inca trail highest point

. Altitude sickness on the Inca Trail is rarely severe. Chachabamba: 6,725 ft (2,050 m) Each campsite has toilet facilities available, but these are often rudimentary squat toilets and with campsites being so remote and over-subscribed, cleanliness understandably isnt the highest. The highest point is Dead Woman's Pass at 13,828 ft (4,215 m) and the lowest point is Machu Picchu at 7,972 ft (2,430 m). If the skies are clear, you will enjoy an outstanding view of the Machu Picchu ruins from above. Remember the part where my companion busted her knee and had to be carried by porters goddamn hiking in style! Prior to your arrival, the trekking team will assemble your tent, so you can focus on relaxing and enjoying the mountain scenery. In this article, you can find everything you need to know about altitudes on the Inca Trail. Inca Trail Information, Everything you must KNOW Before hiking Inca Trail Whatever equipment you bring, you may not always get the best nights sleep - and it may be quite chilly in the evening - but its all part of the experience! There is a bus which runs from Lima to Cusco, but it takes 24 hours and these days isnt worth taking as flights are so ubiquitous and affordable (trust us, we did this bus ride back in 2015!). The Inca Trail's length is 26 miles (42 kilometers) of pure Peruvian power that connects several Incan archaeological sites: Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, Phuyuptamarca, Wiaywayna, and of . Get a quote below or read our in-depth review! The next step is to pick your dates and start the process of booking your Inca Trail permit. [3], It starts from one of two points: 88km (55 miles) or 82km (51 miles) from Cusco on the Urubamba River at approximately 2,800 metres (9,200ft) or 2,600 metres (8,500ft) elevation, respectively.[3]. This is approximately 1000m (3281ft) down more than 1200 stone steps. The 2-day Inca Trail ends at Machu Picchu, which is located at 7,972 ft (2,430 m). Tours should provide you with purified, safe-to-drink water at camp each night and morning; this in addition to drinks purchased in advance and along the way (and those endless cups of tea glugged at camp) should be sufficient to keep you well hydrated. If you are looking for a more personal, private outdoor experience, I recommend you pick a less prevalent adventure as there are many alternative Inca sites to choose from around the Cusco area. Parque Arqueologic National de Machu Picchu. It is also very common to see snow and ice near the summit . The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (also known as Camino Inca or Camino Inka) is a hiking trail in Peru that terminates at Machu Picchu. 12 Fast Facts About the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu The government monitors the trail closely; there are several control points along the trail. The highest point of the trail is Dead Women's Pass at just over 4200m. After all, you dont want the upfront savings to mean inadequate equipment, poor quality food, or a less memorable experience. The 2-day Inca Trail is particularly popular with families that enjoy hiking and are looking for a taste of adventure. Along the way, you will visit Runkurakay, a circular complex that scholars believe Inca messengers used as a refueling and resting station. I have been using World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. These are consistently cheap (starting from 45 / $60 / 50 per person), reliable, and only take 90 minutes. ", This page was last edited on 5 December 2022, at 05:54. 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. If youre all booked and ready to start preparing, then make sure to read our Inca Trail Packing List before you buy anything. Hiking poles will aid you in steep areas. Remember to pack smart and pack light for the Inca Trail - find out exactly what you need to bring and leave behind in our Inca Trail Packing List. Postpone your tour with zero cost up to 30 days prior to arrival with open dates. Permits to hike the Inca Trail are available March through January. 2023 Machu Picchu Trek | A Mountain IQ Guide. are 500 permits available, approximately 200 allocated to tourists and 300 to guides, porters, and cooks. Just make sure that if yours have exposed spikes, you buy some rubber stoppers in order to use them for the Trail. The Inca Trail traverses a variety of climates: temperate highlands outside of the Sacred Valley; cold, arid puna at the highest elevations; and warm, humid, cloud forest valleys close to Machu Picchu. Pictures just dont do it justice. Instead, view the Inca Trail as your challenge, your motivation, and your deadline to start walking more, to lose some weight, and to make some positive changes before you fly to Peru (and if you need some inspiration, read this womans story). Instead, youre treated to an entry at the Sun Gate just after sunrise (expect about 6-7 a.m.) and then a wonderful descent down to an uncrowded Machu Picchu with special views of it all the way (trust us, its much better than queueing in the pitch black Aguas from 4 a.m. in the morning to get on the first bus up to then queue at the ticket gate). The ULTIMATE Guide to the Inca Trail Hike (DO IT in 2023) Before starting the trek, spending some time in Cusco (11,150 ft/3,400 m) will help your body adjust. After crossing the pass the trail drops steeply into the Pakaymayu drainage. So, whatever you do, dont underestimate how much cash you will need - wed say at least 300 soles per person for the Trail-specific section. Climb out of the Sacred Valley towards Warmiwanusca, or Dead Woman's Pass, on the second day of the classic Inca Trail 4-day. Difficulty | Moderate to a little difficult as there are several steep sections. The meals are quite exquisite considering that all of the ingredients and cooking supplies are carried from the Sacred Valley. Best tips before you hike the Inca trail to Machu Picchu This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. The highest point of the pass is 3,700m (12,136 ft). To have a better understanding of the varying levels of the Inca Trail elevation during pivotal sections of the route, see the chart below: