BootsnAll Travel Community

There seems to be loads of people headed to Peru these days, to hike the Inca Trail. Has anybody done this?

Not yet, but I'm hoping to do it sometime in July this year

Marisa

http://www.geocities.com/mumsawas

Yeah, I did it a couple of yers ago. It had been a dream of mine since I was a kid, and it was fantastic! Arriving at Macchu Picchu at dawn after 4 days of hiking and learning about the archeological sites along the way felt like just the right way to arrive.

There are a lot of people on the trail, 500 per day are allowed. In a couple of spots, there was a bit of a 'traffic jam' but overall OK.

I have a couple of tips:
=Don't book in advance - shop around in Cuzco.
=Haggle in Spanish for a better price, and don't let them know if you're American.
=Bring snacks - with all that exercise you'll need (and crave) it!
=Carry only your most basic needs - unless you plan to hire porters
=Be completely acclimatized before setting out!
=Bring comfortable, broken-in footwear.

On the trek, there was a group of American medical doctors who were also marathon runners, who showed up with fancy equipment and Diamox for altitude sickness. You'd think they'd be sprinting up the mountain but they had a miserable time, lagging behind, throwing up and worse. They had flown straight in a couple of days before.

My friend and I had spent two weeks at altitude before starting the trek, and were the only ones without altitude 'issues' and the only ones able to eat more than a nibble. We were the only ones who managed to carry our own packs, but also the only ones who hadn't brought excess stuff. One guy's daypack weighed more than my whole pack.

The group (no other backpackers, unfortunately) all laughed at us in the beginning. I was hiking in my Vans and my friend in his Tevas. Well, let's just say they weren't laughing at the end of the trip.

I'd be happy to answer any questions from people who are heading out there to do it.

Happy Trails,
Kath

Curiosity never killed anything except perhaps a few hours!

I did the Inca Trail too, about 3 years ago. It was not a easy experience for me at all, being an overweight girl who didnt even use to walk around the block. The first day I arrived two hours after everybody at the campsite. the guide had sent porters to look after me worried something bad had happenned. No, I was just miserably dragging me along the way. The next days they wake me up 1.5 hours earlier than everybody and sent me walking ahead, only so that I joined everybody by lunch time and still arrived after everyone at the camp in the evening... By the 4th day my hair was the only part of my body that was not in pain. wIthouth any tone of cliche I can say: It was a experience of overcomming a personal obstacle. And it felt good.

I walked, I climbed, I slipped, I cried, I laughed. Trekked under the rain most days (it was january, at least it was cooler and less crowded) went to sleep wet, dressed wet clothes in the morning and kept walking in the rain.

Overall, I loved it, with all its difficulties it was so worth it. I am not a spiritual person at all, and yet it made such sense arriving in Machu Pichu through the historical path. Fter it all there it is, Machu Pichu is amazing and the whole experience of thr trail wraps up and makes so much sense, without the need for words. I have to agree with kath, there's no way that experiencing Machu Pichu is the same when arriving by bus and not going through the trek, as touristy as it may be.

It's important that you acclimatize to the altitude. Spend at least two days in Cusco before heading out on the Inca Trail. There are loads of agencies that offer the standard 3 nights/4 days package, with an average price hovering about US$200 - 250. Buyer beware, the cheaper the package, the crappier the equipment/food will probably be. Check to make sure that the package includes a RETURN train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco. Also note that you're expected to tip the guide and the porters at the end of the trip, so bring enough cash.

I had an amazing time on the Trail. The stars, the hummingbirds, the mountains! Nothing can compare to watching the sunrise at Machu Picchu on the fourth morning.

quote:

Originally posted by Kath:

=Don't book in advance - shop around in Cuzco.

Hello Kath, I'm planning on doing the Inca trail sometime in October and am debating whether to book in Advance or sort it out when I get there.

I've read lots of stuff saying you have to book 2 months in advance, is this the case? Or is it just best practice.

I haven't a clue on dates so I would much rather arrive in Cuzco, relax, then book it.

