IncaTrailtoMachuPicchu
Pre-DepartureInformation
Welcome!
TRAVELINFORMATION
Passport
Visas
Money
Tipping
SpecialDiets
Communications
Electricity
MEDICALINFORMATION
Inoculations
InternationalHealthCard
MalariaPrevention(For
RainforestExtensionOnly)
StayingHealthy
GettingInShape
AltitudeConsiderations
HELPFULINFORMATION
Photography
BeingaConsiderateTraveler
EnvironmentalConcerns
ReadingList
ExploreonYourOwn
PACKINGLIST
TheEssentials
WTGearStore
Luggage
WeightLimits
NotesonClothing
Layers
Clothing
Equipment
PersonalFirstAidSupplies
OptionalItems
We’redelightedtowelcomeyouonthisadventure!This
bookletisdesignedtoguideyouinthepracticaldetailsfor
preparingforyourtrip.Asyouread,ifanyquestionscometo
mind,feelfreetogiveusacallorsendusanemail—we’re
heretohelp.
PLEASESENDUS
TripApplication:Complete,sign,andreturnyourTrip
Applicationformassoonaspossible.
MedicalForm:Complete,sign,andreturnyourMedical
Formassoonaspossible.
AirSchedule:SendusacopyofyourAirSchedule(90
daysormorebeforeyourtrip).RefertotheArrival&
DeparturesectionoftheDetailedTripItineraryfor
instructions.Pleasefeelfreetoreviewyourproposedschedule
withWildernessTravelbeforepurchasingyourticketsifyou
haveanyquestionsaboutthetimingofyourarrivaland
departureflights.
PLEASECAREFULLYREVIEW
TravelDocuments&MedicalInformation: Carefully
reviewtheTravelDocumentsandMedicalInformation
sectionsofthisbooklettofamiliarizeyourselfwithPassport
andVisaentryrequirementsforyourdestination,aswellas
anyrecommendedinoculations.
OptionalTravelInsurance:ReviewtheTripCancellation
&TransferFeeScheduleincludedintheDetailedItinerary.
WerecommendthatalltripmemberspurchaseTravel
Insurance.
ExtraServices:RequestanyExtraServices(hotelnights,
transfers,extensions)withyourWTofficecontactusingthe
ExtraServicesRequestFormsentwithyourconfirmation
packet.
FinalDocuments:Approximatelythreeweeksbeforeyour
trip,wewillsendyoufinaldeparturedocuments,including
hotelandlocalcontactinformationandrendezvous
instructions.
QUESTIONS?
Call:1-800-368-2794,gotoourwebsite:www.wildernesstravel.com,ore-mailusat:
info@wildernesstravel.com
TravelInformation
PASSPORT
Avalidpassportisrequiredforyourtrip.Besuretochecktheexpirationdate.Yourpassportmustbe
validforsixmonthsafteryourdateofexitfromPeru.Inaddition,werecommendyourpassporthaveat
leasttwocompletelyblankvisapagesforeverycountryyouwillbevisiting.Itisveryimportantthatthe
blankpagessay“Visas”atthetop.Thelastfewpagesofyourpassport,whichsay“Amendmentsand
Endorsements,”andthefinalpageofyourpassport,whichmaynothaveapagenumber,arenot
consideredtobelegitimatevisapages.Youcanrequestanewpassportthroughavisaserviceagencyor
theUSPassportServicesOffice(theserviceofaddingpagesforvisaswasdiscontinuedasofJanuary1,
2016).Besuretoallowsufficienttimetoacquirethisbeforeyourtrip.
Itisagoodideatocarryphotocopiesofyourpassport’sphotopageandanyacquiredvisapagesforyour
trip(ifapplicable)incaseyourpassportislostorasanadditionalpieceofidentification,aswellastwo
extrapassportphotos.
VISAS
UScitizensdonotneedavisaforPeru.AtouristcardwillbeissuedtoyouontheflighttoLima.Halfof
thecardiscollecteduponyourentrytothecountry,andyoukeeptheotherhalftopresentuponyour
departure.
