Inca Trail: Among the Top 10 Backpacking Trips in the World

The prestigious Travel & Leisure magazine highlights the Inca Trail, Peru, as an unmissable destination.

Inca Trail Peru | TreXperience

Travel & Leisure has recognized the Inca Trail Peru as one of the "10 best backpacking trips around the world," positioning it as an essential experience for hiking and adventure enthusiasts.

A unique experience of trekking in Peru

Travel & Leisure describes the Inca Trail as an unparalleled opportunity to follow in the footsteps of a great lost civilization. Highlights of the route include the impressive terraces of Wiñay Wayna and panoramic views of the majestic Peruvian Andes.

The Inca Trail in Peru is part of the Qhapaq Ñan, the network of roads fundamental to communication and trade in the ancient Andean civilization. The trail offers activities like hiking, trekking, and reaching Machu Picchu through Inti Punku (the Sun Gate).

Route details

  • Total distance: 43 kilometers
  • Duration: 4 days
  • Sections:
    Day 1: Cusco to Huayllabamba (13 km)
    Day 2: Huayllabamba to Pacaymayo (11 km)
    Day 3: Pacaymayo to Wiñay Wayna (16 km)
    Day 4: Wiñay Wayna to Machu Picchu (3 km)

| Check out our Inca Trail tour.

Comparison with other backpacking destinations

The Inca Trail stands alongside other world-renowned destinations on Travel & Leisure's list, such as the Grand Canyon in the United States, the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Travel & Leisure's inclusion of the Inca Trail among the best backpacking trips in the world reinforces its status as a must-visit route for any adventurer. It offers a unique combination of physical challenges, natural beauty, and cultural heritage.