GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE BEST INCA TRAIL TOUR COMPANY FOR 2024
If you’re considering taking the Inca Trail off your bucket list in 2024 or maybe you’realready planning your trip of a lifetime to Peru’s famous ruins and you want to know more about hiking the Inca Trail.
What is the Trail like? Is it hard and cost ofthe trip? And most importantly, which Inca Trail tour company should you use foryour trekking Inca Trail adventure in 2024?
We want to let you know that there are more than 200 tour companies who will take you out on the Trail. Most are fairly knowledgeable and professional, but as with any company, some are simply much better than others.
Take your time to research a company that will be best fitted to your needs. What is even more important than that is the safety of clients.
We want you to be confident that you are booking a reputable and knowledgeable company.
Here, we’ll look at some of the best local Inca Trail tour companies for 2024 as well as detailed information about the Trail. If you’re dreaming of hiking on the IncaTrail in 2024, you’ll want to read this first.
WHAT IS THE INCA TRAIL?
The most famous hike in South America perhaps the world and a must do, and alife changing experience. The four-day Inca Trail is experienced by thousands everyyear.
Although the total distance is only about 28 miles (45km), the ancient trail laidby the Incas from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu winds its way up and downand around the mountains, snaking over three high Andean passes on route, whichhave collectively led to the route being dubbed ‘the Inca Trail.’
The views of snowy mountain peaks, distant rivers and ranges, and cloud forests flush with orchids are stupendous – and walking from one cliff hugging pre-Columbian ruin to the next is a mystical and unforgettable experience.
ARE THERE STILL PERMITS AVAILABLE FOR 2023 AND 2024?
500 Inca Trail permits are available a day (generally divided into 200 clients and 300 porters, cooks, etc.). Right now, July and August are almost sold out, but 15% of the permits are still available for August and beyond. So, it’s never been more important to book ahead of time so you can get the date and availability that you want.
We never ever want anyone to be disappointed.
Check out here the Inca Trail availability in real time for 2023 – 2024
WEATHER ON THE INCA TRAIL
Being so close to the equator, Peru has only two climate seasons: a dry season from April to October, and a wet season from December to March. Altitude is the main factor controlling the climate.
In the mountains, you’ll encounter sunny days with day time temperatures ranging between 65°F and 70°F, dropping to the 40s and lower at night.
The sun is very strong at a high altitude and it can often be warmenough to hike in shorts and a t-shirt. We also suggest for those who have problems with high altitudes to prepare accordingly before you start your journey.
It can also get extremely cold; if you’re familiar with mountain weather, you know how suddenly it can get cold even in the day time if the sun slips behind a cloud.
Nighttime temperatures can drop to below freezing. Rain should not be a problem but always keep in mind that mountain weather is unpredictable and sudden storms can occur, especially on high mountain passes.
HOW HARD IS THE INCA TRAIL?
The Inca Trail is not just a simple hike. The route is a 26-mile (45 km) trail featuring steep inclines and descents, and numerous staircases. stamina is a must, uneven ground, rough cobbles and tricky switchbacks.
And of course, some of the most mind blowing beautiful natural and historic sights on the planet.
The thing to bear in mind is that, whilst it’s no walk in the park, the Inca Trail is nota technical trek. You don’t need any special skills or equipment to complete it and, so long as you’re reasonably fit, you’re in with a pretty good chance; it’s rare that anyone is forced to abandon the Inca Trail.
That said, you are going to find it challenging, tiring, and a bit grueling in places. So be prepared for the adventure challenge.
HOW MUCH DOES THE CLASSIC INCA TRAIL COST?
The classic four-day/three-night Inca Trail trek can cost anywhere from US$690 to over $1300 per person. Generally speaking, the sweet spot for a standard group trek on a budget is somewhere between $690 and $800.
Top Local Inca Trail Tour Companies to Consider in 2024
Companies must meet certain basic requirements proving that they have professional guides and good camping equipment, radio communications and emergency first aid including oxygen.
