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Machu Picchu is consistently the #1 travel destination in the world, why? The answer is simple: the experience is fascinating and unique.
You're not just driving up to the overlook, getting out of the car, and taking some pictures; you are traveling deep into South America, into the heart of the Andes. Stumbling upon the lost city of the Incas is only part of the journey.
Planning a trip to Machu Picchu is a dream for many people, but the planning can be a bit overwhelming. We've created some sample itineraries to give you a starting point for planning, and we're here to help with whatever you need. From booking hotels or airport transfers, let FLY CUSCO PERU TRAVEL AGENCY take care of all your logistics. They cover routes we've found to work particularly well and feature some of our favorite places to stay.
The former capital of the mighty Inca empire, the Peruvian city of Cusco, is a fabulous base from which to explore fascinating archaeological and historical sites, as well as enjoy time in nature. While the city has much to be proud of, much of the area's charm can be found beyond the city limits.
Here are some of the best day trips to do from Cusco for a fabulous Peruvian adventure.
The Inca Trail is the best hiking trail in Peru. It is also considered the number one in the world and one of the best on the entire planet. The reason? The roads were built by the Incas hundreds of years ago. It crosses simply stunning landscapes, with high mountains, snow-capped mountains and jungles full of flora and fauna. And, as the icing on the cake, it includes a visit to Machu Picchu. For all these ingredients, the Inca Trail is a difficult route to match on the planet.
Inca Trail 4 days
The famous Inca Trail 4 days is the number one trek in Peru and one of the best known and most popular treks in the world. Offering 04 days of trekking along original paved Inca trails, a variety of fascinating Inca archaeological sites, and the stunning scenery of Machu Picchu National Park, the classic Inca Trail is one of those experiences you should do once in your life.
Short Inca Trail 2 days
The Inca Trail 2 days is a shorter option for those people with little time and who do not want to miss out on this unique experience. With a beautiful landscape of tropical jungle with a variety of flora and fauna, visit the archaeological sites of Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna. Covering a distance of 10 km / 6.3 miles. Another good thing is that you will visit Machu Picchu twice, so you will have a photo in the afternoon and in the morning, which makes this tour more exciting.
WEATHER
The climate on the Inca trail is moderately warm, slightly humid and with rainfall of more than 400 mm in the rainy season, in addition to the influence of the highs and lows of the terrain that are crossed, subtropical climates and dry and cold climates. .
But, during the year it is differentiated by two well-defined seasons: Rainy season, between the months of November to March where there is a humidity of 91%; and the dry season, between the months of April to October where the average humidity is 70%. However, sporadic rains may appear during this period because Cusco has a rather unstable climate.
TEMPERATURE
The maximum temperature on the Inca Trail – Machu Picchu route is 19ºC and the minimum temperature is 0ºC (the latter could drop considering that the climate of Cusco is unstable).
BEST SEASON TO DO THE INCA TRAIL
The best season to be able to do the Inca Trail is in the months of May to early November due to low rainfall. This will help you see all that this magical place has to offer, without any interference or setbacks in your planned trip. BEWARE throughout the month of February the Inca Trail is closed due to maintenance and heavy rains.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THE INCA TRAIL
The short Inca trail to Machu Picchu is a fantastic option for those who do not have enough time or are not in very good physical condition, this trail to the sacred city is easy, the level of difficulty is moderate; since it would only be considered a 7-hour walk, on flat terrain, some ups and downs on stone steps on Day 1, and on Day 2 the walk is short as a walk.
EVERYTHING YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW BEFORE WALKING THE INCA TRAIL
FREQUENT QUESTIONS:
Often, travelers ask themselves questions to know if they can travel to this world attraction; And it is not for less, because this place, being very elapsed, does not stop surprising no matter how many times you do the Inca Trail tour
Now the question is:
WHAT IS THE IDEAL WALK?
If you come, it is true that we all want and have the desire to live unique experiences; Whether they are extreme or moderate, there is the Inca Trail in all its varieties.
Our physical state will also depend on this, how do we find ourselves physically? If we are in the best stage and we don’t have any ailments, we can do long and extreme walks for four days, five days or more.
But, if we think that we are too lazy to walk, or we are not in good physical condition or do not have much time, we can opt for a moderate two-day walk. Not extreme but fantastic, which cannot be the envy of other long walks, because it has everything in a short distance.
