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Trek an isolated route with unexplored ruins, discovery at every turn and great mountain views – an excellent introduction to high Andean trekking
Set amidst hills in the altiplano, the Imperial City of the Incas, Cuzco (3,400) was the geographic, cultural and political centre of a vast empire which, at its peak, stretched from present-day Quito in Ecuador to Santiago in Chile. After the Spanish conquistadores invaded the city they started building on top of the Incan structures, resulting in unique architecture, a fusion of the Incan and Spanish colonial styles.The group flight usually arrives around midday, giving time for a short orientation tour around the city or free time to wander the cobbled streets admiring the old houses, visiting its interesting museums, churches and pre-Columbian buildings, or to sit in a café and sample a coca-tea.It is recommended to take it easy upon arrival into Cuzco and to drink plenty of water to allow your body time to acclimatise to the altitude (3400m).There will be a welcome briefing in the hotel lobby this afternoon/evening.Accommodation: Hotel Warari (or similar)
Today has been left free for exploring Cuzco, one of South America's most beautiful cities. The Plaza de Armas is a fantastic spot for people-watching, and Qorikancha – the Sun Temple, located in the Santo Domingo Church and monastery, are worth a visit. The Mercado San Pedro is the place to try some local produce and there are many handicraft markets to shop for souvenirs such as alpaca jumpers and scarves.Outside the town are more Inca ruins, notably the fortress of Sacsayhuaman where the Inca armies made their last stand against the Conquistadores. Cuzco is also the gateway to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and should you wish to visit the sites, your leader can help organise an excursion, including Pisac Market (optional).If you fancy something more active then there are an array of other optional activities available from Cuzco including paddle-boarding on a lake, mountain biking, or a combination of via ferrata and zip-lining in the Sacred Valley.Accommodation: Hotel Warari (or similar)
An early start as it's a very busy first day! We take a private minibus to the trailhead, stopping first to explore the nearby ruins from which the trek takes its name. This is a large site with several distinct Inca remnants, clearly of religious importance. As with the rest of the trek, we are most likely to have the site completely to ourselves. The Moonstone itself is a large carving on an enormous boulder, and its significance is not yet understood.The trailhead is in a quiet, dusty valley and we soon climb high enough from the floor to enjoy some great views. At around lunchtime we stop to explore the imposing pre‐Inca fortress of Wata that straddles the trail. The ruin has not yet been accurately dated and pottery can often still be found lying on the ground. The path then traverses along a green side valley as we make our way above a few tiny villages before entering the village of Chillipawa, where we camp.Walk Profile: approx. 10.5km / 6‐7hrs walkingFull‐service Camping
Distance in Km: 10.5
Distance in Miles: 6.5
Activity Hours: 6-7
A long, steady climb with plenty of rest stops to aid acclimatisation takes us above the villages and into the high pampas ‐ rugged meadows of long grass. We normally stop for lunch shortly before the crest of the Accoccosa Pass (and the very rare Andean Flicker is sometimes seen (although often heard!). The last leg of the pass is on loose red scree, but the view from the top makes it all worthwhile: a broad, hidden valley surrounded by snowy peaks ‐ the Huayanay Range on the left, the Urubamba Range straight ahead and beautiful, triangular Mt Veronica (5800m) to the right. We have time to explore this plateau and experience walking in the high altiplano before returning to our camp for a well‐deserved hot dinner. The camp's isolation, well away from any settlements, results in spectacular night skies when clear.Walk Profile: approx. 8.8km / 4‐5hrs walkingFull‐service Camping
Distance in Km: 8.8
Distance in Miles: 5.5
Activity Hours: 4-5
We start after breakfast by following the stream from down this hidden valley into a narrow canyon. Rare polylepis trees grow here and we pass through a small grove as we leave the canyon. Our path then turns North and traverses very high above a deep and steep valley separating us from the Huayanay Mountains. This is probably the most spectacular section of the trek and we roughly follow a (now defunct) Inca aqueduct spectacularly carved out of the cliffs to take water from the hidden valley of our campsite to the Sacred Valley several miles away. At the end of the traverse we have a short but steep climb up to our lunch spot, a flat, ridge‐top meadow facing straight across the Sacred Valley to the snowy Urubamba Range.After lunch we walk down to Huayrapunku. Meaning "Gate of the Wind", this is a ridge‐top Inca shrine oriented to Mt Veronica, of which it has a simply incredible view. A short walk brings us to our final campsite in amongst the granite stones of the Cachicata Quarry. It was here that huge blocks were cut from the rose‐coloured granite before being dragged down the mountainside and across the river to the Sun Temple at Ollantaytambo.Walk Profile: approx. 11.8km / 5‐6hrs walking Full‐service Camping
