Inca Trail

1280px—"Town in the Clouds", an appropriate name given how often it's shrouded in fog. Located at an altitude of 3600 m, this is an impressive and impeccably maintained set of ruins, including agricultural terraces and ceremonial baths. Look for the water channels that connect the baths, a surviving demonstration of high-quality Inca engineering. Next is Intipata GPS -13.185638,-72.541273 - Inca trail intipata.jpg, a truly huge set of agricultural terraces with amazing views of the mountains—if you're lucky you might have the time and energy to wear yourself out walking up and down the long flights of stairs between the terraces. Finally, make your way to Wiñay Wayna GPS -13.192149,-72.536551 - Wiñay Wayna ruins on the Inca Trail.jpg and the largest set of ruins on the trail (aside from Machu Picchu, of course). Wiñay Wayna includes ruins of residential buildings, several storehouses, and terraces where food was grown to be sent to Machu Picchu. For most tours, this is also near the location of your last campsite.

Note: your campsite for this day may be somewhat unpredictable—while the Wiñay Wayna campsite is the most popular because of its proximity to Machu Picchu, space considerations sometimes mean that groups are allocated space at the farther away Phuyupatamarca campsite instead, especially in the high season. Space is allocated by the government, so this is outside the tour operators' control. If your operator plans to camp at Wiñay Wayna, you probably will, but they can't guarantee it 100%.

This is one of the world's most rewarding day-hikes. Wake up very early for a hike in darkness of just a few kilometers to reach your destination before sunrise. You will find that the Trail is fairly easy until you have to go up the steep "gringo killer" stairs. The final climb brings you to Inti Punku GPS -13.169662,-72.533888 Tourists at Inti Punku.jpg and the Sun Gate, where you achieve your first and most picturesque view of Machu Picchu GPS -13.164808,-72.543623 Machu Picchu, Perú, 2015-07-30, DD 40.JPG|1280px]]. Now there's another hour or so of hiking, during which you'll pass a couple of smaller ruins and watch the main part of the ruins slowly get closer and closer.

Finally, you'll make one of the most famous sets of ruins in the world, and with good reason. It's spectacular, huge, and very well preserved and restored, full of Inca houses, temples, streets, terraces, and so on. The ruins you saw on the way were just a shadow of the impressive engineering on display here, in the form of systems of running water and temple walls composed of huge, perfectly cut boulders. It's true that Machu Picchu is crowded, especially compared to the sites you saw on the trail, but the crowds are worth it for an unparalleled look at what remains from the height of Inca civilization.

Depending on your exact itinerary, you'll be at Machu Picchu either in the morning (6AM–noon) or the afternoon (noon–5:30PM). If you have a morning ticket, you won't be kicked out at noon, but you won't be allowed to re-enter if you leave to use the toilets, which are outside the gate. Machu Picchu is most crowded at midday and clears out by 4PM, when the last train heads back to Cusco, so take your time finishing the hike. Late afternoon is the prettiest time to wander through the intricate stonework. The last bus down to

Aguas Calientes GPS -13.154833,-72.525333 Machu Picchu, Peru - Laslovarga (27).jpg, at the foot of Machu Picchu, departs shortly after the gates close in the afternoon.

After touring Machu Picchu, you can choose to take a hike to

Huayna Picchu GPS -13.1575,-72.547222 - Wayna Picchu, Peru-27Oct2009 - to see the stunning vistas of the site. This may cost extra.

Getting out

Which train to take

Beware: if you are not spending the night in Aguas Calientes (4-day/3-night trip) and then you only have part of one day in Machu Picchu, and thus your return train ticket from Machu Picchu will have a large impact on how much time you can spend there and whether or not you have time to climb Huayna Picchu at all. If you are spending this night, this isn't an issue.

When you are booking an Inca Trail ticket from home, you may think the time of your train is a very low priority item. You are probably assuming that someone else made sure you have enough time to spend at Machu Picchu. But the reality is that trains get booked and your trail operator may buy you a train ticket out of Aguas Calientes at 1PM. To make it to this train, you will have to be at the train station at 12:30, which means you have to leave Machu Picchu by no later than noon, which means that you will be there only briefly, and have to leave it when it is the most crowded. Machu Picchu is the best in the first half hour after opening and during the last two hours before closing. Most people are gone after 3PM, and the light till 5PM is gorgeous and the heat a little gentler, and you can sit on a patch of grass and soak in the place. You do not want to miss this. It will make Machu Picchu yours. At 10AM Machu Picchu is crowded, loud, and bustling. You will be running around to not lose track of your tour group. At 4PM you can really see it at your own pace, and hang out with the resident chinchillas and llamas. But to do that, you have to take a later train.

Stay Safe

Statistics on hazards on the Inca trail are not available, and probably do not exist: injuries and petty crimes are not reported, so all information is anecdotal. With proper precautions, and a bit of luck, you'll be fine, and major problems are rare, but more minor problems are common. At the end of the trail, beware of falls at Machu Picchu, especially at Huayna Picchu.

The most common issues on the Inca trail are: altitude sickness, lack of potable water, filthy bathrooms, sprains and broken bones, and petty theft. More serious issues are heart attacks, falling off the trail, landslides, lack of medical facilities, difficulty in rescue and evacuation, and lack of police. Deaths are quite rare (a handful or fewer per year, out of tens of thousands of trekkers), and typically make news. Similarly, serious crimes (murder, rape) are rare, though rape attempts of single women are reported at Wiñay Wayna, particularly when using toilet late at night: safest is to always be in a pair or group at night.

