june or july for inca trail?
Mar 28th, 2009, 10:39 AM
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june or july for inca trail?
We're planning to hike the Inca Trail in either June or July 2010 (we have a group, so we're trying to set the date way in advance).
We had originally wanted to go in June--because we thought the vegetation wouldn't have turned completely brown yet. Also, we thought it might be a bit warmer than in July.
But, now, due to scheduling difficulties, it looks like we'll need to go around mid-July.
My main question is this: in July will there still be the lush vegetation with orchids blooming, etc. along the trail as we approach Machu Picchu? I'm assuming that the higher altitudes will be all brown--but it occurs to me, that maybe the orchids toward the end of the trail bloom year-round?
Also, am I correct in assuming that the weather (temperature) won't be much different in mid-July than in mid-June?
Thanks!
We had originally wanted to go in June--because we thought the vegetation wouldn't have turned completely brown yet. Also, we thought it might be a bit warmer than in July.
But, now, due to scheduling difficulties, it looks like we'll need to go around mid-July.
My main question is this: in July will there still be the lush vegetation with orchids blooming, etc. along the trail as we approach Machu Picchu? I'm assuming that the higher altitudes will be all brown--but it occurs to me, that maybe the orchids toward the end of the trail bloom year-round?
Also, am I correct in assuming that the weather (temperature) won't be much different in mid-July than in mid-June?
Thanks!
Mar 28th, 2009, 11:54 AM
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No question that July puts you one month farther (and one month browner) into the dry season than June does, but it won't be a huge difference in weather between the two. If July is when you can go, so be it. It will still be a great experience. 
Mar 30th, 2009, 05:10 PM
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I went in late June of 2008 and honestly I don't recall any brown vegetation. The whole time I was so caught up in the beauty of the trail and there were orchids galore, especially on day 3. We didn't have any rain, however it was VERY cloudy the day we arrived at MP. If you click my name you will find my trip report at the bottom of my profile page.
Mar 30th, 2009, 06:50 PM
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P_M--Thanks for the answer. I had already read your trip report and really enjoyed it. I'm older than you--so, it never even occurs to me that I'll be anything other than last. I just want to somehow make it without having anyone carry me!!
That's encouraging about the orchids. I'm hoping that maybe as the trail lowers into the cloud forest, that there are always orchids blooming. I am guessing that temperatures don't really dip during winter in that area (not sure if this is true though!). I have a feeling that the high altitude hills will be pretty brown in July. But, maybe that won't matter. My understanding is that Machu Picchu is always fairly green.
That's encouraging about the orchids. I'm hoping that maybe as the trail lowers into the cloud forest, that there are always orchids blooming. I am guessing that temperatures don't really dip during winter in that area (not sure if this is true though!). I have a feeling that the high altitude hills will be pretty brown in July. But, maybe that won't matter. My understanding is that Machu Picchu is always fairly green.
Mar 31st, 2009, 06:30 PM
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INCA TRAIL
WEATHER
The climate in the Andes can basically be divided into two seasons, the wet season and the dry season.
The dry season is normally between May and September, with generally sunny days, warm evenings and often very cold nights.
The rainy season is from October to May, though rains usually come only between January and March. The Inca Trail is usually closed for these months due to the possibility of landslides or mudslides ("huaycos").
INCA TRAIL
WHAT TO BRING
A: Clothes
1. Hiking boots and trainers (sneakers).
2. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts
3. T-shirts
4. Sweaters and a thick jacket
5. Rain wear during rainy season
B: Equipment
1. Camera and films
2. Insect Repellent and sunblock
3. Torch and knife
4. Backpack and light case
C: Personal toilet items:
1. Soap, shampoo, toothbrush and dental floss.
2. Towel
We recommend you to: - Use boots during the whole trek. - Drink a lot of liquid during long excursions and on the Inca Trail.
