Disclosure: Intrepid Travel hosted me on this trip in exchange for this review. As always, all opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links.
Machu Picchu has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember – probably from the moment I first found out what a bucket list even was. But I actually booked my Peru trip on a whim, less than a month before my actual departure date. I ended up spending three weeks in Peru, one of which I spent on an Intrepid Travel Peru tour that included the grueling 4-day trek on the Inca Trail.
Intrepid’s Inca Trail Express was my fourth trip with Intrepid and my first trekking adventure, ever. I was, admittedly, very nervous. I consider myself moderately fit (emphasis on moderately) but I’m definitely not the kind of person who challenges herself with marathons, multi-day hikes, or camping trips. But I survived and enjoyed it, despite the fact that it was the hardest physical challenge I’ve ever done.
So without further ado: my review of the Intrepid Peru Inca Trail Express tour, complete with a day-by-day itinerary and a side-by-side comparison to some of Intrepid’s other Peru tour offerings.
Table of Contents
A Review of the Intrepid Travel Inca Trail Express Tour
Here’s the thing: you can’t do The Inca Trail trek without a guide. You can do one of the alternative hikes independently (like the Lares or Salkantay trails), but due to the popularity of The Inca Trail, you have to 1) book it in advance and 2) go on some sort of guided tour.
Having traveled with Intrepid a few times before (to Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Southeast Asia), it was a no-brainer to use them in Peru as well. And honestly, the Inca Trail Express was even better than I could have asked for. The porters were amazing, cooking mouth-watering food and making our camps as cozy as possible. The trekking guide, Victor, was patient and kind, a feat considering my tortoise-like pace. And my group was friendly, supportive, and encouraging, and frankly, one of the reasons why I didn’t turn back on day 2 like I wanted to (I was fighting altitude sickness the whole time I was in Peru).
Intrepid Travel offers a ton of different tour options in Peru but The Inca Trail Express is one of the shortest ones you can do. This post includes both a comprehensive Inca Trail Express review but I’ll also include a few other tour options if you’d like to spend more time in Peru with Intrepid. Ultimately, though, I highly recommend hiking the Inca Trail with Intrepid.
Should you book a tour to Peru / The Inca Trail?
I know I said this earlier but I’m going to repeat it: you can’t hike The Inca Trail without a guide so you have to book an organized tour. You can visit Machu Picchu independently and you can do some of the other alternative treks without a guide, but honestly, I strongly recommend an organized tour. The altitude is no joke and the trails are tough – with a guided tour, you have porters that set up camp, cook delicious meals, and carry the majority of your stuff. It’s definitely worth paying for that! The Intrepid Inca Trail trips include all of that – the only extras you have to pay for are renting a sleeping bag and / or walking sticks (you can also bring your own) and tips for the porters and guide at the end.
If you’re wondering whether or not you should book a guided tour for other parts of Peru as well, my answer to that is it depends. I chose to do one week with Intrepid, one week independently with Peru Hop and a few days completely on my own. Peru is generally safe and can be traveled to independently. However, public transport is prone to pickpockets (hence why I used Peru Hop) and the country can be a tad difficult to navigate on your own, especially if you don’t speak the language.
So, when planning your trip to Peru, ask yourself if you want to do part of the trip somewhat independently or if you’d rather do an organized tour the whole time instead. If it’s the former, book the Inca Trail Express and use Peru Hop. If it’s the latter, consider booking one of Intrepid’s other Peru options instead – be sure to choose one that includes the Inca Trail hike!
Why Intrepid Travel?
I’ve been on four tours with Intrepid Travel across seven countries on four continents, so I’ve been fortunate to experience how they operate all over the world. Yes, Intrepid is the world’s largest small group adventure travel company, but that’s not why I travel with them. These are just a few reasons I love traveling with them – including why I chose them specifically for The Inca Trail (you can also read my full review of Intrepid Travel here).
- Small groups: As an introvert, I hate big groups with a fiery passion. Intrepid limits their groups to a maximum 12 people, which means you’ll have enough time to get to know everyone on your trip. On this group in particular, there were 10 of us in total, 8 of which hiked this trail.
- Local guides: The guides are always from the country that you’re visiting, ensuring that you’re both supporting the local economy and traveling with someone who truly knows the country you’re visiting. Our guide, Victor, is from the area around Cusco and speaks Quechua, Spanish, and English – very helpful when communicating with the porters!
