Inca Trail Peru trekking is likely the only such tour in the world where trekkers willing to pay may have to wait their turn due to heavy demand. This is one of the world's top five treks, offering a thrilling 26-mile hike through the Andes Mountains and cloud forests on the way to Machu Picchu. It's very hard to get in on the last minute, since the Peruvian authorities limit the daily number of people allowed on the trail to 500, and permits have to be obtained beforehand.
The only way to ensure a memorable adventure is to book a luxury tour well in advance. These tour operators are licensed by the government to take people on guided treks on the Inca Trail. In fact, around 300 people on the trail each day are guides, porters and other staff. This means the actual number of tourists entering the trail on any given day is around 200.
Some people find it hard to equate luxury with tramping around on foot through forests and mountains in South America. However, it is possible and is a thoroughly enjoyable experience which includes portable hot water showers and chemical toilets, fine cuisine and wines, and experienced tour guides and porters. Some companies even include a masseuse and musicians.
The point is to get through an arduous 3-4 hiking adventure without giving up the little luxuries of daily life. This includes fine dining, five-star hotel stays and first-class transportation between Lima and Cuzco before and after the trek. Most visitors will be arriving via an international flight to Lima, and then continue on to Cuzco on a domestic flight.
The actual trek begins at Qorihuayrachina. This is the Kilometer 88 point on the Cuzco-Quillabamba rail line. From here on, it is a three or four day trek on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Hikers will make their way through a kaleidoscope of changing landscapes, from the Urubamba River Valley at Cuzco to the dense sub-tropical forests and then high up at over 12,000 to 13,000 feet in the Andes Mountains.
The trek can be stretched, shortened or modified to match personal endurance levels. A hike on the Classic Inca Trail can be started from the 82, 88 and 104 km marks. The latter is a "short trek" which can be completed in one or two days at most.
The Mollepata route is the hardest choice. This is a challenging seven-day trek which snakes its way up into the snow-capped peaks of the Andes. Hikers need to be skilled, but will be rewarded with an up-close view of the beauty of Salkantay Mountain. Most tours focus on the Inca relics, tunnels and settlements in the Sacred Valley, but there are quite a few other choices including bird-watching and biking.
Whether it is the short, classic or Mollepata trek, the truth is that the Inca Trail is Peru trekking at its best. Adding a bit of luxury to it takes away the harsh edges of life in the outdoors, allowing trekkers to revel in the challenge of the hike without facing any other discomforts. At the end of the trek, the amazing prize of Machu Picchu awaits just beyond the Gateway of the Sun.
The only way to ensure a memorable adventure is to book a luxury tour well in advance. These tour operators are licensed by the government to take people on guided treks on the Inca Trail. In fact, around 300 people on the trail each day are guides, porters and other staff. This means the actual number of tourists entering the trail on any given day is around 200.
Some people find it hard to equate luxury with tramping around on foot through forests and mountains in South America. However, it is possible and is a thoroughly enjoyable experience which includes portable hot water showers and chemical toilets, fine cuisine and wines, and experienced tour guides and porters. Some companies even include a masseuse and musicians.
The point is to get through an arduous 3-4 hiking adventure without giving up the little luxuries of daily life. This includes fine dining, five-star hotel stays and first-class transportation between Lima and Cuzco before and after the trek. Most visitors will be arriving via an international flight to Lima, and then continue on to Cuzco on a domestic flight.
The actual trek begins at Qorihuayrachina. This is the Kilometer 88 point on the Cuzco-Quillabamba rail line. From here on, it is a three or four day trek on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Hikers will make their way through a kaleidoscope of changing landscapes, from the Urubamba River Valley at Cuzco to the dense sub-tropical forests and then high up at over 12,000 to 13,000 feet in the Andes Mountains.
The trek can be stretched, shortened or modified to match personal endurance levels. A hike on the Classic Inca Trail can be started from the 82, 88 and 104 km marks. The latter is a "short trek" which can be completed in one or two days at most.
The Mollepata route is the hardest choice. This is a challenging seven-day trek which snakes its way up into the snow-capped peaks of the Andes. Hikers need to be skilled, but will be rewarded with an up-close view of the beauty of Salkantay Mountain. Most tours focus on the Inca relics, tunnels and settlements in the Sacred Valley, but there are quite a few other choices including bird-watching and biking.
Whether it is the short, classic or Mollepata trek, the truth is that the Inca Trail is Peru trekking at its best. Adding a bit of luxury to it takes away the harsh edges of life in the outdoors, allowing trekkers to revel in the challenge of the hike without facing any other discomforts. At the end of the trek, the amazing prize of Machu Picchu awaits just beyond the Gateway of the Sun.
About the Author:
Check out Peruforless.com for a review of the things to keep in mind when booking Peru tours, today. You can also find more information about a reputable tour operator at peruforless.com/packages/trekking-inca-trail.php now.