INCA TRAIL
ALTITUDE SICKNESS
Because you are visiting Andean areas, do not forget to take precautions to avoid altitude sickness. When you arrive at altitude, make sure you drink hot tea or coca leaf tea (mate de coca), walk slowly and eat lightlY
In order to prevent any health disorder, remember always drink bottled water.
Altitude Levels
Cusco City: 3,360 metres above sea level (m.a.s.l.)
Machu Picchu: 2,400 m.a.s.l.
Urubamba Valley: 2,850 m.a.s.l.
Inca Trail Trekking Regulations 2008
Six years ago the Peruvian Government proposed many changes to the administration of the Inca Trail in a bid to protect its fragile eco-structure from over-use. Most of these proposals have been aimed at reducing the number of trekkers on the trail, improving the quality of the tour operators and offering a reservation system whereby trekkers will be forced to make their reservations many weeks (even months) in advance. Some of the proposals were introduced slowly throughout 2003 and 2004 but the Government started to enforce the majority of the regulations more strictly in 2005. Further regulations were introduced at the beginning of 2006 with the main aim improving porter welfare. All trekking companies that operate the Inca Trail must have an operating license which is issued at the beginning of each year.
Summary:
We recommend that you make a reservation for the Inca Trail and pay for your entrance fee well in advance. In the low season ( Oct - Mar ) in order to guarantee spaces we advise making a reservation at least 2 months in advance. For the months of April and September we recommend making a reservation 4 months in advance and for the peak months of June, July and August we recommend a minimum of 5 months in advance, preferably earlier. If you don't make a reservation and pay your trek deposit in advance it means that the tour operator won't be able to buy your trek permits. Once your tour operator has confirmed your reservation and bought your permits then it can be very difficult to change the date of trek departure and prohibited to change the name or passport number on the permit.
If you turn up in Cusco during the height of the rainy season ( January and March ) it may still be possible to find space available on certain days with some agencies 5 or 6 days prior to the trek departure date although don't rely on it. During 2008 there were many people who were disappointed not to find spaces available in the low season even when arriving in Cusco 3 weeks in advance. Things were even more difficult for people arriving in May to September with it being impossible for visitors to purchase last minute spaces on the Inca Trail upon arrival.
In the last few years the prices of the 4 day Inca Trail standard pool service have increased dramatically due to a big increase in the cost of operating the trek, increased taxes and transport costs. The added difficulty of obtaining spaces on the trek also resulted in tour operators having to depart with much smaller, less economic groups. The standard 4 day trek now costs between US$420 and US$500 per person depending on the company and the service provided.
A detailed account of the Inca Trail regulations can be found below:
1. Inca Trail entrance fees / Trek permits: As from January 2008 the entrance fee for the 4 day Inca Trail is 244 Peruvian Soles ( about US$88 ) Students and children under 15 years old receive a 50% discount. Trekking companies also have to buy a trek permit for each one of the porters in the group (41 Peruvian Soles, about US$13 per porter ). The entrance fee for the shorter Inca trail trek costs 142 Peruvian Soles (about US$51 for adults). Students and children under 15 years old pay 122 Peruvian Soles (about US$44).
2. Student discounts: Students with a valid International Student Identity Card ( ISIC ) receive a 50%$ discount on the price of the entrance fee but you must inform the tour operator at the time of making your reservation and bring the card with you on the Inca Trail. No other forms of student identity are acceptable i.e. letters from college, international youth identity cards etc. The tour operator will purchase a student trek permit for you (clearly marked only for students). At the start of the Inca Trail your permit will be checked and you will be asked to show your ISIC card and passport. If the card is not valid or you forget to take your card then there is a very high possibility that you will not be allowed to start the trek. This can cause major disappointment and also delay entry of the rest of the group to the trail. In the past you could just pay an additional fee for a standard trek permit. Due to the added bureaucracy and potential problems associated with applying for a student discount and associated delays many trekking companies have stopped offering this option.
