If you study Spanish in Peru, seeing Macchu Picchu is a must. Just ask anyone who’s ever been! There are several ways to reach this iconic mountaintop site–by bus, train, or trail. If you choose to hike up to Macchu Picchu, chances are you will be following the Inca Trail, the ceremonial route that the Incan emperor used to reach his mountaintop retreat. Over the course of 4 days, you will travel 45 km through lush forests, expansive meadows, scenic mountain passes, and the ruins of many Incan towns.
Tips for Trekking the Inca Trail
- Give yourself time to acclimate to the altitude by spending 2-3 days in Cusco.
- Get fit before you go! The mountainous trail gains and loses 1000 meters of altitude several times.
- Pack small bills. You will need tips for the local children that offer to carry your pack, as well as for a beer at the hostel on the trail.
- Book your return train ticket yourself. If you let the tour operator do this, they probably won’t give you much time at Macchu Picchu–from dawn to 10 or 11 am is typical. If you can stay until after 3, you will practically have the place to yourself.
- Book your trek in advance with a certified guide!
The Inca Trail is an extremely popular hike. In order to keep the trails from becoming totally clogged with hikers, the Peruvian government has limited the number of people that are allowed to begin the hike each day. Also, all hikers are required to hire a guide from an official, certified trekking company. This ensures that all hikers follow the rules of the trail and clean up after themselves properly.
Because of the restrictions now placed on hikers, it is essential to book your trek with a guide quite far in advance. During the high season of May-September, the trail may be booked solid for months in advance! If you need more flexibility in your travel plans, you should consider the Salkantay-Santa Teresa trek or the Lares Valley Trek. Both of these treks will provide beautiful mountain scenery, without the need to secure permits. The Lares Valley Trek, also known as the Weaver’s Way, also affords the opportunity to visit remote mountain villages. If you choose to do one of these treks, a visit to Macchu Picchu will be included, but you will reach it by train and bus instead of hiking.
If you’re interested in planning a trek on the Inca Trail, check out this page featuring a really helpful breakdown of costs: Classic Inca Trail