Quarry Trail FAQ: The 'other' route to Machu Picchu Even with daily tourism limits, there are still many, many tour groups and you will constantly be surrounded by other hikers, guides, and porters throughout the 4 days. Hiring a personal porter to carry your belongings and sleeping bag will make your trekking experience more enjoyable. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This website uses cookies to improve your experience. From May to September The days are sunny and the nights are very cold. Its a nice build-up to the granddaddy of them all that follows on day 4. . Unlike most archaeological wonders, Peru allows visitors to actually go in and around the beautiful ruins and see firsthand the inside of the structures and the once magnificent buildings. If youll be taking an Inca Trail tour in rainy season, a little more spontaneity is possible, unless you have very specific dates in mind where it makes sense to get your booking in sooner rather than later. She enjoys sharing her passion for all things nature-related. The Inca Trail starting point is at an elevation of 2,600m (8,500ft). The Inca Trail follows a route through Perus Andean mountains. Rise early for the first day of your trek. Our guide kept on calling us all professional hikers and the fastest group hed had that year as we arrived at camp each night a few hours ahead of expected 5-7 hours in his schedule. 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. Inca Trail permits are usually available, except for holiday weeks, such as the end of December. This morning, you will take a train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104, where you will disembark and begin the 2-day Inca Trail. When to book: a minimum of 6 months in advance. Each morning, your bag will be weighed and collected, and it will be waiting for you at the campsite. The 2-day Inca Trail is particularly popular with families that enjoy hiking and are looking for a taste of adventure. The highest point on the Inca Trail is Dead Woman's Pass. Travel is full of variables and there is always a risk, however small, that something might go wrong before or during your trip. Finally, when booking your tour for the Inca Trail, make sure that the tour operator is selling you the right trek and not misleading you with a similar sounding hike. 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. Trekkers reach the Dead Woman's Pass peak at 13,828 feet, which is . Tours to Machu Picchu normally arrange groups of eight to sixteen people, and you will hike with people from all around the world. Lightweight travel towel to shower with and a small (inflatable) travel pillow for your sleeping comfort. Trust me, once you see all that is included and all the work that the porters and tour guide do, you will realize it is well worth every penny paid. Day Two: Early rise to hike through cloud forest and up to Dead Womans Pass and the descent to campsite. If this is the case, you have plenty of options for hiking in the Andes: Camping equipment, daily meals, and boiled drinking water are provided by your trekking team. Hiking poles will aid you in steep areas. Note that the Inca Trail is closed in February for everyone in order to allow it to replenish. Get used to walking long distances before embarking. The Inca Trails length is 26 miles (42 kilometers) of pure Peruvian power that connects several Incan archaeological sites: Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, Phuyuptamarca, Wiaywayna, and of course none other than the magnificent Machu Picchu ruins! As of 2016[update], 500 permits are issued for each day. After our own hike, we wanted to share our hard-earned insights, advice, and tips to help you plan and prepare for your own successful Trail experience - all neatly whittled down into this comprehensive guide. Securing a permit is only possible with an approved tour provider, who buy these daily permits in advance. This is the most dangerous point for altitude sickness, though little time is spent at this elevation and the trail descends again to 3,600 metres. After crossing the pass the trail drops steeply into the Pakaymayu drainage. Trekkers normally take four or five days to complete the "Classic Inca Trail" but a two-day trek from Km 104 is also possible. This trek additionally permits hikers to enter Machu Picchu through its Sun Gate. This is approximately 1000m (3281ft) down more than 1200 stone steps. At 26 miles long, it's tempting for hikers to think that the Inca Trail is an easy hike. Your trek must be organized through a licensed tour operator. Lastly, make sure you have the policy number, insurance provider, and emergency contact number on your person whilst hiking. A narrow path of 98 stairs leads to this impressive ruin surrounded by cliffs on three sides and overlooking the Aobamba Valley. On our last night, we even got a buffet! Note that, aside from the mark-up on price, Inca Trail tours booked via agencies will often simply place you on an available tour with one of several local operators, so you have very little control on the quality of the ultimate provider and group composition. The trail reaches 13,828 ft (4,215 m) on Day 2 and 12,500 feet (3,900 m) on Day 3. Here, you will be introduced to the rest of the trekking team, who will accompany you on your adventure. Instead, around a table in a make-shift tent dining room, we were treated to three-course lunches and dinners and a decent breakfast. Looking for all the essential information to plan and prepare for the Inca Trail hike? 1)and theres also the bush. The first day is a relatively easy hike and goes past the ruins of Patallaqta, which means town on a hillside in the Incan language of Quechua. In this article, you can find everything you need to know about altitudes on the Inca Trail. A: The Inca Trail reaches an altitude of 2,700 meters (9300 feet) at its highest point. Access to the Inca Trail is strictly controlled. If youre going to invest in a high quality travel sleeping bag, then read this post on the essential things to