Inca Trail 4D/3N (Classic)

Include:

• 3 Nights in tents, 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners included in the Inca trail
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, Permits for the Inca Trail and Expedition class tourist train (If you wish to upgrade to the Vistadome train, a train with larger windows and more comfortable seats, it will have an extra cost per person).
• All transportations for the tour.
• A bus ticket down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
• Transportation from the train station to your hotel in Cusco.
• Professional guides in Spanish and English
• Briefing the night before your trek
• A duffel  bag, it not exceed 7 kg (you must include in this bag 4kg of clothes and 3 kg for your sleeping bag and sleeping mat)
• A personal porter who is responsible for carrying your duffel bag
• Trekking Chef and Food
• Water from the first lunch to the last breakfast (Please bring enough water for your first morning on the trail) You need to bring your own water bottles and or camelback
• The best equipment on the market including Eureka Timberline 4 person tents shared by only 2, Single tents are available ($30 US)
• We have large dining tents for clients to enjoy their meals
• All dining equipment including chairs and dishes are provided
• Every client will receive a pillow for sleeping and foam sleeping pad to insulate you from the cold ground
• All our guides are trained first aid and all carry first-aid kits and full oxygen tanks
• Satellite Phones for any emergency
• A day pack cover to protect their things while hiking
• A rain poncho
• We provide hot water bins each day to help our clients clean and feel good at night.
• Tour tax

Not include:

• Meals not included in itineraries
• Sleeping Bag (obligatory to sleep), Inflatable Air Mattress and Walking Sticks (optional). If you don’t want to bring any of the above, they are all available for rent. Sleeping Bag: US$ 20, Inflatable Air Mattress: US$15 and Walking Sticks (Pair): $15
• Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It is a 45-minute hike to the top. Going back down is quite steep if you are scared of heights. You would do this after your tour of Machu Picchu. The cost is $75. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance due to popularity. Please understand that the weather is out of our control.
• Tips

Recommendations:

ESSENTIALS - INCA TRAIL

• Passport (if booked with old passport, bring both passports)
• Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
• Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
• Comfortable hiking waterproof boots (lightweight with good soles)

FOR YOUR DUFFEL BAG - INCA TRAIL
Porters will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3.5 kg.

• 2-3 wicking t-shirts
• 2-3 hiking pants
• 4 sets of undergarments
• 4 sets of hiking socks
• 1 Fleece
• 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
• 1 Rain jacket and pants
• 1 sun hat
• 1 wool hat
• Headlamp: essential
• Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
• Comfortable shoes for camp
• Waterproof Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might enjoy something a little larger.
• Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to clean – might make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.
• Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
• Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
• Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least

TOILETRIES - INCA TRAIL

• Sunscreen
• Face moisturizer
• Bug spray
• Hand sanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Toiletpaper
• Personal medication
• First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS - INCA TRAIL
Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, bags larger than 25L will not be allowed in. If it is larger, you will need to store it outside citadel gates. But don´t worry, they have a secure storage facility.

• Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to filter water until your first lunch.
• Sunhat
• Rain gear
• Fleece
• Camera
• Music (Cell phone)
• Handsanitizer
• Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
• Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
• Earplugs

Additional information:

BRIEFINGS

Briefings are coordinate with a member of the team, it takes approximately 30 -45 minutes long, and where you will receive your duffel bags.

DUFFEL BAGS

You will receive your duffel bags at your briefing. Your porters will carry them and have them returned to you at each campsite. They measure 66 cm long X 36 cm wide/2ft long X 1ft wide.

Every duffel has a maximum weight of 7 kg. Remember 4kg will be for your clothes and other personal items. The remaining 3 kg will be for your sleeping bag and pad.

RETURNING TO CUSCO

Leaving Machu Picchu requires a lot of logistics, which are all included in your tour.

• From Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes, you will take a 25-minute bus down to the village. Buses are first come first serve and run all day.
• You will take a train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Poroy. Your guide will give you your train tickets with train time. Make sure you get to the platform 30 minutes ahead of time.
  * Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo is 2 hours
  * Train from Aguas Calientes to Poroy is 3.5 hours
• Once you arrive to the train station, look for a gentleman wearing green with the Team sign. He will then drive you to San Francisco square, Cusco
  * Van ride from Ollantaytambo to nearby San Francisco square is 2 hours
  * Van ride from Poroy to nearby San Francisco square is 30 minutes
• Once you arrive nearby San Francisco square, you will separate into separate pre-paid taxis and driven back to your hotel.

