Group Size: Up to 8 People
Max Altitude: 5200 m.s.n.m
Service: Group/Private
Transportation:
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 8 Days
This 9-day tour is the perfect way to experience the best of Peru’s Amazon rainforest and Sacred Valley. You’ll start your trip in the Tambopata National Reserve, where you’ll visit the famous Macaw Clay Lick and see thousands of colorful macaws, parrots, and other birds gather to feed on the clay. You’ll also explore Sandoval Lake, a pristine Amazonian lake that’s home to a variety of wildlife, including caimans, monkeys, and capybaras.
After your time in the Amazon, you’ll head to the Sacred Valley, where you’ll visit the ancient Inca ruins of Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and hike to Machu Picchu, through the ShortInca Trail. You’ll also hike to Rainbow Mountain, a stunning mountain range that’s known for its vibrant colors.
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READ THE MOST DETAILED INFORMATON ABOUT THE TREK!
We will pick you up from the bus terminal or airport then we will go to our main office to register where you can leave some things and take what you need ´for the 5 day tour we will start at 8:30 am we will take our private transport for 2 hours to the port Tambopata where our boat and motorist will be waiting to continue our journey Rio Tambopata for 50 minutes where we will observe different species such as birds, turtles, capybaras, white alligators ect if we have the opportunity to see the king of the jungle (Jaguar) who are sunbathing or tired on the beaches then we will arrive to our lodge. We will welcome you with typical aphrodisiac refreshment of the Amazon accommodation in your respective room lunch In the afternoon we will take a walk in the primary forest full of ancient trees that coexist with many creatures such as insects, spiders, ants, toads, butterflies, monkeys and some mammals, etc. After dinner we will carry out a night activity with our flashlights to observe alligators, capybaras and perhaps a feline that is near the river for the night they naturally hunt at night. After this activity, return to our accommodation and rest.
We will wake up early, and we will take our boat to travel up the tambopata river for 1 hour and 20 minutes enjoying a wonderful sunrise, every day is a chance to see the sacred anaconda on the banks of our Tambopata National Reserve. We will reach the clay lacquer. A comfortable giant blind, located just a few meters away from Clay Lick, allows you to have the best possible position for the show that the birds will put on. The shutter is located so close to the surface that you won’t even need to zoom in on your cameras! As the sun rises over trees centenarians, an explosion of life and color will burst before our eyes as hundreds of parrots and dozens of macaws eat clay to get their correct pH balance leveled out.
In groups of two and three, Greedy Red Macaws and Scarlet Macaws come flapping their wings, landing in the main part of the trees. The macaws will eventually decide to come down and put on a colorful and noisy display on the bare shores, getting all the clay. They can from the hard surface. While they delight in the sodium sediment, we have the unique opportunity to enjoy a healthy and extraordinary breakfast while watching the show (so yes, sit back and relax). After this activity, we will take our return to our lodge (TAMBOPATA LODGE INN) and then we will arrive at the (RESEARCH CENTER,) one of the best in the world to learn about the flora and fauna. Monkeys, wild pigs, tapirs, giant trees, medicinal trees after this activity, we will return to our camp located on the border of the Tambopata National Reserve of the Bahuaja Sonene National Park; After dinner we will take a walk to see different species that come out at night to look for their food, then we will return to our Lodge to rest.
Today after breakfast we will pack our things to take our return boat approximately 2 hours down the Tambopata river where our private mobility awaits us for the transfer to the city of Puerto Maldonado then we will go to our office where we will leave the luggage that is not necessary for the trip from there, we will go to port (Capitanía), where we will board an outboard boat from there we will begin our trip through the Alto Madre 50 minutes. Then we will do our activities with our guide, Canopy walk Way and Zipline, after these we will enter Lake Sandoval located within the Tambopata National Reserve, to get to Lake Sandoval we will have to walk 3 km (muddy in the wet season) in one hour approximately and we will arrive at a small port, where we will take a rowing canoe, and after half an hour of rowing we will arrive at the port of Sandoval lake resort Lodge, when we arrive at the lodge we will have a warm welcome with a tasty typical juice, and after a brief explanation above the lodge you will stay in a comfortable room. After a break, equipped with a flashlight or headlamp, we will take a night walk in the forest to look for the night monkey (Musmuqui), frogs, snakes and insects that are active at night. Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
We will pick you up after breakfast, We will have adventure experiences.
