Drink water from ANYWHERE. The high season is June to August, but again make sure to book at least five to seven months in advance regardless of when you decide to travel. We recommend going with Cachi Life as they are doing really great work in Peru that goes well beyond the Inca Trail hike. The highest point on the Inca Trail is Dead Woman's Pass. 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. It consists of a 1500-meter descent into the subtropical cloud forests and through the Amazon basin. The number of these views increases. The Inca Trail is one of the most famous hikes in the world. If hotels and tour companies offered lockers in Cusco which travellers could secure with their own padlock, then this would have allowed us to leave various cards, cash, and tech with confidence (and insurance coverage) in the city rather than carrying it all in our backpack on the trail (Andrew actually lugged 18 kgs on his back for the entirety of the trail because of this, so views himself as an honorary porter!). Lastly, make sure you have the policy number, insurance provider, and emergency contact number on your person whilst hiking. A significant chunk of that 40 kms is up steep, narrow Andean mountain paths at altitude. The last part of your day is a descent to Winay Wayna. Each porter should be tipped around 30-40 soles (about $10-$15) for the entire group. SAM Travel Peru: Inca trail 4D/3N - See 3,255 traveler reviews, 2,451 candid photos, and great deals for Cusco, Peru, at Tripadvisor. This pass has the highest elevation on the Inca Trail at 4,215m (13,829ft). Youll find it in this post. Trails can get muddy and slippery. However, one of the main challenges is its high altitude. It probably would have been glorious to see. Bring your original passport, used to book your trek. The hike is beautiful and difficult both physically and mentally. Day 2 is the most challenging day of the trek, as you will gain 3,988 ft (1,215 m) in elevation. The trail undulates, but overall ascends along the Cusichaka River. The Inca Trails most appealing sight is perhaps its natural beauty. There are amazing hostels in Cuscothat offer a comfy bed so you can start the next day well-rested and read to go. Even so, you should ascend slowly and drink lots of water. Since 2002, access to the Inca Trail has been limited to 500 people per day (roughly split between 200 tourists and 300 accompanying guides and porters), no matter the time of year. Hiking the Inca Trail is a feat of endurance that is just as much about the mind as the body. For the past 5 years, I have had the goal of visiting each of the 7 Wonders of the world. February: Inca Trail is closed for maintenance. The Incan Empire (which at its largest joined Peru, large parts of modern Ecuador, western and south central Bolivia, northwest Argentina, north and central Chile and a small part of southwest Colombia) created thousands of kilometres of trails to link its important settlements and centres of civilisation, but it is this specific 4 day route which is known as the one and only classic Inca Trail. The 4-day Inca Trail begins at Km 82 which has an elevation of 8,230 ft (2,600 m). This will include a private minibus to Ollantaytambo and km.82 (the Inca Trail start point) and either a train or minibus back to Cusco. Whichever tour company you do the Inca Trail with, you will be expected to tip your support staff of porters and guides. High elevation is the greatest challenge on the Inca Trail Trek. May to September: dry season with good trail conditions. The trail passes through diverse microclimates each day. Securing a permit is only possible with an approved tour provider, who buy these daily permits in advance. 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. On the highest points of the Inca Trail, some hikers experience unpleasant symptoms. Make sure to tip your team well as they deserve it and likely live off of those tips. The highest point is Dead Womans Pass at 13,828 ft (4,215 m) and the lowest point is Machu Picchu at 7,972 ft (2,430 m). The Inca road system, originally called Qhapaq an in Quechua, an indigenous Peruvian language, was used for general transportation, trade, religious, and military purposes. By staying there before your walk, you will give your body time to acclimate to the altitude of the . Every extra pound matters! A: The cost of hiking the Inca Trail varies depending on the tour operator and the length of the trek. This site had been used as a camp site. right now). The Fejos team named the site, and uncovered the remainder. The most notable is a quota system, introduced in 2001, whereby only a set number of people (including hikers, porters, and guides) would be allowed to hike along the Inca Trail each day. Hiking the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Day-by-Day Itinerary for