IfyouareacitizenofanycountryotherthantheUS,checkwithalocalconsulateforentryrequirements.
MONEY
TheunitofcurrencyinPeruisthenuevosol.WesuggestyoucarrysomeofyourspendingmoneyinUS
cash,andtherestinATMorcreditcards.Travelerschecksarenotrecommendedastheycanbedifficult
andtime-consumingtocash.Smallerdenominationssuchastwentydollarbillsareaconvenientamount
toexchange,astheexchangeratefromsolesbacktodollarsisnotnearlyasgood.MakesureyourUS
billsarecrispandclean.Worn,tattered,ortornbillsmaynotbeaccepted.Youmaysecureyourcashand
valuablesinthehotelsafewhileyouareontrek.Forvaluableitemsthatyouneedtokeeponyourperson,
westronglyrecommendcarryingamoneybeltthatcanbewornunderyourclothes.Wealsosuggestyou
bringalongasmallpocketcalculatortohelpyouexchangemoneyandpurchasesouvenirs.
Visa,MasterCard,andAmericanExpressarewidelyacceptedatmajorhotelsandstores.ThereareATMs
intheLimaairportandinCusco.TouseanATMinternationally,youmusthaveafour-digitPIN.Ifyou
plantouseyourcreditcards,informyourcreditcardcompanybeforeyourdeparturethatyouwillbe
usingthecardabroad.
Youwillneedtobudgetspendingmoneyforgratuities,anymealsnotincludedinthetripitinerary
(approx.$10-$20forlunchesand$15-$30fordinners),internationalanddomesticairportdeparturetaxes,
andpersonalitemssuchasbeverages.
TIPPING
Tippingiscompletelydiscretionary,butovertheyears,clientshaveaskedusfortippingguidelinesto
rewardguidesforoutstandingservice.Arangeofreferencewouldbe$100-$140USDpertripmember
fortheTripLeader,and$80-$100USDpertripmemberforthecampcrew(localguide,porters,cooks,
campassistants,etc.).Thisshouldbeinlocalcurrency,preferablyinsmallerdenominations,andisa
pooledtip;theTripLeaderwillfacilitatethis.Thereisalsoanopportunityattheendofthetrektomakea
groupdonationtotheportersofanyequipmentandclothingyoudon'twanttobringhome(socks,shirts,
flashlights,etc.).Theyandtheirfamiliesreallyappreciatethis.(Clothingdonationsshouldnotbeintended
toreplacethecashtip.)TheTripLeadertakescareofgratuitiesforluggagehandling,waitersat
restaurants,anddriverswhoarewiththegroupforonlyashorttime.
SPECIALDIETS
Wewilldoourbesttoaccommodatespecialdietaryneeds,however,pleasekeepinmindthatcertain
culturaldifferencesorlimitationsduetologisticscanmakeitextremelydifficultandattimesimpossible
toaccommodatedietaryrestrictions.Pleaseinformusatleasteightweeksbeforeyourtripifyouhavea
restricteddiet.Itisimportanttobringaflexibleattitudeandsupplementalsnacks.
COMMUNICATIONS
TimeZone
Peruis2hoursaheadofCaliforniaand1hourbehindNewYorkinthesummer(pleasenote:Perudoes
nothavedaylightsavingstime)
Telephone
TheinternationaldialingcodeforPeruis51.Pleasecontactyourcellphonecompanyforspecific
instructionsforinternationaluse.
Email&InternetAccess
Internetaccessisavailableatourlodges.Somehaveonesharedpubliccomputerwhilesomefeature
WiFi.
ELECTRICITY
Peruhas220-voltcurrent.Plugshavetworoundpinsortwoflat-bladepins.Bringaconverterandplug
adaptorkitforapplianceuse.Note:Mostnewerappliancesdonotneedavoltageconverter.
