โLost City of the Incas,โ one of the seven wonders of the world; whatever youโve heard Machu Picchu referred to know that โmagicalโ is probably the best way to describe it. That sounds pretty cliche, right? But itโs true. The entire Inca Trail hike was nothing short of a life-changing experience. If youโre reading this youโre probably planning your own Machu Picchu experience. Read on and I’ll share my guide to hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, including my packing list and tips/tricks to making your adventure that much more amazing.
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Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
There are only three ways to get to Machu Picchu, hiking one of the multi-day treks, via train and taking the hidroelectrica. Most people opt to take the train and many adventurers choose the hiking route. Keep reading for all the details to prepare you for hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. For more on the different ways on how to get to Machu Picchu click here.
Inca Trail Weather
First things first: when to go. Whatโs the best weather for the Machu Picchu hike? There are two seasons in Peru: the wet season and dry season. The wet season is November to March and the dry season is April to October. However, the Inca Trail hike itself will take you through a variety of different climates. Occasional rains even in the dry months is normal in some areas. The rain is the heaviest is in February however the trail is usually closed for maintenance the entire month. The best hiking weather is June through August however, this is peak season which tends to be the busiest time. If youโre looking to beat the crowds, try the shoulder season months of April, May, September or October. I went at the end of March to early April and only experienced a small amount of rain on the trail, which again is completely normal.
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How to Get to Machu Picchu
Now that we know the best time to visit Machu Picchu, letโs talk logistics because youโre probably wondering how to get to Machu Picchu or which airport is closest to Machu Picchu. Cusco, Peru is the gateway city to Machu Picchu and many other popular Peruvian mountains. In fact, thereโs no shortage of outdoor activities in or near Cusco. For the โMachu Picchuโ part of your trip, youโll want to be in Cusco. Cusco has a small international airport, Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ). If youโre flying from outside South America your best bet will be to fly into Lima, Peru, Jorge Chรกvez International Airport (LIM) – where you may want to stay a few days – then purchase your flight in and out of Cusco separately.
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I recommend staying in Lima for a couple of days and getting acclimated to the elevation change. Plus, itโs a beautiful metropolitan city with amazing food so donโt miss out on all the good eats. Lima and Cusco are vastly different but equally wonderful.
Hiking the Inca Trail and Permits
So now we know when to go and how to get there, letโs talk about how to hike to Machu Picchu. There are two ways of getting to the world wonder: by train or by foot. By train is the easy way. You take a PeruRail train into Aguas Calientes then a shuttle bus up to Machu Picchu. By foot is the adventurous way and there are a variety of different trails you can choose from. Most visitors, including myself, opted for the classic Inca Trail. The Inca Trail is 26 miles long and takes you through the same route the Incas took to get to the Lost City. You will pass through various archaeological sites and hike four different mountains.
Hiking the Inca Trail must be done through a tour operator. I did my hike with Alpaca Expeditions and had a wonderful experience. Rates vary depending on the company, what they offer and if itโs a group tour or private tour. My friends and I had planned our trip months ahead of time. And we began speaking with Alpaca Expeditions six months before and gave our deposits for the hike five months before our trip. Putting down a security deposit allows the tour operator to apply for your hiking permit. And giving your deposit sooner is better because it will place you first in line with that operator for the dates youโve requested.
Permits for the entire year are released in the middle of January. This doesnโt mean theyโre all sold out in January but if youโre looking to go during a busy time permits for those dates may not be available if you wait until after January. There are only 500 permits for each day on the Inca Trail. Only about 200 of those permits are allocated for tourists. The other 300 permits are for guides, cooks, and porters.
Getting To the Inca Trail, Getting Back to Cusco and Packing Details
Most tour operators will include picking you up via a shuttle bus from your hotel or hostel in Cusco so you wonโt have to worry about transportation. Many of the hotels and hostels also offer luggage storage but itโs important to check upon making your reservations. Youโll only want to take your day pack and your belongings that the porters will carry for you during your Machu Picchu trip and leave the rest in storage. We stayed at Tierra Viva Cusco Centro and I absolutely loved my stay there. They offered luggage storage and had excellent customer service.ย
Alpaca Expeditions gave us a briefing the night before our hike and they went over important information and answered questions before our Inca Trail journey had started. This is also when we paid the remaining amount of what we owed. We were also given duffel bags to pack our belongings that the porters would be carrying for us. The maximum weight allowed in your duffel bag is 7 kg/14 lbs. If youโre renting a sleeping bag and/or air mattress the weight of these items will also be included in 7 kg limit.
