A Complete Guide to Hiking The Inca Trail To Machu Picchu

Everything you need to know to prepare for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru, including what to expect, what you need, and who to book it with.

The Inca Trail is one of the most famous trails in the world, and, as a hiking lover, it has been on my wish list for a long time. Then, the opportunity to do this once in a lifetime adventure popped up and I grabbed it with both hands.

It’s an experience that will stay with me forever, and I will go as far as saying that it was one of the best things I’ve ever done. So I really wanted to share my guide to the 4-day Inca Trail to help you if you are considering doing it, to have the best experience you can have.

Let’s start with the basics!

What is the Inca Trail?

The Inca Trail is the most famous trek in South America. The Classic Inca Trail is 26 miles / 42 kms long and it takes 4 days and 3 nights. It starts at Km 82 (about 45 minutes from Ollantaytambo) and ends at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku in Quechua) to Machu Picchu.

Historically, the Inca Trail was actually a network of thousands of paths that came from all corners of what once was the Inca Empire (today Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Chile), and converged in Machu Picchu, a sacred Inca citadel in the heart of the Andes Mountains.

There are many routes and shorter versions of the Trail, but the Classic Inca Trail is the most famous one. It’s the one I hiked and am covering on this guide.

Choosing the right Inca Trail tour company

It’s not possible to do the Inca Trail trek independently, so you will need to book the experience with a tour company. There are dozens of companies that you can book, but going with the right company will make all the difference.

But how do you know what the right company looks like? There are a few things to look out for that can help you select a tour operator you’ll be comfortable with. And don’t be afraid to ask questions.

I chose G Adventures, who have been awarded ‘Best Inca Trail Tour Operator’ by the Regional Direction of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Cusco (RDFTTC) in Peru. I had already travelled with them to Thailand and to India, so I knew the company and their ethos well. 

One of the things to check when choosing your Inca Trail operator is whether the company treats their porters fairly and pays them a fair wage.

Porters are the true unsung heroes of the Inca Trail, and without their help it would not be possible to hike it. They not only carry everything for everyone, but when we arrive at camp each day, the tents are all set up, the sleeping bags laid, and the food is being prepared for us.

They deserve all the recognition we can give to the hard work that goes on ‘behind the scenes’, so making sure that they are paid and treated fairly for their efforts is paramount.

G Adventures are really conscious of this and not only do they provide a fair living wage for their porters, but they provide them with good quality equipment, medical insurance, and career opportunities if they ever want to become a tour guide on the Trail.

Porters, in return, repay G Adventures with their loyalty. Our team of 22 porters was a family affair, with a father and a son, and three brothers, all working together. And Leonard, our head porter, had been working with G Adventures for almost 20 years. That surely says something!

There are also regulations that tour companies need to follow. Before these regulations came into play, porters used to carry up to 60 kgs each (60 kgs!!). Now the maximum they are allowed to carry is 25 kg, which is more than enough.

Sadly, not all Inca Trail tour companies respect these limits and they will overload their porters. G Adventures, however, go one step further and the maximum their porters will carry is 20 kgs, 5 kgs below the limit.

Choosing an ethical company that supports the local communities that make the Inca Trail possible for us is super important. To learn more about the issues porters face, read this article.

Another thing to check with your potential tour operator is the group size. Some tour operators will merge multiple groups in the same camp at the end of the day, so it can feel a bit crowded.

My group was made up of 14 hikers, and it was just the right size. It was a very diverse group too, with the youngest person being 26 years old and the oldest 65, and from different countries – the US, Canada, UK and Denmark.

The advantage of having a smaller group is not just a less crowded camp, but along the trail we had the archaeological sites we stopped at completely to ourselves.

What’s included in your Inca Trail 

At a minimum, your Inca Trail tour operator should include the following:

• The Inca Trail Permit
• Entry Ticket to Machu Picchu
• Duffel bag for your personal belongings (to be returned at the end of the trip)
• Private transport from your accommodation in Cusco to Ollantaytambo the day before setting off on the trail
• Accommodation in Ollantaytambo
• Private transport from your accommodation in Ollantaytambo to the start of the trail
• The possibility of renting hiking poles, an air mattress and a sleeping bag (at an additional cost)
• Sleeping tent
• Filtered or sterilised drinking water
• Three nutritious freshly-prepared meals a day, excluding Day 4, when only breakfast is provided
• The services of a professional English speaking guide and an assistant guide
• Access to a first aid kit, including an oxygen tank for altitude emergencies
• A team of porters to carry all the necessary gear and to set up / break down camp
• A guided tour of Machu Picchu on arrival
• Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes)
• Train tickets from Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes) to Ollantaytambo
• Private transport from Ollantaytambo to your accommodation in Cusco

I did this Inca Trail tour, so it also included a day exploring the Sacred Valley.

