek hours before everyone else to set up at the campsites. Just be mindful that there is a weight limit for how much gear each porters will carry, so you’ll need to pack smartly.
Q: Do you have to be fit to do the Inca Trail?
Not necessarily, but it helps. Our group had a mix of fitness levels—from a couple who were in the process of cycling along the coast of South America to first-time trekkers who took it slow.
My husband and I both sat somewhere in the middle of the pack. We’d done day hikes before and we have reasonably active lifestyles (though we both have computer jobs so probably not as active as people with more physically demanding work).
We did not go out of our way to become more fit in preparation for the Inca Trail. Should we have put more effort in? Probably. I think I would have preferred to have better lung capacity for hiking at altitude, but I still managed to do it, so I guess it wasn’t entirely necessary.
I’d say that you don’t need to be a pro hiker, but some level of basic fitness will obviously help. The trail is steep, and the altitude is a challenge, but there’s no time limit on completing each section of the hike so you can feel comfortable taking it at your own pace.
Inca Trail tips & how to prepare:
Aim to travel in the dry season
May to September are the best months to travel. We did the trek in late June and were lucky enough to have perfect weather the entire time, but apparently it’s quite common to get rain. Our guide told us that he’d been on treks where it was wet the entire four days—not ideal.
Book well in advance
When I visited in 2015, there were only 500 permits per day available for the Inca Trail, of which only 200 are for hikers.
🥾 We booked a 4-day Inca Trail trek around 6 months prior to the trip. Make sure you book far in advance.
There were a number of people that we met in Latin America who had not been able to do the Inca Trail because they enquired too late.
Prep for the altitude
Make sure you arrive in Cusco a few days early to acclimate. Even the most experienced hikers can be affected by the altitude. At 4200 metres above sea level at the trail’s highest point (Dead Woman’s Pass), it’s much harder to breathe. Mental preparation for this is a good idea as it can be quite confronting, and physical preparation (like cardio exercise that assists in building lung function) might come in handy, too.
Pack smart
There are certain items that you’re bound to need, including insect repellant, plasters for any blisters that appear, sunscreen, a hat, and a lightweight-yet-warm coat for chilly evenings. A flashlight and toilet paper would also come in handy for late-night trips to the toilet, and some flip-flops or slides for wearing around the campsites (I guarantee that you’ll want to lose the hiking shoes at the end of each day).
In regards to hiking shoes, I’d recommend taking something you can be comfortable wearing for multiple days in a row. So if you’re planning on buying a flash new pair of boots for the trek, be sure to properly wear them in beforehand. I actually hiked in sneakers, which was totally fine, though I was lucky avoid any bad weather during our trip. If you’re likely to get rain, take shoes that are somewhat waterproof or at least water resistant.
The Inca Trail is tough but absolutely worth it. If you’re up for the challenge, it will make your visit to Machu Picchu unbelievably special. With the right prep, mindset, and a good pair of hiking boots, you’ll be standing at the Sun Gate, feeling like an absolute legend.
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