If you are planning a trip to Peru, you already know that one of the areas that you simply have to visit is Machu Picchu. Not only is this the most popular attraction in all of Peru, this archeological site is one of the most famous set of ruins in the world. Whether you are going for the history of the ruins, are interested in learning about the Incan people who called the area home, or you just want to see what it’s all about, you need to find a way to get there. You can find quite a few tours, and many of them can take you right up to the ruins.
Take the Inca Trail
However, if you want to have a bit more adventure, you might want to consider Machu Picchu hiking adventures instead. The best way to get there is to take the Inca Trail. However, you will want to make sure that you have a tour or a permit to hike on the trail, as the Ministry of Culture in Peru has placed a limit of just 500 hikers per day on the trail in order to make sure it is preserved. This number also includes Peruvian staff such as tour guides, porters, chefs and etc. that take up about 50% of the allotted 500 hikers per day. With this said, only 250 permits are available daily to the public. This is why demand is always high. You are going to want to book as early as possible to make sure you can hike.
The Inca Trail is quite a long hike at 30 miles, taking 4 days to complete. You could choose the Lares Trail instead, which starts out at the town of Lares and also take 4 days before you finally reach your destination of Machu Picchu. You could also choose Salkantay Trek option, which is a bit longer at 47 miles and takes 5 days and 4 nights to reach Machu Picchu. The tours can vary by starting location, so you will want to speak with your tour operators and guides about the length of the journey.
Those who have chosen to undertake a Machu Picchu hiking adventure will find that it can help them get closer to the land and really get a feel for what it might have been like to have lived there long ago. It is a vacation that you are certainly never going to forget.
Those who want to hike will want to have a tour guide who can help them with their journey and make sure they are on schedule. Those who are choosing the Classic Inca Trail are required to have a tour guide, and even though tour guides are not required on the Lares Trail or Salkantay Trek, they are Highly recommended so you find your way safely up in the Andes of Peru.
