TOUR INFORMATION

WHAT TO BRING

• Cotton short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts
• Light colored long-sleeved shirts
• Fleece or Wool sweater and/or trousers
• Lightweight pants
• Hiking shorts
• Regular and long underwear (at over 13,000 ft/4,000 m. asl)
• Medium weight parka with fiber fill or down.
• Light cap and wool hat,
• Rain poncho (or rain gear)
• Light gloves
• Medium weight socks
• Tennis or running shoes and hiking boots
• Trekking poles (optional)
• Sleeping bag (0o to –15oC) and small day pack
• Strong waterproof duffel bag
• Sun glasses
• Sun block, lip balm and Insect repellent
• Flashlight with spare batteries and bulb
• Towel
• Swimsuit.
• Water bottle.
• Personal first aid kit. On each trip we carry a medical kit but we suggest a small personal first-aid kit for bruises and blisters. A knee and ankle brace are sometimes useful especially if you suffer from weak knees or ankles. Include any special medication your doctor might suggest for you.

TOUR INCLUDES

• Official English speaking guide
• Round trip public bus tickets or private van, according your request
• All meals according the program
  
• Tea time (hot drink, biscuit, pop corn)
• Overnight in a family lodge (private or shared room) or camping gear (4 season tents and
• mattresses)
• Canyon entrance
• Colca canyon map
• Trekking gear such as poles, backpacks and head lamp (without batteries)
• Trekking price include government sales tax (19% as known IGV)

NOT INCLUDED

• Binoculars
• Breakfast on the first day
• Tips for guide and camp staff
• Personal horse for ride, can be hired for US$20 per day including a horseman and his food
• and accommodation

FAQs ABOUT THIS TOUR

WHAT IS YOU AVERAGE PARTICIPANT LIKE? 

The average age of participants on our Group Treks is 47 years.  Most are between the late 20s and early 60s, although the range is about 10 to 76.  The gender gap is fairly evenly split with slightly more women than men. About 40% of participants sign up alone, 40% sign up with a partner, and 20% as a family.  Most importantly, however, is this: most people who join us for the first time are nervous about the "group tour" experience but most alumni rate it as one of the best parts of their vacation.  You'll never know until you try.

DO YOU RECOMMEND TRAVEL INSURANCE?

We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance.  This type of insurance is relatively inexpensive, in the range of $60 - $200 depending on the trip you book.  The reason we are so keen on you having travel insurance is because it protects you if you have an unexpected change in travel plans.  Here is an example. Let's assume you are signed up for a trip and hurt your leg a week before you are supposed to leave.  If you have no insurance, you will call us on the telephone and we will be very sad to tell you there is no refund - because our costs are mostly fixed and you might have displaced someone who otherwise could have gone in your place.   You might then be unhappy with us, even though you took the risk of not getting travel insurance!   If you do have travel insurance, you can usually receive your entire airfare and trip cost from the insurance company and can start planning for your next trip!
There are many different companies who offer trip insurance.  Please contact insurance companies directly for information about their plans.  One that our travelers have used successfully is TripInsurance.com, one of the industry leaders.

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS TRIPS?

Contact us for a detailed itinerary that we can email to you. Or simply ask us the questions you want answers to! We welcome your phone calls or emails (see our contact information click here).

WILL I NEED TO PAY THE ENTRANCE FEE FOR THIS TREK?

Most National Parks require an entrance fee, so be prepared.  The Inca Trail is the most notable trek that requires a permit.  Most treks do not require a permit however.  If you have questions, please contact us

WHAT KIND OF FOOTWEAR DO I NEED?

Take strong, comfortable footwear. Heavy boots are probably not required or advised; all you need is something that you can walk in all day, that gives good traction and which supports the ankle. Lightweight modern hiking boots are probably ideal. Remember to wear your boots in thoroughly before you go and get used to walking in them. Blisters will reduce your enjoyment significantly. Using high quality wool socks, moleskin, and/or duct tape applied to trouble areas on the feet will also help you avoid blisters. Check with your local mountaineering or outdoor gear store for more advice.

HOW FIT SHOULD I BE FOR A TREK?

It depends on how challenging the trek is.  In general, you should be comfortable hiking for about 5 hours. 

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO DO A TREK ?

