A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu has long been on the travel and history wish lists of people everywhere. This historic Incan castle, located in the Andes Mountains of Peru, exudes mystery and intrigue. Even while the legendary multi-day Inca Trail is well known, not everyone has the time or physical endurance for such a walk. Be at ease! In this blog, we’ll look at the easiest and most accessible hiking routes to see Machu Picchu’s mesmerizing splendor.
Prior to the Hike:
Reserve your tickets in advance because there is a cap on the number of people who can access the trail.
Wearing suitable hiking footwear, bringing lots of water, and packing snacks and sunscreen are all good ways to get ready for the trek.
Since the trail ascends to an elevation of more than 8,000 feet, you might want to spare a few days in Cusco acclimatizing to the altitude before you go hiking.
The Hike:
The 8 km (5 km) long, 1-day Inca Trail hike typically lasts between 5-8 hours.
Before reaching the Intipunku Sun Gate for a wonderful first view of Machu Picchu, the journey features stunning mountain landscapes, orchid flora, and avian diversity.
Hikers on the longer Inca Trail trek and the shorter 1 Day Inca Trail hike get the surreal experience of traveling a centuries-old route to reach Machu Picchu in the same manner as the Incas.
After the Hike:
Spend some time touring one of the most well-known archaeological sites in the world, Machu Picchu.
Unique historical sites and colorful cultural experiences abound in Peru. The 1-day Inca Trail hike frees up additional days for various Sacred Valley adventures, such as visiting the historic salt pans at Maras, kayaking in the lake’s beautiful waters, or studying the weaving customs of the women of Umasbamba.
Top photo opportunities along a one-day Inca Trail hike:
Taking beautiful pictures is easy on the one-day Inca Trail hike. Here are some of the trail’s top locations for photos.
- When passing the Patallacta Inca Ruin,
- the Urubamba River while hiking
- Incredible views of the Andes mountains may be found along the entire trek.
- The Intipunku Sun Gate offers the first-ever spectacular view of Machu Picchu.
The best season of the year for a one-day Inca Trail hike:
The weather, crowds, and trail conditions all influence the optimum time of year to hike the Inca Trail. Here are the main conclusions:
The most popular period to hike the Inca Trail is often between May and September during the dry/winter season.
Since the days should be sunny and warm and the evenings should be chilly, May through August is thought to be the optimum period to trek the Inca Trail.
Expect long queues and a lot of people in June and July since those are the most popular months to visit Peru.
The shoulder months of October and November have wonderful weather and fewer visitors.
The only month the Inca Trail is closed is February.
The dry/winter months of May through September are generally the best times to trek the Inca Trail, with May through August being the most advised months. However, if you want to avoid the crowds, think about going in October or November, which are the off-season. It is crucial to remember that the Inca Trail is closed in February and that hiking is not advised during the wet season, which lasts from November to March.
Conclusion:
If you want to enjoy the splendor of the historic Royal Inca Trail without committing to the 4-day hike, the 1-day Inca Trail hike is a fantastic option. You free up additional days with the 1-day Inca Trail hike for other Sacred Valley explorations. You can choose Altitudeexperience for the Shortest hike to Machu Picchu.
