Inca Trail

Actually the opposite is true: To encourage people to vote for Machu Picchu in the "new 7 wonders" contest, entry to the Inca trail will be FREE starting on May 1st, and you don't need a guide anymore. Just rent camping gear or bring your own, and you can hike independently. The villagers at the start of the trail collect a small donation of 3 US$ which, with an average of 300 daily hikers, is way enough to pay for the yearly repairs to the trail.

By the way, the mention of "journey latin america" above seems likt thinly veiled advertisement to me. I would not use them, have never heard of them (sure now someone with a ficticious name will chip in and tell they found them great...).

I think Journey Latin America is AWESOME.

Just kidding, Klaush, I've never heard of them either. But I am happy to read the news about the Inca Trail. Can you direct me to some official information about this? Also, I understand there is an alternative trail that is much less heavily travelled than the Inca trail. I believe it is called the Lares trail. Do you have any information on this one? Does it also lead to Machu Picchu?

I hope to trek to Machu Picchu in August. Should I expect to encounter freezing temperatures and snow? I have good gear for this kind of trekking but I just want to know what to prepare for.

Hi all,

I'm really sorry but there is no free entry for the Inca Trail. The Government encourage of course to vote for Machu Picchu but they are not doing anything else. The Inca Trail is a protected area, with strict rules and there is nothing to do with any current vote. You CAN'T do it without a guide and yout CAN'T do it independently. Klaush, I'm really sorry but your information is not true. You will see all the information in the Government website www.inc-cusco.gob.pe</a> and in www.inca-trail.com.pe</a><BR><BR>Any case, right now, there is no space until July.

Best regards.

I was under the impression that only 500 permits/day were available for the trek in order to avoid deterioration, garbage, etc. Now, you are saying this has changed to allow unlimited numbers in? Hmmm...Could you supply a link to this information?

If you want to go on the inca trail you should book 3 months in advance to get a place.i went with a great company called www.phoenixperutours.com

i,m almost sure this is a joke of klaush !
I am in cusco now , just finised the incatrail and i din,t hear anything about this . If this is thru for sure there was some advertisement !
I did de Incatrail with peruplanet www.peru-planet.net and it was amazing ! verry good service ,Perfect food good guide ,perfect weather what can you ask more ! But i think you have to hurry up to reserve because there are only a few spaces left in june and July
But if you have the change to get a permit , just go for it !!!

must... keep... straight... face...

This had originally been designed for April fools day but I was late :-)

peluche, what site is that you linked in #7? looks interesting... it is not a tour operator, it's more like a travel forum?