3. Restricted numbers of trekkers: Over the last five years Peru has become a more popular travel destination especially since Machu Picchu became one of the 7 new wonders of the World.. There are many great treks throughout Peru but the Inca Trail is the most well known. During the peak season of 2000 many campsites became crowded and the trail became littered with rubbish. In early 2001 the Government proposed to reduce the number of people on the trail to 500 per day. This figure roughly comprises 200 tourists and 300 trekking staff (guides, cooks and porters).
In 2002 and 2003 the government tried to enforce the 500 limit but, due to many complaints by the local tour operators, they gave into pressure during the busy months of July and August and allowed an extra 200 persons. Since 2004 the government has strictly enforced the 500 limit, and many trekkers were disappointed that there were no spaces available.
The figure of 200 tourists includes trekkers on both the 2-day and 4-day treks as well as the Salkantay 7-day trek. As an estimate we would say that about 160 trekkers per day are starting the 4-day trek, 25 on the 2 day trek and 15 on the Salkantay Trek. In February 2008, 160 tour operators in Cusco were awarded licenses to operate the Inca Trail. With about 1500 tourists looking for just 160 available spaces divided between 160 companies it doesn't take much to realise that things can become a little complicated. Trek permits are now being issued on a first-come-first-served basis so in order to avoid disappointment we recommend booking well in advance and with a reputable trekking company.
4. Making an Inca Trail trek booking: Since only 500 trek permits are issued per day for the Inca Trail (trek permits are also required for the porters and cooks) it is important to try to make a trek reservation as far ahead as possible. There is no clear rule as to how far ahead is enough to to guarantee you a space since this depends on demand. As a guide, however, we recommend the following:
December, January, March: 2 months in advance, 3 or 4 months in advance for departures around Christmas
April, October, November: 3 months in advance, 4 months in advance around Easter
May, September: 4-5 months in advance
June, July, August: 5-6 months in advance
5. Independent Trekkers: Since June 2002 trekking independently on the Inca Trail has been prohibited. Regulations state that each trekker must be accompanied on the Inca Trail by a professionally qualified guide. Trying to organize a guide in advance is difficult since tour agencies just aren't interested in hiring out their guides. If you wait until you arrive in Cusco to arrange a guide then you are liable to be left with only the worst guides and the very high probability that all the spaces on the trail are fully booked. If you want to get away from it all and trek on your own then there are some excellent alternative treks such as Lares Valley, Choquequirao or Ausangate. If you do manage to organize a guide for the Inca Trail in advance you cannot have a group greater than 7 persons and you can't employ the services of other trekking staff such as cooks or porters.
6. Maximum Group Size: The maximum allowable group size is 16 persons. For groups larger than 8 persons there must be 2 guides. (on the shorter 2 day trek there must be 2 guides for groups larger than 07 persons)
7. Porters Working Conditions In April 2002 a new law was introduced to set a minimum wage for all porters on the Inca Trail. This has followed years of exploitation. This wage is 42 Peruvian Soles per day which is about US$15. It may not seem a lot but wages are all relative to livings costs and compared to other professions 42 Soles is quite well paid. To put things in perspective teachers earn between US$200 and US$300 per month. Even though the law exists it is not being enforced and many companies are still paying their porters as low as US$5 per day. In 2002 the maximum weight that a porter can carry was limited to 25kg ( 20kg load + 5kg personal items ). All porters have their weight checked by government officials at the start of the trail. However even this system is open to abuse and many tour operators get their guides and assistants to carry large loads across the checkpoint where they are dropped and left for the porters to pick up. Many trekkers who have hired an extra porter are also asked to carry their bags across the checkpoint to be given to the porters after they have been weighed. So even with the new regulations and a weigh-station at the beginning of the trail it is still possible to see porters carry loads of up to 35kg.
In general though, the introduction of these regulations have dramatically improved the porters working conditions compared to the conditions just four or five years ago when wages of US$5 per day and loads of 45kg were the norm. There is still a long way to go though when it comes to the provision of adequate meals, backpacks and warm dry sleeping accommodation.
