We recommend traveling to the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu any time from March through December. The most popular months to travel for both destinations is April and May, and trips sell out very far in advance. June, July, & August are the second most popular time to visit both. March, September, October, November, and December […]
Adventure Travel, Inca Trail Trek, Machu Picchu Travel, Peru Travel, Trekking in Peru
2019 Inca Trail Permits on Sale Now!
18
Oct
Oct
Want to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 2019? Of course you do – who doesn’t? 2019 Inca Trail permits went on sale at the beginning of October and will sell out quickly so act fast to book your trip so you can travel on your preferred travel dates.
Active Galapagos, Adventure Travel, Argentina Travel, Belize Travel, Chile Travel, Colombia Travel, Costa Rica Travel, Detour's News, Ecuador Travel, Family Travel, Galapagos Cruise, Galapagos Travel, Patagonia Travel, Peru Travel, Testimonials, Travel Tips
Travelers Against Plastic
17
Sep
Sep
Detour is a member of Travelers Against Plastic, (TAP, https://www.travelersagainstplastic.org). Single use plastic is a problem everywhere in the world, but it is an especially large problem in major tourism destinations in developing countries, where waste disposal is limited and recycling is virtually nonexistent. We strongly discourage the use of disposable water bottles, even if offered […]
Adventure Travel, Inca Trail Trek, Machu Picchu Travel, Peru Travel, Travel Tips, Trekking in Peru
Love Your Feet – Bring the Right Trekking Boots to Peru!
24
Jul
Jul
Nothing is more important than making sure your feet are happy for the trek of a lifetime! Here are our recommendations for what boots to take on your trek in Peru:
Inca Trail Trek, Machu Picchu Travel, Peru Travel, Trekking in Peru
When is the Best Time of Year to Trek the Inca Trail
07
Nov
Nov
Peru has two distinct seasons. The dry season starts in mid April and ends mid November. Rainy season takes full hold in mid December to mid March. For obvious reasons, the dry season or the shoulder seasons is the ideal time of year for trekking the Inca Trail. December to April: The rainy season starts in […]
Adventure Travel, Inca Trail Trek, Machu Picchu Travel, Peru Travel, Travel Tips, Trekking in Peru
Preparing for a high-altitude adventure in Peru
07
Nov
Nov
Without a doubt, trekking in the Peruvian Andes will allow you to see some of the most stunning beautiful landscapes in the world, bring you to remote villages with entirely unique cultures…and leave you, literally, breathless. All this beauty surrounding you is roughly somewhere between 9,000 and 16,000ft. above sea level; and chances are you […]
Adventure Travel, Inca Trail Trek, Machu Picchu Travel, Peru Travel, Trekking in Peru
Trip Logistics: Tips for Planning a Trek on the Inca Trail
25
Oct
Oct
There comes a point in all trip plans where the daydreams of someday come down from the clouds and start asking, “How Do I Get There?” For many people that starts with flights. In this case, not so fast! The Inca Trail requires a little more leg work. In this post we’ll discuss Inca Trail […]
Adventure Travel, Inca Trail Trek, Machu Picchu Travel, Peru Travel, Travel Tips, Trekking in Peru
2018 Inca Trail Permits On Sale Now!
14
Oct
Oct
Have you been dreaming about hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? If you want to go in 2018 (and you should!), then you need to act fast! Inca Trail permits for 2018 are on sale as of mid October, 2018! This is by far the earliest permits have gone on sale for the upcoming season […]
Adventure Travel, Inca Trail Trek, Machu Picchu Travel, Peru Travel, Trekking in Peru
Get to Know Your Peru Outfitter – Amazonas Explorer
09
Oct
Oct
Detour was founded to showcase in-country tour operators that are working to make a difference in the world. Or, at least, a difference in their part of the world. All providers we partner with are locally owned and operated. That means most of your travel dollars and euros go to the country you are traveling […]
26
Apr
Apr
So you’ve dreamed of going to Machu Picchu… and you’ve thought about hiking the Inca Trail… and you’re curious what it’s like? The Inca Trail is one of the world’s classic treks, and it is a fantastic experience for anyone willing to take the effort to make the trek. The traditional Inca Trail trek was […]
Adventure Travel, Inca Trail Trek, Machu Picchu Travel, Peru Travel, Trekking in Peru
What Is The Difference Between the 4 and 5 Day Inca Trail Treks?
20
Apr
Apr
The Inca Trail is one of the world’s classic treks, and it is a fantastic experience for anyone willing to take the effort to make the trek. Entering Machu Picchu through the Gate of the Sun as Inca Royalty once did is an unforgettable experience. The traditional Inca Trail trek was usually done in 4 […]
Adventure Travel, Inca Trail Trek, Machu Picchu Travel, Peru Travel, Travel Tips, Trekking in Peru, Trip Reports
Cusco’s Top 10 List: What to Do and What to Avoid
12
Jan
Jan
At the two-month anniversary of my arrival in Peru, I feel ready to offer a little unsolicited advice about what I recommend as do’s and don’ts before and during your trip to Cusco, Peru, and the surrounding area. Listed in no particular order, I’ll begin with my list of do’s. TOP TEN THINGS TO DO […]
Inca Trail Trek, Machu Picchu Travel, Peru Travel, Trekking in Peru
Act Now to Get Your 2017 Inca Trail Trip – Permits Available Week Of December 19, 2016!
