If you’re already determined to do a great hike next year, the Camino to Santiago de Compostela is a good option, but here we’ll tell about the amazing Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, which in many ways can be a best choice. Also, you must reserve early!
The Fabulous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Feel the magic of the famous Inca Trail
a) Duration: This fantastic trek in the Cusco highlands and Amazonian jungle border takes 2, 4 or 5 days, while the Camino to Santiago, also known as Northern Way, in its several variations, French, North, English, Portuguese and Original, will take from 15 days at least to an entire month. So time can be a major advantage for making the Inca Trail a better hike.
b) Length: The Camino to Santiago or Northern Way is really long in all its versions, as follows: French-500 miles (around 780 km), North-515 miles (830 km), English-68 miles (110 km), Portuguese-370 miles (600 km) and finally the Original-160 miles (260 km). If you’re looking for a much shorter hike, the Inca Trail can be the best for you: the 2-day version has just a 7-hour trek, while the Classic 4-Day totals 74 miles (46 km) and the Salkantay 5-Day just some more. We have also a wonderful 7-day trek available for 2019 which includes the Classic 4-Day trail.
c) Expanding Options: Indeed, doing one of our Trails in 2019 gives you the chance to add and enjoy other wonders in the Cusco region or more top destinations in Peru. Check all the great packages we have for travelers looking for another tours to expand your adventure in our country.
Spectacled Bear in Machu Picchu
d) Unique Flora and Fauna: The Inca Trail goes across the splendid natural beauty of the Andes mountains and then turns downwards to the border of the rainforest. Hikers will be able to know plants, trees and animals they cannot find in the Northern hemisphere. A typical example are the Andean camels (llamas, alpacas, guanacos, vicunas) and the mighty, big condor, which we may think of as the South American eagle. For an introduction, you can read our article about bird-watching on the trek and also the best time for doing the Classic hike, to know about weather conditions.
e) Visiting Inca Ruins: Of course, we know the Camino de Santiago ends up in Compostela which is the place for the monumental medieval cathedral, said to house the remains of apostle saint James. However, we believe Incan architecture is less known but equally amazing. So if you’re looking for novelty, our treks include several wonderful sites and of course the best of them all is the hilltop Machu Picchu citadel, an astonishing acropolis carefully combined with nature.
The 2019 permits season for our trek is already open. On a final note we surely advise you to book months before, due to the very high demand. This website has a calendar where you can pick dates and then immediately contact our professional staff to start securing your best trip ever!
These are the reasons why one of our Inca Trails can actually be a better hike compared to the Camino a Santiago (Northern Way). Additionally check some reflections people have on the Classic 4-Day. Contact our travel experts when you want to book!
