The Inca Trail is one of the most popular trekking routes in Latin America. This trail is known for its rich history and culture, passed down through generations. It remains a mystery how the Incas built the trail in such a short time. Traditionally, this trail was used for communication between towns, the government, and the Sapa Inca. For many years, Chasqui runners used these routes to deliver messages, information about the Tahuantinsuyo, and food to the Inca.
Today, this route attracts adventurers with the breathtaking landscapes of the Andes, culminating in the arrival at the ancient city of Machu Picchu. If you're considering a trek in 2025, here are 25 compelling reasons to book an Inca Trail tour:
25 Reasons to Trek the Inca Trail in 2025
- Machu Picchu: If you do the Inca Trail, the ultimate destination is this UNESCO World Heritage site, a must-see marvel of ancient Inca architecture. Today, Machu Picchu is changing with new regulations. Completing the Inca Trail will be a significant challenge for 2025.
- Stunning Scenery: From lush cloud forests to towering mountain peaks, the trail offers diverse and awe-inspiring views.
- Rich History: Walk in the footsteps of the Incas and explore historical sites along the trail.
- Cultural Experience: Engage with Quechua porters and learn about their traditions and way of life.
- Biodiversity: Encounter unique flora and fauna, including orchids, hummingbirds, and spectacled bears.
- Guided Tours: Our professional guides, specialists in hiking for several years, provide invaluable insights into the history and ecology of the region.
- Physical Challenge: Test your endurance and fitness on this challenging and rewarding trek.
- Camaraderie: Share the journey with fellow travelers from around the world and make lasting friendships.
- Ancient Ruins: Discover lesser-known Inca ruins along the way, each with its own story and significance.
- Starry Nights: Experience the magic of the Andean night sky, far from city lights.
- Photographic Opportunities: Capture stunning landscapes and memorable moments with your camera.
- Eco-Friendly Travel: Support sustainable tourism practices that help preserve this incredible destination.
- Unique Camping Spots: Camp in scenic locations that offer a sense of adventure and connection with nature. We provide quality equipment that ensures you feel at home when you sleep.
- Personal Achievement: Completing the Inca Trail is a significant accomplishment you’ll be proud of for your entire life.
- Delicious Cuisine: Enjoy traditional Peruvian dishes prepared by skilled trekking chefs on the trail.
- Variety of Tours: Choose from different tour packages that cater to various interests and fitness levels.
- Pre-Booking Benefits: Secure your spot and avoid the disappointment of fully booked tours.
- Safety: Tierras Vivas is a local sustainable tour operator. By hiking the Inca Trail with us, you help support our community projects and reforestation efforts.
- Educational Value: Learn about the Inca civilization and the natural environment from expert guides.
- Sense of Adventure: Embrace the thrill of exploring a legendary trail that’s been traversed for centuries.
- Time to Reflect: Take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life and immerse yourself in nature. Connect with the Pachamama (Mother Earth).
- Perfect Timing: 2025 is an ideal year to visit. The Inca Trail is changing with new regulations and may be closed in the future.
- Customized Experiences: Tailor your trek with add-ons like visits to Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain, and other attractions.
- Health Benefits: Enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of hiking in a pristine natural setting.
- Lifetime Memories: Create unforgettable memories that will stay with you long after the trek is over.
Inca Trail 2025: How Many Routes Are There?
If you are planning to hike the Inca Trail, the first question you might have is, "How many Inca Trail routes are there?" Cusco is the mecca of the Inca Trail. For years, Cusco has been known for its Inca culture and the various Inca Trails it offers. There are many Inca trails, but here we mention only the most popular ones for tourists:
Short Inca Trail 2 Days/ 1 Night
Our 2 day Inca Trail Tour starts idyllic by a wake-up early. Then we are taken by our private transport to the railway station at Ollantaytambo to board a train taking us to the starting point of the 2 day trek - so called Km 104. Then we pass through an Inca Trail checking point and start hiking through lush vegetation of a cloud forest while greeeted by local exotic birds such as Andean guan, grey-breasted mountain tucan, etc. and since we can see various wild orchids and bromelias along the path too. If you prefer to connect with nature, the 2 Day Inca Trail with camping is the best option for you.
