The Challenges of Trekking the Inca Trail

The Inca Trail is a Peruvian hiking trail that consists of three trails overlapping in the Andes mountain range. Concerns about overuse causing erosion led the Peruvian government to place strict limits on the number of trekkers allowed to navigate the Inca Trail each day, making advanced booking essential for all hikers. The classic Inca Trail will take most hikers around four to five days to complete.

With some of the most breathtaking yet challenging landscape in the world full of steep climbs and even steeper descents, the Inca Trail rewards those who persevere with hidden treasures that cannot be seen any other way than travelling by foot.

The Trekkinn online mountain goods store has everything the intrepid Inca explorer needs to ensure that the hike is as comfortable as possible, from quality hiking boots to specialised clothing and equipment for climbing and camping, all at competitively low prices.

Dead Woman’s Pass

One of the highlights of the Inca Trail is also one if its most challenging aspects – Dead Woman’s Pass. After a relatively easy first day’s trek over the Inca plains, the trail begins to ascend sharply on day two, leading to the aptly-named pass shaped like a woman reclining.

With permits handed out to just 500 individuals each day, 300 of whom are porters and guides, there are usually plenty of people around to cheer you on as you make the ascent. Reaching the top takes effort, but trekkers are rewarded with a campsite to rest for the night at 12,500 feet and some spectacular views of cloud forest and other distinctive habitats.

The infographic attachment looks at some of the other highlights to be seen when trekking the Inca Trail.

Unmissable Sightsof the Inca Trail

Phuyupatamarca to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate

Phuyupatamarca is the name given to a campground and ruins originally discovered by Hiram Bingham III, later uncovered of vegetation by the Fejos team and given the name, which means “cloud-level town”. From here the trail begins to descend, giving way to a jungle-like landscape full of lush greenery, birds and butterflies. Views along this section include the Willkanuta River, an Inca tunnel and a set of Inca ruins. The trail ends at Inti Punku, or the Sun Gate, offering a spectacular first glimpse of the ancient Machu Picchu ruins far below.

You can learn more about the ancient ruins at Machu Picchu in the embedded PDF.

Hidden Secrets ofMachu Picchu