Trekking the Inca Trail (4 Days/3 Nights), Finding the Best Inca Trail Tour Operator. This morning, you will take a train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104, where you will disembark and begin the 2-day Inca Trail. The 4-day Inca Trail is ideal for travelers looking for a physically challenging adventure. Porters are instead responsible for carrying the tents, cooking supplies, food and additional camping equipment necessary along the trail. As is Puno and Juliaca if you're planning to visit Lake Titicaca. The distances involved in hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu are not that great. Peru has two seasons - dry and wet - and it is possible to do the Inca Trail in either. Difficulty | High, this is the hardest day of walking but after you reach DWP, its mostly downhill. It is rated by many as being in the top 5 treks in the world. Bring cash with you for tipping. The summit of Mount Kilimanjaro stands at 19,342 feet (5,895 meters), while the highest point of the Classic Inca Trail Route is 13,828 feet (4,215 meters). This means that - although many of Perus best hikes, like the Colca Canyon, are possible to do independently - you can only do the Inca Trail with an approved tour company and spaces are capped. SAM Travel Peru: Outstanding Inca Trail 2023 - See 3,262 traveler reviews, 2,463 candid photos, and great deals for Cusco, Peru, at Tripadvisor. If you are not ready for the challenge of multi-day trekking, your mind might give up long before your body does. It will take you along ancient narrow paths deep into the Peruvian countryside and high into the Andean mountains, where you will see perfect Incan ruins, cloud forest, and majestic valley views, ultimately leading to perhaps the greatest end-point of any multi-day hike on earth, the iconic Machu Picchu Citadel, one of the . Nope, and this is one of the best things about it. Bring a comfortable daypack with snug straps to wear while you hike. 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. Alright, lets get to the details. Parque Arqueologic National de Machu Picchu. Compare this with the speed of the electric rail train or KRL Jabodetabek, which is 80-100 kilometers per hourbecause it is designed according to operational needs with relatively close distances between stations . If the tour operator charges much less, they are probably not paying their porters fair wages. Hiking poles to help ease impact on knees on downhills. Settlements, tunnels, and many Incan ruins are located along the trail before ending the terminus at the Sun Gate on Machu Picchu mountain. 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! 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. Remember, you can always pay for an extra porter ahead of time if you need help carrying your things. Each morning, your bag will be weighed and collected, and it will be waiting for you at the campsite. It consists of three overlapping trails: . For this reason, all Adventure Life trips involving this hike require spending at . Get a quote below or read our in-depth review! The highest point on the Inca Trail route is the so-called 'pass of the dead woman' or Warmihuauska in Quechua, located at 4,200 meters above sea level. Today you will trek to the Wiay Wayna campsite (8,700 ft/2,650 m). Pack animals, including mules, horses, and llamas, are banned from the trail. Km 82, starting point of the Inca Trail. Your duffel bag will be collected and weighed each morning to ensure its not over the weight limit, and will be waiting for you alongside an erected tent at each campsite. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The lowest point on the trail at Llactapata ruins is roughly 2250m (7,382ft). Nate is avid hiker throughout South America and still considers the Inca Trail hike to be one of the most memorable experiences he has ever had. [3], It starts from one of two points: 88km (55 miles) or 82km (51 miles) from Cusco on the Urubamba River at approximately 2,800 metres (9,200ft) or 2,600 metres (8,500ft) elevation, respectively.[3]. Cusco is actually higher than most points on the Inca Trail. The 4-day Inca Trail is 30 miles (49 km) in length. this post on the essential things to look for before buying. The Inca Trail has an elevation range between 2,200m (7,218ft) and 4,200m (13,780ft) above sea level. they soon adjusted and had no issues by day one of the hike itself. World Nomads mission is to support and encourage travellers to explore their boundaries. On the first day, you will also pass the lowest elevation on the Inca Trail known as the Llactapata/Patallacta Ruins at an elevation of 2,250m (7,382 ft). Please also be aware that permits are only issued with a tourists name and passport number and, once booked, they are non-changeable and non-transferable. And for transparencys sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. If you are struggling, its their job to control the situation, help you get to camp, and also to manage the overall group schedule. You will pass several unforgettable Incan sites like two Incan tunnels that are carved right out of the mountainside. Altitude sickness on the Inca Trail is rarely severe. Start planning your Machu Picchu hiking holiday. 