6 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Hiking The Inca Trail
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 พ.ค. 2017
- Thinking about hiking the Inca Trail? Here are the 6 things I wish I had known before I hiked it back in 2009. Happy hiking!
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Thanks to everyone!
#1 - walk alot in preparation for hiking
#2 - get trekking poles so you don't fall down walking on uneven surfaces
#3 - the trail is made of uneven stones - think of twisted ankles and scraped knees if you didn't have trekking poles or hiking shoes
#4 - get acclimatized to high altitude above 9000 feet 2-3 days in Cusco (or use Diamox or drink the coca teas but then your blood will show cocaine)
#5 - bring warm clothing because it's cold at night in the mountains
#6 - bring a powerbank that will charge your cameras and phones for 4 days.
There I saved 15 minutes of your life.
Thanks. I was hoping someone would provide this comment.
Thank you.. I have no experience in hicking, I want to start preparing my body to go on adventure
Hero
Thanks
I love you
Inka trail was my first backpacking experience, it chaned my life. Happy Trails.
Awesome! Thanks so much for watching. I love following your PCT journey. :)
This was very good, identified several considerations which I have not seen elsewhere. E.g., the intense frigidity of the first nights, the utility of TWO lightweight poles, not a massive great shillelagh . Add the need for a backup human waste bag (big enough for one night in case the loo is out of commission at the end of any leg), the availability of altitude sickness medications in Cuzco before you start out (dexamethasone tablets sufficient for 2 days, 3 if with a companion; or acetazolamide).
…I would add a waterproof cover for your pack, or an oversized waterproof poncho; you will likely get drenched at some point (we experience the added joy of hail). Other things that can prove essential but which your guide (mandatory in Peru, for this trail) may carry include a rope.
A congenial and cooperative spirit will improve your likelihood of survival given that you will have at least one moment when you need help…
I like the dog in the background.
Well done, Lindsey!! I love your Peruvian hat.
Thank you!
I went to Perú myself.....most exhilarating experience ever...wished I was fitter...preparing to go again as I write these lines...
I have taken time to learn some Spanish..Wonderful Perú..people are nice and the scenary breathtaking..!! Definetely going again..!!
THIS is the stuff I needed to know! Thank you!
I'm thinking of going October.
Peru is breathtaking. There is so much to see. Cuzco is just magical!!! You are so right about the altitude. You must take it easy at least the 1st couple of days to allow your body to adapt. , Thanks for the video, BTW i love your dogs,they look so sweet!, Thank you Lindsey,
Hi! I am glad I found you. I was following your channel on personal finance a few years ago....glad you are ok. Your six tips here are good! I look forward to your channel. 😊👍🏻
thank you, very warm and practical, and encouraging. good video.
Wonderful video!! Thank you very much
Thanks! headed to Peru in a couple months with my roommate and these were some solid pointers we hadn't thought of at all!
Have a lot of fun!! It's an awesome place and experience.
Going next year 2020, I have all types of supplies for my trip in August. I have also been training about 5 times a week..doing different core exercises as well as endurance building with a weighted vest. Plus trying to improve my diet so my body can work more efficiently, and take things like spirulina which improves the body's oxygen intake... Yeah, I think I am over-preparing..did the same crazy thing for burning man...which helped.. I think any time you go to a climate your body is not used it, it can be challenging.
great video
Sooooo gotta ask, did you still go?
Thanks for the tips
Thank you for the info! I am going in April :-)
Very good advise. Thanks for making this video.
Wooo well done!! I did the Inca Trail too. Was so hard. Your video is awesome! I have a a bit of a vlog on my TH-cam from our trip, I would love your advice about editing it as I’m pretty new to this.
Good luck with your future travels. 😊
I will be going in June this year (2020). I am quite a bit older than you, but I think that I am in pretty good shape. I work out regularly, and I enjoy working out.They told us that it could get down to 40 degrees at night, and I am a little concerned about being cold at night.
The Perú is Wonderful
Is Amazing..
Great Video..
Thank you so much... I am going in 2 weeks, I dread rain and cold... I’m so nervous after watching this however, I will be very careful with my clothing choices now. Thankfully I have walking poles... altitude sickness scares me too... I will listen to everything you suggested, thanks again...
I hope you have a great trip!
Thank you
This video is great. I'm getting ready to hike the inca trail in June 2019, all other permits before then are sold out. This info was very helpful.
I hope you have a great trip!
Many permits available for March 2019. I booked today for 3 weeks time
Thank you so much for the tips!!!
OMG I want to grow up and learn to teach like you. You are a beautiful person and my Jessica was beyond blessed to have had you in her life.
You are so sweet!! Thanks for your kind words. :)
Teaching is so so hard. i have almost finished my first year teaching 7th grade life science and 8th grade physical science. But I have pictures of teenage boys all gathered around a table totally engaged in what they are doing and I have kids come by and tell me they love me who I don't even teach because I've said hey you doing ok when they appear to struggle. Rewarding and heartbreaking every day. My fellow teachers are like family. But I am happy for my 3 day weekend !
