They will give you a few recommendations that you have to keep in mind when you hike the inca trail or any other trek to machu picchu. Tips to plan a trip to machu picchu capturing joy with. After a long day hiking cuzcos cobblestone hills, guests can unwind in the barrelvaulted lobby bar before dining at peruvian restaurant deli monasterio. Hiking the inca trail is one of those bucket list items for anyone planning a trip to machu picchu, and its something that i had been contemplating ever since my first visit when i took the easy route and rode the train from cuzco to aguas calientes. Follow along with us as we describe what life was like on the trail and what we did at the lost city of incas. More than that, though, the incas conceived of machu picchu and the great trail leading to it in grand artistic and spiritual terms. A degree of physical and mental stamina will be essential to complete the hike as the days will be. Stretch when you get done hiking at least 5 minutes to prevent soreness the next day 4. Insider tips to conquering perus classic inca trail to. Also great for tapping logs and rocks for critters, crossing creeks, they come in handy at the campsite tarp poles, spear, lamp post, pot passers.
Activities such as swimming, cycling, or longdistance running will place you in a strong position to complete the trek with ease. The shorter 2 day version this is often confusing as the hiking part is only one day and the second day is a full day at machu picchu is the option for those looking to hike, arrive through the sun gate but for camping is a bit much. Machu picchu and the o or w in patagonia are amazing, multiday journeys that are designed to change and challenge you at every turn. Jul, 2018 so even though the inca trail distance is long, it is easily manageable to complete in these four increments. Visiting machu picchu, one of the new seven wonders of the world, is on almost everyones bucket list, but hiking the classic inca trail to machu picchu is a once in a lifetime experience. What i wish i knew before hiking to machu picchu intrepid travel blog. Your checklist for how to train for machu picchu hiking tours. Many tour companies in cusco offer this route as a one or twoday trip using private vans. A complete guide on hiking the inca trail in 2020 nomadic matt. The salkantay trek to machu picchu is a longer and more difficult route than the classic inca trail but, because it does not require a guide or a permit, it is quickly becoming a popular alternative.
Machu picchu tips the biggest mistake i made before hiking to machu picchu. On this page, our getting started section, we have provided summary information on the most frequently asked questions by visitors and. A light weight rain coat or poncho and sun protection is advised. Insider tips to conquering perus classic inca trail to machu picchu. Tips to plan a trip to machu picchu by kristen duke this site is a participant in the amazon services llc associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to. So really it depends on how fit and and acclimatized you are. You might be surprised by how unprepared some firsttime thruhikers are when they first get to the trail.
A 4pound tent for the weekend might be ok to carry for 10 miles, but a 1. It will roughly take 45 to 60 minutes for an experienced and fit hiker and will cover some 400 meters difference in height. So much so that ive written about my experience visiting it as a solo female for intrepid once before. So even though the inca trail distance is long, it is easily manageable to complete in these four increments. Most people prefer to spend the night and see the ruins of huinay huayna before arriving to machu picchu for sunrise on the second day. Sep 17, 2016 after hiking several long distance hikes per month over the past nine months, there are some great tips i have to share regarding how to efficiently hike long distances. This iconic site really is quite high up in the mountains. Nov 27, 2016 the popular inca trail, ending at machu picchu, is a challenging 4day, 24mile trek through the andes mountain range of peru. Get a better idea of the adventure ahead with this daybyday description of the inca trail hike to machu picchu. Jan 16, 2019 the salkantay trek, considered the back road to machu picchu, is almost twice as long as the inca trail, with most tours lasting five to six days.
Short hikes to huayna picchu, the puerta del sol or the puente inca, are just some of them. Youre reading this post, so youre off to a great start. Oct 20, 2018 machu picchu tips the biggest mistake i made before hiking to machu picchu. I have been to machu picchu 3 times and on two occasion i walked from machu picchu to the sun gate the first time i went in 2007 i was out of shapefew extra pounds and not used to the high altitude3 days in cuzco. On the inca trail you will only need money for the drinksnack vendors on the first few days. It isnt just an illusion that machu picchu looks as though it is suspended above the clouds. Inti punku hike to the inca bridge hike to aguas calientes to machu picchu tips for hiking in machu picchu very important. Hiking to machu picchu along the inca trail in peru remains the highlight of my year. Long distance hiking also requires minimizing weight of equipment as much as possible since youll carry it every step of the way. Due to the mountain terrain of machu picchu all of the treks are moderate to challenging, with the exception of the inca bridge trek which is fairly short and level.
