I am going to Cusco, Peru for a brief period in a couple of weeks and was hoping that perhaps I could do the last part of the Inca Trail, stay in Aguas Calientes and explore Machu Picchu the next morning before making my way back to Cusco.
However, in the last couple of hours of googling, I am getting mixed info on how to best approach it. Is it possible to get to 104KM from Cusco using public transport, pay for permits (trail and Machu Picchu), hike the trail to Sun Gate, make way to Aguas Calientes, sleep there, explore Machu Picchu the next morning and get back to Cusco all on your own, or does it have to be booked through an agency / approved guide, etc? Really don't have a good feel for the infrastructure over there.
If anyone has come across a resource they found useful and that answers similar questions, I would really appreciate if you could share it.
Thanks!
Hi! Flying to Peru in October 20th and leaving by the end of November. I love solo travel and meeting fellow travelers on the road. However, I'm a little concerned about the situation nowadays. I want to do the Inca trail trek - and will do anyway, but thought it might be more fun to do with someone. Any redditors in the area?
Had been considering Peru and the west side of South America as a backpacking trip. Was wondering if anyone has done the Inca trail and what it was like? I would be on a bit of a time crush for the whole trip. As even in the early stages would be looking at three weeks with time in Ecuador and Peru. Aside from the four days to set for the hike. I have heard of looting, thieves etc on the route. Iβm wondering peoples experience if they would suggest just going to via train or trail. Thanks.
Many roads lead to Machu Picchu! By far the most popular trek to the legendary Inca city is definitely the Inca Trail. Here you walk in the footsteps of the Incas in a breathtaking setting and have the opportunity to delve deeply into the eventful history of the country. Our local experts will tell you everything you need to know about the unique path!
Overview of facts
Location: In the Andes
Duration: 4 days
The highest point: 4,234 m
Accommodation type: Tent camp
Level of difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Start / end point: KM 82 / Machu PIcchu
The starting point for all excursions to the Inca Trail and the Sacred Valley is Cusco. From there it goes to KM 82. It is worth spending 2-3 days in Cusco to acclimate and explore the rich history and Inca architecture of the city. The end point of the route is the famous Sonenntor, from where you can enjoy an absolutely breathtaking view of Machu Picchu.
What can you expect on the way?
During your hike on the Inca Trail you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the Urubamba river, which meanders through the valley in the distance. Hike past waterfalls, through dense rainforest and pass impressive Inca ruins.
What can you expect on the way?
Highlights:
- Experience spectacular landscapes
- Pass numerous Inca ruins
- Let yourself be amazed by the wonder of the world Machu Picchu
- Impressions of the many treasures of Peru
How many days for the Inca Trail?
1.Short Inca Trail
Are you short on time, the permits for the entire trail are already sold out or your feet need a break? Then this version is ideal.
Take the train from Ollantaytambo up to kilometer 104 and enjoy the scenic route through the Sacred Valley. We continue on foot to Aguas Calientes. On the second day you have the opportunity to explore Machu Picchu before taking the train b
... keep reading on reddit β‘The Inca gods and their attributes are recognized by the representation of the natural and cosmic environment that made up the religious pantheon of the ancient Inca empire, a South American civilization located in the Andes Mountains.
This civilization was made up of a very religious population. The Inca mythology were totally intertwined in everyday life. Everything the Incas did had religious significance.
The most outstanding cultural features of Inca mythology focused on the description and worship of the natural world that surrounded them, where each aspect and element was animated by powerful spirits and ancestors that transcended the sacred plane.
History of the Inca Trail
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is part of an extensive Inca system of trails of more than 23,000 kilometres that integrated the Inca Empire of Tahuantinsuyo (β four regionsβ in Quechua) that covered big part of Latin America: from Colombia, the west of Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, to the centre of Chile and the north of Argentina. These βInca trailsβ were mainly on the coast or in the mountains, but sometimes even reached the tropical edge of the jungle.
