Advices Inca Trail

The trail itself is paved for most of the route with stones ranging in size from small brick-sized stones to large slabs. Much of this is the original Inca work. For the most part can only be travelled on foot, with no pack animals available (the wheel was not invented in the Americas and only llamas were used for pack animals). Erosion is a serious problem on the trail; because of this, only a restricted 500 people to enter each day are issued each year. Only about one third to one half that number of tourists can go on that route, plus porters and guides. This means you have to travel with an organised tour, who arrange the permit and all the accommodation and food on your behalf.

As the trail has the highest point in Warmi Wañusca with 4200 mts , the oxygen levels are much less than at sea level, meaning that the level of exertion is much higher than an equivalent route at sea level. So it is definitely worth while trying to improve fitness levels! In preparation for the trail, now you have to take your decition the best option how to solve this, level of activity strengthens the lungs and helps you to get used to the intense levels of activity which you experience on the trail. To give you an idea of the intensity, imagine how out of breath you feel sprinting as fast as you can. That's how you feel just putting one foot in front of the other!

Take lots of warm clothing (it's pretty cold at night).
A warm sleeping bag (it's worth hiring a top quality one).
Water purification tablets
Torch
Walking Shoes/Boots
Waterproof clothing
Sweets/Snacks (good rewards)