Their license is renewed each year. So, only specific licensed companies like Action Peru Treks are permitted to lead groups on the 5-day Inca Trail, 4-day Inca Trail and 2-day Inca Trail routes. Great care has to be taken when choosing a tour operator since many companies have great looking websites but operate out of a bedroom on the outskirts of Cusco!!
There are really only a handful of reliable tour operators like Action PeruTreks that offer authentic trekking experiences departing with a minimum of two persons throughout the year. When making a booking you will be asked to pay adeposit of about 30%. This is needed by the tour operator to purchase your trek permit and reserve your train and bus tickets.
Always ensure that this deposit is paid to a company account and not to an account in the name of one of the employees. Below are well established and recommended tour companies in at least one major guidebook so you shouldn’t have any problems. Many accept payment of the deposit by credit card online to their company account.
The following trekking companies have received consistently good reviews on guidebooks, Trip Advisor, Trustpilot and other platforms:
Action Peru Treks actionperutreks.com
Action Peru Treks is a sustainable tour operator focusing on providing a top-notch trekking experience without compromising the working conditions of their workers. Action Peru Treks was founded in 2015 and it is a fully licensed, professional trekking tour operator and proud to be a completely local indigenous company that promotes responsibility.
Action Peru Treks prides itself in supporting the local communities from which it operates tours and treks. APT achieves this both by sourcing their staff and supplies from the local area, or donating a percentage of their income to support local projects.
One way They have been able to give back to the community was by donating to the school in Saccsayhuaman community and Soqma, helping to pay for its roof and drinking water and we continue to donate a small part of each trek in order to help out. Good treatment of their porters.
Consistently highly recommended so book well in advance. Inca Trail 4 day / 3-night price US$720 personal porter included (2023-2024)
Adventure Peru Path www.adventureperupath.com
Adventure Peru Path is locally-owned Cusco-based tour company with a focus on small and large group sizes. It carries a vision of providing environmentally friendly and culturally sustainable tour & trekking activities. It specializes in Inca Trail and alternative treks to Machu Picchu.
Enigma
Professional trekking company offering a wide variety of tours and treks includingluxury trips. Inca Trail maximum group size 12 persons. They focus on each guest individually whatever it is that they seek. Enigma will honor and enhance your experience.
Wayki Trek
With over 24 years of experience this is a well-established trekking company offering a wide variety of treks plus day trips to Machu Picchu and trips to the jungle. They create unforgettable experiences in a safe and professional way.
Explorandes
Explorandes is justifiably proud of its pioneer status: In 1975, it became the first adventure company to operate commercial treks along the Inca Trail and to Choquequirao. It now runs tours and treks all over Peru, including a popular 5day/4-night Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. This is one day longer than the standard trek offered by most other agencies, giving you more time for exploration and avoiding the big crowds along the Inca trail itself.
Amazonas Explorer
Amazonas Explorer is British owned but Cusco based, with more than 30 years of experience in Peru’s high-end trek and tour market. Like Explorandes, AmazonasExplorer adds an extra day onto its standard Inca Trail ensuring that you have much more of the trail to yourself by leaving later than the trekking hordes. You’ll alsohave more time to explore the Inca sites along the trail.
Llama Path
This company was started in 2003 and is one of the top agencies in Cusco. It Offers a wide selection of treks including the 2-day Inca Trail, 4-day Inca Trail and day trips by train to Machu Picchu. They also offer shortall-inclusive package tours.
SAS Travel
The largest adventure tour operator in Cusco offers all the usual treks plus whitewater rafting, biking and trips to the jungle and is absolutely an experience of alifetime.
TreXperience
TreXperience is a highly-rated trekking tour company founded by experienced local tour guide. They offer group and private tours to Machu Picchu, including alternative hikes, and have a maximum group size of 16 people. Despite the larger group size, they provide a personalized experience and prioritize sustainability.
