4-Day Inca Trail Hike To Machu Picchu, Peru

Peru is made up of 3 distinct geographical areas: the coast, the mountains and the jungle.

The costa or coastal region is a narrow ribbon of desert 2,250 km long, crossed by fertile river valleys flowing from the Andes. It takes up 11% of the country and holds more than 40% of the population.

The cold Humboldt current gives rise to a blanket of mist – the garua – which hangs above coastal cities like the capital Lima from May to November.

Heading east, you’re soon climbing above the garua and into the Andes. The sierra, or mountainous region, covers some 25% of Peru’s territory and contains 50% of the population. The sierra inhabitants are mainly Indigenous or Mestizo, and many still speak Quechua or Aymara.

The sierra contains dozens of 6,000-metre snow peaks and volcanoes, including Huascaran (6,768m) the highest mountain in the tropics. The deep valley basins contain most of the towns and arable land; the terracing and canal systems of the Incas and pre-Incas are often still used today.

The eastern Andes are heavily forested up to 3,350m and sweep down into the Amazon Basin.

Peru’s selva or jungle makes up almost two thirds of the country’s area, but holds only about 6% of the population: the only towns with significant populations are Iquitos and Pucallpa.

Peru is the perfect holiday destination for adventure travellers that want an amazing variety of activity, geography and cultural travel experiences.

The breadth of travel experiences in Peru is breathtaking – from trekking in the Andes to Machu Picchu to the tropical jungle of the Amazon, and plenty in between.

The people of Peru make it a special destination too, with its colourful and traditional street life and friendly locals.

Good kit is vital for every trip.

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Overview

When planning for the climatic conditions encountered in the High Andes, layering is the most practical and versatile clothing system. It’s worth remembering that our clothing keeps us warm by retaining and isolating the heat we ourselves create.

To best maintain body heat, several layers of lightweight, warm and quick-drying clothing are far more efficient than one or two thick layers. Layers should have the following qualities:

• Breathability (able to wick away the humidity produced by sweat)
• Isolation (able to keep in the warm air our body produces)
• Impermeability (able to impede the passing of wind and water)

First (base) layer: This layer wicks the sweat away from our skin, thus helping keep the body dry and warm. To this end, synthetic fabrics such as polypropylene should be used.

Mid layers: These isloating layers should also be synthetic (e.g. the known polar linings such as polartec or windblock, which are light and insulate twice as well as wool). Very important layers for retaining body heat.

Outer layer / shell: Finally, the vital layer which protects us from climatic adversities. A breathable, wind-proof and waterproof anorak, such as Goretex.

Give plenty of thought to kit selection, and try to keep weight down.

We provide thermarests on the trek but you have to bring (or RENT, please ask) a sleeping bag (-5ºC).

We also carry an extensive first aid kit & oxygen on all trips, but these are generally for emergencies only.

Detailed kit list

• 2 pairs synthetic inner socks (e.g. polypropylene, thermastat, coolmax) and 2 pairs thick loop-stitch/wool socks for cold
• Trekking boots – should be well broken-in, waterproof and provide good ankle support
• Trainers/sandals for city-wear, evenings at lower camps & river crossings
• Base layer leggings (1 pair)
• Thick fleece leggings (or salopettes) (1 pair)
• Goretex-type over-trousers (or salopettes) (1 pair)
• Trekking trousers (2 pairs)
• Shorts – wear sparingly in early stages at altitude, as sun burns
• Thermal base layer shirts (2)
• Microfleece mid-layer shirt (1)
• Shirt/t-shirt 1 or 2 for lower altitudes. Long-sleeved, collared shirt protects against sun
• Fleece jacket or similar (1)
• Warm jacket (down or synthetic) for camp and upper slopes
• Waterproof Goretex-type jacket
• Broad-brimmed sunhat, essential
• Warm hat, fleece or wool (N.B. Up to 30% of body heat can be lost through the head)
• Sunglasses with UV filter
• Scarf for cold
• Bandanna – to protect neck from strong sun
• Light inner gloves
• Warm gloves, e.g. fleece, and outer waterproof gloves or mittens (1 pair)
• Mittens allow you to keep the fingers together, and better conserve heat (though they also make it difficult to perform certain tasks)
• Daypack (at least 30 litres). Comfortable and with waterproof lining or cover
• Pair of telescopic trekking poles (optional, can be rented, please ask). Note: You must have rubber tips on your poles
• Duffel bag or large rucksack for extra clothing, carried by horse/mule/porter while you are trekking
• Water bottle (2 litres approx.) & purification tablets
• Personal first-aid kit to include: painkillers, plasters (band-aids), moleskin, anti-biotic cream, general antibiotics (ask your GP), after-bite (tiger balm), anti-diarrhoea tablets, throat lozenges, re-hydration salts & personal medication
• Insect repellent
• Towel & wash-kit
• Wet wipes/antiseptic hand-wash cream
• Sunscreen (factor 30+) and lip salve
• Head-lamp (plus spare bulb and batteries)
• Penknife
• Travel alarm clock
• Plastic bags – ‘Zip-loc’ & tough bin liners
• Camera and film / memory cards (take at least twice the amount you think you will need!)
• Book, e-book, mp3 player/ipod or other for free time
• Binoculars
• Spanish/English phrasebook
• Extra snacks i.e. cereal bars or favourite chocolate bars
• All other non-personal trekking camping gear e.g. tents, cutlery etc is provided

