12 Fast Facts Almost the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The Inca Trail, or the Camino del Inca , is one of the most important features of South America's past and nowadays, and the trek to Machu Picchu is unlike any other adventure in the world . There are very few places where you lot have an opportunity to walk through awe inspiring terrain while passing 500 yr sometime archeological treasures.

If you take ever dreamed of hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, I have compiled this listing of 12 Fast Facts that provides the information that you demand to know!

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Facts and Data

1) How hard is the Inca Trail?

The Classic Inca Trail Route difficulty is considered a moderate level hike. If y'all are hiking the Classic Inca Trail Route you volition hike 26 miles over four days at an elevation nearing 13,828 feet (4,215 meters). The longest mean solar day you can expect to hike is around x hours.

2) How long does it take to hike to Machu Picchu?

It takes the average corporeality of people 4 days to hike the Classic Inca Trail Route to Machu Picchu. However, it tin exist done faster or slower depending on your fitness level and itinerary.

3) Is the Inca Trail worth it?

The Classic Inca Trail Route to Machu Picchu is definitely worth it, information technology is considered one of the greatest adventure experiences on the planet. There are very few trails where you laissez passer 500 yr old archeological treasures while likewise hiking among some of the most beautiful mountains on earth. At the cease of the hike, you accept the reward of a once-in-a-lifetime view of Machu Picchu, which sits below as you footstep through the Sun Gate.

4) Is the Inca Trail unsafe?

While there is danger in hiking whatsoever mountain trail, the Classic Inca Trail Route is considered an intermediate level hike. The terrain is moderate; there are sections that are steep only practice not crave ropes, harnesses or special technical training. Elevation does achieve up to 13,828 feet (iv,215 meters). Even so, if your physical fitness level is strong and if your hiking step is slow to moderate, hikers typically practise non have a challenge completing the trek.

5) Are there toilets on the trail?

At many of the rest camps on the trail there are toilets. Depending on which outfitter y'all travel with, many companies do bring along portable 'porta-potties' as well. The porta-potties tend to exist more germ-free than the rest army camp bath options.

half-dozen) How common cold does it get on the Inca Trail?

Depending on the fourth dimension of the year, the temperature on the Archetype Inca Trail Route ranges from 32°F (0°C) to 80°F (27°C),  with an average daytime temperature of 65°F (eighteen°C). In the mornings, when you wake upwards early it tin can exist chilly and so information technology is appropriate to habiliment warm layers to begin the day'southward hike. Notwithstanding, within an hr hikers tend to warm upwards from the physical action. Information technology is typical to see many hikers wearing shorts and short sleeve shirts for the bulk of the solar day during the expedition. So, when the hiking for the day is consummate and the lord's day begins to fix, you can add additional layers to continue yourself warm at the camp.

7) Why did Incas leave Machu Picchu?

There are many legends and theories surrounding why the Incas left Machu Picchu. Some scholars believe that the Inca Trail was used as a ceremonial pilgrimage for the Incas. There are theories that Machu Picchu was a holy temple governed by a loftier priest. In the year 1528 the Spanish explorer Francisco Pizarro and his brothers arrived in what is at present Peru. Afterward several decades of fighting, they conquered the Inca Empire in 1572. Some scholars propose that around this time the Incas may have covered upwardly Machu Picchu to preserve its treasures from looting by the Spanish.

8) Which is harder: the Inca Trail or Kilimanjaro?

Typically hikers find that Mountain Kilimanjaro is a harder hike than the Archetype Inca Trail Route. This is by and large due to the difference in elevations. The summit of Mount Kilimanjaro stands at xix,342 feet (5,895 meters), while the highest signal of the Classic Inca Trail Route is 13,828 feet (4,215 meters). In add-on, the temperatures on Mountain Kilimanjaro can be much colder than on the Inca Trail and tin can accomplish below 20° F (-7°C).  It is too very mutual to see snow and ice most the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, however, information technology is very rare to run across these frigid weather on the trail.

9) Is Machu Picchu a hard hike?

Information technology is important to distinguish the hiking routes on the Classic Inca Trail every bit compared to routes on or nigh Machu Picchu. The Classic Inca Trail Route is a moderate 26 mile hike. The hike typically takes 4 days to complete while reaching a maximum peak of 13,828 anxiety (4,215 meters). The trek is challenging, only with a good fitness routine prior to the hike near hikers consummate the expedition. Once you reach Machu Picchu there are two hiking options: Machu Picchu Mount and Huayna Picchu. Machu Picchu Mountain is the name of the highest mountain behind Machu Picchu. This astonishing excursion, that will take approximately 4 hours, starts at the Machu Picchu citadel and takes you through a trail hidden under the forest, to the elevation of this magic mountain. Huayna Picchu is the mountain that rises over the Urubamba River, and it looms above Machu Picchu. The Incas built a trail upward the side of the Huayna Picchu and built temples and terraces on its meridian. The peak of Huayna Picchu is well-nigh viii,920 feet to a higher place ocean level, and the hike takes approximately one-one/2 to 2 hours to complete.

Machu Picchu citadel

ten) How loftier does the Inca Trail get?

The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Route gets to a height of 13,828 feet (4,215 meters), which is the altitude at Dead Woman's Pass.

11) Why is information technology called Expressionless Adult female'due south Laissez passer?

Dead Woman'south Pass is the highest point on the route at 13,828 feet (4,215 meters). Information technology is chosen the Expressionless Woman's Pass because when viewed from the valley below it looks similar a woman's supine body.

12) Can you walk the Inca Trail without a guide?

No, yous can not walk the Inca Trail without a guide. The regime of Peru requires all participants on the Classic Inca Trail Route to apply a guiding service to make the journey.

If you lot would like to learn more nigh our adventure hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, delight click Here!

I await forwards to hiking with you on the Inca Trail.

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeff Bonaldi
Founder & CEO
The Explorer's Passage

About Jeff Bonaldi

Jeff Bonaldi is the Founder and CEO of The Explorer'south Passage, an adventure travel visitor. His mission is to provide travelers with the opportunity to transform their lives and the planet through the power of adventure.

For the latest, follow Jeff on Instagram and learn more about him HERE.