W Trek or Inka Trail — which iconic South American hiking trip is best for you?

<p><strong>The Treks</strong><br /> The Inka trail is done in 4 days, 3 nights and has to be done with a tour group. There are a couple of major companies that run this trek (I went with Alpaca Expeditions). Only 500 people are allowed on the Inka trail each day so if you&rsquo;re going during high season (June &mdash; August), be sure you book well in advance. Tour groups have porters that carry the majority of the camping equipment and food as well as guides who lead you and give historical context for the sites. The trek is not super long at 43 km but involves a lot of mountains at high altitudes. The climate is usually warm during the day and cold at night with high humidity and the possibility of rain.</p> <p>The W trek can be done in 4 or 5 days. I did the 5-day version which allowed me to do the hanging bridges at Glacier Grey which was a huge highlight. This tour can be self-guided or with a group, and there are a lot of options to customize this hike.&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://gorgeousgirlsgoglobetrotting.medium.com/w-trek-or-inka-trail-which-iconic-south-american-hiking-trip-is-best-for-you-fdb244e474ac"><strong>Website</strong></a></p>