INCA TRAIL VS KILIMANJARO: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Travels and journeys to South America, hold on!! not only to South America but out there we also want to travel to some majorly preferred tourist attractions around the world. For instance, we have the Rainbow Mountains in eastern China, then there are the Greek islands in Europe and the Grand Circle route in the united states. You know that the list just keeps going on and on and on. There are so many places, just think about that for a second. Now, we are chosen two popular destinations between Africa and South America to talk about: The Inca trail vs Kilimanjaro, what distant places we have got here and very different in so many aspects but there must be some similarities though because these two destinations involve hiking. We will be focusing on their essential aspects.
HOW TO GET TO AND ACCESSIBILITY
Inca Trail
Getting to Peru is not that complicated because most international flights land at the capital city´s Lima Jorge Chavez airport. Once in Lima, most of the Inca trail hikers fly to Cusco via Domestic flights which usually take 60 minutes. Its important to note that travelers have a few chances to explore Huaraz, Nazca lines, and Arequipa before or after the hike but of course, it is going to depend strictly on everyone´s itinerary. Since Cusco is the jumping point for almost every tour in the area and here is where usually small and large groups begin the expedition to the Inca trail. Tour groups are transported to the starting point of the Inca trail on The morning of day one and that´s how it works all along. The quest for Machu Picchu by the Inca trail.
Kilimanjaro
The most convenient mode of transportation for an adventure in the Kilimanjaro area is by picking a direct flight straight to Kilimanjaro international airport, (KIA). Next is to take an overland trip to the mountain city of Maoshi about 42 Km and Arusha which is another popular gateway town about 50 km. While Peru’s Inca trail to Machu Picchu possesses only two routes, in Tanzania, there are seven starting points and at least three routes leading up to the roof of Africa. Just a few hours by car from Arusha is the official start of the hike, this one is by taking the Lemosho route, one of the beautiful and very scenic routes. At this point it is worth comparing the size of these national parks, so we have on one side Kilimanjaro park with a total of 1688 km2, and on the other, Machu Picchu zone where the Inca trail runs with only 373 km2. Seeing this Kilimanjaro is by far the biggest one.
BEST TIME TO HIKE
Inca Trail
The best time to hike the Inca Trail is during the dry season, which runs from May to September. During this time, the weather is generally clear and sunny, with little to no rain. This makes for ideal hiking conditions and stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. However, it’s important to note that this is also the busiest time on the trail, so be prepared for crowds and book your permits well in advance. If you’re looking for a quieter experience, consider hiking during the shoulder seasons of April or October, when the weather is still good but there are fewer people on the trail.
Kilimanjaro
The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the dry season, which runs from December to mid-march and mid-June to October. During this time, the weather is generally clear and dry, making for better visibility and easier hiking conditions. However, this is also the busiest time of year. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, consider climbing during the shoulder seasons of January to March or November to December. Just be aware that the weather can be more unpredictable during these times.
THE HIGHEST POINT TO REACH
Inca Trail
Every time the elevation´s height is a worrisome matter for most travelers, especially for lowlanders and for those who perhaps practice outdoor activities not so often. It is totally and completely reasonable to wonder about that and you should perhaps insist on more detailed information concerning this and make your final decisions on either booking the 1 day Inca trail hike or continuing on the full-length Inca trail. Anyways, the second-day hike on the Inca trail is when travelers ascend to 4, 215 m or 13, 800 feet. No problem in most cases but the lack of oxygen does affect a handful of hikers. Proper medication and acclimatization before the hike play one important role.
Kilimanjaro
The dormant volcano also known as the mountain of whiteness, Kilimanjaro reaches its official peak on the Uhuro peak at 19,340 ft or 5, 895 m. Similarly, Oxigen issues do exist, and perhaps more than on the Peruvian Inca trail, although hikers in Kilimanjaro approach the higher zones after having spent more days in lower altitudes. While the Inca trail´s dead woman pass has to be reached on day 2, and that is a great exposure to altitude in a very short amount of time, especially considering the first-night sleeping camp elevation, located just at 3300 m or 10,000 feet. This really is an Inca trail vs Kilimanjaro.
LOCATION
Inca Trail
The Inca trail is located in the Andes Mountains, Peru, between Cusco City and Machu Picchu, the world’s wonder.
Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro Park is in the eastern rift mountain in Africa. In the northeast of the Republic of Tanzania.
EMERGENCY RESCUE
Inca Trail
Whoever you are, when someone gets sick while on the Inca trail, he or she is assisted immediately. The guides first start the distress call to the home office of the company in Cusco and if the emergency is severe and very urgent, they subsequently will make a call to a private hospital. Most of the time things on the trail go very well but if that is not the case, guides arrange the immediate evacuation of the injured or sick patient to the nearest transportation access and then to a hospital. It is very advisable that travelers should have travel insurance. There is no helicopter landing spot on the Inca trail except in Aguas Calientes town, so that is also a possibility. A helicopter rescue does exist in this spot but, whenever the patient is unable to walk by him/herself the patient is still stretchered to get there. If the patient is not severely affected, then by examining the symptoms and body functions the patient may just be returned before the dead woman pass to Ollantaytambo and be taken care the required amount of time.
