My husband and I are going to hike the Inca Trail in June and we're trying to figure out exactly how much gear we need to take with us.

On previous camping treks that we've done, we've brought our own sleeping bags. However, the trip we signed up for with Llama Path includes the use of a sleeping bag. Knowing all too well the "unique" smell of the trail that everyone adopts a few days into a trek, I am a bit hesitant to use a sleeping bag that many other hikers have used. I'm sure they clean them but I'm still wondering if I will feel like it's dirty. I will be dirty enough from the hike and I don't need to feel like my bag is dirty too...

On the other hand, it would be wonderful not to have to lug my four season bag all over Peru. However, I am perfectly willing to sacrifice the space in my luggage if the rental options aren't good.

Can anyone attest to the quality and cleanliness of the rentals? With a good liner, will I be reasonably comfortable in a rental sleeping bag?

I can only speak about my experience with Peru Treks. I rented their sleep bag, and I didn't have any problem with it. It looked clean and there was no funny smell to it. The "mattress" that I put the sleeping bag on was awfully thin though. I had trouble sleeping all three nights but it wasn't anything due to the sleeping bag though, since my tent mate had no trouble sleeping at all.

I would buy a good sleeping bag liner. They come in a variety of materials: cotton, silk, thermal. I have a silk one which goes on any trip, even if I am not camping. Get one long enough to reach to the top of a sleeping bag. They pack down very small.
P.S. Febreeze makes a travel size!

I love my silk sleep sack! We don't camp but we're budget travellers. I can't stand sheets that are pilled and sometimes we've stayed at places where the sheets, although clean, aren't quite up to my standard The sleep sack is perfect in those situations, and it really does pack down very small.

Just got back from the Inca Trail.We went with Adventure Travels Peru, and their sleeping bags were fine. I bring a twin sheet,I find the liners too confining.
Have a great trip!
CCF

I think the liner idea is good. I brought my own bag, someone in our tent had a rental that had a urine smell. i don't know if I would want to bring my own if I did it again, unless I got a really small, light one. I can't remember the company, they were great otherwise, but it wasn't the one you are using.

We went with Llama Path last year and th sleeping bags were fine. No problem and no smell. Remember that even with your own bag the porters will carry it for a payment of $50 extra.

David J

Thanks for the insight everyone! We will bring liners and it sounds like we'll be okay with the provided sleeping bags.

We're traveling for 16 days, so it will be convenient to return the sleeping bags after the hike and not carry them for the rest of the trip.

I went with llamapath and hired a sleeping bag - no problem at all. It was clean and very warm. Trek was amazing!

Enjoy!!!