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Ecological Sustainable Adventure Travel Tours
Quechuas Expeditions Authorized Inca Trail Adventure Tour Operator
Under Local Mountain-jungle & cultural Multilingual Guides Management
QUECHUAS EXPEDITIONS Highly Recommended By:

Large groups Fixed Departure 2010 - 2011 ( by clicking here)

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AVAILABLE INCA TRAIL VIA LLACTAPATA  2D/1N  FIXED DEPARTURE 2010-2011

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This salkantay trek Was Recently Named among the 25 best Treks in the World, by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine.

SALKANTAY TREK / ALTERNATIVE INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU (7D / 6N)

A remote and ancient footpath in the same region of the Inca trail, but less traveled and offering more spectacular views. This route provides a magnificent wilderness alternative for those who wish to escape the more congested trekking routes.
On the trail, we pass through an amazing progression of ecological zones, from sparsely vegetated alpine meadows flanking two spectacular 20,000' glaciered peaks, down through subtropical forest into the Inca salkantay Trail. We arrive later to the "Lost City of the Incas¨, Machu Picchu.

This lovely and varied salkantay trek hike (about 50km) is the "soft option" from Soray since the pass is lower (though still a tough 4,750m (15,580ft) and then is mostly downhill through forested valleys, above deep ravines, ending at 1,500m.

The trek on the second day from Soray goes steeply uphill for half an hour, then comes to a series of zigzags (Siete Culebras is the local name of this stretch). At the top of the seventh switchback the terrain levels out under Salkantay lateral moraine, and drops gently down to the small laguna Soirococha. The pass you see above is, alas, a false one; the main pass is a little further on, but the view of Salkantay looming above you more than compensates for the effort. The real pass at 4,750m is reached after 3-4 hours from the moraine, and is marked by a pile of stones , "well know as Apacheta by the locals", which grows daily as each traveler adds his pebble to thank the APUS for a safe trip.

Then the trail descends to the left -hand side of the valley, becoming indistinct in swampy areas. And then comes a place named Huayrajmachay "eye of the wind", from here we will have a great chance to see the beautiful Pyramid-shape of Humantay behind as you drop below the tree line, know as LA CEJA DE SELVA ("Eyebrow of the Jungle"), and walk through groves of bamboo with many orchids and other flowers and lots of hummingbirds, spectacular waterfalls, a small hot spring at Collpapampa the right place to lock out for the parakeets that abound in this area as well. And then we go to take a local bus in order to get Santa Teresa where we will enjoy the hot springs which is 45 minutes from this town .and then will see Machupicchu and waynapichu mountains and then the last day will see finally the Incan city of Machu picchu.

DAY BY DAY SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU ITINERARY

FIRST SALKANTAY TREK DAY: CUSCO - MOLLEPATA - SAYLLAPATA - SORAYPAMPA (3,800 M/12,500 FT)

After an early breakfast, we will come to pick you up at 6:00 am at your hotel in Cusco by your salkantay guide and an drive to mollepata but before we take a short break to visit the Inca ruins of Tarawasi near the town of Limatambo (approx. 1.5 hrs from Cusco). After leaving Limatambo, we pass through the mountain village of Mollepata where we stop for a short coffee break before ascending a winding mountain road to a place called sayllapata (1 hour from Mollepata by van).
Here, we will begin our trek to Soraypampa, on an old route called the "Camino Real" (Royal Path). This is a good opportunity for guests to acclimate and enjoy a mild & beautiful 4 hour trek on their first day. (Hiking level: moderate the "Salkantay") the 2 nd most sacred mountain in Inca mythology and, at 20,600 ft (6,270 m), the highest in the region.soraypampa is where we camp the first night

SECOND SALKANTAY TREK DAY: SORAYPAMPA - HUMANTAY SNOW MOUNTAIN - SALKANTAYPAMPA

This day is spent at leisure for rest or activities, depending upon guests' level of acclimatization. The most popular activity at Soraypampa is a half-day hike
(3-4 hours. Hiking level: moderate to challenging) to a glacial lake of Humantay where the more adventurous might take a very short swim! This activity is excellent for acclimatization and a first immersion into high-mountain trekking! In the afternoon after ou lunch we keep going 2 more hours to get salkantay pampa where we camp seconda night with a nice view of salkantay snow capped mountain,

