Has anyone hiked the Inca Trail?

[OverEggedPudding]

We are planning on booking a trip to South America next year and as part of this want to hike the Inca Trail.

Has anyone done this and if so, how was the experience?

Following would also like to do this!

Yes, we did it as part of our S America honeymoon 13yrs ago, so my info may not be the most up to date. But we loved it! Joined a tour in Cuzco, did the 4night/5day trek, and it was amazing. The scenery, the tour guide info, and the company was all incredible. You get up before sunrise on the last day, to pass through the Sun Gate and arrive in MP at the sun rises. It was very awe inspiring.
I can’t recall who we booked through (although Toucan Travel is in my head for some reason), but it wouldn’t have been overly expensive as we were proper stingy, travel on a shoestring for as long as possible, types.

Wow, sounds amazing.

Do you think it would be suitable for teens? They are quite fit. We are aware that we would need to do some training beforehand to make it easier. We have climbed Ben Nevis quite easily.

I did it last year. Really recommend!
I think your teens would be absolutely fine as long as they have a reasonable level of fitness. Depends also as to which tour company you go with as the how much of your luggage you carry (we just did day sacks). The altitude affected us mildly (slight headaches/nausea) but our guide was experienced and provided drinks/snacks/rest as needed. We had stunning weather right up until when we reached the Sun Gate and it was so cloudy we couldn't see the ruins at all!!! But as we carried on luckily the weather improved and we got amazing views/photos. Enjoy!

Families Worldwide do great holidays to Peru and you can do the Inca Trail trek I believe. We have found them to be a reliable company and good value for money. They used to do teen departures. Going in our summer holidays is best. Just make sure your teens are interested in it.

The trek is 25 miles but altitude is up to 13,800 ft. It’s high. I cannot cope above around 12,000 ft so we didn’t do it. Coca tea is the only thing that staves off altitude sickness for me and you don’t know you might get it until you do. I’ve had it twice so I know my limits.

A family member did it several years ago. They were fairly experienced walkers, in their mid/late fifties. They found it very tough because of the altitude. They had done other treks like China and India but said this was hardest.

I did it a few years ago with Explore. There were quite a few teenagers on the trip - they just strolled it. (Including one of mine who was, and still is, a couch potato)
I loved it and would really recommend it. Not ashamed to say, I sat down and cried when I saw Machu Picchu!

You can also get the train a bit further and do a two day/one night trek.
It's amazing

I did it about 15 years ago.
It's hell on the ankles with all the uneven steps.

I didn't have an issue with the altitude but had been in Cusco for a few days before the walk.

But the army group ahead of us had a a whole bunch have sickness. It's funny who it does and doesn't affect.

A friend did the non trail visit, train up, overnight camp ready to see Machu Pichu as the sun came up next morning and I wished I'd done that version really. I was so busy watching my steps I didn't take in a lot of the walk until the end.

My best friend did a one day version of the hike where you do the final portion through a day with your own private guide, stay in the town, then have more time on Manchu piccu the day after. It sounds absolutely amazing and a lot less of a commitment than the full hike so think she'd recommend this

We didn’t find it too physically challenging, as it was paced really well. I was running a bit at the time, but not hiking, so was anticipating it being more difficult. We had previously trekked a section of the great wall of China and I personally found that much more difficult, fitness wise.
The first couple of days at high altitude is tough, so we appreciated a couple of days in Cuzco before setting off. If you are travelling around SAmerica, La Paz in Bolivia would be a good stop before the Inca trail, as it’s even higher altitude so you’ll have had more time to adjust.

Yes; it was fab - various ruins along the way as well as Machu Picchu at the end. Give yourselves time in Cuzco to acclimatise first, though! I think Cuzco is at 2200m or similar - heaps to see & do there as well - and that alone is way, way higher than the top of Ben Nevis. There are three high passes on the trail itself (highest over 4200m) and altitude sickness can really knock you around.

My DS 19 has just done it with his gap year friends. Loved it, managed it fine. Used Alpaca Expeditions who did a great job and they just had to carry day sacks. Read the kit list carefully and definitely rent walking poles. Enjoy!

@SheriffCallie
La Paz is just under 12,000 ft. So quite a bit lower. You can go to Lake Titicaca which is 12,500 ft. Cuzco is 11,150 ft but it’s where most people start from. Aguas Callientes is often where people stay before the trip up to MP.

@TizerorFizz , apologies it’s been a while since our trip and I‘ve misremembered/mistaken people in our group having adjusted to the altitude Cuzco more easily having been to La Paz, with them adjusting to the trail more easily (which they also did).
So you can plan your itinerary to maximise comfort.

We did it about 11 or so years ago. It was amazing. The trek there was even better then arriving at Machu Picchu. So much to see, it's beautiful. It was tiring at times but there are plenty of easy bits. We had a good group which made the evenings really fun, eating dinner together, chatting and learning about each others lives, all ages. I highly recommend it.

Also from Cusco we travelled into the Amazon, Manu national park for about 5 days/a week which was beyond amazing, you are truly in the amazon jungle, the wildlife was beautiful, caiman, giant river otters, several species of monkey and so much more. I would love to do that again.

@LillyLeaf, we did something similar, but with hiking day trips from a lodge. We flew into a place called Puerto Maldonado, and stayed near there. It was one of the best trips we’ve ever done. I’m feeling very nostalgic now :).

Yes! I did it pre kids. It was absolutely amazing. I did walk most weekends for the month or two before because I didn't want it to be totally knackering. We went with Explore or Exodus - small group holidays as part of a 14 day Peru trip. Incredible landscape, cloud forest and other Inca ruins on the way. Camping above the clouds one night. Getting to Macchu Picchu before the crowds. Do it!

Fit teens would manage it fine.

We did the rainforest with our DC. Probably 14 snd 12 at the time.,We had been to the Ecuadorean Rainforest on earlier trip (which is also fantastic) but the Giant Otters were amazing in Peru. I will always remember them. DDs like the tarantula and poison dart frog in Ecuador. Also swimming with Piranhas.

Yes but over 20 years ago (gulp). Fit teens would be fine. We didn’t suffer with altitude sickness but probably had at least 3 days in Cusco first (sight seeing, shorter walks, drinking Coca Tea).

Also went to Manu / Amazon Rainforest which was brilliant.

Ariquipa (sp?) was also lovely.

It’s a lovely country.

I did it 10 years ago- 3 nights and 4days I think. It's the altitude that makes it tough. Very glad I did it as the views are breathtaking.
Spend a few days in Cuzco beforehand to acclimatise and you'll be okay. If your teenagers are fit they'd probably manage it fine.
Book well in advance as only so many people can trek per day so it books up- I imagine as it's UNESCO that's probably still the case.

Honestly, it’s tough but so worth it—go slow, enjoy the little ruins along the way, and don’t stress if you’re not setting any speed records. More info about the Hiking the Inca Trail.