Preparing to Hike the Inca Trail

Once I decided on Peru as the destination, I started doing some additional research on how I want to spend my time there.  I’ll save the details for later when I actually have something more interesting to add, but my itinerary basically looks like this:

5/7                        Depart Cedar Rapids and arrive in Lima, Peru

5/8 - 5/12             Spend five days in the Sacred Valley region using Ollantaytambo as a home base

5/13 - 5/15           Spend a few days in Cusco to acclimate to the elevation (~11,000 ft)

5/16 - 5/19           Four-day hike on the Inca Trail (Camino Inca) ending at Machu Picchu

5/20 - 5/22           Spend a few days exploring Lima

As much as I wish I could do more (e.g., Arequipa, visit the Amazon, etc.), I don’t have unlimited money or time so maybe I’ll get to check those places out on the next trip.

The Inca Trail

The item on this itinerary that needed the most preparation is the aforementioned hike to Machu Picchu.  While you aren’t allowed to hike it alone and must use one of the approved trekking companies that does a lot of the heavy lifting for you, such as set up/break down camp, cooking, and boiling water so it’s safe to drink, everything I’ve read about the experience makes it out to be fairly grueling even for someone in good physical shape.  In addition to the long days hiking and climbing steps, it’s the altitude that really ratchets up the level of difficulty.  I developed a somewhat regular walking routine this spring to hopefully address my ability to do the hiking, but I haven’t been able to simulate the elevation which at times will be near 14,000 ft. (for reference, I’m coming from Cedar Rapids, Iowa where the elevation is under 1,000 ft.) 


Packing

After I booked the hike, the trekking company sent an exhaustive list of what items one should pack to be prepared (for a small fee you can rent a sleeping bag, trekking poles, and an air mat; yes, please).  In addition to the normal items a person would pack for a two-week international trip, I am also bringing, among other things, two pairs of convertible hiking pants, a Camelbak hydration pack, a variety of moisture-wicking shirts, and a very chic sun hat.

So, I think I’m about as ready as I’m going to be.  Hopefully, I’ve done enough!

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