A trekking itinerary for Peru works backwards from the trek: arrive, spend three or four nights at moderate altitude with two or three easy day walks, then start the main trek, and finish with a rest day and Machu Picchu or a recovery stay. About fourteen days is a comfortable length.
Do not shorten the acclimatisation. It matters more than fitness.
Design: the trek is the middle, not the start
Most trekking trips fail at the beginning, not at the end. Flying from the coast and starting a four-day trek at altitude two days later is the common mistake. This itinerary reverses that thinking: the first days are about adaptation, the trek comes once the body has had time, and Machu Picchu closes the trip, whether the trek ends there or not.
It also keeps a reserve day. Weather, a landslide on the access road, a stomach upset or a delayed flight can move the plan by a day, and a trip with no slack turns each of these into a crisis. Acclimatisation explains the reasoning in more detail.
Book the trek before anything else
A trekking trip is built backwards from the trek date. The Inca Trail needs a permit booked far ahead, and in high season the dates sell out. Alternatives such as Salkantay have no permit limit of the same kind, but good operators still fill their departures, so book the trek first, then the flights, then the hotels.
Choose the operator carefully, because on a trek the operator decides your food, your safety and the welfare of the porters. Choosing an agency sets out what to ask before paying a deposit, and gear tells you what to bring and what to rent. Ask the agency whether it includes the Machu Picchu ticket and the return train; if not, those need booking too.
Days 1 to 3: arrive and adjust
Fly to Cusco, or better, go directly to the Sacred Valley for the first nights. Keep the first day light. On the second day take a gentle walk around a valley town, with several rests. On the third day, walk longer on easy ground, such as the ruins and terraces above a valley village, for two to three hours, and sleep at the same height as the night before.
The rule for these days is that you should be able to talk comfortably while walking. If you cannot, you are going too fast. Use the evenings to check your gear and to drink water steadily. If you have a cold or a stomach upset on day three, add a day now, because the cost is small here and large on the trail. For the quiet bases that suit this stage, see Sacred Valley.
Days 4 to 5: a day hike at height
Move up to Cusco and take one higher day hike, such as to the Humantay lake, as a practice session. It is a long, early morning but tests how you feel above 4,000 m before committing to several days there. If you have symptoms, extend the adjustment period and drop the hike. Spend the evening in Cusco, check your gear and meet your guide or agency if you have booked one.
For the Humantay walk, including the start time and how the path climbs, see Humantay Lake. If you would rather save the energy, a day among the Cusco hill ruins at a slow pace gives almost the same adjustment, with less risk of a cold or a long drive at dawn.
Days 6 to 10: the main trek
Choose the trek according to your time, fitness and permits. The classic Inca Trail finishes at Machu Picchu but requires a permit booked far ahead in high season. The Salkantay route is more flexible with dates and crosses a high pass. Others, such as Lares or Choquequirao, are quieter. In all cases a four- or five-day trek runs from the morning of day six to the afternoon of day ten.
Book through an agency that provides guides, porters and clear safety and welfare practices. Read up on choosing an agency before paying a deposit. The comparison of the Inca Trail and Salkantay sets the two main choices side by side, and Lares describes a gentler, more cultural alternative if you prefer less altitude.
Days 11 to 12: recover
If the trek ends at Machu Picchu, spend a night in Aguas Calientes and visit the site at your own pace. If it does not, go to Machu Picchu by train as a separate day. Either way, have a night of proper sleep in a bed, a hot meal and a spare day for laundry, blisters and repacking.
Do not plan another demanding activity here. Feet swell after several days of walking, and a hot spring or a long lunch is a better use of the day than another climb. Machu Picchu timing explains the difference between a day trip and a night in town, and Aguas Calientes lists what the town offers a tired walker.
Days 13 to 14: buffer and departure
Day thirteen is the reserve: an extra day in Cusco or the valley if a delay occurred, or a lazy day if not. Day fourteen is the flight out, through Lima. If you prefer a different mountain range, the Cordillera Blanca near Huaraz is the alternative base, with its own adjustment rules and trails of different lengths.
Treat the reserve day as part of the trek, not as a spare. If you finish early and everything went well, spend it in Cusco with a market and a slow lunch. If a weather closure or illness delayed the trek, this is the day that lets you still catch the international flight. What to do when weather blocks a route explains how such closures work.
Fitness, season and who this suits
Moderate fitness is enough for the main routes, provided you have practised long days of walking uphill with a pack that carries only what you need. Training in the weeks before matters, and so do boots that are already worn in. The dry season, roughly May to September, is the safest window; nights are very cold on the high camps, so sleeping bags and layers matter more than at any other time.
This itinerary suits people who want a trek as the centre of the trip and are happy to spend the first five days preparing for it. It is a poor fit for those who dislike camping, who are short of time, or who want to add Arequipa or the coast. For those, the 14-day route is the better design, and the treks help you choose between them.
Route map
- Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 38 km · Climb 4300 m
- Salkantay Trek
- trek.ausangate
- trek.choquequirao 30 km
- trek.santa-cruz
- trek.huayhuash
- trek.colca-trek
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be very fit?
Moderate fitness is enough for most routes, but acclimatisation and good gear matter more than speed.
Can I do the Inca Trail on a last-minute trip?
Not usually, because permits sell out months ahead in high season. Alternatives such as Salkantay are easier to book.
What if I get altitude sickness on the trek?
Tell your guide at once. The usual response is to stop climbing and descend, and to get medical help if symptoms are severe.
How many days of adjustment do I need before a trek?
Most guidance suggests three to five days at moderate altitude, but individuals differ. The itinerary uses five, with a day hike before the trek, and a spare day at the end.
Is it better to hire porters or carry everything?
On most organised treks porters carry the group equipment and your personal bag within a weight limit. Check the operator's policy on porter pay and weight limits before booking.
Can I rent trekking gear in Cusco?
Yes, sleeping bags, poles and jackets can be rented, though quality varies. Ask the agency what it supplies, and bring your own boots.
What should I do if the trek is cancelled by weather?
Ask the operator about its refund or rescheduling policy before paying a deposit. The reserve day in the itinerary gives you room to switch to a shorter trek or a day hike.
Can I do a trek in the rainy season?
Some treks run all year, but wet weather makes high passes slippery and cold. Choose the dry months, or choose a lower trek if you must go in the rains.