Inca Trail Preparation and Packing

[@NotAnAngryLesbian]

I just finished the Inca trail. I am 53 and in good shape. I trained hard to get in even better shape to walk the trail. Day one isn't too bad compared to the rest of the trail. Day two is very hard. Day three and four aren't much easier. Bring a good pair pf walking sticks. Its like climbing a crooked stone step ladder for six hours a day. More if you choose to do the trail in three days which I strongly advise against. Who wants to start their day at 2 am. Why rush? Please follow the advice of our guide who told us that we would be doing everything, "Slow, slow." Be in the moment every step of the way. Look around every few steps. Absorb the details. Smile at yourself. You are there. Be there. Think of nothing but what you are viewing. Its a very special place.

[@andreatackorecunard539]

@changingthings - I’m so happy to see this comment. I’m the same age and have been a little worried about wanting to do the trail because I don’t see anyone our age making videos 😳. I’m so encouraged to see your comment!

[@evelynhazzard]

Perfect! Huge thanks! Clear, honest, knowledgeable......& moves along! Well done, you.

[@joelmalm3983]

Thanks!

[@Leoline28]

Thanks for visiting my country and be as natural of heart and sincere face 😍❤ I hope to all in my land POZUZO OXAPAMPA

[@pieexperiences358]

Hello Joel!! I m so happy to read that you had an amazing Inca trail to Machu Picchu! If you come back to Peru we invited you to hike the HIDDEN INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU. This is a non tourist hike with plenty of inca ruins , nature . local people and you will feel like Indiana Jones discovering this amazing places!

[@EmiliaFlockhart]

Great tips! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@rosemariebergeron4194]

Hi! I'd like to know what is the sleeping bag you are using?

[@emmabenson8784]

Great video thank you. I am are going end of July and I can't wait.

[@joelmalm3983]

Emma Holliday glad it was helpful. Enjoy your hike!

[@DrYouMrTube]

Yes, but these examples are for which month? Hiking in August is different than hiking there in January

[@amylloyd7118]

What are the other trails in your top 5?!

[@unclegeekster]

Do you have a list from this video I can review and print? 14 of us are going in January.

[@cindygarcia4707]

I already have an larger Osprey bag that I love and used for the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain for a full month of hiking. I love the bag and it was great but it is bigger. Should I still invest in a day pack?

[@joelmalm3983]

If you like the bag and it's comfortable I'd just stick with what you have. If you did the Camino with it, it sounds like it's a pretty great bag. You can probably insert a water bladder pretty easily if you don't already have one built in.

[@cindygarcia4707]

Yes it's built in. Just need to buy a new bladder since mine has a hole in it. Ok great I was thinking of just not filling it up completely. Do people bring a larger bags for the porters to carry or you just give them your items and they pack it themselves?

[@joelmalm3983]

Cindy Garcia your outfitter will give you the approved bag. The porters have pretty strict rules on weight, so they'll give you a duffel bag. They'll also weigh it every morning. So make sure you stay under the allotted weight. I think it's 12 kilos max per bag. But it might have changed for this year.

[@cindygarcia4707]

Ok. Great! Thank you so much. Your video was really helpful and so were you. Really grateful!

[@joelmalm3983]

Cindy Garcia glad I could help!

[@scottmoore5839]

Excellent video...Thanks!

[@kathrynpalmer-smith6959]

Hi Joel, thanks for the video, it was really helpful. Could you suggest how much money we should take and if it is best to draw money in Peru or go with the money already converted? Also, what sort of expenses will we need to budget for? Eg, tips, showers, toilets etc

[@gregai8456]

What about lidocaine?

[@jonultime]

Great insider info!

[@jonultime]

How much training would you recommend for this hike?

[@WhoIsKirk]

Besides socks and undies, did you end up changing any of the other clothes no the trek...trying to decide what to bring has far as clothing besides thermals.....right now 2 long sleeves(1 army, 1dry fit long sleeve), one pair of hiking pants.....

[@joelmalm3983]

+WhoIsKirk I never changed pants because I used quick dry, convertible pants. I usually change my shirt once, the final day I hike into MP.

