Skip to Main Content
Peru

Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Program No. 19937RJ
The Incas created the largest empire in the Americas in its time. Hike and learn about their grand achievements as you explore sacred ruins, the Inca Trail and iconic Machu Picchu.

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Participant Reviews
5
Based on 37 Reviews
SHOWING
Carl – Class of 2023 | Littleton, CO
One of the best journeys I have had a privilege participating in. Very informative and eye opening.
— Review left May 17, 2025
Karin – Class of 2023 | York, ME
This trip to Peru was much more than just hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. I found it to be a very fun and educational Peruvian experience. The hiking was very challenging but has been one of the most spectacular things I've done. Eliacin was such a wonderful leader, can't say enough about his love & knowledge he shared about his country and his expertise guiding our group!
— Review left October 2, 2024
Lori – Class of 2023 | San Diego, CA
This is the most amazing program ever.I learned so much and was constantly saying " Wow". Eliacin is magnificent and such a great leader. The Inca trail is touted as challenging and it is even more challenging than I anticipated. Prepare yourself well. I recommend doing everything possible to train and succeed at that altitude. You will be rewarded with an unparalleled experience.
— Review left September 23, 2024
Megan – Class of 2024 | Austin, TX
What a fabulous trip! I could not have enjoyed the experience more.
— Review left September 11, 2024
Janet – Class of 2018 | Santa Barbara, CA
This program is tough! You need to practice hiking at elevation. Most of the hiking is done between 9,000-13,000 feet. I am an experienced hiker, but live at sea level. This program was a challenge. That being said, I enjoyed the whole trip!
— Review left July 29, 2024
Robert – Class of 2022 | Socorro, NM
Need to understand this is a difficult trek because of elevation and steps on trail. Need to train, toughen up feet and body. Important to have good backpack and know how to use hiking poles. Difficult but best way to see Machu Picchu, and well worth the effort. Our guide was very helpful and we were able to travel at our pace.
— Review left July 1, 2024
Therese – Class of 2019 | Santa Cruz, CA
I highly recommend this program if you are extremely fit and an experienced hiker. For the right person, you couldn’t get a better Inca Trail experience,
— Review left June 30, 2024
This participant did not give a star rating.
Kathleen – Class of 2019 | Crown Point, IN
5 Stars My husband and I had a marvelous trip thanks to our fabulous guide Paco!! The accommodations were lovely and the historical sites amazing. It is important to be fit to trek the uneven and challenging Inca Trail but perseverance and engrossing yourself in the astounding beauty of the Andes will guarantee success. Andres our Inca Trail Co guide was invaluable. Nothing would have been so wonderful without the Diligent Porters. They have perfected every detail of the camping experience. We were treated royally!! They really went above and beyond in every sense!! The special speakers on Peruvian farming and Peruvian musical instruments were intriguing and very informative. We recommend this trip wholeheartedly. Paco's expertise, sense of humor and genuine love of Peru made our trip REMARKABLE. We will be back....PERU IS BEAUTIFUL! Kathy and Myras
— Review left June 24, 2024
Nancie – Class of 2024 | Dunbarton, NH
Overall: 3 stars 5 stars for the guide on this trip, Eliacin, who was professional, well organized, extremely knowledgeable, very personable and attentive to all our needs. 5 stars: food on the hike and throughout the trip 5 stars: comfort and organization on the hike 2 stars: itinerary. Yes, we went to all the places promised but it was quite a rush job. Hardly spent any time in Ollantaytambo. Dashed through a cathedral, monastery, and plaza in Lima. And the worst: Our "tour" of Machu Picchu was less than 2 hours on a limited route, then back on a bus and gone! Never got to the plaza, never visited that section of the site at all. I compared my experience with a friend's, and she saw so much more than we did! What a disappointment. We should at least have had a morning and afternoon tour for the price we paid. 2 stars: information packets. Very disorganized, sometimes repetitive and yet missing the detailed info one really needs. I called with questions, and the representative was trying to help me by reading the same information I had from her copy of the packet. 2 stars: website. Road Scholar lost my trip at one point and later posted an information packet that wouldn't print out. When the download finally functioned properly, it spit out random blank pages. I began to wonder whether I should have signed on with this group. This was my first group trip, so maybe all such companies are this disappointing. I don't have a comparison.