Evolution Treks
They are the first company who hire women porters on Inca Trail. They offer group and private treks to the amazing wonder of the world “Machu Picchu”, including a variety of alternative hikes to the Inca Trail.
Alpaca Expeditions
When you do a little research on search on the internet, you will see positive reviews about Alpaca Expeditions. They offer group and private hikes to Machu Picchu, including many of the Inca Trail alternatives. The maximum groups consist of 16 people.
Full List of Licensed Inca Trail Operators 2024
001. Action Peru Treks E.I.R.L
002. Adventure Peru Path E.I.R.L.
003. ADV Gregory Cusco Peru.S.A.C
004. Adventours-SAS E.I.R. L
005. Adventure Peru Tour Operator S.A.C.
006. Agencia De Viajes Ecotime Peru E.I.R.L
007. Agencia De Viajes Y Turismo Apu Salkantay E.I.R.L.
008. Agencia De Viajes Y Turismo Ethnias Peru E.I.R.L.
009. Agencia De Viajes Y Turismo Peru Top Adventure S.R.L
010. Agencia De Viajes Y Turismo Raices Tours E.I.R.L.
011. Agencia Prueba S.A.C
012. Agencia Turismo K.B. Adventures S.A.C
013. Allyn Pacha Travel E.I.R.L
014. Alpaca Expeditions E.I.R.L.
015. Alpaca Tours Peru E.I.R.L.
016. Altura Travel S.A.C
017. Amazin Adventures E.I.R.L.
018. Amazon Andes Peru S.C.R.L.
019. Amazonas Explorer S.A.C
020. America Trek SAC
021. Andean Adventures S.R.L.
022. Andean Amazon EIRL
023. Andean Expeditions & Adventures S.A.C
024. Andean Killa Tours SAC
025. Andean Treks & Adventures SAC
026. Andean Hiking
027. Andes Amazon Trails Peru E.I.R.L.
028. Andina Travel Treks & Eco Adventure E.I.R.L.
029. Apu Andino Travel E.I.R.L
030. Apu Travel Service E.I.R.L.
031. Apumayo Expediciones S.A.C.
032. Apus Peru Adventure Travel SpecialistsS.A.C.
033. Auqui Mountain Spirit E.I.R.L.
034. Auqui Peru Mountain Spirit E.I.R.L.
035. Ausangate Travels SRL
036. Aventuras Ecotrek Peru EIRL
037. Aventuras X-Treme Tourbulencia En Cusco E.I.R.L
038. Andean Spiritual Path EIRL
039. Best Andes Travel SRL
040. Caminos De Llama S.A.C.
041. Camping Tours E.I.R.L.
042. Ceci’s Travel E.I.R.L.
043. Chaska Tours Agencia De Viajes Y Turismo E.I.R.L.
044. Chaski Tours S.A.C.
045. Conde Travel E.I.R.L.
046. Condor Travel S.A.C.
047. Corporation BECRI SAC
048. Crossover Peru SAC
049. Cultural Immersion Travel Peru E.I.R.L.
050. Culturas Peru Viajes Y Servicios S.R.L.
051. Cusco Native Travel Agency E.I.R.L
052. Cusco Peruvian Adventures SAC
053. Cusco Sunrise Peru Trek Tour Operator E.I.R.L.
054. Cusi Travel International S.C.R.L
055. DHSG EIRL
056. Daily Tours EIRL
057. Danzak Peru EIRL
058. Destinos Turisticos Group Peru S.A.C.
059. Discover South America E.I.R.L
060. Eco Path Trek E.I.R.L
061. Eco Wayky’s Tour Aventura E.I.R.L.
062. Ecoandes Adventures S.R.L.
063. Ecoinka S.R.L
