inca trail, machu picchu tours, peru tours

[Inka Challenge Peru]

What is right about the INCA TRAIL? Do you know that you have to book it on advance? If not possible to book it on time, what other hiking options are to Machu Picchu? When is the best period for hiking in Peru?

The traditional 4 days inca trail to machu picchu means for many people a dream and self challenge to hike, consequently same as you, there are thousands of people who want to hike this and get machu picchu on the 4th day. But why inca trail attracts that many people?, because the inca trail presents extraordinary ecological variety, it´s rich in biodiversity, exotic vegetation including more than 300 varieties of Orchids, cloud forests, and the landscape surrounding is impressive, snowy mountains are possible to see from the camp spots, to this have to say that the trail itself is magic, and made with stones made around the xv century, this also is followed by many impressive archaeological inca sites. This is a hard trail and needs good physical conditions; but Machu Picchu cannot be fully understood without the experience of the hiking and get there by walking. Walking the inca trail is an act of devotion to the incas memory; the four days trek to Machu Picchu covers about twenty-eight miles, starting at an elevation of 2.650 meters and riches 4.215 meter in the highest point, and descends to 2.400 meters above sea level.

* What is right about the inca trail, and when and how to book it?
Lately the famous trail has been improved by many regulations and in has been limited to only 500 people per day from March to January; it means that nobody hikes it during February. According these new rules the 500 people counts also tour guides, cooks, and porters "people who carry tents and food". So only about 200 tourists are allowed every day, also means that availabilities are getting full 2 months in advance for the low season (December, January, March and April), while for the high season (May, June, July, August, September, October and November) availabilities are getting full from 3 - 4 months. I advise to confirm your booking on time, you know the sooner you booking you will avoid missing your own spot. Notice also that there is needed for your booking your complete personal details such as: full names, passport number, date of birth, nationality and gender, if you are student and you can proof it at you booking time you need to send your ISIC student card this will give a good discount.

*When is the best period for hiking and visiting machu picchu?
Travelers can visit Peru at any time of the year. Hiking never stops, but some of them because of the rainy period are closed by nature. The best season for hiking is from April to November most recommended period, it is dry and sunny during day, while at night cold and during June, July august temperatures get below freezing point. But with warm clothes it is not a problem, good sleeping bag is always needed. While in the rest of period we have the rainy season (December to march), you can expect showers from three to four afternoons a week. For travelers that don't mind a little drizzle, this time of year offers smaller crowds and greener hillsides, with wildflowers and orchids often in bloom.

*What other hiking options are to Machu Picchu>?
If you weren’t that lucky to get your permit for the 4 days inca trail to Machu Picchu, no worries
The Incas made a complete network system of trails to connect everywhere, and using them you can get machu picchu, here are some new inca trail hiking option to machu picchu, all of them are nice and enjoyable and none of them are nicer to others each one has unique things.

1. - Salkantay Machu picchu 5 days. A trail which is becoming popular, it is a bit easier but larger than the 4 days inca trail, also possible in 4 days. It starts at 2.800 m, the highest point is near snow at 4.657 m, and lowest 1.800 m passing through high jungle.

2. - Vilcabamba Machu Picchu 6 days. Trail which connects the Incas refuge in the colonial times includes visiting inca sites, and this is recommended for hikers who want more privacy, there are no much people hiking it, or tour guides, and it´s only available in private service, it is a larger and bit harder than salkantay hike, possible in 5 days. It starts at 3.400 m, the highest point is near snow at 4.500 m, and lowest 1.800 m passing through high jungle.

3. - Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4days. A trail which is becoming popular, it is a bit easier and shorter than the other options, also possible in more days because it has many different routes named as well as llama hike, or weavers hike, you see many villagers weaving along the trail and heading llamas. It starts may start at different points; the highest points are near snow over 4.300 m, and lowest 2.800. For the last section from it is needed train, spend night in aguas calientes and the last day fresh visit to Machu Picchu.

4. – Yanacocha - Ancascocha 5 days. It leads by the 1st section of the inca trail before connecting to the traditional 4days, includes visiting the inca stone quarry, recommended for hikers who wants new and not much explored trails, there probably you will not find other hikers, and only about 7 tour guides from entire Peru know the hike. Only available in private service, challenge hike for nature lovers, It starts at 3.350 m, the highest point is near snow at 4.450 m, and lowest 2.800 m. for the last section you need train to aguas calientes, spend night in aguas calientes and the last day fresh visit to machu picchu.

5. - Choquequirao Machu Picchu 8days. A complete challenge hike, it´s probably the hardest Peruvian hike, named as well as combo hike, because takes you to visit the Choquequirao; the site is even bigger than Machu Picchu, but single architecture structure. This is the largest hike and covers about 100 kilometers, recommended for challenger hikers, there is only few people taking this nature challenge. Gets also high jungle, available only in private service, It starts at 2.800 m, gets lower to 1.500 m and up to the highest point at 4.550.

I hope this info is useful for you, If you want more info concerning the inca trail hike and tours to Machu Picchu, visit: http://www.inkachallengeperu.com

Cheers

Wilbert Quispe H.