Download tour in PDF format:

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:

PERU TREKKING AND JUNGLE TOP HOLIDAYS ( EXPEDITIONS AND EXPLORATION )
LEAR HOW TO SURVIVE IN THE JUNGLE HOW TO GET WATER AND FOOD.
CLASSIC INCA TRAIL + MANU JUNGLE EXPEDITION AND EXPLORATION HOLIDAYS 8/D 7/N

For those who have missed out on permits for the Classic Inca Trail since most dates till August have already run out..there are great alternatives in the Inka Jungle, Cachicata Trek, Lares Trek and Salkantay trek which also spend their last day of Tour in Machu Picchu. there are alternate tour to MACHUPICCHU As: Salkantay Trek 5/D - 4/D, Lares Machupicchu 4/D, Inca Jungle 4/D Let us know if you choose any of our alternative treks to MACHUPICCHU.


CLASSIC INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU 4 DAYS AND 3 NIGHTS
The Inca trail system/inca trail to machu picchu/inca pilgrimage trail
Inca trail was constructed in pre-Columbian South America, the Inca road system, or Qhapaq Ñan. was the most extensive. The network was based on two north-south roads. The eastern route ran high in Puna and mountain valleys from Quito, Ecuador to Mendoza, Argentina. The western route followed the coastal plain except in coastal deserts where it hugged the foothills. More than twenty routes ran over the western mountains, while others traversed the eastern cordillera in the montana and lowlands. Some of these roads reach heights of over 5,000 m ( 16,500 ft ) above sea level. The trails connected the regions of the Inca empire from the northern provincial capital in Quito, Ecuador past the modern city of Santiago, Chile in the south. The Inca road system linked together about 40,000 km of roadway and provided access to over three million km² of territory.the roads provided routes for rapid communication, personnel movement, and logistical support. The prime users were soldiers, porters and llama caravans, along with the nobility and individuals on official duty. Permission was required before others could walk along the roads, and tolls were charged at some bridges.Althought the Inca roads varied greatly in scale, construction and appearance, for the most part they varied between about one and four meters in width.
Because the Incas did not make use of the wheel for transportation, and did not have horses until the arrival of the Spanish in Peru in the 16th century, the trails were used almost exclusively by people walking, sometimes accompanied by pack animals, usually the llama.
Relay messengers, or chasqui on the inca trail, stationed at intervals of 6 to 9 km , carried both messaegs and objects such as fresh marine fish for the rulers in the sierra. Messages consisted of knotted-cord records known as quipu along with a spoken message. Chaskis could cover an estimated 240 km per day.
There were approximately 2,000 inns, or tambos on the inca trail, placed at even intervals along the trails. The inns provided food, shelter and military supplies to the tens of thousands who traveled the roads. There were corrals for llamas and stored provisions such as corn, lima beans, dried potatoes, and llama jerky. Along the roads, local villagers would plant fruit trees that were watered by irrigation ditches. This enabled chasqui runners and other travelers to be refreshed while on their journeys. Inca rope bridges provided access across valleys.
The most important Inca trail road was the Camino inca, as it is known in Spanish, with a length of 5,200 km ( 3,230 mi ). It began in Quito, Ecuador, passed through Cusco, and ended in what is now Tucumán, Argentina. The Camino Real traversed the mountain ranges of the Andes, with peak altitudes of more than 5,000 m . El Camino de la Costa , the coastal trail, with a length of 4,000 km ( 2,420 mi ), ran parallel to the sea and was linked with the Camino Real by many smaller routes.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is actually three routes, which all meet up near Inti-Pata, the 'Sun Gate' and entrance to Machu Picchu. The three trails are known as the Mollepata, Classic and One Day trails, with Mollepata being the longest of the three. Located in the Andes mountain range, the Trail passes through several types of Andean environments including cloud forest and alpine tundra. Settlements, tunnels, and many Incan ruins are located along the trail before ending the terminus at the Sun Gate on Machu Picchu mountain. The two longer routes require an ascent to beyond 12,000 ft ( 3,660 m ) above sea level, which can result in altitude sickness.
Concern about overuse leading to erosion has led the Peruvian government to place a limit on the number of people who may hike this trail per season, and to sharply limit the companies that can provide guides. As a result, advance booking is mandatory. A maximum of 500 people, including guides and porters, are permitted to begin the trail every day. As a result, the high season books out very quickly.

