The Inca Trail, Peru

Voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Macchu Picchu should be on everyone’s bucket list, and the best way to experience its majesty is after a breath-taking 40km trek. Nothing can compare to the first sight of the ruined Incan city from the sun gate, flooded by the breaking dawn.

ROUTE

Normally tackled as a four-day event, the Inca Trail starts at kilometre 88 and winds up to a high point of Dead Woman's Pass on day two before finishing high above the hot springs town of Aguas Calientes. The last day is spent exploring the amazing site of Macchu Picchu. The well-deserved train ride down the Urubamba Valley from Aguas Calientes back to Cusco is a wonderful way to finish your trip.

ACCOMMODATION

Trekking agencies are compulsory and all provide camping equipment, cooks and porters. No tough-stuff here.

HIGHLIGHTS

The ruined Inca villages along the way, llamas and alpacas, gasping for breath at the top of Dead Woman's Pass, last night tips party for the crew, dawn at the sun gate, the view of the Urubamba River from Huayna Picchu, a dip in the hot springs after four days of effort.

GUIDE BOOK

Trailblazer have a good guide book to the Inca Trail and other treks (there are many) around the Cusco region.

WHEN TO GO

The trail is open all year round (except February) so all types of weather must be taken into account.

GEAR

For a list of products that will help you survive the trek, check our gear list. Or to see the links to the actual products, look at our Inca Trail Collection. Need more advice? See which of our staff have been there on the Where Are You Going? page.