The Classic Inca Trail covers a total length of 28 miles or 44.8 kilometers from the starting point to Machu Picchu. The first and forth days can be considered the easiest days of the trek while the second day is usually the hardest one because the trail consists mainly of stairs going up and down. In order to be able to complete the trek, it is important to be in good physical shape. If you are in good physical shape, you will really enjoy the ruins and amazing landscapes along the way. A person who is not used to exercise should not hike the Inca Trail (Please consider a visit to Machu Picchu by train.)

If you are starting to exercise for the Inca Trail, please make sure that you include in your routine cardiovascular activities and exercises to strength your legs. One month prior to starting the trek, you should hike long trails (5-10 miles) at least once per week. Since we provide porters to carry up to 15 pounds or 7 kilograms of your personal belongings, you should hike with a small backpack including a jacket, water, snacks, sun screen, insect repellent, and an impermeable or poncho or similar weight.

People who suffer of asthma, respiratory conditions, or a heart conditions, please ask your doctor for advice before hiking the Inca Trail. 

Well broken hiking shoes, a good jacket, a sleeping bag for low temperatures (as low as 28ºF), an impermeable, and sun screen should be your priority when hiking in the Peruvian Andes. In the Andes and high jungle weather is sometimes unpredictable. For further information about weather, please check this link: http://www.latikaperutravel.com/weather.html.

The following items should be brought to the trek: Waterproof shoes, sleeping bag for low temperatures, gloves, cotton hat, thermal socks, day hat, heavy jacket, light jacket and impermeable, long sleeve shirts, hiking pants, t-shirts, underwear, sun glasses, tennis shoes or sandals to be used at the campsites, small first aid kit, toilet paper, sun screen, insect repellant, flashlight, and water container.

You might consider the following items: Snacks, energy bars, walking sticks (Rustic walking sticks can be purchased before starting the trek), sealable bags, wet wipes, water purification pills, altitude sickness pills and camera.

Please make sure to bring your personal medication to the trek as well as stomachache pills, diarrhea pills, and headache pills.

Once you book a trek with Latika Adventures, a Peruvian specialist will be assigned to your account. Your account will answer all the questions you might have about the trek you have booked through us. One or two days prior to your trek, there will be a short orientation at our office in Cusco.

During the trek we provide four season tents and we accommodate two people per tent so you have plenty of room in your tent. A local trained cook, a guide, and porters or wranglers will be part of your group (Porters for the Inca Trail and wranglers for other treks.) Your cook will prepare nutritious and delicious Peruvian style meals for you. Vegetarian meals are available upon request with no extra charges. Our breakfasts will include milk, coffee, hot chocolate, a variety of teas, bread, butter, orange or strawberry jam, oatmeal, and/or eggs. Our lunches and dinners will include soups, fish, beef, chicken, vegetables, rice, and potatoes.

In the case of the Inca Trail, during the first day and most of the second day, you will find very basic toilets with no toilet seats. At the end of the second day you will find toilet seats. At the end of the third day you will have regular bathrooms. You will be able to take a shower at the end of the third day. You will need to purchase a ticket for about USD 2.00. Towels are available for rent at a cost of USD 1.50 each one.

In the case of other treks you will not be able to find bathrooms. Most of the time showers are not available and you might need to wait until Aguas Calientes or Cusco in order to take one. Sometimes, it is possible to find tap water. If you desire to drink this water, you should use water purification pills or a filter. You will be able to buy them once in Cusco at any local pharmacy.

During the Inca Trail you will be able to purchase water bottles, Gatorade, batteries, toilet paper, and snacks. The first day you will find different spots selling them. The second day, you will be able to purchase them at the second resting point (You should be there at about 10:30a.m.). The third day you will be able to purchase them at the campsite only.

When hiking other treks, you will usually pass by small communities where you will be able to purchase candies, water, cookies and other products. Always check the expiration date because people do not apy attention to that in the Andes.