tips for trekking the inca trail
26 Tips for Trekking the Inca Trail To Machu Picchu
In mid April, my best friend and I conquered the Inca Trail with TreXperience and it was one of the most rewarding (and challenging!) things I have ever done in my travels!
The entire trip from start to finish was so well handled by TreXperience. I can’t recommend them highly enough!
You can read all about the full experience here: MACHU PICCHU TREK – 4 DAY ITINERARY WITH TREXPERIENCE ON THE INCA TRAIL
So if you’re thinking about trekking the Inca Trail, here’s 26 tips for your first time!
Watch the full video recap of my top tips for trekking to Machu Picchu:
Don’t forget to invest in high altitude travel insurance before the trek! I recommend World Nomads.
1. Acclimatize in Cusco for at least 2 days before the trek
Cusco is actually at a higher altitude than Machu Picchu. So just spending time in the city is a great way to prepare for the trek! It’s hard to predict how your body will react to higher altitudes, everyone has such different responses!
So the best preparation is just extra time spent acclimatizing.
2. Only carry your essentials
Most hotels in Cusco let you store your luggage for several days during the trek.
Only bring the absolute essentials with you on the trail. Anything extra will weigh you down and feel super heavy at high altitude! Furthermore, there are strict limits to the weight allowed in your pack to protect the hard-working porters.
You can see my essential packing list below! Keep in mind, your tour company may or may not include the sleeping bags, poles and sleeping mats.
3. Need passport for checkpoints – store it in a plastic bag so it doesn’t get wet
Absolutely do not forget your passport for the Inca Trail or you will not be allowed to enter. If your permits were booked with an older passport, you’ll need to have a copy of your old passport printed out and taped inside your new passport.
It’s a good idea to protect your passport from the elements. Have it safely stored inside a plastic bag.
4. Chew coca leaves to relieve altitude sickness and for energy
Coca leaves are easy to find at hotels, restaurants and on the trail. They will be everywhere so take advantage of them. These leaves really help with energy, altitude sickness..everything! Porters chew them 24/7 on the trail. They are super inexpensive and a great remedy.
5. Coca leaf candies are my favorite- taste better and super cheap at drug stores in Cusco
Chewing on raw coca leaves isn’t my favorite to be honest. But I sure do love the candies which are also helpful! You can find them in drug stores all over Cusco and for sale along the trail.
I recommend bringing one bag per person on the trail.
6. Plastic bag in your backpack to store wet and dirty clothes
Clothing that gets wet from sweat, rain or waterfall dips will have a hard time drying at high altitude. Once something gets wet, it’s likely it will stamp damp through the duration of the trip. So pack a plastic bag and be ready to separate any wet clothing from your remaining dry gear.
7. Your duffel must be under 7 kilos including sleeping bag- pack light!
Your trekking company should provide you with a large duffel which your porters will carry.
You will not be able to pack excessive clothing or items and still come in under the weight limit. Your bag must be under 7 kilos/15 pounds with all your gear including your sleeping bag and mat. This is to protect the porters who until recently, had zero protection and rights. It’s crucial they only are given a manageable weight to carry.
People on our trip packed things like a book but never once touched it because the days are so long. Once you get to camp, you’ll pretty much just collapse. You will likely need less on trail than you think.
It doesn’t have to be expensive, name brand gear but it’s worth investing in gear that is lightweight and packable. A puffer that packs down small and rain gear that rolls up small is very helpful!
8. Pack a headlight and get ready for some early mornings
You will have several mornings where you wake up at 3:30am. It will still be dark when you begin hiking or while you’re getting ready and having breakfast. It is absolutely essential you have a head lamp with extra batteries.
9. Easiest to use a hydration bladder – the porters will refill it each day
You’ll need to be drinking a ton of water at this altitude and I find that using a hydration bladder is the best way to make sure you’re consuming a lot on the trail.
The porters will boil water at camp each night and refill your bottle so you only have to carry one bladder and one water bottle at a time.
10. Train by going up and down stairs
You may not be able to prepare for how your body will react to the altitude but you can start taking the stairs every chance you get. The Inca Trail is 28 miles long and includes over 10,000 stair steps.
So do yourself a favor and begin taking the stairs! If you can, hop on a stairclimber as well.
11. Clip your toenails for downhill so they aren’t pressing into your shoes and pop off
There are A LOT of downhill stairs on the Inca Trail. Going downhill can be quite difficult on your knees, joints and toenails. Keep your toenails cut short so they aren’t pressed against your shoes.
It’s not uncommon to lose a toenail on the trail!
12. Always be rain prepared
The weather can change in an instant and you don’t want to spend the trip damp and cold. Have your rain gear easily accessible so if the clouds open up, you’re ready to go right away!
You also may want to look into weatherproofing your camera or at least having it in a waterproof case/bag.
We were blessed with good weather on our trip but it’s not uncommon to be hiking in the rain.
13. Ear plugs at camp if you’re a light sleeper
I slept SO well on the Inca Trail because the days are so long and strenuous.
So by the time my head hit the pillow, I was out!
Add in the fact that I didn’t have cell service so we were totally unplugged and not scrolling our phones at night, I slept like a baby.
However I have read other tips online saying people struggled to sleep at camp because of noisy campers. You will be sharing the campsite with all the trekking groups so camp can be quite a busy place.
