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. Explorers will glimpse archaeological sites and a remarkable diversity of Andean landscapes, all building up to the final grand entrance to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. Concern about overuse leading to erosion has led the Peruvian government to place a limit on the number of people who may hike this trail per season, and to sharply limit the companies that can provide guides. However, each trekker is responsible for transporting their personal items (clothing, toiletries, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, etc.). Design of the site closely follows the natural contours, and includes five fountains and an altar, which was probably used for llama sacrifice. As the above has hopefully made clear, the Inca Trail is not as difficult or challenging as you may think, but every persons own hike experience will be very subjective based on your fitness, hiking experience, your groups approach, attitude, the weather conditions on the route, and a bunch of other factors. Inca Trail Hiking Guide: Daily Breakdown, Tips, FAQs - Inca Expert Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. 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. When to book: 36 months in advance. Note that the Inca Trail is closed in February for everyone in order to allow it to replenish. 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. 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. All of the year's permits are released in October and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Protip:Thats exactly how I like my walks in the park. INCA TRAIL SHORT 2 DAYS | Book your Inca Trail 2 Days to Machu Picchu You'll see a greater number of ancient Inca ruins, and pass near the colossal Mt . If it wasnt for an adventurous Yale scholar in 1913, Hiram Bingham, we might not have known of the existence of this modern-day gem. they soon adjusted and had no issues by day one of the hike itself. We hiked with G Adventures in early December, so we were ready for some rainy days. As is Puno and Juliaca if you're planning to visit Lake Titicaca. The first 30 minutes of the trek is uphill, while the remainder of the trail is largely a descent. Explore one of 17 easy hiking trails in Jakarta or discover kid-friendly routes for your next family trip. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Be prepared with a rain jacket or poncho and pants made of quick-drying synthetic material. The intricate detail that the Incans put into each and every stone structure is mesmerizing. It is possible to book a longer organised Peru tour which includes the Inca Trail within it, or to simply include it on your own independent Peru + South American adventure. The lowest point on the trail at Llactapata ruins is roughly 2250m (7,382ft). However, as mentioned earlier, a couple of our team members were really hurting by day 4 so it made hiking to the Sun Gate longer than anticipated and we certainly didnt see the sun come up. [12] The government also mandated that every trekker on the trail must be accompanied by a guide. Once a permit is purchased for one person, the permit cannot be transferred to another individual. The well-established route is outlined in the below image below (red line) but do note that your own specific campsites and stops may differ depending on your tour provider. Let your guide know if you are struggling and especially if your symptoms get worse. Day one eases you into the action. 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). The highest point of the Inca Trail is Dead Woman's Pass, which reaches 4,200m above sea level Mental preparation for the Inca Trail. You can spend those days sightseeing in and around Cusco as there are plenty of archaeological sites like Nazca. Permits to hike the Inca Trail are available March through January. Cuscos high altitude makes it a convenient place to acclimatize. Train | There is a train which runs from Cusco - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes (the Machu Picchu town), but this is really a tourist service and not relevant for reaching Cusco. Ask your Travel Advisor for more details. Securing a permit is only possible with an approved tour provider, who buy these daily permits in advance. Your guide will take you on a 2.5-hour tour of the citadel, where you will learn about its fascinating history. After the Sun gate, it is a short and scenic downhill walk to Machu Picchu. We do not represent World Nomads. We would never travel without taking out insurance (if youre not convinced, read this post), and having the necessary insurance arrangements in place in advance is a requirement for every Inca Trail tour; you are responsible for buying and purchasing this. You should bring enough money with you from Cusco for tipping and lunch in Aguas Calientes. Nearby mountains are usually flanked by mist and the regions diverse flora is in full bloom. 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. Your campsite is located just a few minutes from this archaeological site, famed for its steep and towering agricultural terraces that overlook the Urubamba River. If you are hiking the Inca Trail, you will most likely be spending some time in Cusco. The trekking team will wake you before sunrise to ensure that you arrive at Machu Picchus Sun Gate by mid-morning. 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 most visitors the park allows is 500 a day and that includes guides and porters which make up over half that number. Instead, you and your group will spend evening conversing over plastic cups of hot tea, playing card games, or lazing in nature together. A reusable water bottle or hydration pack works well for this. Reaching the crest of this ridge reveals the grandeur of the ruins of Machu Picchu, which lie below. The highest point is Dead Woman's Pass at 4200 m. At its highest, the trail reaches 4200 m above sea level, so you should spend at least 2 days in Cusco acclimatizing before you start the trek. Altitude on the Inca Trail.