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. Yes, the trekking team will provide drinking water every morning and at each meal. 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. Nights are warmer compared to the dry season. Plan to spend two to three days staying in Cusco acclimatizing before beginning the trek. This is the most dangerous point for altitude sickness, though little time is spent at this elevation and the trail descends again to 3,600 metres. Rooted in Inca heritage, this centuries-old path gives hikers the chance to walk in the footsteps of pre-Columbian royalty. You would be greatly remiss if you do not visit Machu Picchu at some point in your life. Each morning and night you will also be provided a bowl of warm water with which to freshen up. From the top of Dead Womans Pass, you will descend about 2.5km (1.6 miles) down a steep gradient into the Pacaymayo Valley. The road on one of the highest altitude routes of the Inca Trail. [12] The government also mandated that every trekker on the trail must be accompanied by a guide. Instead, youre treated to an entry at the Sun Gate just after sunrise (expect about 6-7 a.m.) and then a wonderful descent down to an uncrowded Machu Picchu with special views of it all the way (trust us, its much better than queueing in the pitch black Aguas from 4 a.m. in the morning to get on the first bus up to then queue at the ticket gate). as you won't have access to what the porter carries until you reach the campsite each day. Hiking the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Theyve been doing it since 2002 protecting, connecting, and inspiring independent travellers just like you. 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. Hiking the Inca Trail is an experience which should inspire excitement, invoke a little bit of fear, stoke jealousy amongst your friends, and stir a sense of wander in your soul. The biggest surprise for us both on the Trail was just how incredible the food provided was every single day. A small spur of the trail leads directly to Wiay Wayna, while the main route continues to Intipata. Take some time to relish in your accomplishment before accompanying your guide to the Machu Picchu bus stop for your transfer down the mountain to Aguas Calientes. 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. Sounds creepy, but it really isnt. Longer 5-day Inca Trail itineraries are also available for travelers with a bit more time for hiking to Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail is open 11 months of the year (March through January). Share stories over dinner, and if the weather permits, partake in Andean stargazing before retiring to your tent. To find out what clothes and footwear are best, read our Inca Trail Packing post. I made sure to mentally prepare our small team of six for the adventure and kept up a weekly progress report of how everyone was training. Private porters can be hired to carry either 18 lbs (8 kg) or 33 lbs (15 kg) of your personal belongings. Potatoes, maize, fruit, and sweet potato were grown here. Take it slow and steady on Day 2 of the hike, as you summit the highest point of the Inca Trail, known as Warmiwanusca in Quechua. Something as minor as a flight delay can have a significant financial impact, as can illness, bad weather or baggage delay. A narrow path of 98 stairs leads to this impressive ruin surrounded by cliffs on three sides and overlooking the Aobamba Valley. Inca Trail Distance: We'll give you time in Cusco to acclimatize before the trek, but altitude sickness can be a problem for some. Yes, the dreaded Dead Woman's Pass. At this point, the trail reaches 13,828 ft (4,215 m) in elevation.This pass is so named, as from below it is said to resemble a womans supine body. Your email address will not be published. The Inca Trail is one of the most famous hikes in the world. 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. The Classic 4-day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu is arguably the most famous trail in all of South America. The less you have to carry, the more enjoyable the experience. Porters carry all the equipment. The remainder of the group will return to Aguas Calientes and board the train for their returns to the Sacred Valley or Cusco. Remember to pack smart and pack light for the Inca Trail - find out exactly what you need to bring and leave behind in our Inca Trail Packing List. Travelers who have pre-purchased Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain permits will continue on to their respective hikes after the tour. Trekkers reach the Dead Woman's Pass peak at 13,828 feet, which is . 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). 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. You will pass several unforgettable Incan sites like two Incan tunnels that are carved right out of the mountainside. Feedback we frequently receive from our travelers is how impressive the meals are on the Inca Trail. this post on the essential things to look for before buying. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As with any trek, you should take proper precautions and make sure that you bring the correct gear and clothing. 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. It consists of three overlapping trails: Mollepata, Classic, and One Day. November to March: rainy season. Hiking the Inca Trail is challenging due to the high elevation (maximum 13,828 ft/4,215 m) and steep stone steps in some parts. That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we dont believe are up to scratch. On our last night, we even got a buffet! 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. Highest point (Warmiwanusca Pass /Dead Womans Pass). Torre Mirador is 12.5 mi (20 km) to the north of Nazca city along the Panamerican Highway. These ruins are at an altitude of 3750m (12,300ft). The 4-Day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu is one of the magnificent hikes I have ever done. 30 miles (49 km), Highest Elevation: You can easily spend hours on end walking up and around the magnificent ruins. Included in the price is transport to the start of the trail, a bilingual guide, entrance fees to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, tents, all meals and a cook, porters, emergency first aid, oxygen, and return transport back to Cusco. A long flight of fountains or ritual baths utilizing as many as 19 springs runs between the two groups of buildings. There are no ATMs along the Inca Trail. Porters are instead responsible for carrying the tents, cooking supplies, food and additional camping equipment necessary along the trail. Postpone your tour with zero cost up to 30 days prior to arrival with open dates. Im here to give you the lowdown on the good and the bad and how to make sure your next trip to Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail is a success. 