This post will cover the biggest mistakes people make trekking to Machu Picchu. I have been trekking the famous Inca trail to Machu Picchu for 20 years. Our head guide works full time with Ian Taylor Trekking; we have two God children in Cusco and feels like home to us. Visiting Peru and the classic Inca trail trek to Machu Picchu each year is a highlight of our yearly trekking calendar and one trek we never forget to join each year. Check out all our upcoming trips.
Why Trek to Machu Picchu
The trek to Machu Picchu is so much more than a 26-mile hike through the eastern Andes to Machu Picchu. This classic Inca trail or royal Inca trail to Machu Picchu is a spiritual connection that draws us in every time. This magical trail was the Inca trail for the hierarchy of society at the time. The classic Inca trail offers peace, tranquility and a deep connection to these mountains, Incan sites, and this unique path that was built here over 500 years ago. It is one of the best treks in the world. Read some reviews.
Is the Inca Trail Busy?
If you trek on the classic itinerary, which is an extended version of the Inca trail trek, you will see very few people. This is a heavily regulated trail and requires special permits that we will secure for you. Currently the Inca trail allows 500 people per day including guides and porters to enter the trail. Maybe 180 to 200 trekkers per day are allowed to enter the Inca Trail.
After 20 years of trekking this famous trail, we have the timing down. Our team picks the best campsites to stay in and the timing of arriving at very specific Inca sites. We also know how to pace the trail, offering you the best experience trekking into Machu Picchu.
The Biggest Mistakes People Make Trekking to Machu Picchu
We want people to have the best experience possible and walk away with memories and experiences that are life changing. I have trekked all the Inca trails you hear about and hands down the classic itinerary is the best way to experience the famous Inca trail trek to Machu Picchu.
Below, I have listed the main mistakes people are making as they plan their trek to Machu Picchu. Beyond that, we will get into each item and share our extensive experience, so you don’t have to make any mistakes in your planning. What we present will cost more than the quick 4-day fast track to Machu Picchu. We just want people to be blown away by the best experience possible as you make this once in a lifetime journey trekking into Machu Picchu.
1). A lot of people are Picking the wrong Itinerary
2). People think they are booked into the Famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
3). You need an itinerary that stays in Phuyupatamarca
4). Not enough Acclimatization in Cusco
5). Trekking into Machu Picchu in the late afternoon instead of the morning
6). Spending the night in Ollantaytambo before going to the Inca Trail
7). Stay in Aguas Calientes for one Night
8). Cheap Outfitters Lead to a Poor Experience
Most Frequently Asked Questions
We run over 20 treks to Machu Picchu each year and we have a full-time staff member in Cusco managing operations for Ian Taylor Trekking. There are other treks to consider, we love the Ausangate and Lares treks and we tailor make itineraries for private groups and filming projects. Our team get daily emails with questions about the Inca Trail and have but together the questions be frequently get asked on video.
If you sign up for one of our trips we send you a 40 page document with important information about trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We are also available 5 days a week to answer any questions you may have.
The Biggest Mistakes People Make Trekking to Machu Picchu
1). A lot of people are Picking the Wrong Itinerary
I remember my first Inca trail trek quite vividly over 20 years ago. We were picked up at 4am in Cusco after a poor night’s sleep and we were unleashed onto the trail without a guide and told to follow specific signs to get access to lunch. We would also look out for the same sign to show us our campsite.
It was a long day as I remember going all the way to Llulluchapampa 12,467 feet/ 3,800m and struggled to get up the final 2 hours to the camp site. I arrived at 5pm and was tired. Three of us were crammed into a small tent. It was a long night!
Do Not Pick the Traditional 4 day Inca trail
The next morning, we hike up over the dead women’s pass 13,829 feet/ 4,215m down 2,018 feet/ 615m into the valley, then up over the second pass and all the way to Chaquicocha Campsite 11,811 feet/ 3,600m for our second night. We saw Inca sites along the way, but offered no explanations of the trail or Inca sites.
