Machu Picchu in July

Check out the bottom for this post for my full PACKING LIST the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 day / 3 evening hike!

Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu was hands down the highlight of your 90 days in South America. Entering our RTW trip, we understood that joining a vintage four day trek to Machu Picchu is the one excursion we would splurge on while overseas.

We booked our hike out a couple months ahead of time and excitedly counted along the days to our March 28th trek as we travelled through Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru.

You will have more articles on our Machu Picchu activities ahead… but also for now, I wish to share with you the five discoveries we stumbled across while on our celebrated trek.

For anybody looking to hike to Machu Picchu in the foreseeable future, we give you advice to see closely!

Hiking The Inca Trail Is Harder Versus We Thought

I am not certain everything we anticipated going into our trek, but it sure was a more difficult four times than we at first imagined. When chatting along with other backpackers whom currently hiked the Inca Trail, everybody talked-about just how great the sights were, but NOBODY mentioned the hike itself.

Like a female having only offered birth to a young child, earlier hikers had been too overwhelmed by the beauty of Machu Picchu they did actually forget about the work itself to make the journey to the conclusion.

Well individuals, i will be here to share with you that four-day hike to make it to Machu Picchu is COMPLEX. Make Sure You hit the fitness center to get fit prior to starting your trek…

The girls completing off the rise strong

… when your freakishly fit trip guide tells you that the next portion of your hike is “Inca flat”, prepare to die.

Every Difficult Area Of The Trail Is WORTH that

Yes, the hike had been tough and I also often wished to capture myself when hiking up a mountain through those steep Inca stairs. But ending at Machu Picchu, exploring old ruins, and continually stumbling across spectacular landscapes made every treacherous angle and turn along the way worth every penny.

At the top of the afternoon 2 hike sensation badass

With Regards To The Elements, Anticipate The Unforeseen

I'm sure some backpackers that hiked the entire four times in a torrential downpour… and so i choose to believe that our group lucked out by having three days of good weather condition. However the 4th day (a single day we'd finally be showing up to Machu Picchu) ended up being foggy, rainy, cool, and simply simple miserable.

Cold and miserable… But it was all beneficial!

Besides, the nights are cold while the forest is wet. My recommendation for you future MP hikers would be to bring a poncho (or two), have a proper rain cover for your backpack, pack a variety of clothing so you have layers to work with, and cross your fingers for sunshine!

Be Sure You Choose An Excellent Trekking Business

We did our classic Inca Trail hike utilizing the business Peru Treks. Let me just say that they ROCKED.

The most beautiful males in the world… Love the porters!

Peru Treks rocked plenty that i've decided to compose a totally separate article how awesome these were on our hike… however for now, i'll just tell you frequently get everything pay for. Research thoroughly, read reviews, and talk to previous trekkers regarding the most useful businesses nowadays. Walking the Inca Trail with the right staff can indicate the essential difference between an outstanding four times and an absolute nightmare.

Get Comfortable With The Concept Of “Inca Toilets”

Your investment luxuries of rest room paper. Forget the luxuries of a toilet chair. Forget the luxury of… a toilet. Regarding The hike, ideal bathroom you will find is a rickety hut with a little opening when you look at the surface doing your biz…

Hence’s it.

Therefore bring a few moves of TP to own readily available, keep hand sanitizer on you all the time, and be sure to move your pant legs up whenever nearing these poop-ridden palaces… And don't forget, the nice ol’ in the open air in addition makes for outstanding bano.

My Inca Trail Packing Number

• 32L backpack – Deuter Futura 32 (I can’t recommend this case sufficient. It packs in much & extremely comfortable. I traveled with-it for 12 months!)
• GOOD quality camera – Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 (You’re probably desire better photos than your iPhone digital camera with this hike. But DSLRs will likely to be fat to trek around. Tony and I also researched the most effective point-and-shoot plus the Lumix overcome all the other individuals. it absolutely was an unbelievable camera for hike and takes AMAZING pictures)
• 1 pair climbing shoes – Merrell Women’s Siren Sport 2 Waterproof climbing Shoe (These durable and waterproof walking footwear tend to be lightweight, non-bulky, are perfect for the trail, and certainly will even be made use of as an athletic shoes)
• 1 headlamp – Ultra Bright LED Headlamp torch (A MUST have whenever navigating all over restrooms regarding trail through the night)
• 1 set walking jeans – prAna Monarch Convertible Pant (Comfortable as well as precious. I put on these even though I’m perhaps not walking)
• 1 pair leggings – Nike Lady Filament long term Tights (an excellent top-quality tight – i've had my pair for 8 years!
• 1 fleece – North Face Females ‘Denali’ Fleece Jacket (Super warm and much necessary for the very cold evenings)
• 1 zip up hoodie – North Face Women’s Mezzaluna Hoodie (This non-bulky, slimming hoodie had been perfect for cooler temps)
• 1 rainfall coat – North Face Women’s Resolve Jacket (Windproof, waterproof, and ideal for layering in rainy weather condition)
• 2 quick-dry/no stink t-shirts – Icebreaker Women’s Siren Tank (value the splurge! Incredibly durable, warm, and stylish)
• 3 sets undies – ExOfficio Women’s Give-N-Go Lacy (Love these! They are cute, moisture-wicking, quick-dry, and odor shielding)
• 1 recreations bra – Nike Professional Bra
• 1 pair hefty socks – Smartwool Women’s Hiking moderate Crew Sock (These hot, high socks tend to be perfect to tuck your pants into while using the gross Inca Trail toilets!)
• 2 pairs regular clothes – Smartwool Light Micro with ReliaWool (Lightweight, moisture wicking, and prevents sores on hike)
• 1 alpaca sweater, 1 alpaca cap, 1 group of alpaca gloves (i recommend purchasing these in Cusco, since they are really cheap in Peru). Same with a plastic poncho for extremely rainy moments on path.
• Various other things: Nuun Energy Hydration Tablets (for emergencies) brush, toothpaste, child wipes, hand sanitizer, comb, locks elastics, bandaids, Advil, granola taverns & treats

Exhausted from taking a trip weekly as a company Management Consultant, we took a year off to travel at my own pace. Im a high-energy woman that loves becoming energetic, eating, drinking wine, and exploring the globe with my partner-in-crime (and husband), Tony!