— Review left June 17, 2024
Karen | Sitka, AK
If you want to hike the Inka Trail and have the ability to do so, quit thinking about it and pick your dates! This trip will change your life. Road Scholar takes care of everything. You just lace up your boots, put one foot in front of the other and enJoy the journey. Do it now! I'm so glad I did.
— Review left June 6, 2024
Nancy – Class of 2019 | Cary, NC
If you want to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu this program is for you. Our group leaders, Paco and Joyce, were excellent, getting us over the trail safely, and taught us so much about the Inca civilization. The porters took care of our every need and prepared impressive gourmet meals three times a day. The Andes mountains and the ruins were incredible to witness. It was truly a trip of a lifetime that we will never forget. Thank you Road Scholar!
— Review left May 6, 2024
Bernard – Class of 2024 | Belmont, MA
This is a challenging trail but a wonderful experience, leading to a deeper understanding of Inca culture, the Machu Picchu site, and the life of the modern Peruvian Highlander peoples.
— Review left April 30, 2024
Kathy – Class of 2019 | St Louis Park, MN
This program was life changing! Highly recommend it. Good balance of education and physical activity.
— Review left April 25, 2024
Suzanne | Mount Dora, FL
Machu Picchu has been #1 on my bucket list forever, but this adventure is so much more than seeing one site. Our group, including our extremely knowledgeable, endlessly patient and good-humored guides Paco and Yorick, our driver Jaime (handles a bus on narrow, twisting roads with style and great skill) and of course the porters (best team on the trail!) - took extraordinary care of us. Off the trail, the schedule is a good balance of active sightseeing and independent time to explore or relax. The history, hiking, and people of Peru all together make for a terrific experience. Unexpected bonus - the food is incredible - even on the trail! Artistic appetizer, entrée and dessert at supper - in a dining tent at 12,000+ feet, everything carried up by porters! Highly recommend.
— Review left November 2, 2023
Donna – Class of 2016 | Tetonia, ID
The Inca Trail is hard. Prepare: altitude, physical strength and endurance, balance. Enjoy the views, birds, flowers and ruins along the way. It’s not only about the destination.
— Review left November 1, 2023
Patti – Class of 2023 | Saint Paul, MN
This program was so much more than I possibly imagined and the staff took excellent care of each and every one of us! They went "above and beyond" expectations!
— Review left October 25, 2023
Janet – Class of 2014 | Glen Allen, VA
The most physically challenging trip I have ever done, but it was worth it all! Terrifying heights and drop-offs, mountains that keep going up and up, breath-taking beauty, and vibrant cultures! Incredibly knowledgeable and caring guides, porters, and staff. We were well taken care of.
— Review left October 24, 2023
Jon – Class of 2023 | Johnson City, TN
Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu July 11 - 22, 2023 was the Trip of a Lifetime as billed. Perfect weather. Fantastic scenery. Excellent activities. Very challenging, but doable 4 day hike. 5-star accommodations. Our group accumulative a vast trove of high quality photos and videos that I hope we can someday share with the world to show all who are interested, just how fantastic it was.
— Review left August 9, 2023
Clare – Class of 2017 | Southington, CT
Excellent trip with wonderful people. Everything was exceptional...the program leader, the food, the hiking. I highly recommend this trip. If you decide to go, you may want to train more intensively than what it suggested in the pre-trip material.
— Review left August 2, 2023
Lory | Lakewood, CA
This fantastic trip was well planned and a wonderful experience! The hike is very hard with the elevations involved but so worth it. Reaching Machu Pichu was an unimaginable experience. We had a wonderful group and the best leader (Eliacin) ever. Highly recommend! Lory M.
— Review left July 30, 2023
Jeffrey – Class of 2022 | Richmond, TX
Apr 25-May 7, 2023 Absolutely amazing trip! Program description was spot on, our leader was excellent in every respect, accommodations and food were superior, activity level was very challenging but achievable, breathtaking views around every bend, learning opportunities were always present, and other participants were congenial and supportive. This trip had it all! What are you waiting for?
