How to Pick Which Machu Picchu Hike To Do

You’ve decided you want to see the legendary Machu Picchu.  You know want to do some sort of hike but you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.  You and your potential group have varied hiking experiences and skill levels.  You may be reading this early enough to secure a permit or maybe you don’t.  What do you do?  I’m here to guide you to pick which Machu Picchu hike to do.

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Looking for something specific in your search for the best Machu Picchu hike?  Jump to what you want to read.

Which Machu Picchu Hike To Book

Planning a trip to hike Machu Picchu probably seemed like an easy thing to plan when you first decided that you wanted to go but what you probably didn’t expect was just how many choices there are.  As more and more people add Peru to their bucket list, companies have had to really expand their service offerings to accommodate all the people that want to do the Machu Picchu hike.

From an ecological and preservation perspective, the government has also had to put in control measures in place.  That is why it’s not as simple as signing up for one route to do.   Today, there are permits in play and here are different ways to get to that final destination.

Below is a breakdown of some of the things you’ll want to think about as you decide what kind of hike you want to do.  Every traveler and group has different needs and requirements so make sure you pick the Machu Picchu hike that makes the most sense for you.

Knowing your fitness level

In some ways this matters but in other ways it doesn’t matter as much as you think.  Here’s what I mean.

Your fitness level from one perspective will dictate how challenging of a hike you want to do.  Each of the hikes below will have sections of it that won’t be easy.  At a minimum, you need to be in decent physical shape to embark on this journey.

Do you have any illnesses that make this a bad idea?

This is obvious common sense but if you have any sort of illness that means it’s clinically bad for you to go on a multi-day hike at high altitude, you’ll need to find a non-hiking alternative.  For instance, this could include respiratory or musculoskeletal problems such difficulty breathing, bad knees, or bad back.

You’re a superstar athlete

On the other spectrum, you could be someone that is in great cardio shape and runs marathons or regularly hikes.  You’re in peak physical condition and you feel like you can conquer anything.

Yes, you’re a great candidate for one of the Machu Picchu hikes but what you might not know is how your body will react to high altitude.  So even though you might feel invincible, just know that you may or not be affected when you get up to 4,200m (13,779 ft).

In fact, some people say that those that are really fit actually don’t do as well at altitude because your lungs are used to being overworked and inhaling large amounts of oxygen which isn’t a good thing.

You’re somewhere in between

Most people will sit somewhere in the middle.  You might hit the gym once in awhile and you enjoy the occasional run or hike but you are by no means in incredible shape.  If you’re in this category, you’re totally a candidate to do the Machu Picchu hike.

Whether you do well on the trail or not is 99% related to how your body reacts to altitude.  Most people don’t know what that feels like with vigorous exertion so it’s really hard to tell how you will do.  Anecdotally, I’ve done the hike and spoken to many other people that have done it and while I was hit pretty had on the hike, there other half of people I talk to say they didn’t have any issues at all.

The takeaway here is that your fitness level isn’t as big of a determining factor in how you will do so whether you’re in your 20’s or your 60’s, there’s nothing that says you can’t do it.  Super athletes aren’t guaranteed to rock it and if you barely ever go to the gym, you could totally pace it well and conquer the trail.

The best you can do is go in with the proper expectations, train, and prepare appropriately.  More on that at the end of the article.

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What is your target date

You’re reading this piece right now which means you’re somewhat close to pulling the trigger on booking a Machu Picchu hike.  Now think about when you plan on doing the hike.

If you’re eyeing the Inca Trail (one of the types of hikes), you need to make sure that you’re at least 6-9 months away from that date.  If you’re thinking about doing it sooner than that, you might be out of luck depending on the availability of the permits.

Things have gotten so intense as years have gone on that for peak periods such as May and June, you need to reserve a full year in advance.

So what are these permits and how do they work?

About Inca Trail permits

The Inca Trail is considered to be one of the top hiking trails in the world.  These past 20+ years have seen the growth of tourism in the area and as a result the trail started to get more and more crowded with trekkers, guides, and staff.  Not only were there too many people on this trail that has 900 years of history, it was also quickly became overrun and the ecosystem overwhelmed.

