Hiking The Inca Trail from kilometer 88 to Machu Picchu, PERU
This incredible journey should be listed high on the list of things to see in South America. The entire Incan experience in and around Cusco is fascinating and seems as endless as the Inca Trail is long. It spans from the north of Ecuador to the mid-section of Chile. The Inca Empire was huge and ruled the entire area, 2500 miles. The history and occurrences are quite complex. After harsh Spanish conquest in the 1500s the empire fell, but the ruins that remain today are a symbol of how detailed, yet peaceful the Incans were. The center of the empire was Cusco, with its strong headquarters at Machu Picchu.
This feature is dedicated to hiking The Inca Trail from kilometer 88 to Machu Picchu. Entire books have been devoted to the Incan Empire and Machu Picchu; however, we have chose to provide the highlights of the trail.
Frequently asked Questions about the Trail:
DO I NEED A GUIDE?
Day 1 about an hour into the Trail
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
THE ENTRANCE FEE IS $25 US FOR STUDENTS/SENIORS AND $50 FOR ALL OTHERS. YOU MUST PRESENT YOUR STUDENT ID TO GET A $25 TICKET. IF YOU HIRE A GUIDE, AND HAVE A COMPANY MAKE ALL THREE MEALS DAILY, AS WELL AS SET UP YOUR CAMP, EXPECT TO PAY BETWEEN $50 AND $100. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND NOT MAKING ANY RESERVATIONS OVER THE PHONE OR THE INTERNET, AS SOME COMPANIES OVERCHARGE.
HOW LONG IS THE TRAIL?
THE TRAIL IS 43 KILOMETERS OR ABOUT 25 MILES
HOW DIFFICULT IS HIKING THE TRAIL/WHAT THINGS CAN I DO TO PREPARE?
MOST PEOPLE DO THE TRIP WITH A GUIDE SERVICE IN FOUR DAYS. IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO IT IN TWO DAYS. AT THE BEGINNING, THE ELEVATION IS ABOUT 7500FT, THEN THERE ARE THREE MOUNTAIN PASSES ALL OVER 11,000 FEET. THE TOTAL VERTICAL GAIN AT THE END OF THE TRIP IS 14,000FT. THE FIRST PASS IS THE TOUGHEST AT 12,600 FT AND A STEEP HIKE. THE SECOND PASS IS SHORTER ONLY AT 11,800 FEET, BUT IS VERY STEEP AND INVOLVES STAIRS THAT WERE MADE FOR THE INCANS, WHICH MEANS THEY ARE UNUSUALLY STEEP AND DIFFICULT TO NEGOTIATE. THE THIRD PASS, AT 10,800 FT, IS A COMFORTABLE UP HILL HIKE. WHAT MAKES THE TRAIL DIFFICULT IS THE DURATION OF SOME OF THE HIKES, A PLETHORA OF FOOT BY FOOT BOULDERS, AND THE STEEPNESS IN BOTH ASCENTS AND DESCENTS. IF ATTEMPTING DO IT IN TWO DAYS, PLAN TO HIKE WELL OVER TEN HOURS WITH A PACK. IF CHOOSING THE FOUR DAY GUIDED ADVENTURE, THERE WILL BE EASIER PACES, AND THE HIKING WILL BE NO MORE THAN SIX HOURS A DAY WHICH IS PRETTY COMFORTABLE.EVEN IF A PERSON LIVES AT HIGH ALTITUDES AND ARE ACCUSTOMED TO HIKING FOR LONGER DURATIONS, THEY WILL BE CHALLENGED. IF A PERSON IS COMING FROM SEA LEVEL, THEN THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO DO. THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT IS TO ACCLIMATE ONESELF. IF ORDER TO TRAIN FOR THIS HIKE, IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO SPEND TIME CLIMBING STAIRS AND DOING WALL SITS AT THEIR MOST EXTREME LEVEL. THIS IS NO MUSEUM TOUR. MANY PEOPLE STRUGGLE.
WHAT KIND OF GEAR DO I NEED?
YOU NEED THE BASICS: TENT, SLEEPING BAG, AND MATTRESS. RAIN GEAR IS A MUST, BUG REPELLENT IS ALSO A MUST. FOOD, WATER PURIFICATION TABLETS, CLOTHES. TRAVEL LIGHT, BUT BRING WARM CLOTHES AND EXTRA SOCKS TO CHANGE IN TO. THE NIGHTS CAN BE COOL AND IT CAN RAIN QUICKLY DURING THE DAY.
Your view on the 1st morning
ARE THERE PORTERS AVAILABLE FOR HIRE?
HOW MANY DAYS DOES IT TAKE?
THIS QUESTION IS BETTER ANSWERED IN HOURS. THE TRAIL WILL TAKE YOU NO MORE THAN 20 HOURS HIKING. THE WAY IT IS PLANNED IS UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL. WE COMPLETED IT IN 15 HOURS.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO?
The First pass at 12,600 feet.
