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If you’re anything like me, Machu Picchu has been sitting pretty up the top of my bucket list for a hot second. And the ultimate way to experience it is to hike up to it on the infamous Inca Trail. Sure, you could take the train, but where’s the adventure in that?
One of the most famous in the region, the Inca Trail comprises of hidden ruins, stunning mountain views, and ever-changing landscapes through the Andes. There are alternative routes like the Salkantay Trek or Lares Trek, but the classic Inca Trail is the only one that follows the original path used by the Incas to Machu Picchu.
But this trail, although accessible, isn’t for the faint of heart. The altitude alone poses its own challenges and when you’re 4000m up, an hour’s hike can feel like a lifetime. The trail is strictly regulated, so the only way to do it is on a guided tour. Permits are limited and sell out months in advance, so locking in the right tour at the right time is crucial.
With SO many tours, choosing the right fit for you can feel as challenging as getting yourself up to Dead Woman’s Pass. Luckily for you I’ve done the hard yards so you don’t have to. This ultimate guide of the best Inca Trail tours and best inca trail tour companies will cover every type of traveler, from the budget to the boujee.
Let’s dive in, amigo!
G Adventures – Best Overall Inca Trail Trip
Photo: @willhatton__
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- Number of Days: 7 – 12
- Price: $550-$1150 (dependent on tour length)
- Group Size: Max 16, Avg. 12
- Fitness Required: Moderate – Good
- Accommodation Type: Camping
For those who value the reliability and professionalism of an established international operator, G Adventures is definitely one to consider. With over 20 years of experience running tours worldwide, they’ve got their operation down to a fine art. While they come with a higher price tag than some other companies, the quality speaks for itself—they’ve even been recognised as the Best Inca Trail Tour Operator by the Regional Direction of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Cusco.
Their itineraries range from a classic 4-day trek to full three-week Peru adventures, all featuring the legendary Inca Trail. Their guides are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the landscape and Inca history, making the journey both engaging and informative—even when the trail starts testing your stamina.
The chefs work absolute magic—you’ll forget you’re at 4,000m and not in a restaurant. G Adventures also provides not just one, but two expert guides, or as they call themselves, CEOs (Chief Experience Officers). They know the trails inside and out, ensuring you’re well looked after every step of the way. The tour covers everything, including a hotel stay in Cusco the night before departure, so all you need to do is show up ready for the adventure.
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What makes this tour different:
This Inca trail is one of the best hikes in the world and goes beyond just the trek, packing in thoughtful extras like a visit to the Ccaccaccollo Community to see locally produced pottery. Both this and other community projects are backed by the G Adventures Planeterra initiative, ensuring that tourist money directly benefits the local economy—especially women-owned businesses that have flourished thanks to this support.
G Adventures also stands out for its policies on responsible travel, flexibility, and lifetime deposits, giving you solid peace of mind when booking. Unlike many operators, they don’t slap solo travellers with extra fees either—as long as you’re happy to share a tent, you won’t be paying a premium for going it alone.
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View on OspreyAlpaca Expeditions – Best Value Trip
- Number of Days: 4d/3N or shorter
- Price: $550-$1150 (dependent on tour length)
- Group Size: Up to 16
- Fitness Required: Moderate – Good
- Accommodation Type: Camping
If you want a tour company that actually gives back to the local community and takes responsible travel seriously, Alpaca Expeditions is a solid choice. They’re a well-established company, but not some international giant, meaning your money stays in Peru, supporting the people who make these treks possible.
From the start, their communication was quick and thorough, covering everything I needed to know before setting off. Their gear is in great shape—quality tents, solid trekking poles for rent, and everything needed for a comfortable trek.
But the real stars are the porters. Treated well, properly equipped, and always in good spirits, they move effortlessly along the trails, somehow managing to crack jokes while carrying half a campsite on their backs. Alpaca Expeditions strictly follows porter weight regulations and ensures their team is kitted out with the best hiking clothes and boots. They’re always on hand to help and are a wealth of knowledge—most of the time, questions you have will be answered before you even ask!
What makes this tour different:
Alpaca Expeditions leads the way in sustainable tourism with a strong focus on supporting the local community. They were the first company on the trails to hire female guides and porters through their #HikeLikeAGirl initiative, paving the way for more women to break into the industry. Their commitment to ethical trekking has even earned them a spot in Netflix’s Magical Andes documentary—worth a watch to get inspired before hitting the trails. Oh and they also offer private Inca Trail tours too.
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Grab an eSIM!TreXperience – Best Luxury Inca Trail Tours
- Number of Days: 2 – 6 nights
- Price: $470-$2000 (dependent on tour length)
- Group Size: Small
- Fitness Required: Moderate – Good
- Accommodation Type: Camping / Hotel
From start to finish, TreXperience runs a smooth operation. Booking, payment, and communication are seamless, and once you’re on the trek, the logistics are just as polished—briefings, hotel pickups, baggage storage, and gear rentals are all handled with ease. The guides are both knowledgeable and responsible, and their deep knowledge of Andean history with a sprinkle of personal insights make the experience feel just as cultural as it is scenic.
While great food is a given on these tours, TreXperience takes it a step further by sourcing ingredients from local communities in the surrounding mountains. Enjoying a meal made with fresh, local produce while gazing at glaciers, forests, and lagoons? It doesn’t get much better than that.
