Our booking service offers a low deposit option that is fully refundable, providing you with added flexibility and peace of mind.
This adventure is a unique blend of the short Inca Trail and a cultural trip that takes you through stunning natural landscapes while highlighting the local people and their way of life. You’ll have the complete package of breathtaking views, camping in the heart of the Andes, and hiking through the Sun gate to reach the lost city of Machu Picchu.
The hike is incredibly scenic, surrounded by the sacred mountains and the Quechua people who tend to their alpacas and llamas. On the last two days of your trip, you’ll visit historical monuments and get an authentic experience of this beautiful land of the Incas.
Trip Summary
Tour Type: Hiking, Adventure, Culture, Wildlife and History
Hike Distance: 46 Km/28 miles
Physical Rating: Demanding
Duration: 5D/4N
Highest Elevation: 4,800 meters/15,710ft
Elevation Gain: 1600 meters/5,249ft
Season: All Year Round
Town Nearest Hike: Urubamba, Aguas Caliente
DAY
1
Start your Lares Trek in cusco, lares hot springs & Cuncani - 10km/ 6.21miles
Starting from Cusco City at 6 am, we’ll visit Calca Town and explore the stunning Lares Hot Springs. We’ll then hike through the scenic Lares Valley, stopping for lunch after about 2 hours. Our campsite, Cuncani, is located at over 3800 meters.
DAY
2
Cuncani, Sicllaq’asa & Pacchayoq - 16km/ 9.94miles
DAY
3
Pacchayoq - Salt Mines - Ollantaytambo 08km/ 4.97miles
DAY
4
Ollantaytambo, Train Journey to 104 Km, Inca Trail, Wiñayhuayna, Sungate, Machu Picchu - 12 kms/7.5 miles
DAY
5
Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo & Cusco
DAY
1
Cusco, Lares-Hot Springs & Cuncani
You will leave Cusco at 6:00a.m. In a private transport and drive for 4 hours towards Lares town, the beginning of your amazing trek. On this first day you will hike 5 hours uphill with lush vegetation, Quechua people and Wildlife (Llamas and Alpacas). This is how you reach your first campsite Cuncani, a small Quechua Community in the middle of spectacular mountains. You will stop for lunch along the way so that our professional chef will prepare a delicious meal for you. Once you get to your campsite, you will get to know Quechua people and their way of living. Meals B, L & D)
Start time (hike): 11:30am
Hiking Distance: 10km/ 6.21miles
Hiking Time: 05 hours
Physical Rating: Moderate
Lowest Elevation: 3200m/10,496ft
Highest Elevation: 3800m/12,464ft
DAY
2
Cuncani, Sicllaq’asa & Pacchayoq
You will wake up with a cup of coca tea at 05:30am, followed by a nutritious breakfast prepared by the professional chef. At 06:45am you will start hiking towards the highest point of Lares Trek, Sicllaq’asa(4800meters/15,710ft). It will be a 5-hour climb, through different microclimates, with spectacular views of the snowcapped mountains, such as Qolqecruz, Sahuasiray, and Sirijhuani, so you will have a lot of breaks to enjoy along the way. Once you reach the summit, you will have time to enjoy the magnificent sacred mountains. After exploring, you will hike for 1 and half hours downhill to Cuyoc, the place where you will enjoy lunch. After lunch, the trail is still downhill to your camp. This location has the best views of Urubamba canyon, and the milky way. One of us favorite campsites. You will finish the day with a delicious Peruvian cousin. (Meals B, L & D)
Start time (hike): 06:45a.m.
Hiking Distance: 16km/ 9.94miles
Hiking Time: 09 – 10 hours
Physical Rating: Demanding
Lowest Elevation: 3800m/12,464ft
Highest Elevation: 4,800meters/15,710ft
DAY
3
Pacchayoq, Salt Mines & Ollantaytambo
You will wake up with a hot cup of coca tea at 06:30a.m. followed by a nutritious breakfast. At 07:45a.m. you will leave this small peasant community and hike down a fertile valley with more vegetation, agriculture farmlands, native flowers such as begonias and wild orchids. After 3 hours walking, you will arrive in Puma Marka community, the end of your Lares Trek and the place where you have a delicious lunch. From here you get into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. From Puma Marka, we will catch a van and make the short drive into the valley to visit the Salineras salt pans, in the town of Maras. Here, a saltwater spring gushes forth and spills down the side of the mountain. Over 5,000 small evaporation chambers have been created and look as if they are tumbling down the mountainside. These mysterious places have been in use since pre-Incan times.
