I’ve read a few travel bloggers who shared their experiences on the Inca Trail. They are mostly riddled with the same “what to expect” tips. While these tips are helpful—I am guilty of reading them for the same eager preparedness that all of you do—they don’t seem to share much beyond what you’ll learn from your travel guides. I’m striving to do things a little differently, let’s see how it goes.
THE RECYCLED (STILL VALUABLE) TIPS
1. Prepare for all stages of weather, especially rain.
2. Acclimate before the trek: This means staying a few days in Cusco and walking around. I recommend doing another day hike. The altitude is no joke.
3. Don’t drink the water. Don’t brush your teeth with the water. They will tell you this, but it will be too late for some.
4. No cell service.
5. Some of the bathrooms cost soles (the local currency). Bring your own toilet paper. Not all toilets are created equal.
6. Bring it in and pack it out.
SPEAKING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE (MORE TIPS)
1. The packing list says to bring baby wipes; bring baby wipes. After a long day of sweating, you’ll want them to feel like a human again.
2. If you’re doing the standard 4-day, 3-night hike, day two is the hardest, not just because it’s longer in miles but because it’s all stairs—ALL STAIRS.
3. You do not need a book to read.
4. If you enjoy writing, then bring a notebook.
5. You need to bring a reusable bottle such as a Hydro Flask, but a hydration pouch is better. I originally planned to carry only my hydro, but after second-guessing and asking a friend about her experience, I decided to go with a 2L pouch and was glad I did. It is much easier to access your water; therefore, stay hydrated throughout your hike. If you have to stop and pull your bottle from your bag, you are much less likely to sip routinely, as you should while hiking long distances leading to a greater chance of dehydration.
6. They will tell you this – coca leaves help with altitude sickness and if you’re feeling rundown. From personal experience, I enjoyed the leaves and did feel a difference in stamina while consuming. You take a bundle of leaves and stick them in your cheek and sorta suck on them. Some people found the taste bitter, but I liked it. To me, they tasted like concentrated tea.
7. Depending on who you trek with, you don’t need to bring snacks. I hiked with Alpaca Expeditions (more on that later), and they were terrific. They provided snacks and 3 full meals a day. Plus, if what they offer isn’t enough, you’ll find a few locals along the trail selling goods like Snickers, Pringles, Gatorade, and Coca-Cola.
8. You don’t need snacks, but I was so glad I brought “LMNT” (electrolyte drink mix), which is my preferred over Liquid I.V.; bring whichever you like best. LMNT was handy throughout my travel in Peru. I packed 8 servings for one month and wish I had more. They relieved morning headaches and general icky feelings associated with altitude and intense sun exposure.
TRAVELING AS A SOLO FEMALE
It doesn’t feel accurate now to consider myself a “solo” female traveler through this trek, although that is what I was. My group of 13 was very inclusive, and although I was the only other solo female, there were a few others traveling solo as well.
On a hike like this, you make friends quickly. You eat every meal together, the comforts of civilization and cell phone service are removed, and you all have at least one thing in common: you enjoy the outdoors. Therefore, you have at least one thing to talk about and bond over.
Since as far back as I can remember, I’ve been shy. When I was little, I was nervous about ordering food at restaurants, answering the phone, and generally talking to anyone other than the people I was familiar with.
That’s to say, don’t let nerves or shyness stop you from experiencing the things you want.
I’ve heard the saying many times over: The most valuable life lesson is to keep showing up. This holds true for many aspects of life. To be successful, just show up—in your career, workout routine, and goals- for yourself. [Reader, insert idea here; it will probably apply.]
One of the most challenging parts of being a solo female traveler is summoning the courage to simply show up, especially as a self-proclaimed shy introvert like myself.
Speaking from experience, things become less scary once you’ve had one experience after another. You learn to talk to people. You learn to listen, discover more about other people and yourself, how to set boundaries, and uncover your strengths, but also your weaknesses. Truthfully, it is quite scary but also riveting.
Overall, I felt very comfortable. I was given my own tent because there was no other solo female to share with. I felt that if anything bad was to happen, I had trusted people around me (including the guides of Alpaca Expeditions) to count on.