- Responsible tourism: To Intrepid, responsible tourism isn’t just a buzz word. They carbon offset their tours, give back to communities through The Intrepid Foundation, promote gender-equity within their tour guide force, and discourage any and all plastic usage. You can read about their responsible tourism practices here. P.S. Many local companies don’t all abide by weight limits for porters or pay them well. I’d rather spend a little more knowing that the porters (the people who carry all your stuff on the trail) are ultimately benefiting from my tourism dollars. That’s part of what responsible tourism is all about!
- Safety: Traveling in a group always makes me feel a little more relaxed about my surroundings and frankly, I wouldn’t have felt comfortable doing any kind of hiking adventure on my own.
Which Intrepid Peru tour should you choose?
Although I went on the Inca Trail Tour, Intrepid actually has quite a range of Peru tours to choose from. Each tour has something different to offer, depending on your budget, desired travel time, and sites you’d like to visit. I’ve picked a few of my top recommendations and broken them down below.
Peru Encompassed
The Peru Encompassed tour is my top pick out all of Intrepid’s Peru offerings. It’s a 20-day comprehensive tour that takes you to pretty much everywhere you’d want to visit in Peru and includes The Inca Trail. It’s an Original style trip, which means you’ll stay in some unique accommodation (including a couple of homestays!) and experience a good range of different transportation (like boats, trains, and more). Plus, there’s a solid mix of free time and activities; most of the main activities are included in the overall trip price. If you have the time, I strongly recommend this trip for a comprehensive tour of Peru. Psst: if you’re on a serious budget, consider the Peru Essentials tour instead. It’s a 21-day Basix tour (read: less inclusions) with a similar itinerary. You’ll just be ending in La Paz instead and not visiting the Amazon region.
- Duration: 20 days
- Cities visited: Lima, Paracas, Pisco, Nazca, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Puno / Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Inca Trail / Machu Picchu, Amazon Jungle
- Travel style: Original
- Price: starting at USD $5,010
Majestic Peru
If you’ve only got 2 weeks to spend in Peru and want to see as much of the country as possible, then Majestic Peru is the trip for you. It only includes one day of (optional) Inca Trail hiking instead of the full 3.5 day trek, which is perfect for those who want to experience a bit of the hike without committing to camping and hiking for several days. It also covers the major cities and highlights of Peru, leaving only the Amazon Jungle off the itinerary. And, because it’s a Comfort trip, you won’t have to rough it in terms of transport or accommodation compared to some of the other trip options. If you’re really keen on hiking the entire Inca Trail, consider one of the other trip options instead.
- Duration: 15 days
- Cities visited: Lima, Paracas, Nazca, Arequipa, Puno / Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo
- Travel style: Comfort
- Price: starting at USD $4,176
Sacred Land of the Incas
If you really want to hike the Inca Trail and aren’t too bothered about visiting the south of Peru, consider the Sacred Land of the Incas tour, a 15-day Original style trip that starts in Lima and includes the Amazon, Inca Trail / Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Lake Titicaca. This trip includes a solid amount of activities and meals, some fun transport options, and plenty of variety in terms of accommodation. Plus, you’ll get to spend several days in and around the Lake Titicaca area, which straddles both Peru and Bolivia. Psst: If you’d rather end in Lima, consider the almost-identical Peruvian Pathways instead. If you aren’t interested in visiting Lake Titicaca at all, consider the slightly shorter Inca Trail & Amazon trip instead.
- Duration: 15 days
- Cities visited: Lima, Amazon Jungle, Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Inca Trail / Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca / Puno, La Paz (Bolivia)
- Travel style: Original
- Price: starting at USD $3,191
If you’re 18-29 years old and want to travel with people your own age, the equivalents to these trips are the Real Peru and Real Peru to Bolivia trips.
Book Sacred Land of the Incas
Inca Trail Express
The Inca Trail Express is the trip that I did, so it doesn’t need much of an introduction. This tour is excellent for those who want to get a little taste of Cusco and hike the Inca Trail in between. If you’re in Peru just for the hike or want an organized tour just for the hiking portion, this trip is for you. Note that there’s also another Inca Trail Express from Lima tour – this trip is identical to the one I did but includes a day in Lima on the front end, complete with a walking tour, hotel for the night, and the flight to Cusco the next morning. Lastly, there’s also the Inca Encounter tour, which includes 2 days in the Amazon Jungle between Lima and Cusco, if that’s something you’re interested in.