MedicalInformation
Thefollowingrecommendationsshouldbeusedasaguidelineonly;consultyourphysicianformedical
advice.ItisvitalthatyouletWildernessTravelknowofanymedicalproblems,allergies,orphysical
limitationsyoumayhave.Pleasefilloutandreturnthepersonalmedicalquestionnaire,andfeelfreeto
consultusifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutyourabilitytoundertakethisparticulartrip.
WildernessTravelisnotamedicalfacilityandhasnoexpertiseorresponsibilityregardingwhat
medicationsorinoculationsyouandyourphysiciandecidearenecessaryforyoursafeparticipationinthe
trip.
Traveler'shealthinformationisavailablefromthe CentersforDiseaseControl.Medicaltravelproducts
areavailablefromTravelHealthMedicineandfromMagellan'sTravelSupplies.
INOCULATIONS
NoinoculationsarerequiredforentryintoPeruandBolivia.Entryrequirementsandinternationalhealth
situationsaresubjecttochange;checkwiththeCentersforDiseaseControlforupdates.Allshotsshould
beenteredonyourInternationalHealthCard(yellowcard),whichisprovidedbythefacilitygivingthe
shots.Keepitwithyourpassportwhiletraveling.Thisprovidesanimportantpersonalrecordforyouto
refertowhenmakingfuturetravelplans.Werecommendyoudiscussthefollowingwithyourphysician:
YellowFever
AYellowFevershotisstronglyrecommendedifyouaretravelingtotherainforestandrequiredifyou
plantotraveltoBolivia.Thevaccinationisgoodfor10years.Haveproofoftheshotrecordedinyour
InternationalHealthCardandcarrythecardwithyourpassport.Healthofficialsatbordersoften(butnot
always)requestproofoftheshot.Thevaccinationisgoodfor10years.Formoreinformation,refertothe
CDCwebsite.
Polio
Peoplewhohavereceivedtheprimaryseriesofatleastthreedosesofpoliovaccineareconsideredfully
immunized.Peoplewhoareunsureoftheirstatusshouldreceivethevaccine(threedosesspacedat
intervals).
Hepatitis
ThevaccinesHAVRIXandVAQTA(twoinjections,sixto18monthsapart)givelong-termprotection
againstHepatitisAandareworthwhileifyoutravelregularlytodevelopingcountries.
TetanusBooster
Itisveryeasytogetasmallcut.Aboosterisstronglyrecommended(effectivefor10years).
Typhoid
TheCDCrecommendstheshotortheoralvaccine,VivotifBerna,acourseoffourcapsules,oneevery
otherdayforaweek,withfulleffectivenessreachedinaweek.Youmaynotbeabletotaketheoral
vaccinesimultaneouslywithmefloquine(formalariaprevention).
INTERNATIONALHEALTHCARD
AYellowFevervaccinationisstronglyrecommendedifyouareextendingtotheAmazonRainforest.
HavetheshotrecordedinyourInternationalHealthCardandcarrythecardwithyourpassportasproofof
vaccination.
MALARIAPREVENTION(FORRAINFORESTEXTENSIONONLY)
Malariaisaseriousbutpreventablediseasespreadbythebiteofaninfectedmosquito.Alltravelerstothe
Amazonareurgedtotakeantimalarialmedications,availableonlybyprescription.Pleasediscuss
antimalarialmedicationwithyourdoctor,whowillexplainvariousantimalarialsandtheirsideeffectsand
recommendaregimenforyou.Inadditiontomedication,afurtherprecautionagainstmalariaistowear
longsleevesandlongpantsatdusk.Thinclothingshouldbesprayedwithinsectrepellent,especially
aroundtheelbowsandankles.UserepellentcontainingDEET.
If,afterreturningfromyourtrip,youhaveapersistentfeverwithchills,muscleaches,andheadache,
reporttoyourdoctorthepossibilityofexposuretomalaria.
Forfurthermalariainformation,consultyourdoctororthe CDCMalariaHotline:888-232-3228.
