Machu Picchu Travel Forum

We're targeting an April trip. I'm ready with my tried-and-true hiking boots. My wife has little to no experience hiking like this. Should she buy a good pair of hiking boots and start breaking them in? Or will good, sturdy walking shoes suffice for the hour or so of rocky steps?

Thanks,
c

For that short period of time, unless you plan on a lot more "hiking" vs "walking" forego the boots and go with a couple pair of good walking shoes. I'd start working on the altitude that you'd be hiking at... That's what gets most people.

Lots of steps, all different heights so easy to turn an ankle if unwary, so take boots if you're at all weak in the ankle. It's a long walk with a sprained ankle.

Just seen you're only planning to do the site, so shoes will be ok.

If you're just going to MP sneakers are fine. If you're doing the Inca Trail, you'll need hikers.

I wear Columbia low rise hiking shoes 24/7, and wore them there. My knees gave out long before my shoes would have. Up and down constantly.
It does get foggy and a bit slippery in the early morning if you plan on being there at 6am-fyi, I was there in May.

If you do buy new, yes, break them in...you don't want to get blisters in Peru.

If you only plan on going to the ruins of Machu Picchu, then your wife only needs a good pair of tennis shoes with traction at the bottom. Your only going to walk over rocks and stone steps. Don't forget to walk to the sun gate.