The β4 Day Inca Trailβ is only a small part of the thread of Inca paths that held this great empire together and that were called the βQhapaq Nanβ.
The Inca Trails or Qhapaq Γan
The total network of Inca Trails, without a doubt one of the marvels of the Inca empire, is called Qhapaq Γan. The UNESCO granted the World Heritage Status to this network in 2014, describing the system as βan engineering wonder t
... keep reading on reddit β‘
Tackling the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu may just be the health-kick youβve been craving.
https://preview.redd.it/p47t20hoegz31.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6d73cf1f8b3282d7c256db3e80bd8af0eb38fc43
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru is one of the world's most famous hiking trails, that hardcore multi-day hike which retraces the steps of the ancient Incas in Peru, is seen by many as an unobtainable dream. Surely, one should already boast an athlete-level fitness to tackle this mammoth hiking challenge? Or, at the very least, have serious mountaineering experiences under oneβs belt? In truth, hiking the Inca Trail can be just the enticement you need to kickstart your health. Not only will it spur you to be more active before your trip but the experience of meandering through the high Andes for days, in some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth, may just trigger a renewed desire to lead an active lifestyle.
Tackling the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu may just be the health-kick youβve been craving.
How long is the Inca Trail?
The trail itself is breathtaking, but the end of the trail is a spectacular sight as you reach the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu at sunrise. The Classic Inca trail runs 26 miles (42 km) long, is usually hiked over 4 days and 3 nights and is tucked away in the beautiful Andes mountains in Peru. The 2 Day Inca Trail runs 10 miles (16km). 7 Day Salkantay to Inca Trail is 46.7 miles/75 km.
How difficulty is the Inca Trail?
Inca Trail Permits - How many spaces available are for the Inca Trail
For the 4 Day Inca Trail and 7 day Salkantay to Inca Trail, The scheme allocates 500 permits a day and every single permit is released in October each year. The 500 permits includes tourists, guides and porters.
For the 2 Day short Inca Trail, there are only 300 permits included tourists, guides and porter
... keep reading on reddit β‘
You can visit Machu Picchu directly (by train and bus) in one day, without much walking, but we recommend doing one of the treks. Taking time to immerse yourself within the Andes mountains so high up, is a pretty special and indescribable sensation, which you feel will be the essence of the amazement of Machu Picchu.
4 Day Inca Trail - Tierras Vivas
Hiking the 2 Day Inca Trail, we will see Machu Picchu at three different times of the day and you couldnβt believe how different the sight is, just because of the angle of the sun and weather. The sight at all three times of the day is beautiful in their own way and completely worth the extra effort.
We recommend to book in advance the Inca Trail (6 months or more, if you can)
7 Day Inca Trail to Salkantay - Tierras Vivas
There are three Inca Trail trekking options:
- 2 Day Inca Trail Hike Camping or Short Inca Trail with Hotel. These trails are moderate and easy. You can see the flora and fauna of the Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes town. In the night you can decide to spend the comfortable hotel or spend a night in the light of the night with the stars and near to the mountain of Machu Picchu mountain.
- 4 Day Inca Trail is the most popular trail to Machu Picchu. you will walk during the trail with a professional guide, cook and porters. Usually the Inca Trail Tour Operator offers the basic camping equipment and food. Tierras Vivas is a local tour operator and it offers all camping equipment such as sleeping bags, inflatable sleeping roll mattress, pillow, blanket. It is very important to book in advance.
- 7 Day Salkantay Trek to Inca Trail is the most popular hike for the adventurous travellers, it is 7 days during the most beautiful mountain of the Salkantay and the most popular Inca Trail. you will have
Due to an improvement in the level of contagion, the government has taken new measures that will apply from the 15th of July. These imply new operation and capacity of the Classic Inca Trail. The maximun capacity of the Inca Trail is 250 each day, during the 2021.
Also together with local authorities, the Ministry of Tourism have released a new set of rules to regulate visits to Machu Picchu from March 2021.
