The trail was originally called the dominion lifesaving trail because it was built in 1907 as a way to rescue shipwreck survivors along the coast. West coast trail hiking vancouver island guided adventure. Filmed in 1999, this is a little out of date but the. The ultimate guide to the inca trail hike do it in 2020. There are many ways to arrive to machu picchu, and your choice of route depends of your hiking skills. Viewing 21 posts 1 through 21 of 21 total forums are supported by our merchant partners disclosure rei coupons zpacks hyperlite patagonia arcteryx rbtr drop backcountry feathered friends campsaver. The story of west coast trail begins as an ancient path used for trade and travel by the first nations.
We want to invite you to the authentic world of peru, to uncover what really goes on behind the scenes, you will find everything you need to know, for your travels such as hiking to machu picchu and alternatives treks to inca trail, trekking to patagonia. Hikers walk for three to five days, generally starting the trip from cuzco. Most people choose the 2 day version, which starts only 14km away from machu picchu. The classic 4day inca trail hike to machu picchu is arguably the most famous trail in all of south america. More than that, though, the incas conceived of machu picchu and the great trail leading to it in grand artistic and spiritual terms. The west coast trail guide 2020 west coast trail, canada. It tends to be a quieter trail than the inca trail or the salkantay trail and it provides great cultural insight into the local villages in the lares valley, most of which retain old customs and traditions dating back over 500 years.
The salkantay trek to machu picchu is a longer and more difficult route than the classic inca trail but, because it does not require a guide or a permit, it is quickly becoming a popular alternative. Our west coast trail guide was borne out of our experiences with helping people on the trail. Situated at the midpoint of the world famous hiking trail in pacific rim national park, west coast trail comfort camping offers ecofriendly rustic luxury to hikers in need of a nights rest, as well as outdoor adventurers visiting via nitinaht lake. Heading n to s the first 50 k out of 75 are fairly reasonable. West coast trails nitinaht village trailhead pacific rim. Check out the video to see the kilometers hiked each day. On the morning of day 6 and 7, your guide will arrive at your hotel and lead you through the natural and archaeological wonders of the worldfamous inca empire, including machu picchu. Sep 24, 2014 how to make the most of your machu picchu inca trail there is no better, more adventurous way to fully experience the ancient inca culture of peru other than doing the official inca trail.
It is compulsory when hiking the royal inca trail and exploring the site of machu picchu to be accompanied by a local guide. Hiking the west coast trail on vancouver island is one of the biggest and best experiences a hiker can have in canada. If you plan on hiking the inca trail it can actually be quite expensive but your entrance to machu picchu and return train ticket should be included in the package. Apr 01, 2012 the west coast trail is one of the great hiking trails of the world. Machu picchu itself is at just under 8,000 feet in elevation, but passes along the inca trail are more than,000 feet high, so you must prepare to hike at altitude. The west coast trail is a challenging coastal trek. Jun, 2018 the west coast trail is a 75 kilometer hiking trail along the coast of pacific rim national park on vancouver island. One of the greatest accomplishments from our trip around the world was hiking the inca trail to the treasured city of machu picchu. For reference, machu picchu is only at 7972 ft 2430 m. Incorporate swimming into your training because it helps increase lung capacity. Hiking the inca trail the ancient royal highwayis, hands down, the most authentic and scenic way to visit machu picchu and get a clear grasp of the incas overarching architectural concept and supreme regard for nature. You can hike from south to north, or north to south. A lima based agency which is also highly recommended is peru tourist information, whose chief is a real superstar.
