inca trail highest point

This means it is necessary for everyone to obtain permits in advance to do the hike. A chef accompanies each group and prepares breakfast and three course lunches and dinners. After celebrating your arrival to the top and snapping some photos, descend toward the Pacaymayo campsite (11,788 ft/3,590 m). Inca Trail, Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu, Cusco, Inca Trail, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu, Cusco, 2-day Inca Trail, Rainbow Mountain & Machu Picchu, Are you interested in adding a meal at one of the, We sell virtually all services available in Peru, Galapagos, Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Patagonia, Located between 7,5003,300 ft (1,0002,300 m) is the. It's emotional and so much fun. The altitudes on the trail are much higher than what most travellers are used to. Tours should provide you with purified, safe-to-drink water at camp each night and morning; this in addition to drinks purchased in advance and along the way (and those endless cups of tea glugged at camp) should be sufficient to keep you well hydrated. You can purchase these in Cusco or rent them from your trekking company with advance notice. We have used similar bottles on travels in both Africa and South America and cant talk highly enough of them (our Water-to-Go allowed us to fill up from taps all over Peru, from two rivers on the Inca Trail, and even an ancient water fountain at Machu Picchu). Pack animals, including mules, horses, and llamas, are banned from the trail. You wont be able to enter the Inca Trail nor Machu Picchu without it. A short downhill walk is the final section of the trail.[11]. Comfortable hiking boots or walking shoes are a must. There is no minimum or maximum age limit for hikers on the Inca Trail, but tour companies will operate according to their own guidelines and policies (i.e. November to March: rainy season. Nate is avid hiker throughout South America and still considers the Inca Trail hike to be one of the most memorable experiences he has ever had. Inca Trail Information, Everything you must KNOW Before hiking Inca Trail If youre fit enough to handle the constant incline, there is a good chance the high altitude will zap your energy and perhaps give you dizziness. At Wayllapampa the trail to Machu Picchu turns west and begins ascending along a tributary of the Cusichaka. Permits for low season travel (NovemberMarch) should be secured at least three months in advance. Likewise, if you would prefer not to carry your sleeping bag from home to Peru, you can rent one from your trekking company with advance notice. With high-altitude hikes, it's best to think of . The Inca Trail's length is 26 miles (42 kilometers) of pure Peruvian power that connects several Incan archaeological sites: Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, Phuyuptamarca, Wiaywayna, and of . Regardless of which option you go for, all roads will lead to Cusco - the start point for the vast majority of all Inca Trail tours. For those that would prefer more privacy, you can also pay extra for your own one-man tent. The legendary hike culminates at the Puerta de Sol (Sun Gate) where you overlook the magnificent ruins below and the iconic Huayna Picchu mountain to the side. At the top, the pass is rocky, with little vegetation. Were both vegetarian and were catered for incredibly well - with each meal giving us a vegetarian version of the same dish the others were eating (another thing we did not expect at all). From Aguas Calientes to the entrance area to the citadel, you can take a 15-minute bus ride, or you can walk up the hill (approximately 45 minutes). Each trekker is also provided with snacks to take with them on the trail. Difficulty | High, this is the hardest day of walking but after you reach DWP, its mostly downhill. The trail is closed every February for cleaning. Its worth noting that not all standard off-the-shelf travel insurance policies will cover you for activities at altitude (including the Inca Trail), so you need to ensure that this is covered when buying your single or multi-trip policy. Or maybe you would rather take a longer or shorter trek or a path less beaten? At the beginning of the hike the morning mountain air is likely to be cool, however you will warm up as you continue your journey to Machu Picchu. 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! We recommend 2 nights or more if possible. A significant chunk of that 40 kms is up steep, narrow Andean mountain paths at altitude. Yep, the cost of entry is included in the tour price and its the responsibility of the tour company to take care of all that and provide you with the ticket on the day youre entering the site. All Rights Reserved, {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, Inca Trail Elevation The Ups And Downs To Machu Picchu. 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). Their shorter tour is around 710 per person, and our recommended cheaper alternative is around 600 - 650 depending upon whether it has a an offer running (which it often does). PLUS, you save money and the environment! Hiring a personal porter to carry your belongings and sleeping bag will make your trekking experience more enjoyable. The trail continues to ascend, passing a small lake named Quchapata (Cochapata)[6] in an area that is recognized as deer habitat. Only Inca Trail hikers can access the Gate at sunrise, and it is this crescendo, at one of the new seven wonders of the world which makes this hike a feature on so many South America bucket lists. Yes, sadly the answer to the question Can you hike the Inca Trail without a guide?is a big fat depressingno. This means fuller camp sites and more traffic along the Trail (although the tours do try and stagger this out). Day Four: Very early rise (3 a.m.) to reach the entry check-point and hike 1-2 hours to the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu. We paid at the lower end as my wife is Colombian and we found a tour operator that catered more to the Spanish speaking South American clientele. Distance: 32 miles (51 km) Highest elevation: Salkantay Pass, 15,090 feet (4,600 m) Difficulty: moderate-challenging. Remember the part where my companion busted her knee and had to be carried by porters goddamn hiking in style! In terms of showers, weve found on our various multi-day group hikes that people can be split into two camps: Those who will take a cold shower rather than being a little smelly. Our own Inca Trail group were all roughly the same age and fitness, which meant that our pace was consistent and we all arrived to rest-stops and campsites at roughly the same time. February: Inca Trail is closed for maintenance. Your guide will take you on a 2.5-hour tour of the citadel, where you will learn about its fascinating history. Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.) The second day ascends over Dead Woman's pass- the highest point on the Inca Trail at 4,200 metres. Its a damn good journey! Both the 4-day and 2-day Inca Trail treks have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Everything is set for you to walk the Inca Trail. It is closed in February for maintenance. Cuzco Region Machu Picchu Peru. Its is certainly possible to find one but your options on tour companies and dates will be severely limited. The trail undulates, but overall ascends along the Cusichaka River. High probability of sunny weather. This is in part why the Inca Trail is closed in February (the height of the rainy season). Cons | Hiking and camping in the rain for four days is never fun, so you are increasing the chances of that. 2023 Machu Picchu Trek | A Mountain IQ Guide. are 500 permits available, approximately 200 allocated to tourists and 300 to guides, porters, and cooks. However, as truly beautiful as the hike may be, the real reason for its popularity lies at the very end of this four day adventure; passing through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of Machu Picchu in the distance. Concern about overuse leading to erosion has led the Peruvian government to place a limit on the number of people who may hike this trail per season, and to sharply limit the companies that can provide guides. So youve decided to hike the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Thankfully, the weather gods were rooting for us, and we only had one bad rain shower and a single morning of dense mist to contend with - as our guide told us, this wont always be the case for those hiking the Inca Trail in rainy season. Hiking Peru's Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Altitude, Distances The ticket for the $12 shuttle bus (30 minutes) down to Aguas Calientes will be included in your tour price and the ticket provided on the day by your guide. I can hardly carry my petite wife for more than 20 seconds yet somehow our porters and guide managed for hours on end. Torre Mirador is 12.5 mi (20 km) to the north of Nazca city along the Panamerican Highway. Also pack shower sandals to rest your feet at night. Consult your Travel Advisor if you require a guide who speaks a different language. Day Three: Early rise to hike the most photogenic section of the Trail. Along the way, you will visit Runkurakay, a circular complex that scholars believe Inca messengers used as a refueling and resting station. April and October: shoulder season months. 10 Things You Need To Know Before Hiking The Machu Picchu Inca trail Altitude pills can be the difference between a great trip and a terrible one. Get insured. Your guide will be fluent in English and Spanish. At the small village Wayllapampa ("grassy plain", Wayllabamba) the trail intersects with the "Mollepata Trail" at 3,000 metres (9,800ft).[3]. Just make sure that if yours have exposed spikes, you buy some rubber stoppers in order to use them for the Trail. Abra Warmihuausca, at 4,224 meters, is the trail's highest point (13,860 ft). We managed with a group of six (not including the guide, porters, and cook). Tours to Machu Picchu normally arrange groups of eight to sixteen people, and you will hike with people from all around the world. Hiking poles to help ease impact on knees on downhills. A long flight of fountains or ritual baths utilizing as many as 19 springs runs between the two groups of buildings. However, the altitude at its highest point is 13,776 ft or 4200m, which can sometimes cause problems for hikers. Salkantay is a great Inca Trail alternative when permits are sold out or you'd simply like to avoid crowds. Those who will take being a lot smelly over taking a cold shower. Porters are instead responsible for carrying the tents, cooking supplies, food and additional camping equipment necessary along the trail. Day Two: Early rise to hike through cloud forest and up to Dead Womans Pass and the descent to campsite. If you dont invest in one of these excellent bottles, both of which weve tried and tested, then at least bring a refillable water bottle with you. Machu Picchu: 7,972 ft (2,430 m) The Inca Trail is one of the most famous hikes in the world. There are also some ATMs in Aguas Calientes if you need to withdraw additional money. It is rated by many as being in the top 5 treks in the world. 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. Ready? 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. Save $$$ Save the Planet Save Your Stomach! 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 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. The distances involved in hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu are not that great. After the ruins, the trail continues its ascent to the top of the pass at 3975m (13,035ft). Each morning and night you will also be provided a bowl of warm water with which to freshen up. Rooted in Inca heritage, this centuries-old path gives hikers the chance to walk in the footsteps of pre-Columbian royalty. Unfortunately, this is the day that things went south for a couple of members of our team. Private porters can be hired to carry either 18 lbs (8 kg) or 33 lbs (15 kg) of your personal belongings.

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