Inca Trail
The Inca Trail is an ancient pilgrimage route. It leads to the city of Machu Picchu. It is one of the most popular hikes in the world and has earned a spot in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Thousands of people visit Peru each year to hike this trail. Hikers must have a permit. In order to enter the trail, travelers must provide passport information and a valid travel document. This will be checked by the Peruvian government.
A tour company can help you with the paperwork and permits, but you should make sure to get a guide as well. Hikers should also pack light snacks between meals. You can rent camping equipment from the trekking company. They will also have porters that can carry your extra stuff.
Although the Classic Inca Trail is a popular route, you can find plenty of other alternatives. Some of these routes will take you to a smaller archaeological site, such as Runcuracay, instead of Machu Picchu. These alternative routes are much less expensive than the Classic Inca Trail. But if you want to take the Classic Inca Trail, you should book your trip months in advance. There are limited permits available. Also, you can’t hike the trail in February, which is the rainy season. During this time, the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance.
To hike the Inca Trail, travelers must be in good physical shape. The trek is moderate and is not suitable for young children. If you are not in good shape, you may want to choose a different route. However, if you are fit, the Classic Inca Trail is a fantastic trek.
The first day of the trek involves the biggest incline of the trek. After you pass Dead Woman’s Pass, the trek begins to become more gradual. Eventually, you will pass the Sun Gate, where you can watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Several hours later, you will arrive at Machu Picchu Pueblo. Afterwards, you can return to the town of Aguas Calientes.
The second day of the trek begins with a steady climb. On the way, you will cross the Urubamba river on a suspension bridge. You will then begin to see the surrounding mountain ranges. Afterwards, you will reach Llactapata, a large archeological site with hundreds of housing structures.
Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Because of this, the Inca Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in the world. However, there are restrictions on the number of trekkers who can visit each day. For example, the Peruvian government will only allow a certain amount of trekkers to enter the trail.
While the Inca Trail is open to travelers from around the world, you must have a permit. Trekkers must also provide their passport and travel documents. Fortunately, many tour companies will handle the permit and paperwork for you.
Choosing a tour company is a key part of planning your Inca Trail adventure. It’s important to select a company that specializes in the hike you’re interested in. Tour companies have porters to carry your equipment, and they’ll set up your campsite.
