inca trail highest point
Theyre easily my picj for the best Inca Trail tour. Tours to Machu Picchu normally arrange groups of eight to sixteen people, and you will hike with people from all around the world. She enjoys sharing her passion for all things nature-related. There are no opportunities to charge electronics along the trail. Stretching 42 km (26 mile) from the Sacred Valley to the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu, the classic Inca Trail traverses some of the most riveting landscapes in all of Peru. The outline of the mountains at one point resembles a woman lying on her back. World Nomads mission is to support and encourage travellers to explore their boundaries. Your guide will be fluent in English and Spanish. Buy a Geopress: its the last water bottle youll ever buy. Thankfully, the Peruvians are a resourceful people and will go leaps and bounds to make a person in need is helped. There are also some ATMs in Aguas Calientes if you need to withdraw additional money. The ticket for the $12 shuttle bus (30 minutes) down to Aguas Calientes will be included in your tour price and the ticket provided on the day by your guide. 30 miles (49 km), Highest Elevation: Your guide will show you the most important areas of the site and share with you their historical and cultural significance. For the same reason, metal-tipped trekking poles are not allowed on the trail. Wiay Wayna: 8,694 ft (2,650 m) This is approximately 1000m (3281ft) down more than 1200 stone steps. And it ends at the incredible Machu Picchu. The highest point of the trail is Dead Women's Pass at just over 4200m. From May to September The days are sunny and the nights are very cold. Well, the elevation of the Inca Trail is over 13,000 feet so if you have altitude problems make sure to think twice before committing. The third and fourth day of the Inca Trail altitude change is a relative descent to Machu Picchu. TIP: Tell us the destinations you have in mind. Lowest Elevation: If you plan on renting the sleeping bag and air-mattress, then just bear in mind that this will take up over 50% of your 6kgs allowance and also takes up most of the room available inside the duffel bag. For the Inca roads in general, see, Elorrieta Salazar, Fernando E. & Elorrieta Salazar, Edgar (2005) Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas, page 123. As mentioned, the Inca Trail isnt just a walk in the park. Bring cash with you for tipping. They may also let you buy or extend a policy once youve started your trip and are already abroad which is super handy.If theres one insurance company I trust, its World Nomads. You can get a 15% discount on the Water-to-Go if you use this code at the checkout (ADR15), and read this post to find out about more ways about how to use less plastic when you travel. Each campsite has toilet facilities available, but these are often rudimentary squat toilets and with campsites being so remote and over-subscribed, cleanliness understandably isnt the highest. The Inca Trail starting point is at an elevation of 2,600m (8,500ft). When to book: 36 months in advance. Cusco stands at 3,200 metres and is already significantly higher than Machu Picchu itself, though many sections of the Inca Trail are much higher. The government monitors the trail closely; there are several control points along the trail. The bad news? This means you can expect to reach some significant heights. A reusable water bottle or hydration pack works well for this. For this reason, all Adventure Life trips involving this hike require spending at . Headlamp (with extra batteries) or small flashlight to use at night while camping. Hiking the Inca Trail is challenging due to the high elevation (maximum 13,828 ft/4,215 m) and steep stone steps in some parts. There is no camping involved, as travelers spend the night in a hotel after hiking to Machu Picchu. However, on the Inca Trail we experienced comparative luxury as the porters were responsible for setting up the tents each afternoon before you get near camp, and for taking them down and packing up in the morning. Lightweight travel towel to shower with and a small (inflatable) travel pillow for your sleeping comfort. In addition to all the equipment, pots and pans, food, and trash that they had to carry, they also now had a grown adult on their backs. As there are no restrooms mid-trek, you opt to wait until lunch or to reach the campsite or to go in nature. Besides dealing with high elevation, your general fitness and previous trekking experience will also contribute to your level of enjoyment. We dont know if all tours will offer the same level of food as G Adventures did, but even if its half as good youll be very happy. Unfortunately, this is the day that things went south for a couple of members of our team. Demand for tours also increases in dry season, so you really need to book your own tour further in advance (a rule of thumb is six to seven months, but we have met people who