The Inca Trail is the best hiking route in Peru. It is also considered number one in the world and one of the best in the entire planet. The reason? The trails were built by the Incas hundreds of years ago. It crosses simply dazzling landscapes, with high mountains, snow-capped mountains and jungles full of flora and fauna.
For nature and adventure lovers, especially those who are eager to get to Machu Picchu through the Inca Trail, which by the way, will transport you to a new world where you will change the noise of the city for the beautiful singing of birds and the most beautiful landscapes you can imagine.
However, doing this 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 must be taken.
As you already know that during the Inca Trail you pass 4200 m.a.s.l. and if you come from a country which is almost at sea level, then you should take the following precautions
The first few days you should acclimatize, to be able to adapt to the altitude. Here are some tips for altitude sickness
You should eat lightly and avoid heavy meals
The first days in Cusco should be calm and without physical effort. Follow your own rhythm.
Always drink bottled water, this will help you stay hydrated. If you do not want to buy bottled water, you can buy water purification tablets.
If you feel oxygen deprived, rest for a while.
Also, if you feel any strange ailments, you MUST tell the guide (it is his duty to help you whenever you need it).
When you can, drink an infusion of coca leaves.
You will need the original passport used when booking the tour. If you renew your passport after booking, you must update your passport number. To do so, please send us a photo of the 2 passports.
All travelers under 17 years old will get a discount of 40 USD. Students under 25 years old, at the time of entering Machu Picchu, can also get the student discount if they have a valid student ID (the ID must have the name of the University, photo of the student and valid expiration date) without expiration date, they are not valid.
You may need some additional vaccinations before traveling to Peru. Please do not forget to consult with your doctor before your trip so that he/she can advise you.
If you take into account the difficulty of the route, the mountainous roads and the duration of the hike, we recommend a luggage weight of no more than 5 kilos.
Carrying more than 5 kilos of weight can generate difficulty to carry out the most difficult sections of the hike. It can also cause back pain.
This luggage should be contained in a backpack suitable for the trek (waterproof, spacious and that fits well on the back).
The backpack should hold at least 15 to 30 liters to store enough water and spare clothes. It is recommended to have a raincoat to cover the backpack or use a bag inside. Check that the backpack meets the following characteristics:
The model of backpack you carry is actually optional. However, it is important that you take the following recommendations:
If the tour you chose to take to the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is for 2,3 or one week, the backpack you carry should be small, comfortable and suitable for your back.
Your travel backpack should hold between 15 to 30 kilos.
Preferably your travel backpack should have a chest strap and a waist strap, these will allow you to distribute the weight and you can make the trek without difficulties.
Make sure that your travel backpack has side pockets for small items such as your personal documents, or toiletries, among other things you can carry and that are necessary and important.
Also, the travel backpack should have loops and straps for storing clothes or other items.
In the case of having some extra things such as sleeping bags, tents or others, you can hire the services of a porter. Although generally, this service is provided by tourist agencies and it will not be necessary to carry a tent or sleeping bag. However, it is necessary to hire a porter for your safety and enjoyment of the trekking as it should.
Be very careful packing and organizing everything: clear polyethylene bags with airtight closures are good for keeping small things.
It is also important to have waterproof bags for important items such as batteries or cameras. Rainfall on the Inca Trail is more frequent from November to March.
It is important to consider that the temperature during the hike is cold at night and hot during the day. For this reason it is recommended to wear the following clothing during the hike:
Bring about 5 or 6 sets of underwear; you should always bring an extra set, as you might wear more than 1 on the day if it gets wet. 1 or 2 different ones will be enough as you will need to leave room for others. Sports underwear is best, bring sports bras.
You will need base layers for cold nights and early mornings; they should be lightweight.
Long sleeve shirts are recommended for this hike; they should be lightweight, breathable, quick-drying material. Bring 2 short sleeve shirts and 3 long sleeve shirts; Cotton is not recommended.
You will need a fleece jacket for cold nights and early mornings. In addition, we recommend bringing waterproofs.
Bring 2 or 3 hiking pants; Convertible pants are perfect for sunny days. For ladies, leggings are also widely used.
Bring a sun hat with a neck cover; Neck gaiters will be helpful to cover your neck and prevent sunburn. Also, bring good sunglasses.