What makes this tour different:
TreXperience takes luxury to the next level on the Inca Trail, offering portable solar showers and private toilets for every group—something no other company provides. They go the extra mile with 4-person tents for every 2 trekkers, making your camping experience feel much more comfortable than the usual set-up. If you’re keen on the cultural and historical significance of Machu Picchu and the Inca trail, the porters’ knowledge is unmatched, giving you a deeper understanding of this incredible journey.
Happy Gringo Tours – Best Budget Tour
Photo: @willhatton__
- Number of Days: 2D1N, 4D3N, 5D4N, 7D6N
- Price: $500 – $1200
- Group Size: Small
- Fitness Required: Moderate – Good
- Accommodation Type: Camping
Happy Gringo Tours is a locally owned company offering affordable tours to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail. Perfect for if you’re budget backpacking Peru and still want to experience the essentials, this is a solid choice. Expect all the usual camping gear, delicious food, and helpful porters and guides, all included in the price. Just a heads-up, the Huayna Picchu ticket isn’t included, so that’s something to sort out separately.
Some of the guides are also proclaimed to have quite an eye for a good shot so you can rest assured you’ll come out with some epic photos of this journey. By the end of Day 4, the team will feel like your own little Inca family, thanks to their warmth, patience, and a good dose of humour.
What makes this tour different:
This is the only company on the Inca Trail serving up organic Peruvian food, perfect for those who want to eat clean without sacrificing flavour—even at altitude. And if that’s not enough, they throw in a hot water bin at the end of the day to wash off the grime after your hike. That’s absolute luxury at 4000m if you ask me.
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View on REI Read the ReviewSAM Travel Peru – Best Inca Trail Hiking Tours
- Number of Days: 2D1N, 4D3N, 5D4N, 7D6N
- Price: $120 -$500
- Group Size: 2-8 people
- Fitness Required: Moderate – Good
- Accommodation Type: Camping
SAM Travel Peru is a locally owned, family-run operation based in Cusco, with years of hands-on trekking experience. The guides are fluent in English, highly professional, and genuinely passionate about Inca heritage and history. Expect to be well taken care of; by the end of the trek, you’ll feel like part of the SAM family. The chef and porters are absolute legends. If you’re after a five-star experience in the middle of the mountains, SAM Travel Peru nails it.
What really makes them stand out is how much they care about their porters. These guys aren’t just workers—they’re from local, often isolated communities, and SAM helps provide them with steady jobs and opportunities to give their kids an education. It’s not just about the trek; it’s about supporting the people who make it all happen.
What makes this tour different:
SAM Travel Peru is a proudly local, Cusqueñian company, with no shareholders, ensuring every guest gets a truly authentic experience. They believe in quality over quantity, which is why they cap their groups at 8 people max. This means more personal attention and a much more intimate experience compared to the larger, crowded groups other companies roll out. They are also a good shout for Inca Trail family tours.
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Hide Yo’ Money!Inca Trail Packing List
Here is a rundown of what to take when hiking the Inca trail.
- Passport – No passport, no Inca Trail. You need this to register yourself and receive your permit to access the trail.
- A comfortable daypack – Your tour might include a porter’s service as standard, but you’ll still want a bag with you to carry things you need for the trek itself. I used the Osprey Stratos 34L and couldn’t recommend it enough.
Clothing
- Sunglasses – The last thing you want is to miss out on the views because you’ve been blinded by the blazing sun. Invest in a good pair of hiking sunglasses and enjoy those well-earned views.
- A good sun hat to protect your face from the rays.
- Your tried and tested hiking clothes – You’re going to want to make sure you’ve got base layers, trousers, thermals and hiking socks.
- A waterproof jacket – My favourite is the Paramo Velez Jacket
- A hat and gloves for when it gets cold at night/at altitude
- Your trusty hiking boots
Toiletries
- Sunscreen
- Toilet paper (trust me, you’ll need it up there)
- Lip balm with SPF
- Altitude sickness meds – You’ll need a prescription, but it’s worth the effort if you think you need them.
- Electrolytes
- Pain medication
- Wet wipes for a good ‘ol nature shower OR a microfibre towel
All the other fun stuff
- A travel pillow – This might seem a bit boujee but the ones provided are pretty crap, so this’ll be a lifesaver.
- Hiking poles if you feel like you’ll need them
- Flip flops for the camp at night – That 2am lace up of your hiking boots just to get to the loo isn’t in my top 5 favourite moments of the trail.
- A powerbank – There’s no power 4000m up as you have probably guessed.
- A head torch for when the camp is dark at night.
- Money – For the toilet, tips and that cheeky end of day beer.
Get Insured BEFORE Hitting the Road
Unfortunately things can go wrong when you least expect it. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
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SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
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FAQs About the Best Inca Trail Tours
Here are some questions backpackers ask about the best Inca trail tours.
Final Thoughts
The Inca Trail is so much more than just a hike — it’s an unforgettable journey and bonafide spiritual experience through history, breathtaking landscapes, and personal endurance.
As you can see, whether you’re seeking a budget-friendly trek, a luxury experience, or a tour that gives back to the local community, there’s a Inca Trail tour suited for you.
Each of these tour operators brings something unique to offer so you can’t go far wrong. From the heart-pounding ascent to Dead Woman’s Pass to the awe-inspiring first glimpse of Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate, this adventure is as rewarding as it is challenging.
If hiking the Inca Trail has been on your bucket list, now’s the time to make it happen. With permits selling out months in advance, securing your spot with the right tour operator is crucial. So, take the leap—book your trek, lace up those boots.
Photo: @willhatton__
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Peru for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Peru before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate South America backpacking guide.
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