I am just back from trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for the 8th time. We had a team of 10 people excited about venturing through the ancient trails on Peru. Here are some observations from my recent trek into Machu Picchu.
1. Lessons learned from trekking to Machu Picchu
Trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for the 8th time. Thousands and thousand of steep challenging steps will challenge you physically and mentally. I am always surprised when people don’t train for this trek. I write these blog posts so people are informed and ready to enjoy the adventure. Please do not ignore our advice. You need to be training 5 days a week and ready for challenging trek. We are available 5 days a week in support of your adventure so make sure you get in touch, read our 35 dossier, watch our video’s and sure you come prepared for all the steps up and down. If you fail to prepare you are a safety risk to our staff, our organization and we will demand you exit the trail early if you can not keep up to our minimum pace.
2. Safety on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu
The Total ascent on the trail is 2,065m/ 6,774 feet and total descent is 2,265m/ 7,431 feet. Make sure you have trained specifically for this challenge.The second day on the trail is more difficult, as you have to climb to 4,215m/ 13,776ft at the pass of Wanusca (Dead Woman’s pass). It is really important to take it slow and steady before the pass. You drop down 715m/ 2,345 feet on day 2 after going up 1,115m/ 3,658 feet. There are no railings in most of the trail. So you really do need excellent leg strength to be able to safety move through the trail. You also need trekking poles to aid you descent. On day three you drop down 1,150m/ 3,772 feet this is not to be under estimated and you need to be sharp for each step down. Your safety is important so please be prepared.
3. Remember you are in a group setting
If you are signing up to a group trek you need to be a responsible trekker. So come physically prepared. If you are going to continually hold up the group this means less time for everyone at the key Inca sights along this famous trail. Others have been thinking about this trek for months even years so please do come physically prepared so you and your group will not have the fullest experience possible throughout the whole journey to Machu Picchu.
4. Getting into Machu Picchu early
I have trekked the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 8 times. Getting to the Sun gate early is important. If there is no view it is important to continue down into Machu Picchu and watch the mist and cloud dissipate as you walk down into Machu Picchu. Getting into Machu Picchu early is important, you can tour the lost city of the Inca’s before the city gets too crowded with people coming from Aguas Calientes. Thousands of people come up from below Machu Picchu and this can taint the experience of this magical historical place.
These are some lesson learned from trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for the 8th time. If you are interested in signing up to our treks CONTACT US.