The trek starts at Kilometer 88 of the railway to Aguas Calientes town. Hikers will see archaeological sites along the way like: Llactapata, Runcurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarka, Intipata and Wiñayhuayna which is an impressive site because of its terraces, and Machu Picchu .

Hikers need to hire a travel company to do the hike; you cannot do it by yourself.

Campsites and facilities
The campsites are designated by the Tourism Bureau. Basic toilets are available along the path, in Wiñaiwayna campsite (last night); there are facilities and a cafeteria, and you can take a hot shower too. Travel companies provide food and tents; porters carry all the camping gear. Hikers just carry their main backpacks; nevertheless hikers can request a private porter in order to carry just a day pack.

Water can be bought during the first and second day, porters will boil water for the next few days, plastic bottles are not allowed, take a container to take your water, bring purification pills is a good idea.

Take your own toilet paper and towel, cash to buy something and for the tips to the porters and guides. The porters expect to receive 100 Nuevos Soles / 30 USD each.

Advices
Hikers should spend two nights as minimum over 3000 m / 9800 ft, before the hike. It is recommendable to do aerobic exercises two months before the hike, it is not necessary be really fit, people with average physical conditions can do the hike.
Do not forget to bring your original passport; this will be revised in the check points. The name and the passport number have to be the same used to book for the hike, otherwise the authorities will not let you pass.

Take warming clothes, but also t-shirts, shorts, rain coat and flashlights. Hat, sun block and mosquito repellent are very important. Take your own toilet paper and towel, also cash to buy something and for the tips to the porters and guides. The porters expect to receive 100 Nuevos Soles / 30 USD each.

Weather
Hikers have to be prepared for different climates because the weather changes pretty much, also the environment will be very different day by day, expect cold morning starts, but the temperature will increase during the day, at night it will drop; June, July and August are the coldest moths, temperature could be – 5°C / 23°F.

The rainy season starts in December and ends in March. The Inca Trail is closed during February for maintenance and because the weather conditions.

Between 2500 and 3500 meters the temperatures vary from 0 to 12 °C / 23 to 54°F in the night and from 15 to 25 °C / 59 to 77°F during the day. At higher elevations from 3500 to 4500 meters, the temperature varies from -5 to 8 °C / 23 to 47°F to during the night versus 18 °C / 64°F during the day.

During part of the third and fourth day it will be very humid and hot, because hikers will get in to the cloud forest.

Booking advices

There is a maximum of 500 hikers per day; once the spot is taken it cannot be transferable. Hikers should book about three months before their arrival because the spots are taken very quickly, ask availability. The passport information provided to book the hike has to be the same showed at the check points.