Welcome to the step by step guide to camping on the Inca Trail. Here, you will find out everything that you need to know about this famous trek to Machu Picchu.
What is the camping on the Inca Trail like?
The camping on the Inca Trail depends on which operator you book with. But it can be very comfortable indeed.
Clients regularly tell us our camping is far more comfortable than they expected. Read on to find out more.
1:How big are the tents when camping on the Inca Trail?
3 person tent for 2 people
2 person tents as a single
We use Eureka tents.
Check out: Our Treks into Machu Picchu! The best way to avoid the crowds, with fixed departure reduced price available!
2:Are mattresses and sleeping bags provided for camping on the Inca Trail?
A thick full-length Thermarest inflatable mattress is included.
Sleeping bags are available for hire at 10U$ per day- made by Eureka or Alps or Thermarest- including a pillow and removable fleece liner. Or you can bring your own bag.
3: What are the Toilets like on the Inca Trail Campsites?
We provide a portable toilet and tent, complete with toilet roll and hand washing station.
4: Where Do We Eat When Camping on the Inca Trail?
Provided tables, seats, in a dining tent with a separate cook tent
5. Who carries my luggage?
On the Inca Trail, we use porters. You are allowed 5 kilos plus a sleeping bag. You will be given a duffel bag for the porter to carry your 5 kilos. There are strict rules about how much they can carry, and about the number of porters per group. There are weigh stations throughout the trek to enforce this.
Remember the porters also carry all the camping equipment and their own kit within the total weight limit they are allowed.
On other treks, we use a combination of mules and vehicles so you are allowed a maximum of 8 kilos per person.
Check out: Our Treks into Machu Picchu! The best way to avoid the crowds, with fixed departure reduced price available!
6: What will I eat?
Each trip takes a well-trained chef to provide you with healthy and nutritious meals. Our menus are designed by Miki, our head chef, who has worked in some of the best restaurants in Cusco. Each year we run a 1-week training course for our cooks, re-enforcing food hygiene and updating our menus.
We are able to cater to most dietary requirements if you inform us at the time of booking.
We provide breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner when camping.
Sample menus include:
Starters
- Wantan Soup
- Pumpkin Soup
- Quinoa Soup
Main courses
- Chicken with a Sauco Reduction
- Lomo Saltado
- Rolled Trout
Desserts
- Flambéed bananas
- Mango pudding
- Pears poached in spiced red wine
7: What drinks are included?
Teas, herbal teas, fresh coffee, and juices are provided with meals.
8: What about drinking water?
We provide refills of purified water in camp and at lunchtime.
Please bring refillable drinking bottles with a total capacity of 2 litres. So 2 bottles of 1 litre each, or 3 bottles of 700ml.
We do not provide single-use plastic water bottles and encourage you not to buy them either. As members of Travelers Against Plastic, we are committed to avoiding the problems they create.
9: Is lunch included the day we visit Machu Picchu?
We include a tasty lunch after your Machu Picchu guided tour
10: Which hotel do we stay at in Machu Picchu?
Our treks that go to Machu Picchu include a night in the Inkaterra El Mapi hotel. If not available, we will replace with a hotel of a similar standard.
We can upgrade to Inkaterra Pueblo or Belmond Sanctuary Lodge for an extra cost
11. What time do we visit Machu Picchu?
We aim to arrive at Machu Picchu for the 8 am slot. Tickets are now sold for specific slots, and we have found this to be the ideal time for our trekkers.
Check out: Our Treks into Machu Picchu! The best way to avoid the crowds, with fixed departure reduced price available!
12. But I thought there was a great sunrise at Machu Picchu?
That is a myth. The site faces the wrong direction, and there are also huge mountains in the way. It merely gets light. By choosing the 8 am slot, we avoid the ridiculous queue that forms for people wanting to be in first thing. And you also get to enjoy the breakfast that is included in your hotel stay.
13: What train do I come back on?
A Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy and then a transfer to Cusco. If you wish to travel back on the Hiram Bingham we can arrange this but it costs quite a bit extra. And you will also get back to Cusco later.
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