The Inca Trail is considered the most famous trek in South America, it is an excellent opportunity for the most adventurous of pure adrenaline. The truth of the matter is that; When you walk the route, at each step you have the option of closely observing the flora and fauna of the place, many times you did not even imagine living.

Possibly one of the most spectacular in America. Every year, approximately 25,000 hikers from all over the world walk its extraordinary 43 kilometers along a stone-paved path built by the Incas, which leads to the magnificent architecture or citadel of Machu Picchu located deep in the high jungle of Cusco. The trip begins in the town of Qorihuayrachina, at kilometer 88 of the Quillabamba – Cusco railway, and takes 3 to 4 days of walking. The route consists of an impressive variety of altitudes, climates, and ecosystems that go from the Andean plain to the cloud forest of the jungle and its charms. Travelers cross two high-altitude zones (the highest being Warmiwañuska at 4,200 meters above sea level) to culminate the walk with a magical entrance to Machu Picchu through the Inti Punku or Puerta del Sol.

One of the main attractions along the route is the ancient network of settlements built on granite rock built by the Incas, such as Wiñay Wayna and Phuyupatamarca, immersed in an overwhelming natural setting. Hundreds of varieties of orchids, multicolored birds, and dreamlike landscapes provide the ideal setting for a route that the hiker should walk at least once. Below we will provide you with some tips to complete the Inca Trail without any complications.

Choose the best moment

It is very important to choose a good time to enjoy all the attractions that the Inca trail has, that is why you have to take many aspects into account here we detail some tips.

The climate varies according to the months in some with the presence of rains, sunny days, cloudy days, cold nights; typical of the climate of the mountains of Peru, below we detail the Climate of the Inca Trail by months:

In the months of January and March, the rains are persistent mainly at night, the days are cloudy, however, there are pleasant and sunny days, if we are lucky.
In the month of April, the rainy season ends little by little, and the days become warmer and more pleasant, with sporadic rains.

The months of May, July, August, September, and October are undoubtedly the best months to do the Inca Trail, during the day it is clear and you can clearly see the landscapes, the days are cooler, however, the nights are cold in the high areas, an ideal time to venture out and do the Inca Trail in its two versions (Classic Inca Trail of 4 days or the Short Inca Trail of 2 days) and other routes such as The Salkantay Trail, Inca Jungle Trail, which They go to the wonder of Machu Picchu.
November and December, are the months where the season begins in the rainy season, the days are sunny, but at any time it can rain, as well as, there are cloudy days without rain.
It should be noted that in the month of February, it is impossible to reserve the Inca Trail, given that the Ministry of Culture closes the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu during this month, to carry out maintenance and improvement work on the Inca Trail.
Now it’s just your decision, decide what month to do the great Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and enjoy its adventure, ecosystem and live among the ancient mountains, which witnessed the greatness of the Inca Empire.

Reserve in advance

To do the Inca Trail, only 500 people per day are allowed, but only about 200 tickets from these reserves go to tourists, the rest goes to guides, porters, and other trekking personnel from each authorized agency that operates. If you think that sounds limited, it is true, so we suggest you make your Inca Trail ticket reservation well in advance, at least four to five months in advance.

If you arrive in Cusco with the idea of ​​finding a space on the Inca Trail, there is a high probability that you will be deeply disappointed not to find any space because reservations are usually made in advance an average of four to five months.

If you do not find the Inca Trail available, the alternate paths to Machu Picchu are a good option to reach the citadel of Machu Picchu. There are alternative paths such as the Salkantay path, the Inca jungle path, which are less traveled routes but have their own charm and reach the wonder of Machu Picchu.
If you do not find the Inca Trail available, the alternate paths to Machu Picchu are a good option to reach the citadel of Machu Picchu. There are alternate paths such as the Salkantay path, the Inca jungle path, which are less traveled routes but have their own charm.

Study the regulations and prices.

Peru is one of the 12 countries with the most ecosystems in the world and they are of enormous importance at the global level because they are very productive and have an enormous potential axis for the development of sustainable and cultural activities.

Remembering a little, in our country 11 Ecoregions are recognized, therefore the fundamental task of the entity is to focus on three fundamental pillars:

• The Environmental
• The Economic
• The Social

The Peruvian Government continues to work on reforms, for the proper use of the Inca Trail, in an effort to reduce the number of hikers and avoid further damage to the route, due to the overcrowding of tourism.

The most recent regulations indicate that all hikers must go to the Inca Trail in groups organized by a travel agency, with a guide authorized by the UGM (Management Unit of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu), and it is only allowed that 500 people per day can start the route. All hikers must carry their original passport, in the case of a student, the ISIC international student card, at all times, to be shown at checkpoints along the way.