8. Inca Trail Closure during the month of February: The route of the classic 4-day Inca Trail will be closed each year during the month of February to allow conservation projects to be undertaken as well as giving the vegetation a chance to recover. This is a good month to close the trail since it is also the wettest moth of the year. Machu Picchu and the shorter 2-day trail will remain open as usual.
9. Licensed trek operators: The INC ( Institute of National Culture ) is the regulatory body responsible for controlling access to Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail. In order to operate the Inca Trail companies must meet certain basic requirements proving that they have professional guides and good camping equipment, radio communications and emergency first aid including oxygen. The license to operate the Inca Trail is renewed at the beginning of each year. Due to legal problems the Government has found it hard to withdraw licenses from poor performing companies and every tour operator that has satisfied the basic requirements has so far been given a license. Legislation is likely to be introduced later in 2008 to give more power to the Ministry of Tourism and allow them to fine, suspend or close badly performing companies.
WEATHER
The climate in the Andes can basically be divided into two seasons, the wet season and the dry season.
The dry season is normally between May and September, with generally sunny days, warm evenings and often very cold nights.
The rainy season is from October to May, though rains usually come only between January and March. The Inca Trail is usually closed for these months due to the possibility of landslides or mudslides ("huaycos").
INCA TRAIL
WHAT TO BRING
A: Clothes
1. Hiking boots and trainers (sneakers).
2. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts
3. T-shirts
4. Sweaters and a thick jacket
5. Rain wear during rainy season
B: Equipment
1. Camera and films
2. Insect Repellent and sunblock
3. Torch and knife
4. Backpack and light case
C: Personal toilet items:
1. Soap, shampoo, toothbrush and dental floss.
2. Towel
We recommend you to: - Use boots during the whole trek. - Drink a lot of liquid during long excursions and on the Inca Trail.
INCA TRAIL
ALTITUDE SICKNESS
Because you are visiting Andean areas, do not forget to take precautions to avoid altitude sickness. When you arrive at altitude, make sure you drink hot tea or coca leaf tea (mate de coca), walk slowly and eat lightlY
In order to prevent any health disorder, remember always drink bottled water.
Altitude Levels
Cusco City: 3,360 metres above sea level (m.a.s.l.)
Machu Picchu: 2,400 m.a.s.l.
Urubamba Valley: 2,850 m.a.s.l.
Inca Trail Trekking Regulations 2008
Six years ago the Peruvian Government proposed many changes to the administration of the Inca Trail in a bid to protect its fragile eco-structure from over-use. Most of these proposals have been aimed at reducing the number of trekkers on the trail, improving the quality of the tour operators and offering a reservation system whereby trekkers will be forced to make their reservations many weeks (even months) in advance. Some of the proposals were introduced slowly throughout 2003 and 2004 but the Government started to enforce the majority of the regulations more strictly in 2005. Further regulations were introduced at the beginning of 2006 with the main aim improving porter welfare. All trekking companies that operate the Inca Trail must have an operating license which is issued at the beginning of each year.
Summary:
We recommend that you make a reservation for the Inca Trail and pay for your entrance fee well in advance. In the low season ( Oct - Mar ) in order to guarantee spaces we advise making a reservation at least 2 months in advance. For the months of April and September we recommend making a reservation 4 months in advance and for the peak months of June, July and August we recommend a minimum of 5 months in advance, preferably earlier. If you don't make a reservation and pay your trek deposit in advance it means that the tour operator won't be able to buy your trek permits. Once your tour operator has confirmed your reservation and bought your permits then it can be very difficult to change the date of trek departure and prohibited to change the name or passport number on the permit.
If you turn up in Cusco during the height of the rainy season ( January and March ) it may still be possible to find space available on certain days with some agencies 5 or 6 days prior to the trek departure date although don't rely on it. During 2008 there were many people who were disappointed not to find spaces available in the low season even when arriving in Cusco 3 weeks in advance. Things were even more difficult for people arriving in May to September with it being impossible for visitors to purchase last minute spaces on the Inca Trail upon arrival.