The government had to step in and restrict the number of people could be on the trail every day.  It works like this:

• 500 total permits are issued per day
• 300 of those permits are for the hard-working trekking support team (porters, guides, cooks)
• This means only 200 visitors can enter the Inca Trail each day
• Your Machu Picchu hike operator is the one that purchases the permits from the government
• With this permit system, you essentially can’t hike without an operator
• Permits are non-refundable and non-transferrable
• The permit can’t be changed in any way after-the-fact which includes entry date, name, passport number, nationality, age, and gender
• The price of the permit is typically included with the cost of the Inca Trail trek

When are permits released?

Great question.  Honestly, this is something that changes year to year so the best I can do here is give you an example.  Essentially, it goes on a daily rolling basis starting in October of the previous year.

Here’s an example of when permits for 2023 were released.

• October 10, 2022 -> January 2023 permits released
• October 11, 2022 -> March 2023 permits released
• October 12, 2022  -> April 2023 permits released
• October 13, 2022 -> May 1-15th 2023 permits released
• October 14, 2022 -> May 16-31st 2023 permits released
• October 17, 2022 -> June 1 – 30th 2023 permits released
• October 18, 2022 -> July 2023 permits released
• October 19, 2022 -> August to December 2023 permits released

You’ll also notice that there are no dates for February.  That’s because the entire trail is closed in February for maintenance.

Keep in mind that these are the dates when tickets are released and not necessarily when they sell out.

Is it possible to book the Inca Trail last minute?

No.  Based on the permit system and how there doesn’t look like there’ll be any letting up of popularity, you won’t be able to find permit openings if you’re looking to book the Inca Trail last minute.  That said, there might be a glimmer of hope.  Just keep reading!

What you need to know about dates

Plan early.  There’s no way around this.  If Inca Trail is on your mind, make sure you think about it a year in advance and decide on option A, B, C, and possibly D dates that you and your travel partners can all agree to.

As a general rule of thumb, permits for treks in March – May tend to sell out by the end of November.  June – July are fully gone by the end of December.  Lastly, August and September dates usually gone by February.

I know, this sounds stressful but remember that this only applies to the Inca Trail.  Keep reading to find out about all the other options available to you and why some of the others might actually be better options for you.

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Types of Machu Picchu hikes

There are 7+ hikes/treks that you can choose from and from within those, there are many options that you can choose from so let’s break it all down to make this as simple and transparent as possible.

Quick trek rankings

To get started, it might be easier to organize these treks into a few high level categories to help you get a lay of the land.  There are more treks you can do in the region but the ultimate deciding factor for what is included here is whether a visit to Machu Picchu is included.

Popular hikes

• Inca Trail

Next best to Inca Trail

• Salkantay Trek

Off-the-beaten-path

• Lares Trek
• Huchuy Qosqo Trek
• Quarry Trail
• Choquekiraw Trek

Challenging

• Combination Salkantay Trek + Inca Trail
• Ausangate Trek with Rainbow Mountain

Easy Comparison Table

As you can see from the above, there are many different Machu Picchu hikes and I know that it’s almost impossible to compare the different treks side-by-side so I’ve created this table to touch on the high level features of each one.  You’ll notice that the table is also sortable which’ll make it easy to sort by say the price, elevation, or distance.

Note that 4D3N denotes 4 days and 3 nights.