According to the regulations, the main objective is to contribute to the conservation of the Cultural and Natural Heritage of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, establishing the rules and conditions for the proper tourist use of the network of paths of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

Regulations for tourist use of the Inca Trail network:

1. All visitors must necessarily be accompanied by a tour guide, authorized by the UGM.
2. The group must not exceed 16 visitors.
3. A maximum of 500 people per day (including support staff) will be allowed to start the Inca Trail.
4. Porters are not authorized to transport more than 14 kg.
5. The route will remain closed during the month of February of each year for maintenance.
6. Any reservation is through an authorized Travel Agency, which is in charge of acquiring the entrance tickets.
7. The payment of entrance fees is only made in the collection offices of the INC, for no reason will payment be accepted at the entrance control
8. points to the Inca Trail.
9. Permanence in the road network may not exceed the period established for each route.
10. The toilets are for public use and are duly marked, they cannot be used to wash utensils or to sleep.

The following items are not allowed to enter the Sanctuary:

1. Firearms.
2. Hunting implements, fishing, machetes, mount knives, etc.
3. Traps to capture animals.
4. Fossil fuels.
5. Stimulants and drugs.
6. Sound equipment or other noise generators.
7. Domestic animals and exotic species.
8. Picks, shovels, or other tools.
9. Wooden canes of native species.
10. Get fit.

Train for strength. Focus on working the legs and running, an English word that refers to the muscular area that surrounds the center of gravity of our body includes the muscles of the central part of our anatomy.

Keep in mind that the muscles of the legs will work a lot during the walk on the Inca Trail, as well as the Running, which will make it easier for you to maintain the resistance and stability of the body.

Because the paths are rocky and uneven, in many areas they will require the use of muscle masses that are not normally strengthened by traditional exercise. That is why the importance of training is to tone the muscles of the legs and running, specifically.

It is also recommended to add arm, back and shoulder exercises to balance your body’s conditioning. The result of this work will give you a firm complexion to practice trekking in Cusco.

Choose the most convenient operator.

Choosing an operator of the Inca Trail that is in charge of operating our Inca route 4 days 3 nights, is a very important decision since the success of the journey and the good enjoyment of it will depend on this.

Having a pleasant experience of this Inca route 4 days 3 nights demands a high cost and the reason is very simple. The logistical issue to operate this route is expensive since you work with people, to name the most important are the porters, who will be in charge of carrying the camping things and, like any person, needs to be paid a good salary at the end. the walk. The same for the cook and guides.
Select the route
It depends since there are different options depending on the section covered. You can invest from a minimum of 2 days up to 4 days. You can also choose between different amenities, keep in mind that this is a highly requested route, so the agencies have adapted to respond to the majority of hikers’ needs. Here you can see the different options according to days and extras.

It is worth noting that the classic route (the most recommended) is one of 4 days and 3 nights. This allows you to admire the contrast of mountain and jungle landscapes, in addition to contemplating some of the most interesting ruins of the route.

Pack your backpack well.

Carry what you need in your backpack during the Inca Trail. That’s right, don’t carry so much load. Although most groups that take this route bring porters to transport tents, bags, utensils, and other things, you will still have to carry your own backpack. Just make sure you have what is strictly necessary for the excursion and thus do not face unnecessary efforts.

You can train from your city with a backpack that has a similar weight to the one you will carry for the Inca Trail, climb any hill you find nearby wearing trekking boots of course. It is sure that this activity will help you a lot to make this journey through the Inca Trail.

Wear the correct footwear

There is nothing on the Inca Trail, so if your shoes break you will be in trouble. Obviously, it’s not a good idea to wear brand new shoes either, since the only thing you’ll get is some gift vials. Mountain boots are not necessary, a semi-boot or trekking shoe is more than enough.

Acclimatize.

The Inca Trail at its highest point goes through 4200 meters above sea level and it is likely that your body has not got used to the height. Obviously, each organism is different and reacts in different ways. It is advisable to arrive in Cusco days before the trek and then start the route.

Enjoy.

Enjoy the group, the natural, cultural and ecological landscape from the beginning to the end of the walk. Do not consider the Inca Trail as a process before you get to enjoy Machu Picchu, the essence is in the path itself. Machu Picchu is one more stone, the last but only one more. Try to capture in your memory the sunrise from Inti Punku, do not miss the best moments by trying to take a thousand multicolored photos during the journey to all the perspectives you want and enjoy to the fullest.