ALPACA EXPEDITIONS
I can not say enough great things about Alpaca Expeditions. They were fantastic.
I booked two experiences with them: Inca Trail 4 day/3 nights and a day trip to Rainbow Mountain. They are more expensive than other travel groups, specifically with Rainbow Mountain, but breakfast and lunch are included. To put it bluntly, our guide seemed better than anyone else’s on the mountain. We also went to an additional spot that other tour groups were not going to.
My only complaint, and I have to voice it, to warn others because it could happen to you; on our way back from Rainbow Mountain, our driver hit a dog, and he did not stop to render any aid while it cried in the street. Completely heartbreaking, absolutely devastating and shocking. There are wild dogs all over Peru, and the culture of the matter is different than in other countries. It took me weeks to get over it, and the experience won’t ever truly leave me. As much as the whole thing pains me, and I know it wasn’t handled ethically, given all the other components of my experience with Alpaca Expeditions, I can’t not recommend them. But be emotionally ready in case it happens to you.
The Guides
Our guides, Juan Carlos and Rosa, were outstanding. Both were knowledgeable and kind. They were funny and uplifting when you needed them. They laid out every step clearly, with clear expectations for themselves and you, so you knew what to anticipate. The truth is, it’s not an easy journey, but their positive attitudes and constant affirmations kept us motivated.
The Food
Before my trek, I had heard great things about the food, which met the hype. We were served three solid meals a day (vegetarian included). Everything was flavorful and delicious. Freshly prepared vegetables, proteins, potatoes, rice, and soups. The whole spread was really amazing. If you’ve ever done long-distance hiking, you know how hungry you are at the end of the day. So, having incredible meals served to us was like getting Gold Star treatment.
On the final night, the chef even baked a farewell cake. Remember, this is with camp stoves. I can’t even bake a cake that doesn’t fall flat in my traditional oven at home.
The Porters
The porters are some of the most amazing people. They make your life easier, and their jobs are anything but easy. They carry all your belongings, the tents, food, everything aside from what’s in your day pack (the things you need while you hike, water, sunscreen, jacket, etc.). Remember to bring extra cash to tip your porters. They deserve it.
Camp
Your porters set up camp for you, so by the time you arrive, your tent is up and ready to climb in (I told you, excellent). I had my own tent because I was the only solo female, and the two guys who were traveling solo also had their own tents (although I wonder if this is typical). If you’re traveling with another person, expect to share your tent. They are very spacious.
Alpaca Expeditions offers flexibility when it comes to equipment. You can choose to bring your own sleeping bag or rent one from them for an additional cost. The same goes for trekking poles and extra sleeping mats. I decided to rent sleeping bags and trekking poles. I found I could sleep comfortably without a mat, and some in my group even rolled off their mats during the night. Whether you need it or not is a personal preference, but it’s not a significant extra cost, so if you think you might want it, it’s worth considering.
For those who have never used trekking poles and are unsure if they need them, I always recommend it, especially on this hike. There is so much incline and descent that the poles help with shock absorption on the knees.
10 MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS
I carried a journal, but I typically used it more for creative writing purposes; now, I regret not writing more daily journal-like entries. I wrote reflections for each day I spent in the Amazon (everything we did because we did so much, and I wanted to remember every detail). Now, I look at what I wrote, it really helps bring back memories from that trip. For this one, we’ll have to rely on my memory.
1. The People | I had a really great group of people. Some I would love to travel with again. The people, on experiences such as this, have the potential to make or break your experiences. I opened myself up to conversations, and others reciprocated that. We talked about dreams (literal) but also the goal type, and for some, how we feel a little lost in the world right now. Happy, but learning who we want to be. Just humans, labeled as adults, with expectations to know what we want to be now that we’ve grown up.
2. Ruins and Dancing Clouds | This two-parter feels something akin to landscape depictions in a well-crafted fantasy novel or fairy tale. As we hiked up Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmi Wañusqa), the highest point on the trail at 13,828 feet, I watched the clouds move across the mountains. Second, the deep green landscape contrasts beautifully with the stone ruins of Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, and Wiñay Wayna, which we encountered on different days. It’s all truly mesmerizing.