Machu Picchu Hike	Distance	Highest Elevation	Difficulty	What makes this special	Price	Price/night
Inca Trail - 4D3N	45 km/28 miles	4,215 m/13,829 ft	4 - Moderate to Challenging	Most popular and well-known trek. Hike through Sun Gate and into Machu Picchu (no train or bus to get there).	$ 690	$230
Inca Trail - 5D4N	45 km/28 miles	4,215 m/13,829 ft	4 - Moderate to Challenging	Same trek as 4D3N but stretched out. Better for families or anyone wanting to take their time.	$ 850	$213
Inca Trail - 2D1N Camping	15 km/9.3 miles	2,720 m/8,924 ft	2 - Easy to Moderate	Permits can be obtained in more short notice. Great for families. You get to hike into Machu Picchu in the late afternoon but also then get to bus up for a second visit as well.	$ 590	$590
Inca Trail - 2D1N Hotel	15 km/9.3 miles	2,720 m/8,924 ft	2 - Easy to Moderate	Permits can be obtained in more short notice. Great for families. Identical to the camping option except you stay in a hotel in Aguas Caliente.	$ 550	$550
Salkantay Trek + Inca Trail - 7D6N	84 km/52.2 miles	5,200 m/ 17,060 ft	5 - Challenging	Seamlessly combines the Salkantay Trek with the Classic Inca Trail Trek. No train or bus to get to Machu Picchu. More time in the Andes.	$1150	$192
Salkantay Trek - 5D5N	62 km/38.5 miles	5,200 m/ 17,060 ft	5 - Challenging Days are longer. More micro-climates to deal with.	Most popular alternative trek to Inca Trail. Includes a stay in the Glass Houses. Incredible views of Humantay Lake and Salkantay Mountain Includes standard hotel stay at Aguas Caliente Involves train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Caliente and then bus to Machu Picchu	$ 650	$130
Salkantay Trek - 4D3N	47 km/29.2 miles	5,200 m/ 17,060 ft	5 - Challenging Days are longer. More micro-climates to deal with.	Shorter version of the classic 5D5N but doesn't miss much in terms of scenery along the path. Involves train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Caliente and then bus to Machu Picchu	$ 615	$205
Lares Trek - 4D3N	35 km/21.7 miles	4,650 m/14,250 ft	3 - Moderate	Slower hike compared to other hikes which makes it easier. Might have less ruins to see compared to the Inca Trail but has arguably more magnificent views of the Andes. Also includes a visit to the Lares Hot Springs and Salineras. Involves train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Caliente and then bus to Machu Picchu	$ 600	$200
Lares Trek - 5D4N	38 km/23.6 miles	4,650 m/14,250 ft	3 - Moderate	Essentially combines the Lares 4D3N with the Inca Trail 2D1N Camping. Involves train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Caliente and then bus to Machu Picchu	$ 905	$226
Ausangate Trek with Rainbow Mountain - 4D3N	30 km/18.6 miles	5,030 m/16,503 ft	5 - Challenging	Get to see Rainbow mountain before it's open to the public. Newer trek that includes views of Ausangate peak, a visit to Rainbow Mountain, and Machu Picchu. Involves train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Caliente and then bus to Machu Picchu	$ 750	$250
Huchuy Qosqo - 3D2N	21 km/13 miles	4,150 m/13,615 ft	1 - Easy	Good for those wanting a taste of hiking. Takes you to see Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo (a site that might be included in Sacred Valley tours) Involves train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Caliente and then bus to Machu Picchu	$ 550	$275
Choquekiraw & Machu Picchu - 8D7N	53 km/33 miles	3400 m/11,154 ft	4 - Moderate to Challenging	Choquekiraw is off-the-beaten-path and has larger than Machu Picchu.	$1200	$171
Quarry Trail - 3D2N	26km/16.2 miles	4450 m/14,599 ft	3 - Moderate	Not a common trail but is used by Intrepid Travel as a back up if the Inca Trail is sold out.	$1215 (7 day Inca Trail Express)	N/A

Note that all prices above are in USD and based on 2020 rates with Alpaca Expeditions and may have increased since then. Make sure to check out their current rates.

The ultimate difference between the Machu Picchu treks

When you boil it down, the difference in the hikes really comes down to the Inca Trail vs. the rest.  The reason why the Inca Trail is the most popular is not only because of its history, incredible nature, diversity in ecosystems, and numerous Inca sites.  What makes it truly unique is that it’s actually the only one where you can hike through the Sun Gate and approach Machu Picchu as the Incas did close to 600 years ago.

The entrance from the Sun Gate (Inti Punku in Quechua) is significant because it was the only entrance into the city and was protected by imperial guards.  From the gate downwards, you also get some of the most remarkable views as it’s almost parallel to the path leading up to Machu Picchu mountain and is simply magical in the morning when the city is revealed after the clouds lift.

