As anyone who has been on an expedition like this before will tell you, preparation is absolutely key. The Inca Trail itself is at least four days (although experts recommend taking five), plus you’ll probably want to do some other exploring while you’re there. This means you should ensure your trekking equipment is top-notch and includes, at the bare minimum, a solid pair of hiking boots, a sturdy rucksack, and something in which to store plenty of water. Good equipment can make the difference between a challenging but enjoyable experience, or a downright rotten one. You’ll certainly come back fitter than when you left! It goes without saying that you’ll see some incredible sights, so you’ll probably want a camera to capture them with. Most modern phones have great cameras, but you may wish to invest in something a little pricier that has features like RAW capabilities and a telephoto zoom. 

Although the Inca Trail is a guided tour, it stands to reason that you might want to follow your location as you go along. GPS, or global positioning system, is really important here, as it’s the technology all map and location devices use to pinpoint your whereabouts as you explore the world. An app such as GPS Status & Toolbox will lock onto your position in seconds and provide an accurate reading wherever you are. When not on the official Trail, you may want to take yourself off on any number of hiking routes across the beautiful Peru landscape. Again, there is where it’s important to understand your location at all times – getting lost in the Peruvian wilderness probably isn’t recommended! 

You will likely fly into the country’s capital, Lima, as your first port of call before moving onto Cusco, the nearest city to Machu Picchu. Lima in itself is a brilliantly vibrant city and you may want to spend some time here before moving on. Getting around is pretty easy, but it’s a big city so you may need some help. Lima taxis are reasonably cheap and buses are simple enough to get a hold of, and you’ll find yourself seeing large parts of the city in a day or two. If you’re heading out into other parts of the country, you may want to consider ridesharing. Far safer than it may have been decades ago, you can safely and cheaply get to where you want to get with a local driver who is going in the same direction. If you fancy the challenge of learning a little Spanish, it puts the country at your fingertips.