booked a year in advance to assure themselves of a place). The Inca Trail passes through four of the eight life zones described by Peruvian geographer Javier Pulgar Vida: Highest Elevation: You wont have access to what your porter carries until you reach the campsite each night, so you will need a small pack to carry water, snacks, rain jacket, extra layers of clothing, etc. So much so, that permits generally sell out up to eight months in advance. However, one of the main challenges is its high altitude. Once the day has come to an end, youll take a bus down to Aguas Calientes where you will take a train back to Ollantaytambo before arriving back in Cusco by bus or car. Despite her eagerness to carry on, she could barely hobble her way forward without needing assistance. Get used to walking long distances before embarking. Instead, youre treated to an entry at the Sun Gate just after sunrise (expect about 6-7 a.m.) and then a wonderful descent down to an uncrowded Machu Picchu with special views of it all the way (trust us, its much better than queueing in the pitch black Aguas from 4 a.m. in the morning to get on the first bus up to then queue at the ticket gate). POV: You've reached Warmi Wausqa, the highest point of the Inca Trail However, after asking our followers on Twitter, we were assured that 1. they are really bloody useful and 2. not just for old people and Austrians. Because of its popularity, the Peruvian Government instituted several controls to reduce human impact upon the trail and within the ancient city. We have used similar bottles on travels in both Africa and South America and cant talk highly enough of them (our Water-to-Go allowed us to fill up from taps all over Peru, from two rivers on the Inca Trail, and even an ancient water fountain at Machu Picchu). Note in the sectional view of the trail map that Abra de Warmiwanusca is the highest point in the trek with an elevation of 13,795 feet (4,205 meters). A portable power bank is also useful. The highest point of the Inca Trail is Dead Woman's Pass, which reaches 4,200m above sea level Mental preparation for the Inca Trail. High probability of rain on any given day. This aint no walk in the park unless you like your walk in the parks accompanied by blood-tingling cliff-drops and ruins of ancient South American empires. The worst part of hiking the Inca Trail is not the altitude, nor the steep ascents, but rather the toilet options available along the route. Its is certainly possible to find one but your options on tour companies and dates will be severely limited. However, its also possible to buy poles in Cusco or to rent them from your tour provider. Unless you hire a private porter, youre expected to carry both pads and sleeping bags along the trek. February: Inca Trail is closed for maintenance. Note that the Inca Trail is closed in February for everyone in order to allow it to replenish. If youre reading this and dont fit the description of someone who does a lot of exercise or could do with losing a few lbs - then dont be too despondent. The campsite at Llulluch'apampa (Llulluchapampa) is located on this stretch of trail at 3,800 metres (12,500ft). After taking transport from nearby Cusco, you meet your team and porters. There are amazing hostels in Cuscothat offer a comfy bed so you can start the next day well-rested and read to go. Firstly, you are going to leave the bulk of your luggage securely in a luggage storage room back at the hotel in Cusco; dont leave valuables here though as thats just silly. This wont always be the case, and your own group is just as likely to contain people of mixed ages and abilities. Cusco is exceptionally easy to reach from various parts of Peru, but there are no direct flights to Cusco from the US, Canada or Europe. Inca Trail Distance: We have previously taken a three-week overland trip in Africa with G Adventures, where we were responsible for setting up and taking down our tent each day (not so fun in the rain or after a long day). They are experienced in supporting members of a group who may be struggling or slower than the rest, and ensuring that everyones experience is the best possible in the circumstances. If you are not ready for the challenge of multi-day trekking, your mind might give up long before your body does. The entire 4-day Inca trail hike is 26 miles (42 km). This system is still in effect; any person wishing to hike the Inca Trail must obtain a permit beforehand. I think doing the gruelling 4-day hike on the Inca Trail really gave us a greater appreciation for the ruins once we got there. Hiring a personal porter to carry your belongings and sleeping bag will make your trekking experience more enjoyable. The good news is that its a lot shorter than you may expect at only 40 kms (25 miles). Hiking the Inca Trail is a feat of endurance that is just as much about the mind as the body. Dead Womans Pass: 13,828 ft (4,215 m) The second day is the hardest, starting at 10,000 feet (3,000 m) and ascending to Dead Woman's Pass. ", This page was last edited on 5 December 2022, at 05:54. We recommend going with Cachi Life as they are doing really great work in Peru that goes well beyond the Inca Trail hike. The highest point is Dead Woman's Pass at 4200 m. At its highest, the trail reaches 4200 m above sea level, so you should spend at least 2 days in Cusco acclimatizing before you start the trek. However, using them is guaranteed make the hike easier for a number of people and result in fewer aches and pains during and post-Trail. New operators are added to the list each year so, as you can imagine, quality, experience, and equipment offered will vary quite a lot. [12] Permits were previously released in January, however, in 2017 this changed to October. And for transparencys sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. The vital stats. Day 2 is considerably more difficult due to the severe elevation gain and altitude of the Inca Trail. I wouldnt be surprised if we were the last group to make it into the historic site. Bring extra batteries for personal electronics like cameras and cell phones. Check in to your hotel and later enjoy dinner with your hiking group. There are no ATMs along the way. Later in the afternoon you will enjoy lunch and continue on toward the first campsite, Wayllabamba (9,840 ft / 3,000 m). The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (also known as Camino Inca or Camino Inka) is a hiking trail in Peru that terminates at Machu Picchu. Trust me, once you see all that is included and all the work that the porters and tour guide do, you will realize it is well worth every penny paid. I can hardly carry my petite wife for more than 20 seconds yet somehow our porters and guide managed for hours on end. This is one of Perus highest major cities with an altitude of 3400m (11,152ft). Machu Picchu, Peru, Tips and Common Tourist Mistakes to Avoid - Insider Protip:Thats exactly how I like my walks in the park. The best way to minimise the likelihood and / or impact of altitude sickness is factoring in enough time into your Peru itinerary to acclimatise to the conditions. Don't overpack. A long flight of fountains or ritual baths utilizing as many as 19 springs runs between the two groups of buildings. Check out the daily elevation increases and be better prepared for your trek. Since 2002, access to the Inca Trail has been limited to 500 people per day (roughly split between 200 tourists and 300 accompanying guides and porters), no matter the time of year. Once in Cusco, all your transport to the Trail and the return trip to Cusco from Machu Picchu will be arranged by your tour company and included in the overall tour price. The hike reaches its highest point at the Wiay Wayna ruins, which are located at 8,694 ft (2,650 m). Its a damn good journey! Cusco, in the south-east of Peru, thankfully doubles up as one of the countrys most popular destinations due to its history and position as an access point to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, so every Peru itinerary is guaranteed to include at least a few nights here. November to March: rainy season. After all, its not a race and all about the incredible journey through Peru. You can read more about altitude sickness in the Health + Safety section towards the bottom of this post. Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Machu Travel Peru Finally, when booking your tour for the Inca Trail, make sure that the tour operator is selling you the right trek and not misleading you with a similar sounding hike. You would be greatly remiss if you do not visit Machu Picchu at some point in your life. INCA TRAIL ELEVATION - Daily Hike Gain From Easiest to Hardest Despite only including one day of hiking, this shorter hike is referred to as the 2-day Inca Trail because the hike to Machu Picchu is on Day 1 and the Machu Picchu tour is on Day 2. The road on one of the highest altitude routes of the Inca Trail. The high season is June to August, but again make sure to book at least five to seven months in advance regardless of when you decide to travel. If you do decide to go to Peru for the hike or just to see Machu Picchu, I recommend you brush up on some basic Spanish travel phrases. Remember that batteries deplete faster at higher elevations. The High Inca Trail covers everything the classic Inca Trail does. The highest point is Dead Woman's Pass at 13,828 ft (4,215 m) and the lowest point is Machu Picchu at 7,972 ft (2,430 m). If hotels and tour companies offered lockers in Cusco which travellers could secure with their own padlock, then this would have allowed us to leave various cards, cash, and tech with confidence (and insurance coverage) in the city rather than carrying it all in our backpack on the trail (Andrew actually lugged 18 kgs on his back for the entirety of the trail because of this, so views himself as an honorary porter!).
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