{"id":5352,"date":"2017-02-21T17:16:52","date_gmt":"2017-02-21T16:16:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/?p=5352"},"modified":"2019-04-11T13:06:52","modified_gmt":"2019-04-11T12:06:52","slug":"what-you-need-to-take-for-trekking-to-machu-picchu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/what-you-need-to-take-for-trekking-to-machu-picchu\/","title":{"rendered":"What You Need to Take and to Know About Trekking to Machu Picchu"},"content":{"rendered":"

Preparing for the trek to Machu Picchu, whichever trail you take, can be overwhelming. There\u2019s a wealth of information on the internet, but sorting through it takes a lot of work and can have you pulling out your hair, leaving you feeling more stressed than excited about your awesome upcoming journey.\u00a0<\/span>I want to make things easier for you from beginning to end, so I\u2019ve compiled everything you need to take and to know about hiking to Machu Picchu.<\/strong> And I mean everything: when to book, visas, medication and a downloadable packing list specific to Machu Picchu, Peru.<\/p>\n

\"Machu-Picchu-View\"
Photo credit: Traveloscopy<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Your Booking<\/h2>\n

When to go<\/strong><\/p>\n

Peak season: May to September (especially busy August and September)<\/span><\/p>\n

Shoulder season: mid-March to May; October to mid-November<\/span><\/p>\n

Low season: mid-November to mid-March<\/span><\/p>\n

The Inca Trail is closed every year through the month of February to allow conservation work to take place. So if you were dreaming of a February visit to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail\u2026 well, you can\u2019t do it. Sorry. <\/span><\/p>\n

Generally, the peak season is when most people choose to go: the weather is drier and the temperature is warmer. The low season is the wet season, so although there are few crowds, the trail is much more difficult due to wet and slippery conditions (think mud, lots of mud). That being the case, most people suggest October and May as the best months, striking a more forgiving balance between crowds and weather. <\/span><\/p>\n

When to book<\/strong><\/p>\n

As with many things, the earlier you book, the better. But there is a restriction on how many visitors are allowed on the Inca Trail per year<\/strong> – that and the fact that it\u2019s so popular means that you\u2019ll need to be quicker than usual when booking a tour. You can get away with booking only three to four months in advance, but you\u2019ll notice that there are significantly fewer dates available. It\u2019s advised that you book at least six months in advance to ensure your place on a tour. <\/span><\/p>\n

As a general note, you cannot hike the Inca Trail independently<\/strong>, you have to book a tour. No getting around it, daredevils! <\/span><\/p>\n

Which trail?<\/span><\/p>\n