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)
On the start of the proper Inca Trail you need to show your passport and register at a checkpoint.
2. You missed the sign saying Inca Trail at the official entrance.
3. It cost you less than $150 US Dollars (the real Inca Trail just can't be done for less than that) - the real Inca Trail will cost you much more than $150 US Dollars (dependant on porters, type of tents, size of group, season etc.)
4. The ticket you get doesn't have a 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 used a bicycle on any part of the trail (the real 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. The night before visiting Machu Picchu you didn't even stay in a tent (on the Inca Trail the only accomodation is tents - if you stayed in a hotel or hostel, sorry but it's not on the trail)
9. The night before visiting Machu Picchu you were staying night in a town called Aguas Calientes (if this happens to you, I feel a bit sorry and upset for you, as you probably didn't do any part of the real Inca Trail - you possibly done the Salkantay Hike instead. Yes you will love it - but it's probably that you were 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. The actual walk you do is actually known as the Salkantay Trek or the Machu Picchu Trek (these are actually also great hikes by the way, but they are 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.
To finalise and not to put a downer on it, if any of you did actually do another hike, that's also amazing I'm sure. I'm just trying to let others know that if you want to do the Original Real Inca Trail, it's a four day hike through the hills and valleys which comes to an end at Machu Picchu. No settlements in between, no hotels or no transport at all during the four day hike.
You will love the Inca Trail - head to Peru and get it done! But don't fall for the fake one!!
Don't Stop Living!!
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)
On the start of the proper Inca Trail you need to show your passport and register at a checkpoint.
2. You missed the sign saying Inca Trail at the official entrance.
3. It cost you less than $150 US Dollars (the real Inca Trail just can't be done for less than that) - the real Inca Trail will cost you much more than $150 US Dollars (dependant on porters, type of tents, size of group, season etc.)
4. The ticket you get doesn't have a 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 used a bicycle on any part of the trail (the real 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. The night before visiting Machu Picchu you didn't even stay in a tent (on the Inca Trail the only accomodation is tents - if you stayed in a hotel or hostel, sorry but it's not on the trail)
9. The night before visiting Machu Picchu you were staying night in a town called Aguas Calientes (if this happens to you, I feel a bit sorry and upset for you, as you probably didn't do any part of the real Inca Trail - you possibly done the Salkantay Hike instead. Yes you will love it - but it's probably that you were 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. The actual walk you do is actually known as the Salkantay Trek or the Machu Picchu Trek (these are actually also great hikes by the way, but they are 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.
To finalise and not to put a downer on it, if any of you did actually do another hike, that's also amazing I'm sure. I'm just trying to let others know that if you want to do the Original Real Inca Trail, it's a four day hike through the hills and valleys which comes to an end at Machu Picchu. No settlements in between, no hotels or no transport at all during the four day hike.
You will love the Inca Trail - head to Peru and get it done! But don't fall for the fake one!!
Don't Stop Living!!
About the Author:
To find out more about the fake Inca Trail and other travel scams, stories and advice head to Jonny Blair's excellent work, travel and lifestyle site Dont Stop Living.