We visited a women’s weaving cooperative supported by G Adventure’s social enterprise Planeterra. The ladies of the Ccaccaccollo community showed us the preparation process llama and alpaca fibre goes through before it’s ready for weaving.

They also showed us how they prepare the natural pigments using plants, seeds and insects to dye the fibre.

We also visited Cuyo Chico, a local pottery making community also supported by Planeterra. Here we learnt how they made adobe for building houses and how they prepare clay for pottery and clay jewellery.

We then stopped for lunch at a community-run restaurant that provides a small village of 65 families access to the tourism market. Normally, they would not have the opportunity to benefit from tourism, but now they do by supplying a delicious farm-to-table experience to visitors.

Preparing for the Inca Trail

The Inca Trail is classified as a ‘moderate’ hike, with the added challenge of the altitude. Being reasonably fit is important, and preparing for it will help you enjoy the trail even more.

Try and build some strength and endurance before you leave for Peru. Go hiking regularly in your own country in the run up to your trip. You will still feel the effect of high altitude, but you will be able to manage it better and will recover a lot quicker.

Wearing the right gear will also help. Wearing lightweight layers with wicking and fast drying properties will make you more comfortable. Avoid anything made of cotton.

The trail is well marked, but the terrain can be uneven and there are A LOT of steps, so having the right footwear is important. 

Whether you are wearing hiking boots (recommended) or trail running shoes, make sure you break them in before you set off. There’s nothing worse than having to walk every day with painful blisters on your feet.

If you end up getting blisters, be prepared with blister patches like these ones from Compeed.

The Classic Inca Trail Itinerary (4 days / 3 nights)

Here is an overview of the itinerary of the Classic Inca Trail and what to expect.

Day 1 – Easing into it

Distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles
Time: 6 – 7 hours
Elevation gain: 350 m / 1,150 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

Both excited and nervous, we started at Km 82, with a lot of other hikers. It felt that the trail may be busy along the way with a lot of other groups starting at the same time, but that was not the case at all. All the groups got separated very quickly and soon we had the trail to ourselves.

The landscape was breathtaking from the get go, with views of the snow capped peak of La Veronica Mountain behind us.

Our first stop was to put our war paint on, carmine acid from the cochinilla, an insect that lives on the cactus that grows on the side of the trail.

The first Inca ruins we came across on the trail were those of Llactapata, which means ‘High Town’. It is thought to have been a resting place on the journey to Machu Picchu.

Day one was moderate, described by our guide as ‘Peruvian flat’, which means constantly up and down, and with a steep ascent at the end. It felt quite hard, but I had no idea what was to come, so looking back it was actually a piece of cake (kinda). 

Arriving at the first campsite was really humbling, where our team of 22 porters, 2 chefs, and one waiter were waiting for us cheering us on and congratulating us for making it through the first day. In reality, we should have done that for them.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. The porters are true heroes. They are the first ones to get up in the morning to pack everything up.

Then they carry EVERYTHING (the tents, the food, our luggage, the kitchen equipment, the furniture, even the gas canisters!), and they literally run to the next camp where they set everything up for us and wait for our arrival. I have so much love and respect for them.

And I couldn’t believe that they still had the energy for a game of football before dinner!

That evening we also got to meet each of our porters and learn about their stories. It was a great evening where we all introduced ourselves back to them too. 

Day 2 – The hardest day and Dead Woman’s Pass

Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Time: 7 – 8 hours
Elevation gain: 1,200 metres / 3,937 feet
Difficulty: Hard

The second day of the Inca Trail is the hardest trek I have ever done. It is mostly uphill, with a hard-on-your-knees downhill section at the end.

We set off at 6.30am so we could make it to camp for lunch. We had 12km ahead of us, which doesn’t sound too bad. But 8 of those kms were uphill, taking us from 3,000m to 4,200m in approximately 5 hours.

After the previous evening’s introduction to our porters, we were set a challenge for today. At one point along the trail, we swapped our backpacks for the backpacks our porters carried. I swapped with Leonard, our head porter, who was carrying 18 kgs.