HUAYNAPICCHU/MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN

Machu Picchu is most beautiful when seen from above, which is why hiking one of the mountains next to the ruins is very popular to do after your tour.

Huaynapicchu is the most popular and must be booked in advance since it sells out very quickly. This hike takes approximately 45 minutes to the top, and another 45 minutes back down. Tickets are sold in time sessions stating when you can start this hike. The first session is from 7-8 AM, and the 2nd session is from 10-11 AM. Again, this refers to the timeframe when you can start your hike. We usually book the second session so you can enjoy your tour with your guide first. You will do this hike on your own, but your guide will show you where to begin.

Machu Picchu Mountain is a bit longer and a bit less popular. It takes 1.5 hours to the top and another 1.5 hours to the bottom. Again there are two time windows – from 7-8 AM and 9-10 AM and we usually purchase the second time window. 4 Day and 7 Day Inca Trail Trekkers CAN NOT do this hike and enjoy a tour of the ruins. Time will not allow for this.

Hiking either mountain will allow you to have some extra time at the ruins once you complete, as listed above.

HEALTH CONCERNS

You must be honest with your guide about any health conditions or concerns you might have. While our guides are not medical professionals, they do have first aid training. We also work with a clinic in Cusco that can help assist our team.

You are responsible for assessing whether a Tour is suitable for you. You should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. You should seek your physician’s advice on vaccinations and medical precautions. Our Tour Agency will not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the Tour based on your unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level, and medical requirements.

If you develop extreme altitude sickness or any other illness that prevents you from hiking, and you still wish to visit Machu Picchu by train, we will work with you to coordinate this trip. Since this will be a new trip, it may require additional fees. We will use as much of the original itinerary to keep costs low.

If you experience issues while hiking and can not continue, a porter will accompany you to the closest road and wait while a car comes to pick you up and bring you to the nearest health clinic.

WEATHER

Of course, the weather is unpredictable. Typically the dry season in Cusco is from April through October, but this does not stop rain from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December so just be prepared. No matter what month you are doing the trek, make sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, and waterproof gloves. Many people forget about gloves, but being cold and wet makes hiking very unpleasant.

Also, prepare for four seasons. Several of the treks through the Andes involve various microclimates and you will need to be prepared. Layers are always key since they are easy to adjust to different temperature changes. Be prepared with a warm packable down jacket since the evening will be cold.

It’s also important to note that the weather can change a listed itinerary. There are times that routes become impassable, and our guides will be forced for your safety to rework your tour.

ALTITUDE

As soon as people book their trip to Peru, specifically Cusco, they start wondering about altitude sickness. The air at high altitudes contains less oxygen than at sea level and forces your body to work harder to get the oxygen it needs. Over several days at high altitude, your body adjusts to the lower amount of oxygen in the air. For this reason, we always recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before beginning any trek in the Andes. Cusco is a marvelous city with lots to do, so if you have more time to acclimate you won´t be bored.

With altitude sickness, you may first feel like you have the flu or a hangover. You may have a headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, trouble breathing during exercise. If any of these effects become severe, please contact our office, and we will help you get to a doctor.

Most of the time, these symptoms will be mild. We always recommend easing into activity slowly, allowing your body to adjust. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or coca tea. Coca tea has been used since ancient times to help prevent altitude sickness. Leaves from the Coca Plant contain alkaloids that help bring oxygen into your blood, helping your body avoid the effects of altitude sickness. Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol and coffee. They will cause you to urinate more often and become dehydrated. Avoid smoking. Smoking makes it more difficult for your body to get oxygen. Avoid sleeping pills. They may cause shallow breathing at night, making it more difficult for your body to absorb oxygen while you sleep.

Remember the trek to Machu Picchu is not a race. Even those in the best shape will suffer from altitude sickness if they race to the top of the mountain too quickly. Go slow, and it will give your body time to adjust to the elevation.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications, such as acetazolamide and dexamethasone, to help prevent altitude sickness. Start the medicine two days before you get to a high altitude. Continue to take it while you are at high altitude.

You must remember that this is your holiday and you do not want to stress out about the possibility of getting sick from the mountains. Do everything slowly and drink lots of water, and enjoy the coca tea. If anything does happen and you, unfortunately, get sick, let your guide know right away. Our guides are trained to help you get through it.

Terms and Conditions