I LOVE this camera! In addition to gorgeous HD video, it also shoots pretty good stills. I was able to get through the entire Trail with one extra battery. I slept with my HV20 to keep the batteries warm. I also tried not to use the LCD screen, to preserve power. I brought a protective case but ending up carabiner-ing the camera to my belt loop, as I found I was pulling it out every few minutes.

It's nice to have two or three of these clipped to your pack to carry odd items.

You'll want a light headlamp, as it gets dark shortly after 6pm (you're near the equator, after all). Also, on Day 4 of the hike, you get up and hike in the dark, in order to reach the Sun Gate by sunrise. Because you're hiking with so many other people, it's kind of nice to have a headlamp that has a yellow/orange light on it so you don't blind other people.

You won't need much food with you, but these Slim Jims are a nice burst of salt and protein when your energy is flagging.

Bring a small pack of moist wipes. In many cases, you won't be flushing them away (pack out or use trash facilities) but it's better to have the flushable kind, in case you need them somewhere else.

I recommend bringing three pairs of socks -- one pair for Day 1 and to wear again on Day 3; another pair for Days 2 and 4; and a third pair to wear around camp. If you stay in Aguas Calientes or Ollayantaytambo after the hike, you might want yet another pair of clean, dry socks to put on.

It is likely that your trail guide will speak decent English, and your porters will probably speak only Quechua. However, unless you are fluent in Spanish, it is great to travel in Peru with a small Spanish-English dictionary.

I debated between light hikers and heavier boots because I didn't want the extra weight. I was glad I chose the heavier boots! You''ll want the ankle support, even if you don't have bad ankles. Waterproof is great, too. This trail surface is pretty rough.