STAYINGHEALTHY
Ontrek,ourcampcrewiswelltrainedinhygienicpractices.Ourdrinkingwaterisfilteredandis
availableeachdayatcampforfillingyourwaterbottles.Abasinofwashingwaterisputoutbeforemeals
soyoucanwashyourhandsbeforeeating.Inhotels,don’tbrushyourteethwithtapwater;usebottled
water.Don’tuseiceinyourdrinksunlessyouaresureitwasmadewithtreatedwater.Whenindoubt,ask
yourTripLeaderforguidelines.
GETTINGINSHAPE
Youmustmakeaconcertedefforttogetintopphysicalconditionforthetripbyengaginginregular
exercisewellbeyondyournormalroutine.Werecommendyoudoaerobicexercisethatcausesyouto
breakasweatforatleast30minutes,atleastthreetimesaweek,overthecourseofacoupleofmonths
priortothetrip.
Toaccelerateyourconditioning,trywalkingfasterthan1.5milesperhour,walkingonsteeperinclines,
andusingyourgym’sstair-climbingmachines.Asyouprogress,practicethesewalkswithyourloaded
daypack(fullwaterbottle,cameragear,jacket).Walksarealsoagreatwaytobreakinyourhikingboots.
Theobjectistoimproveyouroverallleveloffitnessandaerobiccapacityandgetyourlegsandlungsin
shapefortheAndes.
ALTITUDECONSIDERATIONS
Individualsvarywidelyintheirabilitytoacclimatize.Sincephysicalfitnessdoesnotconferany
protectionorfacilitateacclimatization,itisimpossibletopredicthowyouwilladapttothealtitude.The
greatestprotectionisavoidingrapidascentsandallowingtimeforacclimatization.AcuteMountain
Sickness(AMS)isnotuncommonatthealtitudesreachedinthehighAndes.EarlysymptomsofAMS
includeheadache,nausea,lossofappetite,sleeplessness,vomiting,drycough,irregularbreathing,
shortnessofbreath,fatigue,andswellingoftheanklesandeyelids.
Itisnotuncommontoexperiencesomeofthesesymptomswhenyoufirstarriveathighaltitudeandthen
havethemdecreaseinseveritywithinafewdays.ItisimportantthatyouinformyourTripLeader
immediatelyofanysymptomsordiscomfort,howeverminor,sothatheorshecanhelpyoumonitorthe
situation.Whileacclimatizing,avoidpushingyourselftoohard,howeverphysicallyfityoumaybeor
feel.Paceyourselfcomfortably,restoften.Youmayfindthatyouhikemoreslowlythanothersinthe
group,ormoreslowlythanyouareusedto.
Properhydrationisessentialathighaltitude.Youneedtodrinkmuchmorefluidthanyouareusedto.
Trytodrinkevenifyou’renotfeelingthirsty.Avoidcaffeine,whichisadiuretic,andavoidalcohol,
whichisdehydrating.Cutdownonsalt.Yourappetitewillprobablydecrease,butitisstillimportantto
eatwell(especiallycarbohydrates),evenifyou’renotfeelingwell.Sleepingpillsandnarcoticpainkillers
(suchascodeine)shouldnotbeusedataltitudebecausetheydepressrespiration.
SevereprogressionsofAMSarehigh-altitudepulmonaryedema(HAPE)andhigh-altitudecerebral
edema(HACE).SymptomsofHAPEincludebreathlessnessthatcontinuesatrest,severecoughwith
wateryorbloodysputum,andnoisy,bubblingbreath.SymptomsofHACEincludeextremeweariness,
vomiting,severeheadache,staggeringwalk,andchangesinbehavior.Ifanysuchsymptomsdevelop,you
mustnotifytheTripLeaderimmediatelyanddescendtoaloweraltitudeatonce.
Medicalconditionsaggravatedorcomplicatedbyhighaltitudeinclude:heartdiseases,lungdiseases,
pregnancy,anemia,andsicklecelldisease.Anyonewiththeseconditionsshoulddiscussparticipationon
thetripwiththeirphysician.
