Rainy season in the Andes is from December to March. The Inca trail is therefore closed in February as landslides block the path. In this months, visiting Machu Picchu is only possible by train. If you want to hike the Inca trail during this period you will of course have to adapt your clothes to these conditions (good shoes, water proof clothes, hat).

The Inca Trail is the name given to a walking route that partially follows the course of an old Inca roadway leading to the city of Machu Picchu. For most people, the trail begins at Km.88 on the railway between Cuzco and Machu Picchu and ends at Machu Picchu itself. The Inca Trail is not the name of a particular travel company's itinerary, although many travel companies offer Inca Trail tours. See similar questions...

On off-trail hikes we'll leave the standard marked trails to explore ridges and valleys literally off of the beaten path. Often we'll follow old road beds or animal trails and we may spot evidence of old settlements such as wells and foundation stones. Off-trail hikes can be more strenuous since we'll need to weave and duck around more obstacles (streams, downed trees, occasional thorn bushes, etc). We generally only hike off-trail from October to May. See similar questions...

Any reasonably fit person can hike the Inca trail. The walking is slow and steady, and there is plenty of time for rest stops along the way. A good pair of broken-in hiking boots is a must, and walking sticks, which are a big help on the hike, are sold all over the valley. See similar questions...

No one. I don't claim to be an authority on either the Trail or the Incas. I'm simply passing on what I remember from having once walked the Trail fourteen years ago and from what I've subsequently read or been told. The main aim of this FAQ is to reduce the amount of mail I get. You should treat all the information it contains with the same amount of suspicion as anything else you read on the Internet. Caveat lector. See similar questions...

If you don't want to hike the Inca Trail, there are plenty of options available to you in the Cuzco area. You will be given an official Cuzco pass that will allow you entry into many of the sights in and around Cuzco. The night before the rest of the group arrives at Machu Picchu, your guide will organise for you to get on the train to the small town below Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes. See similar questions...

It can rain frequently from September till November even so it usually only rains for a half of an hour or so per day then clears up. If a hurricane is coming and you have arrived at the villa we will at the best of our abilities try to get you a flight out or move you to a safer location away from the ocean. I cannot stress enough the value to acquiring trip insurance. If you show proof of trip insurance we will provide to you a FREE happy hour snack. See similar questions...

Aruba has an arid climate, with an average temperature of 86 degrees and the natural landscape is filled primarily with cacti. When Tropical season hits the northern Caribbean from June through November, we can experience a brief shower or two. It is extremely rare to have a rainy day in Aruba - most of the moisture we experience happens in late fall - October/November. See similar questions...

On the Inca Trail in Peru you can expect the most complete support. We provide first-class camping and trekking services by experienced Andean guides, camp and cook staff, assisted by Huayruro porters. All meals: Wake up tea, breakfast, lunch, tea meal and dinner. All quality group camping equipment: excellent personal tents, thermarest pads, dining and kitchen tents, tables, camp stools, toilet tents. See similar questions...

Since some time you need a permission issued by the INC, the National Institute for Culture, in order to hike the classic route of the Inca trail (2 or 4 days). The number of permissions is limited per month. It is obligatory, to bindingly book at least 4 weeks before starting the trek (including a deposit and your passport number)! Short term bookings are only in exceptional cases possible. Especially during main season (May - October) it is advisable to book as early as possible. See similar questions...

A16: Since the beginning of 2003 many new, flush toilets have been built along the Inca trail including all of the major campsites. This has helped a lot to improve conditions and to protect the environment. See similar questions...

A20: At meal times we will give you teas, coffees etc to drink. If the group size is small we will have enough gas to boil up water for you to fill your water bottles. However this should not be relied upon and during the trek you may have to use local water sources. You'll come across a mountain spring, fountain or small stream approximately every 2 hours along the trail where you can fill up your water bottle. Take a bottle of at least 1.5 liter capacity per person. See similar questions...

The Inca Trail is part of the Peruvian National Heritage so access and trekking conditions are established and controlled by the National Institut of Culture (INC). Only they give the rights to access the site. See also Regulations. See similar questions...