Photo by outdoorvoyage.com

Hike the inca Trail

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Few walking tours speak so much to the imagination as the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The tour leads through beautiful mountain landscapes and it is called the 'Royal Highway'. Many have added this amazing walk on their bucket list and we understand why. The Inca Trail starts in the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba River and leads you through the mountain peaks of the Andes to the ruins of Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail is 160 kilometers long, but you can start at many points. The route of the 'short' version is 'only' 43 kilometers long.

Those who want to take a real look into the life of the Incas must take the longer route. You can start from Cuzco, but also further on the Trail. The special thing about this trip is that you can also see the Inca tunnels and the ruins of Ollantaytambo, the site of one of the last battles between the Incas and the Spaniards. Walking in the footsteps of the Incas is a wonderful experience, but make sure you reserve on time, in high season all places are booked up months in advance.

Where to stay

If you are looking for a unique place to stay and you are not on a budget we recommend to stay at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. This hotel beats any luxury resort we've ever been to.


In a nutshell, it's paradise. Inkaterra is a world of it's own, a place where ecology and conservation meet luxury.


Everything was perfect, from our room to the amazing dinners, along with the guided tours, but most of all, the hotel's staff and attention to detail make it an unforgettable experience. On booking.com they get average rating of 9.1.

Best time to visit

The best time to plan your hiking adventure depends on what you prefer. If you are looking for lush, green landscapes then leave in May. The wet season will be over, allowing you to enjoy the spectacular views even more. The dry season of Peru starts in May and lasts until September which is also the high season. If you like peace and quiet, it is also an option to go during the rainy season (October to April). Click here for more average weather details.

Written by our reporter and co-founder Jan:

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This article was last updated on December 16, 2020.