Inca Trail - how did you book/travel?

<p>can someone point me to a travel agency(s) with good reputation that you can book an Inca Trail trip before you leave the states? it would be nice if you already used this company and they were legitimate people. i'm applying for PeaceCorps and my PeaceCorps adviser is set on doing the trail next July. it's sort of embracing, i lived in Peru for 7 months but because of student budget had to limit my visits directly to the sights. i heard that there are two options for the trail a 5 day one and a 7 day one. will appreciate any information on either option.</p>

<p>thank you.</p>

<p>Peru Treks at http://www.perutreks.com/ is a great company that we used when we were there in July. Ours was a four day trek starting at km. 82, and continuing all the way to Machu Picchu. I heard there's another trek that lasts about 8 days, but we didn't go for that one. If you go -- I suggest you take a rain jacket, and a plastic rain poncho with you, cause I took neither and got completely soaked.<br>

Good luck, and please share your experience here when you come back.</p>

<p>I've heard good things about INCA tours. Not cheap but very good. I have no connection with them, but they were recommended on one of the Amateur Traveler podcasts about the Galapagos, where they also tour. Check out these links.<br>

http://www.inca1.com/<br>

http://amateurtraveler.com/2007/05/05/episode-89-the-galapagos-islands/</p>

<p>I did this with a company called Inka Natura. They are a local (i.e. Peruvian-owned) company and not only did they have good service, they seemed to treat (and supply) their staff better than the competing companies I saw on the trail at the same time (Oct 2006). This is no small matter, many of the porters with other companies only wear flip-flops! Their web site is<a href="http://www.inkanatura.com"> http://www.inkanatura.com</a> / but I booked through a specialist agency, Tribes - <a href="http://www.tribes.co.uk/">http://www.tribes.co.uk/</a></p>