FITNESS LEVEL: The Inca Trail hike is considered moderately strenuous and covers approximately 8 miles with about 2,500 feet of climbing, much of it on uneven stone steps at altitude. Participants should be comfortable hiking for several hours and able to maintain a steady pace throughout the day. Three hiking guides will accompany the group to accommodate different walking speeds. However, there are logistical time constraints, including transportation schedules and park regulations. If a participant falls significantly behind and misses the group's scheduled transportation, alternative transportation may need to be arranged at the participant's expense. Depending on availability and circumstances, this cost can be substantial. If you are unsure whether this hike is appropriate for your current fitness level, please contact us before booking. We're happy to discuss it with you so you can have the best possible experience.

We’ll hike approximately 8 miles along one of the world’s most iconic trails, climbing about 2,500 feet over uneven terrain, stone steps, and rugged mountain paths. Along the way, our knowledgeable local guides will share the history and culture of the Inca civilization as we pass ancient ruins and breathtaking Andean landscapes before arriving at the Sun Gate for our first unforgettable view of Machu Picchu. This is a challenging but incredibly rewarding day that requires good cardiovascular fitness, stamina, and comfort hiking for much of the day at altitude. While we welcome a range of hiking paces, participants should be able to maintain steady forward progress with the group and be prepared for a full day on the trail. We have multiple guides so hikers naturally spread out by pace, but this is not a leisurely walk with unlimited time. We strongly encourage you to read the Fitness section below and reach out if you have any questions about whether this hike is a good fit for you. **Note: The Inca Trail permits have extremely limited availability and usually sell out quickly once released. YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR THIS TRIP AND SUBMIT YOUR PASSPORT BY NOVEMBER 1, 2026 TO BE GUARANTEED A HIKING PASS. Please be certain your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your return flight home. Permits for the Inca Trail are nonrefundable and nontransferable. If the deadline passes and permits are sold out, you may still join the trip. An alternative option will be provided besides the hike if trip spots are still available.​ ​ OPTIONAL SECOND HIKE: On the last full day of the trip, you have the option to stay in Cusco, or embark on a full day hike in Huchy Qosqo. This is a stunning hike in the sacred valley 1.5-2 hours drive each way. The hike is approximately 3.5 hours with a maximum altitude of 13,386 ft. There is a 555 ft climb and a 3,700 ft descent. Hiking poles will be provided.

As we journey through the Andes, we'll be immersed in high-altitude environments. The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu are nestled between 9,000-10,000 ft and Cusco sits at around 11,150 ft. To aid in acclimatization, we'll spend most of the first three days acclimating in the Sacred Valley. Most travelers opt for medication like Diamox to mitigate the risk of altitude sickness. You will be encouraged to consult with your doctor to determine if Diamox is suitable for you. More information will be provided on altitude.

All accommodations are carefully selected for comfort and charm, but room sizes and layouts can vary. We do our best to honor preferences, with priority given to those who register earlier.

There is a minimum of six and a maximum of fourteen guests in the group (plus the host). If sold out, you can be placed on a waiting list.

If you’re interested in sharing a room, I’m happy to connect you with another guest who is also looking for a roommate, when possible. While I can’t guarantee a match, I’ll facilitate introductions so you can decide together if it feels like a good fit. If you’re registering on your own, you’ll initially sign up for a single room. If you later find a roommate, your registration and pricing will be adjusted. If a roommate match doesn’t work out, you’ll remain in the single room, subject to availability. If having a single room is essential for you, please reach out before registering so we can confirm availability.

Please wait to purchase non-refundable airfare until you receive an email confirming that the trip has reached the minimum number of participants and is officially running. Trips are typically confirmed once the minimum number of guests has registered, or no later than 90 days before departure for international trips and 60 days before departure for domestic trips. If you prefer to book flights earlier, we recommend choosing tickets that are refundable or easily changeable.

Yes. All guests are required to carry their own travel insurance policy that includes medical coverage and emergency evacuation. It is generally advisable to choose a policy with substantial coverage for both medical expenses and evacuation. Many policies provide $50,000–$100,000 in medical coverage and $250,000–$500,000 for emergency evacuation, but you should confirm what level of coverage is appropriate for your situation. If your trip includes high-altitude hiking (such as Peru or Bhutan), you may want a policy that covers hiking at higher elevations. When purchasing insurance, it can be helpful to call the provider directly to confirm altitude limits and activity exclusions so there are no surprises. Some travelers choose to purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage for greater flexibility. If you have pre-existing medical conditions or are considering CFAR coverage, many policies require the insurance to be purchased shortly after your initial trip deposit in order for those benefits to apply. Insurance policies vary widely, so please review the details carefully and confirm coverage directly with your insurance provider. LH Adventure Travel does not provide insurance and is not responsible for individual insurance decisions. If helpful, a link to Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison site, is provided at checkout for guests who wish to explore policy options. LH Adventure Travel may receive a small affiliate commission if you choose to purchase through that link, at no additional cost to you

All payments made to LH Adventure Travel are non-refundable. If you need to cancel your participation for any reason, payments cannot be refunded. If your cancellation is covered under your travel insurance policy, you may submit a claim directly to your insurance provider. LH Adventure Travel will provide any documentation required to support an insurance claim. Our small-group adventures require a minimum number of guests to operate (typically about 6 participants). If a trip must be cancelled because the minimum number of guests has not been reached, you will have the option to: • convert the trip into a private departure if possible (with adjusted pricing), or • receive a full refund of payments made to LH Adventure Travel. In the unlikely event that travel cannot occur due to circumstances beyond our control — such as natural disasters, government restrictions, political unrest, disease outbreaks, or other unforeseen events — LH Adventure Travel will work with local partners to recover as much of the trip cost as possible. Because many services are prepaid to local operators, refunds depend on the policies of those partners. Any funds recovered will be applied as a credit toward a future LH Adventure Travel trip, valid for one year. We recommend checking with your travel insurance provider to understand which situations may be covered under your policy. LH Adventure Travel is not responsible for additional expenses incurred by guests, including airfare, travel insurance, or other travel arrangements.

This itinerary has been thoughtfully crafted to offer a rich and meaningful experience. However, details—including activities, accommodations, and team members—may be adjusted based on group preferences and the discretion of the tour operator to ensure the best possible trip.

There are two opportunities for physicians to earn CME credits and one option for CE for other healthcare professionals, including dentists, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physician assistants, social workers, athletic trainers, dietitians, chaplains, and other members of the healthcare team. Please click HERE for more details. LH Adventure Travel has no financial interest, personal investment, or responsibility regarding Learner+ or the credits earned through their platform.

Your safety and wellbeing are our top priority. We work closely with trusted local partners in each country who know the culture, terrain, and logistics inside and out. If there are ever concerns about security, weather, or local conditions, the itinerary may be adjusted to ensure the group’s comfort and safety. For added security, we require each guest to upload a copy of their travel insurance policy prior to the trip. We also recommend enrolling in the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before departure. This free service allows you to receive important updates about your destination and helps the embassy contact you in case of an emergency. You can sign up here: STEP Program

Most of your trip is fully taken care of as indicated on the trip website, but there are a few small items to be aware of. For drinks not included on the trip, guests often decide to share bills and use an app called Splitwise to keep track. If your itinerary states that on the final day, one private transfer is included to the airport or train station, that is for the day listed. If you plan to stay longer, we’re happy to help you arrange your own additional transportation as needed.