Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a winding footpath that climbs from the depths of the Urubamba Valley, through several types of Andean environments including cloud forest and alpine tundra, alongside the ruins of ancient way stations, and leads to the Sun Gate on Machu Picchu mountain. There are three trails that belong to the Inca Trail, which are: Mollepata, Classic, and One Day. The Mollepata trail is the longest and most famous trail out of the three trails.
The biggest reason for taking this trail is because of its final destination, Machu Picchu, which is one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Machu Picchu is believed to be built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti from 1438 to 1472, therefore, today it is often referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas". This city is abandoned at the time of the Spanish conquest, and nowadays, it is one of the most famous tourist spots in the world.
The Peruvian government has severely restricted the organizations that can offer guides and set a limit on the number of hikers allowed on this trail each season out of concern that excessive use will cause erosion. Booking in advance is therefore required. There is a daily limit of 500 people allowed on the trail, of whom only 200 are hikers and the remaining are porters and guides. Hikers who want to take this trail also need to note that people frequently experience altitude sickness while hiking the Inca Trail because of the height changes, especially if they haven't had much time to acclimate in Cusco.
