Inca trail how many days

The scenery is breathtaking and offers a lot of variety. The trail passes through several types of Andean landscapes including the lush cloud forest and alpine tundra. Hikers ascend two mountain passes over 13, feet 3, meters and then drop down to where Machu Picchu sits at 7, feet 2, meters.

There are other route options, but the Inca Trail is the most classic. The first day starts early. The second day challenges you. This is an exhausting day, but worth every step. You can expect to hike hours. On this day, the landscape changes dramatically. You will find yourself walking through one of the stages of the Amazon called the cloud forest. It will be obvious that you are in a tropical jungle, but still above the clouds.

You will cross through two Incan tunnels carved out of the mountainside, and visit amazing ruins including Winaywayna, which means Forever Young. There is a waterfall just behind these ruins that is worth checking out. You will be feeling the two passes from the day before, so your legs may be a little sore and tired.

Hiking time is about hours, so there is more time to take time to enjoy the views, the ruins, and just being where you are. Be sure to ask your guide about Winaywayna because not all trekkers are aware of it. The fourth day starts early as you head to the Sun Gate to catch your first glimpse of Machu Picchu.

It takes about another hour to hike down to Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate. Try and get there early before the buses arrive with thousands of tourists. Your last day of hiking will only be 2 -3 hours. You will catch the bus down to Aguas Calientes and then the train back to Ollantaytambo and then another bus back to Cusco. They tell you that the best time to go is during the dry season which runs from May through September. July is especially popular but crowded. The trail is closed for regular maintenance in February.

Because the trail is a popular choice, they restrict the number of people allowed on the trail at a time. Only people a day can be on the trail at a time, and that number includes the guides and porters, usually about , leaving about spots available for trekkers. A permit is required. I went in July and had beautiful weather the entire time. While July is busy, we still seemed to have time to ourselves on the trail.

Several times, we would be the only ones at one of the several ruins you see along the trail, and could soak in the sights, take our pictures, and just enjoy where we were without having to worry about crowds. Permits to hike the classic Inca trail become available January 1st every year. Here, you will take a short ten-minute bus ride to the downtown area of Aguas Calientes, where you can then walk to your hotel and relax for the evening.

When you finally complete the four-day Inca Trail hike, the real adventure begins! However, some visitors elect to skip the hikes at Machu Picchu altogether and instead spend all their time exploring the ruins of the Machu Picchu citadel. This video highlights many of the most striking highlights of the Inca Trail tour and Machu Picchu, and it is truly one of the best visual summaries of this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Two hotels in Aguas Calientes that guests have enjoyed in the past are:. For memorable dining experiences in Aguas Calientes, guests on previous trips have enjoyed the restaurant at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, featuring traditional Peruvian cuisine with contemporary twists, and unmatched views of the Vilcanota River.

There is also the Indio Feliz , a Franco-Peruvian fusion place full of character that is also vegetarian-friendly. These two options offer two very different but equally enjoyable culinary experiences in Aguas Calientes! For adventure lovers, Inca Trail tours are just the beginning. If you are looking to do more hiking once you reach Machu Picchu, there are two popular short but stunningly beautiful hike options: Huayna Picchu and Cerro Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Mountain.

Both require permits and early morning wake-ups to ascend, so make sure you work with your tour operator in securing those before your arrival in Peru. Huayna Picchu is the more popular trek, but if permits are all sold out, Machu Picchu Mountain is also a great option. We go into further detail on each hike below. Known as Wayna Picchu or Huayna Picchu, this is the mountain that surrounds the Urubamba River and rises prominently over the Machu Picchu citadel and provides the backdrop against which the rest of the mysterious city is set.

The Incas built an original trail up the side of Huayna Picchu, and built temples and terraces at its peak — which is about 8, feet above sea level.

Every morning before sunrise, it is said that a high priest would walk to Machu Picchu with a small group to signal the coming of the new day. The Temple of the Moon, one of the three major temples in the Machu Picchu area, is nestled on the mountainside and is situated lower in elevation than Machu Picchu.

