Inca Trail Trek Preparations

Inca Trail Preparations

The Inca Trail is a 43km (26 mile) hike through mountainous regions. The maximum altitude reached is 4200m above sea level. On the second day of the trek you will climb nearly 1200m. Make no mistake, the Inca Trail is a fairly difficult trek and you should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You have to be moderately fit and take regular exercise. Try walking 15km in a day or go to the gym in the months leading up to the trek. The good news is that virtually everyone who starts the trek finishes it !

Altitude Effects

At higher altitudes the air pressure becomes less and the air becomes thinner. This creates a shortage of oxygen for your body. This effect is noticeable at altitudes of over 3000m above sea level. Cusco is at an altitude of 3400m and the highest point on the Inca trail is at 4200m. At this height a lungful gives you about 50% less oxygen than at sea level. To help compensate for this reduced amount of oxygen you have to breath twice as fast and your heart has to work much harder to pump the oxygen around your body. Your body also tries to concentrate the number of red blood cells (which carry the oxygen). This is done by getting rid of excess fluid (urinating more frequently) and by producing more red blood cells although the later process may take a week or two.

On reaching heights above 3000m, heart pounding and shortness of breath are a normal response to the lack of oxygen in the air. However, for some visitors these symptoms can deteriorate into a conditions known as Soroche (or acute mountain sickness) when you can start to experience headaches, loss of appetite, extreme tiredness, sleeplessness and often nausea. Symptoms usually develop within the first day or two at altitude, but may be delayed by up to 2 weeks. To prevent Soroche, try to take things easy as soon as you arrive. Once settled in your hotel room have a lie down for a while and drink plenty of fluids. Don't plan any strenuous treks until you've acclimatized for a few days. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes and heavy food. Drinking mate de coca (an infusion of coca leaves - and perfectly legal in Peru) may help. If symptoms become more severe and prolonged it is best to quickly seek medical attention and make arrangements to descend to a lower altitude. On recovery one can re-ascend slowly or in stages.  The drug Diamox is often used by many visitors to speed the acclimatization process and counter the symptoms of Soroche. It can now be purchased in most pharmacies in Cusco.

Weather on the Inca Trail

What to Bring (Packing List)

Backpack, sleeping bag, foam mattress (usually provided by the tour company), rain jacket, strong footwear such as hiking boots with ankle support, one complete change of clothing, sweater, jacket (something warm), water bottle (metal or nalgene type) and sterilizing tablets (Micropur are recommended and can be bought in local pharmacies in Cusco), flashlight and batteries, broad-brim or peaked cap, sunglasses and high factor sun protection, insect repellent, toiletries and toilet paper, selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits etc, camera and spare batteries (nowhere to charge your camera during the trek). You also have to bring your original passport with you on the trek. Photocopies are no longer acceptable.