If there is notable rainfall, then hiking conditions become slippier and more difficult. The biggest surprise for us both on the Trail was just how incredible the food provided was every single day. A very thin sleeping mat was included, and carried by the porter, but it was also possible to rent a thin air-mattress for S/45 / 10 / $13 / 11 which had to be stored in the duffel bag (and weighed around 1 kg). The bad news? Hike through the cloud forest on a gentle climb to the second pass of the day, walking through original Incan constructions. From Pacaymayo camp, the trail ascends steeply up the valleys opposite side. After crossing the pass the trail drops steeply into the Pakaymayu drainage. Top Tip // As we discussed above, there are cheaper alternatives to the Inca Trail tour we took including a shorter tour by G Adventures, and this highly-rated, four-day tour on Get Your Guide. The best way to minimise the likelihood and / or impact of altitude sickness is factoring in enough time into your Peru itinerary to acclimatise to the conditions. Every Inca Trail tour worth its salt employs and includes an incredible team of support staff who will carry the camping and cooking equipment plus food supplies on the Trail to each campsite (the tour company provides all of this equipment), as well as everyones 6kg duffel bag. Postpone your tour with zero cost up to 30 days prior to arrival with open dates. Our guide kept on calling us all professional hikers and the fastest group hed had that year as we arrived at camp each night a few hours ahead of expected 5-7 hours in his schedule. 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. The government monitors the trail closely; there are several control points along the trail. As the trail nears Intipata, it affords views of the "Two Day" Inca Trail (aka "Camino Real de los Inkas" or "One Day Inca Trail"). Common symptoms of altitude sickness include headaches, nausea, and fatigue. 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.). There are amazing hostels in Cuscothat offer a comfy bed so you can start the next day well-rested and read to go. [3] Pack animalshorses, mules, donkeys, and llamasare allowed. [3] The trail begins at Km 82 of the Inca Trail and ends at Machu Picchu's Sun Gate. ), but after your time on the Trail you will be left in no doubt that those porters deserve an extra bit of cash to recognise their sterling work and to support their own endeavours in life. Machu Picchu: 7,972 ft (2,430 m) Dead Woman's Pass is even steeper on the way down. Not a bad view from Warmi Wausqa in Peru with @intrepidtravel! It is important to carefully review potential travel insurance policies to make sure that the Inca Trail portion will be covered. Hiking poles to help ease impact on knees on downhills. Save $$$ Save the Planet Save Your Stomach! Thankfully, the Peruvians are a resourceful people and will go leaps and bounds to make a person in need is helped. Many of the most popular places in Peru, such as Cusco and Arequipa, are at high altitude; this means that for anyone planning a trip to Peru understanding altitude sickness (and how to avoid it) is incredibly important. The exact itinerary for the hike may differ between various Inca Trail tour operators, but almost all groups follow a similar itinerary and have set times to leave to avoid overcrowding. The well-established route is outlined in the below image below (red line) but do note that your own specific campsites and stops may differ depending on your tour provider. A Complete Guide to Exploring Cuscos Ruins (Without a Tour), What You Need to Know To Visit Machu Picchu in 2021, 11 Things to Know Before You Visit Rainbow Mountain, Everything You Need to Know About Cuscos Boleto Turistico, A Complete Guide to Visiting Ollantaytambo, Tagged: minimum age for the inca trail, maximum age for the Inca trail, How Much to Tip on the Inca Trail, Inca trail last minute, Inca trail hike, Inca trail, is the Inca trail expensive, what is the Inca trail, Booking the Inca Trail, Inca trail permit, Inca trail permits 2019, do you need a guide for the Inca trail, What is the best time of year to hike the Inca Trail?, Inca trail dry season, Inca trail wet season, Inca trail high season, best Inca trail tours, How Much Does The Inca Trail Cost, Inca trail fitness, where does the Inca trail start, kilometre 82, Inca trail insurance, Inca Trail Map + Route, How Difficult is the Inca Trail Hike, hiking poles inca trail, Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Tipping on the Inca Trail, safety on Inca trail, altitude sickness Inca trail, classic inca trail, inca trail trek, inca trail tour, Inca trail permits, inca trail itinerary, Inca trail trek, inca trail trekking, inca trail