Fitness Level Required for Treks in Peru

[amberdawn]

My dad and I just finished the trail...it was the most challenging thing for us, but you have to want it badly enough! Our guide kept telling us Don't let the mountain beat you. I agree that stairmaster and cardio can prepare you some, but its the general fatigue (42kms in about 20-24 hours total) and altitude that get you (try that stairmaster with a bag over your head!)...We made it though (pre-trip we thought we were decently fit...now not so much! haha!) and you will too! Day two took us 9 hours!

As for medical stuff...we had a member of our group sprain his ankle and rode back down on horseback...Guides carry basic first aid kits, don't know what happens if something more serious occurs,but I'm sure there are contingency plans. Just walk at your own pace...slowly and carefully.

[wcinro]

My husband and I are taking the trip to Peru in May 2009 and are thinking of doing the Inca Trail--he's 72 and I'm 65. Thanks for putting all the candid comments and tips into this post. With the proper "training" program up front, we should have minimal problems with ourselves on the trail.

[Sinaqua]

Hola, I did the Incan Trail in September. I'm 33 year old female with bad knees, I consider myself athletic, I swim 1 mile every other day.

For me, day 2 was the worst, because it was all up hill in forms of steps or inclines. If you have bad knees, make sure to wear the proper braces. I wore knee braces on both of my knees days 2,3 & 4. A major brace for my really bad right knee and a minor one for the left for support. Going downhill for me wasn't a issue with my knees, however, most of the group who were older then me with bad knees didn't have any issues going up, but they had to take it slow going down to the camp after dead woman's pass. I was able to go fairly fast downhill.

The altitude made you feel like a fish out of water trying to suck in the oxygen. I had it worst than most, because our guide Ruben shared his head cold with me, so that didn't help matters!

I agree with the previous posters that anyone going on this hike should do some conditioning before they go. I walked 2-4 miles every day, some outside and did at least 2 miles on the 10 incline on the treadmill at the gym 3 days a week to help prepare my knees, feet and lungs. I should have done more on the stairclimber, I try to avoid it because the knees don't like it, but it would have helped me more in the long run.

Our guide basically said take your time, it's not a race, you'll finish when you finish. Don't worry about everyone else. I took my time and took loads of photos along the way. You can see what to expect if you check out my photos at http://bolivaperusept6192008.shutterfly.com/. I have the trip broken down by days so you can get an good idea of the trail conditions. Hope you laugh at my photo when I did finally get up to dead woman's pass, I did feel like a dead woman upon arrival but after a 1/2 hour break I was good to go!

You can do it, you just have to try!

I also made sure to bring some asprian or an anti-inflamitory for pain. Personally I packed my IcyHot gel for the muscles, it's stinky, but it came in handy after I finished day 2, I put it on just before going to bed to detour any muscle cramps.

[wcinro]

Thanks, all good advice.

[congo55]

A note to encourage all the oldies out there. I am a 76 year old male and completed the Inca Trail hike in November 2008. The last few hundred metres over the Dead Womans Pass on day 2 was a bit of a puff - but message is slowly, slowly - monitor your pulse. I was passing younger folk, mostly smokers, having a rough time. Watch your knees on descent on other side - we (young and old) had a tough time going down on good old Inca trail engineering with wet and slippery granite steps. Two hiking poles essential. The trail and Machu Picchu were some of the best highlights in my travels through 121 countries. Enjoy.
Old Andy

[RichieRich]

Way to go Andy! I'm 34 and I just completed the hike and really glad I did it now. I would not like to do the hike at 46, never mind 76.

[wcinro]

My husband and I are taking the trip to Peru in May 2009 and are thinking of doing the Inca Trail--he's 72 and I'm 65. Thanks for putting all the candid comments and tips into this post. With the proper "training" program up front, we should have minimal problems with ourselves on the trail.

Well, we did the Inca Trail and though it was challenging, we completed the trip. Our guides were more than helpful, but as many people have said on this forum, if you have the will power and the stamina, you can do this trek. Although we're in good shape for people our age, we are "our age." Nothing changes that. But if you have doubts about doing the IT, put them away and put one foot in front of the other and enjoy the trip. You'll never regret it.

[JaliscoJudy]

My husband and I are taking the trip to Peru in May 2009 and are thinking of doing the Inca Trail--he's 72 and I'm 65. Thanks for putting all the candid comments and tips into this post. With the proper "training" program up front, we should have minimal problems with ourselves on the trail.

