7 important safety tips for anyone hiking the Inca Trail

One of the most common – and yet avoidable – mistakes made by trekkers of the Inca Trail is to start hiking without having first properly acclimatised. They then suffer altitude sickness, which is yucky at best, and debilitating at worst.

If you look at the elevation map of the Inca Trail below, you'll see that the entire trek takes place above 3,000 m (9,800 ft) above sea level, which is the elevation from which altitude sickness generally strikes.

Of course not everyone develops altitude sickness at this elevation, nor does everyone develop it as badly. But altitude sickness is known to be fairly random in its choice of victims, so there's a good chance it could find you out, even if you're a thirty-something elite athlete.

The Inca Trail is pretty challenging even without adding the high altitude to the mix, so you want to ensure you only have to focus on hiking and not on also fighting nasty altitude sickness symptoms. You can ensure this by:

You climb above 4,000 m on the Inca Trail

The city of Cusco, where basically everyone congregates before starting the Inca Trail, is 3,399 m (11,152 ft) above sea level (ASL). It's actually far higher than Machu Picchu – which is 2,430 m (7,970 ft) ASL – which everyone thinks of as being high in the mountains (which it is!). But the point here is that you shouldn't overlook how high you must travel before you even start the Inca Trail.

Alpacas can be seen with locals within the city of Cusco

So if you're coming to Cusco from a lower altitude – like Lima, perhaps – then you really need to give yourself time to acclimatise to the altitude before starting the Inca Trail. We recommend spending at least two nights in Cusco before heading to the Inca Trail. This is because altitude sickness symptoms tend to take 24 to 48 hours to abate.

Visit your doctor before heading to Peru and explain that you're going to do a high-altitude trek. They can prescribe you with an altitude medication like acetazolamide or promethazine which helps your body adjust better to high altitude. A well-known brand of acetazolamide is Diamox.

Many people think "Nah, I'll be fine" and then feel really yucky after a little while in Cusco. So you might want to consider playing it safe.

We also recommend bringing some standard medications for treating the symptoms of altitude sickness, which include headaches, dizziness, nausea, diarrhoea and insomnia.

Three medications we recommend packing to combat some of the common symptoms of altitude sickness are:

Finally, note that water helps to alleviate the symptoms of altitude sickness. So drink plenty of clean water (not water from the tap, or faucet, as this could cause an upset stomach).

Cusco Cathedral forms part of the city's Plaza de Armas

Some hotels have hyperbaric chambers you can lay in to benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). HBOT helps get more oxygen into your bloodstream, which in turn aids in your acclimatisation.

Of course, don't expect hyperbaric chambers at most hotels. But if you think this is something you'd like to have as an option should you develop altitude sickness, you could look into staying at such a hotel.

If you're feeling unwell from the high altitude at Cusco, be sure to avoid alcohol and cigarettes. Also don't exercise. And don't travel any higher. The very best thing you can do it to rest plenty, and even try to sleep it off a bit if you can.

Arguably the most important choice you must make when signing up for the Inca Trail is which tour operator to use. This is because your tour operator is responsible for your safety and well-being throughout the adventure.

The topic of how to choose a tour operator is a big one, as there are various things to consider, so we'll address it fully in another post. But just from the point of view of safety on the Inca Trail, we think it's worth your time to investigate the following:

Firstly, look at the company's website and see what they have to say about the safety policy and protocols. You shouldn't have to search hard to find this literature if the company takes trekker safety seriously.

Next, look on the website for answers to the following questions, or message directly to ask them:

* Note that you want your lead guide to have a recognised and up-to-date wilderness first responder (WFR) certification. This is the highest non-medical certification on the market. And it assures you that they're able to act appropriately in various types of emergencies.

You also want to find out what sort of camp setup is provided by the tour operator you're considering using. It's important that the tents provided will keep you sheltered and dry in heavy rain.

Ensure you choose a trekking company that provides quality sleeping tents

Nights on the Inca Trail can be very cold (though usually nowhere near below freezing point), and wind and rain are common.

You want to find out where the drinking water given to you on the trek is sourced, and how it's sterilised. Also, try to find out if the trek cook uses sterilised water in food preparation? Either way, you might opt to avoid eating any uncooked veggies on the trek just to be safe. And consider peeling all fruits before eating them.

