The trail reaches 13,828 ft (4,215 m) on Day 2 and 12,500 feet (3,900 m) on Day 3. Weve covered all the essentials you definitely need to buy and pack for either season (plus some nice to haves) in this Inca Trail Packing List post, whilst more information on the camping + food on the trek is outlined in specific sections below. The elevation of the Inca Trail varies, with the highest point rising to 13,828 feet (4200 m) above sea level. These ruins are at an altitude of 3750m (12,300ft). The bad news? and any personal medications. 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. Despite only including one day of hiking, this shorter hike is referred to as the 2-day Inca Trail because the hike to Machu Picchu is on Day 1 and the Machu Picchu tour is on Day 2. From the top of the Runquraqay pass, it is a short descent of 300m (980ft) to the Phuyupatamarca ruins at 3650m (11,975 ft) above sea level. Lowest Elevation: In the late afternoon, you will arrive at Wiay Wayna. The Inca Trail is a 4 day hike at a very high altitude in the Andes Mountains. Trekking on the High Inca Trail | Exodus Travels 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. Although all hikes are more about the journey than a final destination, the Inca Trail stands out as having a destination to beat all others. Permits are only available for purchase through the Peruvian government. Youll have to carry your pack for 4 days so only take the lightweight essentials. The hike reaches its highest point at the Wiay Wayna ruins, which are located at 8,694 ft (2,650 m). After the tunnel the town of Machupicchu (Aguas Calientes) can be seen, and trains running along the river can be heard. This will vary from tour to tour, and also may evolve as Machu Picchu continues to change its own rules and restrictions to abate UNESCOs concerns, but on our own tour we enjoyed a full morning to explore Machu Picchu from about 7 a.m. until 11.30 a.m. (we could have stayed another hour but by that point we were desperate for a beer and lunch!). As mentioned, the tour company will provide the tents and porters will carry the majority of the camping equipment. Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 2023 We dont know if all tours will offer the same level of food as G Adventures did, but even if its half as good youll be very happy. Let your Travel Advisor know if you'd be interested, as Inca Trail permits also need to be purchased in advance for porters. However, the altitude, which at it's highest point is 13,776 ft or 4200m, can cause problems even for the strongest hikers. Each campsite has toilet facilities available, but these are often rudimentary squat toilets and with campsites being so remote and over-subscribed, cleanliness understandably isnt the highest. 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 Fejos team named the site, and uncovered the remainder. Yes, the Inca Trail is safe. You do not need to be a vastly experienced hiker, but acquiring a good level of physical fitness prior to arriving in Peru will make everything easier and more enjoyable. Youll still be able to access Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (a really special moment), and you have the added bonus of seeing this incredible Wonder of the World at both sunset and sunrise! Dead Woman's Pass is even steeper on the way down. 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. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu can be hiked all year round, except for February when the trail is closed for maintenance. Day Two: Early rise to hike through cloud forest and up to Dead Womans Pass and the descent to campsite. So, whether youre heading there in high or low season and want to understand the camping and accommodation situation better, have no idea what to pack or how to get a permit, are worrying about whether youre fit enough, will get altitude sickness or if its too late to book a spot on a tour, then this post will provide you with all the necessary information answers from experienced fellow travellers (and, we hope, quite a bit of excitement and inspiration for the hike itself!). If it wasnt for an adventurous Yale scholar in 1913, Hiram Bingham, we might not have known of the existence of this modern-day gem. The high season is June to August, but again make sure to book at least five to seven months in advance regardless of when you decide to travel. I have been using World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. right now). [10], From Wiay Wayna the trail undulates along below the crest of the east slope of the mountain named Machu Picchu. You can get a 15% discount on the Water-to-Go if you use this code at the checkout (ADR15), and read this post to find out about more ways about how to use less plastic when you travel. The highest point of the pass is 3,700m (12,136 ft). You can purchase these in Cusco or rent them from your trekking