Going out in nature and getting in touch with your inner self will help you feel better, motivate yourself and you will realize that all obstacles can be tackled. There is a special type of peace and harmony when you are climbing up a mountain, and when you combine a vacation with this activity, it is said that you are going to have the time of your life.
Even though there are several extremely popular places to go hiking, you should pick the right time of the year to do this if you don’t want to end up with a ruined experience. Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel in Peru, and it is popular not only because of the history you can witness there but also for the breathtaking views and beautiful nature.
You can find this spot in the Andes Mountains, and the elevation to get to the top is just a little bit south of 2,500 meters. The statistic shows that more than one and a half million people visit this place each year, and on the busiest days, there can be up to two and a half thousand people on the pathways. So, when you visit it, you would want to pick the right day of the year, not only to get good weather but also to be able to avoid the biggest crowds. In this 2024 guide, we are going to give you some information on what is the best time to hike and climb the Incan citadel, and how to make sure you are going to have the best experience possible.
Rules for visiting
Source: annaeverywhere.com
This year has been tough on everyone because of the pandemic, but when it comes to Machu Picchu, it is said that this beauty was starting to get destroyed by the number of people that have been visiting it every day. There was no way to keep track of all the people climbing up, and many of those did not have respect for the citadel.
Because of this, in 2024 there are new rules about hiking and climbing, and visitors must respect them if they want to be allowed to experience the place. The first rule that has been enforced is that there are going to be three shifts for working, and the visitors will be able to go up the mountain only in one of those hours.
Every visitor has to be accompanied by a tourist guide, so if you were planning to do this on your own, we are going to have to tell you that that is not an option. The good thing is that each tourist guide will not be able to take a group with more than 16 people, which means that when you are climbing you won’t have to deal with too many people at the same time. This will help preserve nature, and it will also give visitors room to breathe and explore the place without being stuck in the crowd.
Know that there are some restrictions about the monuments as well, so you won’t be allowed to re-enter the place. The good thing is that the duration of the whole tour will soon be revisited, and even though now it is limited to one hour, with the changes, you may be able to have more time to explore, take pictures, and just enjoy the views. Know that the whole tour will take you no more than 3 hours, and when you buy the ticket, you will be able to choose if you want to start from 6 AM, 9 AM, or noon.
Best time to visit
Source: worldofwanderlust.com
It is said that if you want to have the best experience, you should go up the Inca trail between April and November. The reason why these months are the best is that they offer the best weather, with little to no clouds and only a few drops of rain, so you should always read more about the weather conditions before you choose to book your ticket.
The reason why you should not go in December is that it can be raining every other day, and even though you will be able to get to the monuments, it will still ruin the experience and you risk the fog taking away from the beauty of the place. On the other hand, when it comes to the beginning of the year, up to March, there is a lot of heavy rain, so you risk slipping and falling. It is said that sometimes there are landslides due to the rain, so it is best if you can avoid this period.
Know that depending on the exact date, there may be more or fewer people, so you should try to avoid big holidays and vacation days. You cannot do this for all the world, but you should stay away from the spring break dates in the US, Easter, or Thanksgiving. It is said that during these holidays, people are more likely to use their vacation and climb up the Inca trail.
Since there are new rules in place and the number of visitors per day is limited, it is best that you purchase your tickets online. Know that sometimes they are sold out more than six months in advance, so if you plan on visiting this place next year, you will have to make your reservations as soon as possible.
Source: tripadvisor.com
The prices for the trail vary depending on the tour itself, as well as the trail you are going to climb. If you want to enter the monument, there is a separate price that varies between 3 and 65 dollars. Note that the whole experience, including the Sanctuary, tour guide, permits, transportation, and meals, will cost you about 700 dollars. This price is for those who want to spend a few days on this, and are interested in the experience that lasts 5 days. You can also choose cheaper options, and spend less on it.
Before choosing the right trail for you, and before you choose the tour provider, you should do your research on what you want to get out of it, and how much time are you willing to spend on it. It is said that choosing the cheapest tours that last for more than one day may ruin your experience, and you may end up with guides that mistreat you or make you carry all the tents and equipment on your own. So, choose the right service, and remember that this is something you will not forget for the rest of your life.