The tap water in Peru is not potable. Do not drink it. You must either boil water for five full minutes or drink bottled water. Your tour operator will have plans for what to do about water during the trek, so ask what you should bring. In any case, it's a good idea to have water purification tablets on hand in case of emergency.

Because you are visiting Andean areas, don't forget to take precautions to avoid altitude sickness if you are prone to it. Be sure to try a hot tea or an infusion of coca leaves on arrival at altitude. During your first day move slowly and eat lightly, resting the first couple of hours. At night you may be woken by the screams of a panicking trekker who is suffering an acute case of altitude sickness, and requires oxygen (particularly at Paqaymayu and the largest and usually highest campsite). Don't be scared, but acclimatize properly so this isn't you.

Sample altitudes above sea level:

Cusco: 3,360 m (11,000 ft)
Machu Picchu: 2,400 m (7,800 ft)
Urubamba Valley: 2,850m (9,300 ft)
highest point on the trail: 4,200 m (13,600 ft)

Theft

Theft is common, primarily of unattended items at camp, and occurs particularly at meal time, when washing or using the toilet, and when sleeping: even experienced tour operators suffer theft. This is especially a problem at crowded campsites, notably Paqaymayu and Wiñay Wayna, which are crawling with people and virtually imfeasible to secure. More aggressive theft (armed robbery, tent slashing) is now rare, however. Prime targets include sunglasses, cell phones, cameras, lenses (camera and sunglasses), money, trekking poles, head lamps, and soft-drinks. Thieves are primarily porters (from your own group or another) or local residents, who are very poor: there is no need to be overtly suspicious, but never let your guard down. You cannot realistically protect everything perfectly, but you can minimize risk.

As a precaution, avoid bringing valuables. Leave jewelry at home, and consider bringing a smaller, cheaper camera. Unfortunately, you must bring your passport and tip money on the trail, and much gear is expensive. Whatever valuable items you do bring should be kept on your person at all times. Your passport is the most serious, since this is disastrous if stolen. Fortunately, this and money are easy to secure, if awkward: use a money belt, even at night. Do not use a neck pouch at night, due to strangulation risk. Safest is to give these to someone when washing.

Leave nothing unattended, especially at meal time. Safest is to have multi-person tents, with someone always there, and either eat in your tent or bring your bags to meal. This is a bit paranoid, and you can generally leave bulky items (clothes, trail shoes) in your tent.

Don't leave anything outside the tent, even shoes or clothes, especially at night (not just to because of theft but also in case of rain and dew). Leave nothing valuable inside tent entrance or in easy-access pockets.

Hide bulkier items mixed with other items in bags inside of bags inside of deep pockets Backpack pockets, pant pockets, shirt pockets, etc. are easily searched. The more layers (bags, zippers, etc.) and the less likely a rushed thief is to risk opening all of them or risk taking a large item. This provides added protection for items such as sunglasses, cameras, and lenses.

Hide valuables when approaching campsite, if feasible.

Injuries, evacuation, and death

Inca trail, Peru -

Serious injuries and death are very rare, but feasible.

Medical emergencies are very dangerous, due to the remoteness. Medical facilities on the trail are limited, and evacuation and rescue are slow and difficult. The closest major facilities are in Cusco, many hours away. If you are at risk of a medical emergency that would need a hospital, you risk death.

Prior to Warmiwañusqa, you can turn back. Once you pass Warmiwañusqa and there’s no turning back: the fastest and safest way out is onward to Machu Picchu. If you are injured, you will need to walk out or be carried out (if you cannot walk); horse are available for the first day, but not afterwards. Helicopter evacuation is feasible from Machu Picchu, but not from the trail itself. Usual evacuation proceeds via Aguas Calientes (if past Warmiwañusqa), Ullantaytampu and then to Cusco.

If you fall off the trail, you will likely be seriously injured or die: off a sheer drop you will likely die, while if you fall into vegetation you will likely not be able to climb back up (mountainsides are scree covered with thick vegetation), and need to be rescued by a team with machetes and a basket stretcher, which can take hours.

It is safest to not be alone on the trail: if something happens, it can be some time before you are found, and if you fall off out of sight, it may be hours or days before you are found.

Be aware of the language problem: English is often limited, and porters may only speak Quechua. Please document and learn to state any medical conditions in Spanish.

News & References Inca Trail

Travel Next

Machu Picchu, of course.
Aguas Calientes, if spending the night.
Ollantaytambo, other major Inca ruin, and on the train back
Other sights in and around the Sacred Valley and Cusco.

Other treks

Many alternative treks in the area, some also ending at Machu Picchu, are run by some of the same companies.

Keep hiking, by long, demanding hike to Choquequirao (similar ruin to Machu Picchu, much less-known) and then short (2-day) hike down to Cachora and bus back to Cusco.
Salkantay Trek, passing by the staggeringly tall Salkantay peak on the way to Machu Picchu
Two-day Inca Trail, where you only hike past a few ruins, for people who want a taste of the Inca Trail but aren't ready for a big four-day trek