WHAT ARE THE RESTRICTIONS TO DO THE INCA TRAIL?
In general, the Inca Trail is open to the public, but it is recommended and the restrictions that some travel agencies have, is to walk with children under 12 years of age, due to the danger and physical wear and tear that they can undergo. However, if you want to go with the whole family, including your minor children or relatives, you can take them, but hiring a private porter to load you and help you continue your journey along the Inca trail.
On the other hand, you are free to choose the porter service that best suits your needs, taking into account that there are full porters (16 kilos) and medium porters (8 kilos).
Another restriction is to carry out the Inca Trail tour on your own, so you must necessarily hire the services of a travel agency, whether private or group. But, check if this company is authorized. Currently there are around 230 licensed companies.
WHAT ARE THE MEALS LIKE ON THE INCA TRAIL?
In general, travel agencies offer light meals to passengers, but it is advisable to bring food of your choice, but make sure that it does not take up too much space and is not heavy, so you can walk freely without hunger and without getting tired.
IS THERE DRINKING WATER ON THE INCA TRAIL?
The suggestion for all new visitors is to preferably bring a canteen (our cooks will provide you with filtered water on the route), at least one liter to hydrate on the Inca trail, in addition to avoiding carrying a lot of weight since you will walk more than 5 hours, because the only places you will be able to buy water are in the camps where our team will wait with lunch and dinner ready every time we arrive.
WHERE TO LEAVE OUR LUGGAGE DURING THE TREK?
If you are present, you can leave your luggage at the hotel where you are staying in the city of Cusco or otherwise, you can leave your luggage at our office. All the hotels in the city of Cusco offer the luggage storage service, when you leave them they will give you a ticket so that you can pick it up when you return from the walk.
WHAT IS THE PRICE OF THE INCA TRAIL TOUR?
The price of the Tour to the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu definitely varies according to your needs, priorities and what the company offers.
Usually the trips are made in a group that turns out to be a little cheaper, and / or private that you will have to invest a little more.
What you should remember is the phrase, “cheap is expensive”; That is to say, if you opt for an agency with very low prices, the service may be lousy or the porter or cook may be mistreated. For convenience, select a tourist agency with reasonable costs.
CAN YOU DO THE ROUTE FREELY?
clearly NOT. The Government of Peru is very strict in this regard and does not allow independent hikers to do the Inca Trail. For reasons of preserving the archaeological heritage found during the trek, all hikers must always be accompanied by a guide from an authorized agency previously equipped for the Inca Trail.
WHAT EQUIPMENT SHOULD I BRING TO DO THE INCA TRAIL?
It is important to note that this type of trek is done with the support of porters, which substantially reduces the weight to be carried since, in general, they are in charge of carrying the tents, food and necessary water (services according to agency, consult in advance). That being said, we recommend the following:
DO I NEED A LOT OF PHYSICAL PREPARATION TO DO THE INCA TRAIL?
You must have a good physique to face this trek. The technical difficulty is low, although if you opt for the 4-day option, you should know that it has a distance of just over 33 kilometers, and you have to overcome a difference in altitude from 2,7000 meters of altitude to 4,200 meters of maximum altitude. This means that there are demanding sections, in which the puna (altitude sickness) can affect your performance. Anyway, you should know that there are ways to combat the high parts. Do not be scared by this data if you are not very fit.
DO I HAVE TO RESERVE THE INCA TRAIL IN ADVANCE?
The Inca Trail Permit System was created by the Peruvian government to help prevent overcrowding, overuse, and erosion on the historic Inca Trail. A limited number of full permits are available each day to hike the Inca Trail. Permits are required for all trekkers, including porters, guides, and trekking clients. The Inca Trail is the classic path created in the 15th century by the Incas to reach Machu Picchu. The 51 to 55 mile trail enters Machu Picchu through the famous Puerta del Sol. The strictly controlled number of daily trek permits is the reason why it is essential to book your Inca Trail trek in advance, as the Permits sell out 3-6 months in advance, for popular May-August hike dates.
If you arrive late, do not worry, since there are other treks available to get to Machu Picchu, which are not so difficult to get the quotas.