Day three we trekked all the way to Winay Wayna Campsite 8,747 feet/ 2,666m arriving at 4pm. I remember the food was poor, we didn’t have enough water to drink, and more than half the group were sick. We were up at woken at 3am and brought to the entrance gate and had to stand there for over 2 hours in the dark waiting for the gate to open and everyone could funnel into the last stage of the trail to the sun gate and into Machu Picchu.
Pick the Classic 5 Day Itinerary
By the time we reached Machu Picchu, half the group left to find the closest toilets. Others were far too tired and the whole experience was a mixed experience of remembering nothing of the trail and being far too tired. Cut to 8 hours later can we were back in Cusco after a pretty miserable Inca Trail experience. This is not the way to make this amazing journey and 80% of people are trekking the Inca trail the wrong way.
The classic itinerary offers you more time on the trail and a far better experience of all the Inca sites. This itinerary stays in the better locations, campsites and doesn’t rush you from Cusco through the trail and quickly back to Cusco. This is the only way I will trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
2). People Think They are Booked into the Famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
I see it online, in Cusco and from talking to hundreds of people reaching out to us, that people are booking the wrong trek. Yes, there are thousands of Inca trails from Ecuador to Argentina. There is only one trail that hikes into Machu Picchu. This famous or royal Inca trail is the trek we run. Cusco was the center of the Incan empire and the 4 main Inca trails that leave the main square in Cusco lead to the four corners of the Incan empire.
The Inca trail that eventually leads to Machu Picchu starts at the Irish Bar Paddy’s in Cusco. That street from the main square was the trail to led people to sacred valley and to the jungle, Machu Picchu and Vilcabamba, the last refuge of the Incas. Vilcabamba was the last stronghold of the Inca Empire was Vilcabamba, a remote city in the Peruvian Andes. After the Spanish conquest of Cusco in the 1530’s, the Inca rulers established Vilcabamba as their final refuge and capital. This Neo-Inca State resisted Spanish rule for several decades.
There is only one traditional, classic or royal Inca trail that hikes into Machu Picchu and this is the famous trail that we run trips on. It requires a permit, and these permits need to be booked well in advance. The permits get released in October for the following year and you need to be ready to secure you permit early. If you need further information contact our team today.
3). You Need an Itinerary That Stays in Phuyupatamarca
After the trekking this famous trail over 30 times I can tell you there is a definitive way to trek to Machu Picchu. The best itinerary for trekking must include a night at Phuyupatamarca. Phuyupatamarca, known as the “City Above the Clouds” in the Quechua language, is one of the most spectacular and well-preserved archaeological sites along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Perched high in the Andes, this 15th-century ceremonial site—believed to have been built under the reign of Emperor Pachacuti—played a vital role in the Inca Empire’s sacred road system.
Phuyupatamarca showcases the Incas’ advanced engineering with its beautifully crafted agricultural terraces, ritual stone baths fed by a sophisticated water management system, and strategic placement offering sweeping views of the cloud forest and surrounding mountains. The site’s alignment and design also reveal the Incas’ deep understanding of astronomy and the natural world, making it a powerful symbol of their spiritual and architectural genius.
Below the Campsite is the unique Incan site which served as a lookout, watch tower and ceremonial place. The views from the campsite and top of the hill are world class. I have climbed and trekking all over the world and this is one of my favorite campsites and look forward to staying here each and every year. The sunset and sunrise in this camp is unmatched. There are a number of other reasons to stay at this campsite but you will need to join one of our trips to find out more.
4). Not Enough Acclimatization in Cusco
Remember that everything above 8,200 feet is considered high altitude. Cusco sits at 3,300m/ 11,300 feet, and flying in from sea level is challenging for most people. Having at least two nights on the front end of the trip is advised. Our highest recommendation is for more acclimatization on the front end of the trip. This can make or break your whole experience.
If you plan to arrive in Cusco early, we can book additional hotel nights. We use the Novotel hotel in Cusco, a great location for exploring the city of Cusco. We can also help you plan out some local tours to Sacsayhuaman or other key Inca sites in and the Cusco valleys. Contact our team for further information.
