What kind of training would I need to climb to macchu picchu?

Question

What kind of training would I need to climb to macchu picchu?

Answer 1

If you're healthy and used to high-altitude walking, you'll be fine.  Bear in mind that although Cusco is higher at 3.5km than Macchu Picchu at 2.8km, you will be walking at altitudes of about 4.2km.

Answer 2

It's 4 days of hard trekking at reasonably high altitude.  

You need to spend 2/3 days in Cusco first acclimatising yourself to the altitude.  

It's no good being macho and saying it won't affect me!  It will!

Feels like a steel band around your head gradually tightening and giving you a bad weird headache!   I speak from the painful experience!

Answer 3

Go on a walking holiday to somewhere like the Alps and get used to breathing at high altitude. And buy a good pair of walking boots.

Answer 4

It depends on if you're going on the two day trek or the four day. If it's just to two day, I'd suggest taking some hikes wherever you are, and getting up to altitude a few days early. I did that one in 9th grade, wasn't in that great of shape, and I managed. Was in pain by the end, but I managed.

If you're planning on the four day hike, go on A LOT of hikes between now and when you plan to leave. Put as many miles on your feet as possible. You'll be walking between 5 and 8 miles pretty much every day while on the trail, and climbing a lot of steps. Also, the Dead Woman's pass is at 4200 meters, so you will want to get up to Cuzco around a week or more before hand. You might want to talk to you're doctor about getting Diamox, which boosts you're red blood cells, to make the acclimation easier. Other than that, there's not much you can do about the altitude. Any training you do at high altitude will not help if you end up going back down to ground level and stay there for three or more days (That's all the time it's takes to kill off the red blood cells.)

When you arrive at altitude, do as little as possible on the first day. Sleep, read, whatever, just don't do much exercise, and eat lightly. And I suggest that you drink the mate de coca when you arrive, it really does help you feel better. After that spend the next few days slowly getting up to pace. It will be much easier to lose you're breath, don't worry about that too much. I suggest that you try hiking up the ruins at Sacsaywaman, Pisac, and Ollantaytambo to get back up to speed.

Good Luck. ^^

Answer 5

none, many firms do guided trips up there and its just a tough walk.

If you can walk 10 miles in the pennines you'll be fine

Answer 6

You need to be fit as although the actual walking is not difficult in itself, it is the altitude that you are walking at that makes it hard. Also PLEASE be careful with what you eat and drink as most people are sick from the food and water that is prepared rather than the physical tak of the Inca Trail.

That said, it is an amazing and rewarding journey.

Answer 7

A friend of mine recently returned from Peru and said that her lack of physical fitness really had a negative impact when she visited Machu Picchu. She said that because she was so exhausted all of the time she was not able to fully appreciate the surroundings! Basically, you don't need any specialist training but you should get down the gym and work hard to get your fitness up. Getting to Machu Picchu is not cheap so it would be a shame to spoil it. The altitude is also a factor. Take time to acclimatise as suggested above. Local people chew coca leaves (which is perfectly legal and NOT the same as cocaine!) and this definitely helps combat altitude sickness. In fact I still often chew coca, it's a really good general tonic!

Answer 8

I've done the Inca Trail twice.  In addition to doing some cardio training, I would recommend fitting the stair master into your workout routine.  The first hike, I really wish that I had.  And the second hike, I was really glad that I had.

Answer 9

SORRY, I DON´T SPEEK ENGLISH WELL.

Answer 10

spiritual?.....get in a good frame of mind!!

physical?... get out on a bike/swim/jog whatever you find least offensive for a few weeks before you go. if you can describe yourself as having a 'fairly' healthy lifestyle then a top of of fitness should help combat altitude and inevitable Manchu belly!!!

enjoy!