INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU

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· HIGHLY RECOMMENDED QUALIFIED BILINGUAL PERUVIAN GUIDES.
· Knowledgeable, responsible, professional and fluent in languages. 1 licensed for up to 8 trekkers, 2 guides for 9 to 16 (max) trekkers.
· 11 nutritious, delicious BUFFET MEALS with fresh, high quality ingredients, high in energy value and prepared carefully to avoid illness. Combination of international & Peruvian cuisine, 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Dinners plus drinks.
· BOILED PURIFIED WATER after breakfast to fill your water bottles.
· OXYGEN ASSISTANCE and first aid kit
· Coca tea on the way to the trail and in your tent for a gentle wakeup each morning!
· Accommodation, food & transport, permits and entrance fees for our porters and cooks.
· Health and Insurance for our porters and staff.
· Snacks for tour in Machu Picchu, buffet celebration lunch in Aguas Calientes.
· VEGETARIAN FOOD and SPECIALISED DIETS by request. Afternoon tea time every day.
· PRIVATE BUS to km 82. Beautiful views of the Sacred Valley, the Urubamba river, Andean towns and Ollantaytambo. 1st day Breakfast included.
· ENTRANCE FEES to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu Sanctuary.
· CLEAN QUALITY EQUIPMENT, 2 people per tent (WATERPROOF TENTS)
· 3 person size dome Igloo tent, lots of space for your stuff. (2 people per tent)
· THICK, comfortable sleeping mattress, Pillows by request
· DINING + KITCHEN TENT, CAMPING TABLES AND STOOLS
· FAIRLY TREATED PORTERS carry the equipment, tents, food, cooking gear, dining tents, Supporting Andeans community projects where our porters, cooks, and staff come from.
· The $6 bus journey to come down from Machu Picchu is included.
· ECOTUR Member; Manu National Park Official Operator.
· FREE and safe storage for your belongings while you are on tour.
· NO hidden extra costs.

PROGRAMME: INKA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS

7:00 PM NIGHT BEFORE DEPARTURE: BRIEFING IN CUSCO WITH GUIDE AND RECEIVE CAMPING MATS & RENTAL EQUIPMENT.
Day Description

1 MEET AT THE CUSCO OFFICE AT 06.00 AM TO BOARD THE BUS. MAKE SURE YOU CARRY YOUR ORIGINAL PASSPORT AND ISIC STUDENT CARD (IF APPLICABLE) JOURNEY TO Km 82 TAKES APPROX 3 HRS. WE ENJOY BREAKFAST ALONG THE WAY. WALKING TIMES ARE ALWAYS APPROXIMATE DEPENDING ON WEATHER CONDITIONS, GROUP ABILITY AND A THOUSAND OTHER THINGS BUT YOU WILL WALK ABOUT 2-3 HRS BEFORE LUNCH. AFTER LUNCH, WE WALK ON JUST PASS THE VILLAGE OF WAYLLABAMBA TO OUR FIRST CAMPING SITE (3000mtrs).THIS FIRST DAY OF WALKING PASSES THROUGH A VALLEY STARTING AT 2380 mtrs WITH A SMALL CLIMB, REWARDED WITH SUPERB VIEWS OF MOUNT VERONICA, TO A PLATFORM OVERLOOKING THE INCA SITE OF LLACTAPATA. approx 14km walking - 6 hours

2 ON DAY 2 YOU CAN HIRE AN EXTRA PORTER FROM THE VILLAGE OF WAYLLABAMBA TO CARRY YOUR PACK TO THE TOP OF THE PASS IF REQUIRED. APPROXIMATELY 50 SOLES. THIS IS THE MOST DIFFICULT DAY AS YOU CLIMB FROM ABOUT 3000 MTRS TO 4200 MTRS, (DEAD WOMAN´S PASS). YOU CAN WALK AT YOUR OWN PACE, STOP TO GET YOUR BREATH WHENEVER YOU LIKE. YOU WILL FIND YOUR ENERGY RETURNS ONCE YOU CONTINUE DOWN INTO THE VALLEY OF PACAYMAYO. CAMPSITE 3600MTRS. THIS IS THE COLDEST NIGHT. +2/+4 DEGREES C. (DECEMBER) -3/-5 DEGREES C. (JUNE) approx 12km walking - 7 hours

