The 10 best tips for doing the Inca Trail

alexandrasturmayr
Mar 20, 2020
3 min read

Taking the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the dream of many travelers because this route allows the connection with history and nature. In fact, anyone can take this route, however, before you do it, we invite you to read the most useful advice to make your trip more exciting, let's start!

1. Choose the best season

It is very important to choose the best time of the year to do this route. Undoubtedly, it is between the months of May to October, the dry season in the city of Cusco. In addition, there is a greater demand this season. There are departures from November to January, considered a rainy season. The only month that the Inca Trail is closed is February for maintenance and preservation of the route.

2. Secure your ticket well in advance

To travel the Inca Trail it is mandatory to reserve your ticket issued by the government. Only 500 people a day, with guides, porters and cooks, can take this route. It cannot be done freely, only with a travel agency authorized by the Ministry of Culture.

3. Get your body used to altitude sickness

It is mandatory to acclimate your body to altitude to prevent symptoms of this disease. It is recommended to stay in the city of Cusco for about two days.

4. Take appropriate shoes

Footwear is very important for the Inca Trail. The correct shoes are trekking shoes with good grip. It is certainly not recommended to take new shoes because they can easily cause blisters on your feet which will prevent you from going your way.

5. Prepare the backpack

Backpacking is one of the most important things to do on the Inca Trail. It should be done according to the season you are. If it is the dry season (April to October), it is better to bring a pair of shoes and some T-shirts, however, if it is rainy season (November to March), take only the most necessary and useful things for your walk, as each extra gram, counts. It is recommended to bring a 40 or 50 liter backpack. Use good poles and a good sleeping bag and if you prefer not to carry your backpack, we have the option of renting additional chargers which can be requested when contacting the operator.

6. Pay attention to altitude sickness

The symptoms of altitude sickness at first are very mild as a simple headache, loss of appetite among others. If you feel any of them you can prevent yourself with a coca tea or by passing medicinal alcohol, however, if you do not give much importance these symptoms can get worse with nausea or vomiting, difficulty in breathing, agitation, physical exhaustion and all this can ruin your trip and prevent it from going your way.

If you does not have too much time for hiking to Machu Picchu, you can take the Short Inca Trail Tour, that only last 2 days.

7. Protect yourself from the rain

This advice is only for those who will travel in the rainy season (November to March). Protect everything in your backpack with plastic: trousers, t-shirts, socks, etc. You will not regret it.

8. Bring extra clothes

Taking a few changes of clothes is not too much, just to change in case the clothes get sweaty or damp.

9. Carry hiking sticks

Hiking sticks are very useful for preventing tiredness. They are also used as a support and prevent slips or falls due to slippery or other descents. It is also important to use the sticks to cushion the impact on the knees, especially those who have ligament problems.

10. Enjoy the ride

Enjoy every moment, every moment of the journey, especially the nature and the company of the people with whom you will make the journey. A perfect trip is simply enjoying everything during a tour.