I only managed about 20 metres before I had to stop. It’s an incredibly tough job. And they go at speed with all our stuff so they have everything set up for us by the time we get to the campsite. I was so grateful for them!

But going back to the trail, day 2 was physically the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I eventually made it to the highest point of the trail, ominously called Dead Woman’s Pass.

What got me through was the constant support of both my guides, Enrique and Katia. But also the frequent stops to catch my breath and give my legs a rest.

Along the way I stopped to appreciate the incredible views, the sound of running water along the path, the constant flutter of butterflies flying around me, and, on the final stretch, the soft sound of a flute being played by a man cheering us up to give it one last push.

The sense of achievement getting to the top was indescribable. Pure magic!

But that was not the end of the day. After celebrating making it through the hardest section, we had to descend 600m to camp for almost 2 hours, on uneven stone paved paths and steps. It was a different kind of challenge and all I can say is thank goodness for my knee brace!

But the best was yet to come! It was my birthday, and a lovely surprise was waiting for me at camp. 

Enrique had snuck a bottle of wine and a box of chocolates into my tent and the chef had baked me a birthday cake! He even decorated it with my name! I was so touched! This was literally the cherry on the cake. I’ll never forget this whole day, from start to end.

The second campsite is the highest along the trail, so it gets cold. You will need your layers to hand.

Day 3 – The most beautiful day through the cloud forest

Distance: 16 km / 7.5 miles;
Time: 9 – 10 hours
Elevation gain: -1,000 metres / -3,280 feet
Difficulty: Moderate to hard

I don’t know if I’ll ever find the words to describe this day. 

We set off early in the morning as usual, knowing that it would be the longest day of hiking with 9 to 10 hours ahead of us. This section of the trail is 90% original from the Inca times, when people travelled on foot on their pilgrimage to Machu Picchu.

The path was incredibly steep, first going up but most of it going down. It may sound easy, but the uneven steps offered a new set of challenges. Again, my knee brace saved the day!

Day 3 was the longest day of hiking, but it was certainly the most beautiful too.

We went through a mystical cloud forest on the edge of the Amazon and walked through tunnels carved on the cliff face. We followed the path along the edge of the mountain that revealed never-ending spectacular sights with every corner we turned. It was truly breathtaking.

Along the way, there were also a number of Inca sites that we stopped at to explore and understand more about this ancient culture.

At the second pass of Sayacmarca, an archaeological site that means ‘Dominant Town’ in Quechua, our guide Enrique performed a short ceremony that touched everyone’s soul, and made us reflect on what’s important to us.

As part of the ceremony we all took a moment to be with ourselves and Pachamama (Mother Earth in Andean culture). Each of us made an individual offering of a kintu (three coca leaves) with our thoughts and wishes to Pachamama.

It was a moment that I will cherish forever and it’s one of the highlights of my Inca Trail journey. Thank you Enrique for that gift!

We also stopped at Phuyupatamarca, another Inca archeological site that means ‘Town Above the Clouds’ in Quechua, and IntiPata, a set of terraces that were used for agricultural purposes. The views of the Urubamba River and the Sacred Valley were absolutely stunning!

We arrived at our campsite in Wiñay Wayna before the sun went down, and as usual, our amazing porters were there waiting for us, clapping and celebrating our achievement. It was another of many emotional moments along the way.

Day 4 – Arrival at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku)

Distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles
Time: 9 – 10 hours
Elevation gain: -200 metres / -656 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

The last day of the Inca Trail started at 3am, in order to start queueing in the dark at the gate before it opened.

We also had to be up so early so the porters could pack up and literally run down the mountain to catch the train back to Ollantaytambo with all our gear. But the benefit of such an early start was that we managed to get a spot inside the shelter.

The trek towards the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) starts as soon as the control point gates open. Before reaching the Sun Gate, you have to climb the last set of steps, called the ‘Gringo Killer’ or ‘Monkey Steps’ because it’s easier to climb them on all fours.

Reaching the Sun Gate was an immense sense of achievement. Everyone congratulated each other and we all sat down to take in the view – of clouds in our case.

We waited a while hoping the clouds would clear, but we only got a tiny glimpse of Machu Picchu Mountain through a small gap that lasted literally 3 seconds. It wasn’t to be for us, but it really didn’t matter. We got ready to keep going down all the way to Machu Picchu.