5). Trekking into Machu Picchu in the Late Afternoon Instead of the Morning
I have just returned from Machu Picchu and our team trekking into Machu Picchu arriving at the viewing point at 4:30pm for an epic 30-minute experience of Machu Picchu with nobody around. Learn more our experience and follow our classic itinerary for this experience.
The reason people are following the traditional itinerary is because it is cheaper. Waking at 3am to reach the sun gate at 6am is not the best way to experience the Inca Trail. Arriving at Machu Picchu early and being back in Cusco that same day is not the best use of your time.
Hiking into Machu Picchu later in the day after having time to experience Winaywayna and experience the trail in daylight is the way to go. Add more…………….
6). Spending the Night in Ollantaytambo Before Going to the Inca Trail
Our itinerary goes from Cusco to the sacred valley and stays in Ollantaytambo rather than drive back to Cusco. We take our teams for dinner in OIlantaytambo and you can explore small town Peru.
Ollantaytambo is a cool town with an amazing Inca site that we will explore. It is also the best place to stay before entering the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Staying in Ollantaytambo the night before starting the Inca Trail is one of the smartest ways to acclimatize and prepare for your trek to Machu Picchu. This charming town is nestled in the heart of the Sacred Valley at 9,160 feet/ 2,792m, offers a perfect middle altitude to ease the transition from Cusco’s higher elevation.
Ollantaytambo is also rich in history, home to one of the best-preserved Inca archaeological sites, cobblestone streets, and vibrant local culture. Most importantly, it’s only a short drive to the Inca Trail starting point at Kilometer 82, allowing for a more relaxed and efficient start to your trek. By spending the night here, you avoid the long early-morning commute from Cusco and set yourself up for a smoother and more enjoyable first day on the trail.
7). Stay in Aguas Calientes for One Night
After trekking into Machu Picchu late in the afternoon you should take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and stay for the night. On our trips we take you for an nice dinner at Indio Feliz. The follow morning we return to tour Machu Picchu and climb Huayna Picchu. Huayna Picchu is considered one of the best day hikes in all of South America.
Huayna Picchu, known in Quechua as Wayna Pikchu, is the iconic peak that towers behind the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu. Located in the Machu Picchu District of Urubamba Province in Peru’s Cusco Region, this steep mountain rises dramatically above the Urubamba River, which curves around its base.
Huayna Picchu is featured in the classic postcard view of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu offers adventurous hikers a challenging climb and breathtaking panoramic views of the archaeological site below. Its summit provides a unique vantage point to appreciate the scale, beauty, and mystery of the so-called “Lost City of the Incas”.
8). Cheap Outfitters Lead to a Poor Experience
I see far too many people rushing the Inca trail and watch teams that are not professionally led. We also see a lot of sick people from poorly managed trips. Far too many people are let loose on the Inca trail with no idea how to pace themselves.
While our team are setting up lunch spots with comfortable seating, we see a lot of people sitting on the ground with no food. We also see a lot more people with altitude sickness because they are going to hard and picking a service that doesn’t offer quality food, proper pacing can ruin your experience.
The Inca trail is hard! You need proper guides who pace the team and make sure you can safely make your way through the trail and reach Machu Picchu ready to have that lifechanging moment.
How Hard is the Inca Trail
The Inca trail is a challenging trek and if you fail to physically prepare you will find it extremely challenging to complete. It can be a very dangerous place if you come under prepared. Obviously, age, conditioning and previous experience all play their part. The Inca trail presents a unique challenge with larger than normal stairs. This means you need excellent leg strength more so than cardio fitness. You can read more about our training advice for the Inca Trail.
The area that catches most people out is the downhill. There is very specific training you need to be doing as you prepare for all the downhill on Inca trail. Contact us and learn more about how to prepare.
Contact the Inca Trail Experts
Are you interested in a free consultation about trekking to Machu Picchu. If so contact our team today and we can schedule a call. All our key staff have trekked to Machu Picchu over 10 times so they are well equipped to answer any questions you may have.
You can also read some reviews from our trips and check out a very important Inca Trail page with links to all our important Inca Trail pages. Do let us know if you need any specific information about trekking the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We also have a great 2-day option for people who do not want to trek the full trail.