Remember that what you pack in your duffel bag will be with the porters all day and will not be returned until you get to your first camping site, so pack all that you need in your daypack.
Machu Picchu Packing List:
Daypack (18-25 liter backpack):
โข3-liter water bladder
Platypus is a great brand and their bladders are the easiest to clean!
โขWaterproof rain jacket
Make sure whatever you use is indeed waterproof and not just water-resistant
โขFleece zip-up/pullover
โขInsect repellant
โขHeadlamp (with extra batteries)
Black Diamond is a reputable brand and this one emits 300 lumens (that’s BRIGHT!!)
โขCamera
I always have my GoPro on me! And a selfie stick ๐
โขPlastic bag for trash
โขMini first-aid kit with a few band-aids, painkillers, “poop medicineโ aka diarrhea pills, altitude medicine
Your guide will most likely have a complete first aid kit so just take what you personally need.
โขPassport (you need this for the beginning of the trail)
โขHat
โขWarm gloves
If you’re going during the wet season make sure to invest in good waterproof gloves, this will keep you dry and happy!
โขSunglasses
โขCash to tip porters/cook/guide, and to buy chicha (Peruvian beer), or use the toilets/ buy snacks (first day on the trail and at Machu Picchu), and to buy souvenirsย (when you reach Machu Picchu)!
Pack for porters:
โขQuick-dry tops (3-4)
A couple of tanks and at least one long sleeve top
โขBase layer top (for colder months)
I swear by this one because of it’s “omni-heat” technology. It reflects your body heat which helps to keep you warm.
โขLeggings/hiking pants (2 pairs)
โขFleece-lined leggings
When it’s colder, put these on under your regular leggings. You’ll only need 1 pair.
โขWaterproof hiking pants (an absolute must if youโre doing the trail during the wet season. I did without them and I was fine but I went at the beginning of the dry season)
โขQuick-dry undies (4)
โขQuick-dry sports bar (3-4)
โขHiking boots (broken in, do not take a new pair to the trail)
This is the boot that I used n the trail and I still use today (three years later). They’re a bit more expensive than the average boot but I had never had a blister and they’ve been the most comfortable boot for me.ย
โขLightweight sandals (to wear at camp)
โขBeanie to keep warm at night and on the trail
I love these beanies because you’re able to keep your hair up.
โขWool hiking socks (I recommend Smart Wool)
โขToiletry items (dry shampoo, wet wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc)
โขMoleskin to prevent blisters (put on/readjust each morning)
โขSmall travel towel
โขSleeping bag (rated at least 20 degrees)
โขHand Warmers
If you get cold easily, pack some hand warmers. I keep these in my pockets in the morning when it’s cold and in my sleeping bag at night. You’re not supposed to keep them in your sleeping bag but it’s always done the trick for me. The brand I use is Grabber.
To rent:
โขAir mat
โขTrekkingย Poles
Going the Extra Mileโฆ Add-on Hike
If youโre like me and have to get the extra mile in then you can opt for an additional hike. Huayna Picchu is 2,720 metres/8,920ย ft above sea level and 360 metres/1,180ย ft higher than Machu Picchu. Itโs about a 45-minute hike going up and about an hour going down. Itโs a steep climb but the views are astonishing.
Huayna Picchu in Quechua means “young peak.” It rises over Machu Picchu and is the highest point in classic Machu Picchu photos. You will have a similar view from the Sun Gate, the โentranceโ to Machu Picchu from the Inca Trail, where youโll see Machu Picchu for the first time. However, Huayna Picchu is more dramatic of a view. Space is limited and if youโre considering this hike youโll want to advise your tour operator before permits are released.
After your trek
You just trekked to Machu Picchu, what are you going to do next? Many tour operators will include your bus ticket down to Aguas Calientes, the town just below Machupicchu. There you can eat in the town, go shopping and take the train to Ollantaytambo. After the train, youโll more than likely be picked up by your tour operator and taken to your hotel in Cusco.
Tour operators also give you the option to stay in Aguas Calientes. Itโs a sleepy town and happens to be on the expensive side for tourists. My friends and I considered staying one night but expenses started adding up and we decided that we would spend the extra day in Cusco. I donโt regret this decision at all but next time Iโm splurging!
All in all the Machu Picchu trek was an amazing experience I recommend to anyone with an appreciation for the outdoors.
If you want to see a glimpse of what the Inca Trail is like, check out my video here:
If you’re looking for things to do in Cusco, Peru, check out this video:
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