Have you ever heard about Peru’s wonders?
Peru has it all. Nice modern cities that offer everything you might need. Luxury accommodations with high standards of services. Unimaginable places to walk and visit. Its highlands full of charm, history and culture, and wonders to discover; its jungle crossed by the majestic Amazon River; indescribable areas south of the capital and its food, there are no words to describe them.
Let’s get to know its marvelous mountain range, located both in the north and south of the country. But, let’s focus on the south, especially Cusco, as there are more cities in the southern highlands such as Ayacucho, Arequipa and Puno.
Cusco, Magic City
Stop, take a break; something unexpected is calling you in Cusco.
Arrive to Cusco is the beginning of an adventure of discoveries. Since the arrival to the Inca town, the sensations and feelings, including the air is different and not because to the altitude, but due to the magnificence of the Andean place
An incredible smile will be waiting for you at the airport, beginning the contact with the real Peruvian people and its customs, habits and practices. And it is that the Peruvians love to give; to give welcomes, to smile, offer general information, secret details that will help you a lot and very much more
So, having all the information you may have since your arrival, the adventure has to continue and your touristic program must be developed step by step.
As you know, Cusco has so much to offer from corner to corner, throughout its territory. History, culture, archaeologist, bohemian and beautiful corners, neighborhoods famous for their handicrafts; steep stairs that take your breath away and so much more; Cusco is all an amazing experience.
About the Inca Trail
The Inca Trail, the most known for adventurers and passengers in general is the one you go up to Km82 by train, and then start the hike. There are also other treks that follow different routes (Salkantay, Maras, etc.), but all of them reach to the hidden jewel.
In the Classic Inca Trail, in the first two days of hiking, you will go through high Andean landscapes that can cause the famous ‘altitude sickness’, also called ‘mountain sickness’ or simply ‘soroche’. This natural physical discomfort is produced by the body’s maladjustment to mountainous geographies where there is low oxygen pressure. That is why we always recommend arriving in Cusco a couple of days before to acclimatize.
The difficulty of the Classic Inca Trail is considered to be a moderate level hike. The classic Inca Trail Route is 43 km (26 mi) long and often steep, you will hike over four days at an elevation nearing 13,828 feet (4,215 meters)
The Peruvian government limits the number of people who can travel on the trail each day to roughly 500, and about 60% of these are for the porters who carry supplies for the tourists.
This means that only 200 permits are available each day for travelers and most, if not all, are allocated to tour groups or private guides. It is no possible to go alone to do this trek.
Convenient time to do the Inca Trail
The most convenient time to hike the Inca Trail is generally during the dry season, from May to September. This period offers the best weather conditions with clear skies and mild temperatures, making the hike more comfortable and enjoyable. However, it’s also the busiest time, so booking permits and tours well in advance is essential.
Descending just a few hundred meters can take you out of wind-blasted plains and into lush montane forest. So even if you’re traveling in the ‘dry’ season, you’ll need good, waterproof clothing and boots, warm and cool layers, sunscreen and a fleece. In short, the Andes never fail to surprise. The wet season falls from November-March, and at this time you’re pretty much guaranteed a drenching, so this is really not the best time to do the Inca Trail. In the dry season – Peru’s winter – temperatures drop close to freezing at night but days can still be gloriously sunny, and you won’t have as much cloud and fog obstructing your view of some of the most glorious sights on earth.
Important notice
Remember, it is very important to know that for the Inca Trail, tickets are sold well in advance. There is a daily capacity of 500 people only including all the staff that accompanies the passengers, so it is very popular. Also, it is not possible to do it on your own, it is mandatory to always use an operator registered as View Peru & Signatures; otherwise, it is impossible to do it on your own.
