Luxury or Standard Inca Trail?
The iconic Inca Trail trek to the Machu Picchu ruins in Peru is one of the most famous walks in South America.
This once-in-a-lifetime hike requires planning, permits and porters. The decision of whether to go on the standard trek or the luxury trek or, of course, by train.
Most importantly, both follow exactly the same A-B route. Visit the same ruins, and here’s a quick comparison of the two treks so you can make the best choice for your tour to Machu Picchu.
And whichever you choose you will have a great trek simply because the Inca Trail is a fantastic walk. Our dedicated and experienced staff do everything they can to make sure you enjoy yourself en route to the famous Inca mountain top citadel.
Standard Inca Trail trek
The standard trek is a bit quicker, uses the most popular campsites, and you arrive at the ruins early AM on day four. Campsite toilets are very basic.
This four day standard trek is more popular and it is normally easier to join a group. It is better for people with limited time and/or budget. This is a great trail if you want to meet fellow travellers, some of whom are on short holidays, others one long trips and sometimes some locals too.
There is a main dining tent where hikers like to socialise after a good day’s walking. The tent features camp stools and a table for games of cards and chats.
At extra cost you can add a night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes. This is the town at the foot of the ruins, on day four of the hike, giving you more time in the ruins plus a free day on day five. You can either return to the ruins, enjoy the hot springs or relax.
Luxury Inca Trail trek
The luxury trek uses campsites, private toilet tents, high quality and very spacious tents and good camping equipment plus more variety in the meals.
It has a slightly slower pace, meaning you rarely see any other groups or tourists and adding to the trek’s wilderness feel. On day three we camp at Phuyllupatamarca, the best place to see a great sunrise on the trail.
Groups tend to be smaller and it’s a more relaxed pace. You arrive at the ruins in the afternoon of day 4, when they are almost empty, have a quick look (not a tour) and then a good night’s sleep in Aguas Calientes.
You have a full tour on day five before catching the train, relaxed, back to Cusco that afternoon.
The extra expense also allows us to hire more porters, so more home comforts can be carried around, and more time allows us to prepare and provide a gourmet menu throughout the trek, with more fruits and salads.
The dining tent is sturdy and spacious and the most luxurious trek features the chance of a massage at the end of the day’s walking, to rest those aching muscles.
This is as comfortable as life can get while camping in these fabulous, remote mountains.
The non-camping options
If you can’t stand the thought of camping, then you can take the train to Aguas Calientes, spend the night there and then have guided tour in the morning.
