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Over
every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the
Valley. THEODORE ROETHKE
We advocate sustainable tourism and highly
recommend that you check out the trekking guidelines found at the Inka
Porter Project's website prior to booking your Inca Trail or trekking
experience.
Excellent,
off the beaten track trekking advice, descriptions and explanations.
Want to compare various treks in the Cusco region - then visit Best
Hikes in South America.
Tourism Concern also offers some very interesting
food for thought about Porter's welfare... have a look at their pages
What
you can do and an overview of trekking with porters
around the world
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page Apus Peru
- Trekking Tips within 3 seconds.
- Prepare
yourself for the altitude well by spending at least several days
in a high place (eg. Cusco, Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca) before departing.
(3 to 4 days is ideal).
- Fitness
and acclimatization to altitude are completely different!
You can be very fit but still suffer from the altitude. Also, you
may have been at altitude before and not suffered effects but then
feel it the next time. We really recommend acclimatizing - even to
get your lungs used to breathing the thinner air! (For more specific
information on altitude sickness please see below)
- Fitness.
It depends how fit you are. If you are of moderate fitness then you
should have no problem doing our treks - just take it easy. If you
are not particularly fit, then it might help to do some walking up
hills prior to leaving home.
- Go
at your own pace. It's not a race. Most of our tours have adequate
time for you to take it easy along the trail. We also find it is more
enjoyable to stop and rest frequently, admiring the landscapes than
to arrive in camp early and sit in your tent!
- Everyone
has their own style, but try going up hill taking slow, even steps.
- Make
sure your trekking shoes/boots are well worn in. (Two weeks frequent
wear!) Commonsense really, but there is nothing worse than hiking
with ill-fitting or rubbing shoes. Makes every step agony!
- Take
second skin and your own medical kit. Our own medical kit is well
stocked but it doesn't include "second skin" and maybe not
your preferred type of blister medicine!
- Extra
socks! They are light and easy to carry and can warm your toes
at night as well as help out in the case of ill-fitting shoes
- Walking
sticks.
This is of personal preference. Some people like a walking stick and
others don't. They help with balance going down hill and resting walking
up hill. Colourful sticks are easily bought in Ollantaytambo. (Please
note, they can not be taken into the citadel of Machu Picchu).
- Lollies/
sweets and snacks. In addition to what your guide brings, we would
recommend having some boiled sweets to suck on as you climb up steep
passes. (eg. Barley sugar). It seems to give you energy and take your
mind off it!
- Consider
chewing coca.
Again, personal preference! Mingle with the locals and try an age
old Andean tradition that has somewhat been despoiled by its association
with cocaine. It can give you that little boost to get over the pass
but is an acquired taste.
- Sunglasses.
We generally recommend that you take them! But especially on trips
where there is plenty of snow (Crossing the Cordillera Vilcabamba
& Ausangate) it's a necessity given the risks of snow blindness!
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Altitude sickness
This
information is taken, in part, from this site, The Outdoor Action Guide
to High Altitude
It should not be considered informed medical advice - for this see a
doctor!
When reading this, remember that Cusco city has an altitude of 3399
metres!
Since
few people have been altitude, it is hard to know who may be affected.
There are no specific factors such as age, sex, or physical condition
that correlate with susceptibility to altitude sickness. Some people
get it and some people don't, and some people are more susceptible than
others. Most people can go up to 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) with minimal
effect. If you haven't been to high altitude before, it's important
to be cautious. If you have been at that altitude before with no problem,
you can probably return to that altitude without problems as long as
you are properly acclimatized.
At
elevations over 10,000 feet (3,048 meters), 75% of people will have
mild symptoms. The occurrence of altitude sickness is dependent upon
the elevation, the rate of ascent, and individual susceptibility. Many
people will experience mild AMS during the acclimatization process.
Symptoms usually start 12-24 hours after arrival at altitude and begin
to decrease in severity about the third day. The symptoms of Mild AMS
are headache, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of appetite,
nausea, disturbed sleep, and a general feeling of malaise. Symptoms
tend to be worse at night and when respiratory drive is decreased. Mild
AMS does not interfere with normal activity and symptoms generally subside
within 2-4 days as the body acclimatizes. As long as symptoms are mild,
and only a nuisance, ascent can continue at a moderate rate. When hiking,
it is essential that you communicate any symptoms of illness immediately
to others on your trip.
Prevention
of altitude illnesses falls into two categories, proper acclimatization
and preventive medications. Below are a few basic guidelines for proper
acclimatization.
- If
possible, don't fly or drive to high altitude. Start below 10,000
feet (3,048 meters) and walk up.
- If
you do fly or drive, do not over-exert yourself or move higher for
the first 24 hours.
- If
you go above 10,000 feet (3,048 meters), only increase your altitude
by 1,000 feet (305 meters) per day and for every 3,000 feet (915 meters)
of elevation gained, take a rest day.
- "Climb
High and sleep low." This is the maxim used by climbers. You
can climb more than 1,000 feet (305 meters) in a day as long as you
come back down and sleep at a lower altitude.
- Keep
in mind that different people will acclimatize at different rates.
Make sure all of your party is properly acclimatized before going
higher.
- Stay
properly hydrated. Acclimatization is often accompanied by fluid loss,
so you need to drink lots of fluids to remain properly hydrated (at
least 3-4 quarts per day). Urine output should be copious and clear.
- Take
it easy; don't over-exert yourself when you first get up to altitude.
Light activity during the day is better than sleeping because respiration
decreases during sleep, exacerbating the symptoms.
- Avoid
tobacco and alcohol and other depressant drugs including, barbiturates,
tranquilizers, and sleeping pills. These depressants further decrease
the respiratory drive during sleep resulting in a worsening of the
symptoms.
- Eat
a high carbohydrate diet (more than 70% of your calories from carbohydrates)
while at altitude.
- The
acclimatization process is inhibited by dehydration, over-exertion,
and alcohol and other depressant drugs.
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