Finally, while it's not an essential, we think tour operators that provide their clients with a private chemical toilet housed in a little tent offer a more hygienic experience. The public toilets are, unfortunately, not very sanitary.

While your Inca Trail guides are there to keep you safe, you also need to play your part. This means communicating regularly with them about how you're feeling.

Note that while most guides speak Quechua as their first language, many speak Spanish, and they all speak English too. But it doesn't hurt to confirm this before making a booking with a tour operator just to be sure.

On the Inca Trail, you tackle some long, tough climbs. In a few places, the steps are so steep that many employ their hands, so it's more like scrambling!

There are some very steep sections on the Inca Trail!

You also face some very challengingly steep descents. Some are along dirt trails, others involve the historic stone steps installed by the Incas themselves. These steps can be jarring to the knees, and that's why we suggest that you bring trekking poles with you when doing the Inca Trail.

We also suggest that you do some stretching throughout the trek to avoid waking up the next morning overly stiff. And you might also consider packing a supplement that helps to prevent or mitigate muscle stiffness or joint pain.

If you're new to trekking, you might like to read Trekking tips for beginners. We discuss not only how to train, but also what gear and clothing works best, how to hike to conserve your energy, and more.

The two main items you need pack to help you navigate the Inca Trail safely are trekking boots and trekking poles.

As we discuss in Your complete packing list for trekking to Machu Picchu, you need proper waterproof (or water-resistant) trekking boots for the trek. Regular sneakers just won't cut it.

Rain and mist are common even in the drier season

Firstly, trekking boots have deep lugs allowing for good traction. Secondly, they have thick toe caps that can prevent injury to your toes. And thirdly, standard trekking boots also cover the ankle to offer support should you roll your foot or similar at any point.

Be sure to wear in your boots properly, so that they're comfortable. You don't want to risk developing blisters; you can learn more on this topic in How to prevent (and treat) foot blisters when trekking.

Trekking poles are also a must on the Inca Trail, as we mentioned earlier. They help to minimise the impact on your knees when you're tackling the many consecutive steep steps that you find on certain sections of the trail.

On one section of the trail, for instance, you descend 500 metres in elevation in the space of just two kilometres. That's very steep.

Trekking poles help you to safely navigate difficult sections of the trail

Trekking poles are also very helpful when you're navigating rocky and uneven sections of the trail. Also, when the path is muddy and the rocks are wet and slick, trekking poles are an assurance against slipping and falling.

If you'd like advice on what trekking poles are best, please read How to choose and use trekking poles.

It's vital that you be prepared for rain and mist on the Inca Trail, even if you trek during the drier months of the year. The Andes are known for changeable weather, and rain can come on suddenly. So you need to have the right gear to stay dry.

Waterproof trekking boots are really important, as they ensure your feet don't get wet and cold. Wet feet and socks are also more prone to blistering.

You also want to pack waterproof overpants that you can easily pull over your trousers. And a waterproof jacket.

Rain gear is an essential part of your Inca Trail equipment

When it comes to keeping your backpack dry, you can either wear a poncho or carry a fitted backpack rain cover. Either way, you want to ensure your rain gear is ready to hand so that it's easy to whip and put in place.

As for the cold nights, be sure to bring a quality winter sleeping bag, or rent one in Cusco. Check if your tour operator provides a sleeping mat, otherwise bring one yourself, as this helps to insulate you from the cold ground.

Finally, we want to mention that you should always have your passport on your person. This isn't really an Inca Trail safety issue per say, but it's still a good piece of advice, for two reasons.

Firstly, pickpocketing is an issue in Peru. This is much less the case on the Inca Trail, but it's always better to play it safe. And when you're in Cusco before the trek, and the town of Aguas Calientes at the end, this tip is especially important.

Secondly, the Inca Trail is monitored closely by officials to avoid people hiking without permits. You need to be able to present your passport when requested to do so. Failing to show it could present all sorts of headaches. So it's important that you have it with you at all times versus having popped into your duffel bag which is being transported by a porter somewhere else on the trail.

You can learn more about permits in Everything you need to know about Inca Trail permits and fees.

We hope that our above seven safety tips for hiking the Inca Trail have been helpful! You're now armed with what you need to know have a fantastic and safe adventure in the Andes!