We will go to the Monkey Island and you will be able appreciate a great diversity of flora and fauna as well as monkeys, we will put on a show of swinging through the treetops charging down the trunks of the large trees that form their home in order to accept food from your hand. Afterwards, enjoy the great Canopy and zipline activity in the Peruvian jungle, head back to our boat and head to our Lodge in Puerto Maldonado
- Accomodation: Wasai Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Enjoy your remaining time in Puerto Maldonado, then you will be dropped off at the airport for your flight to Cusco.
Upon your arrival to the ancient imperial City of Cusco, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. There, you will receive a short briefing and be given the morning to acclimatize. In the afternoon, we will introduce you to the Imperial City of Cusco. Cusco’s history lives in its streets, squares, valleys and towns. You will find stunning destinations and examples of fine engineering by Inca stonemasons and living examples of the mix of Andean and Spanish culture. Continuing our journey, we visit the Santo Domingo Convent built over the Koricancha, as well as the ancient Inca Palace, the main worship center of the Sun God. Our discoveries continue at the unmatched and mesmerizing archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman and its military Inca architecture, which dominates the city. Finally, you are introduced to the contrasts of the indigenous ancient sites of Qenqo, Puca Pucará and Tambomachay, located in the north east of the city. We then head back to your hotel in Cusco by early evening.
- 3* Accommodation: Maytaq Wasin or Waman Hotels
- 4* Accommodation: Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private Collection or Novotel Hotels
We will pick you up from your hotel at 7:30 am with our private van and head to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Our first stop is the Manos de la Comunidad, which has a variety of Camelids indigenous to Peru like the llama, alpaca, guanacos and the Vicuna. The Vicuna produces very fine wool and can only be shorn every three years. We visit this farm to pet, feed and take pictures with these animals. Also, in the center are local women dressed in local garments, weaving items using the wool from these animals. As you exit, you will encounter a museum and souvenir shop. The workers are always around to answer any questions, but you never feel pressurized to buy anything.
Then, we stop at the Mirador of Taray to enjoy a beautiful overhead view of the Urubamba valley, which accents the surrounding mountains. Next, we head to the Pisac archaeological site, where you can see the biggest Inca cemetery with more than 2,000 tombs lining the mountain side. We learn more about the value of this site in terms of Agriculture. Explore the many inca farming terraces, food storage warehouses at the top of the hill and the water channels for irrigation purposes.
Then, we start driving towards Urubamba for lunch, passing small farming towns like Coya and Calca before stopping at the foot of Urubamba for a delectable buffet lunch. The restaurant has an impressive spread of different foods and is vegan and vegetarian friendly. There is a variety of fresh vegetables, salads, protein dishes, desserts and tea and coffee. (Lunch is not included)
After lunch, we continue towards the colonial town of Maras, to reach the Pre-Inca salt mines. Enjoy this historical site, that has been mined pre-Inca and continues to be the bread and butter for this small community. The salt stream above feeds the thousands of salt pans, once the water has evaporated the salt is collected and sold. The salt mines are one of the few left in the world that produce a natural pink salt and have not adopted any modern techniques for mass salt mining. The locals have full mining rights and all the salt sold on site belongs to the locals. It still supplies Peru with over 90% of its salt. A great place to grab another souvenir.
Next, we visit Moray, which was an experimental farming site built in the form of an amphitheater, which each level naturally with a different temperature to grow different types of crops. These levels of terraces were carved before the Incas took control of the Sacred Valley and then used by the Incas to research optimal growing conditions for their crops. The Incas brought in different soil samples from other regions, to optimize their research. The locals were still using it for growing their crops, until the 1970s when it was preserved and protected for tourism.