The dry season is generally the best time to do a trek anywhere in Latin America. In Peru the dry season usually runs from April to November, while the wet season runs from December to March. The Inca Trail is closed in February.
June to September are the most popular months for treks in Peru (plan ahead for treks during these months, especially the Inca Trail which can sell out 6 months in advance). May and October can be great months for trekking, as weather is nice and it is less crowded. Even during the rainy season it doesn't usually rain all day long, and you can have a pleasant, yet damp, trek.

ARE WE MET AT THE AIRPORT?

If you are on the group flights or have pre-arranged this, our travel agency  representative will meet you on arrival and transfer you to your Start Point/Hotel.

WHAT IS THE FOOD LIKE?

All meals are included on our trips. You will be treated to an extensive variety of fabulous Peruvian cuisine. We choose the finest restaurants in the cities to give you the opportunity to taste a great variety of local delicacies and flavors. In camps our cooks are experts in preparing nourishing wholesome and delicious meals. We will accommodate any special diet requests you may have including vegetarian, please request prior to the trip.

WHAT ABOUT TRIP LEADERS AND TOUR GUIDES?.

Our experienced local bilingual trip leaders/guides are the key to making each trip a unique adventure and we provide the very best. They have in-depth knowledge of the language, customs, culture and history. They take great pleasure in sharing their insights and expertise and will make your adventure an unforgettable experience. Leaders are detail oriented, making sure everything runs safely and smoothly.

WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE?

Our trekking and tour groups in all Peru, including Inca Trail are always small - 7 to 16 participants maximum.
What is the best thing to do in the event of altitude sickness? Wherever possible "go down". But, if you are staying in Cusco, you may still feel the effects. The best advice is to sleep, take plenty of fluids and you could also try coca tea. The porters chew coca leaves wrapped around a black resin called llipta. When you are actually walking and active (especially on day two of the trail), this may help since it dilates vessels to increase the blood flow to the parts of the body that need it.

WHAT TIPE OF TRANSPORTATION IS USED?

Our escorted tours utilize a variety of transportation including private vans/ cars, comfortable tourist buses, flights, canoes, etc. We use a private transportation to provide travelers with the safest and most efficient transportation in each area

HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I TAKE?

Please review what is included in your trek in order to estimate what you should take. Along the way you can buy snacks and souvenirs, mostly of a non expensive nature.

COTAHUASI TREKKING 4D/3N

DAY 1: AREQUIPA - MAJES VALLEY - COTAHUASI CANYON

8am pick up from your hotel and we leave from Arequipa. We will visit Toro Muerto Petroglyphs and Pre-Inca tombs. Next we will explore the Majes valley, Andamayo Canyon and the geological natural formation called the Castilla Castle, spending the daytime at Majes Valley.
7pm continue travelling to Cotahuasi Canyon by bus.

DAY 2: COTAHUASI - SIPIA WATERFALL

At 4am we arrive at Cotahuasi town, followed by a short rest at the hotel. We then trek, descending 4 hours, to the valley of Piro, Cuyao bridge, Toro bridge and finally arriving at the valley and Sipia waterfall. We will observe geological walls of the deeppest canyon in the world, a spectacular large river going to the Pacific Ocean that can be appreciated in this beautiful place with a variety of contrasting colors. This is a lovely place of wild canyon geography. We then return to Cotahuasi town.

DAY 3: COTAHUASI - PUICA - LUICHO HOT SPRING

At 6am we travel by bus 3 hours to a highland village, called Puica (3600m). This is a typical village with several habitants dedicated to agriculture and domesticated animals.
From here we start to do a small hike, approximately 2 hours, to Jatun Llaqta archeological site. This is well-connected with the Wari culture and Inca times, and was used as an administrative center by the Inca army for this zone. After lunch we will descend the canyon and to Alca valley. This walk is a light 4 hour hike, with impressive sights of agricultural terraces (over 1400 years old) and many varieties of flora and fauna.
2pm we arrive at Alca town and visit and swim in the medicinal hot springs of Luicho that are 45º C. We will dine and rest at this charming village.

DAY 4: COTAHUASI - AREQUIPA

After our breakfast, at 8am we begin walking to the left of the Cotahuasi river. Today we will hike 6 hours to the Cotahuasi town, going through terraced areas, small towns, suspension bridges, little rivers that flow into the canyon. We will stop briefly in villages and observe the local people in their uncorrupted lives.
At 2pm we travel by bus 10 hours back to Arequipa, ending our trip.

*Price per person (2010): US$320. Click here to book the Tour