10 The Highest Point On The Inca Trail. For those that would prefer more privacy, you can also pay extra for your own one-man tent. As mentioned, the Inca Trail isnt just a walk in the park. You are expected to bring and carry your own snacks, although our tour did provide us each with a snack bag on Day One of the trail (we finished ours on the last day, others finished it by Day Two). For adventurous travelers seeking a challenge, the Classic 4-day Inca Trail is an excellent choice that is sure to be a highlight of any trip. If youre confused about buying travel insurance, read this post and this post. During the trek, days are planned so that you have plenty of time to get from one point to the next. After celebrating your arrival to the top and snapping some photos, descend toward the Pacaymayo campsite (11,788 ft/3,590 m). This day offers a great feeling of achievement when you get to Dead Womans Pass which is named after the resemblance of the mountains shadow of a womans head. 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. At Wayllapampa the trail to Machu Picchu turns west and begins ascending along a tributary of the Cusichaka. If you choose to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Travelers who have pre-purchased Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain permits will continue on to their respective hikes after the tour. We hiked with G Adventures in early December, so we were ready for some rainy days. Bring local currency (Soles) in your wallet so that you can tip your trekking team. The stock image wouldn't lie now, would it? Pack animals are not allowed. 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. This trek additionally permits hikers to enter Machu Picchu through its Sun Gate. Potatoes, maize, fruit, and sweet potato were grown here. Instead, these are your best options: Flights | Fly into Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Perus capital city, and connect onto one of the frequent flights from Lima - Cusco run by several airlines. Many trekkers find that hiking poles are helpful for navigating steep steps and reducing the impact on lower joints. On your first day of hiking the Inca Trail, you will typically embark from the KM82 route. All food, apart from snacks along the way (although we were also provided with a bag of snacks), is included in the up-front tour price - and you wont have to lift a finger to prepare it or wash up. Bring a daypack to carry your overnight and personal belongings, water, and provided boxed lunch. This steep ascent reaches 4,215m (13,829ft) above sea level. Consult your Travel Advisor if you require a guide who speaks a different language. There are no opportunities to charge electronics along the trail. 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. There are no ATMs along the Inca Trail. Bus | If youre travelling from Arequipa, then an overnight bus to Cusco is your best option. Please note that some links on our blog are affiliate links. Nearby mountains are usually flanked by mist and the regions diverse flora is in full bloom. Your trek must be organized through a licensed tour operator. 6.8 miles (11 km). A portable power bank is also useful. The good news is that its a lot shorter than you may expect at only 40 kms (25 miles). To find out what clothes and footwear are best, read our Inca Trail Packing post. Obviously, medical attention and facilities along the Inca Trail are pretty much non-existent so you need to bring any of your own required medication with you and keep it on your own person or in the daypack. You will also benefit from training your legs to walk/hike on stairways or steep slopes. That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we dont believe are up to scratch. We had always thought that hiking poles were only for old people and Austrians. Theyre easy to use, professional and relatively affordable. 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. A reusable water bottle or hydration pack works well for this. 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. From the top of the Runquraqay pass, it is a short descent of 300m (980ft) to the Phuyupatamarca ruins at 3650m (11,975 ft) above sea level. Although it wasnt by any stretch the most physically challenging hike weve done in South America, its ascents and conditions provided enough of a task to make us both feel it.

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