This article focuses on the 4-day, 3-night classic Inca Trail experience.
✅ Who should take this journey:
1) Those fascinated by Incan civilization and trekking, who want more than just a photo-op at Machu Picchu. This trail offers an immersive experience of Incan ruins and breathtaking national park landscapes.
2) Individuals with some fitness and trekking background, and no severe altitude sickness. The route is well-established, so you don’t need to worry about food or lodging. Porters will carry your gear, leaving you to carry only a small daypack. Our group included a 63-year-old participant! For reference, the toughest day involves climbing up and down at altitudes of 3,000–4,000 meters for approximately 10 miles (16 km).
✅ Pre-trip preparation:
Only 500 permits are issued daily for the Classic Inca Trail, including trekkers, guides, and porters. Roughly 150 permits are allocated to trekkers each day, and these can only be booked through tour operators. I joined Alpaca Expedition, priced at $795 in 2024 (excluding tips for guides and porters).
By early February, May’s permits were already sold out, leaving me with a June 1st option. It’s recommended to book at least four months in advance; otherwise, consider alternative trails.
✅ Season and weather:
May to September is the dry season and peak trekking time. Early June marks the beginning of winter, with temperatures ranging from 0°C to 25°C.
During the day, a quick-dry long-sleeve or short-sleeve shirt works well, but evenings require a fleece jacket and lightweight down jacket.
✅ Packing list:
Referenced @Lili3273, screenshots 17 & 18. Adjustments I made include skipping the raincoat during the dry season (the group provided plastic ponchos).
I recommend trekking pants over leggings (except for sleeping), as we pass through Amazonian rainforest terrain with plenty of insects. All 13 members of our group rented sleeping bags and pads, but I suggest bringing your own trekking poles—they’re essential, and even a $30 pair online is better than renting from the tour.
✅ Itinerary:
Day 1️⃣: Moderate difficulty. 14 km, with a 600-meter ascent (from 2,700 m trailhead to 3,300 m campsite). Excluding meals and breaks, it took us 5.5 hours. We passed two Incan ruins, enjoying scenery reminiscent of California’s national parks, with relatively easy terrain.
Day 2️⃣: High difficulty.
An M-shaped route of 16 km, requiring crossing two mountain peaks and passing two Incan ruins. The first peak is the highest point of the trail at 4,200 meters, followed by a second peak at 4,000 meters, with camping at 3,600 meters. The path consists of original Incan stone steps, making it challenging due to the high altitude.
It took us 9 hours to complete, plus another 3 hours for lunch, rest, and exploring the ruins—making it a full 12-hour day.
Day 3️⃣: Relatively easy. 10 km, mostly downhill, descending 1,000 meters through stone steps and Amazonian rainforest terrain. Watch your footing to avoid slips! The trek took about 5 hours, allowing us to reach the campsite around 1 PM after completing the day’s route, passing two Incan ruins along the way.
Day 4️⃣: Machu Picchu Day. Wake up at 3 AM, wait until the gates open at 5:30 AM, and hike for less than two hours to reach Machu Picchu. After visiting, take the train and bus back, arriving in Cusco around 6 PM.
