Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

We are transparent and provide the specific details of what is included and excluded in the Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. We know this is very important so that you know what exactly to bring and you don’t miss anything. We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your trek.

CLASSIC INCA TRAIL PACKING LIST

At Machu Picchu by locals we focus to make your trip an unforgettable experience and we want to provide all details which you need to know before to leave your country and start your life experience in Peru.

Pre-Departure Briefing.

A briefing is sciential before your start your Inca trail trek to Machu Picchu, a night before your trip you need to meet with your trekking tour guide who will provide you all the details about these 4 days trek to Machu Picchu, all our briefings is at 6:30pm. It can be on your hotel or in our office and if you are not available at this time you should coordinate a new time with our office staff.

Duffel bags.

After your briefing you will be available to receive a duffel bag that you need to fill it with your personal items, it has to be as a maximum 7kg including your sleeping bag and mattress, without those you have an extra 4kg which is for your personal stuff.

This duffel bag will be carrying by our porters during your trek you should fill it with your items you are using during the day. You can return you duffle bag once you returned to Cusco after you trek.

Pickup

All our pickups are from your hotel in Cusco city according of the time your tour guide will tell you during your briefing a night before your tour. In case you are staying in AirB&B you should explain and provide us the address of it.

We also pickup during our route driving to the trailhead, it can be in Chinchero, Urubamba, Ollontaytambo.

After your trek our guide will drop off you in the same hotel where we pick you up before your tour. In case you will change your hotel please let us know which is your new hotel.

What you need to pack?

Important

• Passport
• Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
• Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
• Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

FOR YOUR DUFFEL:

Porters will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3.5 kg.

• 2-3 wicking t-shirts
• 2-3 hiking pants
• 4 sets of undergarments.
• 1 Fleece
• 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
• 1 Rain jacket and pants
• 1 sun hat
• 1 wool hat
• Headlamp: essential
• Waterproof gloves
• Comfortable shoes for camp or flip flops
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho

Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!

Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.

Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least

TOILETRIES:

• Sunscreen
• Face moisturizer
• Bug spray
• Handsanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Toiletpaper
• Personal medication
• First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS:

Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, bags larger than 25L will not be allowed in. If it is larger, you will need to store it outside citadel gates. But don´t worry, they have a secure storage facility.

Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to filter water until your first lunch.

• Sunhat
• Rain gear
• Fleece
• Camera
• Music (IPhone)
• Handsanitizer
• Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
• Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
• Earplugs

INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS FAQs

OUR BOOKING SYSTEM

At Machu Pichcu by Locals, we do the best of us to booking system works as easy as possible for you, once you decided to do the Inca trail 4 days trek, we will send to you a booking form where you need to complete all the required detail which can’t be changed once it been confirmed, we need a previous deposit of $200USD per person. Once as soon as you paid it we immediately book a spot for the Inca trail once we have done with it, we will send you your invoice and confirmation that all the booking process has set up satisfactorily.

INCA TRAIL PERMITS

To book the Inca trail permit you should do it in advance because there is a limitations about how many people can hike every day in this trail, the capacity is 230 tourists per day. Once your permit is confirmed the start dates and your name there is no way to be changed under any circumstance. According of the government rules the only information permits us to change is the passport number, which you should take care before to confirmed the booking form.

UPDATING PASSPORT NUMBERS

The government will only allow us to change passport numbers if we have a copy of the new passport and old passport. If you no longer have your old passport, any government issue ID will be accepted, as long as the name is the same. Also, make sure your passport does not expire six months or less from your trip.

WHERE TO STAY IN CUSCO?

Cusco is a big city enough to find different categories of hotels from 2 stars to 5 stars also there are Airbnb places where you can stay without any problem. Cusco streets are narrow specially near to the main square and some streets are pedestrian with some stairs, we will send you a notify for the pick up if is not possible the access with our car and arrange another place to pick you up and drop off. Also is possible to stay in the Sacred Valley near to Urubamba city or Ollantaytambo where we can pick you up 1.20 hour lately than in Cusco. In case you want some recommendations please ask to Machu Picchu by Locals sales team.

CAN I SPEND AN EXTRA NIGHT IN AGUAS CALIENTES?

Yes. It is possible, if you are ok with taking the same train out of Aguas Calientes that is part of your original itinerary, which is typically at 14:30 or 14:55 that afternoon than there is no additional charge to move the train back a day. If you need us to secure your hotel or another visit to Machu Picchu, this will be an additional cost. If you do choose to spend one more night in Aguas Calientes, make sure you tell the Machu Picchu by Locals office at least one month in advance, so your train ticket is purchased for the right day.

ALONG THE INCA TRAIL IS THERE ELECTRICITY ALONG THE TRAIL?

Not. The Inca trail is located in the remote places where there is not access to electricity, you should bring an extra battery or power bank for 4 days, you can have change to buy one in Cusco also no cellphone service which we recommended to tell your family you are going to the trail where is not phone signal.

HOW CHALLENGING IS THE TREK?

While you don’t need any specific training to do the 4 Day Inca Trail, being fit will help. Along the years many people have asked as if the how dangerous Inca trail to Machu Picchu is? The best preparation for the trek is treadmill exercises with steep inclines and stairs. With some days of acclimatization in Cusco you will be fine along the trail. The second day will be your toughest day, as you will climb up to the highest peak which is called Death Woman Pass (4215m /13779ft)

DO I NEED HIKING BOOTS?

Definitely, it is always recommendable to wear a light hiking boots if possible. Ones with ankle support are extra helpful, especially for the inexperienced hiker. Because you will be climbing, going down so many steps created by the Incas, some of them are slippery as time goes, now uneven and at varying heights, the extra support helps from twisting your ankles.

SHOULD I USE WALKING STICKS?

Walking sticks are always helpful to trekkers, but particularly on this trek. There are so many stairs that you will walk down and all made by the Incas 600 years ago. They vary in height and are not all straight. Using walking sticks can help take the pressure off your knees while doing this portion of the trail. Plus they will help you get up the mountain as well. For those who are bringing your own, make sure you have rubber tips, or the rangers will not allow you to use them. Rubber tips can be purchased in Cusco if you forget before you leave also at the beginning of the trail.

WHERE DO I STORE MY LUGGAGE?

In case you have extra luggage which you not need to bring to the Inca trail all the hotels in Cusco have storage where you can leave your luggage completely free, if you will change your hotel after the trek, we have available our storage in Machu Picchu by Locals office, get more info with from our office team.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AS FAR AS WEATHER?

The weather in Cusco regions and part of the Andes is unpredictable even if the weather forecast says it’s sunny, we can’t trust in it. It is an impossible question for us to answer. Historically April through September is the dry season, November through February is the rainy season and March and October and bridge months – a mixture of both. But the clouds have not followed these rules in the last few years. Prepare for sun and rain no matter when you come. As far as temperatures go, that is consistent throughout the year. Mornings and evenings are always cold. Make sure to bring a fleece jacket for the mornings and a down jacket for the evenings. Once the sun is up you should be comfortable hiking and touring Machu Picchu in short sleeves. Long pants (yoga or hiking) are encouraged to help from the mosquitos which can be a nuisance in Aguas Calientes.

From: USD 660.00 per person

* Additional single tent: $30USD
*Upgrade the returning train to Vistadome service( with larger windows and more confortable seats: $60US per person *Sleeping bag -15°C / 5°F for the entire trip: $20USD

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