Then, we drive to Ollantaytambo to explore this quaint Inca village and the amazing Inca Ruins on the hilltop above. These ruins are where the Incas fought their last battle with the Spanish conquerors, before they had to retreat and flee into the dense jungle. Most of the structures were unfortunately incomplete. There is a section with a number of boulders that were carved, but didn’t make it to their destination. Another possibility, is that the battle was so intense, it caused a lot of damage to this massive Inca site.
Finally, at around 5:30pm we head to our hotel to spend the night and prepare for the early historical, once in a lifetime hike we are about to embark on.
Hotel in Ollantaytambo: Tunupa Lodge or similar
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 5:30 am to take you to the Ollantaytambo train station, which is very close, to take the 6:10 am Expedition Train. We take the train to KM 104, the starting point of the Inca Trail. After crossing the Urubamba River on a picturesque foot bridge, you need to show your passport at the checkpoint. There we visit the first Inca site nearby. At this point, we begin our 3-hour trek to Wiñay Wayna archaeological site (2,650/8,747ft) also known as Forever Young in Quechua. The first hour and a half is a gentle hike upward. Along the way, we stop at several outlooks where you have an expansive view of the Urubamba River and pass through several microclimates, including a cloud forest. We are then challenged by a slightly steeper uphill trek and rewarded at the end with a beautiful waterfall to enjoy.
Upon reaching Wiñay Wayna, we will rest, eat your gourmet box lunch and enjoy the dazzling views of this amazing site. Here at Wiñay Wayna we finally intersect with the Classic Inca Trail. These amazing Inca ruins have a fascinating history and some parts are still hidden by the dense jungle. Be sure to ask your guide to share about its history.
After having our well-deserved rest, just one last one hour trek before reaching the Sun Gate (2,730m/9,00ft). We know we are close to the Sun Gate when we experience our last challenge with a final set of steep stairs carved directly into the bedrock by the Inca Trail. Upon passing through the Sun Gate and taking a turn, we get the first glimpse of the mysterious Machu Picchu Citadel. It is just an hour hike down the flat rock stairs to Machu Picchu. Be sure to have your camera ready to take all of the incredible views of Machu Picchu Citadel along the way.
Once you reach Machu Picchu, you will have time to take more photos from the viewing platforms above the site (Guard House), where you can take the famous postcard pictures of Machu Picchu. You will arrive in the afternoon, as the archeological area starts to empty of tourists, which gives you the opportunity to take beautiful photos in the afternoon light with fewer people in your shots. Take your time to take in this magical experience before you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to check into your hotel. Your will have a delicious dinner, then have time to walk around this picturesque little town, visit the hot springs or just go to your hotel to rest after such an exciting day.
- Meals: Box Lunch & Dinner
- 3* Accommodation: Ferre Hotel
- Difficulty: Moderate
After an early breakfast at your hotel, we are ready to get an early bus at 5:30am up to Machu Picchu just in time to witness the sunrise. It is a truly mystical site out of history and not something you’ll want to miss! After enjoying the sunrise your guide will provide a guided tour of Machu Picchu, which takes around two hours. You will see many of the most important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel during your tour.
After the tour, those people that have booked in advance for the extra hike up Huayna Picchu will have time to hike it on their own. When they have had their fill of the incredible views of Machu Picchu, a bus back down to Aguas Calientes will be waiting. Upon arriving at Aguas Calientes lunch is waiting with numerous restaurants to choose from (lunch not included). Depending on your train departure time, there may be some time for shopping, or sightseeing.
The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private van. You can expect to arrive at your hotel about 7:00pm.
- 3* Accommodations: Maytaq Wasin or Waman Hotels
- Meals: breakfast
***IMPORTANT:
- On the 2-day Inca Trail, we will be doing the circuit #3 and there is no way to do another circuit unless you buy an additional entrance to Machu Picchu.
- You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55pm or 3:20pm, 4:22pm, or 4:43pm. The cost is $57 USD.
- Early trains can be organized on request and it has to be done at booking.
- The Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike depends on availability and let us know about it at booking time.
We will pick you up from your hotel at 4 am to begin our incredible Rainbow Mountain Trek! We set out on our 3-hour scenic drive through the South Valley, where you have views of farming Inca terraces, valleys, and rocky mountains.