- Duration: 7 days
- Cities visited: Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Inca Trail / Machu Picchu
- Travel style: Original
- Price: starting at USD $1,148
Classic Peru
Last but not least is the Classic Peru trip, one of the shortest Intrepid Peru trips you can do and one of the few that does NOT include the Inca Trail. This 9-day Original-style tour starts and ends in Lima, and takes travelers to Ollantaytambo, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and Lima. If you’re short on time but want to travel a bit slower in Peru, this itinerary takes you to Peru’s most popular spots without feeling rushed.
- Duration: 9 days
- Cities visited: Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Puno / Lake Titicaca
- Travel style: Original
- Price: starting at USD $2,244
Things to Know Before You Go to Peru
Planning a trip to Peru can feel a tad overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time in South America. Don’t worry though – my Peru travel tips for first-time visitors post will help you travel like a pro. Read it for common misconceptions and other things you’ll want to know before you go!
Visa
If you’re from the United States, you do not need a visa to enter Peru. You’ll get your passport stamped at the airport and voila, done.
Travel Insurance
Intrepid requires its passengers to have travel insurance, but I wouldn’t even consider going to Peru without travel insurance anyway. You honestly never know what could happen. My go-to insurance is World Nomads for every country I visit.
Packing for Peru
Wondering what you’ll need to pack for Peru? I’ve got you! If you’re hiking The Inca Trail (or any trail, really), be sure to check out my complete Inca Trail packing list which includes tips on staying healthy and avoiding pesky mosquito bites. If you’re not planning on hiking, be sure to pack layers (also, a waterproof jacket and shoes) – the weather changes drastically from city to city.
P.S. If you’re planning on using public Wi-Fi (likely), i strongly recommend purchasing a VPN subscription. A VPN (virtual private network) is a service that allows you to securely and privately route your internet through a server. Basically, it makes your internet think you’re in one place when you’re in a different one. Why do you need this? Well, if you want to access your bank account or any secure online account, the sites get super sketched out when you’re in a foreign country, making it difficult to access said sites. Additionally, you’re more liable to have your accounts hacked on an unprotected Wi-Fi network. NordVPN is powerful, secure, and inexpensive and a must if you’re planning to login to any account using public Wi-Fi.
Inca Trail Express Itinerary, Day-by-Day
Note: the Inca Trail Express itinerary changes slightly on days 3 – 5 depending on whether you’re doing the Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or if you aren’t hiking at all all. This itinerary is based on The Inca Trail, which is the trail I did and Peru’s most popular trek to Machu Picchu.
Day 1: Cusco
The first official day doesn’t start until the 2 pm welcome meeting, but be sure to arrive at least one day before (ideally 2+) to adjust to the altitude in Cusco. Altitude sickness is no joke – I was sick the whole time I was in Peru. You and your new Intrepid family will go on a guided tour around Cusco, stopping at some of the highlights like Plaza de Armas, as well as the lesser known spots like the 12 Angled Stone. You’ll also get a chance to visit the giant San Pedro Market before ending the day with a visit to the Chocolate Museum. Get excited: that visit includes plenty of samples (yum!) as well as a little lesson on how chocolate goes from a cacao bean to an addicting snack.
Afterwards, the evening is (almost) yours. You’ll get briefed on everything related to your hike that evening, including packing, sleeping bags, walking poles, and more. Afterwards, a few of us opted for a group dinner at the delicious Nuna Raymi (which I highly recommend by the way).
Day 2: Sacred Valley – Ollantaytambo
You’ll wake up bright and early on the first official day of the tour and start your day off with breakfast at the hotel. You’ll leave most of your things behind at the hotel in Cusco, packing only your essentials for day two and for the trail. After breakfast, we headed to a traditional Quechua community in Wilcamayo, stopping a couple of times for photos along the way.
The Quechua community was incredibly fascinating. Our guide, Aly, translated for us, and everyone living there curiously asked us questions about our lives and home countries. In return, they shared their cultural traditions with us, including how they use natural resources to clean, dye, and weave alpaca wool. We learned that hairstyles are indicative of marital status as well as – somewhat unintentionally – lots of personal information about each other, ha.
We also had a delicious homemade lunch here: soup, quinoa, two types of potatoes and a guinea pig for us to share! I was queasy due to a lovely combination of food poisoning and altitude sickness but managed to sample most of the food.