look for before buying. Both of these trail segments meet above the Inca ruins of Patallaqta[4][5] (sometimes called Llaqtapata), a site used for religious and ceremonial functions, crop production, and housing for soldiers from the nearby hilltop site of Willkaraqay, an ancient pre-Inca site first inhabited around 500 BC. There is a chance of rain even in the dry season, so its better to be prepared. A long flight of fountains or ritual baths utilizing as many as 19 springs runs between the two groups of buildings. Outstanding Inca Trail 2023 - Review of SAM Travel Peru - Tripadvisor Everything is set for you to walk the Inca Trail. We recommend 2 nights or more if possible. The trails in Machu Picchu have a limited number of permits per day. You will begin your ascent to Dead Womans Pass surrounded by lush, green scenery. Hiking the Inca Trail is challenging due to the high elevation (maximum 13,828 ft/4,215 m) and steep stone steps in some parts. Something as minor as a flight delay can have a significant financial impact, as can illness, bad weather or baggage delay. If you choose to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Tipping is not mandatory, and you are entitled to put in more, less, or nothing at all. If you need to pay for an additional porter to lighten your load and carry some of your things, you can do that for around $50-$100 USD. I have been using World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. These local porters, from fresh-faced 18 year olds to gnarled mountain men, are the unsung heroes of every Inca Trail experience and they will each carry up to 25 kgs on their backs for the group (yep, and you were worried about how hard the Trail would be for you!). Our G Adventures tour required all participants to be in Cusco for the first night of the 7 day trip, and its in the city where you will receive your briefing, rent any additional equipment and meet your tour mates. Inca Trail elevation continually changes as you hike over spectacular passes and down into lush valleys. During the rainy season, there is the possibility of landslides. If there are any updates or questions, feel free to let us know in the comments below! . After the Sun gate, it is a short and scenic downhill walk to Machu Picchu. After the tunnel the town of Machupicchu (Aguas Calientes) can be seen, and trains running along the river can be heard. Inca Trail - Travel guide at Wikivoyage All the same, heres some must-bring packing for the Inca Trail: Finally, remember to pack light! The Inca road system, originally called Qhapaq an in Quechua, an indigenous Peruvian language, was used for general transportation, trade, religious, and military purposes. We had always thought that hiking poles were only for old people and Austrians. During the trek, days are planned so that you have plenty of time to get from one point to the next. Every Inca Trail tour worth its salt employs and includes an incredible team of support staff who will carry the camping and cooking equipment plus food supplies on the Trail to each campsite (the tour company provides all of this equipment), as well as everyones 6kg duffel bag. The altitudes on the trail are much higher than what most travellers are used to. However, reducing the plastic footprint and impact of travellers is something we are very passionate about, so its important to note that the best way to be guaranteed plenty safe-to-drink water on the Inca Trail (and on future hikes) is to invest in a Lifestraw bottle, which has an in-built filter to remove 99.9% of harmful bacteria. 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. Once youve booked a tour and committed to the hike, there are some key milestones to hit before you get anywhere near South America. Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 2023 INCA TRAIL ELEVATION - Daily Hike Gain From Easiest to Hardest This means fuller camp sites and more traffic along the Trail (although the tours do try and stagger this out). Be prepared with a rain jacket or poncho and pants made of quick-drying synthetic material. More information. The Inca Trail is a 4 day hike at a very high altitude in the Andes Mountains. It is best to book directly through a local tour operator instead of a foreign travel agency since the travel agencies may charge you double the price. Be prepared for all types of weather conditions. The hike reaches its highest point at the Wiay Wayna ruins, which are located at 8,694 ft (2,650 m). 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. pp.233,268271,300. For adventurous travelers seeking a challenge, the Classic 4-day Inca Trail is an excellent choice that is sure to be a highlight of any trip. It is customary to tip the trekking team on the last night of the trek (Day 3). Day 3 of the hike to Machu Picchu is no slouch and for most, its the day that the nagging soreness reminds you that you are human. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). High probability of rain on any given day. The soreness really gets at you as you make your way down the mountainside. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. Since 2002, access to the Inca Trail has been limited to 500 people per day (roughly split between 200 tourists and 300 accompanying guides and porters), no matter the time of year. The 4-Day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu is one of the magnificent hikes I have ever done. Included in the price is transport to the start of the trail, a bilingual guide, entrance fees to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, tents, all meals and a cook, porters, emergency first aid, oxygen, and return transport back to Cusco. With high-altitude hikes, it's best to think of . A: The cost of hiking the Inca Trail varies depending on the tour operator and the length of the trek. We recommend going with Cachi Life as they are doing really great work in Peru that goes well beyond the Inca Trail hike. Salkantay is a great Inca Trail alternative when permits are sold out or you'd simply like to avoid