Distance in Km: 11.8
Distance in Miles: 7.3
Activity Hours: 5-6
Photographers are advised to wake up before dawn this morning, to watch the sun rise over the Sacred Valley from our campsite high above it. The sun's first rays catching the glaciers of Mt Veronica certainly makes the effort more than worthwhile. This is our last day on the trek and we descend from the pampas down into the lush valley floor along the enormous stone ramps on which the Incas dragged the stones. We cross the river and explore the huge Sun Temple complex to see where the stones ended and what use they were put to. Walk Profile: approx. 8km / 2‐3hrs walking Accommodation: Tunupa Lodge (or similar)
Distance in Km: 8
Distance in Miles: 5
Activity Hours: 2-3
Today we have a day walk along a section of the Inca Trail, starting early with a train from Ollantaytambo. After showing our passports at the check point, we will pass by the archaeological site of Chachabamba and start our trek. The trail has impressive views of the valley and the Urubamba river, with orchids and begonias along the way and the sight of magnificent mountains all around. The trail passes the ruins of Wiñay Wayna where we will stop to explore and have our packed lunch. After visiting the attractive ruins of Wiñay Wayna, we have an undulating walk through cloud forest high above the river to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. From here we get our first full sight of Machu Picchu itself, with Huayna Picchu rising behind.Walk Profile: approx. 11km / 6-7hrs walkingAccommodation: Intipunku El Tambo (or similar)
Distance in Km: 11
Distance in Miles: 6.8
Activity Hours: 6-7
In order to beat the day-trippers arriving from Cuzco and reach the ruins as early as possible, a very early start is required to queue for Machu Picchu; only government-registered buses can make the 30-minute drive up the winding road to the site entrance, and during high season (May-October) queues can be hours long. Machu Picchu is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the ancient world and what makes it all the more dramatic is its mountain backdrop of staggering immensity. The Spaniards never found it; the Incas left no records of it, and so Machu Picchu remained a great enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. New regulations for visiting Machu Picchu are now fully enforced; of the three possible visiting slots, we will purchase the morning slot from 06:00 until 12:00 (unless unavailable), you will be limited to a maximum of four hours within the site and must be accompanied by a guide. There will also be three set routes to follow around Machu Picchu; we select the most comprehensive route. We catch an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30 mins) and continue by private bus to Cuzco (2hrs 30 mins).Accommodation: Hotel Warari (or similar)
For land only travellers, the trip ends in Cuzco after breakfast today. Those who are travelling on the group flights will be taken to Cuzco airport to catch the overnight flight back to London.
5 nights hotels in en suite rooms, 3 nights full-service camping with dining
and toilet tents5 days point-to-point walking with full porterageGroup
normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Min. age 16 yrsAltitude maximum 4600m, average
3600mTravel by private bus and by train
All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners are included in the price of the
tour. Peruvian cuisine has developed a reputation for its flavours and
originality and it’s well worth trying out a few of the local delicacies.
Amongst these are ceviche (a spicy dish of seafood or fish marinated in lime
juice), lomo saltado (a Peruvian take on a beef stir-fry) and various hearty
soups such as the delicious quinoa soup. Other dishes include roasted cuy
(guinea pig), alpaca steak, and to drink, the national beverage: Pisco
Sour.Drinking water is included throughout the holiday as the tap water in
Peru is not safe to drink; boiled and filtered drinking water is provided on
the trek and elsewhere your leader will buy large water containers for you to
refill your bottle from. Hotel breakfasts are normally simple buffet-style
affairs, usually including bread/toast and jam, cereal, sometimes eggs or a
cooked dishes, sometimes fruit, tea/coffee and fruit juice. Regrettably, we
cannot guarantee that wheat/gluten-free products will be available for
breakfast in all locations – if you have an intolerance you may wish to
bring your own breakfast food.Where lunch and dinner are not included in
Cuzco/Aguas Calientes we'll visit a variety of cafes and restaurants.During
the Moonstone Trek hearty breakfasts are served and good quality cooked
lunches and dinners are provided, and usually consist of soup or a starter, a
main course with meat/fish and some form of carbohydrates, followed by a
dessert. Some snacks between meals are also provided. Bed tea/coffee is
brought to your tent each morning and juice or hot drinks are provided with
all meals during the trek.
