A Peru trekking tour on the Inca Trail is perhaps the only such experience in the world which customers have to wait because of huge demand. The 26-mile journey with Inca ruins littered along ancient paved roads snaking through the cloud forests and Andes Mountains is one of the world's top five treks. The Peruvian government's restriction on the number of people allowed on the trail per day to 500 makes it even harder to get in during peak season.
Booking a luxury tour is the easiest way to solve the logistical problems. These government approved tour companies can take care of all the paperwork, and they have the expertise and manpower required to provide a safe and guided tour of the Inca Trail. As a matter of fact, the 500 people on the trail include more support staff than actual trekkers. About 300 of them are porters, guides, cooks and other tour company staff.
Many people wonder how luxury is possible while hiking through jungles and mountains in South America. Well, it's a relative concept, but the little luxuries provided will start seeming invaluable after a day or so. It gets a lot harder to continue without the comfort of portable hot water showers and chemical toilets, and cooks providing fine meals and wine to wash it down. Some tours have been known to include a masseuse for massages, and musicians offering live performances.
None of this makes the trek any less authentic or challenging, but it does help reduce the discomforts of life in the outdoors. The luxury travel begins as soon as passengers land at the international airport in Lima. There will be stays in five star hotels and fine dining in upscale restaurants, along with a flight-class seat on a domestic flight from Lima to Cuzco.
The expedition gets underway at Qorihuayrachina, at the 88 km mark on the Cuzco-Quillabamba railway. This is the Inca Trail's starting point, with a four day hike from here to Machu Picchu. Trekkers will find themselves going through changing landscapes, as the Urubamba River banks in Cuzco give way to the sub-tropical forest and then to the incredible scenery high up in the Andes.
There are many options and variations that can be adopted to match a trekker's comfort level. The Classic Inca Trail can begin from one of many different points, including at the 82 km, 88 km and 104 km marks. This last one brings the experience down to a much easier two-day trek.
Taking the longer Mollepata route requires a more challenging seven-day trek high up in the Andes past the beautiful and snow-capped peaks of Salkantay Mountain. It's also possible to choose tours based on preferred interests. For instance, the trek could include a cultural discovery of the Sacred Valley and its numerous Inca architectural landmarks, settlements and tunnels.
The star among all Peru trekking options is the Inca Trail, irrespective of whether it is the classic trail, the Mollepata route or the short trek. Throwing some luxury into the mix makes the adventure much more enjoyable, since it allows hikers to focus on challenging the trail instead of worrying about food and other necessities. The real prize for those who complete the trek and go through the Gateway of the Sun is the awesome sight of Machu Picchu, which makes the whole thing very much worthwhile.
Booking a luxury tour is the easiest way to solve the logistical problems. These government approved tour companies can take care of all the paperwork, and they have the expertise and manpower required to provide a safe and guided tour of the Inca Trail. As a matter of fact, the 500 people on the trail include more support staff than actual trekkers. About 300 of them are porters, guides, cooks and other tour company staff.
Many people wonder how luxury is possible while hiking through jungles and mountains in South America. Well, it's a relative concept, but the little luxuries provided will start seeming invaluable after a day or so. It gets a lot harder to continue without the comfort of portable hot water showers and chemical toilets, and cooks providing fine meals and wine to wash it down. Some tours have been known to include a masseuse for massages, and musicians offering live performances.
None of this makes the trek any less authentic or challenging, but it does help reduce the discomforts of life in the outdoors. The luxury travel begins as soon as passengers land at the international airport in Lima. There will be stays in five star hotels and fine dining in upscale restaurants, along with a flight-class seat on a domestic flight from Lima to Cuzco.
The expedition gets underway at Qorihuayrachina, at the 88 km mark on the Cuzco-Quillabamba railway. This is the Inca Trail's starting point, with a four day hike from here to Machu Picchu. Trekkers will find themselves going through changing landscapes, as the Urubamba River banks in Cuzco give way to the sub-tropical forest and then to the incredible scenery high up in the Andes.
There are many options and variations that can be adopted to match a trekker's comfort level. The Classic Inca Trail can begin from one of many different points, including at the 82 km, 88 km and 104 km marks. This last one brings the experience down to a much easier two-day trek.
Taking the longer Mollepata route requires a more challenging seven-day trek high up in the Andes past the beautiful and snow-capped peaks of Salkantay Mountain. It's also possible to choose tours based on preferred interests. For instance, the trek could include a cultural discovery of the Sacred Valley and its numerous Inca architectural landmarks, settlements and tunnels.
The star among all Peru trekking options is the Inca Trail, irrespective of whether it is the classic trail, the Mollepata route or the short trek. Throwing some luxury into the mix makes the adventure much more enjoyable, since it allows hikers to focus on challenging the trail instead of worrying about food and other necessities. The real prize for those who complete the trek and go through the Gateway of the Sun is the awesome sight of Machu Picchu, which makes the whole thing very much worthwhile.
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