For the Inca roads in general, see, Elorrieta Salazar, Fernando E. & Elorrieta Salazar, Edgar (2005) Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas, page 123. Permits to hike the Inca Trail are available March through January. Amongst various tour companies advice online, the tipping recommendations average out at 100 - 150 soles per hiker to the group of porters and cooks (who will take care of splitting it amongst themselves). Securing a permit is only possible with an approved tour provider, who buy these daily permits in advance. Along the hike, at the epicenter of the old Incan Empire, you will experience majestic mountains, cloud forests, a subtropical jungle, and a little bit of wildlife. The hike itself, which brings you along ancient narrow paths deep into the Peruvian countryside and high into the Andean mountains, is gorgeous; perfect Incan ruins, cloud forest, and majestic valley views laid out like breadcrumbs along the way to perhaps the greatest end-point of any multi-day hike on earth, the iconic Machu Picchu. Guides are required to carry oxygen tanks in case of emergencies. Thankfully, the weather gods were rooting for us, and we only had one bad rain shower and a single morning of dense mist to contend with - as our guide told us, this wont always be the case for those hiking the Inca Trail in rainy season. Altitude on the Inca Trail. Before leaving, I had heard horror stories about the difficulty of the hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The Trail is Peru in a microcosm; lush green cloud forest alive with birds, Andean peaks and steep mountain passes, a landscape dotted with centuries old ruins, accessible only to those that follow this most famous pathway. Pack animals are not allowed. Reaching the crest of this ridge reveals the grandeur of the ruins of Machu Picchu, which lie below. However, after asking our followers on Twitter, we were assured that 1. they are really bloody useful and 2. not just for old people and Austrians. Throughout day 3 youll also see several mini Machu Picchu-like ruins spread throughout the trail. A daypack to carry water, a boxed lunch provided by your hiking guide, camera, personal items for your overnight in Aguas Calientes, etc. For the same reason, metal-tipped trekking poles are not allowed on the trail. Hiking boots with a solid tread and ankle support to help prevent injuries. A typical dinner included fresh hot soup, a hearty main course, and then something sweet to round it off - all washed down at the end with cups of tea. If you don't, altitude sickness could make your first few days pretty uncomfortable. However, each trekker is responsible for transporting their personal items (clothing, toiletries, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, etc.). Please consult your Travel Advisor with specific questions regarding trekking equipment and rental options during your Inca Trail trekking experience. Hiking poles will aid you in steep areas. We did the trek with G Adventures, a global company focused on sustainable small-group adventures (who have also been awarded Best Inca Trail Tour Operator by the Regional Direction of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Cusco in Peru) - you can check out the specific tour we did by clicking here. The last major campsite before Machu Picchu, these ruins include a long flight of fountains that flow from the upper to the lower terraces. Inca Trail altitude The Inca road system, originally called Qhapaq an in Quechua, an indigenous Peruvian language, was used for general transportation, trade, religious, and military purposes. Alternatively, the 2-day Inca Trail is recommended for travelers who cannot or do not wish to devote four days of trekking to their trip, but would still like to experience the Inca Trail. Nights are warmer compared to the dry season. Tipping is not mandatory, and you are entitled to put in more, less, or nothing at all. Despite your best efforts (as well as the efforts of your CEO, porters etc), things can and do go wrong; if you get sick whilst hiking and are unable to make your own way back, without travel insurance, your evacuation will get expensive pretty quickly. Torre Mirador is 12.5 mi (20 km) to the north of Nazca city along the Panamerican Highway. First up, heres your beginners guide to hiking. From Aguas Calientes to the entrance area to the citadel, you can take a 15-minute bus ride, or you can walk up the hill (approximately 45 minutes). The highest point on the Inca Trail is Dead Woman's Pass. If youre reading the above and thinking that neither sounds appealing now, then please dont be too despondent - the Inca Trail can be hiked year-round and weve just outlined the worst cons of each season so that you dont have any nasty surprises! Pack thermal undergarments, a warm hat, and gloves for evenings. Of course, dont forget your camera, with extra battery packs and memory cards. Inca Trail elevation continually changes as you hike over spectacular passes and down into lush valleys. There are three important things to note here: 1: The Inca Trail is not about finishing each day as quickly as possible; we felt that our group could have lingered a little more on sections of the hike and slowed our pace. Trails can get muddy and slippery. 