What Do You Need To Pack For The Inca Trail
Pack light, pack smart, and pack for two very different temperatures – thats the key advice for every Inca Trail experience. However, there are a few key things to know about how luggage and kit is transported on the hike before you even think about whether you really need that extra pair of pants.
Firstly, you are going to leave the bulk of your luggage securely in a luggage storage room back at the hotel in Cusco dont leave valuables here though as thats just silly.
Secondly, for our G Adventures tour, we were each supplied with black duffel bags at the hotel. This duffel bag is allowed to hold upto 6kgs, and is going to be where the majority of the kit + equipment you bring for the Inca Trail will be stored . Every Inca Trail tour worth its salt employs and includes an incredible team of support staff who will carry the camping and cooking equipment plus food supplies on the Trail to each campsite , as well as everyones 6kg duffel bag.
These local porters, from fresh-faced 18 year olds to gnarled mountain men, are the unsung heroes of every Inca Trail experience and they will each carry up to 25 kgs on their backs for the group . Your duffel bag will be collected and weighed each morning to ensure its not over the weight limit, and will be waiting for you alongside an erected tent at each campsite.
Day Inca Trail Includes:
- Pre-trek briefing with your Tour Guide
- Eco-friendly service during the hike to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu,
- Biosecurity in the Inca Trail: Our guide, cook and porters will take to security equipment.
- Transfer by private vehicle to the railway station at Ollantaytambo
- Accommodation: Camping
- Inca Trail Permit and entrance fee to Machu Picchu
- Meals: 1x breakfast, 1x lunch, 1x dinner
- Snack on the first and second day
- Water on the first and second day
- Professional bilingual Tour Guide
- Professional Chef
- A blanket
- A duffel bag for your personal clothes, this duffel bag, our porter will carry
- Camping equipment: Personal double tents
- A train round trip between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes
- Tourist bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
Are Porters Included In This Tour The 2
We provide duffel bags for this trip however, they will be sent directly by TreXperience to your hotel in Aguas Calientes all items needed during the hike, such as water, sunscreen, and rain gear, must be placed in the backpack. Extra porters can be included in this trip upon request and paid extra if you need them.
However, on the Short Inca Trail tour with camping, the porters are included to carry the duffel bags.
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Will I Be Affected By Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness does not affect all people, it is not possible to know if a traveler will go bad, generally on trips there are no problems, although there are rarely general symptoms such as headache, shortness of breath sensation but they are minimal problems If more severe symptoms appear in a person, they have to descend or return to the nearest service area However, to avoid major problems it is highly recommended to acclimatize yourself in the city of Cusco at least 2 days before the walk, not to drink alcohol the days before the walk and drink plenty of liquid additionally take coca tea and pills for altitude sickness that are recommended by your doctor or the guide.
What Is The Weather Like
The winter season and driest time of year in Peru are May – Sept. The summer season is Nov – Mar, which is the warmest, but wettest time. During the summer season, it does not rain every day, but can often have a downpour in the afternoons. Apr and Oct can sometimes see some small rain showers. bring a good rain gear.
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Day Trek Short Inca Trail To Machu Picchu:
Maximum altitude is 2730m.a.s.l/8956 ft.
The activity level for the trek is easy and can be done privately or in groups.The service is quality and the decision is yours.
Maximum altitude is 4200m.a.s.l/13 779ft.The activity level for this trek is moderate.
Private and group service.
Maximum altitude on the is 4200m.a.s.l/13779 ft.The activity level for this trek is moderate.
Altitude of the hike is 5,200m.a.s.l/17060 ft.
The activity level for this trek is difficult
It is necessary to be in good physical condition.
Travel Guide Short Inca Trail with Camping 2D/1N
Why Book With Trexperience
- TreXperience is a 100% Peruvian Local Tour Operator based in Cusco.
- Personal Porter Included for up to 7 kilos of your personal staff
- Small group tours for personalized service
- Fair treatment to porters with proper wages, we include men a women
- You help us to support social projects in Cusco
- No booking fees! no credit card fees
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The Sun Gate Isnt As Busy In The Afternoon
Since the majority of the 4 day hikes aim to arrive at the Sun Gate for the sun rise, I cant even imagine how busy it would be during that time. We arrived in the afternoon so it wasnt as busy, but there were still a lot of people there. It was hard to find a quiet spot to really take in the beauty.