THIRD SALKANTAY TREK DAY: SALKANTAY PAMPA HUAYRACCMACHAY (3,850M/12,600 FT) DAY

This is the big day: the start of the four-day trek to Machu Picchu. After an early start we will hike up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak across from the Salkantay. The highest point on the trek is a pass at 4,600 m (15,000 ft). At the pass we stop to take in views of snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction, the south face of Salkantay towering above us. We will keep our eyes out for Andean condors, often visible in this area. From the pass we continue our descent toward the HUAYRACMACHAY or HUAYRACPAMPA ("Wayra": wind; ‘the place where the wind lives')

FOURTH SALKANTAY TREK DAY: HUAYRACCMACHAY - COLLPAPAMPA(2,800M/9,200 FT)

Following the long first day we enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Wayra campsite. We then begin our trek by hiking downhill above the Salkantay River, through increasingly verdant scenery. Our arrival at the next lodge encounters a "Pachamanca"-style lunch (subject to availability; traditional underground stone cooking). The Colpapampa campsite is located in an open promontory at the confluence of three rivers

FIFTH SALKANTAY TREK DAY :COLLPAPAMPA - LUCMABAMBA (2,100M/6,900 FT).

After an early breakfast we head down the Santa Teresa River Valley, through more populated rural areas with coffee plantations (said to be one of the best organic coffees in the world!), bananas, ‘granadillas', and orchards. We stop along the river for a hot picnic lunch. After another hour of trekking a private local bus arrives to take us to the beginning of the "Llactapata Inca Trail" (30-minute drive). From the head of the trail it is a short climb (30 min.) to the Lucma Lodge, set in an avocado orchard. We arrive in time to allow for exploration of the small village of Lucmabamba and possible meeting with members of the local community.

SIXTH SALKANTAY DAY :LUCMABAMBA LLACTAPATA HYDROELECTRIC TRAIN STATION - AGUAS CALIENTES (1,900 M/6,200 FT). DAY
After an early start and a hearty breakfast, we tackle the last day of our trek. We head uphill for 2-3 hours towards Llactapata pass (2,700 m/8,900ft), where we come upon a distant but quite special view of Machu Picchu from the southwest, a view few tourists ever glimpse; an added value are the Llactapata quechuan site, which have recently been restored. Lunch is provided at the observatory, in view of Machu Picchu. We then begin our final descent to the Aobamba River through lush bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations (2-3 hour descent). Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are a short (30 minutes), scenic train ride away to get aguas calientes to spend the night and hostal

SEVENTH SALKANTAY TREK DAY: MACHU PICCHU(2,450M/8,000 FT) BACK TO OLLANTAYTAMBO AND CUSCO

We wake up early to have breakfast at the hotel and then make our way up by foot or by bus for the ride up to Machu Picchu (30 min). A complete guided tour of Machu Picchu will be provided (2 hours). Guests will have about 4 additional hours to explore the site on their own (there is a lot to do and see). Afterwards, we will return by walking down or by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch and to go to the train station for the afternoon departure. The train takes us to Ollantaytambo (1½ hrs), where a private van will be waiting for you to take us to Cusco (1 ½ hrs). Upon arrival in Cusco (approximately 10 pm) we will drop guests off at the hotel of their choice.

Note: All itineraries are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including, weather, road or trail conditions and flight schedules.

SALKANTAY TREK INCLUDES:
• Pre-departure salkantay trek briefing at Hotel or Office *Give us details of the place you are going to stay in cusco please.
• Professional Quechua Spanish and English speaking salkantay trek tour guide
• Collection from your hotel (we pick you up where you are staying from) from 4:30 to 5:00 am
• Private Transportation Van Cusco to Mollepata ( trailhead) molle pata
• Local Transportation from la playa to Santa Teresa (2 hours aprox. )
•Tourist train (cerrojo-backpacker ) back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (2 hours aprox.) and then bus back to Cusco(1 and half hours aprox. )
• Entrance fee to Machu picchu
• Salkantay trek Food: *6 breakfasts,6 lunches, 6 afternoon snacks (hot drinks, biscuits and popcorn) and 6 dinners (click here to see a sample of quechuas expeditions food)
• 4 seasons HIGH QUALITY PROPER MOUNTAIN TENT (Best Mountain Hardwear & kayla Doite Tents ) (We use only the finest quality aluminum tent poles)4 man tent for 2-people so there will be plenty of space to set up your backpacks(click here to see details of quechuas expeditions Camping Equipment)
• Camping equipment (tent for the staff, cooking and eating tents. Chairs and tables )
• THERM-A-REST self-inflating air Sleeping mattresses ( a whole new way to sleep in comfort.) (click here to see details of quechuas expeditions camping Equipment)
• Cook who is in charge of making the food,
• Horsemen , mules or porters (they carry cooking stuff and camping equipment ) plus 7 kilos for your personal belongings.
• 1 emergency horse to ride every 3 persons - days 1 to 2
• 1 night accommodation in a hostel Aguas Calientes (click here to see the hostal in aguas calientes town)
• Health Insurance for our porters, cooks,guides, field crew and Quechuas Expeditions staff
• Wake up coca tea each morning in your tent for a gentle start
• Quechuas Expeditions Free duffel bag for your personal stuff
• Oxygen balloon for any emergency
Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead
• Transfer train or bus station-hotel in Cusco
• First Aid kit and Free Luggage storage. When you go on the trek it is best to leave any luggage that you are not going to need behind in Cusco. Nearly all the hotels in Cusco provide a secure luggage deposit. Put any valuables in their safe. Very rarely do hotels charge for this service especially if you are returning to the same hotel after the trek. If there are any problems with your hotel we can arrange to store your luggage at our quechuas expeditions office.
• *Vegetarian/special diet options free available

