Classic Inca Trail 4/D 3/N
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:
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SOUTH AMERICAN EXPLORERS / LONELY PLANET / FROMMERS / NYTIMES / TRIP ADVISOR / REAL TRAVELERS REVIEWS.
1.-QUECHUAS EXPEDITIONS GROUP TOP QUALITY SERVICE: (GROUP SIZE 02 Min - 08 Max) our most popular trek and offers to visitors the most economical method to trek the Inca Trail and alternative Inca Trails to Machu Picchu. you'll be joining a group of other hikkers like you coming from overseas, a great opportunity to have fun and make new friends.
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REAL TRAVELLERS REVIEWS OF
QUECHUAS EXPEDITIONS

Classic Inca Trail 4/D 3/N
| Our prices are based on Number of people departing that day and we Never pass you onto another operator, we will leave even if you are 2 persons. | |||||
| Number of persons in Group of: |
2 persons (Group) |
3 persons (Group) |
4 persons (Group) |
5 persons (Group) |
6 - 8 persons (Group) |
| 2013 Price US$ & Per Person. | US$720 | US$700 | US$680 | US$660 | US$640 |
Pilgrimage Inca Trail (Man-Made Path to Machupicchu)
Inca trail was constructed in pre-Columbian South America, the Inca Trail system, or Qhapaq Ñan. was the most extensive. The network was based on two north-south Inca Trail roads. The eastern Inca Trail route ran high in Puna and mountain valleys from Quito, Ecuador to Mendoza, Argentina. The western Inca Trail route followed the coastal plain except in coastal deserts where it hugged the foothills. More than twenty Inca Trail routes ran over the western mountains, while others traversed the eastern cordillera in the montana and lowlands. Some of these Inca Trail roads reach heights of over 5,000 m ( 16,500 ft ) above sea level. The Inca 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 Trail road system linked together about 40,000 km of roadway and provided access to over three million km² of territory.the Inca Trail 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 Inca trails were used almost exclusively by people walking, sometimes accompanied by pack animals, usually the llama.
Relay messengers, or chasqui, stationed at intervals of 6 to 9 km , carried both messages 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 on The Inca Trail per day.
There were approximately 2,000 inns, or tambos, placed at even intervals along the Inca 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 Inca Trail 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 Real, 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 Inca Trail or Camino Real traversed the mountain ranges of the Andes, with peak altitudes of more than 5,000 m . Inca Trail or Camino de la Costa , the coastal Inca Trail, with a length of 4,000 km ( 2,420 mi ), ran parallel to the sea and was linked with the Inca Trail or 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 Inca Trails are known as the Mollepata, Classic Inca Trail and One Day Inca Trail, with Mollepata being the longest of the three. Located in the Andes mountain range, the Inca Trail passes through several types of Andean environments including cloud forest and alpine tundra. Settlements, tunnels, and many Incan ruins are located along the Inca 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 Inca 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 Inca Trail every day. As a result, the high season books out very quickly.
Virtual IncaTrail map
ITINERARY:
CLASSIC INCA TRAIL TREKKING TO MACHUPICCHU 4 DAYS AND 3 NIGHTS
DAY BY DAY INCA TRAIL ITINERARY
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FIRST INCA TRAIL DAY: CUSCO - PISKACUCHO - KM 82 - WAYLLABAMBA |
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SECOND INCA TRAIL DAY: WAYLLABAMBA - WARMIWAÑUSCA - PACAYMAYO We'll start our Inca Trail day, early in the morning, just to take advantage of the shade of the mountains ,its much better to hike up to thefirst Inca Trail pass (Warmihuañusca which means dead woman pass 4200 m.a.s.l) highest point of the Inca Trail. Here, we can literally see the various Inca Trail ecological zones and microclimates, which make up the area, mapped out in front of us. We will cross the Warmiwañusca pass and once we are on the top. we are going to see many snow-capped Mountains around and after we take a our group pciture we keep going dow to Pacaymayo (second Inca Trail Camping spot 3600 m.a.s.l) where we have our Lunch and then we will have a free afternoon to explore by ourselves. 2ND DAY:Total distance: 12 km (aprox.) Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours Maximum altitude point: 4,200 m (aprox.) Campsite altitude: 3,650 m (aprox.) |
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THIRD INCA TRAIL DAY: PACAYMAYO - CHAQUICOCHA - WIÑAYWAYNA Inca Trail begins with a nutritious breakfast and then a 45-minute hike up to Runcurakay Pass (second highest pass on the Trail 3,850 m.a.s.l), 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 of the Inca Trail. After lunch we will head to the Wiñaywayna site , where we will spend our last night on the inca Trail and then we will have a celebratory dinner to then say good bye to our Inca Trail porters. 3RD DAY:Total distance: 16 km (aprox.) Estimated walking time: 7-8 hours Maximum altitude point: 3,900 m (aprox.) Campsite altitude: 2,650 m (aprox.) |