I will never forget the first time I set my eyes on Machu Picchu. It literally took my breath away and my eyes filled with tears. Visiting this sacred Inca citadel had been a childhood dream, and it was finally happening!

As emotional as it was seeing Machu Picchu for the first time, nothing will ever match the journey to get there. 

It’s hard to find the words to describe how special walking the Inca Trail was. The many highs and a few lows, the sweat, the sore muscles and joints, the breathless moments due to the altitude, and the breathtaking moments due to the beauty of the Peruvian Andes.

I’ve never felt so small and so powerful at the same time!

And all this could not have been possible without the incredible help and support of the G Adventures team of amazing porters and, of course, our guides Enrique and Katia, who were always there to keep us going, encouraging us, and celebrating our achievements.

Reaching Machu Picchu was only one of those achievements. And after taking it all in, Enrique gave us a tour of the citadel, talking us through the history of this incredible site.

He pointed out the skillful stonework, the different temples, the precision with which some of the buildings had been built to match the cardinal points, and how they reflected the astronomical observations of the Incas. I left in awe of the ingenuity and knowledge this ancient civilisation had.

After spending a few hours at Machu Picchu, we jumped on a bus to Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes), where we had a bit of free time to wander around and have our last lunch together.

We then went to the train station to catch the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our private transfer was waiting to take us back to Cusco, the end of our Inca Trail adventure. 

Practical information about the Inca Trail

Booking a guide and the Inca Trail permits

You can’t hike the Inca Trail independently, so you will need to have a guide with you. Access to the trail is limited to 500 people a day (200 hikers and 300 porters and professional guides) so it is only possible to do it with an approved tour operator.

I did the Inca Trail with G Adventures, who have been named Best Inca Trail Tour Operator by the Regional Direction of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Cusco (RDFTTC), and I personally highly recommend it.

G Adventures took care of all the permits for both hiking the Inca Trail and accessing Machu Picchu. All you need to do is take your original passport with you, as your passport number needs to be checked when you access both the trail and the Machu Picchu citadel at the end.

Training for the Inca Trail

The Inca Trail is not a walk in the park, and a reasonable level of fitness is required. I’m an avid hiker, but I didn’t do any special training before I set off – and I wish I had.

As much as I loved the Inca Trail, I found it physically really hard. But I did it, and I would do it all over again a million times!

The way I kept going was taking one step at a time, and stopping as much as I needed to enjoy the trail, the mountains, the views, which is just as important. There are plenty of viewpoints and Inca sites to stop at along the way too, so you won’t even notice how far you’ve walked.

As my guide Enrique said: ‘Walk like a llama (walk, stop, and look around), not like a horse (looking only down and ahead)’. It’s all about the journey and not the destination, after all. Even if the destination is Machu Picchu!

It’s important to bear in mind that hiking at altitude, no matter how fit you are, is always going to be an added challenge.

Altitude sickness on the Inca Trail

The truth about altitude sickness is that it can impact your ability to enjoy the Inca Trail. 

The best way to avoid suffering from altitude sickness during the trail is by arriving in Cusco a few days before you set off, to you give yourself plenty of time to acclimatise. A couple of days is normally enough, but it will vary depending on how hard you are affected.

Keeping hydrated and taking altitude sickness pills regularly helps too. I bought over-the-counter herbal pills that contain coca leaves and muña (Andean mint) as soon as I arrived in Cusco, and they really helped.

During the trail, coca tea is also available at each camp when you stop for lunch and overnight. And the porters very kindly brought a hot drink of coca tea to our tents every morning for us to drink while we got ready. So thoughtful of them!

What to bring to the Inca Trail (and what to leave behind)

The key to packing for the Inca Trail is to go as light as possible. You will have to think about what you will need during the actual hike – water, waterproofs, layers (you can be hot one minute and cold the next), sunscreen, snacks etc.

For overnight packing, G Adventures gave me a duffel bag for me to pack the essentials for the four days on the trail. This bag is carried by the porters and will be waiting for you in your tent at the end of each day. 

Once packed, the duffel back cannot be heavier than 6kg, to keep the weight the porters will be carrying reasonable.

Within those 6kg, you will want to include an air mattress and a sleeping bag, which you can rent directly from G Adventures in Cusco. So you are left with about 3kg for the rest of your things – toiletries, clothes and sandals you can change into at the end of the day, etc.

I considered packing my own sleeping bag for my trip to Peru at one point, but it really is not worth it. Renting it on arrival is a lot more convenient, and together with the air mattress, and a pair of walking sticks (which I highly recommend), it comes up to just over 100 Soles (~ £22 / $27).

