The goal at the end of an Inca Trail hike.
The Inca Trail offers some of the most breathtaking sites in South America. There are roughly 40,000 kilometers of trails that the Inca's created to connect their massive empire but most Inca Trail hikes are four-day ventures that start near Cusco, Peru and end at Machu Picchu. Hiking this 82-kilometer trail requires considerations both before and during the hike.
Instructions
Traveler's Guide
1. Research the vaccines that you'll need before traveling to Peru. It's recommended that visitors to Peru get Hepatitis A and B vaccines along with typhoid and rabies vaccines since you'll be spending a great deal of time outside. Stock up on other medications you may need.
2. Arrange travel and initial accommodations for Cusco. There are many hotels within the city so it's just a matter of choosing one within your price range.
3. Decide which guide company you want to use for your hike. Knowing exactly what you want included on your tour will help you narrow down your selection among the numerous Inca Trail guide services available. Most guide companies charge between $450 and $550 for the Classic Inca Trail four-day hike.
4. Familiarize yourself with what your intended guide service does and doesn't provide. Check whether or not the guide service guarantees the hike's departure date. Some companies will postpone or cancel tours that don't have a desired amount of hikers, while others will start on time regardless of the group size.
5. Purchase items that you'll need for your four days in the jungle. A comfortable pair of walking shoes is important because you'll be walking the entire way. The weather is something that can't be guaranteed so make sure you have both long pants and shorts, t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, a fleece jacket and a rain poncho. Since this is a camping trip, you'll need plenty of sun protection, insect repellent and also a first-aid kit. Sleeping bags can be rented in Cusco if you don't bring your own. Water purification tablets are a good idea since you might not always have access to clean drinking water.
6. Hire a porter. Walking through the Peruvian jungle for four days isn't a time you want to be carrying all of your own gear. Guide services generally provide a porter to carry heavy camping gear, but hikers should be aware that the less expensive services are able to offer lower prices by paying porters less. Tell the guide service you want the porters treated well since porters receive the least consideration on an Inca Trail hike.
7. Interact with the porters. You may not be able to communicate fluently, but there's still a lot you can learn about life in Peru from them. In most cases, you'll have to make the first move if you want to build a relationship with your porters.
8. Minimize your environmental impact. Make sure that all non-biodegradable garbage isn't discarded in the jungle. Carry reusable water bottles (recycling is limited in Peru). Bring biodegradable soaps and shampoos, but use them away from actual bodies of water since they don't decompose.
Tags: Inca Trail, guide service, four days, Inca Trail hike, that need