Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HIKING
HIKING
Peruvian Highland Trek
( 24-2480;
www.peruvianhighlandtrek.com
; Calle del Medio 139)
HIKING
HIKING
WHEN TO GO
The best time to go trekking in the Andes or the Amazon is during the colder dry season,
which lasts roughly from May until September. Make reservations for treks during high
seasons several months in advance, and up to a year in advance for the Inca Trail. In the
wettest months of January to March, trails have a tendency to turn into muddy slogs, and
views disappear under a blanket of clouds. Note that the Inca Trail is completely closed
during the month of February for its annual cleanup. The high jungle Vilcabamba trek is
not recommended outside June to August due to heavy rainfall. Temperatures can drop be-
low freezing year-round on all the other, higher-altitude treks, and it occasionally rains
even during the dry season.
WHAT TO BRING
Modern internal-framed backpacks, tents, sleeping bags and stoves can all be rented in
various places in Calle Plateros from around S15 to S20 per item per day. Check all equip-
ment carefully before you agree to rent it, as some is pretty shoddy, and most isn't modern
or lightweight.
Also take water-purification tablets or a purification system from home. Once you're
trekking, there is usually nowhere to buy food, and the small villages where treks begin
have very limited supplies, so shop in advance in Cuzco. If you're on a guided trek, take a
stash of cash for tipping the guide and the
arrieros
(mule drivers). About US$10 per day