Miscellaneous others

• Money belt
• Passport
• U.S. dollars cash, mixed-denomination notes, undamaged and unmarked
• ATM cash/credit card
• Any inoculation certificates
• Personal & medical insurance certificates
• Presents e.g. Postcards from home
• Comfortable clothes for travel
• Smart clothes for night life

You can also read about the weather of Peru in our blog.

You can also read about the weather of Peru in our blog.

Peru is located in the southern tropics (latitudes 0º to 18º), but climate varies significantly according to season, altitude and region.

Lima & the coast

From May to October, Lima is often overcast, but with minimal precipitation. There are sunny spells, and it’s a fresh to pleasant 13-20ºC.

At the same time, inland areas and the north coast mid to high 20’s ºC.

November to April is generally warm and sunny and Lima enjoys warm temperature of 19-25ºC, with the coast averaging 22-30ºC.

The Andes

Climate depends largely on altitude. As a rule of thumb, below 2,000m climate is mild and above 2,000m warm clothing is required for evenings, nights and early mornings.

The Andean sun is very strong.

May to Oct (dry season in The Andes)

Cusco (3,300m): Average max/min temps: 22ºC /2ºC. Average 3 or 4 wet days per month.

Arequipa (2,380m): Average max/min temps: 26ºC /9ºC. Sunny more than 340 days/year with minimal precipitation.

On highland treks: Conditions are generally dry. However, at this time of year, expect a range of conditions within a single day: cold/freezing nights at camps above 4,000m, where pre-dawn temperatures can be -5ºC; warm, spring-like mornings and afternoons; and cold evenings.

Note that mountain weather can be fickle and localised, and that precipitation is not unknown in the dry season. Expect temperatures to swing between sun and shade, sheltered and exposed ground and with altitude gain and loss. A quick-setting sun means temperatures drop fast.

In the cloud forest, e.g. around Machu Picchu, daytime conditions are generally warm or hot, and evenings cool.

Nov to March/April (wet season in The Andes)

Cusco: Average max/min temps: 23ºC /6ºC. Average 13 wet days per month.

Arequipa: Average max/min temps: 25ºC /14ºC.

On highland treks: Wetter conditions, with cooler days and milder nights than dry season. Jan-Mar usually the wettest months.

The Amazon rainforest

Year-round, weather conditions are hot and humid and there is always the risk of rain.

There is a ‘dry season’ in Tambopata and Manu between May and October. The average daytime high temperature is between 25°C and 34°C and the average nighttime low is between 16°C and 22°C. Heavy downpours typically occur every few days.

Around 80% of annual average rainfall – approx 2,000 mm in Manu and Tambopata and 1,400 mm in Iquitos – occurs in the wet season Nov-April.

On rare occasions, between May and September, cold fronts from Argentina – ‘friajes’ – can sweep into southwest Amazonia and push temperatures down to 9°C. (Friajes usually last between 1 and 3 days).