98 steps lead to this site, which is positioned on a cliff that affords splendid views of the Aobamba Valley. Or maybe you would rather take a longer or shorter trek or a path less beaten? Fascinating Facts About the Inca Trail - TOUR IN PERU Its a somewhat strenuous 4 days so its important to consider what you are getting yourself into before leaving for the trip. Booking far in advance is an absolute must. Here you will get all the inside information on the hike from someone who has spent a lot of time researching it and completed it firsthand. Youll find it in this post. True Traveller and World Nomads are two respected travel insurers which we have used on South America trips who cover high altitude treks (just make double sure that youve selected the right option). Both of these trail segments meet above the Inca ruins of Patallaqta[4][5] (sometimes called Llaqtapata), a site used for religious and ceremonial functions, crop production, and housing for soldiers from the nearby hilltop site of Willkaraqay, an ancient pre-Inca site first inhabited around 500 BC. We managed with a group of six (not including the guide, porters, and cook). Porters can be hired to carry up to 18 lb (8 kg) or 33 lb (15 kg). Cons | Hiking and camping in the rain for four days is never fun, so you are increasing the chances of that. The third and fourth day of the Inca Trail altitude change is a relative descent to Machu Picchu. A second Inca tunnel is along this section of trail.[10]. During the rainy season, there is the possibility of landslides. Along Dusty Roads is a travel blog by British couple, Andrew & Emily. Dead Woman's Pass is even steeper on the way down. Everything is set for you to walk the Inca Trail. It is closed in February for maintenance. . Remember the part where my companion busted her knee and had to be carried by porters goddamn hiking in style! From the top of Dead Womans Pass, you will descend about 2.5km (1.6 miles) down a steep gradient into the Pacaymayo Valley. In addition to all the equipment, pots and pans, food, and trash that they had to carry, they also now had a grown adult on their backs. 2023 Machu Picchu Trek | A Mountain IQ Guide. The highest point is Dead Woman's Pass at 4200 m. At its highest, the trail reaches 4200 m above sea level, so you should spend at least 2 days in Cusco acclimatizing before you start the trek. Were both vegetarian and were catered for incredibly well - with each meal giving us a vegetarian version of the same dish the others were eating (another thing we did not expect at all). Looking for the best hiking trails in Jakarta? For the past 5 years, I have had the goal of visiting each of the 7 Wonders of the world. Traveling to Peru and seeing Machu Picchu was one of them. The Inca Trail has very steep inclines. This is where your campsite is located. PLUS, you save money and the environment! If you are not ready for the challenge of multi-day trekking, your mind might give up long before your body does. Please note that some links on our blog are affiliate links. Both the 4-day and 2-day Inca Trail treks have distinct advantages and disadvantages. The last part of your day is a descent to Winay Wayna. When the Incans were conquered by the Spanish in the 1500s, they fled the jungle and Machu Picchu went hidden for hundreds of years. I can hardly carry my petite wife for more than 20 seconds yet somehow our porters and guide managed for hours on end. Chachabamba: 6,725 ft (2,050 m) Whichever tour company you do the Inca Trail with, you will be expected to tip your support staff of porters and guides. There is a bus which runs from Lima to Cusco, but it takes 24 hours and these days isnt worth taking as flights are so ubiquitous and affordable (trust us, we did this bus ride back in 2015!). Bus | If youre travelling from Arequipa, then an overnight bus to Cusco is your best option. After our own hike, we wanted to share our hard-earned insights, advice, and tips to help you plan and prepare for your own successful Trail experience - all neatly whittled down into this comprehensive guide. Their shorter tour is around 710 per person, and our recommended cheaper alternative is around 600 - 650 depending upon whether it has a an offer