The Inca Trail is the best trekking route in Peru. It is also considered number one in the world and one of the best in the whole world. The reason? The trails were built by the Incas hundreds of years ago. It passes through simply dazzling landscapes, with high mountains, snow-capped mountains and jungles full of flora and fauna.
The Inca Trail runs along part of the historic qhapac ñan route (royal roads of the Incas). Currently these roads are considered Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
On the hike you can see archaeological sites such as Llactapata, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Wiñayhuayna and, of course, Machu Picchu.
The dry season begins in the month of May and normally ends in September or October and it is during these months that the Inca Trail is the best alternative, since it has good weather that allows you to appreciate the majestic valleys and beautiful mountains along the way without clouds or fog that prevents it.
During the months of December, January, February and March the rains are constant and copious in this part of the Peruvian territory while the dense fog hides everything under its gray mantle.
In February the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance of the route.
In the month of June the festivities of the city of Cusco are celebrated which attracts many national and foreign visitors, eager to explore the land of the Incas and it is for this reason that booking the entrance during this month is quite difficult.
Only 500 spaces are allowed per day, of which 200 are for tourists and the rest for the support team: guides, cooks, porters and more.
Because of this, it is recommended to purchase the tour 6 to 7 months in advance.
If you want to hike the Inca Trail in the month of June or July you should book an entrance ticket at least twelve months in advance because due to its great popularity, entrance tickets to this incredible trek are sold out months in advance.
If you wish to do the Inca Trail in any other month of the year, you should normally do so at least six months in advance.
The National Institute of Culture of Peru (INC) is the agency in charge of the care and conservation of this world heritage site as well as administering ticket sales. The INC has arranged for 500 entrance tickets to the Inca Trail to be sold per day, distributed as follows:
300 entrance tickets are reserved for agency personnel, i.e. porters, cooks, helpers, porters and other staff,
200 entrance tickets are available for sale to the general public.
It is important to know that the Inca Trail is closed in February of each year due to maintenance work in various sectors of the route. The purpose of the maintenance work is to prevent the massive influx of visitors to the Inca Trail from having a significant impact on the integrity and beauty of this stretch.
According to the international classification on the level of difficulty of a hike we have the following:
Grade 1.- It is the trek with the lowest level of difficulty. Usually in this type of trekking route you can reach the highest point of the route through a path with little slope. A fall does not usually result in serious personal injury.
Grade 2.- In this type of trekking the traveler must eventually leave the trail and make occasional use of his hands to continue the route. However, the time spent walking is longer than the time spent climbing or using hands. The level of attention required is definitely higher than in grade 1.
Grade 3.- In this grade of trekking the traveler must make use of his hands more frequently but in spite of this, most of the route is done walking. Usually this grade of difficulty has several alternatives. A fall on this type of hike can result in serious injury.
Grade 4.- This is the first grade of what is usually considered climbing. The route is clearly upward, making frequent use of the hands. Some sections in this grade of climbing are done with safety ropes. A fall can be fatal.
Grade 5.- This grade is considered pure climbing, requiring professional training, experience and the use of safety ropes on most of the route.
The Inca Trail, on the other hand, is considered by travelers and experienced trekkers to be grade 3. Due to the fact that the Inca Trail route passes through different types of climates and different altitudes.
However, every year it can be seen that among the travelers who come to Cusco to do the Inca Trail, there are often children or older people with an enviable physical condition, that is, anyone can do this hike with proper preparation and above all, with a positive emotional state and eager to have a good time.
The maximum weight that the traveler is allowed to carry during the Inca Trail is 5 kilograms. Taking into account this weight restriction.
For nature and adventure lovers, who like to change the noise of the city for the beautiful singing of birds and the most beautiful landscapes you can imagine. This hike to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu along the Inca Trail will fulfill all your expectations.
However, doing this type of trekking is not an easy thing to do, especially for those who are not used to exercise or physical exertion on a normal basis. That said, the Inca Trail route exceeds 4000 m.a.s.l. in some areas, so some precautions should be taken:
The boots are one of the most important elements to consider, because when a person makes a trip of these characteristics using their feet continuously, it is normal that on the second or third day there may be some swelling or blisters. This is why it is highly recommended to wear boots with a larger size than usual, that are not new or that have had some use, because using new boots can cause scrapes on the ankles or heel of the foot, which will mean a great discomfort for walking in the long run.
The Inca Trail trek, has a variety of options which are as follows:
Inca Trail Tour 4 Days.
Short Inca Trail 2 Days.
Inca Trail 3 Days.
Inca Trail 5 Days.
Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail 7 Days.
As of the year 2000, the Peruvian government made it mandatory for travelers to enter the Inca Trail route through a tourist agency, so that a traveler can NOT do this route on his own.
The total distance of the Inca Trail is approximately 39.6 Km. and starts at Km. 88 from a place called Q'oriwayrachina. On the way you will visit archaeological complexes such as deQ'ente, Pulpituyoc, Kusichaca and Patallaca. Villages like the peasant community of Wayllabamba and the Inca aqueducts will reach the highest point which is 4,200 meters, crossing the Warmiwañusqa pass, this distance is calculated in the tour of 4 days and 3 nights on the last day will reach the area of Inti Punku (Gate of the sun), where you will have an impressive view of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
The entire Inca Trail is properly signposted and the guides and tour operators are the first responsible for the care of the traveler during his journey, however this does not guarantee that travelers always follow the indications and in some cases accidents have occurred due to the imprudence of the visitor.
It is important to consider that the physical condition of the traveler must be adequate, as well as having previously done two or three days of acclimatization in Cusco. A traveler unaccustomed to walking or physical exertion may find the Inca Trail route very difficult or even impossible.
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