Straight answers to the questions hikers ask us most, from the team at Inca Trek by Destination Peru, a U.S. and Peruvian-owned licensed Inca Trail operator based in Cusco and Salt Lake City.
Answered by Jared Snow, founder, and our team in Cusco · Last updated: September 28, 2026
It's a serious day hike, not a stroll. The route is about 12 km (7.5 miles), starts around 2,200 m and tops out at the Sun Gate at about 2,720 m, and most people take 6 to 7 hours. You're on uneven stone stairs for four or five hours, both up and down, with the hardest climb up to Wiñay Wayna and one short, steep set of steps just before the Sun Gate. If you train on stairs beforehand, you'll enjoy it.
If you can get a permit, do the full trek. It's the complete experience: nights camping on the trail, Dead Woman's Pass, and a string of Inca sites most visitors never see before you hike through the Sun Gate. The 2-day trek is still a great hike, starting at KM 104, passing Wiñay Wayna and ending at the Sun Gate the same afternoon. The main thing you give up is sleeping on the trail.
Yes. Your Inca Trail permit includes your entry to Machu Picchu, so you don't buy a separate standard ticket for your visit. Permits can only be booked through a licensed operator, and every hiker must go with a registered guide. The permit is issued with your passport details and can't be changed or transferred later.
There's no legal minimum age, but the real question is whether your kids can handle it. The 2-day route means four or five hours of uneven stone stairs up and down, and the 4-day trek is much harder. Kids who already hike and are comfortable on stairs usually do well. Tell your operator their ages up front, because it changes the pacing and the plan.
Peru's Ministry of Culture releases permits for the coming year in batches, usually starting in late October or November. The 2026 permits went on sale Nov 17 to 25, 2025. May, June and July can sell out within a day or two of release, and other dry-season months within days. If you have fixed dates, lock in the permit first and book flights after.
Plan on at least two to three days at altitude before you start hiking. We send guests to the Sacred Valley first, which is lower than Cusco, then up to Cusco before the trek. Take it easy the first day, drink lots of water, and save the big hikes for after you've adjusted.
Pack light, since you'll carry your own day pack and often your overnight things for Aguas Calientes. The essentials: a rain layer, sun hat, sunscreen, bug spray for the small biting flies, 2 liters of water, snacks, and a change of clothes for the night. Wear well-broken-in shoes with good grip, because the stone steps can be slick.
No. The classic Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance and restoration, a rule in place since 2002. It can also close temporarily after heavy rain or landslides, as it did in August 2026 before reopening Sept 5, 2026. Always confirm the current status with your operator before you travel.
Jared or Carlos will reply within one business day, from Salt Lake City or from Cusco.