THE ANDEAN SUMMER STARTS IN APRIL AND RUNS TO SEPTEMBER. WE RECOMMEND THE SHOULDER SEASONS.
HOW DO I GET FROM CUSCO TO THE START OF THE INCA TRAIL?
IT ONLY COSTS ABOUT 5/s
The second pass in the distance as
well as the trail. Runkurakay ruin greets you at the
Second Pass.
Runkurakay was a watch tower that sat very close to the top of the Second Pass and looked down over the Paqaymayu canyon. The only opening is both the entrance and exit which faces exact north. This tower was also used as a clock for people traveling the trail to predict how much more time they had to travel the remaining road either towards Cusco or to Machu Picchu.
Picture taken during the misty clouds
that often move through this secondary mountain point, known as Sayamarka.
Sayaqmarka, "Raised over a high place", (Pueblo Erguido) is an amazingly positioned archaeological site facing down the steep terrain before pass three. It is a beautiful labyrinth of streets and during its time had fountains visible from the distance. It faces down the valley and toward the third Pass.
Phuyupatamarka, looking strong, and
lush as you pass over the 3rd Pass.
IS IT COLD ALONG THE TRAIL?
IT IS A HIGH ALTITUDE ENVIRONMENT OVER THE PASSES AND CAN GET CHILLY AT NIGHT. DURING THE DAY, IT IS NICE, AND SOME CAN WEAR SHORTS
DO I HAVE TO HIKE THE ENTIRE INCA TRAIL TO SEE MACHU PICCHU AND THE SURROUNDING RUINS?
NO, IT IS VERY EASY TO CATCH A BUS, AND THEN THE TRAIN TO AGUAS CALIENTES, AND DO THE TRAIL BACKWARDS. WE RAN INTO MANY PEOPLE WHO DID THIS. FEES ARE ALL THE SAME, AND THE HIKE IS LIMITED TO ONLY ABOUT THREE HOURS OF STEEP HILLS AT ONLY 8,000FT.
Machu Picchu.
This is the view as the trail from the long Inca road comes to a sharp halt. The Pointed Rock directly in back is EXACT North. Machu Picchu has many features about it. It is a large timepiece. Keeping track of months, days, hours, minutes, demonstrating the precise showmanship of the Inca culture and a great piece of history. Machu Picchu, a small city, had temples, look out towers, places devoted to the sun, places for the moon, secret passages, and was a key marketplace. The entire area is bordered on three sides as the river forms a 'U' turn around it. This was used as both transportation and protection. However, The Incas were a very peaceful culture and would rather swallow their pride than pull out their weapon.
WHERE DOES THE TRAIL END?
THE TRAIL DOESN'T REALLY END, BUT STOPS FOR THE TRAVELER AT MACHU PICCHU AND THE SURROUNDING TEMPLES. ONCE THERE, IT IS AN HOUR WALK DOWN TO THE TOWN OF AGUAS CALIENTES.
(Black and White) The town
of Aguas Calientes facing west towards Machu Picchu
WHAT IS THE TOWN OF AGUAS CALIENTES LIKE?
IT IS NICE AND CATERS TO GRINGOS. HOWEVER, SOME OF THE LOCALS DO NOT LIKE TOURISTS BECAUSE OF THEIR DIFFICULT ATTITUDE AND UNWILLINGNESS TO PAY SLIGHTLY MORE EXPENSIVE PRICES FOR A MEAL.
WHAT ARE THE HOT SPRINGS LIKE?
A
gang hanging out at Rupi Wasi. A big nocturnal visitor to the Rupi Wasi.
Once reaching Aguas Calientes there are many places to eat and stay. This town lives from tourism so be generous for they are nice and helpful people.
HOW DO I GET BACK TO CUSCO?
THE ONLY TRANSPORTATION OUT OF AGUAS CALIENTES IS BY TRAIN. FOR THE BACKPACKER AT 6 AM, THE TRAIN COSTS $10 U.S., AND IT RUNS QUITE FREQUENTLY. THE TRAIN THEN TAKES YOU TO A SECTION IN A SMALL TOWN WHERE BUSSES GO TO CUSCO. THE BUS COSTS 5 SOLES AND RUN ALL THE TIME, ESPECIALLY WHEN KNOWING A TRAIN IS ARRIVING
There is much information to be gathered about the Inca Trail and its history and explorers are still discovering things. Learning about their culture is extensive and quite a treat to being on the Trail. It is an impressive show to South America.
*Feature written and photographed by Phillips, May 2001. All information regarding the ruins and their names was given to us by the officials of the Inca trail starting at kilometer 88. Regulations were provided to us by our certified guides. All information regarding distance, altitude and time was experienced first hand by Phillips. There is much more detailed information regarding Machu Picchu out there.
GUIDE NOTES AND DIRECTIONS:
If you care to do the 4 day Trek, we know of the best guide company in Cusco. Get in touch with them and tell them we sent you. http://www.natystravel.com.pe
email: [email protected]
Phone: 00 (51)(84) 261-811