company with advance notice. Inca Trail vs. Salkantay Trek: Which Hike to Machu Picchu is Better This is the most dangerous point for altitude sickness, though . Ok, now Youre Ready to Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. April & October February: Inca Trail is closed 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). We do not represent World Nomads. Hiking poles must have rubber tips on the ends. Mollepata is the longest of the three routes with the highest mountain pass and intersects with the Classic route before crossing Warmiwausqa ("dead woman"). Compare this with the speed of the electric rail train or KRL Jabodetabek, which is 80-100 kilometers per hourbecause it is designed according to operational needs with relatively close distances between stations . The 4-day Inca Trail is ideal for travelers looking for a physically challenging adventure. One of the girls on our team got a busted knee on the descent after Dead Womans Pass not good. You will begin your ascent to Dead Womans Pass surrounded by lush, green scenery. Make sure to bring your own toilet paper and hand-sanitiser, and just hold your nose (and maybe close your eyes too) when you need to go. 2023, The Broke Backpacker. Pack light, pack smart, and pack for two very different temperatures - thats the key advice for every Inca Trail experience. When to book: a minimum of 6 months in advance. The Inca Trail is a well-established and iconic 4-day, 3-night hike which leads travellers from km.82 (the start point 40 minutes outside the town of Ollantaytambo) all the way to Machu Picchu via its exclusive Sun Gate (also called Inti Punku). Or maybe you would rather take a longer or shorter trek or a path less beaten? So whats the Inca Trail hikes difficulty like? And it ends at the incredible Machu Picchu. Im sure you hear this often, but to be honest, it really is nothing like being there in person and seeing it up close and personal. The Inca Trail in Peru, South America - G Adventures ), but after your time on the Trail you will be left in no doubt that those porters deserve an extra bit of cash to recognise their sterling work and to support their own endeavours in life. The soreness really gets at you as you make your way down the mountainside. It's emotional and so much fun. Insect repellent (with Deet) for protection against mosquitoes and other blood-sucking critters once you get to Machu Picchu. Altitude on the Inca Trail. Ive hiked some of the best national parks in the U.S.and this Inca Trail hike is still my favorite in terms of scenery and complete awesomeness. To have a better understanding of the varying levels of the Inca Trail elevation during pivotal sections of the route, see the chart below: Hopefully, the chart above gives you a better idea of why its important for you to train as much as possible before your trek. Obviously, medical attention and facilities along the Inca Trail are pretty much non-existent so you need to bring any of your own required medication with you and keep it on your own person or in the daypack. Personally, I could have spent the whole day there just in awe of the ruins. Unless you hire a private porter, youre expected to carry both pads and sleeping bags along the trek. I made sure to mentally prepare our small team of six for the adventure and kept up a weekly progress report of how everyone was training. Many trekkers also choose to hire a porter to carry personal belongings. 30 miles (49 km), Highest Elevation: She did walksparingly, but for the most part, was carried for a good portion of the time. There is no camping involved, as travelers spend the night in a hotel after hiking to Machu Picchu. Altitude sickness on the Inca Trail is rarely severe. They can be purchased in Cusco or rented from your trekking company with advance notice. POV: You've reached Warmi Wausqa, the highest point of the Inca Trail 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. Before leaving, I had heard horror stories about the difficulty of the hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Day 2 is the most challenging day of the trek, as you will gain 3,988 ft (1,215 m) in elevation. Climb out of the Sacred Valley towards Warmiwanusca, or Dead Woman's Pass, on the second day of the classic Inca Trail 4-day. Don't forget to book Inca Trail permits for your visit well in advance of your trip. When the Incans were conquered by the Spanish in the 1500s, they fled the jungle and Machu Picchu went hidden for hundreds of years. The 2-day Inca Trail begins at the Chachabamba archaeological complex which is located at 6,725 ft (2,050 m), the lowest point of the hike. Because of this rule, permits can only be obtained through a government registered tour operator. Your guide will be fluent in English and Spanish. 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!
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