064. Ecs Travel S.A.C.
065. Enigma Adventure Tour Operator S.A.C.
066. Epitour’s Trek E.I.R.L.
067. EricXpeditions SAC
068. Evolution Treks Peru E.I.R.L
069. Experience Colibri Peru EIRL
070. Explora Peru Co SAC
071. Explorandes S.A.C.
072. Explore Adventures S.R.L
073. Exploring Peru Travel Service E.I.R.L.
074. Fiesta Tours International S.A.
075. Go2Inkas S.A.C
076. Golden Empire Tours E.I.R.L.
077. Grand America Tour SAC
078. Grandes Aventuras Del Peru S.A.C.
079. Green River Expedition SAC
080. Group Empire Tours EIRL
081. Grupo Caminos del Peru E.I.R.L
082. Grupo Peru Raymi Travel S.A.C.
083. Grupo Tourbulencia En Peru S.C.R.L.
084. Hatun Qhapaq Nan Expeditions EIRL
085. Illa Yaku S.A.C.
086. Illapa Culturas Andinas Inversiones S.R.L.
087. Inca Peru Travel Tour Operator E.I.R.L.
088. Inca Trail Bamba Experience E.I.R.L
089. Inca Trail Machu EIRL
090. Inca Trail Peru Treks S.A.C (Peru Treks)
091. Inca Wonders Travel EIRL
092. Incas Journey Adventure E.I.R.L.
093. Inca’s Discovery & Eco Lodges S.A.C
094. Incredible Peru Tours SAC
095. Infocusco S.A.C
096. Inka Sites Adventures S.C.R.L.
097. Inka Trail Expeditions Peru E.I.R.L.
098. Inka Trail Machupicchu E.I.R.L.
099. Inkaland Group S.A.C.
100. Inkanatura Travel S.A.C.
101. Inkayni Peru Tours S.C.R.L
102. Instinct S.C.R.L..
103. Intense Peru S.A.C.
104. Inti Kuntur EIRL
105. Into Paths
106. Inti Sun Trek E.I..R.L.
107. Inversiones Inca Trail Reservations E.I.R.L.
108. Inversiones Arsa Tours S.R.L
109. Inversiones Cusco Explorer’s E.I.R.L.
110. Inversiones En Turismo Coavoy Peru Travel E.I.R.L.
111. Inversiones Mako’s S.R.L
112. Inversiones Receptour S.A.
113. Inversiones TP E.I.R.L
114. Inversiones Turisticas Andean Explorer’s Cusco E.I.R.L.
115. Inversiones Turisticas K’intu E.I.R.Ltda.
116. Inversiones Turisticas Maza E.I.R.L.
117. Inversiones Turisticas Peruinca Explorer E.I.R.L.
118. Inversiones Unitours S.A.C
119. Ittacca Experience SAC
120. Inca Trail Company SAC
121. Journey Experience S.A.C.
122. Karavaniers Peru EIRL
123. Katachillay Travel EIRL
124. Kaypi Peru S.R.L.
125. Killa Expeditions EIRL
126. Kondor Path Tours E.I.R.L
127. Kusa Treks Peru EIRL
128. Kusisqa Travel EIRL
129. Liberty Peru SAC
130. Lima Tours S.A.C
131. Llama Path E.I.R.L
132. Llama Tours Peru S.R.L.
133. Lorenzo Expeditions EIRL
134. Machete Tours S.R.L.
135. Machu Picchu INC EIRL
136. Machupicchu & Beyond E.I.R.L.
137. Machupicchu Mega Travel E.I.R.L.
138. Machupicchu Reservations SAC
139. Machupicchu Terra S.R.L
140. Machupicchu Travel Adventure E.I.R.L
141. Manu Expeditions E.I.R.L.
142. Marquez Viajes Y Servicios Turisticos E.I.R.L. (SAS)
143. Matours EIRL
144. Mava Travel Service S.R.L.
145. Mayuc Cusco EIRL
146. Mire S.R.L
147. Naty’s Travel Agency E.I.R.L.