Once you reach the beginning of the trail, you will have a hot breakfast before beginning our hike alongside a stream. You will see herds of alpacas and llamas all around you and have views of Ausangate Mountain as we hike through different villages and interact with the indigenous people who still live traditionally.
We reach our destination – the Rainbow Mountains (5,020m /16,466ft) after a 1.5-hour hike, where you will have time to explore the area. You can take pictures and savor the environment as we spend approximately 30 minutes at the top.
At this point, we hike for another hour back down the way we came. While you have been hiking, your chef has been preparing your hearty and delicious lunch. Our meal and private van will be waiting for us when we return.
We will begin our scenic 3-hour drive back to Cusco and drop you off at the airport for your flight back home.
** An extra night can be organized for an extra fee.
Meals: hot breakfast & lunch
Whats is included for the Amazon Jungle trip & Machu Picchu Tour Package?
- Naturist, conservationist and bilingual guide for the trip to the jungle
- Meals (normal and optional vegetarian) 3 lunches, 3 dinners and 3 breakfasts
- Transportation pick up and return to the airport or land terminal
- 2 nights Sandoval lake reserve
- 1 nights in Tambopata .
- 1 night in Puerto Maldonado
- First aid kit for trips to the jungle
- Rubber boots in case of rain in the jungle
- Entrance to the Sandoval Lake Reserve
- Sacred Valley Tour
- Short Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain Treks
- Entrances to the Inca cities and archeological sites
- Professional guide for three days
- Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to KM 104 and from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Three nights hotel accommodation with private room, bathroom and breakfast included
- Meals as indicated on the itinerary
- Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu -Aguas Calientes
- Personal assistance
Whats is not included for the Amazon Jungle trip & Machu Picchu Tour Package:
- Alcoholic drinks
- Airport taxes
- Tips
PRICE INFORMATION
US$? Group service
US$? private service (2 people)
US$? private service (3-6 people)
US$? private service (+6 people)
WHY CHOOSE APU PACHAMAMA TRAVEL?
Apu Pachamama Travel is a family owned travel agency and a local tour operator based in Cusco with personal experience over many years of trekking. Apu Pachamama Travel is a 100% Cusqueñian Company without any shareholders.
Our dream as a locally based company is to create small personalized tours & treks strictly and only operated by local professional staff catering in PERSONALIZED and HIGH QUALITY SERVICE.
We take pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. Our staff are our extended family. We ensure they are supported financially by offering them a fair salary. We are so proud of our team! Without them, we wouldn’t be able to offer the best service and lifetime experiences to our clients.
Apu Pachamama Travel knows how important it is to trust in a reliable honest operator to create your adventure of a lifetime while in Peru. Check out our reviews and certificates of excellence on, TRIPADVISOR for yourself! Also we are highly recommended on Conde Nast Travelers, Lonely Planet and by many blogs like: Salkantay/Inka Trail ! July 14th to 20th 2016 Trek de Lares 4 hours, “It’s the journey, not the destination…”, Lares Pass – Day 3.
SMALL GROUPS
To ensure a more personalized service for our guests, at Apu Pachamama Travel we have a policy that our groups will not exceed 8 people. This fact alone sets us apart from other companies that operate departures with bigger groups.
OUR TOUR GUIDES
We are so proud of our guides! They are highly professional and speak fluent English. They are very knowledgeable and passionate for Inca heritage and history. Our guides are dedicated to continuous personal and professional development. They do research to ensure that you receive accurate and recognized theories in Inca and Andean culture. Our crew is fun loving, great sports and well-educated. They all hold degrees in one of the following: Archeology, Tourism, Botany, History or Anthropology.
OUR SUPER COOL PORTERS
Trekking with Apu Pachamama Travel is a life changing experience with a fully portered trek, where your comfort and enjoyment are our first priority. We make sure that you get the best experience for your holiday in Peru, while you interact with the locals, explore fantastic sites and re-discover remote ancient Inca towns. Our porters will carry your gear, prepare your meals, set up your tents by avoiding crowded campsites and take care of you while you sit back and relax.
