The Inca trail is often considered one of the world’s most revered treks. Making up part of an extensive network of paths constructed by the Incas over 500 years ago, the Inca Trail served as a vital trade and pilgrimage route for the Incan Empire. Today, trekkers can still see remains of ancient settlements, religious sites, stone stairways, tunnels and man-made terraces as they make their way towards the sacred city of Machu Picchu. Although many see this ancient citadel as the main draw of the region, our Revenue Operations Manager, James Warren, shares with us why travelling across Andean valleys and up stone staircases makes this physically challenging trek to Machu Picchu a truly rewarding one worth taking. Read on as he shares his experience on our Inca Trail, Titicaca & Nazca trip.
“I was really busy at work before leaving for the trip, so I didn’t have much time to get a lot of fitness training in beforehand”, James admitted. However, our experts say that one of the best ways to prepare for the Inca Trail is to do a mix of aerobic exercises and cardiovascular training to strengthen your endurance at high elevations along the Inca Trail. This could include things like, hiking, running or jogging several times a week; cycling to improve stamina and leg strength; practicing climbing stairs or using a stair climber machine to prepare for the steep ascents and descents. James said, “Two people in my group actually met through the Departure Lounge chat before they went on the trip and ended up training together by taking walks through the Brecon Beacons in Wales, although I did hear many people saying they wish they had done more training before the left, so that’s a key thing to consider before you book this trip. Give yourself at least a couple of months to prepare.”
James also gave some useful pointers for those struggling to think about what to pack for the 4-day trek. “I travelled in June, which is wintertime in Peru, but their daily temperatures change a lot – it could be 22°C at midday but get down to -2°C in the campsites at night, so it’s all about bringing lots of layers.” He added, “On the Inca Trail, Titicaca & Nazca trip, you have your normal luggage, but on the 4-day trek, you’re advised to bring a 7kg kitbag. The porters can help to carry your thermals, sleeping bag and pillow during the day, but in your small day bags I’d recommend carrying insect repellent, suncream, sunglasses, hats, waterproof ponchos/light rain jackets and sustainable water bottles.” James said, “I found it pretty easy to travel light, as you can rotate your base layers on the trail, and you’ll have a hot bowl of water when you arrive at the campsite so you can have a quick wash with sustainable soap.”
Everyone had different experiences when acclimatising to trekking in higher altitudes James explained, but there was this real sense of community and camaraderie among the trekking groups and the porters. “When you met people along the way, it was customary to share your coca leaves and coca-boiled sweets with each other, as they’re known to help with dizziness and headaches associated with altitude sickness.” James also recommended checking out one of Cusco’s many juice bars to get beetroot juice. “Beetroot juice helps to increase oxygen uptake and lower blood pressure which could boost your energy levels and lessen the effect of altitude sickness.” He continued, “I also annoyingly got a cold before we began the trek, so airwaves chewing gum actually helped me clear my sinuses on the trail too.”
Another aspect of the trip James was keen to highlight was the food the group had on the Inca Trail, “I’d say it was better than what we ate at restaurants in Cusco. We had a three-course meal for dinner each evening prepared by the head chef and sous chef, who always got up earlier than the group to make sure they reached the next campsite before us so they could set up the kitchen tent ready for our arrival.” He went on to say, “All the food was delicious. I’m a vegetarian, and everyone was really well catered for – we had things like traditional quinoa soup, and they even made cakes for desserts – which is pretty impressive at such high altitudes!”
One of the main reasons why James chose to head out on the Inca Trail, Titicaca & Nazca trip, was because it offered the opportunity to complete the 4-day trek to Machu Picchu alongside visiting other cultural places like Lake Titicaca and the Reed Islands and the mysterious Nazca Lines. “You’d miss out on so much if you just took the train from the Ollantaytambo railway station and the connecting bus to Machu Picchu. You wouldn’t get to walk through the terraced ruins of Llactapata or visit the ancient sites of Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca. A huge highlight of the trip for me personally was staying at the campsite on the ridge just above the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca on day nine. From here, you could enjoy great views of Salkantay’s snow-capped peak, and because you’re about 3680m above sea level you’re also surrounded by moving clouds.”
On day 10, which marked the group’s last trekking day, James said, “Instead of waking up at 4 am like other trekking groups to get to Machu Picchu for sunrise, our group got up later around 6 am to see the sunrise over the Salkantay glacier, which was pretty epic. We also got to spend some time at Wiñay Wayna before reaching Inti Punku (the Sun Gate). This meant we only got to Machu Picchu in the afternoon, which was ideal because the morning crowds had dispersed so it was a much better experience.”
When asked about the benefits of experiencing the Inca Trail on a small guided group trip, James explained, “For me, the adventure doesn’t mean anything if you do it alone. Our guide, William Mirano, who was shortlisted for our Exodus Travels Leader of the Year Awards 2023, made the experience. He grew up in Cusco and is now raising his own family there, so he had a real understanding of the Quechuan heritage and history behind the Incan ruins we saw on our four-day trek. You just wouldn’t get that kind of insight if you were doing the trek solo, as you’d be trekking past them without knowing anything about how they shaped the country’s history.”
Aside from William’s local knowledge, James also mentioned that “He even organised a karaoke night for us in Aguas Calientes the day after we completed the Inca Trail, which oddly kept the momentum of the trip going after the high of seeing Machu Picchu for the first time.” James elaborated by saying, “One woman in the group, Emma, was so impressed with William, she rang up the London office to see when he was leading another trip, so she could bring her parents along with her next time – that’s the kind of impact a great leader can have.”
He, continued “Also, everyone in our group, all 14 of us, were big motivators for completing the trail itself – everyone was cheering you on. William even gave us a bottle of pisco to share, when everyone finished Dead Woman’s Pass, which was the highest trekking point of the trip (4,100m above sea level).” A lot of people in the group saw completing the Inca Trail as a test and bucket-list thing to do at a pivotal point in their lives, James explained, “You could tell this trip meant a lot to certain people, which made that moment when you saw Machu Picchu come into view for the first time, particularly special. There were tears in some people’s eyes when they made it to the Sun Gate and everyone hugged each other.”
If you’re keen to follow in James’ footsteps and join our expert guides on the Inca Trail, take a look at our Inca Trail, Titicaca & Nazca trip or check out our other Inca Trail adventures.