If you look at any of the alternative hikes, almost all of them abruptly end at a pick up point where a van takes you to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, you take the train, and arrive in Aguas Calientes.  From here, you rest for an evening either at a hotel or camp site before hopping on the general bus that everyone uses to get up to Machu Picchu.

The only exception to this is the Salkantay Trek + Inca Trail combo which links the two hikes together.

Now there’s honestly nothing wrong with taking the bus up but just know that you’ll be with all of the regular non-hiking tourists at this point since many come from Cusco directly or have also stayed a night in Aguas Calientes.

So your choice becomes a lot more simpler when you think about this fact.  It comes down to:

• Is the Inca Trail a must-do for you?
• Are there permits available for the time slots you’re looking for?

Where can I get picked up to start the trek?

The information below is specific to Alpaca Expeditions but this is something else you should think about as you build your Peru itinerary.  The most common thing trekkers will do is start in Cusco but others may have specific requirements on starting in the Sacred Valley because that’s where their last activity ends up.

Here’s what you need to know about possible starting locations:

• Inca Trail – Cusco, Urubamba, Yunahuara & Ollantaytambo
• Salkantay Trek – Cusco only
• Lares Trek – Cusco Only
• Huchuy Qosqo Trek – Cusco only
• Asangate and Rainbow Trek – Cusco only
• Day tours – Cusco, Urubamba & Ollantaytambo

It is also good to know that they only do pick ups from hotels in the main town of Cusco.  This means that if you’re booking an Airbnb in an obscure part of town that’s difficult to get to, you’ll have to walk to a nearby hotel for pick up.

Don’t discount the alternatives

While it’s easy to think why you wouldn’t want to do the Inca Trail, there are advantages to doing one of the alternative Machu Picchu hikes.  Here are a few good reasons to choose a non-Inca Trail trek.

1. Crowds – Even with entry limitations to the Inca Trail, all this means is that there’s always the same flow of people daily and it’s one where you will almost constantly see people ahead and behind you.  It doesn’t necessarily impede your hiking (never back to back) but can dampen your experience when there’s always dots of colourful hikers on the trail wherever you look.  On alternative treks, you’d be lucky to come across 1 or 2 other groups in a day.
2. Incredible but different views – The Inca Trail is magnificent but if you want epic views of the mountains, the Salkantay Trek is pretty epic.  Let’s just say you’re not going to be lacking any beautiful views of the Andes in any of the Machu Picchu hikes.
3. Glass houses – If you’re looking for a unique experience, the glass houses that are part of the Salkantay Trek – 5D5N  where you’ll be able to see the stars at night from the comfort of your bed.
4. Something easier – The Inca Trail is moderate to challenging but if you’re looking to just get a taste whether it’s because of physical ability, time, or travelling with kids, hikes such as Huchuy Qosqo are a great way to get some hiking in before doing the “standard” way up to Machu Picchu.  There are also the shortened versions of the Inca Trail which you can read about in the section below.
5. Something more challenging – If you want to do a longer hike or something more difficult, the combination of Salkantay Trek and Inca Trail is pretty intense and the Ausangate Trek with Rainbow Mountain is also said to be challenging.

What if I still really want to do the Inca Trail but missed the boat on the permits?

You might’ve seen this from the comparison table above but there might be a glimmer of hope if the popular 4D3N or even 5D4N Inca Trail trek is “sold out”.  There are shorter hikes available that essentially take you through the back half of the trail which allows you to walk through the Sun Gate without doing the punishing parts of the trail such as Dead Woman’s Pass.

These are the treks to consider:

• Inca Trail 2D1N with camping – You start at KM marker 104 instead of 82.  In one day you’ll hike by 2 Inca sites before going through the Sun Gate and down into Machu Picchu by late afternoon.  The advantage here is that you get to go in after most tourists have left (but keep in mind you won’t have that much time to actually explore the ruins).  You’ll camp at the foot of Machu Picchu and the next day you’ll visit Machu Picchu the “standard” way by bus with everyone else.  This means you get two opportunities to see Machu Picchu.
• Inca Trail 2D1N with hotel – exact same as the above except you stay at a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• Lares Trek 5D4N – This takes the 4D3N Lares trek and combines it with the 2D1N with camping.

