Inca Trail permits go on sale in October. It’s a frequent occurence that certain dates are sold out by the end of the month. It’s no secret that the Inca Trail is one of the most popular treks in South America- if not the world. So how can you optimize your experience on the trail?
Over 100 companies can sell you the Inca Trail. But how can you ensure your once-in-a-lifetime experience is as enjoyable as possible? Read on for our top 5 tips:
5 ways to improve your Inca Trail
1. Choose the 5 days Inca Trail Hike, not 4 days, and lose 90% of the crowds
If you have spent years dreaming about hiking to Machu Picchu, why rush? Surely you can take 1 extra day out of your life to make it as special as possible?
90% of people do the trek in 4 days. If you choose to do it in 5 days, you become one of the exclusive 10%.
There are 500 permits each day, so instead of fighting for trail space with 450 people each day, why not share it with just 50?
How does this work? You trek and camp out of sync with the 4-day crowds. You lunch where they camp, you camp where they lunch. So you are constantly half a day ahead or behind the crowds.
2. Take time to really enjoy your trek by doing the Inca Trail in 5 days
There is nothing worse than feeling rushed by your guide, hurrying past photo opportunities, or missing out on visits to the very Inca sites you came to see. By adding the 5th day, you have the time to do just this. 4 days does not give you enough time to fully appreciate the trek you have waited so long for.
3. Increase your chances of great Machu Picchu photos, by visiting not once but twice
Machu Picchu is the reason you wanted to come to Peru. So do it well. Arriving early from the 4-day trail, Machu Picchu is often covered in mist. On our 5 day version, you arrive in the afternoon, when the clouds have usually cleared, and when there are fewer people. Then the next day you revisit, giving you 2 opportunities for great photos.
4. Acclimatize properly to enjoy and complete the trek
Increase your chances of completing the trek and reaching Machu Picchu by acclimatizing properly.
The more acclimatized you are the easier you will find it and the more you can enjoy it.
5. Pay the extra to do it well
Machu Picchu is a once-in-a-lifetime experience- so why compromise on quality?
Yes you can get it cheaper, but you get what you pay for:
We give you:
- A great guide, not an average one, one of ours was voted the best in the world by Wanderlust Magazine. All speak very good English and are in their 30s and 40s, making for a more mature level of conversation and more experience than the guides in their 20s that many companies use
- Great equipment such as Eureka tents and full-length Thermarest mattresses
- A porter to carry your things included as standard
- 30 years of experience to back you up when something happens
- A 4-star hotel- Inkaterra El Mapi ( you will appreciate the extra comfort)
- Return on the Vistadome train to travel back in style
To see our 5 day Inca Trail itinerary click here.
If you want to read up on the Incas before you come, we recommend “The Last Days of the Incas”, by our friend Kim Macquarrie.</p.
We have small group departures each Tuesday or can run private trips on any date. Permits sell out fast and went on sale in October.
One Response
…the statement why do the „Inca Trail“ in 5 days instead of 4 days is just excellent & meaningfully – Bravissimo!!!
Urs