A Complete Guide on Hiking the Inca Trail in 2025

Machu Picchu is a type of bucket-list actions individuals dream about. Whereas most individuals go to on a day journey, you too can go to by way of the Inca Path, a difficult multi-day hike by way of the jungles of Peru. On this visitor submit, my pal Gillian divulges the small print of her trek whereas sharing some ideas and ideas that will help you plan your journey to Machu Picchu.

Mountaineering to Machu Picchu alongside the Inca Path in Peru stays the spotlight of my yr touring. Looking over the peaks of the Andes, and figuring out that I hiked to get there crammed me with pleasure and awe. I didn’t need to be wherever else. I received’t lie, although — it took some work. Loads of work, in truth. But it surely was completely value it.

Sitting some 2,500 meters (8,200 ft) above sea stage, Machu Picchu was an Inca citadel constructed within the fifteenth century. The citadel was constructed as a royal property, although it was used for lower than 100 years earlier than being deserted because of the arrival of the Spanish, who had been set on conquest.

It wasn’t till 1911 that the ruins had been re-discovered by archeologist Hiram Bingham III. Whereas the locals had been acquainted with the ruins, it wasn’t till Hiram trekked up the mountain for himself that he realized simply how spectacular his (re)discovery was.

To gradual the harm attributable to tourism, the doorway of Machu Picchu is “restricted” to 4,500 individuals per day heading into 2024, divided into 3 time slots of early morning tickets (6-8am), morning tickets (9-11am), and afternoon tickets (12-2pm). Whereas that looks as if quite a bit, tickets usually promote out months prematurely (particularly for the hike). There are actually 4 predominant completely different circuits, and also you should be accompanied by a information. For that purpose, you’ll need to be sure to plan forward, do your analysis, and guide early!
 

Mountaineering the Inca Path: Itinerary

To begin issues off, here’s a detailed overview of what the precise hike is definitely like:

Day 1
They broke us in straightforward on the primary day with a delicate begin alongside a large path that handed by way of the Sacred Valley. Described as “Inca Flat,” the path begins alongside the Urubamba River and meanders by way of the timber and scrub brush, slowly gaining altitude.

Our information, Marco, stopped us at numerous factors alongside the way in which to inform us the historical past of the path, the ruins alongside the path, and in addition the Incan individuals and their battle to outlive. Marco was enthusiastic about his ancestors’ story, and as time went on, we realized that he was not simply telling us tales that come from guidebooks however that his data was a lot deeper. He had frolicked at college learning and in addition within the mountains with the Incan descendants and so had a novel perspective on the world.

Day 2
We awakened at 5am to the sounds of hustle and bustle exterior. As I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, a porter appeared with sizzling tea and one other introduced a bowl of sizzling water and cleaning soap for me to scrub up with. I drank my tea, washed up, and packed up the few issues I used to be answerable for (the porters dismantle and carry every part besides your private belongings).

It was chilly as we set out on the day’s hike; frost clung to the perimeters of the path and I may see my breath with each labored exhalation. We had been already feeling the altitude and nonetheless had greater than a thousand meters forward of us. We rapidly climbed above the tree line and had been rewarded with the gorgeous views of mountains and valleys that may be our companions for the remainder of the day.

The climb to Useless Girl’s Move was relentless. Up and up and up and up alongside the traditional Inca pathway made up of monumental stone steps. My coronary heart was beating wildly, my lungs had been tight and appeared too small for the duty, and my legs felt like cement as I attempted to elevate them over and over up onto the subsequent step.

Then it was down the opposite facet, a 600-meter (nearly 2,000-foot) drop alongside a good looking stone pathway slicing down into the valley under. If I assumed this was going to be the straightforward half, I used to be fallacious. Controlling these floppy, leaden legs was an train in focus. The afternoon noticed us climb one other 400 meters (1,300 ft) earlier than dropping into one other valley that was extra jungle than scrub. We crossed the valley to search out our campsite overlooking a set of astrological ruins.

Fog set in simply as the sunshine pale, lending an eerie really feel to the panorama but in addition offering some insulating heat. After 16 kilometers (10 miles) of mountain climbing by way of two passes, it didn’t take a lot of the particular “rum tea” to ship us all off to a restful night time’s sleep.

Day 3
As a lot as Day 2 was about climbing, Day 3 was about descent — general we dropped nearly 800 meters (2624 ft). I’m undecided which is tougher, however I do know that my legs had been sorer after a day of taking place than they had been after Day 2. That is the place the strolling stick I had been carrying all alongside actually proved its value! We dropped again down by way of the tree line, coming into into jungle-like surroundings, the place we may begin to perceive how Machu Picchu was hidden by jungle for therefore a few years.

We shared camp that night time as different teams joined up on the campsite earlier than coming into the location. We loved much-needed showers and beer earlier than a late dinner and early bedtime. Tomorrow would take us to the Solar Gate and our first glimpses of the misplaced metropolis.

Day 4
Reaching the Solar Gate was superb. Trying by way of it to the sight of Machu Picchu under made all of the difficulties of the trek disappear. Sitting on a plateau under, the location regarded simply as lovely and mysterious as I had anticipated.

Wandering round Machu Picchu for the remainder of the day, I used to be left in awe as to how the traditional Incans may have constructed such a formidable metropolis with no trendy equipment. The ingenuity and precision had been astounding and the extent of element was superb. The buildings and stonework are gorgeous shows of kind, operate, and astounding astronomical and geographic data. Stones are positioned or carved, to match precisely with the solar’s winter and summer time solstice positions or to line up alongside the ordinal geographic strains.

