The Inca Trail among the world's top 5 walks

The human being has sought since time immemorial to explore the world in which he lives, eager for knowledge, aware of how much there is to discover and this has resulted in every corner of the planet has been explored, leaving virtually nothing to discover. However, experienced travelers and explorers have made comparisons between the different trekking routes existing today, and here we present a detailed guide.

INCA TRAIL, CUSCO PERU (4 DAYS - 33KM)

Location:

The Inca Trail is located in the Cusco region, in the southeast of Peru, in South America.  This route is part of an immense communication network built more than 500 years ago by the Inca civilization, which in its moment of glory had an approximate extension of 60,000 kilometers. The trek starts at kilometer 82 of the railway that connects the towns of Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, and ends at the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, after four days of trekking.

Attractions:

The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is located in the middle of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, a natural park of more than 35,000 hectares that contains up to thirteen different climatological levels, each with its own flora and fauna, which is why you can see numerous species of orchids, birds, bears, foxes, and many more. There are also numerous Inca remains along the route, such as observation towers, villages, cultivation terraces, walls and causeways, among others.  

Difficulty Level:

It is considered intermediate in its level of difficulty, because in the first days of the hike you must pass through high passes, the highest of which is called 'Abra de la Mujer Muerta' or Warmihuañuska in Quechua, located at more than 4,200 meters above sea level. 

However, with the proper acclimatization and preparation, any traveler can make this route.

Weather:

The high season is from May to October, being these the best months to undertake the hike. The rainy season is from December to March, and in February the route is closed for preventive maintenance.

GR20 – FRANCE (15 DAY LONG 168 KM – 104MI)

Location: 

The GR-20 or Grande Randonneé 20 is a tour of approximately 15 days on the island of Corsica, located off the French coast in the Mediterranean Sea. This tour crosses this island from north to south and is composed of ten to fifteen stages or sections, in which you walk seven to eight hours daily.

Attractions: 

The island has a very particular geography, with high mountains, steep valleys and deep lakes. It is considered one of the most beautiful hiking routes in Europe.

Difficulty level:

Due to the ruggedness of its geography, this 'Grande Randonneé - 20' hike is considered of high difficulty and suitable for expert hikers, however with proper preparation and acclimatization any traveler can do it. 

Weather:

The island's climate is very hot and humid in the coastal area, however it should be considered that in the center of the island there are mountains such as Mount Cinto (2,706 m.a.s.l.) and other high mountains that can present rainy conditions or even snow in the middle of the summer season.

BASE CAMP EVEREST - (DURATION 15 DAYS - MAXIMUM ALTITUDE 5364 M.A.S.L.)

Location:

Mount Everest is located on the borders of China and Nepal, in the HImalayan range. The highest mountain in the world has two base camps from which one can begin the ascent to the summit. This trek does not aim to reach the summit of the mountain but rather to reach the south base camp, located at an altitude of 5,364 meters above sea level. To reach the south base camp you must travel to the Nepalese city of Lukla and from this point begin the trek. 

It is also possible to access the northern base camp, but a permit or visa must first be obtained from the authorities of the People's Republic of China, which makes this route the least traveled.

Attractions:

Sagarmatha National Park, in Nepal, has an area of 1,148 km2 and among its attractions are four of the six highest mountains in the world: Mount Everest 8,848 m.a.s.l., Mount Lhotse 8,516 m.a.s.l., Mount Makalu 8,470 m.a.s.l. and Mount Cho Oyu 8,201 m.a.s.l..

Difficulty Level:

This trek is considered of intermediate difficulty, usually walking between four to eight hours per day for 13 days, and taking one or two extra days to acclimatize to the altitude. The trek begins between valleys and gradually climbs higher and higher, with altitude sickness being one of the main obstacles to consider. Many travelers fail to reach the south base camp due to problems with soroche or altitude sickness. 

Weather: 

The best months of the year to do this trek are before the arrival of the monsoon, that is to say during the months of March, April and May or after the monsoon, that is to say from September to November. The weather in this part of the world can change unpredictably, so a very valuable recommendation would be to never rely on weather conditions. 

TORRES DEL PAINE, CHILE (20 KM - 4 DAYS)

Location:

Torres del Paine National Park is located in the extreme south of Chile, in the region of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica in Patagonia. It covers an area of 242,242 hectares. 

Attractions: 

The Patagonia region has a unique attraction, due to its peculiar geography and location, in the southernmost tip of South America, considered by some travelers as the end of the world. Here you can find beautiful lakes, such as Lake Grey and Grey Glacier, as well as colorful valleys and impressive viewpoints. One of the most representative icons of this National Park is the Paine Massif, a 12,000 year old granite rock formation.

Difficulty Level:

This hike is considered intermediate to high level, however the area has an advanced tourist infrastructure that will allow you to access all the facilities to acclimatize as well as to make the physical effort. 

Clima:

The best months to visit Torres del Paine National Park are from December to March, which is the high season, with sunny days and good weather. However, it is also possible to hike in the winter season, but with abundant snow and cold, which is common in this part of the planet.

L MONT BLANC TREK, FRANCE - ITALY - SUIZA (170 KM - 11 DAYS)

Location:

Le Mont Blanc (in French) or Monte Bianco (in Italian) is a mountain located on the border between France and Italy and Switzerland, whose name in English means 'White Mountain'. Its official altitude is 4,810 m.a.s.l. and there is a controversy as to which country the summit of the mountain belongs to, as the French authorities consider the summit to be part of French territory while the Italian government considers the summit to be part of Italian territory.

Attractions:

Crossing the European Alps is a unique and attractive experience, traveling through beautiful valleys and walking along the peaks of high mountains. During the route the traveler stays to rest in picturesque and beautiful alpine villages, enjoying the best of French, Italian and Swiss gastronomy.  The tour travels through the Mont Blanc lowlands in a counterclockwise direction. 

Difficulty Level:

It is considered an intermediate level of difficulty but it should be taken into account that the tourist infrastructure in this part of Europe is very well developed because in every shelter or hut along the way, the traveler can find everything necessary to spend the night, not being necessary to carry everything in the backpack.

Weather:

The best months of the year for hiking are between the first days of July until the end of September, being the high season where there are days with abundant sunshine and few clouds and / or snow. However, it is during this season that prices are higher and there are many visitors. During the rest of the year the presence of snow, cold and closed roads and businesses is common in this part of Europe.