3 EXCEPTIONALLY BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE OF THE RUINS AND INCREDIBLE PAVED TRAIL (AND MORE IMPORTANTLY FOR YOUR LUNGS, THERE IS A LOT MORE GOING DOWN THAN UP!!!). THERE ARE ABOUT 2000 STAIRS DESCENDING FROM PHUYUPATAMARCA TO WINAYWAYNA. IF YOU HAVE HAD KNEE INJURIES AN EXTRA PORTER IS RECOMMENDED SO THAT YOU ARE NOT CARRYING EXTRA WEIGHT THAT WILL OVERSTRESS YOUR JOINTS. GUIDED TOURS OF ALL THE RUINS AND CAMPING GENERALLY AT WINAYWAYNA (2700MTRS)* TAKE EXTRA CARE OF YOUR PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN THIS CAMPSITE AS ALL THE TOURS CAMP NEAR HERE. AS USUAL ALWAYS KEEP YOUR DAYPACK WITH VALUABLES WITH YOU. APART FROM STREAMS THE ONLY HOT SHOWER ON THE INCA TRAIL IS ON THIS THIRD NIGHT AT WINAYWINYA. THERE IS A HOSTEL NEAR THE CAMPSITE WITH A HOT SHOWER FOR 5 SOLES AND A BAR AND RESTAURANT WHERE YOU CAN ALSO PURCHASE BOTTLED WATER. approx 16km walking - 6 hours

4 GET UP EXTREMELY EARLY TO ARRIVE AT INTI PUNKU, "THE SUN GATE" FOR YOUR FIRST VIEW OF MACHU PICCHU. IT IS STILL 20 MINS WALK DOWN FROM HERE AND THE FAMOUS VIEW IS FROM THE TERRACES AT THE END OF THE TRAIL. TAKE YOUR PHOTOS NOW BEFORE THE 10:30 CROWDS ARRIVE. YOUR TOUR OF MACHUPICCHU SHOULD FINISH BETWEEN 10:30 AND 11:00AM AND YOU HAVE FREE TIME TO CLIMB HUAYNA PICCHU (min 90 MINS) Only 400 hikers maximum can climb this mountain, so start after your tour!. OR JUST COLLAPSE UNDER THE TREE IN THE PLAZA OF MACHUPICCHU. IT WILL TAKE YOU BETWEEN 45 MINS TO AN HOUR TO WALK DOWN TO AGUAS CALIENTES OR TAKE THE BUS.approx 7km walking - 2 hours to Machu Picchu

*** SPECIAL BUFFET LUNCH INCLUDED AFTER YOU VISIT MACHU PICCHU IN THE TOWN OF AGUAS CALIENTES IN " HOSTAL VIAJEROS" WHERE YOU CAN HAVE A HOT SHOWER, STORE YOUR BACKPACK WHILST YOU GO TO THE HOT SPRINGS OR SHOP AROUND THE VILLAGE.

THERE IS AN OPTION OF SPENDING THE NIGHT IN AGUAS CALIENTES IN VIAJEROS BED AND BREAKFAST AND RETURNING TO CUSCO ON DAY 5.
EXTRA INFORMATION:

SUGGESTIONS OF WHAT YOU NEED TO TAKE:

· BACKPACK & DAYPACK :
· -5 C SLEEPING BAG : (Can be rented at the office )
· HIKING BOOTS :( Running shoes are not recommended )
· WALKING POLES: (Very helpful for your knees descending the Inca steps)
· WARM CLOTHES : LAYERS for variable temperatures specially at night.
· T-SHIRTS and SHORT PANTS for a comfortable day walks
· FLASH LIGHT : & Batteries
· CAMERA AND EXTRA FILM & Batteries
· SUN PROTECTION : SUNSCREEN : SUN HAT : SUNGLASSES
· THERMALS : WOOL SOCKS : AND WOOLEN HAT FOR COLD NIGHTS:
· INSECT REPELLENT : Don`t worry too much, there is no malaria risk but some other biting insects!
· RAIN PONCHO OR A GOOD RAIN JACKET :
· TOILETRIES / TOILET PAPER / SMALL TOWEL
· BATHING CLOTHES for the hot springs.
· GLOVES / SCARF : Trekking Pants or similar.
· 2 Liters WATER BOTTLE : WATER PURIFYING TABLETSOptional :
· PERSONAL MEDICAL KIT : Bentoline Spray for Asmhatics, etc
· ORIGINAL PASSPORT AND ORIGINAL ISIC STUDENT CARD IF APPLICABLE : IMPERATIVE
· EXTRA MONEY FOR SOUVENIRS, DRINKS & TIPS, ETC ( Soles or Dollars )
RENTING EXTRA THINGS :
· Sleeping bag rent for 4 days $ 10 HOLLOFILL OR HOLOFIBER weighs 2 kg minus 4 degrees Celsius
· $ 15 DOWN SLEEPING BAG 1.8 kg minus 10 degrees Celsius
· Foam Pad Sleeping Mattress included weighs 800gms.( Bring your own Therma-Rest mattress if you have one or rent one)
· $15 Single Supplement for an individual tent for the entire trek, or you can share a tent with other hiker of the same sex.

· 45 liter Comfortable Back Pack, $15 for the entire trek.
Unless you hire an EXTRA PORTER you need to carry your daypack, sleeping bag and the mattress. You need to indicate this at the time of booking as porters who carry packages for the full 4 days require permits in advance in the same manner as trekkers.

You will need to carry with you a daypack with your camera, water bottle, snacks, a fleece or something warm and a poncho in case of rain (unlikely in dry season but just a precaution) and anything you will need before lunch as porters do not walk alongside you. A duffle bag is provided for your items for the porter to carry and this will be waiting for you by your tent at campsites.
Try to under-pack rather than over-pack, or pay for an extra 9kgs. On day 2 you can hire a porter from the village of Wayllabamba to carry your pack over the pass to the second campsite approximately 50 soles. Please pay these porters directly.
Please check carefully your pack and belongings before the 2nd day optional porter leaves the pass.

TIPPING OF THE PORTERS
As for all Latin American countries, tipping is normal and it is a tradition on the Inca trail. The porters will be much better off if you tip them in cash rather than beers in WINAYWAYNA. Generally groups prepare a collective tip at dinner on the last night to be shared out between the porters and cook on the last morning at breakfast. The porter protection group state "Please let your group know that 30 soles per porter is a standard for general porters, and deal separately with porters that carry individuals' bags." A group of 16 generally have approx 18 general porters. Tipping of porters who carry your personal items is separate and you are asked to tip an extra porter directly. Again the recommended minimum is $10 for 18kg. A general guideline is $15 tip per trekker for the porters but please do not worry if others tip less or more. This does not account for tips for guides and cooks generally $10 - 15 more. Most trekkers take approximately $30 to cover the tipping tradition.

ALTITUDE SICKNESS:
It is possible you will feel the effects of altitude upon arriving in Cusco, ( 3,400 Mts - 11,350 Feet ) remember in the Andes the % of oxygen is less which makes you tired and weak before you adjust to it especially if you flew up directly from sea level. It is best to wait at least two days before setting out on the trail, don´t drink too much alcohol, smoke or take sedatives. Drink lots of water and coca tea and try to sleep well, eat moderate light meals high in carbohydrates as your digestion will go very slowly.
We also encourage you to allow at least 2 but even better 3 days in Cusco before your trek because apart from there being so much to see and do....it is possible that your arrival could be delayed due to transport strikes or cancellation of flights due to poor weather etc and because there is no way to change your permit to another date you could miss out on your Inca Trail experience altogether or feel the altitude effects more than you would have hoped due to even less time to acclimatise. So please keep this in mind when choosing the date of your trek!!!