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FOURTH INCA TRAIL DAY:WIÑAYWAYNA - MACHUPICCHU - CUSCO Inca Trail Important 4 th Day After an early breakfast, we begin the final leg of the Inca Trail to the lost city of Machu picchu. First, we will hike to Inti Punku ("Sun Gate"), Gate of the Inca Trail 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 Part of the Inca Trail 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. 4TH DAY:Total distance: 7 km (aprox.) Estimated walking time: 2-3 hours Maximum altitude point: 2,700 m (aprox.) |
IMPORTANT:
Note: All itineraries are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including, weather, road or trail conditions and flight schedules. we recommend to book your INCA TRAIL in advance in order to get Wiñayhuayna as your last camping spot ( 02 hours walk far from Wiñayhuayna to Machupicchu)
CLASSIC INCA TRAIL INCLUDES:
• Pre-departure inca trail 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 (H-1 Hyundai) to KM 82 Piscacucho ( trailhead of the Inca Trail)
• 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
• Inca Trail Food is The best : 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 Camping Equipment)
• Camping Equipment (Tent for the Inca Trail staff, cooking and eating tents. portables 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)
• Inca Trail Cook, who is in charge of making the food,
• Well-paid and well-treated porters (they carry cooking stuff, camping equipment )
• 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 • Sleeping bag (not included) it can be hired from us and it must be carried by passengers.Sleeping pad (included). we include THERM-A-REST self-inflating air Sleeping mattresses ( a whole new way to sleep in comfort.) and it must be carried by passengers as well. ( you can hire an extra porter US$150 (12kg Max) or half porter US$75 (6kg Max) for the entire trek ).
• 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
• Two-hours guided tour upon your arrival in Machu Picchu( to explore every important temples of the Santuary).
• Single Tents and vegetarian meals available upon request with no extra cost
• Free "I survived " T-shirt and certificate (only for PEOPLE who successfully complete the trek!!)
• Transfer train or bus station-hotel in Cusco
• First Aid kit for Emergencies.
• 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.
Quechuas Expeditions Additional Things Include From March 2013 - January 2014
• Portables Tent & Biodegradable Toilet (toilet waste bags) Quechuas Expeditions allows you to bring the comforts of home along for an enjoyable trip.Having a toilet in your home away from home may be convenience at its finest. Camping. so you don't have to go out into the woods in the middle of the night to do your business.( Click here to see inca treks toilets)
• Responsible Tourism and Well-paid and well-treated porters(HOW YOU CAN HELP ENSURE PROPER TREATMENT)(Click here to see a detailed page)
• Quechuas Expeditions Bottle for free. Get one for free at the office.
• Radio walkie talkies to keep us in communication when we get spread out.( Cook and Porters have different hiking speeds)
• Buffet Meals as well as guinea pig (Roasted Cuy) one of Peru's national dish. We want you to taste something local at no extra cost.
• Free Walking or Biking Tour while you acclimatize for your trek.The traditional walking tour of Cusco takes visitors past some of the most famous areas of Cusco, including the barrio of San Blas, the 12 sided stone, the Qorikancha, Palacio de Justicia and Plaza de Armas. The city of Cusco is steeped in history and its development through time is shown perfectly along the route. The impressive Qorikancha shows 3 clear periods of use, whilst also demonstrating changing attitudes to historical conservation in Peru. The structure shows pre-Inca, Inca and colonial Spanish architecture, as each successive civilisation sought to consolidate their power over the others by symbolically building on top of one of their most important religious structures.
• Homestay in Cusco (this is for all our passengers only) Not Available Yet. Coming soon.
• Share the real culture and Peruvian style, all the while living with a real Peruvian family and learning the rich customs and traditions.
• Try new and delicious foods
• Learn Spanish in the best possible way having interesting discussions with the family you are staying with.
• Make new friends and enjoy with them the beautiful city know as CUSCO.
• You will not only be living with the family but will be part of it as well, you will be invited to take part in all the families activities, Parties etc.
• You will have a family far from you own country, they will make you feel like being in your own home.(Live like local)
• Enjoy this beautiful and mysterious city of the ancient Inkas.
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Please help us to reduce or eliminate the generation of plastic waste by refilling this bottle in any of the water stations located throughout on the treks. This is part of our efforts towards a cleaner and healthier environment. Sponsored by Quechuas Expeditions (The Best Local Tour Operator) Get one of this Bottle for Fee at our Office!!! |
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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 10:30 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$ 60 let us know please.