NOTE: Train included in all tours is the Cerrojo-backpacker (Aguas calientes to Ollantaytambo) Train times will only be confirmed once full amount of tour is paid. The earliest train you could take is the 14:00 and being the 9:00 pm the last train. quechuas expeditions will organize the transport back to Cusco (by taxi or by bus).

Please Note: train times are subject to change depending on www.perurail.com click here to see timestable and availability.If organized in advance, the train can be upgraded to Vistadome (larger windows than the backpaker cerrojo train to ollantaytambo ) for an increased price.of US$ 30 let us know please.

(click Below to see Train details)
| Backpacker Train | Vistadome Train | Hiram Bigham Train |

SALKANTAY TREK DOESN'T INCLUDE:

• Breakfast on the first day at mollepata (ask at your hotel)
• Entrance to the hot springs water Santa Teresa / Colcalmayo 15 soles or Aguas Calientes 10 soles (click here to see hot springs)
•Sleeping bag (goose down) -15ºC-extreme it can be hired from us US$20 for all trek mummy form and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 25 trips
• Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu (optional/ instead of walking)  ( one way US$7 and you can Buy it at the Aguas Calientes bus station) aguas calientes to Machupicchu.
• Last Lunch in aguas calientes town
• Bus down tickets from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes town US$ 7 one way
• Travel and health insurance.(bring copies with you please):Quechuas Expeditions highly recommend to get an insurance of trip cancellation/interruption insurance to protect your travel investment. Included with your pre-departure package, bring your travel insurance to cover trip cancellation, interruption, baggage loss and delay, emergency medical evacuation insurance and emergency medical expense insurance.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING ON SALKANTAY TREK:

• Original passport and copies (and Student card (ISIC) green card if you are student ). Note ( you have to bring your student card to machu picchu because you are going to be required to show at the Machupicchu control point
• Travel Insurance card is essential
• Sleeping bag (not included)
• hiking water proof boots (with ankle protectors )
• Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
• Warm jacket
• Sun hat and gloves
• T-shirts / shirts
• Comfortable hiking zip off trousers
• Rain pants
• Bathing suit (for hot springs in Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes)
• Sun protection cream ( factor 35 recommended ) sun is strong
• Insect Repellent ( for mosquitos )15 % of deet at least
• Water bottle.
• Water purifying tablets (Micropur recommended)
• Toilet paper and wet wipes
• Personal medication
• Camera and films
• Torch with spare batteries (flashlight) we recommend headlights
• Extra contribution suggested in soles money for tipping horseman, cook and guide. and for any emergency.
Tips: please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish

OPTIONAL ITEMS TO BRING ON SALKANTAY TREK :

• Short pants , Plaster and bandages
• Walking poles (with rubber tips) they can also be hired from us
NOTE walking poles are not allowed into machu picchu city.

Options:

(1) Single room at Aguas Calientes town (evening on day 4) the accommodations at Aguas Calientes on the 4th night is based on double or triple occupancy
(DWB or TWB). If a client would like to have a single room, need to add US$15.00 to the base price of the tour. You must decide if you want to have a single room in advance and let Us know when making your trek reservation since we need to purchase the hotel booking in advance as well. You cannot decide it at a later date or once you arrive in Cusco.
(2) An extra night in Aguas Calientes can easily be arranged for you if required. Hotels costs and costs associated with returning to Machu Picchu the following day are additional to trek costs. It is best to make your hotel reservation directly.