5 nights hotels in en suite rooms, 3 nights full-service camping with dining
and toilet tents5 days point-to-point walking with full porterageGroup
normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Min. age 16 yrsAltitude maximum 4600m, average
3600mTravel by private bus and by train
This is a Moderate/Challenging grade trek (level 4) – please refer to our
activity level guidelines. There are 5 days walking with full porterage, at
a maximum altitude of 4600m, average 3600m. A little higher and tougher than
the Inca Trail ‐ this trek is remote and on some fairly rough paths, some
sections of which present mild exposure. Anyone of reasonable fitness and
with prior walking experience should find no real difficulties, except for a
satisfying challenge in ascending the high‐pass (about 800m of ascent to
about 4600m). No prior experience of trekking at altitude is required.As this
trip spends considerable time at altitude, we ask you to refer to the
altitude warning below. All of our itineraries have built in acclimatisation
days before starting the trek.Walking hours stated within the itinerary are
given as approximates only. Timings stated include lunch and photo stops and
will vary depending on the pace of your group.List of Regulations for
visiting Machu Picchu:The main points impacting your visit are the
following:The tickets are valid only for one entry which means that you
cannot leave the site and re-enter.Once you have done the chosen circuit with
your guide, you cannot walk back to view anything already visited and once
you finish the circuit, you will have to leave the site. You can no longer
explore the site further after the guided tour.The two visit times for
visiting the site, either 6am-12pm or 12-16.30pm.The local authorities have
restricted the temples which can visited at Machu Picchu depending on the
time of the visit to the site.These regulations will affect how long you are
able to spend at Machu Picchu and which temples you can visit. In the past,
after the guided tour passengers could stay longer to explore the site, this
is not possible anymore. The alternative that we are implementing on our
visits to allow you further time, is to explore the upper part of Machu
Picchu (Sun Gate and Inca Bridge) before starting the guided tour. The
guided tour will be about 2 hrs in duration, and unfortunately at the end of
it, you will need to exit the site. You will be able to visit the Condor’s
Temple, but not the Sun Dial Temple or the Sun Temple on this
itinerary. Schedule of visit to Machu Picchu on this itinerary:Early bus to
Machu Picchu and explore upper part with the tour leaderBetween 9-10am start
the guided tourBetween 11.30am-12.30pm passengers leave Machu Picchu Please
see our COVID Travel Guide for Peru for more information on current
guidelines for travel in Peru.
Hotels & CampingThe hotels normally used are indicated within the itinerary, however,
accommodation may differ from those stated depending on your departure date.
All of our Cuzco hotels are small and locally-owned with en-suite bathrooms
and breakfast facilities. All are located within walking distance of the
central Plaza de Armas. Most hotels have a safety deposit box in the room but
if not, there will be one at the reception.Please note that central heating
is very rare in Peru, even in good standard hotels. Most hotels provide
plug-in heaters and spare blankets. Additionally whilst all of the hotels
have a hot water supply, it can be temperamental when there is high demand.A
railway line runs straight through the centre of Aguas Calientes and whilst
we try to allocate rooms away from it whenever possible, the trains might be
heard from some rooms.The Moonstone trek is on a full-service camping basis
with full porterage, meaning that our camp staff will erect and dismantle the
tents for you, cook, and do all of the camp chores for you. You need only
carry your daypack. There is a separate dining tent for meal times, as well
as a toilet tent for use both in camp and during lunch stops. On the
Moonstone Trek we use wild campsites.Should you wish to extend your stay, we
can book extra nights accommodation in Cuzco for you. While we endeavour to
book your pre/post tour accommodation in the same hotel that you will
start/end the trip, it may not always be possible. If your extra
accommodation is in a different hotel to where the group will start/end the
trip it is your responsibility to make arrangements to get to/from that
start/end hotel.We recommend the early booking of single supplements and of
pre/post-tour accommodation. Single accommodation (including tents) can be
arranged, subject to availability. Please request this at the time of
booking.