— Review left May 9, 2023
Carol – Class of 2014 | Ogden, UT
If you are considering this trip or it's a bucket list item for you DO IT! It was the best adventure I have ever had and exceeded my expectations. The hike is correctly rated "Challenging". The better you prepare the better your experience will be.
— Review left December 4, 2022
Gail | Whitefish, MT
This is an amazing, physically challenging program. It exceeded all my expectations. Paco , Yuerik, and all the staff contributed to a great experience.
— Review left November 23, 2022
Douglas – Class of 2022 | Eden Prairie, MN
Paco, our guide, was awesome! The hike is like no other I've done. So much to see, so many micro-climates, so many ruins, llamas, alpacas.... The cloud forest was amazing. All the flowers. The food on the trail was delicious. The porters were awesome - they prepared everything for camping. Have someone in the group collect tips for all the porters. Remember, the number of porters will be approximately twice the number of hikers. We had 22 porters for 11 hikers. Plus there were 4 in the background that we never saw. There are a few places on the trail to purchase tokens for the porters also, like coca leaves or Gatorade.
— Review left November 14, 2022
Corinne – Class of 2018 | Willmar, MN
My husband and I just completed Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This is a stunningly beautiful, strenuous and informative program. Our guide Eliacin led our group of seven with unlimited knowledge, patience and humor. What a warm and caring leader! We wanted to be challenged and taken out of our comfort zone and this tour did not disappoint! In fact, the emotions felt upon walking through the Sun Gate and viewing this world wonder was truly inspirational. We learned so much about the history and culture of Peru. If you are strong emotionally and physically, I would highly suggest this program.
— Review left October 31, 2022
Mark – Class of 2015 | Carlisle, PA
Hiking the Inca Trail was exactly as I had hoped it would be, challenging, a joy to be emerged in nature, great food and accommodations, excellent leaders and guest speakers. If you are ready for a challenging hike in a foreign country, sign up now.
— Review left October 18, 2022
Maryann – Class of 2022 | Norwich, NY
I had a wonderful time on the Inca Trail program. The trail hike itself was long and hard and I had to dig deep at times to continue but the sense of accomplishment was immense. The hike is not for the faint of heart (or legs and lungs!) but was so satisfying to finish. I've impressed a lot of people back home who can't wait to see my pictures from the program. Thanks Road Scholar for a once in a lifetime trip.
— Review left June 3, 2022
Victor – Class of 2019 | La Habra, CA
After two plus years of waiting for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu program to be reopened, my dreams were fulfilled this past April of 2022. The eloquent review by my new hiking buddy, Diana states all you need to know about the program and the professionalism of our terrific guide Eliacin. Thank you Diana for setting the pace on day 2, for helping Polar Bear and Cub up the mountain and over Dead Woman’s Pass ! To Eliacin how fortunate we were to experience your kind words of encouragement on such a strenuous trek. Now I know that I can hike up to 14,000 ft, a confidence builder for future treks !
— Review left May 8, 2022
Diana – Class of 2018 | Statesville, NC
Hiking the Inca Trail To Machu Picchu is the trip of a lifetime. The entire two weeks was filled with amazing food, charming local people, Peruvian towns, and of course, the four day hike in the Andes. When Machu Picchu came into view through the Sun Gate, I was overwhelmed with the beauty of this site, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Road Scholar logistics team outdid themselves with stunning hotels and delightful, delectable restaurants. Our Guide, Eliacin, was five star quality in every aspect. This is one of the best trips I have taken and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone willing to prepare physically for the difficult but rewarding hike!!!
— Review left May 5, 2022
Janet – Class of 2021 | Prescott, AZ
Peru is a beautiful country. Road Scholar made my dream of seeing Machu Pichu come true. Our leader was well educated on the history & culture of the region. If you like hiking & camping in the high mountains, you will enjoy this program.