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! The Inca Trails length is 26 miles (42 kilometers) of pure Peruvian power that connects several Incan archaeological sites: Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, Phuyuptamarca, Wiaywayna, and of course none other than the magnificent Machu Picchu ruins! Personally, we wouldnt recommend anyone under the age of 14 to do the trek due to group dynamics. After crossing the pass the trail drops steeply into the Pakaymayu drainage. The ticket for the $12 shuttle bus (30 minutes) down to Aguas Calientes will be included in your tour price and the ticket provided on the day by your guide. Buy a Geopress: its the last water bottle youll ever buy. The tents are all two-person, meaning you will either be sharing with a friend/other half, or a randomly assigned member of the same sex. The Inca Trail follows a route through Perus Andean mountains. Looking for the best hiking trails in Jakarta? 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. . The Inca Trail's length is 26 miles (42 kilometers) of pure Peruvian power that connects several Incan archaeological sites: Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, Phuyuptamarca, Wiaywayna, and of . The Classic Inca Trail is easily the most famous trek in South America. To help you prepare to go on one of the best hikes in the world, we have summarized everything you need to know with a day-by-day itinerary, picking a tour operator, and what to bring with you. Along Dusty Roads is a travel blog by British couple, Andrew & Emily. 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. As Brits, we fully appreciate that this can result in a bit of uncertainty and awkwardness for those of us who havent been raised in a tipping culture (just pay more in wages, no? 2: The best tour companies each come with a main guide and an assistant guide - one will lead at the front of your group whilst another will stay at the back. 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!). May to September: dry season with good trail conditions. Only 500 Inca Trail permits are available per day, Booking Inca Trail tickets in advance is a must, Inca Trail is closed for the month of February. Unless you hire a private porter, youre expected to carry both pads and sleeping bags along the trek. It's emotional and so much fun. 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). 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. Note that its often necessary to pay a deposit in advance to secure your Inca Trail permit, so if you go with a new, non-established, or cheaper provider, make sure you have done enough research into them before paying anything. If you are injury-prone or have had issues in the past think twice before committing to the full hike. If youve never camped before, than that is all about to change! clothes, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, toiletries). A daypack to carry water, a boxed lunch provided by your hiking guide, camera, personal items for your overnight in Aguas Calientes, etc. After breakfast, meet your Inca Trail guide for your return bus ride up the mountain to Machu Picchu. There are no ATMs along the way. Group porters carry tents, cooking equipment, portable restrooms, and other communal items. Thankfully, we both fall into the latter camp and we always tell people to embrace getting a little stinky and dirty for a few days. If you have specific dietary requirements, make sure you enquire with your tour provider to make sure you can be catered for adequately. If this is the case, you have plenty of options for hiking in the Andes: Camping equipment, daily meals, and boiled drinking water are provided by your trekking team. As is Puno and Juliaca if you're planning to visit Lake Titicaca. Abra Warmihuausca, at 4,224 meters, is the trail's highest point (13,860 ft). 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. Ok, now Youre Ready to Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The intricate detail that the Incans put into each and every stone structure is mesmerizing. 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 altitudes on the trail are much higher than what most travellers are used to. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. I don't think so. Note that the Inca Trail is closed in February for everyone in order to allow it to replenish. Everything is set for you to walk the Inca Trail. Unfortunately, this is the day that things went south for a couple of members of our team. It is very important to secure your Inca Trail permits in advance. Poles must have rubber tips. What is the High Inca Trail? Of course, dont forget your camera, with extra battery packs and memory cards. Theyre easily my picj for the best Inca Trail tour. Alright, lets get to the details. Note that, aside from the mark-up on price, Inca Trail tours booked via agencies will often simply place you on an available tour with one of several local operators, so you have very little control on the quality of the ultimate provider and group composition. Tips for porters and guides (more on this below). Rain gear for the trek and thermal layers to wear at night are recommended. 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. In this article, you can find everything you need to know about altitudes on the Inca Trail. pp.233,268271,300. Comfortable hiking boots or walking shoes are a must. On challenging sections, you can set your own pace and take as many or as few breaks as you need. So youve decided to hike the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. 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. Temperatures at night are also less chilly. You will spend the night at Huayllabamba, the only inhabited town on the trek. The final day of the Inca Trail is an easy and gentle slope towards the Sun gate at an elevation of 2700m (8850ft). This highest point of the trek at 4,215 m (3,828 ft) with stunning views at the summit. 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 last part of your day is a descent to Winay Wayna. The Inca Trail hike marked our second time visiting Machu Picchu, and arriving via the Sun Gate with sweaty brows and tired feet rather than taking the morning bus from Aguas Caliente with thousands of others clearly underlined to us that it is the best way to arrive at one of the worlds most iconic attractions. The pass itself is located at 4,215m (13,829ft) above sea level, and is the highest point on this, the "Classic" trail. Every extra pound matters! The good news is that its a lot shorter than you may expect at only 40 kms (25 miles). Bring a daypack to carry your overnight and personal belongings, water, and provided boxed lunch. The maximum trekking group size generally varies between 8 to 12 trekkers plus the trekking team. The first half of the hike to Machu Picchu includes steep inclines and many stone steps. [3] In fact, not approaching altitude correctly is one of the biggest mistakes of travellers in South America.
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