Posted by Diane Valenti on Fri, Jul 27, 2012 @ 10:18 AM
When I hiked the Inca Trail, I was astonished to see the porters literally running the trail in sandals made of rubber from recycled tires. They bounded up steps, hopped over rocks, and skipped from side to side as graceful as gazelle on the African plain. I kept waiting to see a porter stub his toe or twist his ankle. It never happened—at least not that I saw.
I also saw tourists hiking the trail in sneakers. Maybe they were inspired by the porters’ less-is-more approach to footwear. Unfortunately, the tourists were far less successful. By the time they arrived at the Sun Gate in Machu Picchu, they were nursing horrible blisters. I can’t even imagine how painful their feet must have been.
The Inca Trail is a serious hike. You cover 26 miles over four days. The trail involves large elevation gains and losses. The surface consists of soft dirt, paved stone, and stairs. It is uneven. If it rains during your trek, the trail becomes slick.
As a result, you should plan to hike in a pair of well broken-in, preferably waterproof hiking boots. Here are a few more tips that can help you avoid sore feet:
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When you buy new hiking boots, bring your favorite insoles and hiking socks with you. You should choose boots that accommodate both without pinching your feet.
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Buy men’s hiking boots. This is a tip from my podiatrist. According to her, men’s hiking boots are better made than women’s hiking boots, so they last longer and promote more stability. Stability is particularly important because the more your feet move within your hiking boots, the more likely you are to develop blisters.
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Replace the insoles. Most hiking boots come with poor quality insoles. You may want to replace them with something that promotes more stability.
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Use hiking and liner socks. Hiking socks have extra cushion on the bottom that can make hiking over hard surfaces more comfortable. They come in varying thicknesses. Liner socks provide an extra layer to reduce friction between a thick hiking sock and a boot.
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Pack waterproof sports tape. You can buy this tape at most drugstores. Ballerinas use this tape to bind the hot spots on their feet before they put on their pointe shoes. You can do the same to prevent hot spots from turning into blisters.
Taking these steps will help ensure that you can enjoy your Inca Trail experience rather than survive it. Check out our Inca Trail to Machu Picchu trek for the Inca Trail and more!
Posted by Diane Valenti on Sat, Feb 25, 2012 @ 04:36 PM
If you have limited time in Peru, the 1-day Inca Trail is a great alternative to the 4- or 5-day hike. The 1-day version gives you a taste of the longer Inca Trail experience as well as some of the bragging rights.
Training:
The best way to train is to hike. On the 1-day Inca Trail, you will be hiking approximately 7 hours, with stops, on hilly terrain. If you can consistently hike 5 to 7 hours on hilly terrain at home, you will be in good shape for the trail.
You can learn more details about the trail on our website.
What to Wear:
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Hiking pants
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Wick-away shirt
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Hiking socks
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Liner socks
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Hiking boots, broken in and comfortable
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Jacket and/or fleece
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Bandana to protect your neck from the sun
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Sunglasses
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Sun block
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Hat
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Insect repellent as needed
What to Expect:
You must hike the 1-day Inca Trail with an approved travel company.
You will start early to make sure there is plenty of daylight so you can overcome any unexpected delays. You will take the train to KM 104 with your guide, cross a bridge, and check in at the control point to gain access to the trail. You must show your passport at the control point or you will not be admitted to the trail. Your passport must match the information you gave on your trip application.
The control point is also the last place to use a bathroom for several hours. The next bathroom is at the last campsite before Machu Picchu. And, the third and final bathroom is at the base of Machu Picchu. You need to pay 1 sol to enter this bathroom.
At the end of your hike, you arrive at the Sun Gate in Machu Picchu. Usually, there is not enough time to tour Machu Picchu at this point in the day. Your Inca Trail ticket allows you to come back the next day to tour Machu Picchu.
Safety Tips:
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Take your time. Hiking at altitude is more like strolling than hiking. You won't have fun if you rush too much and are out of breath the entire time. Also, please don't worry about delaying your group. No one is ever left behind.
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Stay close to the mountain. There are parts of the trail that drop off steeply, especially as you get close to Machu Picchu. You do not want to fall off the trail.
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To let faster hikers pass, step towards the mountain so that they don't accidentally knock you off the trail.
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Wear broken-in hiking boots that provide good support. Part of the trail is dirt and part of it is the old Inca stone road. This means that the ground is uneven and can be slick when wet.
- Eat and drink when you need to. Do not forget to eat your electrolytes or you may run out of energy.
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If you don't feel well or are having a problem, let your guide know. Don't suffer in silence.
Interested in hiking the 1-day Inca Trail? This is an option on both our Machu Picchu Tour by Train and Amazon to Machu Picchu Tour.