(click Below to see Train details)
| Expedition 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$30 for all trek mummy form and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 25 trips.
• Last Lunch aguas calientes town
• Bus down tickets from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes town US$8 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 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 of the Inca Trail
Note .- If for any reason you organize a new passport after we have purchased your permits.… you MUST bring with you, the old passport or 2 very clear copies of the old passport along with your new passport on the trail.
• Travel Insurance card is essential
• Sleeping bag (not included) it can be hired from us and it must be carried by passengers.Sleeping pad (included). we include THERM-A-REST self-inflating air Sleeping mattresses ( a whole new way to sleep in comfort.) and it must be carried by passengers as well. ( you can hire an extra porter US$150 (12kg Max) or half porter US$75 (6kg Max) for the entire trek ).
• 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 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 Money
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 (they can be used on the Inca Trail if they have rubber tips)
NOTE: walking poles are not allowed into machu picchu city.
Highlights of Inca Trails Treks with Quechuas Expeditions
• We´re a locally owned company and organize all our own tours and We Never pass our people onto another operator either never share service with other as most travel agencies do here to minimize costs, we leave even if you are a group of 02ppl.
• Small Private and Personalized service for all our guests
• We use the best campsites and avoid the crowds
• We treat our porters with respect and provide them with everything they need (Please Note we never overload our porter most travel agencies include 7kg extra stuff, but who carry those stuff? If you hire an extra porter there will be some more porters to carry your personal stuff and they won’t be obligated to carry some more stuff.(Very Important)
• We use the Best Brand new and top quality equipment (Aluminum poles 4 season tents as well as Therm-a-rest Self Inflating pads)
• Native and knowledgeable Local Tour guides
• Buffet Home cooked meals with fresh, organic ingredients
Return Train Tickets .- The return train is the Expedition train which departs either at 2.55, 4.20, 4.42 or 6.45 pm. The train that is booked depends on availabilty and is confirmed at your briefing. There is an option to upgrade your train to the Vistadome train which is an extra US$60 per person. Please let us your preference at the time of booking. None of the trains go straight to Cusco, they only run either to Ollantaytambo or Poroy but in either case we will transfer you back by Private bus to your hotel.
and if you stay an extra night in aguas calientes we will purchase the train tickets for the following day at the same time.
Food on our Treks.- (You will Never be hungry with us) Definitely one of the highlights of the tour is the food. It is always fresh and most of it is organic. There is always a lot to eat and lots of options including vegetables, meat, chicken, fish and other types of protein and carbohydrates. Everyone sits down to eat together and we go out of our way to accommodate all dietary requirements including vegetarian options and any food allergies. We do not provide any alcoholic drinks on the trek but if you would like you can bring your own.( a Plus Guinea pig Roasted to taste for free)
Our Camping Equipment.- We provide 3 man tents for only 2 people and inflatable (therm-a-rest) mattresses for everyone (Because we want you to sleep in Comfort). Our dining equipment includes a spacious dining tent, Portable tables and chairs, plates and utensils. We do NOT supply sleeping bags or walking sticks, but all can be rented from Quechuas Expeditions. We have some extra Fleece sleeping Liner for all our hikers for those especially cold nights. Just ask us and will provide you one.
Please note that if you are over 1.95 meters / 6´4" tall then you won´t be able to rent a sleeping bag in Cusco. In this case it is recommended to bring your own.
Our Guides, Cooks and Porters.- All of them are amazing, helpful, caring, and great people to be around with. Our guides speak good English and are patient and very informative. Our cooks provide amazing family style food for you and our porters and everyone is impressed with what they can whip up in the middle of the mountains. Your porters will carry everything for you which makes your trek as easy and comfortable as possible, thanks to them you will finish your trek and have a great time. Our porters are called ´Quechuas Chaskis´ on the Inca Trail. And we never overload them, as most travel agencies who share service and offer extra kilos to be carry by porters with no extra cost.
We make sure that all our team are well looked after and we provide all the equipment that they need so that they can do the trek in as much comfort as possible.
Fitness on the Treks.- The Inca Trail is certainly not easy but you do not need to be an athlete or a trekking expert to complete it. Fitness is naturally important but the Inca Trail is the kind of trek that anyone with a positive attitude and determination can do. Obviously the more fit you are the more you will enjoy the trail and the more chance you will have to take in the scenery and appreciate the Inca ruins dotted along the way. If you do not exercise regularly, it is advisable to do some extra walking or some kind of aerobic activity in the months leading up to your trip.