Tips for hiking the inca trail 2018 machu picchu hiking tips. After hiking several long distance hikes per month over the past nine months, there are some great tips i have to share regarding how to efficiently hike long distances. We recommend doing at least two longdistance 10km mountain. Mar, 2020 it took me 20 minutes to walk from machu picchu to the sun gate. Since it brings hikers to a higher altitude, its more physically demanding but many people say the scenery is even more impressive than what you see on the inca trail, and your chances of. The inca trail trek to machu picchu is one of the worlds classic treks and it beckons. Most people choose the 2 day version, which starts only 14km away from machu picchu.
But i didnt float up to that beautiful site, i hiked there, and it was at times a little painful. On this page, our getting started section, we have provided summary information on the most frequently asked questions by visitors and trekkers. Hiking machu picchu tips previous trekking experience is highly recommended, as the days will feature 68 hours hiking. Hiking the 2day inca trail to machu picchu hiking the inca trail is one of those bucket list items for anyone planning a trip to machu picchu, and its something that i had been contemplating ever since my first visit when i took the easy route and rode the train from cuzco to aguas calientes. Classic inca trail to machu picchu hike bucket list journey. This difficult fourday, 40mile roundtrip hike leads to machu picchus sister city, which archeologists believe could be three times larger than its more famous neighbor though just a. One of the biggest mistakes you can make while on an altitude trekking trip is to over. I consider a hike to be long distance if it requires more than one full day to complete. I could have walked down, but my legs were still shaking after hiking machu picchu mountain and i couldnt fathom the thought of walking down more stone steps. The long distance hikes below range from a couple of days to maximum one month, which is the most practical and realistic time frame for me personally.
Here are some of the most popular ways to see machu picchuand what you need to know to get there. Machu picchu which is the best long distance hike for you. Laceup your shoes and complement your exploration of the unesco historic sanctuary of machu picchu with a hiking adventure. If you are purchasing gear specifically for this trip be sure to spend time with that.
Sep 24, 2014 how to make the most of your machu picchu inca trail there is no better, more adventurous way to fully experience the ancient inca culture of peru other than doing the official inca trail. The hike can only be done with an officially licenced hiking operator. Insider tips to conquering perus classic inca trail to machu. Its not time for a snickers celebration just yet, but youll get there soon enough. The distances involved in hiking the inca trail to machu pichu are not that great. Muscle buildup really helps support knee joints for hiking. Hiking may not be as physically demanding as running or cycling can be, but it will still require good stamina for a long distance walk. People older than you were on the trail when i was. Machu picchu trek the complete guide to machu picchu. How difficult is the inca trail hike guiding peru machu. Here, gillian divulges the details of her trek while sharing some tips and.
If you would like to go for a combination tour that includes a guided tour of machu picchu, one day inca trail hike, huayna picchu hike and a visit to sacred valley then we would recommend checking out this tour in peru of 7 days tour. The wait to get back down can be almost as long as going up. Quick question would you recommend lugging your won hiking boots around or hiring them for the trek through the tour. This is the only way through which you will be able to walk on the sacred inca ground, to visit sites that are otherwise not accessible to travellers, and to view the sunrise on machu picchu from the inti punku. It is recommended to spend minimum two days in cusco or the sacred valley to acclimate to the high elevation. It is important to train to make sure youll be able to complete the hike. Surprisingly i didnt suffer from alt sickness, we took a bus thru the andes from nazca a great way to acclimatize. Either way longdistance running, cycling or longdistance walking is a. The trek is at high altitude,750 feet above sea level, making breathing more difficult and more physically demanding. Top 10 tips for your inca trail trek to machu picchu. The best way to prepare for a trek to machu picchu is to participate in plenty of cardiovascular activity. Top six alternate routes to machu picchu national geographic. I was having fall out of bed, literally, cramps from mountain biking and hiking long distances. The classic inca trail is perus most popular multiday trek and one of the most well known trails in the world.
Six basic tips for long distance hiking outdoor gear picks. Bring lots of extra money on trail for buying water, snacks, and tipping your portersguide at the end. Decide what machu picchu hiking option is the best for you. Machu picchu packing list tried and tested tourradar. Previous trekking experience is highly recommended, as the days will feature 68 hours hiking with daily ascents of. I only recommend hiking, if you need to budget a lot because you will arrive in. However, the altitude, which at its highest point is,776 ft or 4200m, can cause problems even for the strongest hikers. So when i had the opportunity to hike the fourday inca trail to machu picchu not too long ago. How long does it take to hike machu picchu through this option. There a several additional hikes available at machu picchu, some which are free and some which require an entrance ticket. Lima to machu picchu distance blog machu travel peru. It only rained for a few of the hiking hours in the entire 4days. Start training 2 months in advance if you already have a fitness.
