Hiking the Inca TrailBefore, During, After

What is the Inca Trail?

- Takes you to Machu Picchu! - 26 miles - 4D / 3N- Lowest elevation: around 8000 ft- Highest elevation: around 14,000 ft - Austin is around 500 ft- Not a commercial route - “Royal Road” - Built >500 years ago, discovered >100 years ago

How do I get myself to the Inca Trail?

How do I get myself to the Inca Trail?

With some planning in advance!

6 months to a year in advance

- Research your tour companies - TripAdvisor - Look for Peru-based companies - Consult friends / family - Decide whether you want to carry your own bags or have a porter carry them - Look through the itineraries - details can be different- ~ $800 USD pp

- Pick a range of dates to go - Closed in February- June - August is high season - and more expensive - 200 permits per day

- Book the trail!

6 months in advance

- Start walking more- Take advantage of hiking trails around Austin - Use the stairmaster in the gym- Buy your hiking shoes (if you don’t have them already) and break them in

3 months in advance

- Start looking for deals on gear - Head lamps - Hiking socks- Rain jackets, other clothing - Daypack

- Start booking flights and accommodations for your journey to Peru- Plan to stay in Cusco for about 3 days before the trek

- Check in - Acclimate to the altitude

- Research different day trips / hikes for while you’re in Cusco- Helps get you ready for the trail - Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, trails around Cusco

In Cusco

- Walk around the city - Drink a lot of water- Check-in with your tour operator - Find altitude sickness remedies if needed - Go for your day hikes

- A couple in the city or you can try Rainbow Mountain (bring warm clothes) or Humantay Lake

- Take it easy

Day 1

- Trail winds amongst mountain villages

- Pack animals and lots of shops

- 8 - 9 miles

Day 1

- Trail winds amongst mountain villages

- Pack animals and lots of shops

- 8 - 9 miles

Day 2

- Most challenging day- Dead Woman’s Pass - 8 - 10 miles

Day 1 Day 2- Most challenging day- Dead Woman’s Pass - 8 - 10 miles

- Most beautiful day - Original Inca steps - First glimpse of Machu Picchu

Mountain- 4.5 - 6 miles

Day 3

- Trail winds amongst mountain villages

- Pack animals and lots of shops

- 8 - 9 miles

Day 1 Day 2- Most challenging day- Dead Woman’s Pass - 8 - 10 miles

- Most beautiful day - Original Inca steps - First glimpse of Machu Picchu

Mountain- 4.5 - 6 miles

Day 3

- Early morning wake up- Machu Picchu day! - 3 - 7 miles

Day 4

- Trail winds amongst mountain villages

- Pack animals and lots of shops

- 8 - 9 miles

Yay you made it!

Reward yourself with a Pisco Sour and enjoy the rest of your time in Peru :)

The End