How to Choose a Reputable Inca Trail Company

Published: 14 February 2026 | Update: 14 February 2026 | Reads: 2409

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All Inca Trail companies managing the Inca Trail must be certified and have an Inca Trail operators license. This license is issued annually each January. There are currently 240 registered Inca Trail operators (2026), with new companies springing up each year. Many of these tour companies, however, may only operate a trek a couple of times a month during the high season and these treks are mainly private groups for overseas tour companies. Before you hurriedly sign up with any tour company, its vital to comprehend some things about the industry. The most important thing is, that not all companies are licensed tour operators. There are two types of companies that will try and sell you an Inca trail package: registered tour operators and middle men, otherwise known as endosars. The registered tour operators are a small quantity that run, sell, and operate their own Inca Trail Tours.

How to Book an Inca Trail Trek with a Reliable Company

If you are looking for a reliable Inca Trail company, many travelers usually recommend searching on travel platforms such as Tripadvisor, Lonely Planet, and TourRadar, among others. However, today many of these platforms operate as commercial marketplaces where agencies and travel agents promote different Peru travel packages and Inca Trail tours.

This does not mean they are bad, but they are commercial platforms designed to attract more travelers based on visitor traffic and advertising visibility. Booking through these sites does not always guarantee high service quality. Some platforms accept non-operating companies, and these agencies may offer very low prices without proper authorization to run the Inca Trail.

So the key question before booking is: How do you choose a reputable Inca Trail company? Below, we mention companies that offer the best Inca Trail experience and follow responsible travel practices.

Inca Trail to Machu: Expert Inca Trail Operator and Sustainable Travel

Inca trail Machu has the authorization of GERCETUR and SERNANP to operate legally and responsibly the Classic Inca Trail and rest of the tours. Our trips are designed to be different, and its important for us that we are great value for money, for the cost of your journey you will take unforgettable memories home with you, we know the best things to see and do in Peru, so you will get the best for your money and time, in fact we will save you the cost of a single room when booking a double room on our grouped service trip. Also, our company is fast at the time of answer any doubt or question of a traveler. In addition, we use a clear, precise and pleasant language. In this way, misunderstandings that may cause problems are avoided. Inca trail Machu practices the philosophy of responsible tourism, involving good treatment on the part of its staff and the respect and care of tourist circuits.

When making a book on the Inca Trail you will be asked to pay a deposit of about 50%. This is needed by the company to buy your Inca Trail permit and reserve your train tickets to Machu Picchu. Always ensure that this deposit is paid to a company account and not to an account in the name of one of the employees. All companies listed are well established and recommended in at least one major guidebook so you shouldn't have any problems. Many accept payment of the deposit by credit card or PayPal to their company account. For added security try to avoid wiring money to individuals working for these companies and ask for their company account details. Beware of "too good to be true" trek prices.

At the end of the day its all about your experience!

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The information given in this website is given in good faith and the authors cannot be responsible for the services provided by the individual companies.

The following Inca Trail Tour Operators have received consistently good reviews: