HOW TO HIKE THE INCA path

Last Updated: 11/7/20 | November 7th, 2020

Machu Picchu is one of those bucket-list activities people dream about. While a lot of people go to on a day trip, you can likewise go to by means of the Inca Trail, a difficult multi-day hike with the jungles of Peru. In this guest post, Gillian divulges the details of her trip while sharing some ideas as well as recommendations to assist you plan your trip to Machu Picchu.

Hiking to Machu Picchu along the Inca path in Peru stays the highlight of my year traveling. It’s that amazing. Looking out over the peaks of the Andes, as well as understanding that I hiked to get there, filled me with happiness as well as awe. I didn’t want to be anywhere else. I won’t lie, though — it took some work. A great deal of work, in fact. however it was absolutely worth it.

Sitting some 2,500m above sea level, Machu Picchu was an Inca citadel that was developed in the 15th century. The citadel was developed as a royal estate, though it was utilized for less than 100 years before being abandoned when because of the arrival of the Spanish, who were set on conquest.

It wasn’t up until 1911 when the ruins were re-discovered by archeologist Hiram Bingham III. While the locals were familiar with the ruins, it wasn’t up until Hiram trekked up the mountain for himself that he realized just exactly how spectacular his (re)discovery was.

To sluggish the damage triggered by tourism, the entrance of Machu Picchu is “limited” to 6,534 people per day, split in morning tickets as well as afternoon tickets. While that seems like a lot, tickets frequently offer out months in development (especially for the hike). For that reason, you’ll want to make sure you plan ahead, do your research, as well as book early!
 

Hiking the Inca Trail: Itinerary

To begin things off, right here is a in-depth introduction of what the actual hike is really like:

Day 1
They broke us in simple on the very first day with a gentle begin along a large path that passed with the sacred Valley. referred to as “Inca Flat,” the path starts together with the Urubamba River as well as meanders with the trees as well as scrub brush, slowly getting altitude.

Our guide, Marco, stopped us at different points along the method to tell us the history of the trail, the ruins along the trail, as well as likewise the Incan people as well as their struggle to survive. Marco was passionate about his ancestors’ story, as well as as time went on, we realized that he was not just telling us stories that come from guidebooks however that his understanding was much deeper. He had spent time at university studying as well as likewise in the mountains with the Incan descendants as well as so had a special point of view on the area.

Day 2
We awake at 5 am to the seems of hustle as well as bustle outside. As I scrubed the sleep out of my eyes, a doorperson appeared with hot tea as well as one more brought a bowl of hot water as well as soap for me to laundry up with. I drank my tea, washed up, as well as packed up the few things I was accountable for (the porters dismantle as well as bring whatever except your personal belongings).

It was chilly as we set out on the day’s hike – frost clung to the sides of the path as well as I might see my breath with every labored exhalation. We were already feeling the altitude as well as still had a lot more than a thousand meters ahead of us. We swiftly climbed above the tree line as well as were rewarded with the sensational views of mountains as well as valleys that would be our buddy for the rest of the day.

The climb to Dead Woman’s Pass was relentless. Up as well as up as well as up as well as up along the ancient Inca pathway made up of massive stone steps. My heart was beating wildly, my lungs were tight as well as seemed as well little for the task, as well as my legs felt like cement as I tried to lift them over as well as over once again up onto the next step.

Then it was down the other side – a 600-meter decrease along a gorgeous stone pathway cutting down into the valley below. If I believed this was going to be the simple part, I was wrong. Controlling those floppy, leaden legs was an exercise in concentration. The afternoon saw us climb one more 400 meters before dropping into one more valley that was a lot more jungle than scrub. We crossed the valley to discover our campsite overlooking a set of astrological ruins.

Fog set in just as the light faded, loaning an eerie feel to the landscape however likewise supplying some insulating warmth. After 16 kilometers of hiking with two passes, it didn’t take much of the special “rum tea” to send us all off to a restful night’s sleep.

Day 3
As much as Day 2 was about climbing, Day 3 was about descent — general we dropped nearly 800 meters. I’m not sure which is a lot more difficult, however I understand that my legs were sorer after a day of going down than they were after Day 2. This is where the walking stick I had been bring all along truly verified its worth! We dropped backed down with the tree line, entering into jungle-like scenery, where we might begin to comprehend exactly how Machu Picchu was hidden by jungle for so lots of years.

We shared camp that night as other groups joined up at the campsite before entering the site. We took pleasure in much-needed showers as well as beer before a late dinner as well as early bedtime. Tomorrow would take us to the sun entrance as well as our very first looks of the lost city.

Day 4
Reaching the sun entrance was amazing. Looking with it to the sight of Machu Picchu below made all the difficulties of the trip disappear. sitting on a plateau below, the site looked just as gorgeous as well as mysterious as I had expected.

Wandering around Machu Picchu for the rest of the day, I was left in awe as to exactly how the ancient Incans might have developed such a formidable city without any contemporary machinery. The ingenuity as well as precision were astounding as well as the level of detail amazing. The buildings as well as stonework are sensational screens of form, function, as well as astounding astronomical as well as geographic knowledge. stones are put or carved, to match precisely with the sun’s wintertime as well as summertime solstice positions or to line up along the ordinal geographic lines.

Seeing a rock carved into the shape of the Incan cross as well as then shown exactly how the points match up with a compass, I was surprised at the understanding that the Incans need to have had. The whole city as well as the mountain backdrop took my breath away.

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Tips for Hiking the Inca Trail

Here are some ideas to assist you make the most of your trip as well as prevent a few of the a lot more typical pitfalls:

Arrive early – try to get to Cusco 3-5 days before your hike so you can acclimatize to the altitude before hiking. It will make your hike much easier!

Use trekking poles – Bring trekking poles or lease them from your excursion company. You’ll requirement them.

Chew coca leaves – If the altitude is providing you trouble, chew coca leaves. It’s the regional treatment as well as is what lots of of the guides as well as porters use. You can chew the leaves or get coca gum. (You can likewise get altitude medicine from your physician before you go. just keep in mind that it will make you have to pee a lot!).

Break in your boots – Make sure you get as well as break in your footwear at least 1-2 months before your trip. That will assist you prevent blisters.

Bring sunscreen as well as bug spray – The last thing you want is a sunburn when you’re hiking up a mountain. as well as the mosquitoes right here are plentiful (and their bites are incredibly itchy!) so prepare appropriately as well as apply both each day.

Bring Bandaids/Blister kits – Your feet around going to take a beating. having some minor very first aid supplies will help.

Carry additional snacks – You’ll get lots of food on the trail, however bringing along a few of your preferred snacks is a fantastic morale booster for those difficult sections.

Go the additional mile – For an fantastic view of Machu Picchu, hike the additional hour to Huayna Picchu. It’s a bit of a scramble as well as the path is rather narrow however the views are worth it!

Train before you go – This is a difficult hike. You don’t requirement to be an Olympic athlete to surface it however the a lot more you train the much easier your hike will be.

Don’t expect to shower – Showers are offered partway into the hike however the water is painfully cold. avoid the showers as well as just accept your well-earned BO.

Have additional batteries – Bring an outside charger for your phone as well as additional batteries for your camera. It would be tragic to show up at Machu Picchu as well as not be able to snap a picture or two!

Bring earplugs – The Inca path can get hectic as well as there will be lots as well as lots of hikers at each camp. Bring earplugs for the noisy nights.

Consider the Salkantay – For a less-busy route, think about hiking the Salkantay. It has views just as legendary as well as sees 1/3 of the tourists that the Inca path does. Plus, it’s a fraction of the price!

Bring money for the shower room – Make sure you have some money for the bathroom. There is only one shower room at Machu Picchu as well as it will expense a couple of soles.

Get stamped – You can get your passport stamped with a special Machu Picchu stamp to honor the journey.It makes for a fun souvenir if you have some area in your passport.

Check your bag – You can only bring a day bag under 20L into Machu Picchu. If your bag is larger than that you’ll requirement to pay to inspect it at the gate.

How to get to Machu Picchu: Prices, Tours, as well as Logistics

If you don’t plan on hiking the Inca Trail, the simplest method to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu is to take the train to Aguas Calientes. It’s a picturesque 3.5-hour trip each with sacred Valley that leaves from Poroy (which is near Cusco). Tickets variety from 275-1,800 PEN ($77-500 USD) depending upon exactly how elegant of a trip you want. The Expedition (which is the least expensive option) is completely fine as well as likely appropriate for a lot of travelers. You can get drinks as well as snacks as well as you get a panoramic view.

You’ll requirement to take a bus from the train station to the gates of Machu Picchu, which will expense around 86 PEN ($24 USD) per person (round trip). Tickets to Machu Picchu expense 235 PEN ($65 USD). If you want to likewise go to Machu Picchu mountain or Huayna Picchu you’ll requirement to get an additional ticket. combination tickets for Machu Picchu as well as either the Machu Picchu mountain or Huayna Picchu (but not both) will expense 200 PEN ($80 USD).

Both of these extra areas have set times to hike, so you’ll requirement to plan your trip accordingly.

Discounts are offered for trainees under 25 as well as kids under 18. You can purchase your tickets at Peru’s Ministry of culture website.

You can get tickets for Machu Picchu for either a morning entry or an afternoon entry (full-day tickets are not available).

The other method to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu is to walk as part of a multi-day Inca path tour, which is the far a lot more picturesque as well as satisfying way. a lot of hikers select to do the hike over 5 days, though you can select less if you don’t have time.

You can likewise integrate the Inca path with other hikes if you want something longer as well as a lot more challenging. costs will vary depending upon exactly how long you hike for as well as the high quality of your gear as well as guides. expect to pay anywhere from 2,500-7,000 PEN ($700-$2,000 USD) for a multi-day hike, gear rentals, transportation, as well as tickets/fees.

Note: Make sure the business you select pays their porters well as well as treats them fairly. Porters have an exceptionally difficult task so you want to make sure the business you select is an honest one. keeping that in mind, keep in mind you’ll likewise requirement some money to idea your porters. a lot of estimates variety from 17-23 PEN ($5-7 USD) per person each day for every porter, as well as then 20-33 PEN ($6-10 USD) per person each day for the guides, though your business will likely supply extra tipping guidelines. ideas are paid in the regional currency.

My favored excursion business for that is Intrepid Travel. They offer little group excursions with regional guides as well as have a little environmental footprint. I’ve been on their excursions all around the world as well as can’t praise them enough!

***
While hiking the Inca path is no simple feat, it is absolutely worth the effort. The well-earned views you take in as you hike integrated with the extraordinary vistas as well as history of Machu Picchu itself make this a when in a lifetime experience deserving of any type of container list. No go to to Peru is total without seeing Machu Picchu, as well as the very best method to do that is by means of the Inca path — one step at a time!

Book Your trip to Peru: Logistical ideas as well as Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner or Momondo to discover a inexpensive flight. They are my two preferred browse engines since they browse web sites as well as airlines around the globe so you always understand no stone is left unturned. begin with Skyscanner very first though since they have the greatest reach!

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the greatest stock as well as finest deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, utilize Booking.com as they consistently return the least expensive rates for guesthouses as well as inexpensive hotels. My preferred locations to stay are:

Don’t fail to remember travel Insurance
Travel insurance coverage will secure you against illness, injury, theft, as well as cancellations. It’s detailed security in situation anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to utilize it lots of times in the past. My preferred business that offer the very best service as well as value are:

Safety Wing (for everybody below 70)

Insure My trip (for those over 70)

Medjet (for extra repatriation coverage)

Looking for the very best business to save money With?
Check out my resource page for the very best business to utilize when you travel. I listing all the ones I utilize to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

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