Don't Fall For The Bogus Inca Trail

Don't Fall For The Bogus Inca Trail

by Jonny Blair

You want to read about a 'fake' Inca Trail?

Yes, there is and every single day unaware travellers sign up for it and do it without even knowing. I'm here to tell you how to make sure you do the real Inca Trail, which let's be honest is what you want to do. You want four days of hiking and camping in the gorgeous valleys of Peru and then on the last morning a 6 kilometre descent down into Machu Picchu, Lost City of the Incas and the highlight of the four amazing days of hiking! First up - if you are going to South America, please DON'T MISS THE INCA TRAIL. It is amazing. Second up - make sure you do the Real Proper Inca Trail! This could be more of a Travel Scams Exposed rather than a myth, but I really want to highlight this point to all Inca Trail enthusiasts.

At the beginning of the proper Camino Inka / Inca Trail you will see (and probably be photographed with) a massive sign that says Camino Inka.

So how do you know if the Inca Trail you went on was a 'fake'?? (and how do you know you have done the real Inca Trail?)

1. You weren't required to show your passport on the entrance to the trail (at the start of the Real Inca Trail there is a mandatory passport check - you also have the option of getting a passport stamp)

At the start of the legitimate Inca Trail you will need to show your passport and register at a checkpoint.

2. There wasn't a sign saying Inca Trail at the official entrance.

3. You paid less than $150 US Dollars (the real Inca Trail simply cannot be done for less than that) - the real Inca Trail will cost you more than $150 US Dollars (depending on porters, quality of tents, size of group, time of year etc.)

4. Your ticket doesn't have the silver hologram on it.

5. On the third night you didn't stay in a place called Winay Wayna (a mountainside area with a large campsite nicely located only 6 kilometres away from Machu Picchu - if it's the Real Inca Trail you will stay here - or pass through it and stay nearby)

The visitor's centre at Winaywayna is beside the campsite where you will probably spend your third night.

6. You were on a bicycle/bike on any part of the trail (the proper Inca Trail doesn't permit bicycles).

7. You arrived at Machu Picchu by bus (honestly, I met people who got a bus to Machu Picchu!! Now come on but if you get there by bus then you know it's not the real Inca Trail)

8. On the night before visiting Machu Picchu you don't even stay in a tent (on the Inca Trail the only accomodation is camping in tents - if you stayed in a hotel or hostel, you weren't on the trail)

9. The night prior to visiting Machu Picchu you stayed the night in a town named Aguas Calientes (I feel a bit sorry for you if this happens, as you won't actually have done any part of the real Inca Trail at all - and possibly even done the Salkantay Trek instead. I'm sure you will love it - but you must remember you may have been given false information).

10. Your arrival at Machu Picchu was by an ascent to the top of a hill (Please note - When you arrive in Machu Picchu at the completion of the Inca Trail it should be a downward descent and you should get your first viewing preview of Machu Picchu on the way down in a place called Intipunku or Intipata.)

11. You did the trip in three days (apart from special circumstances as the proper hike from Qorihuayrachina along to Machu Picchu takes four days - yes, experienced hikers will do it faster, but this is a set route and timescale)

12. You trek you have done is called the Salkantay Trek/Hike or the Machu Picchu Trek/Hike (these hikes will also be amazing by the way, but they're just not the Real Inca Trail).

13. You've booked it the day before (There are just 400 places on the Real Inca Trail each day and it almost always sells out fast so booking the day means it's probably not the real Inca Trail.

In closing and not meaning to put a dampener on it, if any of you do another hike, that is also amazing. I'm just trying to let people know that if you want to do the proper real Inca Trail, it will be a four day hike through the hills and valleys of Peru which will end triumphantly at Machu Picchu. There are no settlements, no hotels and no transport at all during the four day hike.

So get to Cusco, get on the Inca Trail and just check it's the proper trail before you pay up and confirm everything.

Don't Stop Living!!



To find out more about <a href="http://tinyurl.com/cuck856">the fake Inca Trail</a> and other travel scams, tales and tips head to Jonny Blair's excellent work, travel and lifestyle website <a href="http://tinyurl.com/d739bzx">Dont Stop Living</a>.. Check here for free reprint license: <a href="http://www.uberarticles.com/home.php?id=1743825&p=68737">Don't Fall For The Bogus Inca Trail</a>.


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