Seeing a rock carved into the form of the Incan Cross after which being proven how the factors match up with a compass, I used to be amazed on the data that the Incans should have had. The entire metropolis and the mountain backdrop took my breath away.

Suggestions for Mountaineering the Inca Path

Listed here are some ideas that will help you take advantage of your journey and keep away from a number of the extra widespread pitfalls:

• Arrive early – Attempt to get to Cusco 3-5 days earlier than your hike so you’ll be able to acclimatize to the altitude earlier than mountain climbing. It is going to make your hike a lot simpler!
• Go away your mountain climbing stick behind – Mountaineering poles or sticks are not allowed in Machu Picchu, apart from aged or disabled guests.
• Chew coca leaves – If the altitude is providing you with hassle, chew coca leaves. It’s the native treatment and is what lots of the guides and porters use. You’ll be able to chew the leaves or purchase coca gum. (It’s also possible to get altitude drugs out of your physician earlier than you go. Simply needless to say it’ll make it’s a must to pee quite a bit!).
• Break in your boots – Be sure you purchase and break in your footwear at the least 1-2 months earlier than your journey. That can enable you to keep away from blisters.
• Deliver sunscreen and bug spray – The very last thing you need is a sunburn while you’re mountain climbing up a mountain. And the mosquitoes listed here are plentiful (and their bites are tremendous itchy!) so put together accordingly and apply each every day.
• Deliver Band-Aids/Blister kits – Your ft are going to take a beating. Having some minor first help provides will assist.
• Carry additional snacks – You’ll get loads of meals on the path, however bringing alongside a few of your favourite snacks is a good morale booster for these difficult sections.
• Go the additional mile – For a tremendous view of Machu Picchu, hike the additional hour to Huayna Picchu. It’s a little bit of a scramble and the trail is kind of slim however the views are value it!
• Prepare earlier than you go – It is a difficult hike. You don’t must be an Olympic athlete to complete it however the extra you practice the better your hike can be.
• Don’t count on to bathe – Showers can be found partway into the hike however the water is painfully chilly. Skip the showers and simply embrace your well-earned BO.
• Have additional batteries – Deliver an exterior charger on your cellphone and additional batteries on your digital camera. It will be tragic to reach at Machu Picchu and never have the ability to snap a photograph or two!
• Deliver earplugs – The Inca Path can get busy and there can be dozens and dozens of hikers at every camp. Deliver earplugs for the noisy nights.
• Contemplate the Salkantay – For a less-busy route, contemplate mountain climbing the Salkantay. It has views simply as epic and sees a 3rd of the vacationers that the Inca Path does. Plus, it’s a fraction of the worth!
• Deliver cash for the toilet – Be sure you have some cash for the toilet. There is just one lavatory at Machu Picchu and it’ll price a few soles.
• Get stamped – You may get your passport stamped with a novel Machu Picchu stamp to commemorate the journey. It makes for a enjoyable memento in case you have some area in your passport.
• Test your bag – You’ll be able to solely convey a day bag beneath 20L into Machu Picchu. In case your bag is bigger than that you just’ll must pay to examine it on the gate.

 

How one can Get to Machu Picchu: Costs, Excursions, and Logistics

When you don’t plan on mountain climbing the Inca Path, the simplest solution to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu is to take the practice from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. Tickets vary from 225–1,800 PEN relying on how luxurious of a trip you need. The Expedition (which is the most cost effective possibility) is completely tremendous. You go on the identical tracks and see the identical sights. You simply have to purchase your individual drinks or snacks. Tickets will be booked at Peru Rail.

The federal government has been making an effort to higher preserve the location, introducing three circuits to unfold out the inflow of holiday makers. Which means you’ll must comply with a sure route throughout your go to and you’ll have a timed entry. So as to go to the location, it’s essential guide tickets prematurely and be with a licensed information. (Although in observe typically they allow you to in with out a information however since there may be completely no signage, it’s higher to have a information so you’ll be able to study what you might be seeing.)

So as to hike the Inca Path, you MUST go together with a licensed information and the corporate you might be with will prepare the permits you want for the path in addition to to go to the ruins.

Ensure that the corporate you select pays their porters nicely and treats them pretty. Porters have an extremely difficult job so that you need to be sure that the corporate you select is an moral one. With that in thoughts, keep in mind you’ll additionally want some money to tip your porters. Most estimates vary from 25 PEN per individual per day for every porter, after which 50 PEN per individual per day for the guides, although your organization will doubtless present further tipping pointers. Suggestions are paid within the native foreign money.

Costs for the multi-day treks begin at $700 USD. If you wish to discover a cheaper tour, head to Cusco and await a last-minute spot to open. Folks cancel for numerous causes and there’s normally a spot that opens up. You’ll have to attend just a few days however you’ll get a spot less expensive than should you pre-book your tour. Since permits promote out months prematurely, if you’re on a strict timetable, I’d advise pre-booking your tour.

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Whereas mountain climbing the Inca Path is not any straightforward feat, it’s undoubtedly well worth the effort. The well-earned views you absorb as you hike mixed with the unbelievable vistas and historical past of Machu Picchu itself make this a as soon as in a lifetime expertise worthy of any bucket listing. No go to to Peru is full with out seeing Machu Picchu, and the easiest way to try this is by way of the Inca Path — one step at a time!