On the Salkantay portion of the trek, your camping gear will be carried by pack horses. To protect the trail, horses are not allowed on the Inca Trail. For this section of your trek, your camping gear will be carried by porters.
We provide the following items to our horsemen and porters for free: Jacket, sun hat, warm hat, t-shirt, pants, hiking boots, comfortable duffel bags, canteen, a girdle for protecting their spine, sleeping bags, mattresses and travel insurance. All of our porters are hired from isolated mountain communities and are given the opportunity to work with our company. This will better their economic circumstances as well as provide help for their children’s education! We ensure that all of our porters are treated like family!
OUR EQUIPMENT
Our team (Guides, cooks and porters) and our equipment are what really makes Apu Pachamama Travel stand out from all of our competitors…. For all our adventurous hikes we include the following items:
OUR TENTS: Enjoy a good night sleep in our 4 season EUREKA Timberline tents. All our tents are 4 person tents, ONLY 2 will sleep in them, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
- OUR FOAM MATS: They are included insulate you from the ground.
- AIR MATTRESSES can be rented for $25 USD.
- OUR KITCHEN & DINING TENTS: The dining tent is used as our meeting room at meal times. This is a great time to sit back relax and catch up for a chat.
- OUR TABLES & CHAIRS: The interior of the dining room includes tables and chairs with two doors on each side, easily adaptable to the day’s weather.
- DUFFEL BAGS: Will be provided at briefing time the night before the trek.
- MORE: Pillows, backpack rain covers, survivor t-shirts, hot shower and bio-chemical toilet are all provided on the trek.
Please note: On the Salkantay portion of the trek, your camping gear will be carried by pack horses. To protect the trail, horses are not allowed on the Inca Trail. For this section of your trek, your camping gear will be carried by porters.
OUR SERVICE PROJECTS
Apu Pachamama Travel have always believed that we should give back to the local isolated communities. Therefore, as part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we always do many service projects and hire locally.
Apu Pachamama Travel is so proud to be able to support these people, not only employing them but go back to our grassroots as they share with their families. It makes us happy to have this holistic approach with our highland employees and their families!
IMPORTANT INFO
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SALKANTAY – INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
Please read carefully the following information as it will help you answer all of your questions about our services and the Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail Trek.
ARRIVAL IN CUSCO
You will be welcomed at Cusco airport and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival. Look for our representative holding a Apu Pachamama Travel board at the exit from the arrival terminal. It can be done on any date that is best suited to you!
THE BRIEFING
The briefing will take place the night before the trek at 6pm in our office, which is located at Calle Garcilaso 210, office 213 (second floor) in the La CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.
CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?
Of course! During the Salkantay Trekking & Inca Trail your main luggage can be store at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you. Please don’t leave anything you will need for your hike.
HOW TO BOOK THE SALKANTAY – INCA TRAIL MACHU PICCHU?
FIRST, to book your Salkantay & Inca Trail Trek, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase an Inca Trail permit without the following information:
- Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
- Gender
- Passport number
- OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
- Nationality
SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person in order to purchase a permit for the Salkantay – Short Inca Trail Machu Picchu. You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.
WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?
If you would like to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATMS within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service fee, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account and use our email address samtravelperu@gmail.com.
MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?
Unfortunately, the answer is No. Once the tickets have been bought for the Inca Trail the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure date after the ticket has been bought. Tickets are also not transferable nor refundable. If you cancel your Salkantay & Inca Trail Trek, the deposit is not refundable at all!
DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT?
Yes! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your classic Inca Trail Machu Picchu permit. In case you are renewing your passport, go ahead and send us your old number to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number. Please send the new passport number as soon as possible.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. We recommend that you plan to always dress in layers to facilitate adjusting to the quickly changing weather conditions.
WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
In general, if you exercise regularly and spend a couple of days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, you will be able to acclimate normally. It usually take between 24 hours to 2 days.
The recommended remedies for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN, IF NEEDED. Our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness. See our detailed information about Altitude Sickness under FAQS.
