Hiking the Inca Trail To Machu Picchu

Walker Wellness Retreats • February 28, 2019

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Smiling woman in sunglasses taking a selfie with Machu Picchu and mountains in the background

 

Hiking the Inca Trail in Peru is not only stunning but it is a very rewarding adventure. I have put together my top 10 tips if you plan on hiking the infamous, and breath-taking Inca Trail:

1. The trail is the journey. Its more beautiful than pictures would lead you to believe. Pictures do not give the mountains justice! I live in Utah and still the mountains were breath-taking. They are huge!

2. You must hire a guide. You are not able to do the trail on your own. I would recommend Valencia or G adventures. They all offer the same thing: porters, meals, equipment, etc.

3. I would recommend booking your trip at least 8 months in advance.

4. You have to fly to Lima and then take another plane to get to Cusco. I would recommend LATAM airlines. In my opinion, there isnt a whole lot to do in Lima so I wouldn't recommend staying more than a day.

5. Altitude sickness is a real thing. I would recommend you get to Cusco at least 3 days before you hike.

6. Cusco has everything you could need for the Inca trail so if you dont want to pack it and bring it with you, you can buy it in Cusco.

7. Make sure you take some local currency out of the ATM before your trek for snacks and tipping.

8. STAIRS! Oh there are a lot of stairs. I would train for this hike by hiking at elevation and by using a stair master.

9. Dead Womens pass is no joke but going down the miles of stairs after is almost as brutal. Hiking poles and maybe even knee support/straps are important.

10. If you think you will be up for hiking Wayna Pickchu, another small hike after you hike the Inca Trail, you are probably wrong. You WILL be tired :) Only 1 out of 8 hiked Wayna Pikchu after our Inca Trail Hike. inca trail to machu picchu machu picchu hike

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