Trekking Holidays can be some of the most satisfying ways to see the stunning sights our planet has to offer, and trekking The Inca Trail and visiting Machu Picchu is no exception.
Travellers have been visiting this area of the world for years and it continues to prove popular with adventure travellers
Visiting the Machu Picchu historical sanctuary will allow you to pass through some stunning mountains and Inca ruins. Even though the sanctuary is the end goal of most tours, it is the trail that is the key part of the experience.
One of the main trips to the sacred Machu Picchu site starts at 82km, which allows you start off easy along the valley floor of the Urubama River. From there you will follow an ancient path through mountains and over passes. The tour will camp for three nights along the way by various ancient ruins. The next stage will be when you reach Inti Punku otherwise known as the Sun Gate, where you will see Machu Picchu for the first time.
The best time of the year for Trekking Holidays on the Inca trail is around June and July, as the weather is warm and there is good visibility. But if you would like to visit when the trails are a bit quieter, you can visit in May or August when the days may not be as warm, but the nights are warmer.
Guide books and the information provided by your local guide will allow you to fully understand the history and culture of the area and people. If you would like an insight on the Incas, then “The Lost City of the Incas” by Hiram Bingham is a great read.
Before travelling, it is worth knowing that the Peruvian authorities only permit 500 people a day to be on the trail, this also includes guides and porters. If you are taking a guided holiday, then this should be taken care of, but does mean you will have to book plenty in advance.
Travellers who have been on Walking Holidays before will be aware of things like wearing layers to regulate your temperature and bringing wet weather clothes to deal with the elements.
As you will be travelling at high altitudes, you should be aware of altitude sickness, although it is rare. One tip is to drink coca tea before the trek and while ascending to avoid sickness. Energy bars are a great source of energy, to keep you going even when you aren’t hungry.
To get the best of a trekking holiday like this, it is best to book and organise your trip with an experienced adventure and activity company.
Machu Picchu and the journey to reach it along the ancient Inca Trail has lured travellers for years. The four day trek within the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary takes you through stunning mountain scenery and Inca ruins. The Trail is a key part of the Machu Picchu experience; the ruins you see en-route are symbolic buildings on the way to the spiritual centre of this ancient Inca province.
We have a number of exciting Inca Trail trips which combine the trek with other Peruvian ancient, colonial, natural or cultural highlights; from Arequipa to Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca to the Nazca Lines.
While browsing through the trips read their Printable Trip Notes these show the trip in more detail, including the day-to-day itineraries.
Combine the Trip Notes with the information in our Extras section and you’ve all you need to know about the Trail.
We’ve been running these trips with our local ground agent for over 10 years and many of our staff and done the trips, so call one of our Travel Consultants and they’ll answer any questions you have.
Plus, it’s worth noting for every booking to Peru we donate £5 to a children’s refuge in Lima.
Unforgettable views, stunning Inca ruins and a mystical feel are all part of walking the Inca Trail.
Our trek to the sacred site of Machu Picchu begins at 82km, allowing you to warm up walking along the valley floor next to the Urubamba River. After that you’ll follow an ancient path through the mountains going over two stunning passes and camping for three nights by ancient ruins before reaching Inti Punku (The Sun Gate). Here you’ll capture your first glimpse of Machu Picchu as the sun rises from behind the mountains.
This is a once in a lifetime journey, here are our tips for getting the most out of it.
When to go
The most popular time of year to do the trek is June – July, when the weather is warm and visibility is at its best. However often overlooked are the months which shoulder these when there are less people doing the trek, so you’ll have more time and space to enjoy this spiritual trip, the nights will be warmer and they’ll be more wild orchids en-route.
Get to know Machu Picchu
To make the most of the journey we suggest you read The Lost City of the Incas by Hiram Bingham, the man who rediscovered Machu Picchu in 1911. It gives a wonderful insight into the search and discovery of the site and some great background on the Incas.
When at Machu Picchu
We specifically choose our campsites which give us the best views of the Andes and avoid the crowds. The scenery from our last camp at Puyupatamarca or “town in the clouds” are breathtaking and our late arrival at Machu Picchu avoids the early morning rush. But we stay a night at the nearby town of Aguas Calientes which allows us a full day to explore the site – your guide will encourage you to go up early to enjoy the sunrise of the ruins.
Make sure you spend time with a local guide while walking around the site to explain all about the buildings, or at least take a copy of the site map from a guidebook. On all our trips we employ a local guide who’ll take you around.
Don’t forget to climb Huayna Picchu the mountain which forms the backdrop for most iconic Machu Picchu photos. You need to register when you start the trek on day one. You’ll discover more Incan ruins at the top and enjoy some unique views of Machu Picchu and the road leading up to it.
Bear in mind buses bring tourists up to the site as well. They leave every 20 minutes from Aguas Calientes at the foot of the valley and the first trains arrive at around 8am onwards. Make sure you make the most of your time up there before the crowds.
Permits
The most important point to remember is the Peruvian authorities regulate the number people on the Trail at any one time. The limit is 500 people a day, but that includes all porters, guides and cooks, so it’s around 200 paying people a day start the trip. Obviously the earlier you book the better, generally it’s hard to get permits from around three months before you want to go. As an incentive to book early and to avoid dissapointment we offer £50 per person if you book a 2010 trip before 20 December 2009.
We do offer an alternative route from the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the Inca quarries of Cachicata and onto Machu Picchu. The benefit of this is you can book late, no permits are required, and you’ll enjoy splendid mountain scenery and ancient Inca ruins and the sereneness of this less trodden route. Call our Travel Consultants to find out about our Alternative Route.
Keep clean and Healthy
You’ll camp every night on the trail in some amazing predetermined sites, next to ancient Inca ruins offering spectacular mountain views. The beauty of this trip is its well preserved so holds it’s ancient mystical feel. As a result there are no eblusions. You’ll get a bowl of hot water everyday, but make sure you pack wet wipes and toilet paper.
The highest point on the trek is Warmiwanusca (Dead Women’s Pass) at 4200m. Don’t let all the talk of altitude sickness ruin the trip; it’s rare you’ll get it at that height. To help you on your trip, buy some coca tea before the trek and drink it going up. Never take asperins to fight off headaches this could stop you or your Group Leader diagnosing you have altitude sickness, by masking the early symptons.
On the trips you’ll enjoy regular breaks for refreshments and three meals a day. To keep your strength up it’s always worth taking some energy bars or glucose tablets which are easy to digest, even if you’re not feeling hungry.
Help yourself
If you like walking with poles, you must add rubber soles to them. You will not be allowed onto the Trail without them. The authorities have banned non covered poles due to well founded concerns over erosion.
What to wear
You’re in the mountains so the weather can change quickly and the temperatures can vary vastly day to night, so make sure you take plenty of layers so you can easily change and regulate your temperature, and make sure the wet weather gear is easily accessible all the time. All our trips are fully supported; you’ll have porters to take your main baggage, as well as guides and cooks, and all transport to and from the Trail is looked after.
Just in case your main luggage goes missing en route, it’s a good idea to wear your walking boots on the plane. Everything else is replaceable but a pair of comfortable, well worn-in boots are not.