[@R0BERTMAY]

Hi, quick question, do the porters provide a bag for you for your sleeping bag and stuff? Or do you take two separate bags and give one to them to carry?

[@joelmalm3983]

The outfitters provide an approved bag for your gear. Each outfitter is different on size, etc.

[@R0BERTMAY]

Joel Malm thanks man, we are going end of next month, can't wait!!! First time! Great video thanks a lot!

[@monkey123413]

Would the approve: bag be big enough to fit a larger backpack? I'm curious how I would transport my sleeping bag and stuff I can't pack in my daypack if I'm flying to Peru?

[@slashdotjeo]

what type of backpack should I used if I'm not hiring a porter?

[@Eric-pz3uo]

what was the company of the solar panel ?

[@JohnsonJ2009]

I'm guessing this one: www.amazon.com/Portable-Chargers-BLKBOX-Anything-Connection/dp/B00HQ5UIFY/ref=cm_wl_huc_item

[@masonandjessica909]

I am unclear on the porter - I thought they only carried your tent and food. Did you hire a separate porter to carry your personal gear? If so, did you have to pre-arrange that or can you do it when you check in? I saw in a comment that they provide the bag that they use to carry your things - what do you do with the bag that you originally have all those items in?

[@alonzo2k]

Mason and Jessica good question

[@carolynshin]

Awesome video! I've been looking for this very video for months and months! Have you ever hiked the Inca trail in January? I am. Starting to get scared after reading up on a lot of resources that don't recommend the trip during January because of the rain. Any advice on rain gear/apparel/staying dry?

[@joelmalm3983]

+Carolyn Shin I haven't ever hiked in January. But when I lived in Cusco it rained a LOT in January. The trail is closed in February, so you you might want to shoot for March. The rain has usually stopped by then.

[@sportyprincessxo]

how is the temperature of the trail in January? I am going than and wondering how it's going to be , thank you:) That a really great video, so you recommend not drinking the water that they give??!

[@joelmalm3983]

It will probably be raining. Bring rain gear!!

[@pocketfulofwonders]

Hi Joel. Thanks for this helpful video! Is the end of October a good time to go?

[@joelmalm3983]

Crystal W. October will have less crowds, so in that way it's a great time. You'll just want to be prepared as rainy season starts around that time.

[@hotpink000]

Helpful even in 2019. Im going in June omg

[@jinsjewelry]

Very informative! Thank you for sharing :)

[@isaacheatherburnett3001]

When do you suggest is the best time to do the Inca trail?

[@joelmalm3983]

If you want to avoid rain your best time would be May-September. That's considered dry season, (though I hiked in the snow and sleet once in "dry season"). But generally that's best time. It's also high season though. So if you want less people and have some good rain gear April is a great time. It might rain a few hours each day of the hike, but if you are prepared it's not bad. Just a little cold. Make sure you book EARLY. The Inca Trail typically fills within 24 hours of the permits opening on Jan. 15 of each year. Here's the outfitter I use: www.sastravelperu.com. They are legit. Hope that helps.

[@hotpink000]

How much do you tip porters

[@RebecaAV21]

$10/day recommended

[@brookeayton1332]

I wish I had watched this before I went. Struggled hard!

[@joelmalm3983]

Glad you made the hike successfully :)

[@alisonbowler437]

toothbrush?

[@joelmalm3983]

:) Of course!!

[@yoyoz333]

Anything 100% polyester will wick moisture. shirts, underwear, get 100% polyester, this will stop from chafe.

[@larsjanson62]

Hi There great video with lots of useful information. But!!! The advice to use prescription sleeping pills for sleeping at high altitude is completely outrageous and dangerous. I'm myself an anesthetist (i.e. specialized in lung, heart and blood-acid-base physiology) and an amateur high altitude alpinist with first hand experience of high altitude sickness including pulmonary edema. True the body needs lots and lots of water for adjusting the acid-base balance but equally important is breathing. U have to breathe heavily and thus lower the amount of CO2 in the blood. Taking sleeping medication will make u breathe less than what is physiologically necessary for the body to adjust to the altitude and thus ruin your acclimatization.

[@transikk]

Totally overkill in my opinion.