Water: We suggest you take a 2 litres bottle of water on the first day and then you can refill this on the trek.( You can use the same plastic bottle for the entire trek ) We boil water each night which is available after breakfast each morning for your water bottles. We still suggest you take water purification tablets or filters for any un-boiled water you take directly from streams or waterfalls etc. You can buy water along the first day, for the first few hours of Day 2 and the afternoon of Day 3 at the hostel in Wiñaywayna.
Temperatures during the day: If you are walking in the sun it can be very hot, but when you walk through the forest or in the shade of a mountain it can feel much cooler almost immediately. At night on the second night it could drop to -5 degrees if you are really unlucky but more likely just freezing! The third night is warmer being at 2700mts.

Our top tip for dealing with the temperatures is to try and keep your body temp as regular as possible by using layering of clothes so when you feel cool put on an extra layer before you get cold and if you start to feel warm take off a layer before you perspire which will leave you with a chill later. The weather from December through to early March is usually the wettest on the trail.

Some days it may be rainy all day or you may have a burst of rain and clear skies for the rest of the day or it could be wet on and off all day. You need good rain gear for walking as well as something to protect your pack. We have dining tents for all meals so you are protected at this time.
Hot Shower along the Trail: Unfortunately not yet, but a little hot water will be offered to you every morning for a quick wash, and very important to use this service before meals.

There is a basic (pay 10 soles) timed electric shower at the 3rd night camping in Wiñaywayna, please do not expect too much !!!
Toilets : In each of the Campsites there are basic toilets constructed and maintained by the Inca Trail park control,

Garbage : There are many bins along the trail, at lunch time and campsites our porters will always clean the area. Please keep the trail clean and cooperate so that we only leave our footprints.

PROHIBITED : Drug use, campfires, picking of Orchids!!
Unexpected : Be surprised to find Gatorade, Coca cola , Cuzqueña beer and even snickers chocolate bars at 4,200 meters along the trail.
What happens if I get exhausted or weak in the middle of the trek : Very few hikers decide to turn back, our trekking staff will accompany you back if necessary but they are prepared to walk at your pace, carry your pack and even you if necessary, to enable you to reach the top.
Few Spanish words to be learned:
Buenos Dias ( Good Morning )
Muchas Gracias ( Thanks a lot )
Mi nombre es ( My names is )
Como te llamas ? ( What is your name ? )
Since the porters mainly speak the LANGUAGE OF THE INCAS "QUECHUA" try learning !!
"Hello" (Napaykullayki)
"Ima Sutiqui? ( What is your name ? )
Ask your guide for more!!

More stuff….
Don`t get drunk on the night before the walk to see sunrise at Machu Picchu and dont get drunk in Cusco before you start the trek!!!
Don`t take that Lonely Planet guide on the trail, you`ll be too exhausted to read it so leave any unnecesary items in our secure luggage area in Cusco.
Included: Train and bus return to Cusco approx 4 or 5 pm leaves Aguas Calientes arriving Cusco approx 8.30PM with transfer back to main square arriving about 9PM. There are a number of different trains that run and so the return depends on what tickets are available at the time of purchase for the group.

Not Included: Hot shower on 3rd night (5 soles), hot springs in Aguas Calientes town (10 soles), porter for the 2nd day, extra drinks, wooden walking sticks ( 5 soles ), tips etc.
Note: You need to take at least 200.00 soles extra emergency money as there are no ATM´s in Aguas Calientes and higher commission on Travellers Checks.

Price : US$400 per person , US$360 for students

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