Indeed-- teaching is very hard but even more rewarding. Hang in there!
I will go there next year, and wonder how I can charge my batteries during the trip. I got your advise. Thank you so much for this!
You can't unless you bring a portable charger that doesn't require electricity. There is none on the route.
@@lindseyhikesandtravels i See. I ll bring solar charger than. Thank you!😊
I’ve just found out I’ve been selected to go on a trip to Peru and I will be doing this trek - I’m 16 and we’ll be going for 2 weeks in July/August does anyone know what the weather will be like and therefore the clothes I’ll need to wear? Also any good recommendations for power banks that last a very long time and can be taken on a plane ?
Thanks so much for this video. I want to do the inca trail but I am not fit. I have a big belly but I can still walk I might just need breaks. Do they wait for you if you can't keep up with the pack? Just to confirm, there wasn't any overweight people on the trail?
You do have to make it to specific camps each day but people all hiked at different paces.
Very valid points!!! I would also echo you definitely need good hiking boots, especially ones with ankle support, those lucky French guys :-). Next, prepare yourself for rain, it rains for at least 2 hours on average 360 out of 365 days of the year on the trail. To combat altitude sickness you could consider getting some Coca Candy, also get it from Cusco. Contrary to what gringos will tell you it is just as narcotic or stimulating as Tea or Coffee. Finally, pack light and carry just your essentials, not only does the Peruvian government restrict the number of permits allowed on the trail these days, it has also started to heavily restrict the number of porters that are allowed in each group. Desclaimer - My last Inca Trail hike was in 2014 so my suggestions might be just a little out of date.
We got lucky with no rain!
Hi Lindsey, may I ask what month did you hike the Inca Trail? We will be going at the end of this month, not sure how much warm clothe we need to pack...
+Meeow Meeow I hiked it in August. It was pretty cold at night and at the high points. Pack layers!
Lindsey Hikes and Travels great to know, thank you!! and do you think I need 2 hiking poles or 1 is ok? I never know how to use both at the same time, but my bf insist 2 is better...
+Meeow Meeow I would recommend 2! Just practice with them and you'll get the hang of it. Using only one can cause imbalances in legs and arms and might not be enough support for thr steep inclines and descents. Now I always hike with 2 when I do a challenging hike.
I hiked it in June 1987 and you have to remember that Peru is below the equator so summer is actually winter. It snowed at the dead women pass when i was there so yes it can get very cold at nite.The weather can change in a heart beat. It was sunny and nice on the first day, snowy at the top, rain on the way down and sunshine at Machu Picchu. And if you can please hike Huayna Pichu. It was amazing
Very true! It was definitely cold at night and I was there in August.
Coca leaves tea is the best thing for altitude, it just makes you normal. You won't be high.
Physical fitness is advice for life, not the Inca trail. That being said, in high school living at 11,000 feet I was running circles around professional athletes at high elevation, i.e. acclimatization is a huge factor. It would take your heart about two weeks at high elevation (e.g. in Cusco) to adjust the oxygen levels in your blood. Hiking shoes haven't been shown to medically serve any purpose, wear whatever you like.
but they give u tents, right?
how was the "toilet"-situation?;)
did u book the inca trail once u were there?
Yes tents were provided to us. There were some outhouses but they weren't very good so I mostly used nature as my toilet. If you do, make sure to follow LNT principles and keep it 100ft + from the trail and bury your poop (NOT toilet paper... carry it out/throw it away). No, I booked months in advance. There is a limited # of people who can get on the trail each day so you have to book far ahead of when you want to go.
Hi im doing inca trail this september and i have fear of heights. I mean i can manage heights as long the trail dont get super narrow and almost like close to a cliff. How was the trail all through out? thanks
I don't know that I'd recommend it if you're afraid of heights ..
What did you bring for your clothing before you bought the wool ponchos?
Hiking layers and a jacket
My family is hiking the Inca trail this June. We are doing the 5 day because my kids are going as well (ages 12 and 15) and it goes at a slower pace. Do you stop in any villages along the way? If you do, are there any supplies that would help them? Being a teacher, I'd love to donate some supplies or even just bring some treats for the kids. I was going back and forth about the hiking poles, but after your video, I immediately reserved 4 sets for us; and our travel nurse who administered the yellow fever vaccine for us because we are headed to the Amazon Rain Basin as well already prescribed the altitude meds for us. We just need to do some hiking and fitness with the kids before our trip.
You are in the wilderness the entire time...no villages. Have a great hike!
I'm planning going nxt year in the fall around Sept. is that a good time to do the Inca Trail?
I went in August and it was a great time to go... though cold at night!
Plan to get high on the trails bad idea??