Inca Trail to Machu Picchu — Local services in Distrito de Cusco

Visited in 2005

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu  is a hiking trail in Peru that leads to Machu Picchu. It consists of three overlapping trails: Mollepata, Classic, and One Day. Mollepata is the longest of the three routes with the highest mountain pass. Located in the Andes mountain range, the trail passes through several types of Andean environments including cloud forest and alpine tundra.

Starting at 2,600 metres, the trail ascends to 3,300 metres on the first day. The second day ascends over Dead Woman's pass- the highest point on the Inca Trail at 4,200 metres. This is the most dangerous point for altitude sickness, though little time is spent at this elevation and the trail descends again to 3,600 metres.

The trail only descends from this point until arriving at Machu Picchu at 2,430 metres.

Settlements, tunnels, and many Incan ruins are located along the trail. The two longer routes require an ascent to beyond 4,200 metres (13,800 ft) above sea level, which can result in altitude sickness, or for me asthma meant that I walked for two days, but could not make it up the last mountain climb... it was a few hours to Machu Picchu, but I had to turn back and walk back to the start of the trail and get a lift to the town and proceed to Machu Picchu from there - was devastating disappointment at the time. ... but did get to visit the site.

Today I received a lovely email from the Inca Trail - thank you very much and yes indeed I would love to visit again and complete the trail. I have travelled throughout the world and the Inca Trail is by far th emost rewarding and outstanding visit. Highly...

Did the 4-days inca trail. The trip went fine overall.

The agency is cheaper than most tours, but also provides less. Sometimes that's ok, e.g. you can decide if you'd pay more to have your equipment carried. Other times it's cheap and disorganized. Most notably we asked about climbing Huayna Picchu mountain several times, before the trip we were told it's closed (not true), during the trip we were told we should've booked months in advance (would've been nice to know in advance). In the end we managed to buy tickets at the entrance, but only because we continously insisted to check when we get there. I rented a sleeping bag and was told I have to carry it (tents are of course carried for you). It was huge and it obviously didn' fit in my bag. If it would've rained I would've slept in a wet sleeping bag. Had to insist that they carry it the next days. It was full of some sort of fur that got all over sleeping clothes and was hard to remove. The rental prices were very high, we ended up buying brand new hiking rods for the...

⚠️🛑Horrible travel agency. We were robbed completely. 60$ for city tour and $80 for sacred valley trip. Locally, you will get the same in soles. Be careful with the agency’s sweet talk.

They didn’t turn out to pick up for city tour but still we accepted their mistake and joined the boring city tour the next day. We wanted to cancel sacred Valley trip as the city tour wasn’t great. It wasn’t possible and they told us that it will be ‘No show’ so we had to force ourselves to join.

Don’t make mistake like we did!!!! Look for some other place and best is to be in Cusco and...