All of these still require Inca Trail permits but it’s different from the standard 4 day one.  I haven’t done this personally but it’s said that these permits are typically easier to get and can be purchased more last-minute.

While I know these aren’t the full Inca Trail but it’s a good alternative whether as a last-ditch effort to do it last-minute or for anyone that doesn’t want to do something as intense as the 4D3N Inca Trail trek.

Which is the cheapest?

The last factor I wanted to touch on is price.  For those that are more budget-oriented and price-sensitive, I’ve ordered each of the Machu Picchu hikes by price per night ordered by cheapest.

1. Choquekiraw & Machu Picchu 8D7N
2. Salkantay Trek 5D5N
3. Salkantay Trek + Inca Trail 7D6N
4. Lares Trek 4D3N
5. Salkantay Trek 4D3N
6. Inca Trail 5D4N
7. Lares Trek 5D4N
8. Inca Trail 4D3N
9. Ausangate Trek with Rainbow Mountain
10. Huchuy Qosqo
11. Inca Trail 2D1N Hotel
12. Inca Trail 2D1N Camping
13. Quarry Trail

Remember that if you are a student with an ISIC card, you also get $25 off.

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Machu Picchu hike add ons

Besides the costs of the trek itself, there are a couple of add-ons that you need to consider when you book.  Here’s what you need to know about and their associated costs.

Equipment rental

Besides your own belongings, you’ll need some of your own camping gear for any of the treks you do.  You can bring your own but if you’d prefer to rent, trekking companies such as Alpaca Expeditions have them for rent.

At a minimum, you need a sleeping bag but it’s highly recommended that you have an inflatable air mattress and walking sticks.

• Sleeping Bag: $20
• Inflatable Air Mattress (Sleeping Pad): $15 (this is included with private tours)
• Walking Sticks (Pair): $15

Huayna Picchu

Once you arrive at Machu Picchu, you’ll notice a mountain that stands right behind.  This is Huayna Picchu (also Wayna Picchu).

Huayna Picchu is an add-on hike you can do that gives you exceptional views of the ancient ruins from the opposite side to the Sun Gate.  It’s a breathtaking vista that I can only describe as a very different perspective and one that you rarely see photos of.

For how to climb actually is, make sure to read the full guide to Huayna Picchu.

Tickets are required to be able to hike Huayna Picchu and is typically done at the 10-11AM climbing slot that’s available after your tour of Machu Picchu with your guide.

The way it works is that the tickets are purchased ahead of time since they sell out in advance.  There are two time slots (7-8AM, and 10-11AM) starting from a special ticket booth/entrance.  There are only 400 tickets per day and 200 for each time window.

The cost of this ticket is $75 per person.

Machu Picchu Mountain

Something that most people don’t get to do is to climb the actual Machu Picchu Mountain.  This is the mountain the stands above the ruins that’s on the Sun Gate side except as you hike from the Inca Trail, you descend the side of this mountain instead of ascending to its summit.

It takes 1.5 hours to get to the top (3 hours round trip).  There are two time windows for it (7-8AM and 9-10AM).  Typically the second time slot is what you’ll be aiming for.  If you’re thinking about doing this as part of a 4D3N or 7D6N Inca Trail trek, there’s simply not enough time to do this and also enjoy the tour of the ruins.

To properly enjoy this mountain, tour the ruins, and also climb Huayna Picchu, you’ll need an extra day which means some customization on the part of Alpaca Expeditions.

The views from this mountain give you more of the “official” view of Machu Picchu but from a much higher elevation which is what makes it unique.

The ticket to climb Machu Picchu Mountain is $75 per person.  Unlike Huayna Picchu, there’s not a large demand for these tickets so they’re relatively easy to obtain.