Then, we continued our way to Ollantaytambo, our home base for the night. Upon arrival, we did a short walking tour around the town, led by Aly. After a pit stop for some last minute hiking supplies, we all headed to dinner. At this point, my food poisoning hit me full-force. I’ll spare you the details but I spent the rest of the evening into the early morning in the bathroom of my hotel room, freaking out that I wouldn’t be able to do the trek. Word to the wise: don’t get ballsy and eat at the market like I did. Save all your adventurous eating for after the Inca Trail. I was really happy to have a guide at this point – Aly checked on me several times and by the time we left for the trek, I wasn’t throwing up anymore (yay).
Day 3 – 5: Inca Trail Hike
I’m going to be honest here: The Inca Trail was the hardest physical challenge I’ve ever done in my life. Ever. My gastrointestinal issues, dehydration, and the altitude made an already-tough hike even tougher. But it was worth it (I’m so glad I finished!).
The first day is supposed to ease you into hiking, somewhat. You’ll stop to rest several times and visit several ruins (did you know that there are tons of amazing ruins along the trail?). By lunch time, you’ll be tired but confident that the trek isn’t that bad. Then suddenly, the last stretch to camp will have you doubting your hiking ability. But then, you’ll get to camp, relax a bit, hang with your fellow travelers, bond over dinner, and try not to freak out about the notorious Dead Woman’s Pass the next day.
The second day is by far the hardest. You’ll hike for around 9-12 hours depending on your pace, ascend to the highest part of the trail (Dead Woman’s Pass at 13,838 feet) and descend and ascend again, until you reach camp. The landscape is varied along the way, making for some picturesque photos and plenty of time for introspection. And when you arrive to camp that day, you’ll have literally conquered a mountain.
The best part about the third day is that it’s technically only a half day of hiking (around 6 hours) – you’ll arrive to camp in the afternoon and have lunch there before heading out to explore the impressive Wiñaywayna Ruins. At dinner, the porters will surprise you with a cake, sealing the belief that they’re the real MVPs of the hike (in case you had any doubts). You’ll go to bed right after dinner because day 4’s wakeup call is at 2 AM – but who could sleep knowing that Machu Picchu was just around the corner?
Day 6: Machu Picchu
Honestly, the last leg of the hike is a bit of a blur, from crossing the final checkpoint to hiking to the Sun Gate to the last stretch toward Machu Picchu. And then suddenly, there it is, emerging from the fog. Machu Picchu, the grand and majestic Wonder of the World. I shed some tears when I saw it – I couldn’t believe I’d made it. After taking a break at the cafeteria and using the first regular toilet we’d seen in days, we all headed into the site. Victor led us around on a guided tour and let me just say that photos don’t do the site justice. You’ll have to go and see it for yourself.
You’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes (aka Machu Picchu town) for a long lunch, say goodbye to your Inca Trail guides, then board the train bound for Ollantaytambo. From there, you’ll stop briefly for a bathroom break before heading back to Cusco via mini-bus, easily the most excited you’ve ever been for a shower. Like, ever. That evening, we all met up, freshly scrubbed, for one final group dinner – we’d made it!
Day 7: Cusco
The tour officially ends after breakfast today. You can extend your stay and spend more time in Cusco (I recommend it if you didn’t arrive early) or fly out later that day.
What’s included and what’s optional?
Since this is an original style trekking trip, almost everything is included in the itinerary with the exception of a few meals.
Included:
- 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
- All accommodation and transportation
- Cusco – Orientation Walk, Chocolate Museum Visit
- Sacred Valley – Community visit & lunch
- Inca Trail / Quarry Trail permits, porters, etc
Not included:
- Breakfast on the first day, 3 lunches (including the first and last day), 4 dinners (including the first and last day)
Basically, the only expenses not included in this trip are a few meals. The only optional activities available are in Cusco, which you would do independently from the group.
The Tour Leaders
One thing I love about Intrepid is that they always hire leaders who are native to the country you’re visiting. We had three tour leaders on this trip: Aly, who was our guide in Cusco and Ollantaytambo, Victor, who led us on The Inca Trail, and Clever, who turned back with a sick group member on the trail the second day. All three of them were awesome guides. They’d all done the trail a ridiculous number of times, spoke Quechua, Spanish, and English, and had unending patience. Intrepid has two guides on the trail – one leading the group and one walking with the last person. This is also in case anyone needs to turn back. Overall, my guides in Peru were some of my favorites out of all my Intrepid trips – seriously, I can’t say enough good things.
