Inca Trail: What you need to know to trek to Machu Picchu

The Inca Trail is the king among the Peruvian trails. This 4-day hike leads along the Cordillera de los Andes, through high passes, through lovely forests and finally to the tropical mountain jungle, where on the last day hikers walk through the door of the sun "Inti Punku "and contemplate Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail extends as a section of the "Qhapac ñan" mainly on the original Inca roads, which makes it so unique. "Qhapac ñan" refers to the Inca road network, which occupies a total of 30,000 kilometers and extends over the countries of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. In 2014, the Inca Trail Network was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The reason for this is the engineering performance of the Inca and the need to preserve the condition of the roads and their surrounding landscapes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT INCA ROAD

I finally ran the Inca Trail myself! Here you can read my review. By the way, the Inca Trail was organized by Papaya Tours from Cologne. If you want to organize your trip through Peru (individually or in a group) with a Peruvian and South American specialist, then you are in the right place at Tierras Vivas.

Save your place for the Inca Trail on the online Inca Trail Tours. You can easily pay by Paypal or by credit card and get a confirmation directly. Important: again, you will need your passport number (of the passport with which you will travel through Peru), first and last name, date of birth and nationality.

Day 1: The first day of the Inca Trail begins very early. The bus takes you on a hiking tour to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where you can buy the latest trekking accessories, as well as water and snacks. Then we continue to the starting point of the walk (track 82), where the group meets the trekking team. This includes the guide, assistant, cook and porters. The first day is approximately 4 hours, passing through archeological sites and small towns, until reaching Wayllabamba at 3,000 meters.

Day 2: The second day is the most difficult. Today, the 4,200 meter Warmiwañiusca pass must be overcome. The walking time is between 7 and 8 hours.

Day 3: Also on the second day a pass of 4,000 meters must be overcome. After that, the worst is over. You can visit the Inca ruins of Runkurakay and Puyupatamarca, as well as the Citadel of Winay Wayna.

Day 4: The last day begins when it is still dark. Finally, all hikers want to experience Machu Picchu at dawn. When you reach the door of the sun "Inti Punku", it is only about an hour to the entrance of Machu Picchu, where you can deliver your hiking backpack and seal a stamp of Machu Picchu in your passport. There is now a two-hour guided tour of the facilities and then you have time to explore the facilities on your own.

Anyone who has booked the Huayna Picchu, separates from the group and climbs the mountain (takes 2 to 3 hours). Note: If you are interested in Machu Picchu Mountain, you must plan an additional day for Machu Picchu 2 day Tour, since it is not possible to create Mountain on the fourth day of the Inca Trail.

At the end of the afternoon, the train leaves from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.

Where do I leave my main luggage during the trekking?

The main luggage is always left in the accommodation in Cusco. All hotels and hostels are designed for walkers and have secure storage rooms. Valuables such as laptops, credit cards, jewelry, etc. They must be locked in safes. Remember to take your passport with you on your walk, as you must show it upon arrival in Machu Picchu. For trekking luggage there is a second light travel bag, which can also be dirty. The so-called "canvas bags" can also be rented in Cusco. For personal items such as camera, money, raincoat, snacks and water, you can use a comfortable backpack.

Do you have to carry your luggage on the Inca Trail?

Due to protective measures, horses and donkeys are not allowed on the Inca Trail to transport luggage. Therefore, hikers carry their own luggage or claim the service of a doorman. This service costs around $ 100 and can also be shared by two participants in the walk. Keep in mind that chargers are doing hard work on the bone and this is not always properly paid by travel agencies. Users are even more satisfied when they receive an additional tip from hikers.

Where can I book the Inca Trail?

There are numerous agencies that offer the inca trail reservations in advance It makes sense to ask the Inca Trail in several agencies and compare prices and services. Here is an overview of travel agencies.

Save your place for the Inca Trail on the online Tierras Vivas You can easily pay by Paypal or by credit card and get a confirmation directly. Important: again, you will need your passport number (of the passport with which you will travel through Peru), first and last name, date of birth and nationality.

How much does the Inca Trail cost and what does it include?

Inca Trail prices vary between $ 500 and $ 1000. The services included are the Inca Trail permit, entrance to Machu Picchu, English-speaking guide, 4-day catering, camping equipment and train travel from Aguas Calientes back to Cusco. How high the price at the end depends mainly on the reputation of the travel agency and whether they make the trekking route. Some agencies such as Inca Trail Machu and Llama Path have established themselves as good trekking providers over the years, the trekking organization runs smoothly, guides, cooks and porters receive adequate payment and neither does the quality of the camping equipment be saved.

This blog is very helpful:

Inca Trail 2 day vs 4 day

Do you receive vegetarian meals upon request?

Yes, that is not a problem. Most travel agencies also request it. And if not, you should point it out beforehand.

What should I include in tips?

Usually, a shared group tip is paid at the end of the walk. The amount each gives depends on the size of the group and, of course, the service of the team. However, it can be assumed that guides, cooks and porters are doing a great job and are willing to pay a financial tribute. Here only one guideline can be mentioned:

Is there any alternative to the Inca Trail?

If the Inca Trail is too expensive or if you cannot get enough space for the Inca Trail, then one of the many alternative trekkings is an option. The most popular alternative is the 5-day Salkantay Trek. The most important difference is that the last day does not arrive directly to Machu Picchu, but to Aguas Calientes. Here you spend one night and visit Machu Picchu the next day. Also popular is the Jungle trek to Machu Picchu (includes a bike tour, zip line and rafting) or Lares Trek. Away from the tourist trails, you can walk on the Ausangate hike or Choquequirao trek 4 days.

How Many Days to Spend in Cusco and Machu Picchu

The days needed to make a Cusco and Sacred Valley trip like this are 4, although it can be done in up to 3 days, the best way to visit places like the ones you will see in Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley Tour Itinerary is patiently, since the best thing to do the Incas made in their cities, and in a more subtle way, in the constructions made in the new cities founded by the Spaniards, are the details.