And the trail because it had been my dream since i first learned of machu picchu in high school spanish class. Machu picchu is an incredible place to discover in person, not to mention it is one of the new seven wonders of the world. Travel through breathtaking coastal temperate rainforest, on sandstone sea shelf, and through woody trail. This guide is not written like the other hiking guides on this site, which provide a clear route description to get from point a to b. About to attempt the west coast trail this summer, looking for sleeping bag advice gear questions as the title suggests, i am a pretty experienced hikercamper so i dont think ill have too much trouble, but my sleeping bag is outdated and i was looking at getting a new one. Beta in 2001, peru imposed trekking regulations requiring all hikers to travel with a licensed tour operatorwhich is saving the trail from the trashing it took in years past. Doing the inca trail is no easy thing, so here are a few tips to fully enjoy it dos. Various companies can organise your trekking to machu picchu. From phuyupatamarca, the flagstoned trail winds its way sharply down through the cloud forest to the ruins of winay wayna. The west coast trail on vancouver island is a spectacular 75km backpacking route along potentially hazardous terrain. So you might read this and think were saying not to try hiking the inca trail to machu picchu.
How to hike the inca trail day 2 surviving dead womans pass. Its a wild trail that takes 57 days to hike and has nearly 70 ladders, bridges and four cable cars. West coast trail pro guide prepare for your west coast. To avoid these encounters, follow these simple guidelines and rules. The next day we had planned to hike to as far as we could. West coast experience hiking canadas west coast trail. Machu picchu packing list tried and tested tourradar. Hiking the inca trail to machu picchu is a bucketlist item and rite of passage for countless people across the world.
This is the only way through which you will be able to walk on the sacred inca ground, to visit sites that are otherwise not accessible to travellers, and to view the sunrise on machu picchu from the inti. The inca trail s length is 26 miles 42 kilometers of pure peruvian power that connects several incan archaeological sites. The inca trail is a 40km 25 mile hike through the peruvian andes that consists of three high passes, one of which reaches an elevation of 4,200m,776 ft. Hiking the inca trail to machu picchu in peru, south america.
Hiking trails near west coast hiking project hiking trail. To enjoy your west coast trail experience you must be comfortable. Hiking the west coast trail best hiking tips for women. Follow them and you end up hiking to an altitude of 4,200 metres and wondering if dreamer you is actually a sadomasochist.
With amazing views of the pacific rim national park, its no wonder the wct is one of the best hikes in bc. To hike this trail, people may choose from two options according to their abilities. Jun 19, 2014 the west coast trail was established in 1907 to facilitate the rescue of shipwrecks along that part of the coast, which is part of the treacherous graveyard of the pacific. West coast trail, british columbia, canada sunshine coast trail chilkoot trail. Avoid monsoon season november through april, when lowlying clouds shroud the scenery and the trail s epic views. Once you arrive, there are a few different options to get to one of the two trailheadsits possible to start at either end. If youre interested in hiking the west coast trail, id recommend planning your trip very carefully, step by step on paper before you reach the real trail. Hiking perus inca trail to machu picchu backpacker. High quality hiking boots with good ankle and arch support are required. Because of the high altitude and difficult trail conditions, though, having the right gear is essential. The classic inca trail is a 4day, 3night trek through the andes that starts near ollantaytambo and ends at the sun gate inti punku, which is an exclusive entrance to machu picchu only available to those trekking the inca trail. We were in a bit of a time crunch on this trip, we only had four nights on the trail. Adventure in cusco and sacred valley of machu picchu, city tour, sacred valley, inka trail, salkantay trek. Among the most recommended ones there are llama path and sas.
Discover exquisite cuisine and warm local people on your walking tour in peru theres no better way to explore this land than on two feet. The hike to machu picchu along the inca trail in peru is one of the most famous hikes among adventure travelers. There are a ton of great archeological sites along the way between cusco and machu picchu, and there make for excellent rest stops, as well as detours. Hiking the west coast trail is difficult, even for experienced hikers. Day 5 if only 9km, but at a kilometre an hour, we were still hiking for most of the day.