Many people worry whether they will be able to cope physically but complete failure is rare and would usually only result from severe altitude sickness or a person lacking even a basic level of fitness. People of all ages (from teenagers to pensioners) complete the trek and age itself is no barrier if you are positive minded and live an active lifestyle. Before departing for your tour, we recommend visiting your doctor who will be able to provide you with more information.
Storage during your Trek.- During the Inca Trail trek your main luggage will be stored in Cuzco and if you have an extra porting service you will receive a small duffle bag at your Inca Trail briefing (briefings are normally set for the evening before you start the trek) to pack clothes for 3-4 days. Your team of porters will carry these bags together with the food and equipment for the trail. Please note that you will not have access to these items until the end of each day as the porters will always be ahead of the group, you should therefore bring a day pack in which you can carry personal belongings such as your camera, water and sun screen etc. By Peruvian law the duffle bag carried by the porters must not weigh more than 6kg (12pounds). You can either store your luggage at your hotel or you can leave it with us.
Terms & Conditions:
• We only can confirm the reservation after recieving a Non-refundable US$200 for any Inca Trail and US$100 for any alternative Treks and 30 % for our Peru packages and others Services (Method of payments Western Union and bank Transfer) Please note that the program deposit is non-refundable. The deposit is used to purchase the ticket entrance to Machupicchu and also for booking the train ticket and hotels. And once a space is purchased it cannot be resold. And if you want an extra porter you have send us 50% as well.
The Final Balance must paid 2 days before we Start the Trek/Tour(and it must be in cash in dollars or soles), otherwise we will cancel the tour unless you send us an email saying that you will have a delay.
• Please, If you want to make a fast Reservation send us all your personal information as: full names, Passport Number, Nationality, Gender, Age as well as you trek deposit (Use Fastest and safest way in Peru. Western Union)
• Quechuas Expeditions will not give any refunds if a participant decides to cancel the trip prior to departure or during the trip (except from the entrances to the archaeological sites and the bus/train tickets)
• If Quechuas Expeditions doesn’t confirm the reservation, your payment will be refunded totally.
• All participants have to carry their own back packs, including sleeping bag and mattresses unless they booked an extra porter or the service includes porters, horsemen or mules.
• A participant must declare if he/she has any sickness or medical disorder and must bring his/her own medicines.
• All participants must bring their original passport and, if available, their original student green card ´ISIC´.
• It is compulsory that all clients have personal travel insurance. This insurance must cover personal accident, medical expenses, loss of effects and all other expenses which might arise as a result of loss, damage or injury occurring to the client. Quechuas Expeditions cannot be accounted for any accident or loss of personal belongings the customer caused by his/her own.
• In case force majeure occurs, like impossibility to operate the program or trek due to unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside Quechuas Expeditions' control like: extreme weather conditions, landslides, strikes not allowing operation or putting it at risk, sudden inaccessibility of route, etc. Quechuas Expeditions will propose viable solutions to operate the program within the available dates, or if impossible, will then propose an alternative program. If the alternative program chosen by the client is of lower value than that originally booked then the client is entitled to a refund of the price difference. All costs derived will be at the expense of the client. In case none of these would be feasible, Quechuas Expeditions would refund all the money paid except all the incurred expenses so far.
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DISTRIBUTION OF QUECHUAS EXPEDITIONS STAFF ON The Classic Inca Trail |
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HIKERS |
GUIDE |
COOKS |
PORTERS |
TOTAL |
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02 Min |
01 |
01 |
03 |
07 |
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03 |
01 |
01 |
03 |
07 |
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04 |
01 |
01 |
04 |
10 |
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05 |
01 |
01 |
04 |
12 |
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06 |
01 |
01 & a kitchen Assistant |
05 |
14 |
|
07 |
01 |
01 & a kitchen Assistant |
05 |
15 |
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08 Max |
01 |
01 & a kitchen Assistant |
05 |
16 |
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Note: Our Porters will carry Camping Equipment as well as food only. Sleeping bag (not included) it can be hired from us and it must be carried by passengers. Sleeping pad (included). we include THERM-A-REST self-inflating air Sleeping mattresses ( a whole new way to sleep in comfort.) and it must be carried by passengers as well. ( you can hire an extra porter US$150 (12kg Max) or half porter US$75 (6kg Max) for the entire trek ). usually 1 porter between 2 people is more than sufficient),However, even with a personal porter,you will still need to bring a day pack for essential stuff. Important Note: You must decide if you want to hire the services of a personal porter in advance when making your trek reservation since we need to purchase the porter's trekking permit. You cannot decide to hire an additional porter at a later date or once you arrive in Cusco. |
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