Who travels with Intrepid?
Intrepid Travel attracts people from all over the world. In my experience, most of the travelers tend to come from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. The age range varies wildly – I’ve been on trips with 18-year-olds and 80-year-olds, and everything in between (which makes for some seriously interesting perspectives and characters)! I have to say that the majority of the time, travelers tend to be curious about other cultures and genuinely interested in gaining new perspectives and experiences. Out of all my trips, I’ve only dealt with one unpleasant passenger (it happens) but have often left the trips with plenty of new friends. On this trip in particular, I traveled with one Canadian, two South Africans, three Aussies, and three Brits, all of whom were awesome.
What’s the transportation like?
Because this was a trekking trip, there weren’t a ton of instances where we took transportation. However, when we did, we took private mini-busses for the most part, with the exception of the public bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes and the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
What’s the accommodation like?
For this trip, we camped for three nights and stayed in a hotel for three nights. The hotels were simple, tourist-style hotels in Cusco and in Ollantaytambo. They were clean and comfortable, although the Cusco one was a bit basic and somewhat chilly.
Camping-wise, we stayed in basic tents that were set up for us by porters. We had access to squat toilets and running water, as well as a portable “magic closet” toilet as well. There are no shower facilities on The Inca Trail except on the last night (it’s really cold though), so make sure you bring lots of baby wipes or camp soap along with your other camp items.
What’s the food like?
Peru has been named the best culinary destination for for 7 years in a row and it would be a crime not to sample some of the best food in the world. Peruvians eat some less common delicacies like cuy (guinea pig) and alpaca but if you aren’t particularly adventurous, don’t miss out on eats like ceviche (a raw fish bowl), lomo saltado (beef stew with potatoes), and pollo a la brasa (rotisserie chicken). ALSO: Peru is very dietary restriction-friendly, especially in Cusco. There are tons of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options so it’s really easy to eat no matter what restrictions you have.
In terms of the food on the trail itself, don’t fret: it’s delicious. The chefs cooked meals that were light, filling, and delicious – truly an impressive feat considering the lack of cooking facilities. They even made us a cake on the last night! They can also accommodate most dietary restrictions – just be sure to tell your guide ahead of time.
Is Peru safe?
In general, I’d say Peru is reasonably safe for travelers if you take normal precautions. That means don’t look like a lost tourist, don’t flash your valuables around, and in general, stay vigilant at night, whether you’re in the streets or at a bar or something. Also – Lima in particular is notorious for pickpocketing (the same goes for public transport all over Peru) so be sure to use luggage locks and a lockable purse.
As a word of caution, my friend and I both had our smart watches stolen on two separate occasions while in Lima. So if you have something really valuable that you’re worried about, leave it at home or keep an eye on it. Also, I can’t stress this enough: get travel insurance!
Don’t let me scare you, though! There are tons of travelers on “The Gringo Trail” and it’s easy to meet others to travel with. I spent a few days solo in both Cusco and Lima and felt fine and would have been comfortable traveling solo in other cities as well. Just be vigilant and aware of your surroundings and you should be fine.
Would I recommend the Inca Trail Express tour with Intrepid Travel?
Yes, yes, yes, I would definitely recommend the Inca Trail Express trip with Intrepid. I mean, if you have more time, I would suggest spending more time in Peru or going on one of the longer Intrepid Peru trips, but if you’re considering this one, I’d say book it! The tour is incredibly organized, the guides are amazing, the food is delicious and the whole thing is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
In terms of improvements, I really don’t have much to critique about this tour. Some of my fellow travelers weren’t aware that they would need to rent sleeping bags, pack pillows or that the walking poles need to be rubber-tipped, so be sure to read the trip notes before you go. Also, it’s important to note that you’ll have to pack for Ollantaytambo and The Inca Trail on the first night but you can actually leave a few things behind at the hotel in Ollantaytambo (which I did because my duffel was too heavy). To be honest, my only real qualm is that this trek is marked for those that are “moderately fit” but I think that’s underselling the difficulty quite a bit, especially for those who aren’t used to high altitudes. I strongly recommend doing some practice hikes with an altitude training mask to get a better feel of what it’s like to hike in the mountains.
Overall, this is an excellent tour for those looking to hike The Inca Trail (or Quarry Trail) to Machu Picchu while experiencing a bit of Cusco. If you want to read even more reviews of the tour, check it out here.