You may be wondering what happens to your main luggage. You will leave it behind in a storage room in your hotel in Cusco, so it will be there waiting for you once you’re back.

Insurance on the Inca Trail

Most regular travellers have an annual travel insurance policy, but these policies often have limitations when it comes to adventure activities.

If you already have an annual policy, check the small print to see if you are covered for trekking at altitudes above 4,000 metres, as the highest point on the Inca Trail is at 4,200 metres above sea level.

I would personally recommend Hey Mondo, which includes trekking at altitudes up to 5,000 metres high, when adding the Adventure Sports option. So you would be covered for the Inca Trail.

Always make sure you read the small print though, to ensure that all your needs are covered.

If you are in two minds about whether you need travel insurance at all, read this post.

Food and water on the Inca Trail

All food and water is included in the Inca Trail tour package, with the only exception of snacks that you carry with you on your day pack.

There are a few opportunities to buy snacks, soft drinks, and water on day one, and the first half of day two. After that, there is nowhere to stock up, so make sure you get enough for the rest of the trail.

All three main meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are freshly prepared at the camp every day by skillful chefs, and I was really surprised how delicious it all was. Plus they are able to cater for all sorts of different dietary requirements too.

Porters carry all the ingredients like fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, etc, as well as the cooking equipment including an oven and gas canisters.

They even carry corn to make popcorn, and cake making ingredients. It was my birthday during the Inca Trail and, to my surprise, the G Adventures team baked me the most amazing birthday cake. I felt so spoiled!

There was also fresh drinking water every day by the time we arrive at camp.

The porters go ahead of us to not only set up camp and get ready for dinner, but also to collect water from local streams, boil it for us, and cool it down so you can top up your reusable water bottle when you arrive.

Sleeping arrangements on the Inca Trail

There are no accommodation facilities along the Inca Trail. So you will be sleeping in a tent, normally shared with one more person. You can pay a little bit extra if you prefer to have your own tent.

But don’t worry, you won’t have to set up your own tent when you arrive at the camp at the end of a long and arduous day, when energy levels are low. 

The amazing porters will have everything set up for you and your fellow hikers, including your air mattress and your sleeping bag. So all you have to do is celebrate the achievement of making it through the day and relax.

The porters will also pack everything up for you in the morning. All you have to do is pack your personal belongings in your duffel bag, and they will take care of the rest. They were incredibly helpful and really looked after us. I was (and still am) so grateful for our team of porters!

Showers and toilet facilities on the Inca Trail

Ok, this is where it gets a little rough. The toilet facilities are pretty limited along the trail.

There are a couple of opportunities to use toilets rented by local people along the way on the first day, at a cost of typically 1 or 2 Soles. The toilet in the camp on Day 1 was bearable, with a regular toilet seat – although you’ll probably want to hover. 

After that, you only have two options – the ‘Inca’ or ‘panoramic’ toilet i.e. out in nature; or the squatty toilet in the camp at the end of the day. The ‘panoramic’ toilet may sometimes be the preferred option. Just make sure you leave no trace and take any used tissue with you.

When it comes to showers, day 2 and 3 camps have shower facilities with cold water only.

Most people opt for skipping the showers and washing themselves using a warm bucket of soapy water that the porters kindly prepared for us. This is what I did too, combining it with cleaning myself with these biodegradable body wipes.

Weather on the Inca Trail

The weather in the mountains can be changeable and unpredictable, so be prepared for all weathers.

I was very fortunate that, even though I did the Inca Trail at the start of the rainy season in November, I only got a little bit of rain on the morning of day 3. 

The best way to prepare yourself for the weather is to wear layers that you can take off and put back on as the weather warms up or cools down. Also carry waterproofs with you. I had a waterproof poncho with me which was a lifesaver.

Money and tipping on the Inca Trail

Most of the costs on the Trail are covered by your choice of Inca Trail tour. However, there are some things you will need to bring some money for.

You’ll have the opportunity to stock up on snacks and even make use of private toilets on days 1 and 2, so you will need some change for that.

Tipping the porters, chefs, and the guides is not compulsory but it’s definitely appreciated. They work really hard to carry your stuff, set up camp, cook, and they even go the extra mile with the food presentation.

Whether you come from a culture where tipping is customary or not, I’m positive that you will want to tip the team that has looked after you throughout the Trail.

