Trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – What You Need to Know
December 1st, 2009 Posted in Inca
Machu Picchu, the so called “Lost City of the Incas“, has become a classic “see before you die” sight since it was rediscovered at the beginning of the 20th century by the American explorer Hiram Bingham. It is an unforgettable place – a set of excellently preserved Inca ruins perched on top of a mountain in the middle of the Peruvian Andes.
Machu Picchu is visited by almost a million people every year, and though the site is accessible by bus from the local town of Aguas Calientes, many people choose to trek the Inca Trail to get there. If Machu Picchu is one of the most famous historical sights in the world, the classic Inca Trail is one of the most famous treks; a four-day walk following an ancient Inca roadway and passing through a number of other Inca ruins before your first mesmerising glimpse of Machu Picchu from the ‘Gateway of the Sun’.
Sound exciting? It can be the trip of a lifetime, but if you are considering the trek to Machu Picchu, here are four things to be aware of…
Book ahead
In recent years, the Peruvian government has imposed tight restrictions on Inca trail treks in an attempt to lessen damage and erosion of the route and ease overcrowding. Only five hundred people (including porters and guides) are allowed to begin the trail each day, and you are required to book a permit to walk there. This means you typically need to book a place several months in advance, especially if you intend to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in peak season (between June and August.)
Get in shape
While it is only a four-day trek, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is quite physically demanding, with high altitude passes and long days of hard walking. You don’t need to be a hugely experienced trekker to walk the Inca Trail, but some trekking experience and a decent general level of fitness are recommended.
When they try and trek the Inca Trail, far too many travellers fly straight in to Cusco from Lima and immediately start the trail. This can be a serious mistake, as Cusco itself is at over 3000m, and the trail itself goes even higher. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to acclimatise to the altitude. If you are flying straight into Cusco, it is a good idea to spend a little time at a lower altitude to give your body a chance to adjust, perhaps by taking a tour of the Sacred Valley before your Inca Trail trek.
Take the right equipment
Any reputable tour company will be able to provide you with a list of equipment, and some may even offer to rent equipment to you. As a bare minimum, you need some broken in hiking boots (trainers are not recommended!), several layers of warm clothing, a waterproof jacket or poncho, water bottle, good quality sleeping bag, and daytime trekking clothes. You may also want to take a pair of trekking poles – the stone staircases on the Inca Trail can be hard work on your knees!
Tip the porters
When you trek the Inca Trail, it is likely that most, if not all, of the camping and cooking equipment will be carried by local porters (pack animals are now banned from the trail). The treatment of the porters varies from company to company – some are well paid and well looked after, while others are definitely not. That’s another reason to go with a reputable company, who are committed to responsible tourism and have an established policies and practices regarding porter care.
Interact with your porter as much as possible (bringing some coca leaves as gifts is a good way to show your appreciation), and keep an eye on how the porters are treated – make a complaint after the trip if you feel that they have been hard done by.
Make sure that you bring some money to tip the porters at the end of your Inca Trail trek. The amount that you should tip varies with the quality of service, of course, but it is generally recommended that you bring between £25 – £35 in dollars or soles to cover the tips for your cook, guide and personal porter.
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Help answer the question about inca
What were the settlement patterns and lifestyle of the Inca?
hi, im supposed to write an essay about the lifestyle and settlement patterns of the Inca, an ancient south american civilization. will someone please help me out? even a paragraph will be appreciated.
14 Responses to “Trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – What You Need to Know”
By Teri on Nov 29, 2009
By Disease Information Health Tips on Nov 29, 2009
wow at the end looks like a picture taken but this look way better Nice!
By Bart on Nov 29, 2009
I recommend the NEW Inca Trail. We hiked it in 2005, and I liked that a) there were less people on it b) the guides were very knowledgeable c) I have heard rumors that the original Inca trail gets mistreated, and lots of trash is left behind. I didn't see ANY tour groups on the New trail leaving behind trash or mismanaging the environment.
I doubt I'd ever want to do the old trail, as it just sounds so crowded.
By Scrapbooking on Nov 29, 2009
wowza. frickin wowza. youre amazing.
By Wedding on Nov 29, 2009
impossible
By Searyan on Nov 30, 2009
All Inca Trail permits for July (and August) are completely sold out.
Here's the website on Inca Trail availability
http://www.inc-cusco.gob.pe/frame/index_consultas.php
No one will be able to put you on the Inca Trail in July. But it is possible to do some other hikes, like in Lares Valley or to Choquequirau. Here's one website http://www.peruandes.com
By Wedding on Nov 30, 2009
I love johnny Depp!!!and this painting is awesome!
By Desktop Wallpaper on Nov 30, 2009
SPECTACULAR!
By Health Tips and Advice on Dec 1, 2009
hahahaha
yes it would have been kind of creepy
thanks for watching and for the awesome comment
have an awesome weekend
- Willy
By Healthy Topics on Dec 1, 2009
Would’ve been really spooky if his little finger moved to hit the last note at the end.
You’re a fantastic artist!
By Alayne C on Dec 1, 2009
I did lares trek too, really great.
we booked in cusco with SAS travel on plaza de armas:
http://www.sastravelperu.com
By Wedding on Dec 1, 2009
that painting looks really real! good job man thats so awesome!!!
By lulu7x on Dec 1, 2009
The trek of salkantay 5+4 … also it ends in Aguas Calientes town and machu picchu, is not a route inka, is nature and high mountains, if you like and enjoys to raise mountains do it.
9 days in very high mountains it is enough, you have other alternatives like lares and Choquekirao that don't end in Machu Picchu or Aquas Clients
You have so much to see there and the time always is short . well.. if you need help or tourist information this is my e-mail drees miriam_macedo@hotmail.com or miriaminkawasi@hotmail.com …. bye
By Anonymous on Dec 2, 2009
O.o