Diamox(Acetazolamide)
TheprescriptiondrugDiamoxcanbeusedasaprophylacticagainsttheearlysymptomsofaltitude
sickness.Consultwithyourphysicianforproperdosage.Itisusuallyrecommendedabove14,000feet,
butforanyonenotsleepingwell,Diamoxcanbestartedbeforereachingthatelevation.Somecautionary
notes:Diamoxcanseverelydehydrateyou;besuretodrinktheminimum3-4quartsofwaterdailyifyou
takeit.Diamoxisasulfadrugandshouldnotbetakenbysulfa-allergictravelers.Itisnoteffectivein
dealingwithmoreserioussymptomsofaltitudesickness.IfyouaretakingDiamox,itisessentialthatyou
advisetheTripLeader.
HelpfulInformation
PHOTOGRAPHY
Formostpeople,acompactdigitalcameraorevenacellphonewithafixedzoomlensworkwell,and
newerpoint-and-shootsandphonescanproduceexcellentqualitypictures.Forhigherqualityimages,
especiallyforprinting,andtheabilitytouselongertelephotolensesforcloserwildlifepictures,adigital
SLRiswellworthwhile,thoughheavier.Lensesof200mmor300mm,withimagestabilization,allow
youtohand-holdthecamerawithminimalcamerashake.Apolarizingfilterisuseful,especiallytoreduce
reflectiononwatersurfacesandtodeepentheblueofthesky.Packyourequipmentwellanduseplastic
bagstoprotectitfromdustormoisture.Bringwipesandadustblowertokeepyourlensesclean.Most
digitalcamerasandphonesnowhavevideooptions,andyoumayevenwanttoconsiderbringinga
GoPro.Alwayspracticeaheadoftimewithnewequipmentandbringyourmanualwithyou.Youmay
wanttoconsiderinsuringyourequipment.CameraequipmentisavailableforrentfromBorrowLenses
witha10%discountofferedtoWildernessTravelclients.
Werecommendbringingatleasttwolargecapacitymemorycards.Ifyoutakealotofpicturesandsave
thematahighresolution,itcanbehelpfultobringadigitalstorageunitorlaptopsoyoucandownload
yourpicturesandfreeupyourmemorycardsforreuseonaregularbasis.Bringabackupbatteryorsetof
batteriessooneisalwayschargedandreadytouse,andbringyourbatterycharger(andappropriateplug
adapter).Ifyourcamerausesreplaceablebatteries,bringspareswithyou.Note:fortripswhereyoumay
beawayfrompowersourcesformultipledays,considerlookingintoasolar-poweredbatterycharger.
Whentakingpicturesoflocalpeople,beawareofculturalconsiderations.HeedyourTripLeader’s
guidelinesforwhatisappropriate,andalwaysusegesturesorsimplephrasestoaskpermission.Ifpeople
donotwishtobephotographed,pleasehonortheirrequests.Weurgetravelerstoavoidgivingmoneyin
exchangeforphotoopportunities,whichonlymakesitharderforothertravelerstotakepicturesandto
haveameaningfulpersonalinteractionwithlocalpeople.
Wefindthatourclientscreatewonderfulimagesthatreallydefinetheuniqueaspectsofouradventures.
Wewouldlovetomakeuseofyourimagesinourmarketingmaterialsandourphotoblog,andrequestthat
yousendusasmallsampleofyourbestimagesandasimpleemailgivinguspermissiontousethe
photos.Pleaseemailyourphotostowtphotoblog@gmail.com.Welookforwardtoreceivingthem!
BEINGACONSIDERATETRAVELER
Pleaseshowrespectforthecultureswearevisitingbyobservinglocalcustomsconcerningappropriate
dress,particularlyinsacredplaces.YourTripLeaderisalwaysavailabletoansweranyquestionsthatyou
mayhaveregardingthis.Ifitisnecessarytouseacellphoneduringthetrip,pleasedosoprivately.
Smokingisrarelyanissuethesedays,butifyoudosmoke,pleasedosoonlyawayfromthegroup.