The salt is said to have healing properties because its filled with natural minerals, some of it even comes out pink. Local families each own one of these pans and make their living supplying salt to the towns around the area. There is a small shop on-site if you care to take some salt home with you. After visiting Salineras, we will head to Ollantaytambo town for the night at the hotel. (Meals B, L & D)
Start time (hike): 07:45a.m.
Hiking Distance: 08km/ 4.97miles
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Physical Rating: Moderate
Lowest Elevation: 2,859m/9,350ft
Highest Elevation: 3800m/12,464ft
DAY
4
Ollantaytambo, Train Journey to 104 Km, Inca Trail, Wiñayhuayna, Sungate, Machu Picchu & Aguas Calientes
Departing from Ollantaytambo early in the morning, your journey starts with a train ride to 104 km, the starting point of this amazing short Inca Trail. During the train ride, the valley turns into a beautiful canyon and the scenery begins to change as you enter the cloud forest. After 1h and 30 minutes the train will stop to get off. Once you have made the respective registration at the main checkpoint, you will start this spectacular trek. The first 5 minutes walking you will visit Chachabamba, where your expert guide will talk about the previous use of this ancient archeological site. Afterwards, you will start hiking gradually uphill enjoying the spectacular sceneries until you reach Wiñayhuayna (Forever Young) the archeological site, the place where your expert guide will share a great history of the Inca site, and a great lesson of fascinating flora-fauna. After having a fantastic experience with mother nature and the Inca site, you will enjoy the good box lunch at the checkpoint of Wiñayhuayna, and then, you will continue the exciting hike to Machu Picchu for 2 more hours, entering through the Sun gate the most beautiful place in the world. It is from here that you will have your first glimpse of Machu Picchu as the sun falls. From here, you start descending to Machu Picchu. A big advantage of this hike is you reach Machu Picchu when it is almost empty, most of the day travelers have already left the place to return home, so you will have an area to yourself. After enjoying and taking pictures, you take the bus to Aguas Calientes and head to your hotel. In the evening, you will have dinner at Aguas Calientes, one of the nice restaurants. After dinner, sleep well to enjoy the most of the next day.
Start time (hike): 08:30am
Hiking Distance: 12 kms/7.5 miles:
Hiking Time: 07 hours
Physical Rating: Demanding
Lowest Elevation: (2,000m/6,560 ft.
Highest Elevation: 2,720 m/8,924 ft.
DAY
5
Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo & Cusco
You will visit one of the greatest places on earth, Machu Picchu!! After an early breakfast, you will board the bus to go up to Machu Picchu, The New Wonder of the World. And then, you will start to explore this fascinating crystal city with your expert guide for 2 hours’ history lesson. After your guided tour, you will have free time to keep exploring on your own or climb Huaynapicchu mountain. (This is a separate entrance ticket and costs $75 per person). Then, you will come down to Aguas Calientes to enjoy your lunch in a local restaurant. This is optional not included. After lunch, you will catch the train at 15:20 or 16:22 pm to Ollantaytambo. PMA private bus will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel.
Start time: 05:30a.m.
Machu Picchu visit: 5 to 6 hours
Physical Rating: Moderate (except Huaynapicchu or Machu Picchu Montaña, they are Demanding)
Train Schedule: It can be at 2:55p.m.- 3:20p.m.- 4:22p.m. Or 4:43p.m. (depending on the
availability)
Note:
It is mandatory to use the masks during the visit to the New Wonder of the World
It is not allowed to bring large backpacks inside Machu Picchu, only day packs (25L) are allowed inside.
No trekking poles inside Machu Picchu
Snacks and water are allowed, but they must be inside of your day pack.
Included
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Peru Hikers expert guide accompanies most fascinating adventure tours, sharing his Andean World Wisdom, passion for the place you visit, making every single experience enriching and unforgettable. Your travel experience is transformed.
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A professional chef.
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Horse men, horses or mules and male Llamas who will carry the gears.
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Porters to set up and clean your trekking equipment.
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Pick up from your hotel in the morning and transfer in a private van to Lares town where you start hiking.
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Campsites tickets.
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Ticket to Salineras (Salt Mines).
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Entrance ticket to short Inca Trail.
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Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
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Entrance fee to Machu Picchu.
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Round trip Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
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Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to km 104(beginning of your trek).