hike difficulty, inca trail cost, inca trail to machu picchu, How long does it take to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?, What is the best time of year to hike the Inca Trail, How much does it cost to hike the Inca Trail, Can you do the Inca Trail without a guide, Do you need a permit to hike the Inca Trail, peru hiking, Inca trail difficulty, machu picchu, machu picchu peru page, most popular. Your campsite is located just a few minutes from this archaeological site, famed for its steep and towering agricultural terraces that overlook the Urubamba River. As with any trek, you should take proper precautions and make sure that you bring the correct gear and clothing. Yes, sadly the answer to the question Can you hike the Inca Trail without a guide?is a big fat depressingno. Climb a narrow stone stairway to view the highland terraces of Patallacta, which were likely used to grow crops. The Fejos team named the site, and uncovered the remainder. This is the most dangerous point for altitude sickness, though . During the trek, days are planned so that you have plenty of time to get from one point to the next. Weve covered all the essentials you definitely need to buy and pack for either season (plus some nice to haves) in this Inca Trail Packing List post, whilst more information on the camping + food on the trek is outlined in specific sections below. The campsite at Llulluch'apampa (Llulluchapampa) is located on this stretch of trail at 3,800 metres (12,500ft). as you won't have access to what the porter carries until you reach the campsite each day. 2023 Machu Picchu Trek | A Mountain IQ Guide. Later on, you will stop at Sayaqmarca. The meals are quite exquisite considering that all of the ingredients and cooking supplies are carried from the Sacred Valley. If youre fit enough to handle the constant incline, there is a good chance the high altitude will zap your energy and perhaps give you dizziness. Also pack shower sandals to rest your feet at night. A narrow path of 98 stairs leads to this impressive ruin surrounded by cliffs on three sides and overlooking the Aobamba Valley. From Aguas Calientes, either take the train back to Cusco or spend one night at an Aguas Calientes hotel and explore more of Machu Picchu the next day. With high-altitude hikes, it's best to think of . Because of its popularity, the Peruvian Government instituted several controls to reduce human impact upon the trail and within the ancient city. Pros | The chance of rain, as the name would suggest, is significantly reduced and you can expect hot, dry mornings and afternoons. 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. Below are some suggestions on how much to tip the trekking team. If you are seeing a higher price than this, then you will either be on a very very luxury tour or likely booking through a tour agent. Inca Trail tours cost from 550 per person up to 1,500; if you see a price any cheaper than the bottom-end of this range, then be very sceptical. Both the 4-day and 2-day Inca Trail treks have distinct advantages and disadvantages. 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). [12] The government also mandated that every trekker on the trail must be accompanied by a guide. 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. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Day Three: Early rise to hike the most photogenic section of the Trail. Cuzco Region Machu Picchu Peru. The intricate detail that the Incans put into each and every stone structure is mesmerizing. After breakfast, meet your Inca Trail guide for your return bus ride up the mountain to Machu Picchu. Cusco stands at 3,200 metres and is already significantly higher than Machu Picchu itself, though many sections of the Inca Trail are much higher. Permits for low season travel (NovemberMarch) should be secured at least three months in advance. Get insured. For the past 5 years, I have had the goal of visiting each of the 7 Wonders of the world. In fact, not approaching altitude correctly is one of the biggest mistakes of travellers in South America. The less you have to carry, the more enjoyable the experience. Altitude on the Inca Trail. 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. A small spur of the trail leads directly to Wiay Wayna, while the main route continues to Intipata. ", This page was last edited on 5 December 2022, at 05:54. November to March: rainy season. Personally, we wouldnt recommend anyone under the age of 14 to do the trek due to group dynamics. If your budget is a little higher, or youd prefer a longer organised tour in Peru, they also offer a 14-day National Geographic Iconic Peru tour which includes the Inca Trail, the Amazon, Lake Titicaca, and return flights from Lima - Cusco. You wont be able to enter the Inca Trail nor Machu Picchu without it. The 2-day Inca Trail begins at the Chachabamba archaeological complex which is located at 6,725 ft (2,050 m), the lowest point of the hike. Each evening, water is collected from nearby streams, boiled, and left to cool overnight. 