ENVIRONMENTALCONCERNS
Wehaveinstitutedpoliciestoreducetheimpactourtrekkinggroupshaveontheareaswevisit:
BathingandWashing
WehaveshowersatCamp1and2andbringyoubowlsofhotwaterinCamps3and4forwashingat
yourtentinthemorningandevening.Pleaseusebiodegradableshampooandsoap.
ToiletFacilities
Atourownprivatecamps(Camp1and2),wehaveindoortoilets.AtCamps3and4insidethenational
park,weusetoilettentswitheco-boxtoilets.Onthetrail,youwilllocatequietspotsfortoiletpurposes.
Trytobeatleast100feetfromanywatersourceandburyorcoverwaste.
Garbage
Pleasecarryasmallplasticbaginyourdaypacktostoreyourgarbagethroughouttheday.Bringall
tissues,wrappers,andothergarbagewithyoutocampwherethestaffcanburyorburnthem.Weaskthat
youcarryyourownnonburnablegarbage,especiallyusedbatteriesandplasticproducts,backhomefor
properdisposalsincetherearelimitedfacilitiesinPeru.
DrinkingWater
Thecampstaffwillprovidefilteredwaterforyoutofillupyourwaterbottlesorbladdersateachmeal.
READINGLIST
Arecommendedreadinglistcanbefoundat LongitudeBooks.
EXPLOREONYOUROWN
Wehaveprovidedgreatlistsofactivites,restaurants,andhistoriesofareasyoumaywanttoexploreon
ourwebsite.Pleaseusethefollowinglinks:
ExploreCusco
ExploreLima
PackingList
THEESSENTIALS
Airtickets(orE-tickets)
Passport
OneotherpictureID,suchasadriver’slicense
InternationalHealthCard(“YellowCard”)withproofofYellowFeverinoculationwithinthelast10
years(stronglyrecommendedifyouaretakingtheAmazonRainforestExtension)
Expensemoney
WTGEARSTORE
TohelpyouprepareforyournextWTadventure,we'veputtogetheragreatcollectionoftopbrands
includingPatagonia,OutdoorResearch,EagleCreek,andmoreatourWTGearStore .
LUGGAGE
Medium-sized,soft-sidedrollerbagwithsmallpadlock(mustbeunlockedfortravel).Thisbagwill
bestoredinCuscoduringthetrek.
Daypack,largeenoughforafleecejacket,raingear,waterbottle,camera,andotheritemsyouwant
onthetrail.Itshouldbeashoulderpackwithasupportingwaistbelt.Packswithacapacityof14502000cubicinchesarerecommended.
Roll-upduffelifyouareanavidshopper(canbeboughtinCusco).ItcanbestoredinCuscowhileon
trek.
WEIGHTLIMITS
ThePeruviangovernmenthasastrict22lbweightlimitforduffelscarriedbyportersontheIncaTrail.
Thisincludesyoursleepingbagandpad(rentalbag/padweighabout6lbs).BeforewedepartCuscofor
thetrek,weprovideyouwithaseparateduffleforyourtrekkinggearthatwillbecarriedonthetrailbya
porter.Thisduffelitselfweighs2.2lbs(1kg),sokeepthisinmindwhenassemblingyourtrekkinggear.
(Note:Theweightlimitdoesnotapplytowhatyoucarryinyourdaypacks.)
Theweightlimitisstrictlyenforcedandyourduffelwillbeweighedbyourcampmanageronthe
morningpriortothetrek.YourTripLeaderwilltalkwithyouaboutpackingpriortodepartingonthetrek
andwillbehappytoanswerquestionstohelpyoustaywithinthislimit.BeforeyoudepartCusco,you
willalsoputsome“city”clothesinaplasticbagthatwillbedeliveredtoyouatthehotelinMachuPicchu
attrek’send,soyoucanenjoyachangeofclothesatMachuPicchu.Therestofyourluggagewillbe
storedatthehotelwhileontrek.
Note:Oninternalflights,youareallowedonecheckedbagwithatotalweightof50lbs,plusasmall
carry-onwitha17lbmaximum.
