Hello everyone,
OK, so I think I have been misinformed about hiking the inca trail and I was wondering if anyone could set the record straight. If everything goes according to plan myself and three friends will be going to huancayo, peru for a week and then heading to Machu Picchu. We want to hike the Inca Trail. Now, I heard there are three options: a two day hike, a four day hike and the train. What is the difference between the two and four day (besides obviously two days) or is there actually only a four day option because I seem to be hearing about this the most? Also, you can now only do it with guides, correct? How do you go about this because I also heard they only have so many people on it a day? I also heard Sunrise Expeditions (I think is the title) was a good company, any other recommendations? And also, how much of your own stuff do you need to bring, although I'm sure that depends on what the outfitter is willing to provide also. Anyways, soorry for all that ramblage any advice would be much appreciated!
-Janelle

the classic inca trail is 4 day/3 nights.
you need to book it months in advance. i booked it in june and the earliest i got was mid-sept.

yes, you can only do it with guides. the cost in 2007(sept) was $350 + $50(for a "half a porter" who will carry 9 Kgs for you, "full porter is 18 Kgs")

i did it wih Andean Life in sept 2007- was really well organized and beautiful and had some of the best food i had in peru. those porters really work hard and deserve great tips (and shoes- they wear sandals!)

most people in my group carried their own stuff, one guy had about 40 lbs of it.. and it was tough. so i suggest take as less as possible.

was an amazing hike, totally worth it!highly recommend it. as was the view from the sun gate!

You can't book the classic Inca trail on the spot. Like the poster above said, it has to be booked a few months in advance.
You don't need to despair though. There are alternative trails, which by many are considered better than the classic Inca trail. It's Salkantay, Lares, Ausangate - they all end up in Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
I did Salkantay trail in Oct 07. Didn't need to prebook, only arrived to Cuzco and signed up for a trekk that started two days later. You need a couple of days anyway to acclimatise to the altitude.
If you wonder why the classic Inca trail is sold out months ahead, it's because it's the easiest one, which makes it the most popular among all sorts of travellers, including retirees.
Salkantay trail was quite a tough experience for me (I'm 55 y.o.), especially the first two days. You need to be fairly fit. But, the good thing is that there are pack horses to carry all the stuff, so you need to carry only your small day pack.
Also, if you book while you're in Cuzco, you'll pay much less than booking from home.
Highly recommended. I went with Puma Trek.

I should add, you need to decide if you can fit it in your timeframe. Salkantay trail is 5 days/4 nights.

I went with Sunrise and it was fabulous. The guides were great (one was a smoke show!!!!!) Our porters were unbelievable. I agree that the food was the best I had in Peru. Make sure to let them know when booking if you are a vegetarian. I forgot to do that in Bolivia and just about starved.
I did the 4 day trail and although it was one of the hardest things I've ever done it was so rewarding. Do book well in advance and remember that they close the trail in Feb to clean.
Bring a sturdy metal water container. Mine took a few trips over the edge of a cliff (the hot guide always went and got it for me). It is also a good idea to fill it with boiling water before you go to bed and put it down by your feet to help keep you warm. In the morning it will be cold enough to drink.
Our porters woke us up every morning (usually at an hour I don't ever see unless I'm still awake) with boiled water to wash up with and hot coca tea.
Dress in layers. Every morning I put on shorts, a tank top, long pants, a tshirt, a yoga jacket and waterproof pants and jacket. We got lucky and didn't have any rain but I talked to people who did and they hated the trail. By afternoon I was usually down to the shorts and tank top than back in everything by 5pm.
Also BRING SMART WOOL SOCKS!!!!!!! They cost a small fortune but I was the only one in my group who didn't get blisters.
You can also pick up these sugar pill things in a farmacia that give a needed kick. I was usually at the back of our group but the last day I took one and I was the 2nd to the sungate.
Hope that helps. (Now who's rambling)

The real traditional Inca Trail is the four day version and as said in replies, requires bookings several months in advance and costs around US$400. There are a number of other treks through the area which all end up at Machu Picchu including a two day trek from Km104, which still ends up via the Sun Gate into Machu Picchu. Similarly there are a number of longer treks (5 days and 7 days) which are all different paths but through similar stunning mountain scenery.

The train is expensive and does the job of getting you there but I don't think anything beats the experience of entering Machu Picchu via a trek and seeing this majestic place unveil itself at dawn. Try to visit MP two days to give yourself more time to simply enjoy this remarkable location and explore all the nooks and crannies, and make sure you climb Huayna Picchu (in the morning - limited numbers per day can make this climb too). This is one place that a guide helps explain the various ruins though that should be part of any trek.

I have a four part series on my blog, covering the trek and Machu Picchu itself which hopefully might give you more idea of what you can see and be in for.
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Travel Wonders