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days/3 Nights
After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views. After 46km walking on the top of the Andes, the reward comes: the first, exciting views of Machu Picchu from Inti Punku. This guided route is a unique experience that will be engraved in your heart forever. There are many original Inca Trails in the Andes, but the most famous section, simply known as Inca Trail Tours, is the original route to the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu. Spread over 4 Days, the 44 km trail starts at kilometre 82 (as it is 82 kilometres along the railroad from Cusco) through the Andes crosses three stunning high passes and encounters many ancient archaeological sites including Wilkarakay, Phuyupatamarca and the marvelous ruins of Llactapata, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca culminating and in Machu Picchu, the famous Lost City of the Incas. There are few treks in the world that combine natural beatuty, history and mystery with such an awe-inspiring final destination. The trek is led by a local guide and supported by team of porters and cooks, leaving you with only a small day pack to carry. The trail can be demanding but can be completed by anyone who leads a reasonably active life - you certainly don't need to be an expert! The trail is not rushed and everyone is able to walk at their own pace. If you are in any doubt, or if you have any condition that may affect your ability to trek, we advise that you consult your doctor.
For people with less time to hike to Machu Picchu, the 3 Day Inca Trail Intrepid is the best option.
Inca Trail Trek 5 Days/ 4 Nights
5 Day Inca Trail walk along the classic Inca Trail. We learn about traditional Andean culture on the four-day trek to Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail (Qapaq Ñan in Quechuan native language), a 50 km sector of authentical Incan stone paths that once extended from Cusco to Machu Picchu, is one of the world's signature outdoor excursions! Nothing beats the sensation to walk the Inca Trail that leads to the Lost City of the Incas just as the Sun casts its first golden rays over ancient stone buildings.
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 6 Days/5 Nights
Uncover a distinct side to the immense Andes mountain range by taking this alternate path to Machu Picchu through wonderful surroundings. This untouched route will get you away from the crowds and gives you access to deserted Inca sights rarely seen by tourists. The highest pass is at 4550mt and gives you vistas beyond belief of the colossal Salkantay and Huamantay mountains which are some of the highest in Peru. Hike through cloud forest, cross rivers and appreciate trails still unaffected through beautiful valleys to come upon native mountain communities.
Inca Trail 2025 with Tierras Vivas
Why book with Tierras Vivas for your Inca Trail 2025?
Tierras Vivas has been a tour operator since 2007. Over the years, we have specialized in trekking and hiking tours on the Inca Trail, adhering to porter regulations and promoting sustainable tourism practices. Our projects are often associated with our foundation, RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE, through which we prioritize the welfare of our guides, porters, and local communities. Our goal is to improve the lives of these communities and porters, and to promote a new mindset focused on reforestation. Below, we mention the 4 reasons to book with Tierras Vivas for your Inca Trail 2025:
TripAdvisor
Today, we don't have extensive reviews on TripAdvisor because we don't require our customers and guides to provide them. Our trekkers come to Peru to enjoy their trips. In other companies, it's mandatory to provide TripAdvisor reviews; if guides, trekking chefs, and porters don't bring in these reviews, they face dismissal or are not scheduled for future departures. This turns TripAdvisor reviews into a marketing tool in tourism that affects the workers. Some travelers take advantage of this system by leaving negative reviews with malicious intent, which harms the guides, trekking chefs, and porters. When companies refund money due to bad reviews, they offer discounts to everyone involved, adhering to the motto, "the company does not lose." If you haven't found any complaints or worker reviews, we recommend checking social networks in Spanish.
We are aware that we have some old negative reviews, but they have helped us improve each year. We continually strive to provide the best experience on this trek. After you finish your trek on the Inca Trail, our guide and representative will provide you with a feedback sheet containing questions where you can rate our guides, trekking chefs, porters, and equipment. This information helps our company further improve our services.
quality Equipment
Tierras Vivas is registered with the Tour Operator of Peru and SERNANP. Each year, our company commits to providing quality service. Tierras Vivas will provide all camping equipment, so you don't have to worry about bringing your own. Our equipment, including sleeping bags, blankets, and pillows, is washed in our laundry using biodegradable products to protect the water and environment. We are an eco-friendly company.
Good treatment of our guides, chefs, and porters
Tierras Vivas provides good treatment to our guides, chefs, and porters. The payment wage complies with Peruvian regulations, but Tierras Vivas pays more to benefit the families of our crew.
Additionally, our chefs and porters benefit from projects created by our foundation, aimed at improving the lives of the communities that support us in fulfilling your dream of completing the Inca Trail.
Every year, our guides, trekking chefs, and porters receive training in first aid, food preparation, and providing excellent customer service. This training helps us deliver the best service possible during the trek.