16
Dec
Dec
Always wanted to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? Of course you have. We all have too (luckily we have already done the trek, but we still want to do it again). Well, you better act fast before permits sell out, likely before January 1, 2017 for premium dates. But did you know that only […]
03
Aug
Aug
SUGGESTED PACKING LIST Nicer clothes for night life in Cusco Shorts (quick dry) Pants (quick dry) T-shirt or long sleeve shirts (quick dry) — The sun is very direct and strong in Peru. If you burn easily, bring long sleeves to help with sun protection. A warm fleece, down jacket, or wool sweater Underwear and […]
Adventure Travel, Machu Picchu Travel, Peru Travel, Travel Tips
Should You Hike Huayna Picchu Mountain Or Machu Picchu Mountain?
08
Jul
Jul
Before you confirm your trip to Machu Picchu, consider whether or not you want to do one of the two permitted hikes that start in the Machu Picchu complex. One of the hikes is Huayna Picchu Mountain, which is the small sugar loaf mountain you see in the immediate background of most photos of Machu […]
Adventure Travel, Inca Trail Trek, Peru Travel, Trekking in Peru
How To Pack for Trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
02
May
May
This information is specifically for trekking the Inca Trail with the trip operators Amazonas Explorer. Other trip operators may have information that varies slightly. SUGGESTED PACKING LIST Nicer clothes for night life in Cusco Shorts (quick dry) Pants (quick dry) T-shirts (quick dry) A warm fleece, down jacket, or wool sweater (available in Cusco) Thermal […]
Adventure Travel, Peru Travel
For the Aggressive Latin American Dog, Speak Loudly and Carry a Big Rock
13
Jan
Jan
While I love riding my bicycle in foreign lands for the freedom to soak in the countryside and get to know the locals, somewhere between Cusco and La Paz I changed from free spirit to warrior. Had to. A dog bit my leg. The worst part, I could see it was coming. After months of […]
25
Dec
Dec
Christmas celebrations everywhere have at least one common thread: a time for family and friends to gather together. But, the traditions we each have for celebrating can vary greatly (even from town to town). While shops in our cozy town of Bozeman are closing early, our friends down in Cusco are taking to the Plaza […]
Anyone can plan a trip to Machu Picchu, but it takes a real travel ninja to see the site in the wee hours of dawn, avoid the crowds, and hike to the top of Huayna Picchu. Commit these 6 insider tips to memory and you’ll get the Machu Picchu experience you’ve been dreaming of.
Active Galapagos, Adventure Travel, Machu Picchu Travel, Peru Travel, Trekking in Peru
Awesome Adventure Trips Without Camping
24
Sep
Sep
Love the adrenaline of whitewater rafting, high-altitude trekking, and singletrack mountain biking — but don’t enjoy camping? These exciting tours all over Latin America bring on the adventure without skimping on creature comforts when it’s time to hit the hay. 1. TORRES DEL PAINE “W” TREK WITH ECOCAMP DOMES By day, you’ll hike the famous […]
JOIN A ONCE IN A LIFETIME TRIP RAFTING THE RIO TAMBOPATA INTO THE WILD AND SCENIC AMAZON JUNGLE. Trip Name: Wilderness, Wildlife and Whitewater on the Rio Tambopata Dates: Sept 20 – 30, 2013 Rate: $2,804.00 per person View additional trip details here – http://detourdestinations.com/wilderness-wildlife-whitewater-rio-tambopata.html The Tambopata River snakes through the Tambopata-Candamo National Park in […]
Unless you are overnighting in towns or villages along the way, your operator will arrange for a cook to trek with you. They will typically provide food grown or produced locally. Many travelers are surprised at the quality, freshness and variety of cuisine they experience when trekking in South America. Trekking Tours
On the Inca Trail, there are over 250 known species of orchids, as well as numerous rare birds, animals, and reptiles including several species considered to be in danger of extinction. There will of course be insects, especially at lower elevations. It’s always a good idea to bring insect repellent with you just to be […]
Considering the very high altitude, the weather on the Inca Trail is relatively mild all year round. The rainy, cooler season is between November to March; the warmer, dry season is from April to October. The average annual minimum temperature ranges between 5°C and 11°. In the months of June, July and August the temperature […]
Toilets along the Inca Trail have improved a lot in the last couple of years and all of the larger campsites have toilet blocks with flush toilets and running water. On the whole they are kept pretty clean. If you do need to go the toilet between campsites then proper “leave no trace” policies should […]
The Inca Trail is open 11 months out of the year, closing for the month of February (see below). The dry season from April to October is probably the most comfortable period to visit the Inca Trail, however there is always a chance of rain throughout the year. The rainy season is from December to […]
The Inca Trail will be closed during the month of February each year, which is the height of the wet season. The last group will depart on January 31st and the next group will start on March 1st. The closure is to allow conservation projects to take place, give an opportunity for camping facilities to […]
Adventure Travel, Inca Trail Trek, Machu Picchu Travel, Peru Travel, Trekking in Peru
What Can I Do About Altitude Sickness
20
Aug
Aug
Peru is famous for its impressive altitude; many of its most popular destinations sit at 8,000 feet above sea level. Cusco, the hub for many treks including the Classic Inca Trail, is 11,600 ft above sea level. Altitude sickness can begin to affect people at 6,500 feet above sea level. Symptoms will usually manifest after […]