Machu Picchu Favorite Tips by SirRichard Top 5 Page for this destination

When to go Inca Trail Review

Favorite thing: The best season to do the Inca Trail is probably from July to November. Then it is dry, but a little colder at night.
In february, the Trail is CLOSED, though you can still visit Machu Picchu by train.
I went in May, just after the rainy season, and found a little rain (just 1 day) and the ground was slippery sometimes.
Besides, it was foggy some days, specially in the 4th day, when we were supposed to see sunrise over Machu Picchu from the mountains and we saw NOTHING, as it was foggy and grey!

The jungle Inca Trail Review

Favorite thing: Along the Inca Trail you will have varied landscapes, from dry mountains to thick jungles. It makes a nice contrast and you can definetly take some good pictures along the way....

THE FOURTH DAY Inca Trail Review

Favorite thing: The fourth day is probably the best. BUT you have to wake up really early (4-5 am), as your goal today is supposed to be seeing sunrise from the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) over Machu Picchu.
So after passing the checking point, you have to walk 2 hours (easy ground) till Inti Punku and then descend about 30 minutes to Machu Picchu.

We were not really lucky, as it was foggy when we reached Inti Punku and we couldn't see further than 5 meters!! So we reached MP in the mist, and had to wait till 11am to be able to see the ruins! But MP in the mist is a nice view too :-)))

Fondest memory: After visiting the ruins you normally leave back to Cuzco in the after lunch train from Aguas Calientes, and arrive there at about 9pm, end of the fourth day!

THIRD DAY Inca Trail Review

Favorite thing: This day is called "unforgettable". You have passed the highest pass, you have survived the coldest night and now come the nicest landscapes, the best ruins, some mountain, some jungle, some way up, some way down... and hot water showers at the campsite!!!

This day you are supposed to be more in shape, after the 2 previous days, so everything should go smoother...

THE SECOND DAY Inca Trail Review

Favorite thing: The second day is the hardest in all the trail. In the morning you have to climb the "Dead woman Pass" (4200m - 13776 ft) and is really exhausting, as you keep climbing and climbing all the time.
After reaching the top you have to descend endless steps (slippery when raining) till the 2nd campsite (Runkurukay).
You really can do it in one morning and be at the campsite for lunch, but believe me, you will spend all the afternoon resting.
After this 2nd day, everything is easier!

THE FIRST DAY Inca Trail Review

Favorite thing: The trail takes 4 days. In fact is 3 days of hiking and in the morning of the 4th you arrive to Machu Picchu.

Fondest memory: The first day is easy. I mean, you walk about 5 hours, but is easy ascending, just one high slope of 10 minutes, you take it easy and sleep in Wayllabamba campsite, just after going up 500 meters in altitude (12 kms)

The Urubamba River Inca Trail Review

Favorite thing: If you visit the ruins by train from Cuzco you will follow the Urubamba river all the way to Aguas Calientes town. If you do the Inca Trail, you will follow the river at the beginning of the 1st day, then you leave it and find it again the last day, when you reach MP.
It is a wild waters river, where some agencies organize rafting trips.

The entrance sign Inca Trail Review

Favorite thing: This wooden sign at the entrance is rather famous and all the groups doing the trail take a group pic here. We even had to wait in line for the pic!
In high season there might be up to 500 persons doing the Inca Trail along with you!!