In the last few years the prices of the 4 day Inca Trail standard pool service have increased dramatically due to a big increase in the cost of operating the trek, increased taxes and transport costs. The added difficulty of obtaining spaces on the trek also resulted in tour operators having to depart with much smaller, less economic groups. The standard 4 day trek now costs between US$420 and US$500 per person depending on the company and the service provided.
A detailed account of the Inca Trail regulations can be found below:
1. Inca Trail entrance fees / Trek permits: As from January 2008 the entrance fee for the 4 day Inca Trail is 244 Peruvian Soles ( about US$88 ) Students and children under 15 years old receive a 50% discount. Trekking companies also have to buy a trek permit for each one of the porters in the group (41 Peruvian Soles, about US$13 per porter ). The entrance fee for the shorter Inca trail trek costs 142 Peruvian Soles (about US$51 for adults). Students and children under 15 years old pay 122 Peruvian Soles (about US$44).
2. Student discounts: Students with a valid International Student Identity Card ( ISIC ) receive a 50%$ discount on the price of the entrance fee but you must inform the tour operator at the time of making your reservation and bring the card with you on the Inca Trail. No other forms of student identity are acceptable i.e. letters from college, international youth identity cards etc. The tour operator will purchase a student trek permit for you (clearly marked only for students). At the start of the Inca Trail your permit will be checked and you will be asked to show your ISIC card and passport. If the card is not valid or you forget to take your card then there is a very high possibility that you will not be allowed to start the trek. This can cause major disappointment and also delay entry of the rest of the group to the trail. In the past you could just pay an additional fee for a standard trek permit. Due to the added bureaucracy and potential problems associated with applying for a student discount and associated delays many trekking companies have stopped offering this option.
3. Restricted numbers of trekkers: Over the last five years Peru has become a more popular travel destination especially since Machu Picchu became one of the 7 new wonders of the World.. There are many great treks throughout Peru but the Inca Trail is the most well known. During the peak season of 2000 many campsites became crowded and the trail became littered with rubbish. In early 2001 the Government proposed to reduce the number of people on the trail to 500 per day. This figure roughly comprises 200 tourists and 300 trekking staff (guides, cooks and porters).
In 2002 and 2003 the government tried to enforce the 500 limit but, due to many complaints by the local tour operators, they gave into pressure during the busy months of July and August and allowed an extra 200 persons. Since 2004 the government has strictly enforced the 500 limit, and many trekkers were disappointed that there were no spaces available.
The figure of 200 tourists includes trekkers on both the 2-day and 4-day treks as well as the Salkantay 7-day trek. As an estimate we would say that about 160 trekkers per day are starting the 4-day trek, 25 on the 2 day trek and 15 on the Salkantay Trek. In February 2008, 160 tour operators in Cusco were awarded licenses to operate the Inca Trail. With about 1500 tourists looking for just 160 available spaces divided between 160 companies it doesn't take much to realise that things can become a little complicated. Trek permits are now being issued on a first-come-first-served basis so in order to avoid disappointment we recommend booking well in advance and with a reputable trekking company.
4. Making an Inca Trail trek booking: Since only 500 trek permits are issued per day for the Inca Trail (trek permits are also required for the porters and cooks) it is important to try to make a trek reservation as far ahead as possible. There is no clear rule as to how far ahead is enough to to guarantee you a space since this depends on demand. As a guide, however, we recommend the following:
December, January, March: 2 months in advance, 3 or 4 months in advance for departures around Christmas
April, October, November: 3 months in advance, 4 months in advance around Easter
May, September: 4-5 months in advance
June, July, August: 5-6 months in advance
5. Independent Trekkers: Since June 2002 trekking independently on the Inca Trail has been prohibited. Regulations state that each trekker must be accompanied on the Inca Trail by a professionally qualified guide. Trying to organize a guide in advance is difficult since tour agencies just aren't interested in hiring out their guides. If you wait until you arrive in Cusco to arrange a guide then you are liable to be left with only the worst guides and the very high probability that all the spaces on the trail are fully booked. If you want to get away from it all and trek on your own then there are some excellent alternative treks such as Lares Valley, Choquequirao or Ausangate. If you do manage to organize a guide for the Inca Trail in advance you cannot have a group greater than 7 persons and you can't employ the services of other trekking staff such as cooks or porters.
