What You Need To Know Before Trekking To Machu Picchu

There are various options available to you when it comes to experiencing the magic of Machu Picchu, which is only accessible by train or by foot. Approximately 80% of visitors arrive by train and 500 hikers set out each day on Inca Trails. Technically, all treks follow ‘Inca’ trails, but only one is called the ‘classic route’ and typically must be booked 4-6 months in advance.

One especially loved trek is the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu. This route takes you through the villages of local Andean families, experiencing their culture and exploring thermal baths, waterfalls and salt mines — and of course, the sacred ruins of Machu Picchu.

You will need a guide to enter

Unless you are on an all-inclusive trek package, you need to be prepared ticket-wise. It is best to purchase tickets for Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain in advance — they often sell out before the day and sometimes even months in advance. In any case, you can’t buy them at the gate, so you need to be prepared before you leave Cusco.

You must have a guide to enter. This rule came in recently and whilst some say it’s possible to sneak by officials, traveling all that way only to get booted out is surely a fool’s game. There are guides for hire that mill about at the entrance, but they usually charge hefty fees so it’s best to book a tour guide in advance.

Make sure to take your passport with you. Not only can you then get your souvenir Machu Picchu stamp and date, but you will also be denied entry without it, so this is an absolute must.

Acclimatize to the altitude

You will need to acclimatize well to the altitude to get the most out of your trip. Cusco is much higher than Machu Picchu itself, so after spending some time there, you should be ok. Otherwise, you must remember that Machu Picchu is still much higher than sea-level, and you need to be prepared.

It’s important to take it easy, have plenty of water to drink and ideally, take some altitude sickness pills with you. Coca leaves help with altitude adjustment too, and can be found all over Peru, including in their supermarkets, which also stock more digestible options like Coca Leaf candy or gum.

Consider the amenities

There are no toilets past the gates — plus, once you are inside, you can only exit and re-enter once, so make sure you go to the bathroom before entering. Also, make sure you have some small change with you, as it costs 1 sol to use the facilities.

The local officials don’t like you taking plastic water bottles past the gates as it can litter their beautiful site, so it is advisable that you take a reusable water bottle with you. Also remember that at altitude, the sun’s rays are stronger, so make sure you apply sun lotion regularly.

Wear appropriate clothing

Wear trousers/pants, not shorts — the biting insects in Machu Picchu are vicious! Mosquitos, sand-flies — whatever they are, their bites itch for weeks and regular repellent doesn’t seem to deter them. Apparently, the locals rub shampoo on their legs and let it dry to create a protective film that blocks the bugs from biting. Most visitors, however, find that wearing pants and long sleeves is the best bet. Even in the warmer weather, it’s well worth the protection.

The rainy season starts in December and runs through into March, and during this time you can pretty much guarantee rain during your visit. Honestly, it only adds to the mystical beauty of the landscape — but you do need to prepare to get wet. Rain jackets and waterproof socks are highly recommended during these months as well as hiking gear such as trekking poles.

The sunrise is bliss

The sunrise is particularly beautiful from Machu Picchu, in so much that it deserves its own mention, as it would be a great shame to miss it. Plus, the whole experience is even more enjoyable with less crowds, so it really pays to visit as early as possible in the morning.

Ensure that you are fit enough

Whilst these aren’t the most difficult treks in the world, it’s advisable that you don’t roll straight off the couch and embark on the trail either. Unless you plan to take a leisurely trip via buses and trains, it will pay dividends to get in relatively good shape before you go.

Some treks will involve eight-hour treks for five days straight, so take your general health and fitness into consideration before determining your best approach. Machu Picchu is, for many, a once in a lifetime experience and well worth some careful planning to ensure that your trip is full of nothing but wonder.