It’s best to have ear plugs in case your tent winds up next to someone who snores because you’re going to need all the sleep you can get to conquer the Inca Trail!
14. Altitude prescription meds
You don’t need a prescription to buy Diamox in Peru. You will be able to find it at every drugstore in Cusco. Ask for ACETAZOLAMIDA -Acetazolamide (Brand Name: Diamox).
It is expected to feel some common side effects like dizziness, lightheadedness and a tingling feeling.
For my first Inca Trail trek I didn’t take Diamox but I did while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and found it to be very helpful. I would suggest taking it!
However, be sure to take it right away in the morning and then the 2nd half at lunch. It will make you have to pee often. So if you take it too late in the day, you’ll be waking up all night to pee. And as I’ve already said, you’re going to need all the sleep you can get!
15. Camping stores in Cusco if you forget anything
Cusco absolutely caters to the fact that hikers from all over the world are pouring into the city to conquer the Inca Trail. There are gear stores everywhere ranging from inexpensive local shops to a North Face and Patagonia in the city center.
So if you forget something, don’t panic!
You can buy sunscreen, bug spray, hydration bladders, head lamps… anything you would need!
16. Pay to use toilets along the trail
Expect to pay 1 soles (about 25 cents USD) to use a local villagers toilet. Just bear in mind, they will likely not have toilet paper. So pack some or bring compostable wipes. (You’ll want wipes any way to wipe clean in your tent at the end of each day!)
They may not have change so have small bills ready before you begin the trek.
17. Buy drinks and snacks at little villages along the way
If you want to have snacks on the trail, no worries. You can buy gatorades, pringles, ice cream even! Locals will set up little stands with snacks.
Keep in mind, the snacks get more expensive as you climb further because it’s more work for them to transport things along the trail.
18. Bug spray
If you’d like, you can easily buy bug spray for cheap in Cusco so you don’t have to travel with it!
But you’ll want to have bug spray with you during the trek.
19. Book with an ethical, local company. I recommend TreXperience.
Not all tour operators on the Inca Trail have the same dedication to looking after their porters and guides like TreXperience. It’s a local company that actually treats its porters fairly.
I can’t recommend this company highly enough! I wouldn’t even consider booking with any other company.
20. Porters do everything for you- tip them well! Have cash ready for tipping on 3rd night
You will be amazed at how hard the porters are working. They do just as much work as you (hiking the entire trail!!) but also set up the tents, prepare all your meals, clean up after you…everything! They work incredibly hard and get paid very little.
Tipping is standard and expected on the Inca Trail. If your porters do a great job (which I have no doubt they will!) I suggest tipping more than the suggested amount below.
Tipping Expectations:
- 1 chef in charge of preparing all your meals: between 80 and 120 soles
- Porters in charge of all camping equipment: 60 to 80 soles for each of them
- The amounts are the total given by the whole group, not per person. Each guest should tip around 120 to 150 soles to tip the whole team of porters and chefs.
- Tipping your tour guide is usually done on the last day after Machu Picchu; this is your personal appreciation and is usually around 5 to 10% of the tour price or around 60 to 100 soles per person
21. Most porters speak Quechuan not English or Spanish
Surprise the porters and know how to say a few phrases like “hello” “thank you” and “good morning”.
This small gesture will mean a lot!
- Sulpayki (pronounced: sool-pay-ki) means thank you
- Munay (pronounced: moon-eye): meaning “love” You could say it to someone whose outfit you love, or someone who does you a favor etc.
- Somaq mihuna (pronounced: so-mak meehooona) means “this is amazing food.” A phrase you can tell your Inca Trail chef!
22. Positive mindset is everything on the trail.
This trek will be hard. It’s going to be difficult even if you trained for it. Knowing it will be tough but you still can do it is key. Have positive mantras ready to go when things get hard!
If possible, surround yourself with positive people who will motivate you on the trek 🙂
You can do it! Just take breaks and go slowly. Keep telling yourself you can do it! You really can!
23. Layers!! Shorts and thermals
On the first day, you will likely want shorts for the morning afternoon hike. You’ll still be at a relatively low altitude so it will be warmer. As you climb higher, things will cool down.
That being said, evenings are COLD. Make sure you have proper warm layers for nighttime and early mornings.
24. Pack sandals/comfy shoes for camp
After a long day of hiking, you will want to change out of your hiking shoes immediately.
Your feet may be swollen and sweaty. And it feels amazing to ditch your hiking boots for cozy sandals with socks. Get comfortable as soon as you get to camp! Change into dry, warm clothes.
25. TreXperience lets you rent gear so you don’t have to fly with any
Flying with a sleeping bag or mat can be rather inconvenient.
I suggest renting any large gear from your tour operator to save on space. This will also ensure your gear is suitable for the correct temperatures etc.
26. Cheap laundry in Cusco for after the trek so you don’t have to keep traveling with dirty/sweaty clothes
When you get back to Cusco, you’ll likely have a bunch of sweaty, dirty clothes from the Inca Trail.
You can find laundry places on nearly every street where you can drop off your clothes and they’ll wash it for you. It’s cheap and a quick fix to packing wet, dirty clothes.
Make sure you invest in travel insurance before departing on your trek. I use World Nomads.
tips for trekking the inca trail
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