Sustainable & Responsible Travel
Every year, Responsible People and Tierras Vivas work with the communities and porter families to create new projects aimed at improving their lives. We also work with the communities to plant native plants in the Andean mountains.
Our project is based on four pillars: Health, Food, Education, and Family Well-being. More information: Visit Responsible People.
Alternative hike to Inca Trail for this 2025
If the Inca Trail is sold out in 2025, we recommend the following Inca Trail alternatives:
Lares Valley Trek
Hidden within the magnificent snow-capped Andes is a part of Peru where you have all appeal of the Inca Trail magical mountain scenery and the legacy of the Incas - without the tourist crowds. An exceptional alternative to the busy Inca Trail, the Lares Valley trek is so far off the beaten track that it has changed little over the last 500 years. With spectacular and diverse scenary, it is amazing that the area has remained largely untouched by tourism and retains its authenticity, offering a glimpse of life the way it used to be in Peru. You will meet traditionally dressed Andean farmers, and wander markets trading as they have done for centuries. You will see thatched stone and adobe houses and watch herds of llamas and alpacas roaming free. The Lares Valley trek is a similar trek and grade to the Inca Trail trek (with one challenging high pass) and is full escorted. It includes 2 nights camping and one night in Aguas Calientes town before an early climb up by foot to Machu Picchu. We can generally guarantee your place on the Lares Valley trek, however you will be required to pay a single supplement if you are the only one trekking on your departure. This is payable to your travel agent at the time of bookingand will be refunded in Cuzco if any additional group members join the departure of your trek. For full details of these trek, see the information
Salkantay trek
Salkantay Trek is one of the most interesting and important alternative treks to do, due to its wide range diversity in flora and different ecosystems, and its inca site laid on top of a mountain and just in front of the back of the Machu Pichu mountain, and this trail finally gets to Aguas Calientes located at the base of the historical and archeological site of Machu Picchu, from where we take a early bus up there to see the sunshine and avoid crowds whilst doing Machu Picchu with one of our English speaking tour and knowledgeable guides. The first day, we start early in the morning to drive from Cusco through along La Pampa de Anta ( the breadbasket of Cusco) to Mollepata (breakfast) for 2:30 hours, and we then continue driving to the headtrail at Soraypampa (3,800 mt), from where we start doing a gentle ascend to Salkantaypampa, and we then hike up a 7 seven switchback to get much closer to lunch at near to the small lake Soyrococha. Where afterwards we hike up to the highest pass at 4550 mt, and we then just descend to campsite at 3700mt at Huayracmachay, the following days we keep on descending down to 2100mt at la Playa and 1986mt at Aguas Calientes on the 4th day,each day of our hike we go through different landscapes, so basically the first day is a kind of difficult hike in terms of altitude, but we just pass, and the temperature that gradually gets colder, but this can be easily cop with thermal clothes. For full details for these trek, see the itinerary.
Inca Quarry Trail
It is a trekking hike, an attractive alternative for the excess of Inca Trail requests, on this hike you will appreciate the terraces & nbsp; of Huarocondo, the waterfall, Inca ruins, platforms, the Intipunku (Puerta del Sol), road Original Inca, stone quarries. The Inca Quarry Trail is relatively easy compared to some of the other hikes, making it a great option for less experienced hikers. An archaeological complex that very few know, in our journey we can appreciate the variety of flora and fauna. Cachicata Canteras is located around Ollantaytambo, from where we will board & nbsp; the train to continue our journey to get to MachuPicchu, & nbsp; you will have enough time to explore this mysterious Inca place admired for its magic and charm. The "Lost City of the Incas" is visited on the last day - & nbsp; Macchu Picchu. The Cachicata hike is relatively easy compared to some other walks. On our way we can appreciate a great variety of flora and fauna, the terraces of Huarocondo, the waterfall, Inca archeological remains, platforms, the Intipunku (Puerta del Sol), we will walk along the original Inca trail, stone quarries.
When is the best time to hike to Machu Picchu?
The best season is to do it in the dry season, which covers the months April to the end of September. In October the rains begin and you can find Machu Picchu covered by clouds. If you travel in June, we recommend you to book the Inti Raymi 2025 Tour that takes place in June 24th, and also hike the Palcoyo Mountain Tour, which is an incredible Rainbow Mountain located in the Andes.
Remember to book your Machu Picchu Ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your Vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.
