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A sustainable tourism project by Travel on Green — protecting the Qhapaq Ñan and the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary
The Inca Trail is one of the most beloved trekking routes in the world, and one of the most fragile. It crosses cloud forest, high-Andean grasslands and stone-paved Inca roads inside the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary, a protected natural and cultural area managed in Peru by SERNANP together with the Ministry of Culture. Every footstep matters here.
At Travel on Green we believe a great trek and a protected trail go together. This project explains the conservation rules that guide the route, how we apply them on every departure, and how you can help.
1. Limited access
Daily entry to the Inca Trail is capped, and permits are issued per person, in advance, through authorized operators. Limits keep erosion, noise and pressure on wildlife within what the ecosystem can bear. The trail also closes each year for maintenance and natural recovery, so plan your dates around it.
2. Small groups, trained guides
Groups are kept small and always accompanied by licensed guides who brief every traveler on the rules, the history and the environment before the trek begins.
3. Stay on the path
Walk only on marked routes and use designated campsites. Shortcuts damage vegetation, accelerate erosion and can harm the Inca stonework. Trekking poles must have rubber tips to protect the stone paths.
4. Pack in, pack out
Nothing is left behind. We avoid single-use plastics, carry reusable bottles and containers, and bring all waste out of the Sanctuary for proper disposal. Toilets and designated facilities are used at every camp.
5. Respect wildlife and plants
Spectacled bears, Andean cock-of-the-rock, orchids and many endemic species live along the route. Do not feed animals, collect plants or stones, or disturb nests. Drones are not permitted.
6. Protect the archaeology
Do not climb on, lean against or write on any Inca structure. Touching sites less, photographing more, is the golden rule.
7. Fire and smoke
Open fires are not allowed. Cooking is done on controlled stoves by our kitchen team, and smoking is avoided throughout the Sanctuary to prevent wildfire.
The trek exists thanks to the Andean people who carry equipment and cook along the way. Responsible tourism means:
A sustainable tourism project by Travel on Green — keeping Cusco’s trails, mountains and communities clean
A single multi-day trek generates food packaging, bottles, batteries, hygiene products and kitchen scraps. In a high-altitude environment, where cold slows decomposition and rain carries pollution into rivers and cloud forest, even small amounts of litter last a long time. Many routes in Cusco cross protected areas managed by SERNANP, where waste rules are stricter than in the city.
Our goal is simple: everything we bring in, we bring out, and as little as possible comes in at all.
On every Travel on Green departure, waste is separated at the source into three colors, following the color code used in Peru’s solid waste management standards.
Green bag — recyclables
Clean, dry materials that can be recovered and reused.
Brown bag — organic waste
Biodegradable material from the kitchen and camp.
Black bag — non-recyclable waste
Everything that cannot be recovered or composted.
Hygiene waste: used toilet paper and sanitary products are never left on the trail. They go in sealed bags and are carried out with the rest of the non-recyclable waste.
The best waste is the waste that never exists.
A sustainable tourism project by Travel on Green — aligned with the visitor guidelines of SERNANP for the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary
A single multi-day trek generates food packaging, bottles, batteries, hygiene products and kitchen scraps. In a high-altitude environment, where cold slows decomposition and rain carries pollution into rivers and cloud forest, even small amounts of litter last a long time. Many routes in Cusco cross protected areas managed by SERNANP, where waste rules are stricter than in the city.
Our goal is simple: everything we bring in, we bring out, and as little as possible comes in at all.
Altitude
Altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of fitness. Walk slowly, drink water often, eat well and rest when you need to. Tell your guide at once if you feel headache, nausea, dizziness or shortness of breath. Our guides are trained to recognize symptoms and decide when to descend. Coca tea is a local tradition, but it should not be relied on as a remedy for altitude sickness.
Weather
Weather in the Andes changes quickly, and the rainy season (roughly November to March) brings mud, slippery stone and river crossings. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket and good boots with grip. The trail is closed each year for maintenance and natural recovery.
Terrain
The trail has steep stone steps, narrow sections and long descents. Use trekking poles with rubber tips, which protect both your knees and the Inca paving, and keep to the marked path.
Water and food
Drink only treated or boiled water provided by our team. Our cooks follow strict food-handling practices at every camp. Let us know about any allergies or dietary needs before departure.
Sun and cold
UV radiation is intense at altitude, even on cloudy days. Use sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Nights in camp can drop close to freezing, so bring a warm sleeping bag and thermal layers.