Its an amazing trail that requires attention to detail, training, and the right gear. At the end, you will be able to decide if you want to go the trail on your own, fully prepared, or take a guided tour from a company that sets it all up for you. Peru is a land of cultural diversity, fascinating ancient history, and one of the most iconic trekking adventures in the world. Day 6 inca trail day 4, arrive machu picchu 5 miles 8 km an early wakeup call brings delight in the knowledge that youll be reaching your ultimate goal today machu picchu. Known also as the graveyard of the pacific, it is rich in human history, wildlife, and natural rugged beauty, and is considered one of the worlds top ten hikes. Upon getting to machu picchu after hiking for 4 days, you feel like crying, pretty sure i did a little, lets be honest. Dead womans pass highest point on the trail day 2 is the most dreaded day on the inca trail. As part of the rei coop family, were dedicated to making websites and mobile apps that help outdoor enthusiasts connect, share information and get out into the places they love to play. West coast trail graveyard of the pacific backpacking sea. This decrease in rapidity is due to three west coast trail elements.
The west coast trail is a breathtakingly beautiful 47 mile 75 km backpacking route on the southwest coast of vancouver island, bc. West coast trail south to north british columbia, canada. Reassess the content of your pack if it is heavier than this. The most popular time to hike the inca trail, for example, is juneaugust and is known to be quite crowded. The american discovery trail is a new breed of national trail part city, part small town, part forest, part mountains, part desert all in one trail. So start hiking with weight at least three months before you go. May 5th, 2020 cesar conde tour guide of tour leaders peru adventure. Thrasher cove is a nice, small beach with a stream for water and a composting outhouse. I researched, packed and trekked the classic 4day3night inca trail hike to bring you this tested inca trail packing list.
The lares trail can be completed alone or combined with the inca trail for hiking access to machu picchu. This means hiking prior to, and with weight on your back. Most people will spend between 6 and 8 days in the backcountry, when travelling from endtoend. Thank you for the amazing post on the west coast trial. You typically take a bus down the hill to aguas calientes and either spend the night there or take the train to cusco. The inca trail to machu picchu hike the wadi numeira siq trail, petra, jordan hike. Those 50 k put you 12 way through the rigors of the trail and could be hiked by an experienced lightweight hiker in trail runners etc. Peru is one of my favorite countries and the machu picchu hike is one of the most incredible experiences. The west coast trail wct is a 75 km 47 mile footpath that cuts through some of the most stunning coastal territory in north america. Take the time to embrace every step of the way inca trail to machu picchu day 2, peru. But a six to eight day hike can be intimidating, even to the most seasoned adventure seeker. Previous trekking experience is highly recommended, as the days will feature 68 hours hiking with daily ascents of 900m to m, perhaps with the odd day ascending around 1100m to 1200m. Hiking machu picchu on the inca trail the top dog of all. West coast way eves trail an accredited green flag trail, the theme of this trail is walking in the footsteps of eve to experience what life would have been like here at the very beginning.
Peru tours book hiking and trekking tours in peru macs. The noncampers guide to hiking the west coast trail. Lots of beach walking, ladders, cable cars, mud and scenary. Prepare for your west coast trail hike west coast trail. Your complete hiking the inca trail to machu picchu guide.
With the west coast trail, no two hikes are ever the same. The difficulty of this journey aside, the inca trail boasts a unique cross section of biodiverse microclimates and beautiful flora and fauna typical of the andes and the cloud forest of the amazon. Depending on the route, you may be trekking at an altitude of over 3,500m. Prices vary, depending the company you pick and on. Aug 31, 2019 hiking the west coast trail part 1 the how tos stay safe and healthy. The first step in hiking the west coast trail is getting to vancouver island in british columbia.
This 75 km backpacking hike was made as a stranded mariners lifeline. Apr 30, 20 these are my top 10 tips i have for making the west coast trail more enjoyable. Tim leadem, whos hiked it many times, shows readers how to make the most of this demanding trail. Keep reading for information on what to wear to machu picchu, what gear to take including backpack and footwear.
