Recomendations
1. Best time to do the Classic Inca Trail
We tell you that Peru has a diversity of geographies and therefore different climates, determining an ideal time to travel is very difficult. But if we focus on this classic Inca Trail of 4 days we consider that the best time to travel the Inca Trail is from April to October, a season without rain, this time is the most pleasant with sunny and cold days in days where the rain is persistent.
Also, you should know that in the month of February this route is closed for maintenance work, but if we only talk about the entrance to Machu Picchu this is open every month of the year.
2. Make your reservation in advance for the Classic Inca Trail
If you decide to do this trek it is advisable to make your reservation many months in advance, from 6 to 10 months in the high season (May to September) and from 2 to 4 months in the low season (later months), because there is a limit of spaces per day, the Peruvian government only allows access to 500 people of which 300 will be used by the campaign teams, cooks, porters, and guides.
3. Contract it with Machupicchu Reservations
It is said that this hike is free to access, but the truth is that it can only be done with an authorized travel agency, our company is authorized to do this hike.
4. Conditions of the classic Inca Trail
You should have a brief idea of what the trek will be like.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is considered the best hike in South America and perhaps the world, thousands of tourists compete to do it because it is the route that the ancient Incas took to reach Machu Picchu.
The tour has a duration of 4 days, 40 kilometers of travel approximately reaching the lost city of the Incas “Machu Picchu”, along the way you will experience fatigue and low temperatures, as well as you can appreciate Inca constructions, fabulous landscapes and lots of vegetation.
5. Acclimatization
It is very important to acclimatize before this trek, at least 1 to 2 days, and to rest as much as possible, eat lightly, and drink plenty of water, preferably coca tea. This trek will take you to altitudes over 4000 masl, so to avoid altitude sickness follow our advice.
6. What to bring for the Inca Trail
It is recommended to take only what is necessary, remember that you will walk several kilometers to Machu Picchu and a gram more will affect your performance, so here is a list of items to consider in your journey along the Inca Trail.
- Passport
- Cash, preferably in small denominations 10, 20, 50, 100 soles.
- Camera and video camera
- Backpack cover
- Windproof waterproof jacket.
- Small towel and bathing suit
- 4 shirts / t-shirts
- Sun hat
- 1 pair of shorts
- 2 pairs of long pants
- Hiking boots / strong and comfortable shoes
- Sport sandals
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Toiletries (biodegradable)
- Bottle of water
- Flashlight
- First aid kit.
7. Enjoy the trek
Enjoy the hike to the fullest, it is not a competition to reach Machu Picchu, but take your time and live it to the fullest, because on the hike you will appreciate beautiful landscapes, adrenaline, and a lot of fun; besides visiting archaeological sites and new experiences; something that other hikes will not give you.