DUFFEL BAG AND SMALL BACKPACK
The evening before you start your Salkantay & Inca Trail Trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFEL BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/15lbs. By Peruvian law, a duffel bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15lbs). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters and horses. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 7 kilograms, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra weight with your day pack. In this 7 kilos, please count 2 kilos for your sleeping bag and 1 kilo for your sleeping pad (foam or air). This leaves you about 4 kilos for your personal gear. Your team of porters will carry your duffel bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware that you will not have access to your items in the duffel bag until the end of each day, as the porters will always be ahead of the group. During the trek, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. A 30 to 40L backpack is sufficient.
IS THE TREK DIFFICULT, DO I NEED TO BE FIT?
The Salkantay & Inca Trail Trek is a 76km (47.2 mile) hike through the Andes in the Cusco region. The maximum altitude reached is 4,880m/16,010ft. The trail is a fairly difficult trek and you should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You have to be moderately fit and take regular exercise.
In preparation: try walking 15kms/9 miles in a day or working out in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.
ARE THERE TOILETS ON THE SALKANTAY – INCA TRAIL MACHU PICCHU?
This has been highly appreciated by most of our clients, especially by our trekkers, who want a private, clean and sanitary toilet! Apu Pachamama Travel toilet facilities have an individual tent and a camping toilet with a seat. Check out the picture, which illustrates how we set up our camping toilet on the trek by using this link: picture of toilet tent. Our toilet is always set up a comfortable distance from our campsite. At night, if you need to use the toilet, it is readily accessible and clean, unlike the facilities supplied by the government which may be dirty. Check out the picture, which illustrates how we set up our camping toilet on the trek by using this link: picture of toilet tent.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM UNABLE TO FINISH THE TRAIL?
In the unlikely scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health reasons, Apu Pachamama Travel will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.
Generally those who have to be assisted off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and if they recover quickly they continue the journey to Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to the original plan.
TIPPING
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Apu Pachamama Travel destinations. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you would like, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
ARE YOU SUSTAINABLE?
Yes, we are a local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator that incorporates universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.
What do you need to bring for the Amazon Jungle trip & Machu Picchu Tour Package?
- Mosquito repellent (DEET 35 recommended minimum!)
- Original passport,
- Small backpack,
- Long-sleeved cotton shirts (preferably green),
- Long cotton pants,
- Long cotton socks
- Comfortable walking shoes,
- Sandals or light shoes,
- Rain gear (eg rain poncho)
- Swimwear;
- Binoculars (We also rent)
- Camera and charger,
- Plastic bags used for clothing and a camera,
- The hat as protection against the sun or rain,
- Small towel,
- Toilet paper,
- Sunscreen,
- Sunglasses,
- Flashlight and batteries
- 1 Bottle of water (1 liter minimum),
- Pocket money (Soles) to buy some drinks
WHAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE WITH YOU
- Original passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
- Valid student ID card (if you booked as a student)
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: 2-3L (Please bring reusable bottles, not disposable ones).
- Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
- Sleeping bag (can be rented from Apu Pachamama Travel)
- Headlamp: essential
- Toilet paper
WHAT TO PUT IN THE DUFFEL BAG
As a Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra porter who will carry up to 7 kgs or 1 pounds including your sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing. By Peruvian law, a duffel bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15lbs). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters or horses. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 7 kilograms, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra weight with your day pack. In this 7 kilos, please count 2 kilos for your sleeping bag and 1 kilo for your sleeping pad. This leaves you about 4 kilos for your personal gear.
- 2 t-shirts
- 2 hiking pants at least
- 4 sets of undergarments
- 3 sets of hiking socks
- 2 Fleece/ Thermals
- Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º C.
- Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
- Comfortable shoes for camp
- Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger.
- Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash.
- Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek.
- Large plastic bags will be provided at the office — Please ask for them.
- Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC – This can be rented from us for $25 USD.
TOILETRIES
- Face moisturizer
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and paste
- Personal medications
- First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.
WHAT TO PUT IN THE DAYPACK
We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40L for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.
- Water: Please supply your own water until the first lunch. Bring your own water bottles.
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Headlamp: essential
- Wool hat
- Rain gear
- Fleece
- Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruits
- Rain plastic poncho
- Gloves
- Camera
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips
