A Peru trekking tour on the Inca Trail is perhaps the only such experience in the world which customers have to wait because of huge demand. The 26-mile journey with Inca ruins littered along ancient paved roads snaking through the cloud forests and Andes Mountains is one of the world's top five treks. The Peruvian government's restriction on the number of people allowed on the trail per day to 500 makes it even harder to get in during peak season.
Booking a luxury tour is the easiest way to solve the logistical problems. These government approved tour companies can take care of all the paperwork, and they have the expertise and manpower required to provide a safe and guided tour of the Inca Trail. As a matter of fact, the 500 people on the trail include more support staff than actual trekkers. About 300 of them are porters, guides, cooks and other tour company staff.
Some people find it hard to equate luxury with tramping around on foot through forests and mountains in South America. However, it is possible and is a thoroughly enjoyable experience which includes portable hot water showers and chemical toilets, fine cuisine and wines, and experienced tour guides and porters. Some companies even include a masseuse and musicians.
The point is to get through an arduous 3-4 hiking adventure without giving up the little luxuries of daily life. This includes fine dining, five-star hotel stays and first-class transportation between Lima and Cuzco before and after the trek. Most visitors will be arriving via an international flight to Lima, and then continue on to Cuzco on a domestic flight.
The expedition gets underway at Qorihuayrachina, at the 88 km mark on the Cuzco-Quillabamba railway. This is the Inca Trail's starting point, with a four day hike from here to Machu Picchu. Trekkers will find themselves going through changing landscapes, as the Urubamba River banks in Cuzco give way to the sub-tropical forest and then to the incredible scenery high up in the Andes.
There are different trekking choices designed to match physical endurance and age. The Classic Trail can begin at different points, with the most popular ones being the 82, 88 and 104 km markers. The last choice is a short trek which can be completed in a couple of days, or even in a single day.
Taking the longer Mollepata route requires a more challenging seven-day trek high up in the Andes past the beautiful and snow-capped peaks of Salkantay Mountain. It's also possible to choose tours based on preferred interests. For instance, the trek could include a cultural discovery of the Sacred Valley and its numerous Inca architectural landmarks, settlements and tunnels.
The star among all Peru trekking options is the Inca Trail, irrespective of whether it is the classic trail, the Mollepata route or the short trek. Throwing some luxury into the mix makes the adventure much more enjoyable, since it allows hikers to focus on challenging the trail instead of worrying about food and other necessities. The real prize for those who complete the trek and go through the Gateway of the Sun is the awesome sight of Machu Picchu, which makes the whole thing very much worthwhile.
Booking a luxury tour is the easiest way to solve the logistical problems. These government approved tour companies can take care of all the paperwork, and they have the expertise and manpower required to provide a safe and guided tour of the Inca Trail. As a matter of fact, the 500 people on the trail include more support staff than actual trekkers. About 300 of them are porters, guides, cooks and other tour company staff.
Some people find it hard to equate luxury with tramping around on foot through forests and mountains in South America. However, it is possible and is a thoroughly enjoyable experience which includes portable hot water showers and chemical toilets, fine cuisine and wines, and experienced tour guides and porters. Some companies even include a masseuse and musicians.
The point is to get through an arduous 3-4 hiking adventure without giving up the little luxuries of daily life. This includes fine dining, five-star hotel stays and first-class transportation between Lima and Cuzco before and after the trek. Most visitors will be arriving via an international flight to Lima, and then continue on to Cuzco on a domestic flight.
The expedition gets underway at Qorihuayrachina, at the 88 km mark on the Cuzco-Quillabamba railway. This is the Inca Trail's starting point, with a four day hike from here to Machu Picchu. Trekkers will find themselves going through changing landscapes, as the Urubamba River banks in Cuzco give way to the sub-tropical forest and then to the incredible scenery high up in the Andes.
There are different trekking choices designed to match physical endurance and age. The Classic Trail can begin at different points, with the most popular ones being the 82, 88 and 104 km markers. The last choice is a short trek which can be completed in a couple of days, or even in a single day.
Taking the longer Mollepata route requires a more challenging seven-day trek high up in the Andes past the beautiful and snow-capped peaks of Salkantay Mountain. It's also possible to choose tours based on preferred interests. For instance, the trek could include a cultural discovery of the Sacred Valley and its numerous Inca architectural landmarks, settlements and tunnels.
The star among all Peru trekking options is the Inca Trail, irrespective of whether it is the classic trail, the Mollepata route or the short trek. Throwing some luxury into the mix makes the adventure much more enjoyable, since it allows hikers to focus on challenging the trail instead of worrying about food and other necessities. The real prize for those who complete the trek and go through the Gateway of the Sun is the awesome sight of Machu Picchu, which makes the whole thing very much worthwhile.
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