Vistadome Train

Whether you’re taking the train into Aguas Calientes, or on the way back to Cusco, all of treks will include economy tickets to the PeruRail Expedition Train.  If you’re looking for an upgrade, you can book the Vistadome Train which has larger seats, windows, and entertainment.

The standard train leaves Aguas Calientes at 4:22PM.  The Vistadome train leaves at 4:43PM.

The cost of upgrade is $75 per person.

Extra weight for porters to carry

The maximum amount of weight you’re allowed to put in the duffle that the porters will carry for you from campsite to campsite is 7 kg or 14 lbs.  If you exceed this weight, you can pay an overweight fee of $75 for the whole trip.

Note that this also includes the weight of the sleeping bag and air mattress.

Post-trek stay in Aguas Calientes

One thing that I wish I had the opportunity to do to savour the success of conquering the Inca Trail was more time in Aguas Calientes.  For most people, they’ll be down from Machu Picchu for lunch, giving you on an hour or two to explore town.

If you’re interested in staying a night in Aguas Calientes, you can certainly plan that into your itinerary.  There are a couple of things to consider for this:

1. You’ll need to book a hotel – You can get Alpaca Expeditions to book this or you can do it yourself.  The recommended hotels are: La Cabana, Inti Punku, or Waman Hotel.
2. Extra entrance ticket into Machu Picchu – With that extra day, you could easily visit Machu Picchu again on your own.  This is $55 per person.
3. Bus ticket – To get up to Machu Picchu, you’ll need bus tickets to get there from Aguas Calientes.  This is $25 per person.

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Are private tours available?

Almost every single Machu Picchu hike can be converted into private tours.  Of course, you’re paying a premium to go private.

For instance, the classic 4D3N Inca Trail private tour cost is:

• Two trekkers: $1250 per person
• Three trekkers: $1200
• Four trekkers: $1100
• Five trekkers: $950
• Six trekkers: $775
• Seven trekkers: $725
• Eight, or more, trekkers: $690

Compare this to $690 for the group tour.

The advantage of going private (what I did personally with Alpaca Expeditions) is that you can go at your own pace and not feel pressured by others in the group to go faster or slower.  You also get more personalized service with your guide who will be by your side the whole time as opposed to taking lead with the fastest in the group as an example.

This definitely makes more sense if you’re in a large group.  At 6 or more, the price becomes quite reasonable.

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When is the best time to do go?

The age-old question.  When is the best time to do a Machu Picchu hike?  It really comes down to thinking about these two variables on seasons:

1. Wet vs. dry season
2. High vs low season for tourists

These seasons break down into:

• High season:  May – September
• Low season:  October – April
• Rainy season:  November – February
• Dry Season: March – October

For a detailed monthly breakdown, here’s what it looks like:

• January – March:  This is rainy season.  The Inca Trail is closed in February for maintenance.  Also January 10 – February 28, the Salkantay Trek is closed for the same reason.
• April:  Nice pleasant weather as the temperatures are warmer side but not extremely hot.  Low season for tourists.
• May – June:  The weather continues to cool down through the transition into winter and can be considered fresh (remember that Peru is in the Southern Hemisphere).  Tourism starts to pick up again but is still manageable
• July – August:  This is the height of tourism which means that the trail will be packed and so will Machu Picchu.  High season of course corresponds to the summer holidays in most parts of the world.  Ironically, this is also the most comfortable time of the year to go because nights are cool, climates are pleasant, and there is very little chance of rain.
• September – October:  These two months are great shoulder months.  Tourists starts to taper off a bit and the great weather continues to hold.
• November – December:  These months are decent but you’re taking a risk on weather with higher chances of rain and temperatures continuing to climb as it moves into the height of Peru’s summer.

If you had to choose, May, June, September and October are really the best times to go that give you a good balance of dry weather, balanced climates and drop-off in tourists.

Remember the micro-climates

Even though you’ll have those generalizations of dry and wet parts of the year, the truth of the matter is that this area of the Andes is comprised of numerous micro-climates depending on its position on the mountain and systems that quickly form and dissipate.

