As a result, advance booking is mandatory. A reusable water bottle or hydration pack works well for this. For this reason, its recommendable to spend a few days in Cusco before hiking at high altitudes; this unforgettable experience. Inca trail preparation: a complete guide [updated 2020] - Career Gappers Your last chance to use the internet or have a reliable phone signal will be in Ollantaytambo, and your first opportunity will be outside Machu Picchu or in Aguas Calientes. We have previously taken a three-week overland trip in Africa with G Adventures, where we were responsible for setting up and taking down our tent each day (not so fun in the rain or after a long day). If youre confused about buying travel insurance, read this post and this post. Once in Cusco, all your transport to the Trail and the return trip to Cusco from Machu Picchu will be arranged by your tour company and included in the overall tour price. Although all hikes are more about the journey than a final destination, the Inca Trail stands out as having a destination to beat all others. This morning, you will take a train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104, where you will disembark and begin the 2-day Inca Trail. In addition to the Classic 4-day Inca Trail trek, there is a shorter full-day trek. By using these, you are directly supporting Along Dusty Roads to remain an independent travel blog, and to create free guides to help you travel more, travel better. SAM Travel Peru: Outstanding Inca Trail 2023 - See 3,262 traveler reviews, 2,463 candid photos, and great deals for Cusco, Peru, at Tripadvisor. High probability of sunny weather. Start planning your Machu Picchu hiking holiday. Given our own independent travel plans, we had actually spent the previous week in Cusco and the surrounding region - for everyone planning on the Inca Trail, wed recommend arriving into Cusco at least two days before your tour starts so that you can acclimatise to the altitude (its at 3,339 metres above sea level) and enjoy what the city has to offer without aching limbs. The Inca Trail is open 11 months of the year (March through January). Its sensible to take this money in the form of smaller notes and coins. Plan ahead . This system is still in effect; any person wishing to hike the Inca Trail must obtain a permit beforehand. This is the second highest pass on the Inca Trail known as the Runquraqay Pass. In the afternoon, you will arrive at the Wiay Wayna ruins, which are situated at the hikes highest elevation (8,694 ft/2,650 m). Despite only including one day of hiking, this shorter hike is referred to as the 2-day Inca Trail because the hike to Machu Picchu is on Day 1 and the Machu Picchu tour is on Day 2. A small spur of the trail leads directly to Wiay Wayna, while the main route continues to Intipata. SAM Travel Peru: Inca trail 4D/3N - See 3,255 traveler reviews, 2,451 candid photos, and great deals for Cusco, Peru, at Tripadvisor. It is recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before the start of your trek so that you can acclimatize. Day Four: Very early rise (3 a.m.) to reach the entry check-point and hike 1-2 hours to the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu. Forgetting to book permits in advance for the Inca Trail and shorter day hikes is a mistake. Insect repellent (with Deet) for protection against mosquitoes and other blood-sucking critters once you get to Machu Picchu. We do not represent World Nomads. You can get a 15% discount on the Water-to-Go if you use this code at the checkout (ADR15), and read this post to find out about more ways about how to use less plastic when you travel. We dont know if all tours will offer the same level of food as G Adventures did, but even if its half as good youll be very happy. Ley No 28296, "Inca Trail permits to be released four months early", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Inca_Trail_to_Machu_Picchu&oldid=1125666243, Jenkins, David "A Network Analysis of Inka Roads, Administrative Centers and Storage Facilities. Whatever equipment you bring, you may not always get the best nights sleep - and it may be quite chilly in the evening - but its all part of the experience! POV: You've reached Warmi Wausqa, the highest point of the Inca Trail The trail is closed in February for annual maintenance, conservation, and clean-up. A short downhill walk is the final section of the trail.[11]. Yep, the cost of entry is included in the tour price and its the responsibility of the tour company to take care of all that and provide you with the ticket on the day youre entering the site. If there are any updates or questions, feel free to let us know in the comments below! It is recommended to spend a few days getting used to the elevation before you hike the Inca Trail. You wont have access to what your porter carries until you reach the campsite each night, so you will need a small pack to carry water, snacks, rain jacket, extra layers of clothing, etc. It is possible to book a longer organised Peru tour which includes the Inca Trail within it, or to simply include it on your own independent Peru + South American adventure. Lastly, make sure you have the policy number, insurance provider, and emergency contact number on your person whilst hiking. You will spend the night at Huayllabamba, the only inhabited town on the trek. Pack animals, including mules, horses, and llamas, are banned from the trail. Access to the Inca Trail is strictly controlled. The first 30 minutes of the trek is uphill, while the remainder of the trail is largely a descent. Machu Picchu: 7,972 ft (2,430 m) It is best to book directly through a local tour operator instead of a foreign travel agency since the travel agencies may charge you double the price. The Inca Trail, How Long Is It? | Andean Trails New York, NY:Dutton. Later in the afternoon you will enjoy lunch and continue on toward the first campsite, Wayllabamba (9,840 ft / 3,000 m). Do note that if you see a tour with fewer days offered, then you are only going to be hiking a small section of the route. Be prepared to get soaked and tread cautiously when the trail gets slippery. Today you will trek to the Wiay Wayna campsite (8,700 ft/2,650 m). Inca Trail permits sell out fast for these months. Most operators advise hikers to purchase permits as soon as possible after they are released. full details on whats included in G Adventures Inca Trail Tour here, 11 Things To Know Before You Visit Rainbow Mountain in Peru, 13 Wonderful Things To Do in Cusco | The Gateway to the Sacred Valley, A Guide to Visiting to Pisac, Peru | The Ruins + Market, The Boleto