Preparation
In preparation for the holiday, we have had to buy quite a lot of equipment - mostly for the Inca Trail. So here is a summary of the gear we have bought so far.
For 4 days on the Inca Trail, 2 days staying with local familys, and 2 days in the Amazon Jungle - we won't be carrying around heavy suitcases - so we thought it useful to make up boxes containing minatures of the things we might need from day to day. Things like sun screen, hair gel, wet wipes, toothpaste etc.
For 4 days on the Inca Trail, 2 days staying with local familys, and 2 days in the Amazon Jungle - we won't be carrying around heavy suitcases - so we thought it useful to make up boxes containing minatures of the things we might need from day to day. Things like sun screen, hair gel, wet wipes, toothpaste etc.
On the Inca Trail we purchases good Nalgene water bottles - which are easy to clean and hold 1L of water - along with these we bought some caribiners - to easily attach them to our ruck sacks when hiking.
A pair of good grip gloves for navigating the last descent to the Sun gate, where the stairs are nick named "The Monkey Stairs" - people often have to climb up these on their hands and knees!
Vacuum bags for compressing those clothes etc in our suitcases = more room for bringing back local souvenirs.
We decided to keep daily journals on our experience's throughout Peru - so we bought 2 leather bound journals - extracts of which will be shared on this website when we return from holiday.
Peru is rife with theft and pick pocketing - I came across this ... a Deuter security wallet, which wraps around the body underneath your clothes. Perfect for passports, money etc.
A good knife for killing poisonous snakes etc which make get in our way in the Amazon Jungle or on the Inca trail!
A spare mobile phone and a spare camera!
Some nifty hats for posing purposes!
A choice of cool sunglasses!
A pair of trekmate hiking poles , essential for the Inca stairs - 2000 of which are downhill and a killer on the knees!
A pair of ankle support socks
Cups and sporks for drinking the famous Coca leaf tea - a remedy for altittude sickness.
Ponchos to cover us and our gear from the elements should it rain.
Inflatable pillows , for those nights camping on the Inca Trail.
Travel towels - lightweight and quick drying, a must for hiking the trail. Cold showers are available along the way.
Some sturdy backpacks with tightening straps - a must for hiking the Inca Trail.
A decent DSLR camera for taking those amazing shots of Machu Picchu etc, a good tripod - and a wired remote shutter release for reducing vibration - to get excellent pictures!