NOTESONCLOTHING
Dressonthetripisveryinformal,withtheexceptionoftwoorthreecitydinnersforwhichyoumaywant
todressupalittle(jacketsarenotrequiredformen).AirlineluggageservicetoLimaisreliable,butyou
shouldcarryorwearyourhikingbootsonyourflightstomakesuretheyarrivewithyou.Laundryservice
isavailableatmostofthehotels.Thereisnolaundryserviceontrek.
Itisveryimportanttohaveappropriateclothingfortrekking.Thetemperaturesonahighaltitudetrekcan
dropbelowfreezing,especiallyatnight.Itcanalsogetverycoldduringthedaywhenthesundrops
behindacloud.Trekkingcanbeuncomfortableifyouareillprepared.Evenifyoudonotuseeachitem
listed,it’sbettertobeprepared.
LAYERS
Fabrics
Polypropylene,Capilene,fleece,andothersyntheticfabricsareexcellentinsulatorsandarefarlighter
thanwool;theyalsohavetheaddedbenefitofdryingquickly.Youmightwanttominimizeyouruseof
cottonclothingforhiking.Cottonisnotagoodinsulator.Onceitgetswetfromperspiration,itstayswet
andkeepsyoucold.Cottonisfineforcitywearandtouring.
ShellClothing
Shellclothingincludesjacketsandpantsthatprotectfromrainandwind.Gore-Texandequivalentfabrics
arewaterproofandbreathable.Shellclothingshouldberoomyenoughtofitoverotherlayersofclothing.
CLOTHING
Thelistbelowisjustaguideline.FortheIncaTrailitself,rememberthatyoursleepingbagandsleeping
padareincludedinthe22lb.weightlimitforyourduffel;thisleavesyou14lbs.foryourclothing.This
issufficientbecauseforthetrekyouonlyneedachangeofclothes,socks,underwear,andwarm
jacket/hat/glovesforeveningsatcamp,plusasmallkitoftravel-sizetoiletries.
Gore-Texrain/windshelljacketwithhood.Aponchoisnotadequateraingearforatrek.
Gore-Texrain/windpants,preferablywithlegzipperssothattheycanbetakenoffwithoutremoving
yourboots
Downjacketorwarmfleecejacketforeveningsatcamp—temperaturescanbeinthe30sFahrenheit
Hikingpants.Convertiblehikingpantswithzip-offlegsareapracticalchoice.Somewomenlike
wearingamid-calfhikingskirtwiththermalunderwearunderneath;askirtalsoprovidessomeprivacy
fortoiletpurposesonthetrail.Jeansarenotreallysuitablefortrekkingbecausetheyaremadeofdense
cottonandareslowtodry.
Polypropylenelongunderwear,bottomsandtops.Lightweightissufficientunlessyoureallyfeelthe
cold,inwhichcasebringmediumweight.
Long-sleevedshirt.Fleeceorquick-drying“travel”fabricslikenylonarebest.
T-shirts.Syntheticsarebestforthetrek;cottonwillgetsoggywithperspiration.
Shadehatwithwidebrim
Fleecehatforwarmth
Fleecegloves
Medium-weighthikingbootsforthetrek
RunningshoesorTevastochangeintoatcampandforcitywear
Hikingsocks.Thorlobrand(moisture-wickingsyntheticwithpaddedtoesandheels)isagoodchoice.
Somepeoplelikeasyntheticlinersockwithawool/syntheticblendoutersock.
Underwear;syntheticsdryfaster
Sportsbraforwomen(forthetrek)
Bathingsuit(forsaunaandsoakingopportunities)
Sleepwear(longunderwearcandouble)
EQUIPMENT
Downorfiberfillsleepingbag,preferablythreeorfourseasonbagsratedtoatleast20ºF(sleeping
bagcanberented–seebelow)
Therm-a-RestorEnsolitesleepingpad,fulllength.(Asleepingbagand/orTherm-a-Restpadcanbe
rentedfromWTfor$50forthedurationofthetrek;alimitedsupplyavailablesoletusknowearly.)
