Top Rated Short Inca Trail Operators 2025
Find out the best Short Inca Trail Operators for trekking to Machu Picchu. You’ll probably only do this trip once in your life, why not get it right the first time?
So undoubtedly, you’ll want to make sure you choose the best Short Inca Trail tour operator for your trip to Machu Picchu. One with a good reputation, that fits your budget, and is flexible to the style of trek that you really want (group or private, two-day or one day, upgraded hotel etc).
If you are beginning your search for an Inca Trail tour operator, this blog is a good place to start. There are more than 200 licensed Inca Trail operators in Peru. We’ve pulled together this list which includes some of the most well established and reputable Peru-based companies.
All of these companies are recommended through personal experience, or through friends and colleagues working within the Peruvian tourism industry, particularly in Cusco. We’ve also included companies that have had consistently positive reviews within other travel guides and websites such as Tripadvisor, Facebook and Google.
We don’t claim that this is a definitive list; there are certainly other tour companies out there, both new and old, that probably deserve to be featured here – feel free to recommend a company in the comments section below so that we can look at and maybe feature next time.
Our Recommended Top Rated Short Inca Trail Operators
As well as the glowing recommendations that these companies have received, it’s also important to note that they are all based in Cusco Peru. This means that they benefit local guides by giving them work, and benefit you by having a guide who has grown up in the city of the Incas.
These guides don’t just have a wealth of knowledge and information, they also have families in rural towns. This means your money would also be helping the communities of Cusco Peru by injecting money into their economies.
In addition all these companies offer alternative treks to Machu Picchu, as well as various other tours around Cusco and beyond.
***Advanced booking for Inca Trail Permits are officially on sale for 2023 season!***
80 trips to Inca Trail | Regional Expert Service level: top
- Small intimate groups of 2 to 8 person
- Guaranted and Secure Trips
SAM TRAVEL PERÚ is a family-owned Travel Company & Tour Operator located in Cusco, Peru that creates customized uniquely designed adventure treks and tours to untouched wilderness places, OFF THE BEATEN TRACK, in the High Andes Mountains of Peru. Our many years of experience is demonstrated in our excellent reviews!
45 trips to Inca Trail | Regional Expert Service level: Standard
- Small intimate groups of 2 to 8 person
- Guaranted and Secure Trips
ORANGE NATION is Peruvian owned Travel Company that specializes in tour and trekking in Cusco Peru. They are experienced in offering small group personalized service for tours from the BREATHTAKING ANDES MOUNTAINS TO THE MAJESTIC MACHU PICCHU CITADEL. Making your experience beyond what even you could have dreamed!
45 trips to Inca Trail | Regional Expert Service level: Standard
- Small intimate groups of 2 to 8 person
- Guaranted and Secure Trips
SPIDER TRAVEL PERU is an innovative adventure travel company in Cusco Peru that offers UNPARALLELED EXPERIENCES TO UNTOUCHED WILDERNESS AREAS. Our adventure treks and tours are specific and carefully designed to cater to budget and personal needs!
Another Top Inca Trail Tour Company to Consider
As noted earlier, there are plenty of the Short Inca Trail Operators out there. The list above was based on personal experience and the experience of those we know, the following recommendation is a new company but managed by a seasoned tour guide that is now offering luxury hiking (includes the Short Inca Trail) and tours:
- Glamping Peru Treks creates treks and tours that offer outstanding levels of luxury and comfort while hiking off the beaten track. All accommodation, food, and services are the highest quality. If you are looking for something upscale and luxurious while trekking or touring, this is the absolute best option for you. Chat with their service operators to create your ideal luxury trek or tour, personalized to you. The company group size averages 2 to 4 people, never exceeding 8 people. If you value your privacy, be sure to ask for a private tour.
If you’re looking for an operator that does package deals for the Short Inca Trail, try local operators like Sam Corporation. They can offer trips to any part of Peru you would like to visit and have extensive local knowledge spanning the country.
Non-Peruvian tour operators include companies like Intrepid Travel that offer treks, typically as part of a larger package. These larger international tour operators often use local operators to actually run their treks. This makes them a better choice than some large operators, but in a bid to keep money spent on Peru in Peru, we still recommend a local operator.
Generally speaking, if you just want to book a trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, or any alternative route, it’s best to use a truly local company Like Orange Nation Peru. But if you want a full travel package (for example, from Lima to Cusco to Machu Picchu and back again, all included), then try Sam Corporations.
How to know if a travel company is good?
We recommend seeing their reviews on trip advisor, google and other forums before booking your trip to the Inca Trail. Each company offers a different type of service. Some lead large groups others lead small groups. Their prices vary depending on the size of the group and inclusions.