On the Moonstone Trek there will be a full trek crew including horsemen,
cooks and assistant guides.
All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners are included in the price of the
tour. Peruvian cuisine has developed a reputation for its flavours and
originality and it’s well worth trying out a few of the local delicacies.
Amongst these are ceviche (a spicy dish of seafood or fish marinated in lime
juice), lomo saltado (a Peruvian take on a beef stir-fry) and various hearty
soups such as the delicious quinoa soup. Other dishes include roasted cuy
(guinea pig), alpaca steak, and to drink, the national beverage: Pisco
Sour.Drinking water is included throughout the holiday as the tap water in
Peru is not safe to drink; boiled and filtered drinking water is provided on
the trek and elsewhere your leader will buy large water containers for you to
refill your bottle from. Hotel breakfasts are normally simple buffet-style
affairs, usually including bread/toast and jam, cereal, sometimes eggs or a
cooked dishes, sometimes fruit, tea/coffee and fruit juice. Regrettably, we
cannot guarantee that wheat/gluten-free products will be available for
breakfast in all locations – if you have an intolerance you may wish to
bring your own breakfast food.Where lunch and dinner are not included in
Cuzco/Aguas Calientes we'll visit a variety of cafes and restaurants.During
the Moonstone Trek hearty breakfasts are served and good quality cooked
lunches and dinners are provided, and usually consist of soup or a starter, a
main course with meat/fish and some form of carbohydrates, followed by a
dessert. Some snacks between meals are also provided. Bed tea/coffee is
brought to your tent each morning and juice or hot drinks are provided with
all meals during the trek.
A variety of transport is used during this tour and vehicle types may vary
depending on group size: travel is by bus and by train.Airport transfers are
by private car or mini-bus. All main road journeys are by private mini-bus or
coach with heating/air-conditioning.We travel by train (with Peru Rail/Inca
Rail) between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu)
in Expedition/Executive Class. Seating is four seats to a table, the
carriages have panoramic windows and there is air conditioning/heating. On
day 7 (for the guided tour of Machu Picchu) we take the public bus for the
short journey between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu – this is the only
transport option available on this route as private vehicles are not
permitted. Queues can be very long first thing in the morning, especially
during the peak summer months.This point to point trekking holiday requires
customers to walk between each overnight stay under their own steam. Other
forms of transport may be available along the route (horses, jeeps etc) but
Exodus is not able to take responsibility for the safety or the cost of any
transport that customers choose to take even if provided with the assistance
of our leader or staff.
Travelling flight inclusive from London: 11 daysThe group flight from London
is an overnight flight departing the day before Day 1 of the
itinerary.Flights from LondonWe will normally use LATAM or Avianca
(depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change
regularly, we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your
agent to confirm up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a
later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before
departure.Collecting Baggage in LimaIf you are travelling on the group
flights via Lima, please note that you will need to collect your baggage in
Lima, even if your bag has been checked all the way through to Cuzco (and
even if you are told in London that you do not need to pick it up). After
collecting the bag, you are required to clear customs, and you should then
drop it off at the bag drop for the onward flight. If you do not pick up your
bag, there is a chance it may not reach Cuzco for the start of the trek. This
is a requirement of Lima airport and also applies to your return
flight. Travelling land only: 9 days starting and ending in CuzcoYour trip
normally starts at our accommodation in Cuzco in the afternoon of Day 1 of
the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the
Final Joining Instructions – sent approximately two weeks before
departure. Accommodation check‐in times are normally from around 3pm.
Peru's diverse geography results in climate which varies greatly by both
region and season.Cuzco and the Andes have a temperate climate. December to
March is the rainy season in Cuzco/the Andes and April to November is the dry
season; characterised by clear skies and strong sunshine in the mornings,
sometimes clouding over as the day progresses. Daytime temperatures are
usually pleasant (approx. 20 degrees C on average) but night times only 5-10
degrees C, except for May, June, July and August when days are cooler and
nights are often close to, or a few degrees below, freezing. In the Andes,
however, anything is possible at any time of year, including cloud, rain or
even snow, with rapid and unexpected changes! Aguas Calientes and Machu
Picchu are in the cloud forest and as such attract large amounts of
precipitation all year as clouds move up from the Amazon Basin. Rain here can
be heavy, but is seldom prolonged. Cold fronts sometimes occur from
July-August.Peru is affected by the El Niño weather phenomenon whereby
warming of Pacific Ocean surface water off South America drives a shift in
the atmospheric circulation, resulting in abnormally high levels of rainfall
over parts of South America. These events occur at irregular intervals of two
to seven years, and last nine months to two years. A strong El Niño event
occurred in 2014-16.