Hopefully, the chart above gives you a better idea of why its important for you to train as much as possible before your trek. The vital stats. Each however, come with their own pros and cons. You do not need to be a vastly experienced hiker, but acquiring a good level of physical fitness prior to arriving in Peru will make everything easier and more enjoyable. The highest point on the Inca Trail is Abra Warmihuausca or 'Dead Woman's Pass which is located at 4,200 meters. Being in decent shape, acclimatising, carrying out a few practice hikes at home, keeping yourself hydrated, wearing in your hiking boots, and taking out the correct travel insurance are essential to staying safe and healthy on this hike; if youve made it this far down in our Inca Trail Guide and taken our advice on board, then you should have very few issues once you hit the Trail. When to book: 3 months in advance. The 4-day Inca Trail begins at Km 82 which has an elevation of 8,230 ft (2,600 m). Both True Traveller and and World Nomads are respected insurers who offer this coverage. If youre reading the above and thinking that neither sounds appealing now, then please dont be too despondent - the Inca Trail can be hiked year-round and weve just outlined the worst cons of each season so that you dont have any nasty surprises! The biggest surprise for us both on the Trail was just how incredible the food provided was every single day. Up mountain passes and down into humid cloud forest valleys, the final destination is majestic Machu Picchu. The Trail is Peru in a microcosm; lush green cloud forest alive with birds, Andean peaks and steep mountain passes, a landscape dotted with centuries old ruins, accessible only to those that follow this most famous pathway. Weve mentioned this earlier, but with the understanding that this is such an important purchase before you step foot in Peru, we thought it only correct to mention it again here. The altitude starts around 9,000 feet above sea level but the highest point on the Inca Trail is Dead Woman's Pass . The site was heavily restored in the late 1990s.[3]. The highest point is at Dead Woman's Pass, which is about halfway through the hike. At Wayllapampa the trail to Machu Picchu turns west and begins ascending along a tributary of the Cusichaka. 1)and theres also the bush. Rise early for the first day of your trek. Pros | A less popular time to hike, so the number of people youre sharing the Trail with is notably reduced, as are the crowds at Machu Picchu. As our G Adventures Inca Trail tour was actually over seven days, including time in Cusco and Ollantaytambo, we also required cash to cover a few meals as well as spending money for souvenirs in the Sacred Valley. To make your experience hiking in Peru more enjoyable, we recommend hiring a personal porter to help carry these items. Yep, the cost of entry is included in the tour price and its the responsibility of the tour company to take care of all that and provide you with the ticket on the day youre entering the site. Not a bad view from Warmi Wausqa in Peru with @intrepidtravel! Permits for the Inca Trail sell out quickly, sometimes 5 months in advance for dates during the dry season (MaySeptember). It's emotional and so much fun. . For the Inca roads in general, see, Elorrieta Salazar, Fernando E. & Elorrieta Salazar, Edgar (2005) Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas, page 123. Im sure you hear this often, but to be honest, it really is nothing like being there in person and seeing it up close and personal. 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 (yep, and you were worried about how hard the Trail would be for you!). This is where your campsite is located. Bring cash with you for tipping. Tips for porters and guides (more on this below). The worst part of hiking the Inca Trail is not the altitude, nor the steep ascents, but rather the toilet options available along the route. Explore one of 17 easy hiking trails in Jakarta or discover kid-friendly routes for your next family trip. You can easily spend hours on end walking up and around the magnificent ruins. If hotels and tour companies offered lockers in Cusco which travellers could secure with their own padlock, then this would have allowed us to leave various cards, cash, and tech with confidence (and insurance coverage) in the city rather than carrying it all in our backpack on the trail (Andrew actually lugged 18 kgs on his back for the entirety of the trail because of this, so views himself as an honorary porter!). A long flight of fountains or ritual baths utilizing as many as 19 springs runs between the two groups of buildings. High probability of sunny weather. So whats the Inca Trail hikes difficulty like? Hiking Peru's Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Altitude, Distances What can I say? If you arent in tip-top shape, this day will either make you or break you. However, one of the main challenges is its high altitude. Some travel insurance policies do not cover adventure or high-elevation activities. Theres even a marathon!). Make sure to let loved ones know that you will be without service for four days. The two longer routes require an ascent to beyond 4,200 metres (13,800ft) above sea level, which can result in altitude sickness. This pass has the highest elevation on the Inca Trail at 4,215m (13,829ft). The intricate detail that the Incans put into each and every stone structure is mesmerizing. Pack lightweight pants, short- and long-sleeve shirts, warm fleece jackets, underwear, and socks. Potatoes, maize, fruit, and sweet potato were grown here. Ask your Travel Advisor about adding a porter that can carry up to 18 lb (8 kg) or 33 lb (15 kg). INCA TRAIL SHORT 2 DAYS | Book your Inca Trail 2 Days to Machu Picchu Thankfully, the weather gods were rooting for us, and we only had one bad rain shower and a single morning of dense mist to contend with - as our guide told us, this wont always be the case for those hiking the Inca Trail in rainy season. Again, thank you! All the same, heres some must-bring packing for the Inca Trail: Finally, remember to pack light!

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