There are several “official options” of trekking Inca Trail to Machu Picchu available from Cusco, Peru. The most popular are 4-Day “Classic Inca Trail“, 2-Day “Short Inca Trail” and 7-Day “Mollepata – Salkantay – Wayllabamba – Machu Picchu“. These treks are subject to Inca Trail regulations which require the presence of a licensed tour guide and purchase of a trek permit. The number of trek permits is limited to 500 per day, which includes everybody who is going: tourists, guides, porters, etc. It’s very important to book a permit in advance. So, the first step of your trip planning should be the search for a tour operator and reservation of a trek permit. You can check permit availability online in the official government database. It shows the real-time availability of trek permits for the Inca Trail. Go to www.machupicchu.gob.pe, click on ‘Consultas’, select ‘Camino Inca’ (Inca trail) in ‘Centro Arqueologico’ menu, and select the Month (Mes) you are looking for.
I have hiked 2-Day Inca Trail which starts in Vilcanota River Valley at a place called Kilometer 104 (it’s located 104 km along the railway from Cusco to Aguas Calientes). The trek goes along the mountains of beautiful Sacred Valley up to Intipunku (Sun Gate) located on the east slope of the Machu Picchu mountain. The hike combines a stunning mix of Inca ruins, mountain scenery, lush cloud-forest and rich subtropical jungle. The plant life was booming in March, which is one of the best months to see it along the Inca Trail. Can you imagine, over 250 species of orchid have been counted in the area!
I was surprised to know that much of Inca Trail is original Incan construction. During entire trek I was challenging my mind picturing Incas walking by the trail some 500 years ago :)
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Chachabamba Ruins, Inca Trail, Peru
Hiking Peru’s Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Hiking Peru’s Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Hiking Peru’s Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Hiking Peru’s Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Hiking Peru’s Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Hiking Peru’s Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Hiking Peru’s Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Hiking Peru’s Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Hiking Peru’s Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Hiking Peru’s Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Hiking Peru’s Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The tree covered with epiphytes, plants that grow upon a tree. Inca Trail, Peru
Winay Wayna Ruins, Inca Trail, Peru
Hiking Peru’s Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Such fabulous photos…
How did you find the hiking aspect of the trip?
Also, love that picture of the centipede… what gorgeous red legs!
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Thanks, Colleen!
The hike was great! Really enjoyed it. There is a couple of steep spots on the trail, but overall it’s a “light to moderate” level. There were just me and a tour guide… So, no rush, a lot of stops for photos… Sacred Valley has amazing scenery!
That thing with red legs was hiking faster than I was :)
Super, Alex, I also like that thing with red legs:)
Thanks, Masha! That red-legged thing is the highlight of this post ;)
By the way, it was about 5-6 in (13-15 cm) long. Honestly, I am not a fan of those creatures…
HI Alex,
Beautiful photos. They bring back memories of my trek on the Inca Trails many moons ago. I loved the floras on the trail, especially the orchids. That photo of the yellow orchid is stunning. The waterfall shots look very refreshing.
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Thanks! I am glad you liked the photos.
You are so right, the orchids are amazing. I have seen about 25 species on the trail… and every one was beautiful.
The air around waterfall was very refreshing!
Memographer recently posted..Inca Trail Photo Chronicles (Part 2)
This is my dream I’m coming true next year. Words can’t describe how much I love to hike. You’ve done a great job and how amazing the scenery was, just can’t believe it!
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Thank you, Agness! I love hiking too. So, it was my dream come true this year. Good luck next year! Hope you will be able to make it. Do not hesitate to email me from “Contact” page if you have any questions or need an advice. I will be glad to help ;)
Memographer recently posted..Inca Trail Photo Chronicles (Part 2)