running (which it often does). Personally, I could have spent the whole day there just in awe of the ruins. Likewise, if you would prefer not to carry your sleeping bag from home to Peru, you can rent one from your trekking company with advance notice. This was originally done informally by organizations such as South American Explorers,[2] but is now managed officially. Feedback we frequently receive from our travelers is how impressive the meals are on the Inca Trail. Instituto Nactional de Cultura. This duffel bag is allowed to hold upto 6kgs, and is going to be where the majority of the kit + equipment you bring for the Inca Trail will be stored (i.e. Theyre easy to use, professional and relatively affordable. April and October: shoulder season months. Alternatively, this highly rated four-day Inca Trail tour has loads of excellent reviews, allows free cancellation), and is even cheaper than the above tour meaning its a good option for those on a tighter budget. It consists of three overlapping trails: . We would never travel without taking out insurance (if youre not convinced, read this post), and having the necessary insurance arrangements in place in advance is a requirement for every Inca Trail tour; you are responsible for buying and purchasing this. This trek additionally permits hikers to enter Machu Picchu through its Sun Gate. Your guide will take you on a 2.5-hour tour of the citadel, where you will learn about its fascinating history. Even with daily tourism limits, there are still many, many tour groups and you will constantly be surrounded by other hikers, guides, and porters throughout the 4 days. Tours to Machu Picchu normally arrange groups of eight to sixteen people, and you will hike with people from all around the world. April & October Trekkers normally take four or five days to complete the "Classic Inca Trail" but a two-day trek from Km 104 is also possible. Mollepata is the longest of the three routes with the highest mountain pass and intersects with the Classic route before crossing Warmiwausqa ("dead woman"). Concern about overuse leading to erosion has led the Peruvian government to place a limit on the number of people who may hike this trail per season, and to sharply limit the companies that can provide guides. Consult your Travel Advisor if you require a guide who speaks a different language. If your main consideration however is that you may not be able to hike for the full four days, consider joining this two-day tour. High elevation is the greatest challenge on the Inca Trail Trek. ITMB Publishing International Travel Maps, Camino Inka. Something as minor as a flight delay can have a significant financial impact, as can illness, bad weather or baggage delay. Intipata (aka Yunkapata)[8] is a recently uncovered extensive set of agricultural terraces which follow the convex shape of the terrain. The biggest surprise for us both on the Trail was just how incredible the food provided was every single day. Besides dealing with high elevation, your general fitness and previous trekking experience will also contribute to your level of enjoyment. [3][6][8], Hiram Bingham III discovered the site, but left most of it covered with vegetation. Inca Trail - Travel guide at Wikivoyage The trail undulates, but overall ascends along the Cusichaka River. Ive hiked some of the best national parks in the U.S.and this Inca Trail hike is still my favorite in terms of scenery and complete awesomeness. The Classic 4-day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu is arguably the most famous trail in all of South America. Rainy season days almost always bring drizzle or rain. they soon adjusted and had no issues by day one of the hike itself. Hiking the Inca Trail is a feat of endurance that is just as much about the mind as the body. Buy a Geopress: its the last water bottle youll ever buy. The vital stats. Inca Trail permits are usually available, except for holiday weeks, such as the end of December. TIP: Tell us the destinations you have in mind. After celebrating your arrival to the top and snapping some photos, descend toward the Pacaymayo campsite (11,788 ft/3,590 m). Bring local currency (Soles) in your wallet so that you can tip your trekking team. For your main and assistant guide, 25 - 50 soles for the former and 10 - 25 soles for the latter is advised per hiker. Our own Inca Trail group were all roughly the same age and fitness, which meant that our pace was consistent and we all arrived to rest-stops and campsites at roughly the same time. Your trekking guides will meet you at your Cusco hotel and transfer with you to the Sacred Valley. Ok, now Youre Ready to Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
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