To Walk the Inca Trail or Not

Q: My husband and I are travelling with our two sons (aged 20 and 17) to Argentina and Peru in December and will visit Machu Picchu. We are undecided about whether to walk the Inca trail or take the train. Could you please advise on the pros and cons of these two options, especially what level of difficulty the trail is and what kind of fitness is required. - Cathy Gush

A: First, let's look at the train service. It takes about four hours to travel the 112kms rail route from Cusco to Aguas Calientes station. Once there, you have to take the bus up the mountains to the Lost City of the Incas or do the 90-minute walk. The main benefits are the cheaper cost of taking the train as opposed to joining an organised hike and the shorter time it takes. You need more of a commitment to do the longer Inca Trail, which runs from the 88km marker on the railway line near Cusco all the way to the Lost City of the Incas. This mountainous trail is around 40kms long and usually takes four days, arriving at Machu Picchu on daybreak of the last day. You return to Cusco by train later that day. According to guides, the hike is rated "moderately difficult" and any fit person should be able to make it. There's no rock-climbing or glacier-walking involved, so no technical expertise is required. The difficulty comes from the repeated steep ascents and descents. As it reaches an altitude of 4200m, hikers need to be well-acclimatised. If you come from sea level, you need to spend at least two full days in Cusco before you start the trek. You can no longer do the hike independently, so you need to join an organised group. Don't opt for the cheapest price, as it can make a big difference to the comfort, safety and enjoyment of your expedition. Make sure the departure date is guaranteed and that the cost of the porters is included in the price. You should note that if you go in December, you can expect plenty of rain on the route as it is the start of the rainy season. For more information, visit the http://www.andeantravelweb.com/ website. (3/4/11)