Oneortwosturdyreusablewaterbottles(preferablyNalgene),1qt.capacity.Wide-mouthbottlesare
easiertofill.(Waterbladdersthatarebuiltintodaypacksworkwelltoo.)
GoodqualitysunglasseswithUVprotection.Asparepairofsunglassesisinvaluableshouldyourfirst
pairbebrokenorlost.
Personaltoiletries,biodegradablesoap,smallmirror
Quick-dryingtraveltowel
Travel-sizeflashlightorheadlampandextrabatteries;coldtemperaturesaretoughonbatteries.Bring
asparebulbaswell.
Assortmentofplasticbagstokeepitemsdryinyourduffelanddaypackandtocollectyourgarbagein
duringtheday
Toiletpaper(Kleenexpocketpacksarehandy)
Moneybeltorneckpouch.Alwayscarryyourpassport,creditcards,andcashwithyouinamoney
beltorneckpouchtuckeddowninsideyourshirtorblouse.
PERSONALFIRSTAIDSUPPLIES
Everytripmembershouldbringasmallkitforpersonaluse.Yourownexperiencewillinfluenceyour
choices.
SunscreenSPF#30orhigher.Athighaltitudes,werecommendtheadditionaluseofzincoxide.
LipbalmwithSunscreenand/orzincoxide
Aspirin,ibuprofen,orTylenolformusclepainorheadache.TylenolPMforsleep.
Topicalantibiotic(suchasNeosporin)forcuts,bites,orsores
Insectrepellent.ThereareafewplacesontheIncaTrailwithno-see-umsandtherecanbemosquitos
inthecloudforests.RepellentswithDEETarerecommended.DEETcontentofabout30-35percentis
ideal(higherDEETcontentisnotrecommended).WipeDEEToffyourhandsbeforetouchingplastic
surfaces(suchasbinoculars)becauseitcandamageplastic.Aerosolrepellentsareusefulforspraying
onclothes.
Blisterkit.Lookforthelong-lastinggel-typebandagesthatyoucanapplydirectlyonblisters,suchas
Band-AidAdvancedHealingBandagesorCuradGelMulti-DayBandages.“Liquidband-aids,”suchas
New-Skin,areusefulbecausetheydryrapidlytoformatoughprotectivecoveroverablister.
Vaselinefornose/lips(fordryairataltitude)
Anti-bacterialgelforhandwashing
AntihistaminesuchasBenedrylandcoldremedysuchasSudafed
PeptoBismoltablets
Imodiumfordiarrhea.Ifyouwishtobringanantibioticfordiarrheaprophylaxis,pleaseconsultyour
physician.
Prescriptionmedications,properlylabeled
Sparecontactlensesorspareprescriptionglasses
Optional—Diamoxforaltitudeacclimatization.SeethediscussiononDiamoxinthe"Altitude
Considerations"sectionofthispacket.
OPTIONALITEMS
Raincoverforyourdaypacktoprotectthecontentsfromgettingwet(orZiplocbags)
Sturdyhikingshorts
Fleeceneckgaiter
Casualsocksforcitywear
Converter/plugadaptorforapplianceuseinhotels.Peruhas220-voltcurrent.YourhotelinCusco
provides110and220outletsandhairdryers.
Trekkingpoles-highlyrecommended!Hikingwithacollapsiblehikingpolehelpstodistributeyour
bodyweight,takespressureoffyourknees,andimprovesyourbalance.Mosthikerslikeusingonepole,
andsomehikewithtwopoles.Note:ThePeruviangovernmentprohibitstheuseofhikingpolesonthe
IncaTrailunlesstheyhaverubbertips.MetaltipsaredestructivetotheIncapavingstones.
Camera,sparebatteries,flashcards
Bandanas;goodforprotectingyourneckfromthesunandforuseashandkerchiefs
Reading/writingmaterial
Binoculars
Travelclock
Smallpocketcalculator
Revised:July19,2016