Can I use trekking poles / walking sticks on the Inca Trail?
A8: Many people like to hike with trekking poles or walking sticks. This is fine as long as the poles will not cause damage to the stone paving along the Inca Trail. If the trekking poles have metal spikes then these must be protected by rubber tips. We recommend bring some spare rubber tips with you. Rubber protectors can also be bought in several shops in Cusco. Wooden walking sticks are obviously fine. You can buy wooden walking sticks in Cusco or in Ollantaytambo on the way to start the trek where we will stop for a short while. The sticks cost just a couple of dollars and are taken from renewable sources and do not add to deforestation of protected Andean forests. Metal trekking poles can also be hired in many equipment hire shops in Cusco for about US3 per day.
A9: Many people like to hike with trekking poles or walking sticks. This is fine as long as the poles will not cause damage to the stone paving along the Inca Trail. If the trekking poles have metal spikes then these must be protected by rubber tips. We recommend bringing some spare rubber tips with you. Rubber protectors can also be bought in several shops in Cusco. Wooden walking sticks are obviously fine as long as you bring them with you from home. Recently government authorities have stopped trekkers using wooden sticks that could have come from local forests (to prevent deforestation of protected Andean forests). In Ollantaytambo on the way to the start of the trek you can currently buy wooden broom handles that have been decorated that can be used in an emergency !!! Metal trekking poles can also be hired in many equipment hire shops in Cusco for about US3 per day.
