Classic 4 day Inca Trail FAQ

Inca Trail Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I book a trek with Andean Travel Web?

A1. No. Andean Travel Web is a web guide to Peru, we're not a tour operator and we don't sell any tours. We have included a list of some tour operators specializing in the Inca Trail in our local tour operator directory (click on the tour company link above). If you have found this web site useful you can help towards the success of one of our community projects by bringing some second hand clothes, toys, school equipment with you to Cusco. We'll then distribute them to people in the small Andean mountain communities who we will guarantee will appreciate them. For more details click here.

Q2. I heard rumours that they were closing the Inca Trail. Is it true?

A2.  The Inca Trail will be closed during the month of February each year. The last group will depart on 31 January and the next group will start on 01 March. The closure is to allow conservation projects to take place, give an opportunity for camping facilities to be improved and to allow the vegetation to grow back. February is also the height of the wet season so you shouldn't miss too much. The shorter 2-day trek will remain open since this trek follows a different route. The ruins of Machu Picchu will remain open as normal as will the train services between Cusco and Machu Picchu. During February some tour companies are offering an alternative 4 day trek. This trek starts at km82 but instead of climbing the valley to Wayllabamba the alternative route follows the Urubamba River until km104 where it climbs up to Wiñay Wayna and then on to Machu Picchu. (ie two days walking along the Urubamba river before joining the shorter 2-day trek). This trek is fairly picturesque but does not include visits to the Inca ruins at Runkurakay, Sayacmarka or Phuyupatamarca. Ask the tour operator to clearly describe the trek itinerary.

Q3. Can I trek the Inca Trail alone without a travel operator?

A3. No. Trekkers have to trek using the services of a licensed tour operator or directly employ the services of a professional guide (about US$60 per day plus expenses). If you employ a guide directly you can't have more than 7 persons in your group and the guide must be officially qualified. Trekkers using the services of just a guide are not allowed to employ other services such as porters or cooks so you'll have to carry all your equipment and cook for yourselves. The entrance tickets for the trail MUST be bought in Cusco well in advance. They cannot be purchased at the start of the trail. 95% of all trekkers on the Inca Trail take an organised tour that includes guides, porters, a cook, camping equipment and meals.

Q4. Should I make a reservation for the trek in advance or wait until arriving in Cusco?

A4. Because the numbers of persons permitted on the trek has been dramatically reduced it is advisable to make a reservation at least 4 or 5 months in advance. This is particularly important if you are planning on arriving in Cusco during the peak season (June-September). However during the quiet months of December, January and March it may still be possible to just turn up in Cusco 5 or 6 days before you want to do the trek and make a reservation although you have to be very flexible about the date that you want to start the trek.

Q5. When is the best time to go?

A5. The dry season from April to October is probably the most comfortable period as far as the weather is concerned. Even during these months you can still get a little rain. Ideally the month of May is perfect since there is little rain but the vegetation is still rich and lush. June, July and August are the 3 busy months and the numbers of trekkers has been limited so book well in advance. Although the weather is sunny during these months the temperature at night can drop considerably, falling to below freezing so be prepared. The months of November and December can still be very enjoyable with fewer trekkers. Expect at least one day of rain during this period. January and March can be wet - very wet at times. However most of the rain falls late in the afternoon and at night so ensuring you have a good waterproof tent is all important. These months also correspond to Summer in Peru so the sun can be very strong and the nights generally mild. The government has stated that the 4 day trek (at least from km82 or km88 until Wiñay Wayna) will be closed for the entire duration of February. 

Q6. What about theft?

A6. Many older guide books make out the Inca Trail to be a haven for thieves and bandits with tents being slashed in the night and trekkers robbed at gun point. I'm glad to say that these are exaggerations and theft is now very uncommon on the trail provided that you take basic precautions. Don't take any valuables with you that you don't need for the trek. Leave jewellery, large sums of money in your hotel safe (However you need to take your passport on the trek). Take plenty of plastic bags to wrap smelly socks, boots, underwear and wet clothes in. Don't leave them outside your tent at night (no matter how much they stink!) or they may not be there in the morning. Carry your valuables in a money belt or neck pouch and keep items such as cameras and passport with you at all times especially at meal times. 

Q7. What do we do for drinking water?

A7. You'll come across a small stream or mountain spring every 90 minutes or so along the trail where you can fill up your water bottle. Take a bottle of at least 1.5 litre capacity per person. 

Although the water is clear always use sterilizing tablets and follow the instructions. The sterilizing tablets 'MicroPur' can be bought in most pharmacies in Cusco (the further away from the plaza the cheaper they are). With these tablets you have to wait at least 60 minutes before drinking.

If travelling in an organized group boiled water should be available at meal times. Bottled mineral water can also be taken from Cusco, bought at km82 and km88, just before Wayllabamba, halfway up the first pass and at Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu.

Q8. What are the toilets like along the trail?

A8. Toilets have improved a lot in the last couple of years and all of the larger campsites have toilet blocks with flush toilets and running water. On the whole they are kept pretty clean. If you do need to go the toilet between campsites then defecate well away from the trail and water supplies; dig a hole, or cover your faeces with a rock, and take the paper with you in a bag to deposit in one of the several bins along the way. There are hot shower facilities are Wiñay Wayna on day 3, although they are usually pretty unclean.

Q9. Do I need to be fit to do the Inca Trail?

A9. Yes you do. It is a common misconception that because many people do the Inca Trail then it must be easy ... it isn't. The trail is 45km (26 miles) long and involves great physical exertion to complete. On the second day you climb nearly 1200m (about 4000 ft) in the morning. Combined with high altitude (lack of oxygen) and extreme weather (you can easily burn in the high altitude sun during the day and temperatures can drop to below freezing at night) the trek can be hard work. However all this suffering can make the final arrival at Machu Picchu all the more enjoyable. In general if you take regular exercise and spend a few days in Cusco acclimatizing to the altitude you shouldn't have to suffer too much.

Q10. We've heard a lot about exploitation of the porters. How can we avoid it?

A10. See our page about Porters welfare

Q11. How much should I tip?

A11. Deciding how much to tip the porters, the cook and guide is always a difficult moment at the end of the trek. Some nationalities such as the North Americans are accustomed to tipping while other nationalities (name no names) will only find the extra money if the service has been absolutely exceptional.  In general, however, I would recommend taking an extra US$25-30 per person to cover tips. Try to take this amount in low denomination Peruvian Soles bills so that it can easily be divided amongst the porters, cook and guides.  If you have employed a personal porter then you will have to pay his tip separately.

Remember the above figures are just a guide line. If the food that the cook served up was inedible and you couldn't understand what the guide was talking about then don't tip them. They'll soon get the message and hopefully improve their services. Don't, however, take you dissatisfaction out on the porters who were probably working hard throughout the trek. 

>> Continue to our Inca Trail map or enjoy some photos of the 4 day Inca Trail trek