Bring a woolen hat and gloves; waterproof gloves are suitable for rainy days.
Hiking boots are essential equipment on this list; you should get a rubber sole with ankle support. Make sure you have worn them before arriving on the Inca Trail. After the long day of hiking, your feet will need to breathe; bring light, comfortable sneakers or sandals.
You should have thick socks for walking and wearing with the boots, plus some light socks to wear in camp. We recommend 4 pairs of thick wool socks and 3 pairs of light socks.
It is not mandatory to carry or use a trekking cane, but it is necessary to use it in certain parts of the trail, as the cane will help to lighten the weight of your body and you can walk better enjoying the landscapes that you will see during the Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu.
If you do not have a walking stick, I suggest you buy one that has a rubber tip, this way you will protect the historic trails you will pass through. In case you do not have one, Andino Peru Tours can lend you one, but it is better if you have one of your own.
The Classic or traditional Inca Trail is 40 kilometers long and takes 4 days of trekking (18 to 24 hours approximately). The route will take you through the mountains until you reach Machu Picchu in the Amazonian jungle of Peru.
Some information about the Inca Trail:
The route crosses archaeological sites such as Llactapata, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñaywayna.
The end of the road is the entrance to Machu Picchu through the Intipunku (Sun Gate). This was the main gate in Inca times. The scenery there is incredible.
In most cases, after walking the Inca Trail, you will return to Cusco by train.
The only way to do the Inca Trail is to buy a tour through a tourist agency that has the corresponding permit.
No tourist can walk the Inca Trail without authorization. The tourist agencies are in charge of processing the authorization for the visitor.
The Inca Trail is considered a difficult expedition not only because of the distance but also because of the high altitude at some point along the way. The highest point of the trail is at 'Abra Warmihuañusca', at 4,224 meters (13,860 feet).
Altitude sickness or soroche is a typical discomfort in places of high altitudes. It can cause headaches, nausea, loss of appetite and lack of energy.
The best way to combat soroche is to spend a few days acclimatizing in Cusco or the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
However, at the end of the trail you can also visit lower altitude sites such as Intipata (2,743 m.a.s.l.), Intipunku (2,700 m.a.s.l.) or Machu Picchu itself (2,400 m.a.s.l.).
One of the most effective ways to combat the effects of altitude sickness is to drink plenty of mate de coca (coca leaf infusion) or chew it, just as the Incas did hundreds of years ago.
The entrance to the legendary Inca Trail is strictly controlled. This is to protect the Inca Trail, which is more than 500 years old, and the wonderful natural environment that surrounds it.
More information about Inca Trail permits:
The Inca Trail is only permitted with the company of a tour guide. The purchase of the entrance fee is at an authorized travel agency.
The agency will book the entrance ticket for you and everything you need to do the Inca Trail.
Tickets must be reserved 6 months in advance. Permits are limited to 500 people per day.
Among the 500 people who do the Inca Trail, cooks, porters and guides are included. So only 200 tourists can enter Machu Picchu by the Inca Trail.
In any case, the tour guide is very experienced in these ailments and will know how to help the visitor during the Inca Trail.
Cusco and the entire southern region of Peru is marked by two distinct climatic seasons: the rainy season (November to March) and the dry season (April to October). The best time to hike the Inca Trail is the dry season. The weather in those months is warm and with little rainfall.
If you plan to visit the Inca Trail during the dry season, it is advisable to bring a hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, sunglasses, light clothing during the day and warm clothing at night.
If you plan to visit the Inca Trail during the rainy season, it is recommended to bring a rain poncho, windbreaker, non-skid shoes and a walking stick.
¿WHY TRAVEL WITH ANDINO PERU TOURS?
We are a Peruvian Agency with Cusco roots, committed to providing you with unique tourism experiences. With our own transportation and a team of dedicated professionals, we aim to show you the best of Peru.
Striving to provide freedom in your travels, through specialized and quality service that ensures a worry-free experience. We take care of every aspect of your journey organization so you can fully enjoy.
We focus on creating unforgettable experiences through an expert team and carefully selected providers. We keep small groups to ensure exceptional service and that you make the most of each tour.
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