The land of the Incas, Peru is shrouded with mysticism. The place will take you back the time when the glorious Inca civilization ruled the land. Along with that, the picturesque natural view will simply take your breath away. The Inca trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most popular hikes taken by the travelers.
1. 4 Days to Complete Inca Trail: The traditional Inca trail is about 82 kilometers long and takes almost four days to complete. If you wish to take this trail, get yourself in shape. This trail will take you through the Inca ruins such as Sayamarca and Runkurakay before you finally reach the ruins of Machu Picchu.
2. High Altitudes: The Inca trail is very challenging. You’ll be trekking through high altitudes for four consecutive days. The highest point in this trail is about 13,860 feet above the sea level. Many travelers suffer from altitude sickness during their journey. To reduce the chances of altitude sickness, arrive in Cusco two days prior to your trek. Spending a day or two in places of similar altitude will get your body accustomed to the height.
3. You cannot take the Inca trail without getting a permit: This entire trail is controlled and maintained by the Peruvian Tourism authority. They allow only 500 people per day. You have to arrange for the permit beforehand. Also, the trail is not available during the rainy season which falls in the month of February. Its difficult to access the ruins during the wet season. The authorities mostly utilize this time for maintenance.
5. 2 Distinct Seasons: The Andean region of Peru has two distinct seasons- one is the wet season (from November to March) and the other is the dry season (between April and October). The dry season is best for taking the Inca trail. You can also travel during the wet months but, you’ve to be prepared for heavy showers.
If you don’t want to take the longer classic Inca trail, you can also go for the shorter route. This trail is around 2 days long.
Grab your backpack and prepare to hike Inca trail to Machu Picchu. If you are looking for Machu Picchu tour operators, then get in touch with us. You can check our Inca trail to Machu Picchu tour packages and book the best one as suited to your preferences.