Adjacent to the Temple of the Moon is the Great Cavern, another sacred temple with fine masonry. This incredible excursion takes approximately 4 hours round trip, starting at the Machu Picchu citadel, hiking through the Inca Trail hidden under the forest, and arriving at the top of this striking mountain. Along the trail, you will find yourself surrounded by a wide variety of flowers and wildlife, including orchids, begonias, ferns, and beautiful hummingbirds, while enjoying the outstanding view of the Machu Picchu citadel, the Urubamba River that runs below, and all the sacred mountains that surround Machu Picchu.

This area is very interesting because it is located in the high-cloud forest, where the highland joins the rainforest, thus creating many micro-ecosystems within the area. Machu Picchu Mountain has a special meaning for the Incas. Below this mountain, two rivers from the two most sacred Inca mountains join together into one confluence. From the south runs the Urubamba River that originates in the Ausangate area, and from the west comes the Aobamba River that originates from Salkantay Mountain.

For this reason, Machu Picchu Mountain becomes a monument of worship to the sacred waters. At the top, hikers will be welcomed by the Tawantinsuyo flag and a little shelter, providing respite from the sun and the wind. Reaching the top of this mountain requires a moderate ability to climb, as there are parts where it is very steep, but not considered to be dangerous. The hiking trail is well maintained; it is a paved road with many steps, though it does zigzag in places.

Experiencing this trek for yourself offers an insight into why the Incas selected this mountain as the place to build the Machu Picchu citadel. It can get fairly crowded, as 2, people per day are permitted to visit the citadel. However, there are several sites that you can not access, as the Peruvian government has restricted them for conservation purposes. Walking amongst the ancient walls, doorways, paths, and stairs imparts a unique feel to this archeological site — one that transports you many centuries back in time.

Your guide may have a particular order in which you will visit these sites. Watching the sunrise from Intipunku is one of the most spectacular views you will experience on your trip, and it serves as the first point during your approach on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu from which you will be able to view the whole sanctuary.

A polished and carved monolith, this stone is situated in one of the three windows of the temple in Machu Picchu. Many who have visited the Intihuatana have reported experiencing a strange aura or energy when in the presence of the stone. Cloaked in thick atmospheric mist and cloud during the rainy season, this site is a must-see when you visit Machu Picchu due to its breathtaking views over the rest of the mountains. This beautiful area contains terraces, baths, and fountains with circulating fresh water.

Sacred Plaza: arguably the most famous landmark in Machu Picchu. The Sacred Plaza also clearly illustrates the skillful and magnificent engineering and architectural feats undertaken by the Inca. The building is also the most beautiful man-made site in Machu Picchu. With vast amounts of stone used to create the three magnificent walls, the Inca also engraved the internal space and entrance stones with intricate carvings. Principal Temple: this is the main temple to see in Machu Picchu, located at the highest point and position in the city.

Centered in the Sacred Plaza, the location of this temple holds great historical significance to the Inca, as the plaza square also includes two of the great temples in the city. The temple itself has a magnificent structural design, in keeping with the architectural styles of the time. Ceremonial Baths: often located at the front of a temple site, there are several clear areas reserved for the ceremonial baths located throughout the city. Using the mountainous terrain to channel fresh water over walls and into the bathing areas, these baths were and continue to be an area of socializing and community.

Royal Tomb and the Temple of Three Windows: the Royal Tomb and the three windows located within are a symbolic reference to the Inca emperors who ruled the city. Though there are many competing theories and research papers that have tried to shed light on the reasoning behind the three windows located in the tomb, many scholars cannot agree as to the reason for their significance. On a darker note, at the lowest point of the plaza resides the Prison Group, a series of passages and cells burrowing under the stone and upwards into different areas of the city.

