Machu Picchu was a once-in-a-lifetime, truly unforgettable experience. (So much so that I\u2019ve written about my experience<\/a>\u00a0visiting it as a solo female for Intrepid once before.)<\/strong><\/p>\n But I didn\u2019t float up to that beautiful site, I hiked\u00a0there, and it was at times a little painful. Like most painful things, the memories fade with time and I only remember the good bits. However, there are a few things that I wish I had known, ones that would have made those tough moments more manageable.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve listed them below (you\u2019re welcome),\u00a0so you\u2019ll be able to concentrate on the\u00a0beautiful views over the blisters, and your\u00a0new friends over your achy muscles:<\/p>\n Drink lots. Then drink more. And take sachets of hydration salts just in case. When you\u2019re walking you\u2019re going to get sweaty and you need to replace those losses. Also, staying hydrated is an awesome way to reduce your chance of experiencing altitude sickness. So make sure you have a good (reusable!) bottle or a hydration pack to put in your day bag (Platypus and Camelbak are both great brands for hydration packs).<\/p>\n So, don\u2019t forget to take snacks in your bag \u2013\u00a0if you have a yummy Snickers or Mars bars tucked away you\u2019re likely to munch on it even if you don\u2019t feel particularly hungry. This isn\u2019t always a good thing in life, but it is when hiking Machu Picchu<\/a>!<\/p>\n This is a great insider tip \u2013 you can get your passport stamped at Machu Picchu! Remember to ask at the gates.<\/p>\n As you gain altitude, temperatures become more extreme. In one day you can experience everything from a freezing chill upon waking, to boiling hot sunshine while you walk. Even without sunshine, the steep ascents will have you sweating. The answer to this? Layers.<\/p>\n For the cold night time take thermal base layers and pick up some Alpaca gloves and a hat in Cusco \u2013 stalls line the streets so they won\u2019t be hard to find. Pack t-shirts that will fit over your base layers for when you get started in the morning, a fleece and rain jacket for the wind and rain. As the day progresses and you emerge from the shade into the sunshine, you\u2019ll be peeling everything off. At this point remember sun cream and a sunhat. The sun is stronger up high, so make sure it\u2019s a high SPF. You don\u2019t want to be red and peeling in your photos on Machu Picchu (or in your photos posing with llamas!).<\/p>\n INSPIRATIONAL READ: The road to Machu Picchu starts at 385 lbs<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n But something I wish I knew was how good it feels to take off those boots when the walking is done so your feet can breathe. Pack flip flops or light sandals for evenings \u2013 something you can slip on over socks (yep, sandals with socks, I said it).<\/p>\n Also on the point of socks \u2013 take loads. Don\u2019t be thinking that you can wear the same pair more than once because they\u2019ll be stinky, and starting your day with fresh socks is way <\/em>better than starting stinky. And on the subject of stinky \u2013 take plastic bags, because not only your socks but your clothes in general will be wet and smelly from sweat and possibly from rain, and you\u2019ll want to separate these from your nice fresh clothes.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll be huffing and puffing your way along the trail, congratulating the hell out of yourself for reaching the lunch spot without collapsing. All the while, the porters will have woken up before you, cooked you a killer breakfast, taken down your tents, carried all of the tents\/food\/chairs\/etc. and reached the lunch spot before<\/em> you, AND cooked you a delicious lunch in time for your huffy puffy arrival. They\u2019re super humans.<\/p>\n Remember to take cash along to tip your porters at the end of your trek. Believe me, any apprehension you may have before the trip about shelling out extra dollars will be dispelled when you see how hard they work.<\/p>\n READ MORE: There\u2019s more to visiting Machu Picchu with Intrepid<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes\u2026\u201d No, this isn\u2019t about love or Christmas. A tingling sensation in your fingers and toes is a side effect of Diamox (also known as Acetazolamide), the medication prescribed for soroche<\/em> (altitude sickness). Make sure to seek the advice of your doctor, as these must be prescribed. If you do use Diamox, you\u2019ll also need to pee much more frequently than usual \u2013 so prepare for some midnight dashes.<\/p>\n Talking medication, consider taking anti-diarrhea tablets (Loperamide) along with you too as this is a common side effect of altitude (and being in a foreign country, for some).<\/p>\n READ MORE:\u00a0What hiking to Machu Picchu as a solo adventurer is really like<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Alternatively, the locals swear by coca leaves to relieve the effects of altitude, and in more rural areas you\u2019ll see Peruvians chewing away with blackened teeth. On the trail you may be offered mate de coca<\/em> (coca leaf tea). It doesn\u2019t taste fabulous so add in some honey, and you\u2019ve got yourself a natural remedy.<\/p>\n \u2026forgetting to take insect repellent to Machu Picchu. There are SO MANY mosquitos up there. Don\u2019t make the mistake I did in assuming that because you\u2019re so high up there won\u2019t be any. There are.<\/p>\n Do some training hikes. You don\u2019t have to be an Olympian to do the Inca Trail, but you do have to be fitter than your average couch potato.<\/p>\n As well as training physically, be prepared by booking early. For preservation purposes, the Inca Trail is restricted by how many people can be on it at a time. This means it books up around six months in advance. However, if you miss out on the Inca Trail, remember you can also get onto the Quarry Trail<\/strong> to Machu Picchu<\/a> with Intrepid. It offers the same\u00a0magnificent Andean scenery but no crowds, lesser-known archaeological sites and no permits required!<\/p>\n READ MORE: Benefits of taking the Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n This requires little explanation. And it\u2019s not really advice. But do brace yourself to be so in awe at the top that you\u2019ll be lost for words. There really is no sight as breathtaking as Machu Picchu.<\/p>\n1. Stay hydrated and well-fed<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Peru\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/peru_inca-trail_trekker-e1490372961808.jpg\")
Now, food. Altitude actually slows down your digestion, which might lead to a lack of appetite. If you\u2019re acclimatizing well then this won\u2019t last long, but even if it does, it\u2019s worth eating\u00a0more than you think you need to.<\/p>\nCheck out Intrepid’s Machu Picchu treks<\/h2>\n
2. Get your passport stamped<\/strong><\/h2>\n
3. Be ready for all four seasons<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Machu-Picchu-llama3-e1490373339853.jpg\")
A final tip on what to wear relates to shoes. Of course you will need well broken-in walking boots to support you through the day\u2019s hike (and I mean well broken-in \u2013 a friend of mine lost four toenails from wearing boots that she hadn\u2019t worn enough before the hike).<\/p>\n![\"Machu](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Machu-Picchu-pitstop-e1490373266203.jpg\")
<\/a>4. Porters are the most badass people you\u2019ll ever meet.<\/strong> Period.<\/strong><\/h2>\n
5. Remedies for altitude sickness<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Inca](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Intrepid-Travel-Peru_Inca_trail_machu_picchu_trek_003.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"Machu](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Peru-heights-e1495234267616.jpg\")
<\/a>6. Do you know what really bugs me\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n
7. In the words of Scar: \u201cBe prepared<\/strong>\u2026\u201d<\/h2>\n
![\"Inca](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Intrepid-Travel-Peru_Inca_trail_machu_picchu_trek_011.jpg\")
<\/a>8. Expect the view to be indescribable<\/h2>\n
![\"Machu](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Machu-Picchu-and-me-e1490373285932.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nWhat is the Machu Picchu trek difficulty?<\/h2>\n