Hiking &
Inca Trail FAQs .

Start with your available days, walking experience and the type of journey you want. Consider daily walking time, altitude, nights in a tent or hotel, and how you reach Machu Picchu. A shorter itinerary is not automatically an easier one. Our team can help you compare specific programmes.

The current Classic 4D programme is a four-day camping trek with three nights on the trail. It covers approximately 43 km (26.7 miles) and reaches 4,215 m (13,829 ft) at its highest pass. Expect uneven stone steps, sustained climbs and descents. Read the day-by-day itinerary before deciding.

It reduces the number of trekking days, but still involves uphill walking and stone steps. Do not choose it solely because it is called “short.” Check the actual walking day, overnight arrangements and Machu Picchu visit against your fitness and available time.

They are different routes, not interchangeable versions of the same hike. Compare the exact itinerary, highest pass, accommodation, transport and approach to Machu Picchu. Distances and inclusions can also change between different Salkantay or Lares programmes.

Inkayni group services have a maximum of 10 travellers. A group departure brings you together with other guests; a private service is reserved for your own party. Check the departure conditions for your chosen itinerary rather than assuming every route operates on every date.

Yes, ask about a private version of your preferred route. Group and private Classic Inca Trail 4D services share the confirmed 7 kg porter allowance, inflatable mattress, pillow, portable camp toilet and Vistadome return. Private pricing depends on party size and programme. Permits and route restrictions still apply; other treks have their own inclusions.

Ask about your preferred dates as early as possible, especially if your travel dates are fixed. Availability depends on the route and date, not a guaranteed booking window. Have alternative dates ready and wait for written confirmation before treating a permit as secured.

A request or a payment alone should not be confused with a complete travel confirmation. Review the written confirmation from Inkayni for your dates, passenger details, included services, payment schedule and any outstanding requirements.

For most tours, the deposit is 40% of the tour price. Selected tours that include flights require 50%; this is not a blanket rule for trekking routes. The amount applicable to your programme must be stated before payment.

Reservation deposits can be paid through WeTravel, PayPal or bank transfer. Generally, no additional deposit commission is charged; any exception must be explained before payment. The team also accepts these methods for the balance. Cash is recommended for the balance to avoid applicable charges, but is not compulsory. Confirm any fees for your selected method before paying.

Provide accurate passenger information and check that the name and document number match the identification you will travel with. If you are renewing or replacing a passport, contact Inkayni before booking or making a change. Do not assume that a permit or ticket can simply be edited.

Contact Inkayni before making changes. Permits, transport and other booked services can have different restrictions. A requested date or passenger change is not automatically confirmed. Ask for a written explanation of what can be changed and any applicable costs before proceeding.

No. Under Inkayni’s policy, the 40% deposit for the 2-day and 4-day Inca Trail is non-refundable, including cancellations more than 60 days before departure. The deposit is used toward purchasing entry permits and tickets. This does not mean that the entry price alone equals 40% of the tour price.

For other treks including Machu Picchu, cancellation more than 60 days before departure qualifies for a partial refund after deducting the Machu Picchu entry ticket. That ticket is non-refundable and non-transferable. This rule does not establish the outcome for cancellations 60 days or less before departure.

Policy scope · The rule above is confirmed only for cancellations more than 60 days before departure. Later cancellations require policy confirmation before launch.

Plan time to adjust before strenuous trekking and discuss your itinerary with a qualified health professional if you have medical concerns. Fitness does not eliminate altitude-illness risk. Tell your guide promptly if you feel unwell; do not keep ascending with worsening symptoms. This page is planning guidance, not individual medical advice.

Prepare for repeated days of walking rather than a single short outing. Build up gradually with hills, steps and walks in the footwear and daypack you intend to use. Compare this preparation with the daily effort in your itinerary. Seek appropriate professional advice if health or mobility concerns affect your plans.

For treks lasting four days or more, children aged 9 and over can participate without a special request solely because of their age. Children under 9 require an advance request and individual evaluation, including previous trekking experience and whether additional porter or other support is needed. Tell us the ages and experience of your party before booking. Suitability still depends on the route and individual circumstances; no universal upper age limit is specified here.

Prepare for changing mountain conditions rather than relying on a promise of clear skies. Pack rain protection, sun protection and warm layers appropriate to your route. Check the forecast close to departure and ask the team about expected conditions at the highest and overnight points.

Check the insurer’s wording for trekking, the maximum altitude on your route, emergency assistance, evacuation and trip disruption. Coverage varies by policy. Make sure you understand exclusions and how to contact the assistance provider; do not assume standard travel insurance covers every trekking activity.

Tell the guide immediately. The next steps depend on the person’s condition, location, weather and available access. The current Classic 4D listing includes first-aid, oxygen and communication equipment, but this is not a guarantee of immediate evacuation. Route-specific procedures and equipment should be confirmed before departure.

Keep the items you may need between stops with you: drinking water, rain protection, a warm layer, sun protection, your travel document and personal essentials. Carry any prescribed medication you may need, following your clinician’s instructions. Do not pack day-use essentials in luggage you cannot access while walking.