6. Maximum Group Size: The maximum allowable group size is 16 persons. For groups larger than 8 persons there must be 2 guides. (on the shorter 2 day trek there must be 2 guides for groups larger than 07 persons)
7. Porters Working Conditions In April 2002 a new law was introduced to set a minimum wage for all porters on the Inca Trail. This has followed years of exploitation. This wage is 42 Peruvian Soles per day which is about US$15. It may not seem a lot but wages are all relative to livings costs and compared to other professions 42 Soles is quite well paid. To put things in perspective teachers earn between US$200 and US$300 per month. Even though the law exists it is not being enforced and many companies are still paying their porters as low as US$5 per day. In 2002 the maximum weight that a porter can carry was limited to 25kg ( 20kg load + 5kg personal items ). All porters have their weight checked by government officials at the start of the trail. However even this system is open to abuse and many tour operators get their guides and assistants to carry large loads across the checkpoint where they are dropped and left for the porters to pick up. Many trekkers who have hired an extra porter are also asked to carry their bags across the checkpoint to be given to the porters after they have been weighed. So even with the new regulations and a weigh-station at the beginning of the trail it is still possible to see porters carry loads of up to 35kg.
In general though, the introduction of these regulations have dramatically improved the porters working conditions compared to the conditions just four or five years ago when wages of US$5 per day and loads of 45kg were the norm. There is still a long way to go though when it comes to the provision of adequate meals, backpacks and warm dry sleeping accommodation.
8. Inca Trail Closure during the month of February: The route of the classic 4-day Inca Trail will be closed each year during the month of February to allow conservation projects to be undertaken as well as giving the vegetation a chance to recover. This is a good month to close the trail since it is also the wettest moth of the year. Machu Picchu and the shorter 2-day trail will remain open as usual.
9. Licensed trek operators: The INC ( Institute of National Culture ) is the regulatory body responsible for controlling access to Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail. In order to operate the Inca Trail companies must meet certain basic requirements proving that they have professional guides and good camping equipment, radio communications and emergency first aid including oxygen. The license to operate the Inca Trail is renewed at the beginning of each year. Due to legal problems the Government has found it hard to withdraw licenses from poor performing companies and every tour operator that has satisfied the basic requirements has so far been given a license. Legislation is likely to be introduced later in 2008 to give more power to the Ministry of Tourism and allow them to fine, suspend or close badly performing companies.
Apr 2nd, 2009, 03:44 PM
#7
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Caligirl - no one has told you that July is very busy and you better contact an agency very quickly! I just looked at the link for permit availability and its looking bleak already.
The agency we trekked with was Pachamama Explorers (www.pmexplorers.com) and they provided us with the link www.nahui.gob.pe/ Its all in spanish but pretty easy to navigate.
I would get on it right away if I was you.
The agency provided us with a lot of information about the regulations ; its quite a process, but easy when they walk you through it. Good LUCK!!
The agency we trekked with was Pachamama Explorers (www.pmexplorers.com) and they provided us with the link www.nahui.gob.pe/ Its all in spanish but pretty easy to navigate.
I would get on it right away if I was you.
The agency provided us with a lot of information about the regulations ; its quite a process, but easy when they walk you through it. Good LUCK!!
Apr 2nd, 2009, 03:59 PM
#8
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Stevegar, you are so right about July being very busy, but she's going in 2010. You do make a good point that booking early is imperative when you are going in the busy season.
caligirl56, I would try to book this trip in January 2010 to make sure you get a permit.
caligirl56, I would try to book this trip in January 2010 to make sure you get a permit.