3. Naps | Our guides, Rosa and Juan-Carlos, took a well-deserved siesta (as most of us did) in the shade during the lunch break on day 2, which, as I’ve already said, was definitely the hardest day.
4. Learning What I Otherwise Wouldn’t | We learned something new every day, and that is 100% attributed to our guides. We learned about the Incas, how they lived, farming techniques, varying responsibilities, how they built their homes, and cultural practices (including sacrifices to Pachamama). We also learned how to make rope from long grass strands and crush bugs for dye, and we added a few new dance moves to our repertoire.
5. The Challenge of it All | It feels good to face a challenge and then overcome that challenge. It’s a daily tangible feeling of accomplishment. Reaching the top of the hill is one victory, and then making it to the bottom is another. You’re constantly celebrating big-small achievements and encouraging your group to do the same.
6. Llama, Alpacas, and Mountains Oh My! | Seeing all the llamas and alpacas never got old. On one of the hiking days, a group of llamas passed us on a thin stretch of trail. They were so close we could touch them (we didn’t).
7. Cloud Forests and Andean Landscapes | The hike started in a dry, relatively flat valley. As you climb higher into the mountains, everything becomes mossy and moist; you can even see water dripping from the sides of the living walls. The landscapes transition multiple times, from high mountain passes to lush, subtropical cloud forests. There is diverse flora and fauna, including many variants of orchids. These unique environmental details were a reminder of how special this experience is.
8. The Rain | There isn’t much to say here besides that I love hiking in the rain. I know that isn’t a popular feeling, but I prefer hiking in the rain to any other weather condition.
9. The Accolades | When we finally arrived at Machu Picchu, where all the other visitors gathered from their buses, there were groups of people whose guides told them we were the group that had just arrived from a four-day hike. Everyone was talking about us and looking at us like we were celebrities. It may seem vain, but after accomplishing a trek like that, it felt cool to be acknowledged in that way. We all felt a little special.
10. Machu Picchu | There is no other place on earth like it.
TRAVEL GUIDE AS QUESTIONNAIRE
What motivated me to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
So that’s the starting point. The next few things were more a matter of happenstance, good planning, and timing.
More than anything, while visiting Peru, I wanted to give back in some way that was mutually beneficial to the place as it was in line with my interests (i.e., animals and the environment). What better place to do that than the Amazon Rainforest? I searched the internet for something that fit exactly what I was looking for and found it, but the program didn’t start for a few weeks post-retreat.
Yes, I needed to fill my time, but I also wanted to make the most of this amazing opportunity to spend an entire month in Peru.
I love to hike and be outside, and Peru has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. The same friend who hosted the retreat had also done the Inca Trail the year prior. She recommended Alpaca Expeditions to me, and it took off from there.
What were the most challenging aspects of the hike?
The most challenging aspect for me was the constant stairs; they were just grueling. However, the physical difficulty wasn’t at the time and still isn’t enough for me to regret hiking the trail (not by a long shot). While difficult, it’s not something that should keep you from doing it either. It’s just something to keep in mind. You should prepare yourself adequately for the challenge.
If I was to do it over again what would I do differently?
I wouldn’t bring a book, and I would bring more electrolyte drink mixes. Despite knowing how tired I was, I would journal every day with specifics about the day itself.
FINAL NOTE
Take your time.
Yes, that may sound like the most obvious thing I could say to you, but you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to not enjoy the scenery when you’re focused on getting past the miles and through the day. Honestly, I’m still processing the experience. Still going over the days in my mind that seem so far in the past, though they just happened. It’s easy to get caught up wishing time would pass quicker, especially when you’ve been sweating through your clothes and haven’t showered for days.
So, take your time.
Machu Picchu is one of the most marvelous places on earth, and hiking into Machu Picchu adds a next-level sense of reward. Remember, it’s about the places you are on the way to your end destination. Take as many breaks as you need, if only to take in your surroundings.
PHOTO GALLERY
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