(3) Vegetarian Meals. We can provide vegetarian meals or cater for special diets with no extra cost. Just let us know at least 2 days prior to trek departure.
(4) Single tent.if you don't want to shared your tent with somebody extra cost of US$15 a day
(5) Sleeping bag hire. If you haven't got a sleeping bag or you don't want the hassle of bringing one all the the to Peru with you then we have sleeping bags in our office for rent. The price is US$ 5 a day .

Reservation details:
All trek reservations must be made at least specially classic inca trail .2 or 3 months in advance (however 3 months in advance is recommended especially during the peak season May, June, July , August and September)

Other information:
(1) Luggage storage. When you go on the trek it is best to leave any luggage that you are not going to need behind in Cusco. Nearly all the hotels in Cusco provide a secure luggage deposit. Put any valuables in their safe. Very rarely do hotels charge for this service especially if you are returning to the same hotel after the trek. If there are any problems with your hotel we can arrange to store your luggage at our office.
(2) Time of arrival in Cusco. Unless you plan to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes, you will return to your hotel in Cusco for approximately 10:30 pm on the last day of the trek.
(3) Trek Itinerary: For a detailed description of our trekking tour itinerary see above.

NOTE ABOUT CAMPSITES ON THE INCA TRAIL AND ALTERNATIVE INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU
Please note that we are not in control of the campsites we are issued with from the Institute of National Culture. In general your campsite allocation is depends on how early you book, or rather, how many inca trail permits are left. The first 250 spaces are generally given to Winay Wayna (3rd campsite 2 hours far from machupicchu and 1 hour away from sungate) and thereafter you will have a longer walk to Machupicchu on the last day and it could mean you do not make it for sunrise. Do not let this disappoint you as Machupicchu is marvellous in itself!

CAMPSITES ON THE ALTERNATIVES TREK TO MACHU`PICCHU
campsites are going to be according to the progress of the group (how fast you walk) our guides will try to get the best places to camp.

UP TO DATE INCA TRAIL PERMIT AVAILABILITY
If you wish to check on permit availability you can view spaces at : INCA TRAIL The Inca Trail is regulated by 500 spaces per day including support staff. Availability can shift very quickly so we advise you to book well in advance especially for the peak season months of May, June, July and August.

IMPORTANT NOTE: personal inca trail porters
Our Porters carry a maximum load of 15kg, but we kindly ask you to not exceed your 6kg stated allowance as we need to adhere to the INC regulations and more importantly not damage the health and welfare of our Porters! Please note that if you want to hire a personal porter you need to tell us this at the time of making your reservation as our Porters also require permits to enter the trail and we cannot add on more porters after we have obtained your permits!
and if you want to hire an horse for any of our alternative inca trail will cost you US$20 a day.

INCA TRAIL AND ALTERNATIVE INCA TRAILS SERVICE:( TO CLOSE YOUR GROUP)

If you would like your group to be "closed", no other persons added to it, then this is possible to arrange for an extra $80 per person. With this service you are given more flexibility to walk at your own pace, you will have the guide to yourselves and an all round more personal service! At the time of making your reservation kindly indicate to us that you would prefer this option.

STUDENTS DISCOUNTS:
If you have a valid ISIC Student Card you are entitled to US$30 discount for classic inca trail and US$ 20 for alternative inca trails. When making your booking please send us a scanned in version of your Student Card to entitle you to the discount.

INCA TRAIL REGULATION:
The national historical sanctuary is protected by law to conserve its biodiversity as well as the Inka ruins. Machupicchu comes under intense pressure, with over 300,000 visitors each year. From May to September, an average of 2000 people explore the ruins daily, of whom 150 / 200 have hiked the trail, and the rest by train.
Compared with many other tourist attractions, the Inka trail is well maintained. The Peruvians have worked hard at limiting the erosion, litter and other damage caused by its popularity. This is a long term campaign which needs and deserves your support. By choosing an environmentally conscious tour operator and be careful about handling litter, where you go the toilet, and the use the poles you can help them preserve this wonderful place. Fortunately, controversial plans to build a cable car and large hotel at machupicchu have been widely opposed, and the rules announced in 2000 were being enforced from 2001.
• All hikers must be acompanied by a licensed tour guide.
• Entry fee...for the full trail ...for some other treks ...
• Group size must not exceed 16 visitors.
• A maximum of 500 people per day will be allowed to embark on the inca trail.
• inka trail Porters are not allowed to carry more than 25 kg.
• The inka trail will be closed for one month each year for maintenance (from February 2002).
• Since you are walking on ancient stones, the rule about protecting pole tips makes sense.
• No disposable water bottles may be used to reduce the litter problem.
• When visiting ruins, never climb on the stones or put your rusksack anywhere except on the ground.
• Although you may not see the rucksack rule displayed local guides enforce it, as well as being a precaution against damage, it is a courtesy to other hikers.
• Other rules prohibit acts of vandalism (such as picking wild flowers, camping in the archeological sites or making open fires) that no readers of this would consider.
• Additional rules govern machupicchu itself.

