THE INCA TRAIL

Although indisputably a very fine hike, THE INCA TRAIL is just one of a multitude of paths across remote areas in the andes the Cusco .What it does offer, though, and what makes it so popular,is a fabulous treasure Machu Picchu.
Between june and september it's usually a pretty cosmpolitan stretch of mountainside, whith gringos from all over the globe converging on "Machu Picchu" the hard way. From October thorough till April, in the rainy season, it's much less crowded and there's a more abundant fresh water supply, but of course it can get very wet. that leaves May as the best month, with everything exceptionally verdant and vital after the downpours and fine weather to add a touch of springtime. According to local tradition, and it seems to work,around full moon is the perfect time to hike the Inca Trail.

As far as preparations go, the most importat thing is to acclimatise, preferably allowing at least three days in Cusco if you've flown straight up from the coast. Equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag and rucksack can usually be hired in Cusco (see p.87),and adecuate maps for the walk can be obtained from sigui Tours (Portal de Panes 123), the tourist Office, or the Explorers' Club in Lima (sepe p. 53). Porters for the Inca Trail, Often an Embarrassing luxury, charge less than $10 a day and can be arranged through most Tour Agencies in Cusco.

if you can only allocate three days to the walk, you'll be pushing it the whole way. It's far more pleasant to spend five or six days, taking everything in as you go along. Those trekkers who mean to do it in two-and-a half days should give themselves a head star by catching the afternoon train and striking up the cusichaca valley as far possible on the day before

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