It’s one of the world’s most iconic treks and one of our personal favorites. The Inca Trail winds through gorgeous cloud forests to the ancient city of Machu Picchu, and it’s totally unforgettable. The Inca trail to Machu Picchu is split into a 4-day adventure, traversing the highest spot at 13 800 feet. Find out everything you need to know right here!
Fascinating Facts about the Inca Trail
- Since 2001 Inca Trail regulations, permits on the Inca trail are limited to 500 per day; However, about 50 % of these are booked for guides, cooks, and porters, meaning that only 50 % or less is for hikers from around the world.
- The Inca trail was forgotten, and not even locals would use it again until an American Yale University scholar by the name of Hiram Bingham re-discovered the hints of an ancient trail; while making clearing works at Machu Picchu.
- One of the leading theories about the Inca trail and experts claim it to be, is that the Inca trail was a pilgrimage trail that concluded within the walls of Machu Picchu.
- The Quechua name for the highest point on the Inca Trail is Abra Warmiwañusca, which stands for Dead Woman’s Pass. It goes as high as 4 215 m / 13 000 ft marking the Inca trail milestone.
- All Inca trail trekkers hike nearly 1000 m / 3 280 ft in a single day which is the second day of hiking, then descend 400 / 1 300 ft meters down for camping.
- It is known as a Dead woman’s pass because when viewed from the valley below, it looks like a woman’s body. By the way, many trekkers tried to reason the name and thought it applied to former woman travelers dying in route.
- The Incan Trail and communication system, in general, rivaled that of the once Roman Empire. Because as Romans, the Incas also had to transport food supplies throughout the region, which stretched over 27 000 miles long and move the army to the frontiers. Then even built a road for religious purposes as the Inca trail is believed to be, linking Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu.
- The Classic Inca Trail is a diverging branch of a 45,000 km network of Inca roads linking modern-day countries such as Bolivia, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca empire.
- You’ll visit a lineup of lesser-known Incan ruins en route that only Inca trail hikers see. There are five in all. More about Inca trail ruins.
- The scenery changes each day, and that gives trekkers a chance to enjoy epic vistas of mountains, mist-shrouded cloud forests, and verdant rain forests near Machu Picchu.
- On the third day, hiking the Inca trail in the rainy season, the views get obscured and shrouded by constant clouds due to its location. And it can cause an epical sensation, uniqueness to some, and disappointment to others at the Phuyupatamarca site without giving any good sight at all. Know that the name means a place over the clouds; then it is a tribute to its name.
- About three months before Christmas, the Inca trail permits for the upcoming year are released for sale. It Usually is in early October through the regional ministry of culture institution. Permits for January, March, and April may remain acquirable as it is low season, but when It comes to be May through October, these Inca trail permits are sometimes completely sold out.
- Because the demand is high for this stretch of Inca trail, famous for taking hikers to Machu Picchu wonder, booking at least six months in advance is necessary.
- Hiking the Inca trail in winter, May – September is a good choice, but Not everything is all roses as temperatures in highland can change quickly and radically. Winter temperature may drop as low as 0°C / 32°F. It can get pretty cold during the nights, while the rest of the year it’s slightly warmer but wetter too.
- Park rangers release Llamas for feeding every now and then near the campsites. Non-other Camelids can be found in route, but only Llamas.
- Horses are not allowed on the Inca trail due to the damage they can cause to the ancient stone steps. Additionally, Horses can´t make the narrow trails and slippery stone ladders.
Related Inca Trail Facts
Here are some other options that will suit your needs