INCA TRAIL INFORMATIONS: Inca Trail Introductions / How to Book iInca Trail /How to Get Winayhuayana as your last Inca Trail camping spot /Inca Trail Day 1 / Inca Trail Day 2 / Inca Trail Day 3 / Inca Trail Day 4 / Weather & Trek Preparations / inca trail via llactapata / Inca Trail Porters/Inca Trail Food/Inca Trail Equipment/camping equipment |
INCA TRAIL TREKS: Classic Inca Trail (4D) | Inca Trail Private (4D) | Inca Trail (5D) | Short Inca Trail (2D) | inka trail via salkantay (7D) | Inca Trail (3D) |short inka trail via llactapata (2D) |
ALTERNATIVE INCA TRAIL TREKS: Lares Valley Trek (4D) | Salkantay Trek (5D) |Salkantay Trek (4D) | Mandor Pampa & Putucusi (2D) | Ausangate Trek (6D) | Choquequirao Trek (4D) | Choquequirao (5D) | Choquequirao to machupicchu (9D) | Inka Jungle Trail (4D)
SALKANTAY TREK : salkantay trek (7D) | salkantay trek Private (5D) | salkantay trek (5D) | salkantay trek (2D) | Salkantay inka trail (7D) | salkantay trek (3D) | salkantay trek (2D) | salkantay trek (4D) | salkantay trek (10D)
INKA JUNGLE PERU : Inka jungle peru camping (4D) | Inka jungle peru Private (4D) | Inka jungleTrail (5D) | Inka jungle peru (2D) | Inka jungle peru(7D) | Inka jungle peru Trail (3D) | Inka jungle cusco Trail (2D)
LARES TREK : lares trek (4D) | lares trek Private (4D) | lares trek (5D) | lares trek patacancha and willoq(2D) | lares trek (7D) | lares trek (3D) | lares trek to huaran(4D) | lares trek (7D) | lares trek peru (6D) | lares trek communities (5D) |
CHOQUEQUIRAO TO MACHUPICCHU : choquequirao trek (4D) | choquequirao trek Private (4D) | choquequirao trek 5D) | choquequirao /machupicchu trek (9D) | choquequirao trek (7D) | choquequirao trek to Huanipaca (5D) | choquequirao trek (6D) |
AUSANGATE TREK : ausangate trek (4D) | ausangate trek Private (4D) | ausangate trek to singrinacocha (5D) | ausangate trek (3D) | ausangate trek (7D) | ausangate trek (12D) | ausangate ice climbing trek (11D) |
MANU NATIONAL PARK : manu jungle trip (3D) | manu jungle trip Private (4D) | manu jungle trip (5D) | manu jungle trip (6D) | manu jungle trip (7D) | manu jungle trip (8D) | manu jungle trip (9D) manu jungle trip (10D) | manu jungle trip (12D) | manu jungle trip reserved zone(8D) |
PERU CULTURAL HOLIDAYS: sacred valley of the inkas | cusco city tour | machupicchu by train | machupicchu by car | south valley tours| |  Maras & Moray Tours | Machupicchu full day
PERU SPORT HOLIDAYS: Whitewater rafting Urubamba | Whitewater rafting Apurimac | Whitewater rafting jungle |Biking Maras & Moray Tours | paragliding over the sacred valley | horseback riding cusco peru - sacred valley of the incas |
PERU OTHER SERVICES: hotel peru | hostels cusco | lodges cusco peru | rental shops cusco | camping shops | camping equipment to sell & rent | freelance tour guides to machupicchu | free maps cusco peru | free information | disco night clubs cusco peru |restaurant cusco peru | local markets cusco peru | Booking Bus and Train Tickets| Booking Flights Booking Bus and Train Tickets| Booking Flights |
PERU TRAVEL INFORMATION: Peru package holidays | southamerican package holidays | Weather | Health | Machu Picchu | Choquequirao | Salkantay | Inka Jungle | Lares | Hotels | About Cusco | About Peru | Calendar Events of Cusco | Community of Canacchimpa |Aymaras Expeditions lodges Peru | rafting machupicchu | quechuas lodges | Peru maps | trekking holidays itineraries | jungle holidays intineraries | cultural holidays intineraries |

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