Hey travelers,
Planning a trip to Machu Picchu and looking for tour recommendations. Any suggestions for guides or companies that offer an amazing experience? Also, any tips for making the most of the visit?
Thanks!
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Hello explorers,
think about your preferred pace and degree of fitness.
Examine several tour companies and evaluate their costs and schedules.
Get a sense of what to expect by reading other travelers’ reviews.
Plan ahead for your tour, especially if it’s during the busiest time of year.
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Absolutely, you should definitely do the Salkantay trek. Book it once you arrive at your hostel. If you book online in advance, you’ll likely end up paying double.
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I understand the cost difference is significant, but what makes the Incan train worth it beyond just seeing a few more ruins along the way? Is there something specific that stands out? I’m leaning towards the Salkantay trek too buddy.
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I can’t say much about the Inca Trail since I haven’t done it, but from what I’ve heard, it’s very crowded and touristy, with less scenic views and higher costs without the flexibility to book upon arrival.
In contrast, the Salkantay trek offers a much quieter experience with almost no one else on the trail. You’ll experience diverse landscapes in a single day, from grassland valleys and snowy mountains to jungle terrain. You’ll visit Humantay Lake and hear the impressive sound of avalanches, plus relax in natural hot springs at the base of the mountains.
You’ll also be part of a group of about 15 people from around the world, and the shared experience of this challenging trek helps build strong bonds. I had an amazing group on my trek.
I’ve traveled a lot, but the Salkantay trek was one of the most spectacular experiences. I highly recommend it to anyone heading to Peru.
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That wasn’t my experience at all. One of the advantages of the Inca Trail (though I’m not sure if this applies to other trails) is that they limit the number of permits issued to prevent overcrowding. I’m not sure if they’ve returned to the pre-pandemic permit numbers, but when I went this past April, only 100 permits were issued each day, which kept the trail pleasantly uncrowded.
As for it being “not so scenic,” that couldn’t be further from the truth. The trail is actually quite spectacular, featuring numerous interesting ruins and fantastic viewpoints.
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I also did the Inca Trail, and my experience matched what you described. I’m not sure where the idea that it’s very crowded and touristy comes from. It’s actually incredibly scenic and worth every penny. I would highly, highly recommend it.
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The idea that it’s “crowded and touristy” seems to come from someone who, as they admitted, hasn’t actually taken that trail, haha.
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The Inca Trail tends to be crowded only on the last night when you camp about an hour from Machu Picchu and on the final day when you hike in. While timing can vary, most treks reach Machu Picchu early in the morning. This is a necessary drawback given the site’s popularity. It’s similar to how crowded places like the Mona Lisa, the Sistine Chapel, Yosemite Valley, or Yellowstone can be. However, you do get to Machu Picchu before the bus crowds arrive, so it’s relatively quiet before they show up.
I wholeheartedly recommend the Salkantay Trail, and it wasn’t crowded when I did it in 2015. However, saying there were nearly no other hikers doesn’t align with my experience. There were a fair number of people, though it wasn’t overly annoying, just noticeable. OP should not expect a trail completely free of other hikers, unless things have changed since 2015.