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Train ticket back to Cusco at the end of your journey.
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Personal tents: 2 people in each 4 - people capacity tent..
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Dining tent, kitchen tent, and chairs manned by a professional cooking staff.
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Toilet tent with bio- degradable toilet facilities.
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Meals (3B, 3L & 3D).
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Filtered boiled water from lunch time 1st day onwards.
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Hotels in Ollantaytambo day 3 and Aguas Calientes on day 4
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Pack animals to carry your personal gear or duffle bags up to 8kg per person (including shipping bag and sleeping pad)
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First aid kit including emergency oxygen tank.
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24h guest service.
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Vegetarian / special diet options available upon request.
No Included
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Lunch on the last day. After the guided tour at Machu Picchu.
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Huaynapicchu entrance fee, you need to get an additional fee of $75.00 per person.
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Travel insurance - you are strongly recommended to take out during your trip.
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Inflatable mattress – $20
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Walking sticks – $15
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Sleeping bag - $20: you are able to rent from us. Our sleeping bags are -10°C
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Personal snacks.
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Personal tent, if you want, is $30 extra.
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Tips for horsemen, Porters, Chefs and your Trek guide.
What to Take with You?
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Original passport (the same used for booking your Trek).
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Valid University student card (if you booked as a student)
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Good day pack (the smaller the better).
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Water storage 2 - 3 L (Camelback are encouraged)
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Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support.
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Sleeping bag (can be rented from Peru Magical Adventures)
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Headlamps
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Toilet paper.
What to put in the duffle bag?
-
As a local tour operator, we provide you with the duffle bag at your briefing and pack animals will carry your 8kg/17pounds of duffle bags of your personal items, it includes your sleeping bag and air mattress. Please count 2 kilos for your sleeping bag and 2 kilos for your air mattress, this leaves you about 4 kilos for your personal gear.
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2 hiking pants.
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3-4 t-shirts.
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4 sets of undergarments.
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Couple fleece / Thermals.
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Waterproof Jacket.
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Waterproof Gloves.
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Comfortable shoes or flip flops for camp.
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Quick drying towel.
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Extra Battery - no electricity along the way.
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Toiletries.
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Face moisturizer.
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Hand sanitizer.
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Water wives.
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Toothbrush and toothpaste.
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Personal medication.
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First aid kit.
What to Put in The Day Pack?
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Sun Hat.
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Sunblock
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Headlamp
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Wool Hat
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Rain Poncho
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Fleece
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Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruits.
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Coca leaves
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Gloves
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Camera
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Hand sanitizer
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Toilet paper
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Extra money for souvenirs, drinks and tips.
Price per person
$
950 USD
Group service
Aditional services
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Huaynapicchu Mountain - $75USD per person (please request when you book your Trek)
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Machu Picchu Mountain - $75USD per person (please request when you book your Trek)
Briefing
The night before your Trek, there will be a pre trek talk with your expert guide in your hotel at 6:00pm
Pickups
Peru Hikers will pick you up directly from your hotel. As long as your hotel is in the center of Cusco city.
Some treks will allow for pickups on the Sacred Valley
The possible starting locations
Inca Trail: Cusco, Urubamba, Yanahuara and Ollantaytambo
Salkantay Trek: Only Cusco
Lares Trek: Cusco and Pisac
Rainbow Mountain Trek: Only Cusco
Day Tours: Cusco, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo.
Is The Trek Difficult? Or Do I Need to Be Fit?
This Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is a 34km/21miles hike in the Andes of Peru.
Day two is challenging because you will climb up to 4,800/15,748ft the highest point on the Lares Trek. You should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it.
It is also important to have good acclimatization to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days’ in Cusco (3,400m/11,154ft) prior to starting your Trek.
Are There Toilets On the Inca Trail?
We provide a private, clean and sanitary toilet tent with a seat.
There are culture ministry toilets too
What Happens If I Am Unable to Finish the Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail?
Hello Machu Picchu will assist you to the nearest city for help with transportation.
We always carry our first Aid Kit; in extreme situations a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Your Travel insurance is required and recommended).
Generally, we transport you to Ollantaytambo town, if you recover quickly you will continue with the journey towards Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu (cost incurred by traveler) according to the original plan.
Are We Dropped Off at Our Hotel After the Trek of Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
Absolutely! We will drop you off at your hotel, and also, if you booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley, Our HM representative will drop you off there.
At What Time Is the Train Departure?
