Why You Should Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: Let Us Understand the increasing popularity of Hiking

Almost 62 million people in the USA prefer hiking over any other form of holiday activity. And this number has doubled since 2013. After the COVID pandemic, people have been more keen on keeping themselves healthy by engaging in more physical activities. For them Inca Trail to Machu Picchu can be a great option.

• By Hiking and walking together, one can lose 28 times more calories than by only walking on plain surfaces.
• Even just by walking 2 km on a plain surface, your brain releases feel-good hormones, and your mood improves significantly; imagine what Hiking can do to your body.
• Hiking improves body posture and helps increase balance in the body.
• Nothing in the world can let you observe the beauty and rawness of a place like Hiking. It will bring you closer to nature and clear the confusion within
• It is a very good way to disconnect from the outside world, escape into nature, spend some time, breathe pure air, and come back stronger.

While Machu Picchu is incredible on its own, hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu adds an extra layer of magic.

There is no doubt that people who witnessed Machu Picchu were lucky, as they witnessed one of the seventh wonders of the world. However, trekking and hiking the Inca trail adds more luck and charm to their trip as they observe how the people of the 16th century or before were so wise to build a shelter like this and protect it from all odds.

The Incan structures have been standing since the 16th century, withstanding the sun, moon, rain, earthquakes, and climate change. And it’s so amazing to observe all this one by one via Hiking. As it is always said, “journey matters more than the destination”; it is the Inca trail that makes Machu Picchu understood in its true sense.

What will you see along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?

• When you begin the journey on the Inca Trail, you will observe Patallacta City, which is the gateway of the Inca trail; here, you will observe extensive agricultural terraces used for growing maize and other crops.You will also find classic Inca-style stonework, with structures made of precisely cut stones and trapezoidal doorways. You would also observe that the Incan people made an elevated space for living. The lower spaces were designed for growing food. Incas were so ahead of their time!
• Then, you will hike along the dead women’s pass, which is said to be the most challenging. But the most beautiful view of the Andes mountain can be seen from here only.When you observe this pass after reaching the top, approximately 14000 ft above sea level, you can see that the path looks like a woman is lying on her back.With each step you take, you will be in awe because you won’t be able to understand whether you should breathe or understand why you did not visit this place earlier.
• After conquering the dead women, you will begin your journey towards Runkurakay Pass, which is comparatively easier. Along with many astonishing flora and fauna, you will also see some plants, which usually grow deep underneath water, grow beside a rock here.Many people have suffered mountain sickness here, as the higher elevation can get on nerves. A proper guided hike is always essential.

Best Inca trail partner:

You should always choose an organized, highly trustable, and the best Inca trail partner like Alpaca Expeditions, who will make sure that you get ample amount rest and hydration so that nothing comes your way to enjoyment.

• Your Inca journey would then take you to Phuyupatamarca, called the “Town Above the Clouds, and you will literally walk within clouds. This would be enchanting and mystical. Our ancient people used this place for performing rituals as the water bodies were present here. You will find many religious stones and figures.
• The next spot would be Inti Pata, meaning the Sun Terrace, which is celebrated for its expansive agricultural terraces. It is an excellent example of how, even in rugged terrains, Incan people could cultivate food and everything from nature while preserving it as well.
• Finally, you will reach Wiñay Wayna, where you can see the steep agricultural terraces that demonstrate the Inca’s advanced engineering mastery. You would finally reach Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas.
• At Machu Picchu, you can see temples, royal residences, the Main Plaza, A Sun temple, a royal tomb, and other ceremonial structures. People are also amazed to see the Intihuatana Stone (The Sun Dial), which was the Incan calendar and clock.

The views here are so breathtaking that sometimes, you may feel like entering into a photoshopped or AI world, but it may not feel real!

Get 100% of Machu Picchu

No matter how much time you spend at Machu Picchu, it is never enough. Every element and corner has a story. Even if you did your complete research online, there is never enough of it available. It is mandatory to have a guide while you travel through the Inca trail.

It becomes essential to choose a guide wisely. Guides can make or break your Machu Picchu trip, as they will be the ones on whom you will rely the most during the trip. But suppose you book your trip with Alpaca Expedition. They provide a local, trained, and tourism degree-qualified guide deeply connected with Incan culture.

These guides are trained to be fluent in English and Spanish. Their guides will not only make you understand every bit and piece of Inca Trail and Machu Picchu but will also adapt to your speed and requirements so that you never feel the need to hurry or never feel left behind others while hiking.

Also, Alpaca Expedition would take care of your food, camping, resting, and sanitary needs all along the trail. They would provide a personal bathroom, bring you hot water, and make your camping and bedding arrangements. You just do not have to think about missing anything.

They understand that in these busy times, it is too difficult for a person to have a holiday, and hence, they do all the management tasks for you so that you just enjoy the trail and immerse in the Inca’s way of living. You can easily check what others have said about Alpaca here.

Other Ways Reach Machu Picchu

There are a lot of other options to reach Machu Picchu. The easiest way to reach it is by train from Aguas Calientes. This will directly drop you at the Machu Picchu entrance. The other popular routes are the Salkantay Trek route of Cusco, Lares Trek, Huchuy Qosqo Trek, etc.

Authenticity lies in the original route

However, the most authentic way to reach Machu Picchu will always be the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, which is a centuries-old pilgrimage route used by the Incas to reach Machu Picchu.

The original trail holds the stories worth hearing. This route will allow you to witness the lifestyle of Incas back then by offering you the most important sites like Winay Wayna and Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) etc.

They will place you on their feet and make you understand the Incan perspective of living with nature and revering nature. People who have hiked this trail always carry it in their hearts
Even after returning to their daily lives, something within them feels different. A sense of gratitude takes root, and it stays with them forever.

With The Right Partner, the Journey Is Easy

Also, you do not have to have superpowers to hike The Inca trail; this trail has seen much demography, starting from teens to senior citizens. With a bit of training and guidance, everyone can make it.

Not all tour operators are licensed to take you through the Inca trail like the Alpaca Expedition.

There is a limit of 500 people visitors each day. So it is essential to plan early and choose a local tour operator. The people and government take Machu Picchu very seriously, and only a local tour operator will understand these emotions and the importance of this UNESCO site seriously.

Visiting Machu Picchu many times can amaze you. Still, to truly understand its meaning, you need to experience the Inca Trail. You value food more when you see it transform from raw ingredients to a finished meal in your kitchen.