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Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Inca Trail: • Itinerary  • Important Notes  • Cost  • Payment  • Info/Bookings

Important Notes:

Inca Trail Dates:

Departures for the Inca trail take now place every day of the week, from Cusco. Dates are subject to availability and changes, depending essentially from to the flux of travellers and reservations made from all over the world. Please enquire as much in advance as possible for confirmation of available dates.

All participants must be in Cusco by the afternoon of the day before the Inca Trail proper begins.  Please note that since the introduction of the new legislation limiting the access to the Inca Trail to a total figure of 500 people per month - including guides, porters, helpers and a ballpark figure of 150 travellers - there has been a considerable pressure on the schedule of departures. The normal flux of people who - from all over the world - accessed the Trail each month was in the past in the order of 1500-2000 units. It doesn't take a great deal of knowledge of maths to figure out the restrictions imposed by the new law. You should also note that you cannot do the Inca Trail on your own. As for official governmental regulations, the Inca Trail is kept closed to the public during the month of February.

Inca Trail Booking/Advance Payment:

On average, you should consider at least booking 6 weeks ahead. As general guideline, you may wish to consider the following timetable:

:

* Full payment must be received and funds cleared at least 6 weeks before the scheduled and confirmed Inca Trail departure.

How to book:

* You need to supply us - at the time of the booking - with your full name, date of birth, age, passport number (including valid from/expiry date), nationality, address, contact number, along with a photocopy of your valid passport. These are actual legal requirement of the Inka Trail Regulations.

Personal porters:

As from regulations introduced in 2002, attempting to improve the standards of the porters' working conditions, the maximum weight that a porter can now carry has been set to 25 kg (20 kg load + 5 kg personal allowance). It means that your personal porter (whose service we offer as a standard included in the fees) may carry your backpack and personal effects up to a maximum of 20 kg. To err on the safe side, and avoid inconveniences, it is a wise idea never to exceed the 18 kg of weight. Government officials check all porters' weight at the start of the trail.

Flight Lima-Cusco:

We strongly recommend to choose an early flight from Lima to Cusco, as to limit the possibility of adverse weather conditions affecting the flight schedule and consequently the smooth running of your journey.

Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary Regulations:
The Inca Trail is part of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, a protected area of 32,592 hectares, managed by the Peruvian National Institute of Natural Resources, INRENA. In 1983 UNESCO declared this area a World Heritage Site. Every visitor must obey park regulations prohibiting littering, cutting or damaging trees, removing or damaging stones of ruins and the Trail, removing plants, killing animals, lighting open fires or camping in the archeological sites (only authorized campsites may be used).

Terms and Conditions:

Click here to read terms and conditions for the Inka Trail. You must read and agree on these terms and conditions at the time of confirming your booking.

Recommendations and Important Information:

Briefing with the guide:

It's important to attend the briefing with our guide, before participating to the adventure. This will take place on the night before the trek, at 7 pm, on Day 1 of the Programme, whilst in Cusco.

Water, altitude sickness and Coca leaves:

Tap water in most of Peru is unfit for western people use. To avoid problems, we strongly recommend that you always drink bottled water when in towns and carry a provision of water purifying tablets (iodine better than chlorine) during the trekking.

The Inca Trail is physically demanding and requires participants to be in well tuned physical conditions. During your first day move slowly and eat lightly, resting the first couple of hours. We strongly recommend you to carry a provision of fresh coca leaves during the trekking to Machu Picchu, to compensate for altitude problems. Coca leaves make a great tea that will prevent in most cases altitude sickness. They will be available for our travellers either on their arrival in Lima, or in Cusco.
 

During the trekking:

Use boots during treks and sneakers during long walks. Drink lots of liquids on long excursions. Always bring a an umbrella or have your rainwear at hand.

Things to bring:

Warm and light clothing, gloves, scarf, woollen socks, hiking boots, sneakers and shoes, trousers or slacks, long-sleeved shirts, T-shirts, sweaters, jacket, PVC poncho or Gore-Tex jacket and trousers, rainwear, broad brim hat/cap, sun-block, hiking stick, insect repellent, personal toiletries, a change of underwear, towel, toilet paper, laundry kit, water bottle and water purifying tablets, powerful flashlight with alkaline batteries refill, sunglasses, sleeping bag, day pack, medical emergency kit (band aids, cotton, bandages, disinfectant, aspirin, tablets for stomach upset, medicines to avoid altitude sickness), dried fruits, candies and chocolates, Swiss knife, camera.

Weather and altitude:
 

Cusco:

Has a temperate climate with year round temperatures fluctuating between 14º - 16º C, with warm days and cold nights. The rainy season in Cusco is from December to March.

Machu Picchu:

Has a semi-tropical climate, with warm and humid days and cold nights. The rainy season in Machu Picchu is from November to March, so be prepared. The wet months are January to April, when roads are often closed by landslides or flooding. The best months for visiting Machu Picchu are from April to October.

Altitude:

Cusco City: 3,360 m.a.s.l. - Machu Picchu: 2,400 m.a.s.l. - Urubamba Valley: 2,850 m.a.s.l. - Inca Trail highest point: 4,200 m.a.s.l.