Inca Trail -
Route Options
(Classic Inca Trail Trek - moderate)
This is the most popular route trekked by hundreds of
visitors each day. This beautiful trail starts at kilometre 82 (so called
because it is 82 km along the railroad from Cusco) and takes in many of the
Inca ruins including Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Wiñay Wayna and
of course Machu Picchu. Because this route is the most popular you can
easily find a tour operator with groups leaving everyday that you can join.
Joining a group works out much cheaper than a private service. Approximate
price of a basic group service is between US$650 and US$700 per person. A
group service is when a trekking company advertises a fixed departure date
and pools all of their clients together. This means that you will be
trekking with other people from different parts of the world which can be
great fun. The maximum group size is limited to 16 persons. This offers the
most economical way to do the Inca Trail. The price for a private
service depends on how many people there are in your group but expect to pay
around US$1000 per person for a very small group of between 2 and 4 persons.
Prices may drop to around US$650 per person if you have a large group of
friends.
Trek permit necessary so book well in advance.
(Classic Inca Trail Trek - moderate)
This itinerary follows the same route as 4 day trek. However you have the
opportunity to visit the ruins of Llactapata where you will probably camp on the
first night. You'll also camp at different less crowded campsites during your
trek. Although you will probably arrive at Machu Picchu in the afternoon of the
fourth day of the trek you will usually camp down in the Urubamba valley (or
possibly stay at a hotel in Aguas Calientes) before returning to Machu Picchu
for sunrise on the fifth day. You'll still be walking 12-15 km per day on days
2, 3 & 4 of the trail so it is not to be regarded as an easy option. This
itinerary is not as popular as the 4 day version so you will probably have to
take a private trek which is fine if you have a group of friends but can be
expensive if there are just the 2 of you. Price for a basic private group
depends on how many people there are in your group but expect to pay around
US$950 per person for a very small group of between 2 and 4 persons. Prices may
drop to around US$600 per person if you have a large group of friends.
Trek permit necessary so book well in advance.
(Sacred Trail - easy / moderate)
This is a less strenuous route and starts at
kilometre 104 along the railroad from Cusco. The trail climbs up to Wiñay Wayna
where you join the final stages of the Classic 4 day hike. From Wiñay Wayna the
trek then descends to Machu Picchu. This is a good option for visitors with
limited time or who are not fit enough to complete the 4 day version. The trek
has the advantage of allowing you to visit the beautiful ruins at Wiñay Wayna
and also to experience at least part of the Inca trail.
Unlike the 4 day trek you do not need to be
acclimatised to undertake the 2 day trek since the trail is at a lower altitude.
Many tour operators have daily group departures on this trek. Approximate price
of a basic group service is between
US$320 and US$380
per person. Price for a basic private
group of just 2 persons is about US$450-500 per person.
Trek permit necessary so book well in advance.
(moderate / difficult)
A spectacular 7 day trek that passes beneath the sacred snow-capped mountain of
Salkantay. This mountain God (or Apu) was worshipped by the Incas and is still
honoured by existing Quechua farmers. The trail starts in the warm citrus valley
near Mollabamba and eventually joins the Classic Inca trail route at Wayllabamba
on the fourth day. The route involves some high passes which can be bitterly
cold during the months of June and July. However the trek combines the best of
mountain scenery with the Inca ruins of Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca
and Wiñay Wayna before arriving at the citadel of Machu Picchu for sunrise on
the final day of the trek. You need to acclimatise in Cusco for a couple of days
prior to starting this trek. Some tour operators have fixed departure dates for
this trek. The approximate price of a group service is between US$750 and US$850
depending on the size of the group. Price for a
basic private group of just 2 persons is between US$1500 and US$2000
per person
(the price is a lot cheaper the more friends you have
in your group). Trek permit
necessary so book well in advance.
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