The Inca Trail is typically a 4-day hike through the Andes mountains to see ancient Incan temples and sites. It involves roughing it outdoors by camping and using a hole in the ground for a toilet. If this doesn’t sound like your idea of a good time, then shoot for the shorter version. It lets you see the highlights and requires a little less stamina. Is the 2-day Inca trail worth it? I must say a resounding yes and here’s why.
1. Multiple Incan Sites
Other than Machu Picchu, the other two sites you witness are Chachabamba and the stunning Winaywayna. Chachabamba is the first place you will come too, and this temple was said to be dedicated to the god of water. Winaywayna is breathtaking. I was speechless when I looked up at all of the agricultural terraces and the upper and lower house complexes. Here is where our guide told us the Incan story about the meaning of the rainbow. It represents fertility. The sun and moon go behind the clouds to make love, and then the rain represents the sun’s semen. The rain makes the crops grow, the sun comes back out because he’s happy, and the rainbow appears with an arch that resembles a pregnant lady’s belly. Walking the trail also lets you enter through the Sun Gate which is the same place in which the Incans themselves entered into Machu Picchu.
2. The Cloud Forest
This section of the trail is a lot easier than the first section. You are shaded by immense trees that surround the path. While you are wandering the cloud forest you will be able to listen to the beautiful melody of exotic birds and even spot several of them. Also, take tons of pictures of the brightly colored orchids lining the trail.
There are mushrooms and fungi growing everywhere including the infamous one from the TV show/ game The Last of Us. This fungus is known as the zombie- ant fungus and the spores from it will infect the ant and take control over its body. The fungus will make the ant hang from a leaf and then will let a long stalk goes through the ant’s head. What makes this even creepier is that some people speculate if our global temperature rises a degree or two, fungi will be able to take over our bodies as well.
3. You can Choose your Accommodation.
There are two options for where to spend the night on the tour. I like how this allows you to select your stay based on your comfort level. You can go camping at one of the sites on the trail or you can take the short bus ride down to Aguas Calientes and stay the night in a nice hotel. When I booked my tour with https://www.alpacaexpeditions.com/, the camping option was actually more expensive.
4. The Food on the Trail is Delicious
I was pleasantly surprised about how great the lunch was on the expedition. Porters will meet you at the bottom of the mountain to give you snacks before the trail and then run up the mountain to prepare a huge meal at one of the camp sites. They have enough time to craft a feast while the tourist are huffing and puffing up the mountain. The food we had was multi course and included vegetarian options. We were served guacamole, mango ceviche, corn with cheese, beef, salmon, chicken, tofu, plantains, and root vegetables.
5. The Reward is Sweet
The one day hike up to Machu Picchu is no easy feat but the feeling you get from hiking all day up the mountains to see a hidden city tucked between the Andes is unforgettable. It looks like it’s floating in the sky. Your legs are aching, sweat is dripping in ungodly amounts down your body, and your lungs are crying for air, but you forget all of that once you reach the top. The sense of accomplishment that comes from a long day hike lights your soul on fire and you realize the journey was just as good as the destination.
Important Info:
It’s called the 2-day Inca Trail because the first day you hike all the way up to Machu Picchu. On the second day, you take the bus up from Aguas Calientes or do a small hike (if you camped) to explore the site. On that day your guide will speak all about the history of this majestic place. You can really soak in the views and take it all in.
The hike up on the first day is around 6 hours. The first half is the toughest part. You are out in the blazing sun climbing steep stairs! After lunch, the next few hours are easier. It’s mostly shady because of the cloud forest and a lot of it is flat, except the last part to the Sun Gate.
Make sure to pack sunscreen. You will need to keep slathering it on because of the high altitudes and the sun’s proximity. Also acclimate in Cusco before you do the trek. The air is thin.
These are my reasons why the 2-day Inca trail is worth it. I would consider this the best experience of my life. After making it to the top, that night in the hotel room I ended up bawling. I am a big softie and was just overcome by emotion and gratitude. This is a once in a lifetime experience.