Your advice would aid me no end!

hey burb, the booking in advance generally goes for high season, which is around May to August. During that time, if you wish to book in advance (which I advise to and get a reputable company), I had to book at least 4 weeks in advance. In October though, you probably won't have to book that much in advance. You can try to email a few companies to see about their demand around October.

A few companies that have been recommended to me:
- SAS - this is the company I went with and highly recommend them. They are a bit more expensive than other companies in Cusco, but they are known to treat their porters well and take care of their customers as well.
- United Mice - quite a few people I met liked this company
- Andean Life - another company that I had been recommended to multiple times

Hope this helps!

I did it a number of years ago when it was less regulated. We flew in to Cusco only the day before, so not much acclimatization and carried pretty big backpack. It wasn't too bad.

The hike is pretty nice. Really the best part of it is when you arrive to MP; you feel very connected to the ruins.

Last year we went again, but this time through Choquakirau (sp?)and the backroads arriving to MP from the other side. Saw 3 tourists in 9 days; quite a departure from the inca trail. On the other hand this was a pretty heavy duty hike.

If you are not going in peak season, you can show up and book last min deals in Cusco, even though the law says that there is a 5 days or so waiting for the permit. I think they don't check who is on the permit, so you will be Joe Whoever, the guy who cancelled and whose spot you are taking on the trip. I would not recommend trying this in the peak season, though.

Have a good trip!

Has anyone done this over the Christmas holiday (between Christmas & New Year's)??

If I just can't financially swing the Africa/Kili trip, this appears to be a slightly (mabye pointlessly slightly) option, and if my job relocation goes thru, it might be the only vacation time I get for a while.)

It's worth it but make sure you have a resevation. I knew a lot of packers who showed up in Cuzco and tried to get on the hike. The amount of people on the trail is limited... and don't settle for "the waiting list".

quote:

Originally posted by Skyehiker:
Has anyone done this over the Christmas holiday (between Christmas & New Year's)??

If I just can't financially swing the Africa/Kili trip, this appears to be a slightly (mabye pointlessly slightly) option, and if my job relocation goes thru, it might be the only vacation time I get for a while.)

I'd been thinking along those lines myself. If things work out, I may get to go later this year with a friend and her boyfriend who is from South America. But even if that doesn't work out I want to go. I googled it a couple of months ago and found one tour company that arrives at Machu Picch on New Year's Day... Sounds cool...

Is it possible to hike the trail without being part of a tour group? Can you just pay for the permit to be allowed on the trail and hike it yourself? I found out some of my friends would be interested in doing it, and we have the gear and would much rather do it on our own.

And what about this back trail through Choquekirau? Does it go through ruins and everything, too? Do they limit the number of travellers on that trail? Can you do it unguided?

Thanks for any info.

Everything I've read suggests that you MUST hike the Inca trail with a guide now - required by gov't law - basically, suspect to limit the flood of tourists.

The rest of the questions I can't help with but look forward to some knowledgeable person's answers.

I walked the Inca trail to Machu Picchu in late July 2005. The best times to do the trail is through the dry season which I gather starts in April May & goes through to August. This is peak time & you will need to book well in Advance, like a couple of months at the very least, probably more.
The Government does control the number of people on the track & yes you have to go with an official tour as they have to get the permits.I went with SAS US $300 & found the service first class like 4 star. More food than one can possibley eat, infact three hearty meals a day.
The walk itself is not that hard but I would agree that it would pay to arrive in Cusco at least 4 days before departure & wander around the Sacred Valley Which has some remarkable sights. I had already spent quite some time at altitudes above 4000m so had no problems with altitude sickness. Those in our party of 16 had no problems with altitude either.MMM it is a great walk to do with many amazing ruins on the way & magical scenery with mystical Machu Picchu waiting at trails end to send the mind into a spin of wonderment.Be prepared for traffic jams on the trail esp. at the start & when climbing up to Dead Womens Pass,otherwise not too bad. Oh some one was asking about going late December -- could be wet but warm.

Has anyone had good experiences with the "alternate" routes (apparently becoming more popular as the "Classic" inca trail route becomes more and more crowded, etc.)???