About Pacaymayu Campsite
Situated at 3,600 meters (11,811 feet) in a steep valley below Dead Woman's Pass (Warmiwañusca), Pacaymayu (also called Pakaymayu) is the second night's camp on the 4-day Inca Trail, reached after a grueling 10-12 hour day scaling the pass at 4,215 meters. This exposed site offers panoramic views but limited shelter from winds sweeping through the Polylepis tree groves. Porters set up spacious dining tents with tables, chairs, and hot cocoa stations, adhering to strict no-wild-camping rules enforced by trail rangers to protect archaeological integrity.
Safety Considerations
Post-pass fatigue amplifies risks; exhaustion leads to poor judgment on slippery stone steps. High winds and sub-zero nights demand windproof shelters; reference NPS high-altitude protocols adapted for Andes conditions. GI distress from porter-cooked meals is rare but monitor for E. coli via hand sanitizer use. Security guards patrol 24/7, but chain valuables. Lightning storms in shoulder seasons add electrocution hazards; avoid open areas during thunder.
Essential Gear
Prioritize a four-season tent stake kit for wind, 15°F sleeping bag (Western Mountaineering UltraLite), self-inflating pad (Sea to Summit Comfort Plus), Nalgene bottle for hot water warmth, earplugs against porter chatter, and a pee rag for hygiene. Carry a personal altitude monitor (Pulse Oximeter) and comprehensive first-aid with moleskin, rehydration salts, and epinephrine if allergic.
Emergency Tips
For lightning, crouch low in tent; AMS requires immediate descent to Ayapata with oxygen from guides. Injuries from falls trigger porter-carried evacuations; use whistle signals (three blasts) for help. Satellite phones connect to Machu Picchu base for medevac.