Day : Machupicchu The Sunrise Experience
Day 2: Machupicchu The Sunrise Experience
Meals: BreakfastDistance: 8.9kms/5.5mls By Bus in 25 minutesDifficulty: Easy
Waking up early well take one of the first buses back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as soon as it opens well have 2-hours guided tour in the site where you’ll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour, you’ll have free time to explore the site by yourself and if you have permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain .
You will also have time to indulge in a few of the following activities on your own if you choose Climb up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there.Other optional activities in Aguas Calientes include a visit to the new local museum or bathe in the hot springs.
Back to Cusco: You will descend to Aguas Calientes by bus and later board the Expedition train to the Ollantaytambo Train Station Train departure time can vary according train schedule and availability. In Ollantaytambo Train station you will meet our private van and be transferred to your hotel in Cusco.
***Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains hike depends on availability please let us know if you want to add one of these extra hikes at the time of your booking.*** We only take ITEP EcoTravel clients in our vans / cars We do not use public transport.
Map – Day 2: Machupicchu The Sunrise Experience
End of our Services
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When Is Inca Trail Closed
As is customary since 2002, every year theInca Trail, together with the 18 parks that are along this route, are closed in February, since the entities responsible for the Inca Trail, carry out maintenance activities, conservation and cleanliness of the place they make a treatment to the deteriorated floors, terraces, maintenance of camping areas, cutting vegetation and everything necessary to be ready and adequate for the Inca Trail to be reopened in the month of March. One more reason to restrict entry in February, is given precisely this month in which we have the strongest rains of the season in this region. So with the purpose of taking care of the integrity of the visiting travelers, as well as that of the guides and companions, is that the Inca Trail remains closed during the entire month of February of each year.
When To Walk Inca Trail
During the journey to the Inca Trail, you will pass through different altitudinal floors, from 2,400 m. up to 4,200 m., at the highest point and of course this influences the climate, which varies according to the height of the place you are visiting. Next, we present a detailed list of the climate, for months on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu:
- In the months of January and March the rains are persistent mostly at night, the days are cloudy but there are nice and sunny days, if we have good luck.
- In the month of April, the rainy season ends little by little, and the days become warmer and more pleasant, with sporadic rains.
- Between May and October, the climate is warm and cool, with little rain, sunny days and quite bright.
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Tipping On The Inca Trail
Whichever tour company you do the Inca Trail with, you will be expected to tip your support staff of porters and guides.
As Brits, we fully appreciate that this can result in a bit of uncertainty and awkwardness for those of us who havent been raised in a tipping culture , but after your time on the Trail you will be left in no doubt that those porters deserve an extra bit of cash to recognise their sterling work and to support their own endeavours in life.
The process and guideline amounts will vary from tour company to tour company, but with G Adventures our group circulated an envelope amongst us so that everyone could confidentially put in what they were happy with, and then presented that to the porters on our last evening at camp.
Amongst various tour companies advice online, the tipping recommendations average out at 100 – 150 soles per hiker to the group of porters and cooks . For your main and assistant guide, 25 – 50 soles for the former and 10 – 25 soles for the latter is advised per hiker.
Tipping is not mandatory, and you are entitled to put in more, less, or nothing at all.
Price Of The Inca Trail Tour Excludes:
- Transfer from hotels outside the city of Cusco .
- Tips for the guide.
- Beverages.
- If you want to add an additional hike, mention it at the time of booking. Entrance ticket to Huaynapicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, check availability with Guru Explorers.
- Entrance ticket to hot springs in Aguas Calientes.
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner or other food not specified in the itinerary.
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Inca Trail With Hotel 2 Days
If you want to hike the Short Inca Trail without camping, we recommend you the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2 Days. In the Short Inca Trail the hotel does not include the trekking chef and porters, you will carry your personal belongings by yourself, it is very important, don´t take the heavy equipment.
IMPORTANT NOTE: THAT FEE OF THESE MONEY TRANSFER COMPANIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE TOUR ! THIS SERVICE INCLUDED ALL EQUIPMENT AND SERVICE. On the first payment included the fee. If you pay the 50% pre-payment include the fee and the second payment you need to pay in Cusco in cash please
If you want to know about our foundation, please click Responsible Travel
Price Per Person: 580usd Book Now
To book the Inca Trail 2 days hike with camping, you need to make an initial payment of 140.USD per person, the remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or Cusco with any credit card at no booking fees at all.
This tour can be booked as a private service as well!
Student Discount:All travelers under 17 will have a $40 discount. If you are 25 years old or under when traveling, you can get the 40$ discount with a valid student ID. Would you please advise by email to give you a code for the discount?
