INCA TRAIL PERMITS
The increasing popularity of the Inca Trail has resulted in restrictions being placed on the number of trekkers. Each day the Peruvian Government allows 500 people to start onto the trail. These numbers include all guides and porters so equates to probably around 200 trekkers. Although this seems like a large number the popularity of the trail means that permits are sold out very quickly. Permits cannot be reserved in advance. They are issued on a strictly first come first allocated basis. Each permit must be issued to a designated named trekker for a given start date. We can only obtain a permit for a confirmed booking. Therefore, bookings will need to be made early to ensure a spot on this program. To be certain of a spot we believe that bookings should be finalised before December but clearly the permits for our trek dates could sell out earlier or later depending on demand from other groups. Once all permits are sold we will not be able to take any more registrations.
MACHU PICCHU
The following is an extract from PuraAventura which explains the philosophy behind their arrival schedule into Machu Picchu:
PERMIT SYSTEM
Each day the Peruvian Government allows 500 people onto the trail. This includes all guides and porters so actually equates to about 200 hikers each day. If this sounds like a lot, frankly it is but there are ways to avoid the crowds.
THEIR WAY
The vast majority of those 200 walkers do the trail which aims to arrive at Machu Picchu at sunrise. Once they arrive, they visit the site and catch that afternoon's train back to Cusco. Those going at this pace on the Inca Trail suffer a couple of disadvantages. Firstly, the campsites are very busy, particularly the last night in Winaywayna which can have over 300 people spending the night. That equates to a lot of tents, a lot of noise and some fairly unpleasant sanitary conditions. Secondly, your first views of Machu Picchu can be rather compromised as people jostle for a perch in a small viewing area at the Sun Gate. This a quote from one, very good, operator "Almost every group wants to be at the sun gate for sunrise. Sheer numbers require an early start to make sure people are in place for the sunrise." Lastly, since Machu Picchu is in a cloud forest, sunrise happens probably around 30% of the time. More normal is that the clouds gradually drift clear later. If the weather isn't good, they will not get to see the site in all its glory as they will be on a train back to Cusco that same afternoon.
OUR WAY
Meanwhile…PuraAventura clients are half a day behind the main group of walkers on the Inca Trail. Our guides work hard to make sure that you walk in the peaceful conditions at any time of year. You enjoy a quiet, often empty, trail ahead of you. The places we camp are very peaceful. You arrive in Machu Picchu in the twilight when the site is at its prettiest and quietest. That afternoon you stroll down through the site to soak up the atmosphere before spending a welcome night in a hotel nearby. The following morning you come back up to the citadel - early enough to catch sunrise if you like. You have your full guided tour before returning to Cusco by train that afternoon. In all you have about 24 hours at Machu Picchu spread over two days, giving you the best possible opportunity to see the site at its best.
THE PORTERS
The following is an extract from PuraAventura regarding their porters: By the end of day one you are likely to really appreciate the work your porters are doing for you. In the mornings they are there to wake you for breakfast with a cup of tea and warm water for a wash. As you set off walking for the day, they pull up camp, overtaking you a while later fully laden with all of the gear. A couple of hours later you come across them again and they will have prepared a three- course lunch for you on the side of the trail. After this, you waddle onwards and upwards only to be overtaken again soon afterwards. By the time you get to the day's stopping point, the team will have set up the campsite, have supper on the go and greet you with a cup of tea! PuraAventura adheres strictly to the Porter Protection Policies in place on the Inca Trail. In fact our porters are from the community of Chacllanca, about 45km from Cusco. Generally they are subsistence farmers who supplement their earnings by working on the Inca Trail. Our two head chefs, Virgilio and Herlin are in charge of getting the teams together and are therefore the bosses. Your team of porters is usually therefore made up of friends, family and neighbours who respect one another and work well together.
WEATHER
April to November is the best time for the Inca Trail with predominantly dry, sunny conditions during the day. Nights can be very cold at altitude. In 2009 the temperature on the first night on the trail reached -15.
THE FESTIVAL OF THE SUN
We have timed our meeting to coincide with the Festival of the Sun in Cusco. This is South America's 2nd biggest festival and is a week long celebration. The festival's origins were to honour the Sun God and pay homage to his first born son the Inca. There is a week long series of activities the highlight of which occurs on (date to be advised) when a dramatic recreation of traditional Inca ceremonial events occurs both in Cusco and the ancient fortress of Sacsayhuaman.