Has anyone recenly treked machu picchu? I am working on a South American trip next year based on visiting Peru and hiking up MAcchu Picchu but is much training needed before hand? I am fairly active and walk plenty, but don’t climb many mountains heir in theNetherlands.
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Looking for the same info! I am not a fan of hiking trips but I want to do the Inca trail once. Appreciate any input 
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My friends have travelled there before and they advised that the altitude is the “problem” and not how active you are. This is really dependent on how your body reacts, so I would check with your doctor directly about this. Hope this helps!
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@travelling.with.isa ooo, what do you mean with altitude? May I ask how high altitude impacted your friends?
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There is a great thread here about altitude sickness @wander_tara - Machu Picchu altitude issues - #8 by OZ_TRAVELLER
@kelly - If you are active and walk plenty then I wouldn’t say you need to train too much. The ups and downs often involve many steps (gringo killers as they are affectionately named), so be prepared for that. I did the Inca Trail trek a few years ago and did no training (but walked a lot in general) and I was fine, but it all depends on the individual - everyone in our group managed, some struggled more than others. The key is - acclimatise in Cusco for a few days before hand, as it is the altitude more than the trek that might make it harder.
Overall, I would 100% recommend it, it is definitely not ‘easy’ but it is a rewarding challenge, and you will see so many views and Inca ruins you will just not be able to see if you just go to Machu Picchu. It definitely feels special being on that ancient path. Plus, you get to see Machu Picchu from the sun gate (the famous view), when no one else has entered the ruins, which is much more picturesque than when you get down there and it’s busy with tourists!
Do not fly up to Cuzco and embark on the trail straightaway; that would be asking for trouble no matter how fit you are.
I’d recommend taking a slow meandering route up from Lima, via Arequipa perhaps, and/or taking a few days at Cuzco’s altitude before embarking on the trail.
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