Turistico | Everything You Need To Know About Cusco's Tourist Ticket, The Inca Trail Packing List | What You Need to Bring in 2023, A Short Guide to Ollantaytambo | Peru's Train Ride Town, (Updated 2022) A Guide to Huaraz | Peru's Hiking Capital, Seven of the Best Day Trips From Cusco | Ruins, Mountains and Pretty Little Towns. [7], Another high point at elevation of 3650m is crossed, followed by a campground, and then after a short descent, a site with extensive ruins. Each evening, water is collected from nearby streams, boiled, and left to cool overnight. If youve made it to the end of the post, then congratulations! There are amazing hostels in Cuscothat offer a comfy bed so you can start the next day well-rested and read to go. Distance: 32 miles (51 km) Highest elevation: Salkantay Pass, 15,090 feet (4,600 m) Difficulty: moderate-challenging. There is a chance of rain even in the dry season, so its better to be prepared. Once the day has come to an end, youll take a bus down to Aguas Calientes where you will take a train back to Ollantaytambo before arriving back in Cusco by bus or car. Cons | Hiking and camping in the rain for four days is never fun, so you are increasing the chances of that. 98 steps lead to this site, which is positioned on a cliff that affords splendid views of the Aobamba Valley. After passing Pakaymayu the trail begins steeply ascending the other side of the valley. Classic Inca Trail Altitude Map distance | The ultimate travel guide High probability of rain on any given day. Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Your email address will not be published. Many trekkers find that hiking poles are helpful for navigating steep steps and reducing the impact on lower joints. I can hardly carry my petite wife for more than 20 seconds yet somehow our porters and guide managed for hours on end. One of the most popular things to do in South America - and one of the worlds most famous hikes - the Inca Trail is the sort of singular adventures for which we all travel. At the top, the pass is rocky, with little vegetation. The trail continues to ascend, passing a small lake named Quchapata (Cochapata)[6] in an area that is recognized as deer habitat. Whichever tour company you do the Inca Trail with, you will be expected to tip your support staff of porters and guides. 1. It is good to know that the citadel of Machu Picchu, the final point of this unforgettable experience, is located at a much lower elevation (2,400 m.a.s.l.). 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. 2023 Machu Picchu Trek | A Mountain IQ Guide. 2023 Best 10 Trails and Hikes in Jakarta | AllTrails The first day is a relatively easy hike and goes past the ruins of Patallaqta, which means town on a hillside in the Incan language of Quechua. Reading this and hoping for a last minute spot? If you need to pay for an additional porter to lighten your load and carry some of your things, you can do that for around $50-$100 USD. Only government-authorized trekking companies can offer Inca Trail tours and your trekking team is trained in the case of emergency. As with any trek, you should take proper precautions and make sure that you bring the correct gear and clothing. Rooted in Inca heritage, this centuries-old path gives hikers the chance to walk in the footsteps of pre-Columbian royalty. It is also very common to see snow and ice near the summit . Common symptoms of altitude sickness include headaches, nausea, and fatigue. These are also the coldest months of the year so make sure to pack accordingly. Demand for Inca Trail permits is high, especially during the dry season. [3][6][8], Hiram Bingham III discovered the site, but left most of it covered with vegetation. It is customary to tip the trekking team on the last night of the trek (Day 3). Per Inca Trail and Machu Picchu regulations, hiking poles must have rubber tips. However, each trekker is responsible for transporting their personal items (clothing, toiletries, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, etc.). . Overnight buses in Peru range from basic to an incredibly high standard - we recommend you take a look at the options and book online via RedBus. 12 Fast Facts About the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tours should provide you with purified, safe-to-drink water at camp each night and morning; this in addition to drinks purchased in advance and along the way (and those endless cups of tea glugged at camp) should be sufficient to keep you well hydrated. Your email address will not be published. Inca Trail elevation continually changes as you hike over spectacular passes and down into lush valleys. So whats the Inca Trail hikes difficulty like? All permits are paired with an individual passport and are not transferable. Overview. Get a quote below or read our in-depth review! Something as minor as a flight delay can have a significant financial impact, as can illness, bad weather or baggage delay. Highest Point on Inca Trail: Peru Day Seven - Tori Pines Travels 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. How long is the Inca trail (day by day hiking length). Pack light, pack smart, and pack for two very different temperatures - thats the key advice for every Inca Trail experience. We paid at the lower end as my wife is Colombian and we found a tour operator that catered more to the Spanish speaking South American clientele. The last part of your day is a descent to Winay Wayna. We told you that these guys were absolute heroes. 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. However, on the Inca Trail we experienced comparative luxury as the porters were responsible for setting up the tents each afternoon before you get near camp, and for taking them down and packing up in the morning. The Inca Trail is a well-established and iconic 4-day, 3-night hike which leads travellers from km.82 (the start point 40 minutes outside the town of Ollantaytambo) all the way to Machu Picchu via its exclusive Sun Gate (also called Inti Punku). Each however, come with their own pros and cons. It consists of three overlapping trails: Mollepata, Classic, and One Day. If the sky is clear, the views of Llulluchapampa Valley are phenomenal. It is very important to secure your Inca Trail permits in advance. Youll find it in this post. The meals are quite exquisite considering that all of the ingredients and cooking supplies are carried from the Sacred Valley. Located in the Andes mountain range, the trail passes through several types of Andean environments including cloud forest and alpine tundra.
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