Well, we did the Inca Trail and though it was challenging, we completed the trip. Our guides were more than helpful, but as many people have said on this forum, if you have the will power and the stamina, you can do this trek. Although we're in good shape for people our age, we are "our age." Nothing changes that. But if you have doubts about doing the IT, put them away and put one foot in front of the other and enjoy the trip. You'll never regret it.

Thanks wcinro and congo55! I share all these posts with my husband, who I'm trying to convince that we can do this.

[chillout71]

Hi all, I am thinking of doing the Inca Trail in June/July this year. I am reasonably fit, 38, go to the gym etc and have just done the Queen Charlotte trek in NZ (71km) so that aspect doesn't worry me. Just wanted to know, what is the width of the track like? I get vertigo if it's narrow and slippery with steep unprotected drops and if it's like that, I'm not sure how well I would cope! QC track was certainly up high (relative to NZ) but it was always at least a metre wide so vertigo not an issue! Any advice would be great!!

[IncaTrail50]

My husband and I hiked the Inca Trail for our 50th birthdays. I also have a big problem with heights. Over the four days of hiking I only really had a problem with a few places, maybe a total of 20-30 minutes overall, split into small episodes of a few minutes each. There are definitely some steep drops but remember, you are surrounded by FABULOUS views! Look up and around you and the fear goes away. Most of the Inca Trail is wide and there is a lot of vegetation even on the "drop-off" sides so you don't have a feeling of being perched on a cliff! Believe me, I almost decided not to go because of my fear. I spent some time on the upstairs landing in my house, looking over the railing and thinking I couldn't POSSIBLY walk somewhere so much higher up without the protection of a railing! I was so wrong. The view along the trail is breath-taking and well worth the brief minutes of height-type fear along the way. Go and do the hike!

[xwordman]

My two cents: Ritu, I was in no better shape than you--and I was older--but I did the Inca Trail and enjoyed it. The most important thing, for me anyway, was being in the Cuzco area 5-6 days ahead of time to do day hikes and acclimatize. To the extent possible, do some training on stairs and take at least one hiking pole with you: even if you don't have much upper body strength, you will be able to use what you have to share the work. Like everyone says, the better shape you are in, the more you will be able to enjoy the scenery. Dead Woman's Pass is hard but thousands and thousands of us deskjockeys have made it up and over. Have a great time!

[leahlovestravel]

okay, looking for some reassurance I can do this hike. I am leaving for Peru at the end of May to do the Trail June 1st. I am 46. I work in a restaurant so am on my feet a lot and not a desk jockey but definitely not an athlete. I know today I'm not in shape to do the trail but have started to train on a stairmaster and have 5 months to work on my fitness level.
Now I've read a post in another thread from someone who has recently done the Inca Trail and it is so negative about it, saying if you aren't in excellent shape then to take the train instead. I find myself having doubts now so would like some feedback. Can it really be that bad?
I am going on this trip solo and want to feel confident when I leave. Not my first solo with G but haven't done this activity level before so its a big step for me.
Just want to be realistic about what I'm getting into I guess.

[graybeard]

Leah....

Ignore the poster that recommends the train over the hike!!! It was posted within the context of the risk of some GI distress while in Peru. I did the trail in June of 2009 and loved it. I was 61 at the time. Yes, it is a better idea to be in some sort of shape, but overall, it is not a huge ordeal or anything like that. While it is not a "wilderness" experience since you are hiking a trail that people have lived along for several thousand years (and still do), the scenery is stunning, the daily archeological sites interesting and the G cooks feed you well. Just make sure you use a good pair of hiking boots/shoes of whatever you are used to. NO NEW BOOTS! These equal blisters. YES to hiking poles (they can be rented in Cusco). The actual daily hiking distances are not all that long and it is only Day 2 that the altitude is on the high side for a flat-lander. (I'm from Colorado and am comfortable at altitude.) Indeed, it is more attitude than altitude. The "train people" miss the views of MP at sunrise.

In short - Do IT! You will not regret it.

[leahlovestravel]

Thanks Graybeard
Even though I really want to do it (and I am), I guess it's natural to have a random moment of self doubt...but my deposit is down and I'm going to give it 100%.
And thanks for the tips, I have bought my boots already so I can start working them in!
Cheers!

[ballu]

The more in shape you are, the more you'll enjoy it. I didn't train at all...I had a sprained ankle and there were many moments while hiking I hated it. Actually there were 5 straight hours while climbing up Dead Woman's Pass...but I would do it all again tomorrow. It was an amazing and unforgettable experience.

Is it easy? No. Is the pain worth it? Yes.