Key Considerations for Preparing to Hike the Inca Trail
Have you dreamed of hiking the Inca Trail, but not sure you can do it? After all, you have high altitudes, steep climbs, and weather to deal with. It’s great that you’re thinking like that, because with training and preparation, you can do it!
And remember, if you decide it’s too much for you to handle – no worries, you can take the train to Machu Picchu.
The 4-day hike, set in the Andes mountain range, will start at Km 82, take you through the lush cloud forest, ascending up to Dead Woman’s Pass (13,828 ft), ending at one of the New 7 Wonders of the World – Machu Picchu. So, what do you need to consider to get prepared?
Get Fit!
Let’s be clear, everyone is in different physical shape so this will depend on your personal fitness level. Over these 4 days, you’ll be trekking anywhere between 3.75 miles (day 4) to 10 miles (day 3), often ascending to high levels of altitude with steep Inca stone steps, so this will definitely be a challenge!
If you’re fairly fit, preparing will mean stepping up your game – your training game. If you’re not so fit, you should probably have a strict training regime at least 3-6 months in advance of your trek. Your workouts should include aerobic training, hiking. You may want to also do some exercises like sit-ups or crunches and squats, or other preferred exercises to work on your core, glutes, hamstrings, and quads. This will surely help you.
You don’t have to be in athletic shape, but the more you prepare, the happier you will be on the trail. And the happier your group leader and others in the group will be too!
2. Break in your hiking shoes
You may be thinking you need new trail shoes, but don’t buy these without having time to break them in before you fly. You don’t want to find out on mile 15 of 45 that the fit isn’t perfect. Your training hikes are a good place to test them out.
3. Pace Yourself
This trek is not a race. There is much to see and you want to be sure to stop and take it all in. We typically stop along the way when we hike at home, whether it’s to take in the view – and a picture, look at birds, drink some water, eat some snacks, or simply to take a break. This 4-day trek will be all that and more. We even plan to wake up at o’dark thirty at least one morning, so we can watch the sunrise all by ourselves. We hear this is one awe-inspiring memory we won’t forget!
4. Practice drinking large amounts of water
This may sound funny, but many people are not accustomed to drinking a lot of water as part of their daily routine. At altitude you should be drinking water more frequently than normal, no matter what activity you’re doing. You will lose more water through respiration, maybe even twice as fast as sea level. All this means you need to drink much more as dehydration can mask or worsen the symptoms of altitude sickness. Bottom line, get used to drinking a large amount of water!
5. Insurance
Be sure to check your travel insurance will cover you for the altitude of your trek. This is not always standard, so ensure you are covered for up to 14,000 feet elevation.
6. Spend time acclimatizing
You will want to acclimatize for a couple of days before you begin your climb. This means doing very little and just get used to moving at altitude. Doing this will greatly improve your condition on the trek. We have this included in our itinerary and you should do the same.
7. Local remedies
Along with your preparation and training plan, trying the local remedies will be part of your high-altitude experience, like chewing coca leaves and drinking coca tea. Talk with your doctor to determine if you need to take something before you arrive. Remedies have pros and cons, so discuss what might be best for you.
8. Mental Prep
You will need endurance and stamina to push through the 4-day trek, and this is very much a mental game. Some parts of the trail are tough, day 2 in particular which takes you over Dead Woman’s Pass.
Remember, a lot of people who are, older than you, less physically fit, and heavier than you, have made it. It’s the mental attitude that will get you there. That, plus moving forward one step at a time. You got this!
