Planning your Inca Trail trek requires lots of logistics. In many cases, these logistics create questions with regards to the Inca Trail, what to expect, weather conditions, hiking conditions etc. In better help you during your planning stage, here is a list of frequently asked questions that may answer some of your concerns.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is approximately 25 miles or 40 km. The trail begins from KM 82 which is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and finishes at the Inti Punku of Machu Picchu Citadel.
Peru is located in South America and its main international airport is in Lima – the capital city. Getting to Peru varies from your country of origin. Most flights from Canada and the United States are between 03 to 06 hours in duration, without considering any layovers. Flights from Europe, Africa, and Asia are between 11 to 20 hours.
Visiting Peru can be done all year round. There are no marked seasons in most of the country besides rainy and non-rainy seasons. This being said, the most popular season for tourism in Peru is between April to October.
In order to preserve the Inca Trail and its surroundings, no cargo animals are allowed at any point on the Inca Trail. For this reason, all traveling on the Inca Trail is done on foot.
To enter the Inca Trail, you will be required to have your passport. Your passport number should match the passport details on your Inca Trail permits.
Please know that if you are booking with a passport that is set to expire within 06 months of your planned entry date to Peru, you will be required to renew your passport before coming to Peru. Peru authorities will not grant you entry to the country otherwise.
Coca leaves are legally consumed in Peru and Bolivia. The most common consumption methods include chewing and drinking (in tea) coca leaves. Its use dates back to the Inca empire, where the coca leaves had a sacred status and were used for medicinal purposes.
Coca tea is a mild stimulant and is most often used to counteract the effects of altitude sickness. You will not get ¨high¨ on coca leaves. Common side effects after drinking several cups of coca tea include increased heart rate.
In general, Peru is a safe travel destination. That being said, your visit to Peru will require you to be more vigilant than in other parts of the world. As a tourist, you may be target to petty crime. Pickpocketing is the most common form of crime experienced by tourists.
Yes, Inca Trail bookings require a non-refundable booking deposit. This deposit is used by the authorized tour operator to secure your required Inca Trail permits and entrance tickets to Machu Picchu before they are sold out.
The Inca Trail spans over rugged terrain of varying altitudes. The total distance is approximately 40 km and entails hiking along gently rolling hills, plains, and mountain passes. The most difficult aspect of hiking the Inca Trail is the altitude change, espècially when hiking over the trail´s highest mountain pass at 4,200 m.a.s.l / 13,776 ft.a.s.
Once Inca Trail permits are sold out for a specific date, they are sold out for every authorized tour operator. Inca Trail permits are nonrefundable and nontransferable and do not become available after being sold out.
Should there be no Inca Trail permits available for your desired travel dates, we recommend providing your tour operator with alternative dates. If this is not an option, most reliable and authorized tour operators will offer you alternative iconic trails to Machu Picchu which do not require Inca Trail permits.
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Alpaca Expeditions is committed to protecting the environment. In doing so, all of our operations out on the trail are centered around protecting the trails we hike on. We do not use any form of one-time-use plastics and encourage hikers to do the same. We use biodegradable cleaning products and make sure to carry and dispose of any garbage created while on the trail according to law. We make sure to clean each campsite after every use and have portable, eco-friendly toilets.
Tipping porter crew and trail staff is customary in Peru. In general, if the group has been pleased with the service provided by the porter crew and trail staff, a tip would be appreciated. If you aren’t sure about how much to tip the porters and chef, ask your guide and he will answer honestly. And, if you have any equipment that you brought for the trek that you think you will never use again, you can gift it to our porters. You will not find harder workers anywhere!