Where is Inca Trail?

The Inca Trail is located in Peru, specifically in the region of Cusco, in the cordillera Vilcabamba of the Andes Mountains. It is a renowned trekking route that leads to the ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. The trail traverses through the Andes Mountains, passing through various terrains, including high mountain passes, cloud forests, settlements, tunnels, and Inca archaeological sites. The starting point of the Inca Trail is typically near the town of Ollantaytambo, and it culminates at the magnificent site of Machu Picchu. The trail offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes and provides a unique opportunity to experience the rich history and culture of the Incas. The Classic Inca Trail is 4 days of hiking.

The second day of the trip is the hardest. You go from the Wayllabamba campsite to a high place called the Paso de la Mujer Muerta(dead woman pass)which is 4,200 meters high. Once you get there, you will be laughing or crying.

The government of Peru is worried about the trail getting damaged from too many people walking on it, so they only allow a certain number of people to hike the trail each season. You have to reserve ahead of time to make sure you can go. Only 500 people are allowed to hike the trail daily, 200 hundred are for tourists and the rest are guides and people carrying things. Because of these rules, the busiest time of year fills up fast.

The Machu Picchu to Inca Trail is closed from February 1st to 28th so that the bridges, terraces, and paths are fixed and the trail can be cleaned.

The best time to hike this fantastic trekking route is from May to September which is the dry season in the Andes. The Trail is still open in the rainy season but you don’t enjoy it much because the visibility is poor.