A 3 or 4-season sleeping bag (4-season for May-August departures)Warm
jacketSeveral layers of clothing to cope with varying temperatures during the
trekLeather or lightweight walking bootsWarm hat and glovesWaterproof jacket
and over trousersSun hat, sunglasses and sun cream2 x 1-litre water bottles
(ideally metal or reusable Nalgene due to trail restrictions)Daypack (between
25 and 35 litres should be sufficient for trekking days)A lightweight
quick-drying towelHead-torchInsect repellentSmall trek towelExodus provides
(in Cuzco) a sleeping mat for the duration of the trek. The mat is full
length and approximately 4cm thick when inflated.A sleeping bag is not
included but is required for the trek – these can be hired locally through
your leader in Cuzco from US$20 (PEN66).Moonstone Trek Baggage Whilst any
type of normal luggage or suitcase can be used for this holiday, a soft
kitbag or duffel bag (measuring approximately 70cm x 30cm) will need to be
used for the trek portion (since the horses cannot carry hard suitcases or
bags with wheels etc.). If you book this trip, we provide an Exodus kitbag
to pack your luggage in whilst on trek. Once you have booked you will be sent
instructions on how to claim your free bag (they will not be sent out
automatically). There are also details on how to claim for another item from
the Exodus shop should you already have one of these. If you book via an
agent, it is at the agent’s discretion and you should speak directly to
them to arrange delivery. Please note that if you book less than three weeks
before the departure date we cannot guarantee that your kitbag will arrive
before your trip starts, so if this is the case please contact us
on datateam@exodus.co.uk to let us know. For full T&Cs
see www.exodus.co.uk/kitbags.As the kitbags do not have wheels, you may
prefer to pack it inside your own wheelie case for ease of travelling to, and
moving through, the airport. Your suitcase can then be left in Cuzco with
anything not needed for the trek, whilst the kitbag will be carried by horses
on the trek. If however, you can't fit the Exodus kitbag in your main
luggage (or do not receive one in time) then our local partners will provide
a soft duffel bag in Cuzco (this should be returned to your leader after the
trek).On the Moonstone trek please try to keep your duffel bag to a maximum
of about 10kg (give or take a couple of kgs) so as not to overladen the
animals.Donations for portersThe porters we work with are mostly from rural
farming communities. If you have any old walking gear you no longer need, or
any unwanted warm children’s clothing, these would be much appreciated by
the porters and their families. Please leave any donations with your leader
in Cuzco, or alternatively, you can give items directly to your porters on
the last night of the trek.
We strongly recommend taking trekking poles for the Moonstone Trek as the
number of steps can be hard on the knees, but note that due to recent
environmental legislation, poles must have a plastic tip or protector fitted
on the end. Walking poles with rubber tips can be hired through your leader
in Cuzco from US$10 (PEN33) per pole. Please note that walking poles are not
permitted inside the ruins of Machu Picchu without a medical certificate
detailing their necessity.We also recommend: A small sewing kit (with safety
pins), wet wipes, cold water detergent or laundry soap (biodegradable), a
personal music player/books/pack of cards, swimwear for hot springs.We
strongly recommend storing electronics (cameras etc.) in a sealed waterproof
bag to prevent damage during rain.