Jumping Trek and Machu Picchu5D Jumping Trek and Machu Picchu 4D
Ausangate trek 5D Ausangate trek and rainbow mountain 6D
Small Cusco trek and Machu Picchu3D Small Cusco trek and Machu Picchu 2D
Lares trek and Machu Picchu 4D
CARRIERS OF THE INCA TRAIL?
Thousands of people do the Inca Trail every year. They usually complete the mountainous route 43 km approx. in 4 days. For many, the experience is the ride of a lifetime and the fulfillment of a personal ambition. The satisfaction of having completed the tour and arriving at the spectacular Inca ruins of Machu Picchu is hard to beat. However, the feeling is even better knowing that all porters have been well cared for and treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. Now that most Inca Trail trekkers need to go on a trek organized by a local tour operator, camping equipment (tents, dining tent, kitchen tent, tables, chairs, stove, gas tank, and food) is carried on the rear of human chargers. Pack animals such as horses, mules and llamas are prohibited on this route. The prices that the tour operators for this 4-day trip can vary considerably, as well as the fees paid to the carrier and the conditions established by each company. However, trying to find out if a company cares about its carriers can be quite difficult.
WHO ARE THE CARRIERS?
The Inca Trail Porters are one of the most important people on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu route and perhaps the least understood by both tourists and the operating agencies of the route to the Machu Picchu sanctuary. The porters are people endowed with great strength since on their backs they carry everything necessary for our trip, a peculiarity of the porters is that they are the last to leave our camp because they have to dismantle and store the tents, and all the implements for your trip to Machu Picchu.
And they are the first to arrive at the new camp, since when a traveler arrives almost everything is ready, such as the armed tents, the armed kitchen tent, the dining tent, etc. Sometimes the porters jog along the way, outpacing the travelers. , this shows how impressive his physical strength is.
Unfortunately some, not all the tourist companies that operate the Inca Trail do not give them the importance they deserve, so they do NOT provide them with adequate clothing to carry out their work, they are overloaded with weight, they do not provide them with special equipment to carry. things, they are given a very low remuneration and above all very, very bad food and that is why you will see porters thirsty, hungry and with low morale on the Inca trail.
The government of Peru has created a law, the porter’s law, which obliges operating agencies to provide adequate conditions to porters, but unfortunately many do not comply. One of the best ways to support the Inka Trail Porters is by leaving them tips, this increases their salaries and many porters pay for their family’s food and education with the work they do.
WHY IS IT MANDATORY TO HAVE CARRIERS ON THE INCA TRAIL?
If your destination is the two-day Inca Trail, you will not need the service of a porter; Unless, you have a minor who cannot walk or you prefer to carry some additional things in your backpack.
WHAT IS THE IDEAL TIP FOR THE PORTERS OF THE INCA TRAIL?
A key and reasonable question regarding porters is that the amount will depend a lot on you, but what is convenient is that you deliver directly to the carrier because, in many cases, it is the companies or guides that unfairly appropriate a percentage of the porter’s tip.
You should also take into account that the tip should not exceed the expectations of the porter (observe it first) because in some cases they waste that additional income.
Try to keep your tip to a reasonable amount and if you want to help the shippers more then contribute to shipper welfare projects.
WHAT IS THE LAW OF THE CARRIERS?
Over the years, the Peruvian state has modified directives to protect the Inca Trail and those who work on these routes, which is why recently, in 2019, it decreed the Porters Law No. 27607, due to the abusive record they had. companies with carriers.
This law establishes that the carrier must receive a minimum remuneration per day of 43 soles or 15 US$,
The carrier must also carry a minimum and maximum weight that does not exceed their physical capacity.
Receive food, insurance, accommodation and others. But unfortunately not everything is fulfilled, especially in the conditions and remuneration in which the carriers operate.
If part of this law is breached, companies will be penalized.
WHAT IS THE WEIGHT LIMIT THAT THE CARRIER MUST CARRY?
The maximum weight that a porter must carry on the short Inca trail is 20 kg. These may some articles from the guided group. But if you also require the private service of the porter, the maximum weight is equal to 20 kg.
You must take into account that the travel agency should not overload the carrier. With this you will help to comply with the law and not abuse the humble men, who unfortunately, mostly remain silent for fear of reprisals.
HOW CAN YOU HELP THE PORTERS?
Many unscrupulous companies take advantage of the lack of communication between the carrier and the tourists, so they abuse them; either in their remuneration, overload, lack of food, travel conditions and others.