— Review left May 3, 2022
JoAnne – Class of 2015 | Greenville, SC
This was an incredible experience. Road Scholar did absolutely every thing right. The climb was more challenging than I expected... training an hour a day isn't enough, especially if you are coming from sea level. In addition to your usual workouts, I suggest stair master or something similar. The steps are uneven, steep, and slippery. Both up and down. And they last forever! The guides were awesome. Eliacin, our primary guide, is amazing. He attended to each of us with our own particular needs. I felt supported the entire way. The dining experience was also incredible. Healthy, cooked-from scratch meals, including a birthday cake for one of the participants... ready for us as we stumbled into camp for lunch and dinner. And breakfast always was hearty and warm. There were portable tented toilets set up by the porters at the campsites, one for men and one for women. We were given warm water and cloths every evening and morning while on the trail to wash up. The views were phenomenal. The weather changed frequently, so be sure to pack and be prepared to dress in layers. Very cold at night, but the sleeping bags are warm. And as soon as you start hiking, the layers start coming off. Be prepared for rain! If you forget something, you can buy what you need in Peru. Lots of opportunity to shop for Peruvian items and for camping/hiking supplies. The best advice I can offer is to do more conditioning than you think you need!
— Review left November 23, 2019
Toni – Class of 2014 | Columbia, SC
What an AMAZING trip. VERY VERY strenuous, but the trip of a lifetime. Our guide Eliacin was beyond Fabulous - so personable, organized, and informative. One of the best RS guides ever, and I have loved all my past guides. I would do another trip with him in a heartbeat. His two partner guides Yarik and Edison were also amazing. This trip couldn't happen without the incredible porters RS hires to support hikers on the Inca Trail. Hats off to them. If you really want to push yourself and test your limits (they will be tested!!!); this is the trip for you.
— Review left November 20, 2019
Bradley – Class of 2019 | Salt Lake City, UT
This was a fantastic trip, the trip of a lifetime. It is physically demanding and should be attempted only if physically fit, but very rewarding. Eliacín, our guide, was wonderful. Very knowledgeable and helpful. Great trip!
— Review left May 25, 2019
Linda | Decatur, GA
This was a fantastic experience! I chose this trip to hike and camp on the Inca Trail and to see Machu Picchu but it was so much more culturally enriching than those 5 days. I found the trail itself to be grueling, exhilarating, humbling, and profoundly memorable. The program description is very accurate and attention to the physical preparation vital.
— Review left May 11, 2019
This participant did not give a star rating.
Lisa – Class of 2019 | Cedar City, UT
Amazing adventure! This was my first Road Scholar trip and certainly not the last. Perfect in every way. From the expert travel agents who helped with every detail of getting me there and back. They were quick to respond to all of my questions and requests. The lodges, hotels and tent camps were wonderful. The authentic food was some of the best Peru had to offer. Our guide presented an outstanding narrative of each location on and outside of our itinerary. He made each participant feel well taken care of. I genuinely felt like a member of his family . The program itinerary was perfect. Thank you Road Scholar, fellow participants, guides, speakers, porters, hotel staff and everyone who helped with this trip. ..."it is the journey, not the destination that matters"....
— Review left April 22, 2019
Linda – Class of 2011 | Burlington, VT
The hiking was not easy, but the whole trip was magical and more than worth the effort.
— Review left April 21, 2019
Karen – Class of 2017 | Wexford, PA
Hiking and camping on the Inca Trail were the highlights, but this program was so much more. We saw and learned about many smaller Inca sites prior to arriving at Machu Picchu, so that we could truly appreciate how magnificant it was. Seeing the Palm Sunday festival in the Cusco cathedral and main square was another unforgettable experience. Through lectures and hands on experiences we learned about the cuisine, music, agriculture, art and culture of this region of Peru as well. Our group leader, Holger "Paco" Mayorca, was excellent and made the trip with his knowledge, sense of humor, and natural and confident leadership. The Andes mountains are gorgeous and if you like a physical challenge and being out in nature, you will enjoy this trip. Be sure to do the cardio exercise recommended to condition your body beforehand.
— Review left April 18, 2019





Recommended For You