The Inca Jungle trek is a popular and adventurous alternative route to reach Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca citadel located in the Peruvian Andes. This trek involves a combination of hiking, biking, and optional activities like ziplining and hot springs, making it a unique and exciting experience for adventurous travelers.
Choquequirao is an Incan archaeological site located in the Vilcabamba mountain range of Peru, near the city of Cusco. Often referred to as the “sister city” of Machu Picchu, Choquequirao is believed to have been built during the reign of the Inca emperor Pachacuti in the 15th century.
Tips and Recommendations for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The Inca Trail may be a tortuous and windy journey, but at the same time, it carries more spectacular panoramas, places that are an enigma without explanation. Perhaps this is the reason why thousands of travelers want to explore and travel along the Inca Trail, a journey of 43 kilometers to overcome the altitude of 4200 meters above sea level and enter the citadel (Machu Picchu) by the big door “Puerta del Sol” or “Inti Punku”, certainly a dream come true for many. But before you jump in, keep in mind the following tips and recommendations to do the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu also find complete information on how to book, necessary documents, cost of the Inca Trail, and much more. We start with:
Documents Needed to Book the Inca Trail.
The necessary documents are the exclusive requirements for the process of purchasing access to the Inca Trail, this will be used by the Regional Directorate of Culture Cusco (Institution in charge of selling income to Inca Trail Machu Picchu) if you present such documents there may be times when you receive some discounts for example: if the reservation is for a minor (8 years to 17 years) with only present a photo of International Student Identity Card (ISIC) will receive if or if a discount, the amount it will depend on the agency that handles the Inca Trail. The necessary documents are the following.
Passport: adult of any nationality you come from.
DNI (National Identity Card) Adult member of the Andean community.
DNI: Peruvian residents in other nationalities, Peruvians
Carnet de extranjeria: Foreigners residing in Peru
International Student Identity Card (ISIC): Foreigners underage (8 years old to 17 years old).
Important: In no way can you do the Inca Trail on your own, but only with an agency authorized to operate this route.
Inca Trail Reservation Process
Important: The Inca Trail during the month of February is not operated, it is closed for maintenance, also note the daily limitations (500 people, including support staff).
Recommendation: Book 5 to 6 months in advance.
Reservation process:
If you want to book the Inca Trail, it must necessarily be done with an authorized travel agency, one of the top operating agencies in Peru, is OUR AGENCY MACHU PICCHU RESERVATIONS, you can enter their website (Inca Trail) look for the service you want and fill out the Contact form and with the rest, the operating agency is in charge:
Choose the date for your trek
Enter your personal data in the form and send the form.
Your data will be validated and the payment accepted.
Verify your email, you will receive an email confirmation of your reservation. Please note that your reservation can be modified at any time, by you.
Cost or Price of the Inca Trail
The price of the Inca Trail will depend on the agency you choose, all the operating agencies of the Inca Trail detail their price according to the quality of service offered.
Important: Before choosing your operating agency, make sure that it is a formal agency, demand proof of payment, ask for detailed information before purchasing any tourist package. Avoid being scammed by false agencies.
Tips and Advice for the Inca Trail Before and During the Inca Trail
Before doing the Inca Trail
Choose the Season: The Inca Trail operates almost all year round, except for the month of February due to maintenance. Although according to the following seasons: Dry season (May to October) Rainy season (November to April) between these two there is a preference for tourists, you can imagine which “dry season”. But before you choose your season or time I will detail what is appreciated between these two seasons.
Dry Season: During this time the whole city of Cusco presents radiant days with clear skies, but with cold and frosty nights, although one of the most beautiful in the night especially for the stars that seem to have rekindled their fires. In addition, during the months of June and July there are big celebrations, such as the festivities of Cusco or “Inti Raymi” a unique traditional celebration that has been celebrated since the time of the Incas, national holidays big celebration throughout Peru. So go ahead and live these festivities and travel the Inca Trail.
Rainy Season: Not because it is the rainy season you can be despised by many, what they do not know is that this season can also be enjoyed to the fullest, especially if you are a lover of nature and beautiful landscapes because this season is the one that revives the city of Cusco with lush vegetation and beautiful landscapes with rainbows. If you are a nature lover I recommend visiting in the rainy season.
Book in advance: It is recommended to book 5 to 6 months in advance, although this will depend on the season you choose, if your trip is in the dry season be sure to book 6 months in advance if it is earlier the better, however, if your trip is in the rainy season book 5 months in advance.
Prepare yourself physically and mentally: The Inca Trail is 43 kilometers which will require short walks, daily of 30 minutes increasing by 10 minutes daily. If you are not used to long walks.
Acclimatization: If you have already arrived in the city of Cusco, it is advisable to adapt the body, stay in the city of Cusco for at least 2 days, because during the journey you will pass through different altitudes starting from 2,200 meters above sea level. In order not to cause a major impact it is always recommended to acclimatize.
Prepare a good backpack: Before preparing the backpack make sure that the backpack is a comfortable one, padded on the back and shoulders, also, that it has belts on the hip and chest, when you use the belts fasten them well which will help to relieve the weight of the shoulders. It is recommended not to have the maximum weight of the backpack more than 7 kilograms, because every time you advance along the demanding route, one gram becomes kilos.
Short Inca Trail 2 Days
During your trip along the Inca Trail
Wear appropriate clothing: For the Inca Trail, wear trekking clothes and carry extra clothing shirts, polo shirts and pants.
Take into account the shoes: Before starting the trek check your shoes, make sure they are in perfect condition. Do not wear new shoes as they may cause blisters. Keep in mind the following “wear the right shoes, because the right shoes take us to the right places”.
Walk at your own rythm: If your body asks you to pause, give it to it, don’t be smart, overexertion can end your trip.
Use all the adjusters on the backpack: Using the adjusters on the backpack will help to relieve the weight on your shoulders.
Enjoy the Group and the Moment: Enjoy the group, the people who accompany you, especially the moment and everyone around you.
Keep the Body Hydrated: The heat and the activity that is performed forces the body to experience greater sweating and this allows the expulsion of liquid, which is required to keep the body hydrated take plenty of water, if we do not hydrate the body, as a result, you will receive the following: thirst, headache, weakness, dizziness and fatigue and this will ruin your trip. Do not allow this.
Use the poles: Maybe using walking poles sounds a little strange, but for this route, it is very necessary, since the route has ups and downs, these will help relieve fatigue.
Basic implements for the Inca Trail: the implements that you should bring for the Inca Trail tour are the following:
Good trekking shoes (recommended already worn).
A good amount of socks and stockings for 4 days.
Extra clothes: T-shirts, polo shirts, sweaters, and extra pants.
Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, gloves, and cap.
Waterproof jacket and pants.
Toilet paper, wet towels, cleaning bag for skin and teeth.
Pocket flashlight with extra batteries.
Sleeping bag.
Extra money in soles.
Walking sticks.
Waterproof layer for the backpack.
Snacks, snacks, and coca and lemon candies for the throat.
Thermal liner for the sleeping bag.
Sturdy camera with extra battery and enough memory.
2-Day Inca Trail
Cheer up and get to know traveling the famous Inca Trail in a journey of 4 days and 3 nights, in case you do not get to book on time to the Classic Inca Trail, remember that you have another option, which is Short Inca Trail of 2 Days, to make this journey you have to book a month in advance.
