Countless people dream of hiking the Inca Trail. Each person dreams of the “lost city of Machu Picchu,” walking the ancient stone paths each morning to take in a breathtaking view. But the classic four day trek is the least lonely option: it is the most popular and many people take it. Not everyone is looking to spend longer on a portion of it, hiking next to large crowds and feeling the heavily trodden landscape. The private Inca Trail is the most meaningful and records option. For the most part, these people take the labelled adventure travel to give themselves more to take in on the trek. The journey is getting more and more popular.
Understanding the Private Inca Trail Experience
What makes a private Inca Trail unique? At base level, we speak of exclusivity. Rather than meet a large group of strangers and hiking, the trek will exclusively be for you and your group, family, friends and even a solo trekker with a guide. This changes the hike. Most of the times the routes become busy especially in peak season and you have to take part in endless lines of the crowd. You have complete control of your hike, enjoy a magnificent Inca ruin and take your time peacefully. Slow your walking pace and enjoy the chorus of a rare bird in the cloud forest. There will be intense and meaningful exchanges on Inca civilization, detailed trail logistics, and the sensitive Andean ecosystem. This intense interaction with your guide makes the private Inca Trail services transcend the self-imposed prison of a trek and hike become to intensely educational and spiritual journey to Machu Picchu.
Short Inca Trail Tour Options
Not everyone may have time for or the physical readiness needed for the four-day trek. This is where the Short Inca Trail tour option comes in. This is also referred to as the 2-Day Inca Trail tour and is a wonderful way to sample the view and hike that is a part of the original Inca footpath. This option is ideal for families with older children and for people who prefer the comfort and warmth of a hotel at the end of a hiking day. The Short Inca Trail tour is also ideal for people that are short on time. Most of the tour is constructed around the most recognized and picturesque portions of the Inca Trail. You are still encouraged to the tour along the most iconic and inspirational parts of the Amazing Inca Trail. Often, the most powerful and memorable of experiences are the most concentrated. Most people are taken back and pleasantly surprised by how much the three days contains of the fascinating history of the hike. Even a short hike provides a deep connection with the ancient world.
Experiencing and Taking in the Surrounding Scenery
Regardless of which option you select, be it the complete private Inca Trail or the Short Inca Trail tour, the impact of both options historically and scenery-wise will be profound and cherishable. The entire Inca Trail is like a living museum with a historical depth and significance. If you choose the longer option, you have a bigger opportunity to see a succession of magnificent archaeological sites which includes the towering fortress of Huayna Picchu (the peak behind Machu Picchu), the impressive agricultural terraces of Runkuracay, and breathtaking views of the mountains from the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). This private tour is a treasure as you have the opportunity to savor these sites in peaceful solitude and silence, or you can dive deep into an enlightening dialogue with your guide about any of these sites’ purposes and construction techniques.
Don’t be fooled by the name—the Short Inca Trail tour is by no means short on beauty or splendor. Your trek starts at the Chachabamba ruin, and after a short break, you will begin your ascent towards the hills and towards Wiñay Wayna, which many consider to be the most beautiful Inca ruin on the entire trail after Machu Picchu. Referred to as “Forever Young,” it is easy to see why, as the site offers beautiful, cascading terraces mounted on steep hillsides. You will then continue on the traditional stone path through the cloud forest, alive with orchids and hummingbirds, until you cross the Sun Gate. From there, the first view of Machu Picchu on the mountain of Huayna Picchu is breathtaking and offers a view that will stay with you forever. Each step you take on the old stones is a step to reward.
The Unique Advantages of a Private Tour
The benefits of choosing a private Inca Trail go beyond just avoiding crowds. There is unmatched flexibility. Want to enjoy a sunrise at a particular ruin with no one around? Your guide can arrange that. If you’re worried about altitude sickness and need a slower pace, the itinerary is adjusted to your needs. This kind of control is a luxury that allows a trek to be a genuine exploration, rather than a preset march. The quality of the interaction is a major perk as well. With a guide to yourself, you’re able to discuss whatever you want, be it Inca engineering, Andean spirituality, or even the local flora and fauna. This leads to a greater cultural immersion and a historically richer understanding of the significance of the path you’re taking. In addition, the support crew on a private trek concentrated on your group’s well-being, which typically means better meals and services, making your adventure travels far more enjoyable.
Planning an Inca Trail hike takes considerable effort, even more so for a private Inca Trail. Since it limits access to the Inca Trail to protect it from overuse, the Peruvian government requires advance purchase of permits which sell out quickly (especially on the dry season from May to September). For private treks, the whole group will need to have permits secured well in advance. This is the point where dealing with a reputable licensed tour operator is key. They will take care of the complicated trail logistics and permit responsibilities, as well as the other key task of providing pre-trek instruction on acclimatization, suggested packing, and physical preparation for the trek. They will also ensure your group has the necessary gear, from sturdy boots to and a sleeping bag, and arrange for porters who will take care of the camp gear, while you enjoy the journey.
Making Your Decision: Choosing the Right Option for You
Selecting between the full private Inca Trail and the Short Inca Trail tour chiefly depends on your physical fitness, preferences, and how much time you have. The classic four-day private Inca Trail is for the purist who wants to walk the whole route, encounter the full gradient of the Andean ecosystem—from mountain passes to jungle— and test their mental and physical endurance. It is a challenging and completely gratifying trek.
If you want to walk the original Inca footpath and arrive at Machu Picchu on foot, but want something less challenging, the Short Inca Trail tour is the ideal alternative trek. It provides the ideal crossover between adventure travel and modern-day conveniences, including a stay in an Aguas Calientes hotel. This is a great choice for those who are hesitant about camping for extended periods at high altitude.
Your Journey Awaits
Each variation of the Inca Trail is much more than a simple bucket list item. It is a unique experience of history and a physical testament of respect along the route of a wondrous optimization of an ancient civilization. Through a private Inca Trail option or the more accessible wonder of a Short Inca Trail tour, one is engaging in a tradition with no beginning or end. You are reenacting the Inca-period postal trail, using the stones of the ancient civilization and the bathing in the long-lost Messianic sun of the Inca civilization. The choice of a private or shorter tour of the Inca Trail is purely a practical option to ensuring that your personal journey to Machu Picchu is as unique, comfortable, and profound as the sacred destination itself. The mountains are calling, and the ancient path awaits your footsteps.