G Adventures will advise you how much they recommend when it comes to tipping should you wish to do so. Their guidelines recommend between 10-20 USD for the head guide, 5-12 USD for the assistant guide and 40 USD for the whole team of porters and the chefs.

You may also want to have some spare cash for dinner in Ollantaytambo on the first night, for the cafe at Machu Picchu (the cakes and coffees are surprisingly good), and for lunch in Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes Town). They may take cards, but don’t count on it just in case.

Phones on the Inca Trail

There is no signal on the vast majority of the trail, or opportunity to charge your phone. 

Your last chance to get a signal will be at Ollantaytambo, and your first chance to get it back again will be at Machu Picchu.

I was a little bit worried about being offline for so long, but it was actually just what I needed, and I was very reluctant to reconnect once I got to Machu Picchu. In fact, I kept my phone on airplane mode all the way till we reached Ollantaytambo.

Keeping your phone on airplane mode during the trail will also help conserve battery. I felt a bit apprehensive about not having enough battery charge for the whole four days, as I use my camera phone a lot for photos and videos.

But keeping it on airplane mode really helped. I only needed to charge it once a day, and my battery charger (which has four full charges) was more than enough.

Top tips for hiking the Inca Trail

Book way in advance

The Inca Trail is one of the most famous treks in South America and the world, and with a limit of 200 hikers a day, booking in advance you will be able to secure the dates you want and, just as important, the tour operator you want to do it with.

This is particularly the case during the dry season (May – October), which is the most popular time to do it. Sometimes it’s possible to find a last minute spot during low season (November – April), but if you are set on dates, it’s not worth risking it.

A rough guide for booking it would be four to five months, but the earlier you book it, the better.

Arrive early in Cusco

Cusco sits at 3,399 m above sea level, so arriving early will give you time to acclimatise to the high altitude and avoid altitude sickness on the Inca Trail.

I would suggest at least a couple of days before you set off on the Trail. Cusco is a beautiful and really interesting city, and there is a lot to see and do, so I can guarantee you will not be bored.

Hire a sleeping bag, an air mattress, and hiking poles

One top tip that will really help you get through those tough climbs and descents on the Inca Trail is to hire hiking poles (or take your own). They really make all the difference, especially when you have to hoist yourself up some high steps.

Another thing that will really help is getting a good night’s sleep. The tents are really comfortable, but the ground can be hard and sometimes stoney, so I would really recommend hiring an air mattress too.

Someone in my group decided not to hire one and he regretted it after the first night.

And of course, you’ll need a sleeping bag, which can also be rented locally too to save you packing and carrying your own.

If you really do want to take your own and not rent them locally, I can recommend these:

• Sleeping bag
• Air mattress
• Hiking poles

If you end up taking your own hiking poles, make sure they have rubber tips, as poles without them are not allowed on the path.

Wear a hat

I don’t enjoy wearing hats, as they make me really hot. And not wearing one on the Inca Trail was a big mistake.

I kept my hair on two pigtails throughout the four days as it was easier to manage, but I ended up getting a badly burnt scalp. So don’t make the same mistake I did, and wear one!

And sun protection

Also it goes without saying that you should wear sunscreen too. The air at altitude is a lot thinner than at sea level, and the sun is fierce. So make sure you protect yourself by reapplying it as often as you need.

And this includes your ears and lips! My lips got badly sunburnt too and it wasn’t fun at all.

Also, insect repellent

Depending on the time of the year, mosquitos, especially in Machu Picchu, can be relentless. So be prepared and make sure you apply a good and powerful insect repellent if needed.

I had a small gap between my sock and my leggings on one of my legs and they bit me all around creating a ring of bites around my ankle. Three months later I still had the scars!

Do NOT get your passport stamped at Machu Picchu

This may be controversial, as who doesn’t want a Machu Picchu stamp on their passport to remember the achievement of completing this epic trail?

I would have loved one, but some airlines will not allow you to fly with them if you have a souvenir stamp on your passport. Some countries may refuse you entry for having a ‘defaced’ or ‘altered’ passport too.

Read the cautionary tale of Tina Sibley, who was denied boarding because of her Machu Picchu stamp here.

Get yourself a journal and get that stamped instead! Or buy yourself some Peruvian souvenirs to take home with you once you finish the trail.

Other FAQs

Do you have any questions about hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
Let me know in the comments!

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Disclosure: This post has been created as a partnership with G Adventures. As always, all views are my own.