BROWSE PERU TRIPS
Peru
The Best Route on Inca Trail – Avoid Crowds & Acclimatize
How to Avoid the Crowds and Acclimatize on the Inca Trail
Can you have the Inca Trail largely to yourself? Yes, when you go with Wilderness Travel. We have perfected the timing of our daily hiking schedule so that the majority of other hikers will be either far ahead or far behind you each day. This delivers a much better experience of this World Heritage Site, and our trip members often comment on the magic of “having the Inca Trail to themselves!”
Five Days on the Trail
Our journey has five hiking days (most companies push it with just four days on the trail—and some even three). The WT way allows you to acclimatize gradually to the altitude, have reasonable wakeup times (no hiking in the dark, as with other companies), and enjoy well-paced hiking days that give you time to explore the extraordinary archaeological sites along the route. We want you to experience the wonder of the Inca Trail, not race through it.
Here is how we plan your Inca Trail hiking experience:
First Hiking Day:
Approximately 3 miles, 2-3 hours, 200′ ascent/descent, maximum elevation: 8,900′, campsite elevation: 8,700′.
Second Hiking Day
Approximately 6.5 miles, 5-6 hours, 150′ ascent/380′ descent, maximum elevation: 8,900′, campsite elevation: 8,900′.
Third Hiking Day
Approximately 6 miles, 6-7 hours, 3,400′ ascent, maximum elevation: 12,180′, campsite elevation: 12,180′.
Fourth Hiking Day
Approximately 8 miles, 7.5-8.5 hours, 3,100′ ascent/descent, maximum elevation: 13,830′, campsite elevation: 12,100′.
Fifth Hiking Day
Approximately 6.8 miles, 5-6 hours, 4,350′ descent, maximum elevation: 12,033′, Machu Picchu elevation: 7,972′.
The Perfect Pace for Proper Acclimatization
Our itinerary is specifically designed to give you three full days at altitude before you start any strenuous hiking. We give you an overnight in Cusco (11,200′), then an overnight in Ollantaytambo (9,160′) in the Sacred Valley, and on the third day, you’ll have a short, relatively level hike to our private camp at 8,700 feet—all in all, a perfect way to acclimatize. This, together with the design of the trek itinerary itself, are the reasons why we have an unmatched 100% success rate, with no guests ever coming off the trail due to altitude issues.
Learn More
Talk to an Expert
Our Latin America Specialists know every detail about our Peru trips. They will be happy to answer any questions and help make sure it’s the right adventure for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!