It’s quite usual for me to receive email o blog comments inquiring about the Inca Trail, the famous two to four days trekking experience to get to Machu Picchu. There are several issues where many questions arise. This entry consists of an arbitrary FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about the topic:

1) Can you do the Inca Trail without hiring a tour? No, you can’t. If you go without a hired guided tour, you won’t be able to get in. The four days trail starts in US$190 during the low season, and can go up to US$600 at high season. The price includes the train fare to the location from where the trekking begins, the service of guides, carriers and food. If you want to do the two days trail, you should consider spending around US$140. Useful tip: some agencies sell the tour for US$145, but it doesn’t include the train fare back to Cuzco from Aguas Calientes, the train station closest to Machu Picchu. Since the cheapest train tickets are sold with three days of anticipation only, you’ll have to buy the more expensive Backpacker fare, which costs US$33. Considering you’ll have to spend the night at Aguas Calientes and spend in food (more expensive at this location), you’ll notice you’ll save almost nothing. You’re better off paying for the complete tour.

2) But wasn’t it cheaper to do the Inca Trail not so long ago? Yes, of course. I did it in 1999 and cost me US$17. At that time, you could enter the place by yourself, without guides or anything. Since 2001, the peruvian government has promoted an environmet preservation policy together with a strategy to position Cuzco as an exclusive destination. On this context, nowadays only 500 people are allowed to do the trail every day, and the cost has rised considerably by demanding people to pay for the complete tour. In this way, they ensure a higher collection and more people are employed. Of course, those who want to do the trail are not quite happy about paying more, but that’s how it is.

3) How much does the train that goes from Cuzco to Aguas Calientes cost? There are two versions. The Backpacker train ticket that departs from Cuzco and costs US$66, round trip. The Cerrojo Backpacker round trip train ticket costs US$40, but you have to go to Ollantaytambo to buy it. The best thing you can do is take the Valle Sagrado tour, and stop at Ollantaytambo to buy the train tickets.

4) Can I walk my way up to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes? Yes, you can, but it’s a long way up (steep). The transportation is sort of expensive: a less than 30 minutes bus ride that costs US$12.

5) Are there any interesting archaelogical ruins on the way? Not many. The most interesting thing is the spectacular landscape. Anyways, a few minutes of walking distance from the third day stop -in which many load up in beer- there’s Huayña Wayra, beautiful inca constructions. Below, a picture:

6) Is it too dificult to do the trail? It demands a lot of physical efforts. If you’re not in good shape and want to do the trail, I’d recommend to start walking. But, to be honest, the real dare is the fact that part of the trail consists of trekking steep trails located at over 3000 m. (10000 feet) above sea level altitude. Some parts of the trail consists of climbing upstairs, which turns the trekking, into a torture -it’s much easier to walk on a flat steep surface than going upstairs. The worst thing is to start the next day; after the first 24 hour walk, your legs are crying and screaming. I’d recommend to get used to the height first; if you’re coming from Bolivia, that won’t be a problem; but if you just landed from a plane 12 hours ago, you’ll probably need two or three days to be ready.

7) How much does the entrance to Machu Picchu cost? US$20; peruvians pay half of that. You can hire guides for an extra $10, if my memory doesn’t lie to me.

By the way, as soon as I can, I’ll work on the FAQ’s about Cuzco and Bolivia.