crowds. Hike through the cloud forest on a gentle climb to the second pass of the day, walking through original Incan constructions. Next, the Sayaqmarka ("steep-place town") is reached followed by the tampu Qunchamarka. From Pacaymayo camp, the trail ascends steeply up the valleys opposite side. The highest point on the Inca Trail is Abra Warmihuausca or 'Dead Woman's Pass which is located at 4,200 meters. So, its clear that most of the hard work when it comes to carrying things will be done by others and the tour company provides a lot of the key camping equipment. After all trekkers from your group have arrived at the Sun Gate, you will continue to the Machu Picchu citadel for your 2.5-hour tour. The first pass is Runquraqay at 3,950m (13,113 ft) where, on a clear day, hikers can catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba. Hiking poles must have rubber tips on the ends. ITMB Publishing International Travel Maps, Camino Inka. It is closed in February for maintenance. In the afternoon, you will arrive at the Wiay Wayna ruins, which are situated at the hikes highest elevation (8,694 ft/2,650 m). After the ruins, the trail continues its ascent to the top of the pass at 3975m (13,035ft). Once you arrive, you will then have half a day to explore the ruins of Machu Picchu before heading back to Cusco by train. Pack a hat, strong sunblock, and glasses for protection against the sun. Prior to your arrival, the trekking team will assemble your tent, so you can focus on relaxing and enjoying the mountain scenery. If you plan on renting the sleeping bag and air-mattress, then just bear in mind that this will take up over 50% of your 6kgs allowance and also takes up most of the room available inside the duffel bag. Difficulty | Youre almost at the end and Machu Picchu, you should be hopping, skipping, and jumping all the way there! Now, the important thing to note here is that your bog-standard, one-size-fits-all travel insurance will almost certainly not cover you getting unwell at significant altitude - youll need to buy an add-on which specially covers hiking at high altitude. As an Amazon Associate, Machu Picchu Trek earns from qualifying purchases. A very thin sleeping mat was included, and carried by the porter, but it was also possible to rent a thin air-mattress for S/45 / 10 / $13 / 11 which had to be stored in the duffel bag (and weighed around 1 kg). 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. The 4-day Inca Trail begins at Km 82 which has an elevation of 8,230 ft (2,600 m). For those who are in the former camp, then youll be happy to know that two of the three campsites we stayed at had basic shower facilities - just be warned that the water began its journey as snow not too much higher up the mountain, when we say cold, we mean it! Hiking the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Day-by-Day Itinerary for Trekking the Inca Trail (4 Days/3 Nights), Finding the Best Inca Trail Tour Operator. Pack lightweight pants, short- and long-sleeve shirts, warm fleece jackets, underwear, and socks. I really have no idea how they made such incredible meals when they were literally in the middle of the jungle. [12] Permits were previously released in January, however, in 2017 this changed to October. It stands at 4,215 m. It's easy to get the impression that the name comes from some tragic story of someone that didn't quite make it to where they were going.. 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. 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. No, you can only hike the Inca Trail with a tour guide licensed for the Inca Trail. Once used as a checkpoint for those entering and exiting the holy city, this viewpoint affords hikers unrivaled views of the citadel far below. The entire 4-day Inca trail hike is 26 miles (42 km). Inca trail 4D/3N - Review of SAM Travel Peru, Cusco, Peru - Tripadvisor SAM Travel Peru: Inca trail 4D/3N - See 3,255 traveler reviews, 2,451 candid photos, and great deals for Cusco, Peru, at Tripadvisor. How long does it take to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? Comfortable hiking boots or walking shoes are a must. If you are seeing a higher price than this, then you will either be on a very very luxury tour or likely booking through a tour agent. The worst part of hiking the Inca Trail is not the altitude, nor the steep ascents, but rather the toilet options available along the route. The Inca Trail has an elevation range between 2,200m (7,218ft) and 4,200m (13,780ft) above sea level. Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. On the last day, you will wake up before dawn at an absurdly early hour (our wake up call was 3 A.M.) in order to reach the Sun Gate overlooking Machu Picchu just in time for sunrise. Its is certainly possible to find one but your options on tour companies and dates will be severely limited. right now). Lowest Elevation: Your last chance to use the internet or have a reliable phone signal will be in Ollantaytambo, and your first opportunity will be outside Machu Picchu or in Aguas Calientes. We had to book the tour about 6 months in advance to reserve a spot. New York, NY:Dutton. You wont have access to what your porter carries until you reach the campsite each night, so you will need a small pack to carry water, snacks, rain jacket, extra layers of clothing, etc. To find out what clothes and footwear are best, read our Inca Trail Packing post. The highest point on the Inca Trail route is the so-called 'pass of the dead woman' or Warmihuauska in Quechua, located at 4,200 meters above sea level. Nearby mountains are usually flanked by mist and the regions diverse flora is in full bloom. Those who will take being a lot smelly over taking a cold shower. Your email address will not be published. Potatoes, maize, fruit, and sweet potato were grown here. High elevation is the greatest challenge on the Inca Trail Trek. You are however responsible for bringing your own sleeping bag, which can be stored within your 6kg duffel bag allowance.
inca trail highest point
