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. Alright, lets get to the details. 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. 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. If youre all booked and ready to start preparing, then make sure to read our Inca Trail Packing List before you buy anything. Consult your Travel Advisor if you require a guide who speaks a different language. The Inca Trail starting point is at an elevation of 2,600m (8,500ft). Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.) The name Wiay Wayna (forever young) (win-yay-way-na) is used to refer to both a hostelrestaurantcamp site and a set of Inca ruins. On your first day of hiking the Inca Trail, you will typically embark from the KM82 route. For more information on altitude sickness, the symptoms, and how to deal with them in Peru, read this post. Inca Trail - Classic Hike To Machu Picchu (Complete Guide) I can hardly carry my petite wife for more than 20 seconds yet somehow our porters and guide managed for hours on end. Dress in layers and adjust as necessary during the day. The second day ascends over Dead Woman's pass- the highest point on the Inca Trail at 4,200 metres. If there are any updates or questions, feel free to let us know in the comments below! Private porters can be hired to carry either 18 lbs (8 kg) or 33 lbs (15 kg) of your personal belongings. 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. [12] The government also mandated that every trekker on the trail must be accompanied by a guide. The first 30 minutes of the trek is uphill, while the remainder of the trail is largely a descent. Pack thermal undergarments, a warm hat, and gloves for evenings. [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. Remember that batteries deplete faster at higher elevations. Pack a hat, strong sunblock, and glasses for protection against the sun. Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Machu Travel Peru The Inca Trails most appealing sight is perhaps its natural beauty. 30 miles (49 km), Highest Elevation: Parque Arqueologic National de Machu Picchu. Vegetation becomes more dense, lush, and jungle-like with an accompanying increase in butterflies and birds. As a result, advance booking is mandatory. You will also benefit from training your legs to walk/hike on stairways or steep slopes. Just make sure that if yours have exposed spikes, you buy some rubber stoppers in order to use them for the Trail. 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. 3. After passing Pakaymayu the trail begins steeply ascending the other side of the valley. 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. From Pacaymayo camp, the trail ascends steeply up the valleys opposite side. Most operators advise hikers to purchase permits as soon as possible after they are released. On challenging sections, you can set your own pace and take as many or as few breaks as you need. Bring extra batteries for personal electronics like cameras and cell phones. The distances involved in hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu are not that great. ITMB Publishing International Travel Maps, Camino Inka. If you are hiking the Inca Trail, you will most likely be spending some time in Cusco. Group porters carry tents, cooking equipment, portable restrooms, and other communal items. Pack light, pack smart, and pack for two very different temperatures - thats the key advice for every Inca Trail experience. You will start the day with a steep ascent up Dead Womans Pass. 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 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. All permits are paired with an individual passport and are not transferable. If you don't, altitude sickness could make your first few days pretty uncomfortable. Check in to your hotel and later enjoy dinner with your hiking group. 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. It wasnt all fun and games. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Tips for porters and guides (more on this below). They may also let you buy or extend a policy once youve started your trip and are already abroad which is super handy.If theres one insurance company I trust, its World Nomads. The Inca Trail, How Long Is It? | Andean Trails The last major campsite before Machu Picchu, these ruins include a long flight of fountains that flow from the upper to the lower terraces. 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. In addition, the temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro can be much colder than on the Inca Trail and can reach below 20 F (-7C). Regardless of which option you go for, all roads will lead to Cusco - the start point for the vast majority of all Inca Trail tours. Hiking Peru's Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Altitude, Distances We'll give you time in Cusco to acclimatize before the trek, but altitude sickness can be a problem for some. Stretching 42 km (26 mile) from the Sacred Valley to the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu, the classic Inca Trail traverses some of the most riveting landscapes in all of Peru. Dead Womans Pass: 13,828 ft (4,215 m) Share stories over dinner, and if the weather permits, partake in Andean stargazing before retiring to your tent. In terms of showers, weve found on our various multi-day group hikes that people can be split into two camps: Those who will take a cold shower rather than being a little smelly. Day 2 is considerably more difficult due to the severe elevation gain and altitude of the Inca Trail. Don't overpack. Prior to your arrival, the trekking team will assemble your tent, so you can focus on relaxing and enjoying the mountain scenery. May to September: dry season with good trail conditions. 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 can purchase these in Cusco or rent them from your trekking company with advance notice. Cuzco Region Machu Picchu Peru. 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. clothes, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, toiletries). With high-altitude hikes, it's best to think of . [1] As a result, the high season books out very quickly. The highest point of the trail is Dead Women's Pass at just over 4200m. The Inca Trail trek is over 3,000 meters in altitude. 1. The steep stairs leading to Inti Punku ("sun gate") are reached after approximately 3km. A short downhill walk is the final section of the trail.[11]. [10], From Wiay Wayna the trail undulates along below the crest of the east slope of the mountain named Machu Picchu. Rain is likely during April and October and almost guaranteed between November and March making them a much less suitable time to walk to Machu Picchu the wet llamas are cute though! Inca Trail elevation continually changes as you hike over spectacular passes and down into lush valleys. The Inca Trail elevation varies significantly and people often struggle with altitude sickness, especially if they have not spent much time in Cusco before trekking the trail. However, reducing the plastic footprint and impact of travellers is something we are very passionate about, so its important to note that the best way to be guaranteed plenty safe-to-drink water on the Inca Trail (and on future hikes) is to invest in a Lifestraw bottle, which has an in-built filter to remove 99.9% of harmful bacteria. Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 2023 How long is the Inca trail (day by day hiking length). SAM Travel Peru: Outstanding Inca Trail 2023 - See 3,262 traveler reviews, 2,463 candid photos, and great deals for Cusco, Peru, at Tripadvisor. At the very least, you will find it difficult to breathe as the air becomes thinner higher up. For this reason, all Adventure Life trips involving this hike require spending at . As is Puno and Juliaca if you're planning to visit Lake Titicaca. He profiles some of his. SAM Travel Peru: Inca trail 4D/3N - See 3,255 traveler reviews, 2,451 candid photos, and great deals for Cusco, Peru, at Tripadvisor. 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. 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. So youve decided to hike the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Torre Mirador is 12.5 mi (20 km) to the north of Nazca city along the Panamerican Highway. You are however responsible for bringing your own sleeping bag, which can be stored within your 6kg duffel bag allowance. Temperatures really drop at higher elevation when the sun sets. A portable power bank is also useful. This was originally done informally by organizations such as South American Explorers,[2] but is now managed officially. Each campsite has toilet facilities available, but these are often rudimentary squat toilets and with campsites being so remote and over-subscribed, cleanliness understandably isnt the highest. I have been using World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. Because of previous damage caused by hooves, pack animals are not allowed on the remainder of the trail. A good rule of thumb is to give yourself and your body two easy days at altitude to acclimatise to the change, and to keep yourself well hydrated throughout. At the small village Wayllapampa ("grassy plain", Wayllabamba) the trail intersects with the "Mollepata Trail" at 3,000 metres (9,800ft).[3]. Highest point (Warmiwanusca Pass /Dead Womans Pass). 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. Both the 4-day and 2-day Inca Trail treks have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Altitude sickness on the Inca Trail is rarely severe. You'll still need to at least carry a daypack with your water bottle, rain jacket, etc.
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