6 Things You Should Know to Trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Have you been thinking about trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? 9 years ago I took on this incredible challenge and was completely successful! Looking back now I shake my head at the lack of planning put into the trip. Pure luck would have to be how I managed to wing it without any prior knowledge of what I was getting myself into. Maybe ignorance can be bliss sometimes? If you don’t feel like taking a chance on luck and would like to be more prepared like I wish I was, then read on for the 6 Things You Should Know to Trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

1. Trek the Inca Trail with a Tour Group/Guide

Conquering the Inca Trail is not easy and you don’t want to do it without an expert along the way giving you amazing facts and history about the Ruins and places you will see along the way. Choose your tour wisely as you don’t want to have someone that doesn’t speak your language or doesn’t make the experience a positive one. I booked through G Adventures so I didn’t need to worry about food, water and shelter because it’s all taken care of by the crew that are hired for the trek.
Tip: You should book your guide or tour MONTHS in advance as only 500 people are allowed on the trail daily, so space is limited!

2. Acclimatize to the High Altitude

I remember feeling very mild symptoms of altitude sickness a few hours after I flew in to Cusco. I kind of felt like I had a mild hangover, a bit of a headache and a bit tired. The effects of the altitude sickness didn’t last long and by the morning I felt like my normal self again. As part of the tour I was on, we were to stay in the city for 2 nights before making our way towards the start of the Inca Trail. To acclimatize to the high altitude I would strongly recommend to follow this same procedure. Take it easy for the first 2 days. Don’t fly in and go on your trek the very next day as you will really struggle. Drink heaps of water, get good rest and avoid cigarettes and alcohol. Drink the Coca leaf tea. Coca leaves, in their natural state, are a traditional part of everyday life for Peruvians. Chewing or brewing the leaves helps to reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness which include nausea, breathlessness, insomnia, loss of appetite, fatigue and headache. Coca leaves are easily obtainable, and are considered by many as the best way to combat potential altitude sickness. (Yes, they are the same plant used to make cocaine and no, drinking or chewing the tea leaves doesn’t get you high).

3. Be Prepared!

Physical and Mental Training: If you are planning to trek the Inca Trail, my first piece of advice is to prepare yourself mentally and PHYSICALLY. Like I said earlier, I didn’t plan for this trip so in my case ignorance was bliss however I was also young too. I didn’t excercise before the trek and struggled with the high altitude and the steep incline this journey entails. Day 2 & 3 of the trek is the hardest (read about my experience here) and as a bare minimum I would suggest doing cardio up and down stairs with the backpack you plan to carry with you.

General Health: Although Peru proves to be an amazing place, it still is recommended to take some precautions when visiting this country. Don’t eat raw/uncooked food, keep away from street food, avoid ice cubes and don’t drink the tap water. Drink plenty of bottled water to keep hydrated and reduce the risk of altitude sickness. You may also want to consult your doctor about any necessary vaccinations such as Typhoid, Yellow Fever and Hepatitis A. The Inca Trail & Machu Picchu is surrounded in lush rainforest climate so be sure to bring insect repellent to repel the mosquitoes and bugs you’re bound to encounter during your trip.

 

4. Pack the Essentials 

When you are trekking the Inca Trail, the last thing you need is unnecessary weight on your back. The key is to pack only the essentials. The benefits of booking a tour with porters is that you only need to carry a daypack, having the comfort of knowing that everything else like food, water and shelter will be taken care of by the crew.

Your tour should normally include the following for rent:
• Camping mattress/sleep mat
• Sleeping bag
• Walking poles

What you should pack:
– An extra pair of socks and spare underwear
– Sandals or thongs for walking around the campsite
– A base-layer, a mid-layer such as a jumper then a windproof/waterproof layer.
– Beanie, gloves and scarf (it gets cold at night)
– A small pack of baby wipes and/or face wipes (this is your ‘shower’ for 3 days.)
– A spare water bottle (the trail crew boil water at each campsite so you can keep your bottle replenished.)
– Sunscreen & insect repellent
– A little bit of cash
– A small First-aid kit with essential medications
– Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)

Note: The best clothing for trekking is either wool or synthetic materials in layers, as this is quick-drying and can keep heat in better.

Pack Your Passport: Once you arrive at the gates of Machu Picchu, you can get your passport stamped as a souvenir!

Don’t forget your camera and get ready to capture some stunning scenery.

5. Best Time to Travel

Machu Picchu is open to visit all year round. The Inca Trail however is closed every February for cleaning and maintenance.The Wet season is not really ideal (Dec – Feb) as there can be periods of severe rain where some of the campsites on the Inca Trail may become unusable. However, my trek was at the very end of the wet season in March and even though it did rain every now and then we didn’t encounter any major problems. There was also less crowds and the mountains were lush and green.
The busiest season would be around the ‘dry’ season (June – Sep). You’ll encounter more blue skies and less rain and fog blocking your view. During these months, days are warm, nights are cool, and rain is sparse. However, with great weather comes large crowds.

6. What you can expect on the Inca Trail

If you’re still not sure what you can expect while trekking the Inca Trail, you can read about my full recount here.

Don’t expect any luxuries on this trek, especially when it comes to toilet facilities. You are literally going to need those squat muscles as you will be going to the toilet in a hole on the ground. You won’t be showering either so packing some wipes will come a long way.

There are no handrails, especially walking along the cliff sides. The paths are unstable and can be quite slippery when wet.  Always take care and follow all instructions from your guide.

Your 3 nights will be spent sleeping on uneven ground and it can be quite cold at night/early morning so make sure you pack layers.

The worst weather conditions and the toughest part of the trek is on Day 2. When you reach “Dead Woman’s Pass” this is where you will reach the highest altitude on your trip and this area can have unpredictable weather conditions. Make sure you take it slow and keep hydrated throughout the day.

There is so much more to just trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Read more on what you can see between Cusco and Machu Picchu: Visiting Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley

Is there anything you think I’ve missed that you would add to things to know before doing the Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu? Let me know in the comments below!

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Read More: How to Trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

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Read More: Visiting Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley

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