TOUR INFORMATION

The Lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu, with no doubt the symbol of the Inca civilization. The royal path that carried pilgrims and authorized officers of the empire to the sacred city was "The Inca Trail" as we know it now.

The way along this Andean path is a fascinating and unforgettable experience. The Inca Trail is paved with blocks of stone and has stone stairways, tunnels and wooden bridges and paths across rivers, streams, beautiful valleys, warm cloud forests and cold highlands. All this vision makes the visitor meditate about the intellectual and grandeur of the Andean man whose highest achievement was the Inca civilization.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is part of an Inca roads system of more than 30,000 kilometers that integrated the vast empire of Tahuantinsuyo from southern Colombia to central Chile passing through the cities of Quito, Ecuador; Cajamarca, Huanuco, Jauja, Huamanga, and Cusco in Peru; La Paz and Cochabamba in Bolivia; Salta and Tucuman in Argentina. There roads ran mainly along the coast and mountain regions and in some cases they also reached the tropical mountains in the Amazon forest as is he case with the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

WHAT TO BRING

• A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
• Sleeping bag (it can be hired at our agency for US$ 5.00 / day)
• Mattress: will be provided by the agency but is to be carried by you
• Flashlight and batteries
• Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sun block
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
• Handkerchiefs
• Toilet paper
  
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please beware that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far.
• Small towel
  
• Swimsuit (if you intend to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
  
• Cash in soles and/or US$ (no ATM machines in Aguas Calientes)
  
• Original passport
• Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail)

TOUR INCLUDES

• Transportation to the 82 Km.
• English/Spanish speaker professional guide during all Inca Trail
• Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
• Meals (03B, 03L, 03D + wake; up tea)Snacks
• cook and cooking equipment
• Personal pad (double foam)
• 4P Tents only for 2P each
• Local porters (service to carry the food and camping equipment only)
• Dinning tent, portable chairs and table
• Guided visit to Machu Picchu and the ruins along the trail.
• Bus ticket down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
• Backpacker train ticket Aguas Calientes / Ollantaytambo
• Transfer from the train station to your Hotel in Cusco
• Vegetarian food available, with no extra charge
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.

NOT INCLUDED:

• First day breakfast
• Last day lunch
• Sleeping bag
• Personal equipment

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 MEET 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 ENVENT OF ALTITUD 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 mix of private/ public 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.

PHOTO GALLERY