Both group and private Classic Inca Trail 4D services include a 7 kg (15.4 lb) porter allowance per traveller. This total includes your sleeping bag and sleeping pad, not just clothing. Confirm the supplied bag and final packing arrangement during your briefing. Other treks have their own inclusions and baggage arrangements.

Both group and private Classic Inca Trail 4D services include an inflatable mattress and an individual pillow. Sleeping bags and trekking poles are listed separately as rentals. For other treks, check the equipment included in your specific programme rather than assuming the Classic 4D kit applies.

Choose comfortable, broken-in walking footwear with suitable grip, and layers that can be adjusted as conditions change. Include a waterproof outer layer and dry clothing for camp. Test your kit before departure rather than using unfamiliar footwear for the first time on the trek.

Ask the team which items are available for your itinerary and reserve them in advance. Confirm the current price, fit, condition and suitability for expected overnight temperatures. Rental costs from older FAQ pages should not be treated as a current quote.

Arrange storage with your hotel or ask Inkayni about the available option for your departure. Confirm where it will be stored, when you can retrieve it and any conditions. Keep valuables and essential documents with you; do not assume storage is included without confirmation.

Follow the campsites confirmed for your departure. Assignments and operating conditions can affect the overnight locations, so a sample itinerary should not be read as an unconditional promise of a specific campsite. Ask the team to explain any changes to the final programme.

Both group and private Classic Inca Trail 4D services include a private portable camp toilet. Facilities and access can differ while walking and on other routes. Check the arrangements for your exact itinerary, particularly if you have accessibility or personal-care requirements.

Treated or boiled drinking water is provided from lunch on day 1 of the Classic Inca Trail 4D. Carry approximately 1.5–2 litres for the initial walk of around four hours, adjusting this to the weather and your personal needs. Buying bottled water from local residents on days 1 and 2 is an optional additional choice, subject to availability; do not rely on it as your only supply.

Tell Inkayni about dietary requirements before booking and ask what can be accommodated on your specific route. For allergies, discuss ingredients, preparation and cross-contact limitations directly with the team. Do not rely on a general statement that every diet can be handled without restrictions or extra cost.

Do not depend on reliable mobile reception or charging throughout the trek. Plan for limited connectivity and bring suitable backup power for your personal devices. Ask about the actual facilities on your route; a campsite name alone does not guarantee electricity or signal.

Check your programme for what is included and ask your advisor how tipping is usually handled on that route. This prototype does not set a mandatory amount or reproduce old wage comparisons. Any published guidance should clearly distinguish optional appreciation from the tour price.

Your confirmed ticket and programme determine the entry time, route or circuit, guiding arrangements and permitted access. Ask to see these details before booking. Do not assume all viewpoints, a sunrise visit or multiple entries are included in every trek.

No. The approach to Machu Picchu depends on the trekking route and authorised itinerary. Check the arrival description for your exact Inca Trail or alternative trek. Do not assume that every programme advertised as a trek to Machu Picchu uses the same entrance.

Ask before booking. These are distinct experiences with their own ticket availability, schedules and physical demands. An additional climb must fit your confirmed Machu Picchu visit and onward transport; it should not be added on the assumption that time or tickets will be available.

Yes. Both group and private Classic Inca Trail 4D services include the Vistadome return from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Other treks may use different train services. Check the named service, schedule and onward transfer in your own confirmation.

Use the confirmed transport schedule rather than a fixed time copied from a general FAQ. The return depends on your Machu Picchu visit, train service and road transfer. Leave a sensible buffer before a flight or other time-sensitive connection, and discuss your plans with the team.

Ask before tickets and services are issued. An extra night can affect accommodation, train dates, guiding and onward transfers. Any change is subject to availability and the conditions of the booked services; do not assume it will be free.

The briefing usually takes place around 48 hours before departure. Your confirmation provides the exact time, location and attendance instructions. Review your equipment, baggage allowance, route, first water refill, pickup and emergency contacts. If your arrival plans may prevent attendance, contact Inkayni in advance.

Confirm your accommodation address and the agreed pickup point with the team. Location, vehicle access and the programme can affect arrangements. Do not assume any hotel or rental property is covered automatically, particularly outside the usual departure area.

Pay your balance at the briefing, which usually takes place around 48 hours before departure. You may also pay the guide directly after the briefing, but the balance must be settled before the trip begins. If there is a delay, coordinate with the office. Cash is recommended to avoid applicable payment fees, not required; ask for any charges for your chosen method before paying.

Check your travel document, written itinerary, tickets, briefing and pickup details, balance status, insurance assistance information and packing arrangements. Confirm your first drinking-water refill, any rentals and any dietary requests. Save important contact details where you can access them offline.

Check official Peruvian government guidance and your airline’s requirements for your nationality and journey. Do not rely on historic COVID rules or expired notices in an old FAQ. Requirements should be checked again close to travel, especially if your itinerary includes another country.

Use “Ask about this question” or Messages to open WhatsApp or email. Include your tour name and travel date, or your booking reference if you already have one. Avoid sending medical or identity-document details through a generic enquiry unless the team has explained the appropriate process.