Kilimanjaro
While there is no Helipad on the Inca trail, there in African Kilimanjaro, we know there are at least 14 helipads in total and considering its various routes in the entire region of Mount Kilimanjaro. Rather than in Peru, several search and rescue companies exist to evacuate climbers to safety and also the medical personnel is very well trained. Air evacuations are deployed from higher elevations but ambulance rescue by road is also another possibility. However, helicopter rescues cost an arm and a leg. The highest helipad established in the Kilimanjaro route is located at 4, 900 m or 16,000 ft.
Inca trail vs Kilimanjaro, feel the fear? It is normal to have fear, who doesn´t have it? Inca trail deaths? Not recently but if we look back to the dawn of the new century for sure we will find something, surely not good news. Killlimanjaro Fatalilities? Some unfortunate hikers nowadays are already part of the history of the trail. Well, if we see this with total honesty traveling involves misfortunes too. Now, this doesn´t mean discouraging travelers, these are just facts, it can happen anytime anywhere, how dangerous are both trails, it still can´t be generalized but one thing that these have in common; Mountain Altitude sickness.
HOW IS THE TRAIL
Inca Trail
What does the trail look like? Originally designed and built by the Inca people. Expect to walk on hundreds of thousands of stone steps, especially on the second and third days.
Kilimanjaro
To begin with, the various starting points offer a variety of trail features. Some treks start in the Kilimanjaro rain forest zone through some steps and wood bridges and later on as the hike continues, the trail turns out to the mountainous area, desertic and hardpack dirt base path. The more the trail approaches the top the more it gets steeper, surrounded by many volcanic rocks.
ENTRANCE FEE
Inca Trail
From the early years of the new century Inca trail was and is being well regulated, meaning that if in the past backpacking was allowed, now for the sake of the environment backpacking is no longer allowed. The entry fee also accounts for 292 soles per person and there Machu Picchu entry fee is included here.
Kilimanjaro
There is no way to get into the Kilimanjaro national park for free, but everyone has to hire a registered company and authorized guides and porters. The entry fee for Kilimanjaro Park amounts to about 600 dollars.
TIPPING TO PORTERS AND GUIDES
Inca Trail
A small farewell ceremony is held on the afternoon of day three at Huiñayhuayna camp, here is where you have a chance to thank your porters; they are young and middle age men in charge of carrying big rucksacks. If you planned something special to tip them do it here, and they will be thankful. After that, you won´t meet them again so don´t forget. Guides will continue with their job so typically tipping for them takes place at the end of the fourth day.
Kilimanjaro
Tipping the support crew and guides in Kilimanjaro takes place on the last day before leaving Kilimanjaro Park, when the lead guide assembles them as it was for the meeting ceremony. The Appointed group’s spokesman or spokeswoman gives the words thankfulness on behalf of the group. The amount of tipping here is definitely higher than on the Inca trail.
HOW MANY DAYS ARE NEEDED
Inca Trail
The classic Inca trail is completed in four days only. The four-day itinerary is very sufficient to experience the 3-day hike on the trail plus a visit to Machu Picchu on the final day. For those with the extension to take this trip leisurely there is the five-day package. And how is it? it is the same length, only the day hikes become shorter. And finally, there is the 2-day Inca trail package. This is a calmer and quicker experience of the Inca trail. Additionally, there are alternative routes like the Inca Quarry trail and Lares trail that can link to this 2-day Inca trail route.
Kilimanjaro
From 5 day hike up to 10 days. Since it offers more than six different routes, there will be easy routes to tougher ones, so it will depend on everyone´s itineraries and interests. The most popular route is the Machame route achievable in six to seven days. As the second most popular route we find the Lemosho route and next is Rongai etc.
TOILETS
Inca Trail
The bathrooms on Inca Trail are built with concrete. They have a drainage system. The only problem is they don’t have seats either. the conditions of bathrooms on the first day are clean because they are owned by local people so you will pay to use them. As you venture further, there are no private toilets, only public ones so the conditions are terrible. Learn more with details about Inca Trail bathrooms.
Kilimanjaro
The bathrooms in the Kilimanjaro trek are wooden structures built above a deep hole dug into the ground. There are no seats in the public bathrooms. You will relieve yourself in a hole cut into the bottom of the shack in a squatting position. Since there are many crowds in Kili, the public toilets are dirty and smelly. So at the time of booking ask the Company if they include a portable toilet or not.
by Aldair