"Q&A on Inca Trail"

In the 5 years I have had this website on the internet, I have received many, many questions about the Inca Trail. Here are some responses to the frequently asked questions (FAQs). I hope this summary helps you in your trip planning.

1.- When should I go?
I get this question a lot, and I don't have an answer for it.
Well, I don't know – how about when you have some available vacation time? If climate is one of the main determinants, (hot, cold, dry, etc) see my page on the monthly climate for Cusco. If you are looking for a Peruvian festival or avoid the crowds during a festival, search the web for the best time for you.

2.- Do I have to be in shape?
No. You will have 4 days to walk about 30 miles. There is nothing else to do but have a nice leisure walk and sightseing the ruins. Most days we start hiking early (8 am or so) and finish by 3 or 4 in the afternoon. Then just hang around the camp. It is challenging to go over the two high passes, but this is more about how your body handles alttitude and if you are adjusted to elevation, than it is your physical condition. Plan to spend at least a few days in Cusco before your hike, just to get used to the altitude. Most of the Inca Trail is lower in elevation than Cusco.
If you don't know how you will do, tell your tour operator when you book your tour that you would like a porter to carry your pack. This is very cheap (by western standards) and will greatly help you.

3.- Where to I keep my luggage while I am hiking?
When you finish hiking the Inca Trail, you must return to Cusco by train. You will arrive late – about 9 or 10 at night. You will need a hotel that night. Make reservations for this night, and arrange with the hotel to keep your non-hiking luggage with them in their storage room. Most hotels offer this service for their guests.

4.- Who should I hire for my guide?

I don't have a recommendation for this, other than to do it in Cusco instead of your home country.

5.- What's the best way to get to Cusco?

Before I left the US, I had purchased an airline ticket to go from Lima to Cusco. On this day there were no coach tickets available, so I purchased a one way first class ticket. In 1997 it was $100. The other alternative was a 30 hour bus ride from Lima to Cusco. To me, I didn't want to ride the bus this long. The train doesn't go from Lima to Cusco.

6.- How do I get back to Cusco from Machu Pichu?

There is only one way. Train. On your Inca Trail tour ticket, see if your return train ticket is included. Otherwise, you will have to pay later for your train ticket back. You will get back to Cusco about 9 or 10 at night from Machu Pichu.

7.- What else should I bring on the trail?

I suggest a canteen or two, water purification tablets, insect repellant, sunscreen and lip balm and candy to snack on.

8.- What clothes should I bring?

Think layers. I brought a polar fleece jacket, and it worked nicely. I also had a goretex hooded parka for the rain. Each day I hiked in short pants, which was fine. After the sun went down, it got cold and long pants were necessary.
You might want to keep some clean clothes for final day in Machu Pichu and the train ride back. You will be more comfortable and your fellow train passengers might thank you.

9.- Do I need my camping gear?

Probably not. The guided tour I was on included everything, like tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and all meals. If you want to bring your own sleeping bag or tent, it's OK. I rented a medium sized backpack for the hike.

10.- Do I need hiking boots?

I didn't wear boots. I had Nike athletic shoes --"Lava Domes"-- which were similar to cross-training shoes and they worked fine.

11.- You paid $300 for your 4 day Inca Trail tour – I can't find anything this cheap on the web.

Things have changed since I did the Inca Trail – regulations and costs. Now, a guide is required – in 1997 you could do the trail yourself with a permit. There are now more regulations along the trail, which should help the fragile environment. Also, the train ride from Cusco and back is more expensive than in 1997.
Booking a local tour operator based in Peru or Cusco is the key. You might think this is risky – to leave your country without tour arrangements – but once you arrive in Cusco you will find many travel agents and all of them arrange Inca Trail guided trips. Tours leave Cusco every day. Local Peruvian operators are not advertising on the web. Tour operators based in America, Canada, England, etc will be advertising on the web for fares that are 10 times more expensive than you will find in Cusco. (but if you really need that security before you leave home……..)

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