With the long corridors and tiny stone rooms, the feel is that of claustrophobia and cramped discomfort — hence the ominous name. Temple of the Condor: this is one of the most beautiful examples of the stunning stonework that the Incas are famous for. The name of the Temple of the Condor is inspired by the natural formation of the rock it is situated on, which is reminiscent of a condor in flight. Temple of the Sun: located behind a gated urbanized section of Machu Picchu, this temple is a truly impressive feat of Inca design and structural engineering.

Chosen for its high altitude, the temple is situated here to show its heavenly attributes — the higher the structure, the closer its connection with the Sun. This location was also considered important when carrying out astrological experiments and religious proceedings.

With its circle of sacred stones and dramatic design, this temple is a stunning example of how man-made Inca structures were perfectly complimented by their breathtaking natural backdrops. Are you already eager to book a world-class journey to Machu Picchu to see some of these sites for yourself? If you have committed to embarking on this adventure the planning process most likely started six or more months in advance. There are two critical areas of preparation that one needs to take into consideration if they wish to successfully complete this trek: these are Gear and Fitness.

Hikers will need to add the proper gear and equipment to their Inca Trail packing list to complete the journey to Machu Picchu. This includes appropriate footwear, lower body clothing, upper body clothing, face and head protection, and outerwear to protect yourself from the elements. You will also review your packed loads. It is common practice for each hiker to have a specially sized duffle bag, which porters will carry throughout each day on the trail.

Your guide s will weigh the duffle bag at your hotel in Cusco to ensure it is under the maximum weight limits, which are typically around 17 pounds. The rest of your gear will go in your daypack. You want to keep your daypack below 15 pounds if you can, and you should only carry the core essentials. If you have extra clothing beyond what is needed for your trek in your daypack and duffle bags, most hotels will typically let you leave it locked up there for when you finish the hike and return to the hotel.

Some people love trekking poles, and some people do not use them at all. There are countless sections along the route that feature stairs that can be arduous for the knees. Trekking poles provide an enormous amount of support in these and other challenging sections, and using them can sometimes make your hike much easier and therefore much more enjoyable. For purposes of brevity, we do not enumerate a complete packing list in this guide. Hiking the Inca Trail is moderately difficult, and it is important that hikers take adequate physical preparation.

Some sections of the trek are more difficult than others, and involve steep ascents, high altitude, and long days on the trail. Though some may find the distance covered on the trek each day to be challenging, proper physical preparation will allow travelers to enjoy the trek to the fullest. When trekking along the Classic Inca Trail route, elevation is something to keep in mind. It is important to note that this hike is not easy, and certainly not a trek you can take on without adequate physical preparation.

You will be hiking up to 14, feet in elevation, and on one of the hiking days you could be on the trail for up to 12 hours. How fit do you need to be to trek the Inca Trail? Altitude discussed later in this guide and its effects can cause challenges for even the fittest traveler, so we strongly recommend you complete a detailed three- to five-month training plan before you arrive in Peru.

This training plan should include but is not limited to day hikes of at least 8 to 10 miles, cardio training, familiarization with multi-day treks and camping, and uphill training on stairs or hills.

If you have the opportunity to train at higher altitudes we highly recommend this preparation as well, though this may not be an option depending on where you live. Participants can usually expect to hike between 4 and 8 miles per day, with occasional steep inclines and altitudes of up to 15, feet above sea level. The Trail is well-marked and defined, but the ground underneath can be uneven. While walking you will encounter stone, gravel, and dirt, with not too much grass.

Cusco, Machu Picchu, and its surrounding cities vary in how far they are situated above sea level. To start, Cusco sits at 11, feet in elevation. If you are doing the standard 4 Day Classic Trek, the maximum elevation that you will most likely reach is 13, feet. Machu Picchu is located at 7, ft in elevation, so most people who have been hiking the Inca Trail for several days do not feel the altitude when they get there as long as they have had plenty of rest and stayed hydrated during their journey.