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- Exploring Jordan with Intrepid Travel: A Review
- Exploring Turkey with Intrepid Travel: A Review
- Exploring and Hiking in Peru with Intrepid Travel: A Review
Other Essential Information
Tour Price
The tour starts at USD $1,148 but final cost depends on the departure date.
Best Time to Visit Peru
So much of what makes Peru amazing is outdoors which is why it’s best to avoid visiting between Mid-November and Mid-March – when the rain is at its heaviest. Instead, opt for shoulder season for optimal weather and fewer crowds.
April – May / September – October: These are the BEST times to hike The Inca Trail for mostly dry weather and smaller crowds. Because this is shoulder season, you’ll be avoiding the peak season of tourism when prices are at their highest and sites at their busiest.
June – August: These are the most popular months to hike The Inca Trail. You’re almost guaranteed to avoid rain during these months, but note that the weather is cold (it’s winter in Peru) and you’ll encounter lots of travelers. You have to book your trek far in advance since only 500 permits are issued per day.
Language
The main language spoken in Peru is Spanish, which is spoken by a large majority of people. In some (more rural) areas, some people may speak only indigenous languages like Quechua and Aymara. In most touristy places, you’ll find that many people have a basic grasp of English, but you’re better off learning some Spanish phrases just in case you find yourself in a jam.
Currency
Peru uses Peruvian Soles (PEN) and at the time of updating this post (January 2024), the rate was about USD $1 to 3.74 PEN. Credit cards are not widely accepted in Peru unless you’re in larger establishments, so you’re better off either bringing cash or using one of the many ATM machines and withdrawing cash.
Note: there seems to be a weird, perpetual shortage of small change in Peru. It’s not just at small kiosks either. I even went to a few restaurants and markets (big ones) that told me they couldn’t make change with big bills. I imagine there’s just one Peruvian guy somewhere hoarding all the coins and small bills of Peru. Either way, whenever you get the opportunity to break a large bill while in Peru, do it. Not only will you want the 1 sol coins for bathroom visits (that’s the entry fee) but you’ll also want them for small purchases as well.
Want to extend your trip?
This itinerary primarily focuses on The Inca Trail and lacks sufficient time in Cusco and other cities in Peru. Even if you’re short on time, I recommend spending at least an additional couple of days in Cusco and another 1-2 days in Lima as well. Here are my recommendations if you want to spend some extra time in Peru:
- Book a longer Intrepid Tour instead: Peru Encompassed is 3 weeks long and covers all the highlights of Peru. Or check out all the different Peru trip options here.
- Buy a Peru Hop bus ticket and see some of Peru’s other cities – they have different passes depending on your availability and interest.
- Get the Boleto Turistico pass for entrance to lots of Cusco’s sites.
- Spend 2 days in Lima.
- Trek to Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake.
- Take an overnight trip to Lake Titicaca.
- Have an awesome foodie experience in Cusco.
Final thoughts
Although I don’t take group tours that often, this was my fourth trip with Intrepid Travel. You can read my review about why I like the company so much here. I don’t think group tours are necessary for every country, but you need to book an organized tour to do The Inca Trail, so I highly recommend doing Inca Trail Express with Intrepid (or one of the longer Intrepid Peru trips).
I don’t know what I would have done without my amazing group and guides – I likely wouldn’t have finished The Inca Trail, if I’m being honest. Between Intrepid, Peru Hop, and my contacts in Lima, I was fortunate to have a guide the entire time I was in Peru. Although I felt safe while I was there, it was nice to have someone to contact when things went wrong (which happened more times than I expected) and it made the entire Peru experience incredibly fun.
If you’re hesitant about booking a trip to Peru for some reason, don’t be. It’s such a vast and country, with amazing food, kind-hearted people, and impressively diverse landscapes. Get yourself to Peru now!
More Peru Resources
Planning a trip to Peru soon? Check out ALL my posts on Peru below:- Peru Travel Guide
- Peru Travel Tips: 28 Things to Know When Traveling to Peru
- The Complete Inca Trail Packing List: What to Pack for Trekking Machu Picchu
- The Perfect Lima Itinerary: 2 Days in Lima
- An Honest Peru Hop Review of Peru's Hop On Hop Off Bus
- Exploring and Hiking in Peru with Intrepid Travel: A Review
Tell me: Would you consider taking an Intrepid Peru tour? Why or why not? Share in the comments below!
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