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inca trail notes
The Inca Trail is a demanding but rewarding trek that combines ancient ruins, mountain scenery, lush cloud forest and rich subtropical jungle. For many people, it is the highlight of Peru, if not South America&
the trek The 45 km (28 mile) trek is usually covered in 4 days, arriving at Machu Picchu in time for sunrise on the fourth morning. The trek is rated moderate and any reasonably fit person should be able to complete the route. While your group leader wont accompany you on the trek, you will be joined by a local guide and supported by a team of porters leaving you with only a small daypack to carry. It is fairly challenging nevertheless, and altitudes of 4,200 m (13,780 ft) are reached, so you need to ensure you are acclimatised. It is a good idea to spend a night at altitude before commencing the trek. The best months for hiking the trail are between May and October when the weather is drier. The main Inca Trail is closed in February for regeneration; at that time an alternative trekking route will be provided. the nitty gritty When trekking the Inca Trail, your group size may increase to a maximum of 16 travellers. The Peruvian government has limited the number of trek permits to 500 per day (about 200 tourists and 300 trekking staff) so it is important to book well in advance. When booking with Intrepid you need to supply the number and full details of the passport you intend to travel on and a US$150 permit fee to secure your place on the Inca Trail trek. Any changes to your passport details may invalidate the permit. The trek permits are issued on a first-come first-served basis until all the permits have been sold out and we will endeavour to purchase your permit within
4 days of confirming your Intrepid booking. In the high season (May - Sep) it is recommended that you book at least 4-5 months in advance; this is non-refundable or transferable once your permit has been confirmed. In the event that Inca Trail permits cant be secured, you can: " Change to another of our fantastic trips or choose a different departure date, without incurring any penalties " Take the Lares Trek; with a day trip to Machu Picchu " Stay 2 nights in Cuzco before travelling to Aguas Calientes by train " Spend the day exploring Machu Picchu before returning to Cuzco If you would prefer to visit Machu Picchu without the hike let us know at the time of booking - a train ride and overnight stay in Aguas Calientes can be arranged at no extra cost. Booking fees will apply with later notice. responsible trekking Intrepid Travel is passionate about sustainable and responsible travel and nowhere is it as important as on the Inca Trail. We are committed to paying a fair wage and supplying the proper equipment and resources to our porters and guides and we are actively involved in promoting practices that contribute to the long-term sustainability of the Inca environment, culture and local communities. For more information on our Inca Trail trips see pages 25 - 39.
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