I am considering travelling to Peru at the beginning of February for 15 days however can not work out whether I should go on the trip including or excluding the Inca trail.
I have already decided that I want to go on the trip that includes the jungle stay however I am not very fit so was concerned that the trail would be very tough. I do have enough time between now and then to get fit however am still quite caucious.
Are there many people who go on the tour in Feb and are there many people who choose the tour excluding the inca trail?
Re: Inca Trail
I would say that you have enough time to become fit between now and February so long as you are not morbidly obese. If it is a simple matter of improving cardio you absolutely have enough time.
Good luck!
Re: Inca Trail
You might want to check into the details of the trail for February. From what I understand, they close the trail at this time for cleaning/maintenance. It might actually be an alternate trail that you'd be doing.
Re: Inca Trail
Hi Ballu,
That's correct; the inca trail is normally closed in February although the exact dates for 2008 are not yet clear. Whilst we intend all tours to offer the inca trek clients booking in February should check with us or their booking agent as on occasion the group will trek the Lares Valley route instead of the traditional Inca Trail route. This only applies to tours in February when the trail is closed and might not apply to any of our 2008 departures.
In terms of your fitness and whether you take the trek, well, it is quite challenging but plenty of people have completed the trek and you do not need to be superfit to make it. You can generally move at your own pace and there's plenty of time each day to complete that day's part of the trek.
I would say that most people do opt to take the trek but we can easily arrange for you to take the train up on the 4th day instead if you are still not sure. From my experience, on a long trek spread over a couple of days the body rapidly adjusts to the local conditions making days 2, 3, and 4 seem not as bad as the initial shock on day 1.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Brendan