DAY BY DAY INCA TRAIL AND MANU JUNGLE TRIP ITINERARY 8/D 7/N

FIRST INCA TRAIL DAY: CUSCO - PISKACUCHO - KM 82 - WAYLLABAMBA
We will leave from Cusco and travel to Urubamba where we will stop briefly at Ollaytaytambo where you can buy last minute gear and personal needing, then we move on to Piskacuchu (Km 82) and the start of the Inca Trail. We will have lunch at Miskay and relax a bit before hiking to our first campsite. Huayllabamba,Along the way we will see the first and the biggest archeological site of the inca trail patallaqta

SECOND INCA TRAIL DAY: WAYLLABAMBA - WARMIWAÑUSCA - PAQAYMAYU
We'll start the day, early in the morning, just to take advantage of the shade of the mountains ,its much better to hike up to the highest point of the Inca Trail. Here, we can literally see the various ecological zones and microclimates, which make up the area, mapped out in front of us. We will cross the Warmiwañusca pass at 4,200 meters/13,780 feet above sea level. After lunch we will continue on to the Pacaymayo campsite, where we will enjoy dinner and a well deserved rest.

THIRD INCA TRAIL DAY: PAQAYMAYU - CHAQICOCHA - WIÑAYWAYNA
begins with a nutritious breakfast and then a 45-minute hike up to the second highest pass on the Trail (3,850 meters/12,631 feet above sea level), and along the way we will visit the Runcuracay archeological site. During the day's hike, we will also visit the Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca quechuan archeological sites . After lunch we will head to the Wiñaywayna site , where we will spend our last night on the inca Trail.

FOURTH INCA TRAIL DAY:WIÑAYWAYNA - MACHUPICCHU - CUSCO
After an early breakfast, we begin the final leg of the trek to the lost city of Machu picchu. First, we will hike to Inti Punku ("Sun Gate"), where we will take in an inspiring and panoramic view of the Machu picchu citadel. After a short hike down to Machu picchu, we will register and then enjoy a 2-hours guided tour of the sanctuary-city. After the tour of Machupicchu, we will take the bus down or walk to Aguas Calientes where we will enjoy a lunch and free time to enjoy the town before returning to ollantaytambo by train and then bus back to cusco.

FIFTH FREE DAY TO RELAX IN CUSCO TO WALK AROUND THE CITY to choose 3 differents tours : Bus, Walking tours and horseback riding

Horseback riding: we offer 2 times to choose from 9:30 am 2:00 pm or from 2:00pm to 6:30pm and includes: Transportation from Town Square to the ranch, English guide and entrance fee the incan sites of :(Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay).

City Tour from: we offer 2 times to choose from 9:30 am 2:00 pm or from 2:00pm to 6:30pm and includes: Bus, English guide and entrance fee the incan sites of :(Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay).

Sacred Valley Tour from 9:00 am to 6:30 full day includes: Bus, English Guide and entrance fee to the Sacred Valley incan sites of:(Pisaq, ollantaytambo and Chincheros)

SIXTH MANU JUNGLE HOLIDAY DAY : Early morning we come to pick you up from your hotel and leave from Cusco by private Van (for groups larger than 04 persons) or 4WD car ( for small groups up to 04 persons) and drive through the Andean Mountains. We make a stop at Ninamarka to see the pre-Inca burial towers before we begin our descent in to the Cloud Forest. Here we make a hike and the flora reveals a variety of ferns, orchids and different parasitic plants. The fauna on the other hand might
Show us among others the famous Cock-of-the-Rock bird, monkeys and the almost extinct Spectacled Bear. We spend the night in a nearby lodge in the Cloud Forest.

