Plan exploreInca Trail to Machu Picchu
Choose the best hiking boots
choose the best hiking bootsIf you’re gearing up for a hike, the most important piece of gear you can buy is a good pair of hiking boots. On Peruvian trails, you’ll likely tackle lenghty and uneven terrain strewn with rocks and roots. So you need sturdy but comfortable footwear to protect your feet and provide plenty of support and traction. However, choosing hiking boots isn’t always easy. From size to style, there is a lot to choose from. Here we give you four tips to help you choose the best hiking boots for Machu Picchu and other Peru treks. This way you’ll make sure your feet stay comfortable and happy.
1. Get only quality footwear
Gear can be expensive, but it’s critical to invest in high-quality shoes and boots. If you go with something cheap, it’s more likely that seams or fabrics will leak, rip, or tear, and the outsole might wear down quickly. Your best bet is to buy the type of top-notch footwear found at specialty outdoor stores and footwear stores. Also, shop well in advance of a trip so you’ll have time to break them in. This will help prevent blisters on the trail. To break in the boots, begin with brief hikes and work up to wearing them for long periods of time.
2. Waterproof or non-waterproof?
Choosing waterproof or not will depend on where and how you plan to use the footwear. If you plan to trek in the rain or cross lots of streams in cool or cold conditions, consider buying waterproof shoes. In contrast, waterproof shoes can feel very annoying when it’s warm and humid. Also, in warm, dry areas, a waterproof shoe will make your feet hotter. So, think about the conditions you’ll face for the majority of your trails.
3. Try and test the hiking boots
It might seem obvious, but give yourself plenty of time to try some different styles and multiple sizes. As you try on each pair of hiking boots, give them the size test to be sure they’re the best fit for you. Take time to walk around for several minutes to get a feel for any potential trouble areas, like any uncomfortable pressure points or tightness. Due to natural swelling and the need to stabilize with your toes, you should have some wiggle room in the toe box.
4. Choose the right cut
Hiking boots come in different cuts, and this should especially be tailored to your type of trekking. The wrong cut could cause a rolled ankle or rocks in your shoes. If you carry a daypack or a load of 30 pounds or less, you can usually wear a low-cut shoe for hiking. If you prefer more ankle support, you can also try a mid-cut shoe that rises a bit above the ankle. But, most backpackers carrying more than 30 pounds need a full boot, because it will offer the rigidity and midsole structure needed to bear a heavy load. If you want to do trekking in Peru, in Explorandes we offer the best trails to Machu Picchu, Choquequirao and Salkantay. To learn more about us, please contact us.
Plan exploreDestino Cusco
this season featured experiences
HIKING&TREKKING
inca trail to machu picchuThis 5-day journey begins at Km 82, the marker that signifies the start of the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Our highly trained guides, who are deeply familiar with these ancient Inca footpaths, will expertly lead us through the magnificent Andean terrain. Along the way, we’ll traverse breathtaking high alpine passes, lush valleys, dense cloud forests, and rushing rivers. We’ll pass through ancient Inca remains of Andean settlements, ultimately arriving at Machu Picchu via Inti Punku (the Sun Gate). Each night, our team of porters and skilled cooks will have a delicious hot meal and a comfortable camp already set up for your convenience. Since we highly value sustainable tourism, we’ll have very little impact on the land, communities, and environment we encounter along the trail, and we will also take steps to enjoy a tranquil hike, avoiding crowds of fellow trekkers. On the final day, a guided tour of the citadel will bring Machu Picchu to life, as we explore and immerse ourselves in the magic and beauty of this ancient, mystical site. Our version of the Inca trail to Machu Picchu trek is truly an unforgettable experience you’ll reminisce about for years to come.
March - December
5 days / 4 nights
From
$ 1290
/ Per PersonHIKING&TREKKING
huayhuash trekThe Huayhuash Trek is an amazing journey to the very heart of the Cordillera Huayhuash, the second highest tropical mountain range in the world. A trekker's paradise, this terrain is remote, wild, and stunningly beautiful. The film Touching the Void, the tale of climbers Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, was made about their harrowing experience as the first mountaineers to scale Siula Grande, which is part of this mountain range. This version of the Huayhuash trek crosses six high passes over 4500 m (14,763 ft) and two that are higher than 5000 m (16,404 ft)! Throughout the 12 days of the trek, we camp next to stunningly beautiful alpine lakes and in broad, grassy valleys replete with wildflowers and rushing alpine creeks, while basking in the imposing presence of the White Mountains looming over us, with peaks at elevations above 5000 m (16,404 ft) and 6000 m (19,685 ft). At least three days of acclimatization hikes in the area are strongly recommended to be able to enjoy the trek.
April - October
12 days / 11 nights
From
$ 1750
/ Per PersonHIKING&TREKKING
ancascocha trek & the short inca trailNational Geographic Magazine has rated this Inca Trail alternative trek as one of the top hikes in the world! This Ancascocha Trek & the Short Inca Trail is truly the road less traveled by, for those who crave time away from crowds, amidst the beauty of nature. The journey begins at the Parpishu Footbridge and ascends amidst the dramatic backdrop of Mts. Salkantay and Verónica. Crossing through rugged terrain, remote mountain communities, ancient ruins, and diverse ecosystems for around 37 km (23 mi), the trek culminates at the village of Camicancha, near Km 77 on the railroad tracks to Machu Picchu. On day 4, we will board the train to Km 104 to walk along the pathway that covers the final stretch of the Inca Trail, where you will have a taste of the famous longer Inca Trail hike, and the thrill of entering Machu Picchu through Inti Punku, the Gate of the Sun. On our last day of the Ancascocha Trek & the Short Inca Trail, we will spend time exploring Machu Picchu, one of the ancient wonders of the world.
March - December
5 days / 4 nights
From
$ 1290
/ Per PersonHIKING&TREKKING
running the inca trails - choquequirao to machu picchuOn this run, we will traverse an incredible Inca highway consisting of over 125 km (77.7 mi) of ancient roads. The activities include trail running, enjoying the tranquility of nature, and exploring two amazing and enigmatic archaeological sites. We will cross through highly varied terrain of diverse ecosystems: from majestic rivers at 1500 masl (4921 fasl) to high mountain passes at 4650 masl (15,256 fasl); from tropical rainforests to imposing glaciers; from the territory of the endangered spectacled bear to the skyways of majestic condors in flight; all combining to make this a unique and memorable experience. The route begins in the town of Capuliyoc and passes through the famous archaeological complex of Choquequirao. We’ll visit small villages along the route, running lightly over intact Inca paths winding through the mountains, and ending at the mystical ancient citadel of Machu Picchu.
April - November
8 days / 7 nights
From
$ 2310
/ Per Person