It depends on the train availability; the idea is to give you as much time as possible in Machu Picchu to explore and enjoy this fascinating city on the way back to Cusco.
You will take the train at 15:20, 16:22 or 16:43 depending on availability.
Insurance
Travel protection is essential for your peace of mind and safety throughout the journey.
Unexpected medical emergencies or illnesses prior to your trip could make you lose prepaid, non-refundable payments. Emergency medical transport and air ambulances in remote locations can be extremely expensive and will probably not be covered by your medical health plan, so it is mandatory that you purchase personal travel insurance.
Your insurance must cover, personal accident, medical expenses, air ambulance, repatriation costs and all other expenses.
There are several insurance companies offering travel protection plans available for purchase online. Very important when you take (adventure – activities).
Group Tours
Our group tours are of all different types of people, with various hiking skills and ages. By agreeing to our group tour you understand that some travelers might be slower or faster than you are. Your expert guide will work through the group to spend the time with everybody to make the best decision for the group.
Lost Items
You are responsible for your personal items throughout the journey. Please be diligent about where you leave your things and remember to remove all items from our bus, tent, restaurant, etc. Dont leave anything unintended while hiking. Other trekkers or groups may pick it up not knowing who it belongs to.
How Is the Weather in Peru?
It depends on where you visit.
On the coast of Peru, it is usually quite hot although during the dry season (April – August) it can getchilly early in the morning and at night. In the Andes of Cusco, you will find two main seasons – wet and dry. The wet season runs from November to April but is usually warmer overall.
The dry season runs from May to October and has hot clear days but cold nights.
Peruvian weather is difficult to accurately predict. You can see beautiful clear hot days in the middle of the wet season and hail storms in the dry season – this is the magic and beauty of Peru.
What Is Altitude?
The primary cause of altitude sickness is going to high too quickly. Given time your body can adapt to the decrease in oxygen at specific altitudes. This is known as acclimatization and generally takes 1 to 3 nights at the given altitude.
Prevention of Altitude Sickness
Dont over – exert yourself or move higher for the first 24 hours.
If you go above 10,000ft (3,047m), increase your sleeping elevation by 1,000ft (305m) per day and for every 3,000ft (915m) of elevation gained, take a rest day.
If you start to show symptoms of moderate altitude sickness, dont go higher until symptoms decrease.If symptoms increase, go down and down.
Keep in mind that different people will acclimatize at different rates.
Stay properly hydrated.
Take it easy; dont over – exert yourself when you first get up to altitude.
Avoid tobacco, alcohol or other depressant drugs including tranquilizers and sleeping pills.
Eat a high carbohydrates diet while at altitude.
Preventive Medications
Diamox (acetazolamide) changes acid balance which allows you to increase breathing and improve oxygen uptake – the same mechanism as in normal acclimatization, but faster.
Dexamethasone (a steroid) is a drug that decreases brain and other swelling, helping to reserve the effects.
Tipping
It is customary in Latin America to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is expected – though not compulsory. Anything extra will be an expression of satisfaction for the persons who have assisted you on your tour. This is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your journey.
If at the end of your Trek you feel your trekking guide and support team did an amazing job, Tipping is appreciated. The suggestion is that each hiker contributes the following to the collective pool. The amount recommended is different per trek and listed below. For the guide, this is more personal, it would be the most welcome. It is of course at your discretion or whatever you are comfortable leaving.
Trekking Crew
Inca Trail (4 and 5 days)
Porter 60- 80 soles
Chef 160 soles
Lares trek (4days)
Porter 100 – 120 soles
Chef 200 soles
Salkantay Trek (5 days)
Porter 120 soles
Chef 200 soles
Briefing
The night before your Trek, there will be a pre trek talk with your expert guide in your hotel at 6:00pm
Pickups
Peru Hikers will pick you up directly from your hotel. As long as your hotel is in the center of Cusco city.
Some treks will allow for pickups on the Sacred Valley
The possible starting locations
Inca Trail: Cusco, Urubamba, Yanahuara and Ollantaytambo
Salkantay Trek: Only Cusco
Lares Trek: Cusco and Pisac
Rainbow Mountain Trek: Only Cusco
Day Tours: Cusco, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo.
Is The Trek Difficult? Or Do I Need to Be Fit?
This Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is a 34km/21miles hike in the Andes of Peru.
Day two is challenging because you will climb up to 4,800/15,748ft the highest point on the Lares Trek. You should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it.