The history, ancient sites, wildlife, and culture experienced along the inca trail make it popular among travelers. Machu picchu mountain is situated in front of the citadel, towering 3,061 m 10,042 ft above sea level, 631 meters 2070 feet higher than machu picchu, and provides unparalleled and breathtaking views of the inca sanctuary and the mountains surrounding it. The salkantay trek, considered the back road to machu picchu, is almost twice as long as the inca trail, with most tours lasting five to six days. This is the only way through which you will be able to walk on the sacred inca ground, to visit sites that are otherwise not accessible to travellers, and to view the sunrise on machu picchu from the inti. Consisting of 4 days of hiking, along original inca stone pathways, through a variety of fascinating inca sites and ending at machu picchu, it is considered somewhat difficult for most people.
Theres nothing like seeing the morning fog roll over this ancient site. The shorter 2 day version this is often confusing as the hiking part is only one day and the second day is a full day at machu picchu is the option for those looking to hike, arrive through the sun gate but for camping is. How to make the most of your machu picchu inca trail there is no better, more adventurous way to fully experience the ancient inca culture of peru other than doing the official inca trail. Step by step training guide to prepare for your inca trail trek. Mar 28, 2016 how long does it take to hike machu picchu through this option. That is why together with machu travel peru we want to explain what you need to know for your trip to the longawaited inca citadel. Doing the inca trail you first get the the sun gate and then walk down to machu picchu. They will give you a few recommendations that you have to keep in mind when you hike. If you are planning for a huayna picchu hike, just make sure you book your ticket well in advance. To this day, hiking the inca trail to machu picchu was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Extra essential tips to hiking the inca trail to machu picchu. The weather in this region of peru can often be unpredictable any time of the year, so you must be prepared with clothing for rain and sun. Tips for hiking the inca trail machu picchu forum tripadvisor. Depending on the route, you may be trekking at an altitude of over 3,500m.
I hope you got some good hiking tips from this article by applying the above hiking techniques you will increase endurance, reduce the chance of injury, and have a more enjoyable experience. A guide to hiking huayna picchu the only peru guide. Therefore it is ideal to know how much its the lima to machu picchu distance. With so much to see along the way, this active method of exploring peru provides a travel experience of a lifetime. The lima to machu picchu distance is 503 km in a straight line, but the route has a distance of 1205 km. The best tips for hiking the inca trail are in this video. A complete guide to hiking the inca trail to machu picchu. Home stories what i wish i knew before hiking to machu picchu. Dec 17, 2019 this mountain almost doubles in mass to the mountain huayna picchu, will have to cross steps and inca trails until the summit.
Hiking the inca trailthe ancient royal highwayis, hands down, the most authentic and scenic way to visit machu picchu and get a clear grasp of the incas overarching architectural concept and supreme regard for nature. Feb 22, 2018 the best tips for hiking the inca trail are in this video. From there its a three hour hike up to aguas calientes and then on to machu picchu. Along the train tracks next to the urubamba river, a steady stream of poncho clad backpackers walked toward machu picchu. But planning to hike for 50 miles make an extensive difference than your older 10 miles hiking experience in a row. The popular inca trail, ending at machu picchu, is a challenging 4day, 24mile trek through the andes mountain range of peru. I only recommend hiking, if you need to budget a lot because you will arrive in machu picchu all sweaty and exhausted.
Most travelers to the andes suffers minor symptoms of soroche or altitude sickness. If youre considering doing a long distance trek, south americas signature hikes should be at the top of your expedition bucket list. The trail is mainly stone steps so comfortable lightweight training or hiking shoes are recommended. Six basic tips for long distance hiking the newbie hiking enthusiasts wish to have the same excitements for a prolonged time what means the itinerary should be larger than the older ones. Activities such as swimming, cycling, or long distance running will place you in a strong position to complete the trek with ease. Other options are the climbs up huayna picchu or machu picchu mountain. If youre wondering if the inca trail or torres del paine is right for you, let me help lay out the differences and. Long distance bike rides 6 beginner tips for cycling.
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