This means that you can be in a super sunny part of a trail where you’ll want to take off all your layers in one moment, and then ascend into a pocket where it’s wet and cold and you’ll have to cover up with a jacket again or pull out the poncho.

Lastly, when it comes to night, this is when you’ll need to prepare for some serious cold weather no matter what time of year it is.  Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you!

On any of these Machu Picchu hike trails, the key is to be prepared for all of it.

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Realities of the Machu Picchu hike

I’ve written about this extensively so make sure you read two of the pieces where I spill the truth that others will tend to sugar-coat when it comes to the Inca Trail hike.

The truth about hiking the Inca Trail

9 surprising things I learned about hiking the Inca Trail

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Training and preparing

By this point you’ve read about the challenges we faced with altitude.  So the natural question is how much training do you need to do before doing one of the Machu Picchu hikes?

The honest answer is – you can do none or you could do a lot.  I know a ton of people that have done it without much preparation at all and others that have done hardcore altitude training.  The truth is, most of it will depend on how your body reacts to altitude and whether you get any serious effects of altitude sickness.  If that’s the case, there isn’t much you can do other than make sure you acclimatize longer in Cusco, take Diamox, and try the local remedy of coca tea.

Now in the spectrum of doing nothing to serious training, it is helpful to work on your stamina and building up your cardio.  For 1-4 months prior to your hike, I’d recommend that you fit in cardio workouts every few days.  Start easy and work your way up in difficulty whether that be time, speed, and/or resistance.  Exercises can include:

• Treadmill
• Stair-master machine
• Leg presses
• Squats
• Outdoor running
• Climbing actual stairs

The goal of the training is to get your body used to working your lungs a bit harder and your leg muscles so they’re not in complete shock once you hit the trail.

Beyond training, it’s also about knowing what to expect on the trail and managing altitude if it’s your first time.  From a technique and mental perspective, there are a couple of key things you need to keep top-of-mind.  You’ll find yourself struggling with each step as each leg will feel like they’re attached to a bag of bricks.

• Don’t rush it – Force yourself to go at a slower pace even if you feel like you can go a lot faster.  Take the “it’s a marathon” mentality.
• Struggle together – Hiking with friends and travel companions makes a difference.  You’re all in it together so encourage each other!
• Breathe purposely – It’s all about pace and breathing in as much as oxygen as you can.
• Drink water – This is where having a 3L hydration bladder outfitted to something like the Travel Backpack will be super helpful.  The key is to make sure your lips are always wet as an indication that you’re semi-constantly taking sips of water.

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Okay, maybe you actually don’t want to hike it

After reading ALL of this, maybe you’ve decided that hiking to Machu Picchu isn’t your thing.  That’s totally fine!  To me, I’d rather make sure I plan a trip where I have a good time as opposed to getting to the point where I need to be evacuated by horse or worse, helicopter.  You know yourself the best so just make the right the call for you and your group.

If you feel like you’ll have a really tough time on these trails because of altitude of physical ability, you might be better off doing a 2 day tour by train where you get to explore Machu Picchu without doing any strenuous hiking.  Instead, you’ll be taking the train into Aguas Calientes and riding the bus up to the entrance.

This might be a good move because you’ll then conserve your energy to perhaps tack on something like Huayna Picchu ($75 add on), Machu Picchu Mountain ($75 add on) or hike backwards towards Sun Gate for the view (free).

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How to get free hiking sticks and air mattresses

If you haven’t noticed yet,I highly recommend that you book with Alpaca Expeditions.  I traveled with them in our 2 week Peru itinerary and had a really good experience top to bottom.  If you want to know more, don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Alpaca Expeditions Promotion

If you’re looking to book with Alpaca Expeditions, mention that you were referred by “Going Awesome Places” and you’ll be able to get free walking sticks and sleeping pads.  Also make sure to email me as well so I can resolve any issues that you may have.

How?  When you fill out their booking form, their second step has a drop down for “How did you hear about Alpaca Expeditions”. Select “Going Awesome Places Blog” in the drop down.

This is the best Alpaca Expeditions promotion you’ll find on the market!

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