148. NC Travel Cusco E.I.R.L.
149. New Inca Wasi Travel Corp EIRL
150. Nikkand EIRL
151. Operador de Aventura Superior EIRL
152. Pachatusantrek S.A.C.
153. Papi’s Treks E.I.R.L
154. Peak DMC South America SAC
155. Peak South America S.A.C.
156. Personal Travel Experience S.A.C.
157. Peru Adventures Paradise S.C.R.L.
158. Peru Andes Top Grupo Path of the Andes E.I.R.L.
159. Peru By Locals S.A.C
160. Peru Eco Adventures And Cultural Trips E.I.R.L.
161. Peru Fantastic Travel E.I.R.L
162. Peru Grand Travel E.I.R.L
163. Peru Inkas Collection SRL
164. Peru Nao Tours S.A.C.
165. Peru On Road E.I.R.L.
166. Peru Top Times SRL
167. Peru Sur Nativa E.I.R.L
168. Peru Tours And Adventure S.A.C.
169. Peru Tours Incorporation SAC
170. Peru Travel Conexion S.A.C
171. Peru Travel And Healing S.A.C.
172. Peru View Tours SRL
173. Peru Winayhuayna Adventure EIRL
174. Peru XP Travel SAC
175. Peruvian Highland Trek Expedition E.I.R.L.
176 Peruvian Sacred & Adventure S.R.L.
177. Peru Travel Dos Manos SRL
178. Private Machupicchu E.I.R.L
179. Pukupuku Travel SRL
180. Pumadventures SAC
181. Pumapath Adventures Peru E.I.R.L.
182. Peru Unique destination EIRL
183. Qhapaqnan Adventure S.A.C.
184. Quechua Treks Peru E.I.R.L
185. Quechuas Expeditions Peru S.A.C
186. Q’ente South American Trek Tours EIRL
187. Raices Peru Operadores Mayoristas S.A.C.
188. Rasgos Cusco Tours Operator E.I.R.L
189. River Explorers Specialists In River And Adventure E.I.R.L.
190. Royal Crown Adventures E.I.R.L.
191. Saca Expeditions Servicios Turisticos S.C.R.L
192. Salkantay Trekking E.I.R.L
193. Sam Travel Peru Expeditions E.I.R.L
194. Scenic Peru EIRL
195. Sky Viajes Y Turismo S.R.L
196. South Adventure Peru Tours E.I.R.L.
197. South American Travel Services S.R.L.
198. Southern Peru Explorers E.I.R.L
199. Southwild S.A.C
200. Sun Gate Tours S.A.C.
201. Sunshine Travel Peru E.I.R.L
202. Terra Explorer Peru E.I.R.L.
203. Tierra Biru Expeditions SAC
204. Tierras De Los Andes S.A.C.
205. Tierras Vivas E.I.R.L.
206. Tour in Peru E.I.R.L.
207. Trexperienceperu EIRL
208. Tucano Corporation SAC
209. Tucano Representaciones Peru Latin Trails S.A.C.
210. Tucanos Peru E.I.R.L.
211. Turismo Perufull EIRL
212. United Mice Tour Operator E.I.R.L.
213. Valencia Travel Agency S.A.C.
214. Valentine’s Pachamama Journeys SRL
215. Vamos Expeditions S.A.C.
216. Viajes Colon E.I.R.L.
217. Viajes Pacifico SAC
218. Viajes y Servicios Turisticos Flamenco S.A.C.
219. Viracocha Turismo Internacional SAC
220. Wake Up Peru Trekking E.I.R.L.
221. Wari Adventures SAC
222. Wayki Trek Transportes Turisticos S.A.C
223. Welcome South America Travel E.I.R.L
224. Worldwide Exotic Adventures SAC
225. Www Happy Gringo Tours EIRL
226. Yupi Adventure E.I.R.L.