Tips for hiking the inca trail machu picchu forum tripadvisor. Remember you are in the wild and need to remain prudent at keeping a clean site. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is best used from may until september. To put it mildly, this 47 mile 75 km long trail is not a straightforward jaunt. By this point, theyve done a good job warning you of dead womans pass, which is the highest point on the inca trail sitting at,828 ft 4215 m. Today, over 7,500 backpackers hike the west coast trail every year. I just found out about this trail and am 100% hiking it this year amazing pictures. Once a necessity to rescue isolated shipwreck survivors 100 years ago, has evolved into a recreational trail that many have called the best hike in the world. The west coast trail, which traverses 50 miles of gorgeous northwest canadian coastline, has been dubbed the graveyard of the pacific, having claimed 60 ships since 1854. There are lots of wild animals you could encounter on the trail, including bears and cougars.
Hiking with 42 pounds on your back which is what i started out with is a whole new ball game. Take care not to put your tent too far out, as high tide can easily flood your tent. We are giving you a lot of the details we have learned over the years of guiding people along this trail. In 1970, pacific rim national park reserve was established and in 1973, the lifesaving trail was included in the national park reserve as a recreational hiking trail, beginning a new chapter in its history. We now firmly believe that machu picchu should be done by way of the inca trail, if possible. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Furthermore, we want you to have the experience of your life out there. Hiking south from walbran, we had been warned that the trail slowed down. Day one of the inca trail is about 14km, not too difficult, but with a. Home forums campfire posttrip reports tips for the west coast trail. We completed the trail in 4 nights, but the days felt rushed. The blogger experience was created by inca trail machu as your peru travel guide, a place where you can discover the real peru, south america.
Here are my personal tips for an enjoyable time on the wct. Enjoy a guided tour of the hike with aerial footage and useful trail tips. Our pro guides and pro tips are here to help you get the most out of the west coast trail. Ive learned a few things about the trail that were not covered in the guidebooks. Machu picchu can be climbed yearround, but travellers should be aware that the inca trail is closed in february every year for necessary maintenance. West coast trail blog day 5 walbran to camper creek campsite. The inca trail is the only hike that requires a guide. It is now part of pacific rim national park, and rated as one of the top backpacking trails in the world. Big trees, big waves, big rocks, and big wildlife are all expected sights on the trail.
If you just want to get to machu picchu by train on a tour it will be less and if you go on your own it will be even less. Because the ancient city is such a popular bucket list destination, i thought it would be fun to recount the experience, as well as offer some tips for hiking machu picchu. The west coast trail is a 75km hike on the southwestern coast of vancouver island, in british columbia, canada. Your pack should weigh 25% 30% of your body weight.
This was, and is, the land of the huuayaht, ditidaht, and pacheedaht tribes. Theres also a midway entry point at nitinaht village, which can shorten your journey by a few days. The west coast trail is the classic coastal hiking trip, the gem of vancouver island hiking. This can be done via ferry from the usa and canada, seaplane, or airline.
So salkantay, ausanage, and ancascocha are all available to guided and unguided parties. Machu picchu is one of the most famous destinations in south america and a soughtout wonder for international travels around the world i get many questions about the inca trail trek, and in addition to creating a machu picchu packing list, im answering readers questions to give. Hiking to machu picchu without a guide hi rtravel, ive decided id like to try to get to machu picchu without paying the exorbitant price for a tour guide im an experienced hiker and feel that it wouldnt be too much of an issue to complete. The west coast trail is a marquee adventure for the serious hiker. A midpoint entrance at nitinaht narrows only accessible by water from nitinaht village, allows hikers to tackle a shorter portion of the west coast trail. What its really like to trek the inca trail intrepid. Tips for machu picchu hike tour leaders peru package. Once you reach machu picchu at the end, you dont go back the way you came. Permits are also only required on the inca trail, but entering machu picchu requires a permits regardless of which trail you hike. This video is a daybyday visual walk through of some of the highlights from. As ship traffic increased in the late 1800s, so did the number of shipwrecks off the treacherous west coast of vancouver island. Both of us suffered from rather heroic food poisoning from different restaurants in different towns and had to spend 24hours in bed, and 3 4 days without. About to attempt the west coast trail this summer, looking.
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