What to Bring on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

What to Bring on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Hiking the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Hiking the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Hiking the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The most important thing to consider when planning what to bring with you on the Inca trail is what will be provided for you and what you must bring, and what will be carried for you and what you must carry. Inca Trail operators generally provide all camping gear including tents, stoves, cooking equipment, foam mattresses, food, and utensils. You Hiking the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchumay be asked to provide your own sleeping bag- make sure that it’s certified for about -20 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s easiest to just rent a cheap one in Cusco (around US$12) than to lug one around from your home country.  You are allowed a total of 16 pounds of personal gear to give to the porters to carry for you, including the (approximately 4lb) sleeping bag. What you wish to carry is a small backpack with the things that you will want throughout the day:

Clothing

The sun is very intense at 9500 ft above sea level and 12-13 latitude, and if you’ve taken pills to combat altitude sickness, your resistance will be lowered. You need to keep this in mind while hiking because it’s possible to get sunburnt even under what appears to be cloudy skies. Make sure to bring a hat and sunblock, even during the rainy season. If you Hiking the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchuforget, souvenir sun hats can usually be purchased off of local merchants at the beginning of the trail, for around 5 soles (US$2). The hat will also camouflage your unwashed hair on day 3…

In the Andes the weather changes drastically and suddenly. Most of the time, very cold nights and mornings couple with very hot and sunny afternoons, making you feel like you are going through four seasons in a day and forcing you to pack for cold, hot, rain, and sun.

In order to do this and keep your backpack light, bring layers that will make it easy to adjust to the temperature fluctuations. It’s even better if the under-layer is a synthetic fiber that can wick away any sweat from the heat and exertion, so that it does not remain next to your skin. An example of a great outfit for the Inca Trail would be a polypropylene tank top under a wicking t-shirt, under a long-sleeved fleece, topped with a hooded waterproof and windproof jacket, plus pants (those zip-off pants/shorts are convenient). Around noon when the sun is fiercest, you’ll probably be down to just one layer, but in the frigid night you’ll probably want to add long underwear, a warm hat (as opposed to the sun hat mentioned above), and waterproof gloves.

Hiking the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu PicchuHiking the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu PicchuHiking the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

It’s more important for your comfort that you consider different layers than that you bring a change of clothes every day. The only things that you’ll really want to bring a change of for every day is the undermost layer and socks (and if you throw in some extra socks on top of that, you’ll be even happier). Sweat and rain will make them feel wet, which is awful when the temperatures drop. A quick change of socks at camp will make the evening so much more comfortable!

Dark colors attract mosquitos, and bright colors frighten birds and wildlife, so stick to neutral-colored clothing if possible.

Tools

A cheap plastic rain poncho, which are sold on the streets and in the stores of Cusco just US$1 will cover you and your pack in the event of a downpour. These tend to be short, sudden, and frequent during the October through March rainy season. Don’t forget to store your electronics in small plastic bags for protection, just in case. Even if it’s not the rainy season, it’s a good idea to be Hiking the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchuprepared, as the Cloud Forest is quite humid and rain can strike at any time.

A small flashlight is useful for that dark morning hike from Aguas Calientes to the ruins of Machu Picchu (if you’re hiking, you need to leave at 3am if you wish to reach the site before first light hits it), illuminating the inside of your tent, and nighttime bathroom breaks.

A camp towel or bandana, or biodegradable body wipes, are useful for some light cleaning up (taking “bird baths”).

You might think trekking poles are superfluous, but they are a great help on the Inca trail. Those tiny stone steps are hard on the knees! Studies have shown that poles reduce muscle wear and knee strain and help with balance. They’re a great help with going Hiking the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchudownhill. They must have rubber tips to be used on the Inca trail. You can rent metal ones from the agencies in Cusco, or buy cheap wooden ones at Ollantaytambo for just US$1 each.

Also make sure to pick up a bottle of water (which will be refilled throughout the hike) and your personal snacks in Cusco or Ollantaytambo). If you have a Camelbak hydration pack, it’s a nice option.

  • Mosquito repellent with DEET
  • Extra camera batteries, as you won’t have an opportunity to charge yours
  • Second Skin for foot blisters
  • bio-degradable mouth wash (tooth brushing is a hassle with no running water and also pollutes the environment)
  • Toilet paper and antibacterial hand sanitizer
    Emergency money (recommended $50 US)
  • Original passport (required)
  • Saline Nasal Sprayis high-altitude dry climates affect you
  • Diamox (altitude sickness pills- they’re cheaper in Peru)
    Cipro tablets (lest gastrointestinal problems ruin your trek- a common traveler’s ailment)

Pirwa Travel Service is a licensed Inca Trail operator with more than ten years experience. If you need more info about preparing for your trip, or would like assistance in arranging your trek to Machu Picchu, feel free to contact us at pirwatravel@gmail.com.

 

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