Some trekkers do find it helpful to take medication for dealing with the altitude and potential headaches. We encourage you to speak to your doctor beforehand to see if this may be the course of action which you may want to take. Peruvian food is one of our favorite cuisines in the world. You can get extraordinary meals in Lima and Cusco, but what surprises many trekkers on Inca Trail tours is the quality of the food provided by your guides.

Most Peruvian guides are incredibly talented chefs and utilize organic ingredients, resulting in fantastic and hearty meals. Evening meals are typically eaten in a group dining tent, which has a cover to protect you from the elements.

In addition to most meals, many tour operators will also provide snacks each day to take with you on the trail. You will likely get coca leaves to chew on, which can help lessen the effects of altitude sickness. There are multiple water sources along the Inca Trail, such as streams or rivers. Most tour companies utilize either a pump filtration system, boil water, or combine both methods in order to purify water during the trek.

Typically, you will be provided with potable water three times per day: at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is essential that you fill up your water containers each time you have the opportunity because the hike can be strenuous, and temperatures can get hot during the day. In my experience, I have seen many other trekkers on the Trail run out of water prematurely because they underestimate how much water they will require.

We recommend that you have a minimum of 2 liters of water for both the morning and afternoon treks. Depending on your personal preferences, you can either use 32 fluid ounce 1 liter Nalgene bottles or reservoir-type water systems such as Camelbak.

It is also wise to have salt tablets or electrolytes to add to your water. Additionally, if you are the type of person who likes to be extra prepared, the below items are popular options as a personal backup:. Most tour operators and guide companies that you employ on an Inca Trail trek will provide tents. Typically, three-person tents are utilized for either one or two people.

We recommend that you check with the company beforehand, as being comfortable every night on the trail can make a big difference in your overall trip experience. Depending on your service level, the porters may also set up and take down your tents each day.

It is a very nice touch when companies provide this, and it allows you to focus on the trekking experience and getting to know the other travelers. In addition to tents, many tour providers will include a ground cushion for sleeping such as a Thermarest pad. The pad will provide you with extra cushion under your sleeping bag and a softer barrier between you and the ground. We recommend you bring an extra sleeping pad, as two can provide more optimal cushion than just one.

The Inca Trail is similar to other mountainous areas at higher altitudes around the globe. During the day, temperatures can exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit; however at night, they can drop below 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

You need to be prepared for the full temperature range and bring layers of clothing to help manage the changes. On an Inca Trail trek, you will be out on the trail between 7 and 12 hours per day. Most of the trail is very exposed to the sun, and it can get warm during the day.

For this reason, all Adventure Life trips involving this hike require spending at least a few days at high altitude in order to acclimatize before embarking on the Inca Trail hike.

These packages are recommended to adequately acclimatize: day Classic Inca Trail takes you from Lima to Cusco at 3, meters, 11, ft , to the Sacred Valley at about meters, ft. But, you will need to acclimatize on your own for at least a few days at high altitude preferably doing some hiking before joining us for the hike and an extra day at Machu Picchu.

This is required in order to acclimatize to the altitude because hikers will have greater difficulties and greater chances of symptoms of altitude sickness on the trail. Altitude sickness can be serious, and it's important to learn the symptoms and prepare by previously spending time at altitude.

It is generally accepted that anyone who is accustomed to hiking and camping i. For those less initiated in the arts of camping, a few weekend trips near home are strongly suggested to get accustomed to life in the great outdoors. Hiking the Inca Trail should be a highlight of a trip, and travelers should have an idea of what they are getting themselves into before setting out. We have had nearly all ages on our high altitude treks, from 8 to The right state of mind and several weekend day hikes near home can make all the difference!

Arrieros, the Andean sherpas that accompany us will carry all of our camping gear, and you'll need to carry only a small day backpack with the things you'll require while you're hiking like water, trail snacks, a raincoat, and of course, your camera.

Trip Details The appeal of this particular trek is the stunning combination of Inca ruins, magnificent mountains, exotic vegetation and extraordinary ecological variety. The trail goes over high passes with unforgettable views, through cloud forest, and finally into subtropical vegetation.