As mentioned, the tour company will provide the tents and porters will carry the majority of the camping equipment. Let your guide know if you are struggling and especially if your symptoms get worse. The stock image wouldn't lie now, would it? Along the hike, at the epicenter of the old Incan Empire, you will experience majestic mountains, cloud forests, a subtropical jungle, and a little bit of wildlife. 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. Be prepared with a rain jacket or poncho and pants made of quick-drying synthetic material. All food, apart from snacks along the way (although we were also provided with a bag of snacks), is included in the up-front tour price - and you wont have to lift a finger to prepare it or wash up. Share stories over dinner, and if the weather permits, partake in Andean stargazing before retiring to your tent. Day Four: Very early rise (3 a.m.) to reach the entry check-point and hike 1-2 hours to the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu. The meals are quite exquisite considering that all of the ingredients and cooking supplies are carried from the Sacred Valley. Bring local currency (Soles) in your wallet so that you can tip your trekking team. It is customary to tip the trekking team on the last night of the trek (Day 3). As a result, advance booking is mandatory. Get a quote below or read our in-depth review! Day 1 is relatively easy as there isnt much elevation gain and your legs are fresh and you feel like you can take on anything. The Inca Trail's length is 26 miles (42 kilometers) of pure Peruvian power that connects several Incan archaeological sites: Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, Phuyuptamarca, Wiaywayna, and of . The outline of the mountains at one point resembles a woman lying on her back. Throughout day 3 youll also see several mini Machu Picchu-like ruins spread throughout the trail. This is in part why the Inca Trail is closed in February (the height of the rainy season). Inca Trail Map: Trekking to Machu Picchu - Peru For Less 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. From what I have seen, the price is around $500-$700 USD per person. This aint no walk in the park unless you like your walk in the parks accompanied by blood-tingling cliff-drops and ruins of ancient South American empires. Trekkers head for the snow-capped mountains of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range. Later in the afternoon you will enjoy lunch and continue on toward the first campsite, Wayllabamba (9,840 ft / 3,000 m). After all, reaching Machu Picchu is the reason that many of you will be considering this hike in the first place! How long does it take to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? All of the year's permits are released in October and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. At this point, the trail reaches 13,828 ft (4,215 m) in elevation.This pass is so named, as from below it is said to resemble a womans supine body. A small spur of the trail leads directly to Wiay Wayna, while the main route continues to Intipata. Take some time to relish in your accomplishment before accompanying your guide to the Machu Picchu bus stop for your transfer down the mountain to Aguas Calientes. If you have any doubts about whether you are covered for hiking the Inca Trail, speak with your insurance company. All the same, heres some must-bring packing for the Inca Trail: Finally, remember to pack light! Your guide will be fluent in English and Spanish. The trekking team will wake you before sunrise to ensure that you arrive at Machu Picchus Sun Gate by mid-morning. 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. Weve outlined our own route on the Inca Trail below and, in broad terms, this is the sort of the itinerary you can expect (note that this relates solely to the days spent on the hike, not the days of travelling to/from Cusco and Ollantaytambo): Day One: Travel from Ollantaytambo to km.82 in the morning and hike to campsite. Up mountain passes and down into humid cloud forest valleys, the final destination is majestic Machu Picchu. Remember, you can always pay for an extra porter ahead of time if you need help carrying your things. Reading this and hoping for a last minute spot? If you have specific dietary requirements, make sure you enquire with your tour provider to make sure you can be catered for adequately. Once youve booked a tour and committed to the hike, there are some key milestones to hit before you get anywhere near South America. Trekking on the High Inca Trail | Exodus Travels One of the most popular things to do in South America - and one of the worlds most famous hikes - the Inca Trail is the sort of singular adventures for which we all travel. After the ruins, the trail continues its ascent to the top of the pass at 3975m (13,035ft). If youre reading the above and thinking that neither sounds appealing now, then please dont be too despondent - the Inca Trail can be hiked year-round and weve just outlined the worst cons of each season so that you dont have any nasty surprises! Although it wasnt by any stretch the most physically challenging hike weve done in South America, its ascents and conditions provided enough of a task to make us both feel it. The Inca Trail follows a route through Perus Andean mountains. Within the first hour of your day, you will reach the Runquraqay ruins. This trek additionally permits hikers to enter Machu Picchu through its Sun Gate. There are amazing hostels in Cuscothat offer a comfy bed so you can start the next day well-rested and read to go. Hiking poles must have rubber tips on the ends. Explore one of 17 easy hiking trails in Jakarta or discover kid-friendly routes for your next family trip. The G Adventures tour we joined is now 1029 per person (price update 2023), and this included two nights hotel accommodation in Cusco, one night hotel accommodation in Ollantaytambo, private transport, all meals on the Trail, our Inca Trail permit, camping equipment, entrance and a guided tour around Machu Picchu, a support team of 15 or so guides, porters, and chefs, and visits to several Planeterra local community enterprises and projects in the Sacred Valley. Demand for tours also increases in dry season, so you really need to book your own tour further in advance (a rule of thumb is six to seven months, but we have met people who booked a year in advance to assure themselves of a place). Longer 5-day Inca Trail itineraries are also available for travelers with a bit more time for hiking to Machu Picchu. We hiked with G Adventures in early December, so we were ready for some rainy days. Cuscos high altitude makes it a convenient place to acclimatize. If you arent in tip-top shape, this day will either make you or break you. Lastly, make sure you have the policy number, insurance provider, and emergency contact number on your person whilst hiking. Remember that batteries deplete faster at higher elevations. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. The process and guideline amounts will vary from tour company to tour company, but with G Adventures our group circulated an envelope amongst us so that everyone could confidentially put in what they were happy with, and then presented that to the porters on our last evening at camp. Both True Traveller and and World Nomads are respected insurers who offer this coverage. Fascinating Facts About the Inca Trail - TOUR IN PERU Day one eases you into the action. The highest point is Dead Woman's Pass at 13,828 ft (4,215 m) and the lowest point is Machu Picchu at 7,972 ft (2,430 m). 2023 Machu Picchu Trek | A Mountain IQ Guide. Porters carry all the equipment. May to September: dry season with good trail conditions. Your email address will not be published. For the most part, there is no cell phone signal along the Inca Trail. Reaching the crest of this ridge reveals the grandeur of the ruins of Machu Picchu, which lie below. For all the essential details on visiting Machu Picchu independently, read this post. What we found the hardest was the sleeping at the altitude than hiking during the day. It is rated by many as being in the top 5 treks in the world. Just remember that the 2 soles youll pay to enter the modern squeaky clean toilets at the Machu Picchu site will be money very very well spent.