The Inca Trail, a path paved by the Incas in 15th century Peru, is now one of the most well-known hiking paths in the world as it guides travelers and explorers to the famed ancient city of Machu Picchu.
Every hiker’s dream, the Inca trail is a spectacular journey that invites a lot of questions from travelers planning a hiking trip to the ancient citadel.
Read on to find answers to all your Inca Trail related questions with everything from the weather, difficulty, altitude sickness to how to plan the perfect trip and much more!
The Classic Inca Trail, starting from Km 82 in Puscacucho village, is a magnificent 42 km / 26 mile trek through Inca history. The 4 day / 3 night trek serves up some of the most stunning views of the Andean mountains, Inca ruins and Peru’s cerulean blue lakes.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people the world over travel to Cusco, Peru to hike the Inca Trail and imbibe in the history and culture of Machu Picchu.
This trek will take you through archeological sites like Llactapata – also known as Patallacta – Runcu Racay, Dead Woman’s Pass, Sayacmarca and the Sun Gate. As you journey along the Classic Inca Trail, you’ll also be met with stunning expanses of farming terraces, ancient water fountains and intricately crafted sacred temples.
Standing at an elevation of 2,430 m / 7,972 ft. above sea level, Machu Picchu is an ancient city built by the Inca empire during the 15th century.
The Machu Picchu citadel, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983, features some of the most spectacular architectural designs bearing testament to the engineering genius of the Incas.
Nestled among the Andean mountains in Peru’s Cusco region, Machu Picchu was discovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham and now receives over 5000 visitors each day during peak season.
Cusco’s weather patterns oscillate between two seasons: the rainy season and dry season.
While the rainy season is bookended by November and March, with the heaviest rains generally experienced between January and February, the dry season lasts between April and September.
When travelling along the Classic Inca Trail, you’ll experience a variety of weather patterns with everything from warm, sunny weather to cool, wet and windy climates as you make your way through some of the most spectacular mountain slopes, agricultural fields and rainforests that the Andes have to offer.
With rainfalls triggering a drop in temperatures and the night’s thickening with Cusco’s cool air, the weather patterns in the Andes are nothing less than unpredictable.
Here’s a quick guide of what to expect in terms of weather along the Classic Inca Trail:
Here’s a month by month breakdown of the weather along the Classic Inca Trail and Machu Picchu throughout the year:
The Inca Trail is considered an intermediate-level trek. Day two of the trek is probably the most difficult part of the trek owing to the 4 hour ascent to Dead Woman’s Pass, a mountain that when viewed from the valley below resembles the silhouette of a reclining woman.
The upward trek to the summit, which is nestled upon lofty climes, is physically taxing, especially owing to the high altitudes, and you will need to have sufficient cardiovascular endurance to undertake this portion of the trek.
The 4 day hike to Machu Picchu along the Inca Trail is generally not dangerous.
Peru’s Ministry of Culture has taken a string of precautions to ensure the safety of travelers while hiking along the path.
For instance, the Ministry has installed multiple signs, safety handrails and park guards to aid visitors as they make their way to the ancient citadel.
Cusco city, once hailed as the capital of the Inca empire, lies at an elevation of 3,400 m / 11,155 ft. above sea level, higher than that of Machu Picchu.
So, if you can beat the onset of Altitude Sickness symptoms here, you’ll be able to beat it anywhere along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the only exception being Dead Woman’s Pass which will require a lot more cardiovascular stamina and physical endurance to get you over the mini mountain.
Majority of hiking treks to Machu Picchu begin from Cusco, so you’ll need to acclimatize to Cusco’s high altitudes before you start your trek, to prevent the onset of Altitude Sickness.
It generally takes about 2 – 3 days to get used to Cusco’s high climes. To acclimatize, it is recommended to rest on your first day, drinks lots of water to keep hydrated, avoid alcohol and caffeine and drink 2 cups of coca tea a day. On day two, you may explore a bit of Cusco city by visiting tourist sites which are physically non-taxing.
Altitude Sickness can strike when you travel to climes anywhere higher than 2,500 m / 8,202 ft. above sea level. Since Cusco lies 3,400 m / 11,155 ft. above sea level, your body will need time to adjust to the change in air pressure.
The symptoms of Altitude Sickness include headaches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, rapid heart rate and shortness of breath (with or without exertion). If you experience any of these symptoms, don’t fret, the symptoms, which usually set in within 12 – 24 hours of reaching a higher elevation, usually reduce within a day or two as your body adjusts to the change in altitude.
Summary of tips to acclimatizing to Cusco’s high climes:
For more details on Altitude Sickness, please contact a medical professional. This article is intended to be educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice given by your doctor. Book an Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu here and soak up the sunlit vistas of Machu Picchu citadel!
