Practical information for the trekkers
(The texts in this part are just recommendations given by our company. X-treme Tourbulencia can not be held responsible for any eventual problems a client connects with failures in our texts)
Tours of more than two days
What to bring
- Backpack
- Sleeping bag (to bring for yourself, you can rend it in our office)
- Sleeping mat (we will provide you with this one)
- Small pillow (recommended)
- Rainwear
- Complete change of clothing, according to the amount of days of your trail
- Sweater
- Jacket (something warm)
- Water bottle and sterilizing tablets
- Flash light and batteries
- Broad - brim or peaked cap
- Sun block
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries and toilet paper
- Towel
- Selection of small snacks such as chocolates, dried fruit, biscuits, etc.
- Camera (wrapped in plastic bag), perhaps some extra batteries
- Original passport
- ISIC-card
- Extra money in soles
Health
During the Inca trails the food is good and it is much. Use that! The hikes demand a lot from your body and the food gives good energy. Put on good clothes and do not worry about bringing too much. A good hat and sun block is also important. On this altitude the sun burns as nowhere. For more information on health and travel, go to [1].
Altitude
The altitude is something a lot of people underestimate. We want you to know that flying in to Cusco and immediately starting an Inca Trail is something we do not recommend. Of course it differs from person to person but we have seen many examples of overtired people. The trails simply demand a lot from your body. There are also altitude pills, but they simply do not work when flying in coming from let's say sea level. For more exact information, go to [2]. Travelling to altitudes above 2500 meters / 8202 feet is not recommended to people with a history of heart disease, lung disease, or sickle cell disease.
Mosquitoes
Do not worry about Malaria. Those mosquitoes are not present in the areas of our Inca Trails. But the ´normal´ mosquitoes can be really nasty. Use repellent when entering the jungle or the lower altitudes. For more information about ‘general' mosquitoes, go to [3]. For more information about Malaria, go to [4]. For information about repellent, go to [5].
Overnights
Most overnights are in tents. The tents are of high quality (mark: Doite), but sometimes the nights can be cold. Therefore, a good sleeping bag is needed and can be hired in our office. With the trails to Machupicchu, the last night will be spent in hostel in Aguas Calientes, near Machupicchu.
Weather/climate
For more precise climate information, go to Information Peru.
Shoes and socks
- During the trails your shoes can make or break your trip. Good shoes are necessary. The trails can be slippery on parts or can be really rocky. Good hiking shoes are water resistant, have strong soles and good profile. The shoes are to be walked on for hours and hours after each other and when the bad shoes are drowned, they will not dry quickly, because you simply will not have the time to let them dry. Gore-tex is not necessary; good (leather) water resistant shoes apply just as well.
- Sporting/trekking/hiking seamless socks are the best to be used. Good socks can prevent blisters or other irritation to the feet, as you mostly depend on your feet during the hikes. A pair of woollen socks can be nice to bring for sleeping during the cold nights, but not for the hiking.
Preparation
As stated before, the hikes can demand much from the body. You do not need to be a high level sportsman/woman, but a little bit of training can make the hike a lot more pleasant.
[1] http://www.travelhealth.co.uk/index.shtml
[2]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altitude_sickness
[3]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito
[4]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaria
[5]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect_repellent