It is also important to have good acclimatization to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days’ in Cusco (3,400m/11,154ft) prior to starting your Trek.
Are There Toilets On the Inca Trail?
We provide a private, clean and sanitary toilet tent with a seat.
There are culture ministry toilets too
What Happens If I Am Unable to Finish the Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail?
Hello Machu Picchu will assist you to the nearest city for help with transportation.
We always carry our first Aid Kit; in extreme situations a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Your Travel insurance is required and recommended).
Generally, we transport you to Ollantaytambo town, if you recover quickly you will continue with the journey towards Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu (cost incurred by traveler) according to the original plan.
Are We Dropped Off at Our Hotel After the Trek of Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
Absolutely! We will drop you off at your hotel, and also, if you booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley, Our HM representative will drop you off there.
At What Time Is the Train Departure?
It depends on the train availability; the idea is to give you as much time as possible in Machu Picchu to explore and enjoy this fascinating city on the way back to Cusco.
You will take the train at 15:20, 16:22 or 16:43 depending on availability.
Insurance
Travel protection is essential for your peace of mind and safety throughout the journey.
Unexpected medical emergencies or illnesses prior to your trip could make you lose prepaid, non-refundable payments. Emergency medical transport and air ambulances in remote locations can be extremely expensive and will probably not be covered by your medical health plan, so it is mandatory that you purchase personal travel insurance.
Your insurance must cover, personal accident, medical expenses, air ambulance, repatriation costs and all other expenses.
There are several insurance companies offering travel protection plans available for purchase online. Very important when you take (adventure – activities).
Group Tours
Our group tours are of all different types of people, with various hiking skills and ages. By agreeing to our group tour you understand that some travelers might be slower or faster than you are. Your expert guide will work through the group to spend the time with everybody to make the best decision for the group.
Lost Items
You are responsible for your personal items throughout the journey. Please be diligent about where you leave your things and remember to remove all items from our bus, tent, restaurant, etc. Dont leave anything unintended while hiking. Other trekkers or groups may pick it up not knowing who it belongs to.
How Is the Weather in Peru?
It depends on where you visit.
On the coast of Peru, it is usually quite hot although during the dry season (April – August) it can getchilly early in the morning and at night. In the Andes of Cusco, you will find two main seasons – wet and dry. The wet season runs from November to April but is usually warmer overall.
The dry season runs from May to October and has hot clear days but cold nights.
Peruvian weather is difficult to accurately predict. You can see beautiful clear hot days in the middle of the wet season and hail storms in the dry season – this is the magic and beauty of Peru.
What Is Altitude?
The primary cause of altitude sickness is going to high too quickly. Given time your body can adapt to the decrease in oxygen at specific altitudes. This is known as acclimatization and generally takes 1 to 3 nights at the given altitude.
Prevention of Altitude Sickness
Dont over – exert yourself or move higher for the first 24 hours.
If you go above 10,000ft (3,047m), increase your sleeping elevation by 1,000ft (305m) per day and for every 3,000ft (915m) of elevation gained, take a rest day.
If you start to show symptoms of moderate altitude sickness, dont go higher until symptoms decrease.If symptoms increase, go down and down.
Keep in mind that different people will acclimatize at different rates.
Stay properly hydrated.
Take it easy; dont over – exert yourself when you first get up to altitude.
Avoid tobacco, alcohol or other depressant drugs including tranquilizers and sleeping pills.
Eat a high carbohydrates diet while at altitude.
Preventive Medications
Diamox (acetazolamide) changes acid balance which allows you to increase breathing and improve oxygen uptake – the same mechanism as in normal acclimatization, but faster.
Dexamethasone (a steroid) is a drug that decreases brain and other swelling, helping to reserve the effects.
Tipping
It is customary in Latin America to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is expected – though not compulsory. Anything extra will be an expression of satisfaction for the persons who have assisted you on your tour. This is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your journey.
If at the end of your Trek you feel your trekking guide and support team did an amazing job, Tipping is appreciated. The suggestion is that each hiker contributes the following to the collective pool. The amount recommended is different per trek and listed below. For the guide, this is more personal, it would be the most welcome. It is of course at your discretion or whatever you are comfortable leaving.
Trekking Crew
Inca Trail (4 and 5 days)
Porter 60- 80 soles
Chef 160 soles
Lares trek (4days)
Porter 100 – 120 soles
Chef 200 soles
Salkantay Trek (5 days)
Porter 120 soles
Chef 200 soles