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Day : Walking The Inca Trail
The first day of the trek started long before the sun came up. We had a 3 a.m. wake up call at the hotel to finish packing our bags for the hike, and then at 4 a.m. our driver came to pick us up and take us all the way to Ollantaytambo where would catch the train heading towards Aguas Calientes. It was about a 2 hour drive, and since it was still dark out, I took the opportunity to catch up on some much needed sleep.
When we arrived in Ollantaytambo at 6 a.m. and boarded the Peru Rail train, I was surprised to see how much the train had changed since my first visit some 7+ years ago. Gone were the hard wooden benches, and instead these had been upgraded to plush and comfortable seats. Not only that, but there were also additional windows on the ceiling so that you could enjoy the looming mountains along the way. We even got complimentary tea and pastries aboard the train. Peru Rail is getting fancy!
We were on the train for about an hour and a half before we reached our stop: Kilometre 104. This is technically an unscheduled stop, so the guides have to carry special permits in order for their hikers to be let off. We hopped off the train with our bags in tow and walked down to the shores of the Urubamba River where we were greeted with a wooden bridge leading into the thick jungle and a few clouds hanging in the morning air. Could you ask for a better welcome to the Inca Trail?
What Rucksack Should I Bring With Me
you will have briefing the night before of your hike in our office at 6,30pm, the guide will overview and give you a duffel bag. You can put all of your things in this, for the porters to carry. You will also need a small day bag, which you will carry yourself. Expect to carry about 5kg of weight in this bag e.g. water, suncream, waterproofs, phone, passport etc.
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Da : Cusco Ollantaytambo Km 104 Inti Punku Aguas Calientes:
Highlights of the day: Explore the Inca Trail from Km. 104 in a day full of emotions Arrive walking in the afternoon to Machu Picchu and enjoy its magic and charm
We pick you up very early from your Cusco Hotel, and then we will go during 1 hour and 30 minutes to the Ollantaytambo Train Station from where we caught a the Train. From here the rail road goes beside of the Urubamba river, along the way you will see spectacular views of farmlands and the Veronica snowcapped peak. After 1 hour and 30 minutes you will get the Km. 104 the trail head- Here is located the first check point where we are going to show the passports, permits and entrances tickets. After this control we start our trek and we will find the first archeological site called Chachabamba which we visit with the explanations from our guide. From Chachabamba we will walk going up for about 3 hours, and in this part we will find several cascades, and we will reach the next archeological site called Wiñay Wayna , which is the most beautiful inca place on the Inca Trail and unfortunately not many people get to see. There are some water fountains, temples and some agricultural terraces which provide a perfect opportunity to learn more about the Inca culture.
After all this, it is advisable to go to sleep at a reasonable time in order to wake up in the early hours of the morning to get to Machu Picchu.
Days Short Inca Trail With Camping
This 2 Days Short Inca Trail with Camping is the best option Hike for all those does not have much time or for those did no book the Classic Inca Trail in advance but still you want to explore the One Day Inca Trail Tour with one night camping.
The2 Days Inca Trail with camping known as one of the routes most frequented by all travelers seeking adventure in a strictly protected ecological environment. This trek we are sure you will enjoy from start to finish. This Inca trail is unique on the world, known for its natural environment where you can appreciate the most varied natural fauna and flora that will take you to an enigmatic world where you will appreciate the different ecological floors, adorned with imposing snow and rivers. , You can also find in the Inca Trail Tour the most impressive Inca constructions.
This version of the trek includes one night camping at Puente Ruinas and two meals prepared by our gourmet chef.
Short Inca Trail Tour Highlights
- Amazing views of Wiñay Huayna
- Amazing mountain ranges of Veronica
- Sun gate
- Amazing wonder of the 2 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
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Day Inca Trail Permits On 2022
As we have already mentioned, February brings with it the heaviest rains of the season. So, it is impossible to climb the Inca Trail in February. During this month, conservation and maintenance work is carried out, damaged parts of the road are fixed, as well as terraces and campsites. However, at the end of January, the Deconcentrated Directorate of Culture of Cusco and the Headquarters of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu announced that they will advance the closure of the Inca Road Network from January 23, 2020, Later the same Directorate of Culture announced that the tourist operations in the Inca Road Network would resume from March 16. The surprising announcement is due to the increase in rainfall in the area of the Inca road network, which has led to the fall of rocks in different sections, so it seeks to safeguard the integrity of visitors.
You can check the Inca Trail Availability for 2022 in real time by clicking on Book Online!