Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

While the trail is well-defined, it has sections that are rugged and not regularly maintained in the manner that you may be accustomed to in the United States. There are several long ascents and descents and large sections of the trail involve travel over steep, uneven stone stairways. For the most part, you can hike at your own speed. Our group will spread out along the trail during the day. On the trail, you will just carry your own daypack for the items that you want with you on the trail, such as a water bottle, camera, and a jacket. Our team of Inca Trail porters carries all your other gear from camp to camp. Please be aware that there are a few sections of long, steep stone “staircases,” so we do suggest hiking poles to protect your knees.

We strongly urge you to train for your trip, as your enjoyment will be highly dependent on your level of fitness. We suggest you begin training at least five or six months before departure. Start gradually by doing hikes, running, using a stairmaster, or riding bikes. The objective is to improve your overall level of fitness and aerobic capacity and get your legs and lungs in shape for the 30 miles of trails you’ll be hiking at elevation. If you do not have high mountains nearby to train in, then try to increase the length and intensity of your fitness regime. The best training for a hike is to hike, especially over hills or rough terrain. Next best are running, swimming, bicycling, or other cardiovascular exercises. Stair-climbing machines are excellent preparation for hiking uphill. Your feet should also be well prepared—make sure your hiking boots are sturdy, comfortable, and thoroughly broken-in.

Being so close to the equator, Peru has only two climate seasons: a dry season from April to October, and a wet season from December to March. Altitude is the main factor controlling the climate. In the mountains, you'll encounter sunny days with daytime temperatures ranging between 65°F and 70°F, dropping to the 40s and lower at night. The sun is very strong at high altitude and it can often be warm enough to hike in shorts and a t-shirt. However, it can also get extremely cold; if you're familiar with mountain weather, you know how suddenly it can get cold even in the daytime if the sun slips behind a cloud. Nighttime temperatures can drop to below freezing. Rain should not be a problem on our treks, but always keep in mind that mountain weather is unpredictable and sudden storms can occur, especially on high mountain passes.

During the trek, porters carry the group gear and you carry a daypack for your wind/rain jacket, water bottle, and camera (depending on your equipment, this can weigh approximately 10 pounds). The camp crew sets up camp each day and we are served dinner in a dining tent with tables and chairs with backs. Our tents are roomy, high-quality 4-person mountain tents (used for only 2 people) and 2-person tents (used for singles). We also have our own private toilet in its own tent with a handwashing station. We provide sleeping bags, sleeping bag liners, and sleeping pads while on trek. Our camps are operated to the highest environmental standards and a firm “leave no trace” policy.

While there are certainly limits as to what can be served on a trek, our Inca Trail trips have become renowned for the excellent meals served on the mountain, even at the highest altitudes. We have put a great deal of effort into combining proper nutrition with appealing and varied dishes combining both American and Peruvian cuisine. Each morning, you'll wake up to hot coffee, cocoa, and a choice of teas, brought right to your tent, followed by a freshly prepared breakfast of eggs, pancakes, French toast, or oatmeal, served in our enclosed dining tent. Lunches include delicious pasta salads, soup, casseroles, and other offerings, served at a scenic trailside spot where our staff has set up tables and chairs, and often an open tent for shade. Tea time with snacks are on hand when you arrive at our well-located camp at the end of each day's hike, and dinner begins with a hearty soup followed by an entrée of fish, beef, or chicken (with vegetarian options), along with vegetable dishes, fruit, and a light dessert. Our cooks are well-trained in catering to special diet needs, including gluten-free and non-dairy, and camp hygiene is practiced at the highest level.

Altitude is always a factor on the Inca Trail, but our experience is that you should be sufficiently acclimatized and that a slow but steady pace is the key to success on the ascents. That being said, it is not uncommon to experience headache, nausea, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, shortness of breath, and fatigue at altitude. These can occur when you first arrive at higher elevations and usually decrease in severity with time. We have designed this itinerary to allow for appropriate rest and acclimatization, but for your own enjoyment, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. While on trip, be sure to drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty, and avoid pushing yourself too hard, however physically fit you may be or feel. You may want to consult with your physician about bringing medication to prevent altitude sickness, such as Diamox. You can learn more about altitude and how to prepare for it in our video linked here.