SEVENTH MANU JUNGLE HOLIDAY DAY: In the early morning we walk from the lodge to spend time on a hidden platform to observe the dance ritual and meeting place of the Cock of the Rocks birds. Return to the lodge. After breakfast we continue towards Bonanza Lodge. On the way we visit some local families and their small farms, pass through Pillcopata town and board the boat in Atalaya or Shintuya port. From here we continue in the motorized boat sailing down the Alto Madre de Díos River. Along the riverbanks we often see cormorants, herons and vultures. We stop in Aguas Calientes near Shintuya Native Community for lunch. Here it is possible to enjoy a natural hot bath. Early afternoon we continue down river to Bonanza lodge. After arrival we get arranged in the Lodge and then we go for a late afternoon walk on an island just in front of the lodge. Especially the birdlife here is very busy and colorful and small mammals are seen from time to time as well. We return in the early evening and spend the night in rooms with comfortable beds with mosquito nets in the Lodge.

EIGHTH MANU JUNGLE HOLIDAY DAY: After an early breakfast we will start our ecological excursion through the jungle going to Aguas Negras River and the Amarakaeri Reserve. We arrive to our campsite around midday. In the afternoon we will visit different trails going into the virgin jungle, where we in our search have a nice chance to watch wildlife. Our system of trails offers different walks according to the wishes of our passengers. This evening we sleep in comfortable mattresses and tents in our Open Air Campsite. This late evening we make another nightwalk.

NINTH  MANU JUNGLE HOLIDAY DAY: Early morning before breakfast we leave our overnight place and walk by another trail back to Bonanza Eco Lodge, here we have breakfast and get ready to star sail up head river back to Atalaya port ( lunch we get at the boat), from Atalaya our private Van or 4WD car will take us back to Cusco
NOTE :The program can change according to the weather, river conditions and wishes of the group.
 

CLASSIC INCA TRAIL INCLUDES:

• Pre-departure inca trail and manu jungle 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 inca trail tour guide
• Collection from your hotel (we pick you up where you are staying from) from 6:00 to 6:30 am
• Private Transportation Van to KM 82 Piscacucho( trailhead)
• 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 the Inca Trail and Machu picchu
• Food: *3 breakfasts,3 lunches, 3 afternoon snacks (hot drinks, biscuits and popcorn) and 3 dinners (click here to see a sample of quechuas expeditions food)
• 4 season 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 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 Equipment)
• Cook who is in charge of making the food,
• Porters (they carry cooking stuff and camping equipment )
• 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 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 Peru rail 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 |


INCA TRAIL DOESN'T INCLUDE:

• Breakfast on the first morning (ask at the hotel)
• Entrance to the hot spring in 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.

MANU JUNGLE HOLIDAY INCLUDES:

• pre departure breafing at the hotel/office
• Qualified naturalist native jungle English/Spanish-speaking guide
• cook /cooking equipment
• camping equipment/tents and mats (i case we camp in the jungle)
• Transportation by private bus from Cusco to the Cloud Forest and Atalaya , and back from Atalaya to Cusco (4 day tour)
• Transportation by private boat: Atalaya / Bonanza lodge / Atalaya (4-day tour)
• Overnights in lodges and camping huts
• Mineral water
• 3 Meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Manu National Park guide book - Talking About Manu
• Park entrance fee
• entrance fee to the hot springs• vegetarian opcion...send us you requirements please.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING ON THE INCA TRAIL:
• 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 porters, 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 THE INCA TRAIL:
• 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.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING ON MANU JUNGLE TRIP:
• Rainforest expeditions are not comfortable tours, but with the following equipment you will get the best out of the forest and yourself:
• Binoculars (imperative)
• Flashlight with spare bulbs and extra batteries
• Sleeping bag (it can be hired from us US$5 a day)
• Day pack
• Long pants and long-sleeved shirts
• T-shirts
• Shorts/Bathing suit
• Towel
• Sweater or light jacket
• 1 pair of hiking boots and 1 pair of light shoes or trekking sandals
• Long socks
• Rain gear
• Rubber boots (only in the rainy season-we provide them)
• Sunhat, sunglasses, sun block
• Insect repellent (with at least 40% DEET) and after bite
• Toilet-paper
• Plastic bags (to keep everything dry)
• Water bottle (with water for the bus ride into Manu)
• Copy of a valid passport
• Copy of yellow fever and tetanus vaccinations
• Money for soft drinks or beers and handicrafts

 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.

Download tour in PDF format: