Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most popular treks in Peru with thousands of visitors going each year. I booked my trek on an impulse with my friend and it ended up being the highlight of my entire trip to Peru! I’ve written about what to expect on each day of the trek in my latest posts: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 & Day 4, but thought I’d put together a Guide to Hiking the Inca Trail in order to help future Inca Trail trekkers have an amazing trip like I had!
I’ve started this guide with 4-day trek packing list because packing was the main thing bothering me about my trip. I also went in November which is the end of the dry-season and beginning of wet season so I had no CLUE what to pack. My advice to you…layer like an onion. I’ve also included a few other tips about bathrooms (important…), booking your trek, hiring a porter and much more below.
♢♢♢
![Guide to Hiking the Inca Trail: Tips and Packing List[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container type=](https://www.travelingspud.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/machupicchu3-1024x688.jpg)
I’ve been looking into hiking the Inca Trail next November, and this post has definitely helped! Adding it to my bookmarks to come back to when we book the trip! Thanks so much!
Hi Arielle! I’m so glad! You’ll have the time of your life and November was a great month to trek! 🙂
Just booked Peru Treks for November, off your recommendation and photos. I am so excited!!! (My boyfriend thinks he can do the whole thing without renting a half porter- I have a sneaking suspicion he’s going to be like your dad and brother and have to hire one half way through, ha!)
Yay!! That makes me so happy to hear! You’re going to have the BEST time I promise! Also, yes, everybody who tried to suck it up without a porter ended up getting one! All these super buff men on the trek! hahah if he does it that will be impressive. 🙂 Have the best time ever!
My coworker Denise Carl shared your website with me since my husband and I plan to hike the Inca Trail in June. Thanks for the tips! We’ll be going with Peru Treks as well. 🙂
Oh that’s so funny! I love Denise. We went to Ghana together 🙂 Glad you enjoy the tips…you’ll have the BEST time. Let me know if you have any questions about it before you go!
Hi! I have a question: what size daypack did you use? I’m hiking at the end of May and have a personal porter, so I’m in the midst of trying to find a good size daypack that won’t leave me with a ton of extra unneeded room.
Hi! I was wondering what size day pack you used? I’m hiking the trail in May, and will have half a personal porter, so I want to choose the right size of day pack that won’t leave me with a lot of excess room.
I’m hiking the Inca Trail in July 2017. Do you have an estimate on the height of the steps? I’m trying to incorporate step ups into my workout and would like to get a comparable height.
hi Leanne- They are honestly all different sizes! The tallest were probably a foot high or so, but some were smaller. Good luck! You’ll do great!
I hiked the Inca Trail this past September (2017) and enjoyed it but it rained 3/4 days. It is a mental journey as much as physical and you really need to be prepared for that rain. When it gets wet, nothing dries and it gets cold. Also, I did use my water tablets. I have a sensitive stomach and after day one I wasn’t feeling great. The nasty toilets were not a place I wanted to spend any more time than needed so on day 2 I started dropping the water treatment tablets in my water. Needed or not, they gave me peace of mind and I needed that.
Excellent post. This post contains a lot of information which we need to go hiking. Everything is assembled here. Thanks for sharing a post like this.
Great! Glad it helped 🙂
Will definitely save this! Hoping to hike the Inca Trail and do some mountain biking in Peru next summer. Thanks for sharing!
kolten recently posted…How to Prevent Knee Pain When Hiking: Hiker’s Knee
Thanks for sharing these great tips. Treking to Machu Picchu is one of my bucket list goals, so this will be a great help.