98 steps lead to this site, which is positioned on a cliff that affords splendid views of the Aobamba Valley. 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. Km 82, starting point of the Inca Trail. 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. We were literally in the middle of the Peruvian jungle with no easy way of evacuating her. Your guide will show you the most important areas of the site and share with you their historical and cultural significance. Day 1 is relatively easy as there isnt much elevation gain and your legs are fresh and you feel like you can take on anything. See below for tipping recommendations. The ULTIMATE Guide to Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. Many trekkers also choose to hire a porter to carry personal belongings. After breakfast, we continue our hike up the highest point in the Inca Trail, reaching the mountain pass of Abra Warmihuausca (Dead Woman's Pass - 4200m/13776ft) after about 2 hours. On your first day of hiking the Inca Trail, you will typically embark from the KM82 route. Trekkers reach the Dead Woman's Pass peak at 13,828 feet, which is . Secondly, for our G Adventures tour, we were each supplied with black duffel bags at the hotel. This was originally done informally by organizations such as South American Explorers,[2] but is now managed officially. On the last day, you will wake up before dawn at an absurdly early hour (our wake up call was 3 A.M.) in order to reach the Sun Gate overlooking Machu Picchu just in time for sunrise. The food was fantastic throughout the trip. Two groups of major architectural structures, a lower and upper, are set among multiple agricultural terraces at this concave mountainside site. You do not need to be a vastly experienced hiker, but acquiring a good level of physical fitness prior to arriving in Peru will make everything easier and more enjoyable. As you can see Cusco is one of Peru's highest cites. The highest point on the Inca Trail is Dead Woman's Pass. The best time to hike the Inca Trail is May throughSeptember when there is less rain and the temperatures are slightly cooler. In short, you will have plenty time to explore Machu Picchu and take some great photos before the day-tripper hordes arrive. The Inca Trail has an elevation range between 2,200m (7,218ft) and 4,200m (13,780ft) above sea level. How long is the Inca trail (day by day hiking length). Our G Adventures tour required all participants to be in Cusco for the first night of the 7 day trip, and its in the city where you will receive your briefing, rent any additional equipment and meet your tour mates. Abra Warmihuausca, at 4,224 meters, is the trail's highest point (13,860 ft). Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Cusco, in the south-east of Peru, thankfully doubles up as one of the countrys most popular destinations due to its history and position as an access point to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, so every Peru itinerary is guaranteed to include at least a few nights here. The second day ascends over Dead Woman's pass- the highest point on the Inca Trail at 4,200 metres. The trails in Machu Picchu have a limited number of permits per day. Highest point (Warmiwanusca Pass /Dead Womans Pass). this post on the essential things to look for before buying. 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. Your main luggage will be left in a secure hotel luggage storage room in Cusco, however we do not advise leaving any important or valuable items there - instead, its better to take them with you and keep them in your own daypack. Required fields are marked. You will also benefit from training your legs to walk/hike on stairways or steep slopes. If you are a little older in years and need some inspiration, then Alan Goldin is the oldest recorded hiker of the Trail at the age of 84, whilst three of our local porters were 62! Note that the Inca Trail is closed in February for everyone in order to allow it to replenish. If you have any doubts about whether you are covered for hiking the Inca Trail, speak with your insurance company. pp.233,268271,300. 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). Only Inca Trail hikers can access the Gate at sunrise, and it is this crescendo, at one of the new seven wonders of the world which makes this hike a feature on so many South America bucket lists.
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