We recommend either taking cash with you to change into Sol locally, or using
local ATMs to withdraw money in Peru as you go, so you are not left with
excess at the end of your trip. It is a good idea to change a small amount
into Sol at the counters in the baggage hall upon arrival. Change is often in
short supply, so ask for small denomination banknotes and try to break up any
large notes at the earliest opportunity. It is possible to obtain Peruvian
Sol before you travel but exchange rates can be lower than exchanging money
locally in Peru. Some larger establishments and hotels accept US Dollars but
the vast majority of places will only accept Sol.Food, drinks and similar
incidentals can vary in price enormously in Peru and are relatively
expensive compared to other developing nations. Allow about US$15‐20 per
meal not included to eat at tourist class restaurants. Cheaper food is
abundant at small local cafes, although sanitary conditions at these
places cannot be guaranteed. Bottled water and soft drinks are
readily available for around US$1‐2 each.You may want to hire equipment
for your trek in Cuzco ‐ please see the Packing Section for
prices.Peruvian airport taxes are included in the price of your
flight ticket and there will be no need to pay these locally.Please note
that there is a possibility the Peruvian Ministry of Tourism may increase
entrance fees to archaeological sites at any time. If this happens, we will
inform you of the increase and the additional amount will be payable
locally.Peruvian Passport or Identity Card HoldersPlease note that the cost
of Exodus holidays in Peru is based on the assumption that you do not hold a
Peruvian passport or resident's card. If you are officially resident in Peru
or are a Peruvian passport holder, you will be liable to an additional
18% tax on the majority of services, and this extra sum will be payable
locally to our local partner. Other nationalities are exempt from this tax.
Please notify us at the time of booking if you are legally resident in Peru
or hold a Peruvian passport so that we can advise you of the total cost of
these taxes. Optional ExcursionsYour tour leader will be able to tell you
about the full range of optional excursions available throughout your holiday
however the most popular ones are as follows:A Partial Tourist Ticket (BTG)
is required for entrance to the sites in and around Cuzco and the Sacred
Valley – this is not included in the excursion prices below but can be
purchased locally From PEN70 (approx. US$21).City tour and 4 ruins (half day
– 5 hours): From US$48 per person (based on 4 participants), excludes
BTG. This includes visits to the nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo,
Tambomachay and Puca Pucará as well as a tour of the city itself, including
the Plaza de Armas, where the Cathedral is located, Qorikancha ‘Sun
Temple’ (entrance included) and San Pedro Market.Sacred Valley tour (full
day – 8 hours): From US$58 per person (based on 4 participants), excludes
BTG. Drive to the Sacred Valley, stopping at El Mirador viewpoint en route.
Visit Pisac Market and fortress and Ollantaytambo; return to Cuzco.South
Valley tour (full day – 7 hours): From US$66 per person (based on 4
participants), excludes BTG. Visit the little-known valley to the south of
Cuzco, including the terraces at Tipon, the pre- Inca ruins of Pikillaqta and
the ‘Sistine Chapel of the Americas’ in Andahuaylillas (entrance
included); return to Cuzco.Stand Up Paddle (half day – 4 hours): From US$82
per person (based on 2 participants). Includes private transfer, specialized
guide, fruit, water and hot drinks. Price can vary if there are more
paxZip-Line (full day – 8-9 hours): From US $60 per person. Includes
Transport security equipment, specialized guide, box Lunch.Via Ferrata (full
day – 8-9 hours): From US $60 per person. Includes Transport, security
equipment, specialized guide, box Lunch.Via Ferrata + Zip line (full day –
8-9 hours): From US$100 per person. Includes Transport, security equipment,
specialized guide, box Lunch.Mountain Biking Excursion in the Sacred Valley
(full day – 7 hours): From US$130 per person (based on 2 participants).
Includes private transfer, security equipment, specialized guide, box
Lunch.White Water Rafting (full day – 8 hours): From US$140 per person
(minimum of 2 participants). Drive to the Chiquicahuana area of the Southern
Valley to start rafting in Vilcanota river. Spend 2-3 hours rafting and
experiencing rapids level III and III+. Finish your adventure with a picnic
lunch before heading back to Cusco. Activity available from
April-December.Prices of excursions vary depending on the number of people
taking part. The prices given within these Trip Notes are based on 4
participants and are intended as a guideline only. Actual prices will be more
for smaller group sizes and less for larger group sizes. All tours use
private transport and there will be an English-speaking guide. Please note
that cash is the preferred method of payment for any of the optional
activities. For some activities, a minimum number of participants may be
required. Some activities may not always be possible due to weather,
seasonality, national holidays, or unforeseen circumstances.
Exodus encourages customers to tip local support staff if they would like to.
In Peru, it has become customary for local staff to receive tips and these
tips can be an important source of extra income for hard-working crew. While
whether and how much to tip should be a personal decision, customers often
ask us for a suggestion of appropriate amounts for different individuals.
Together with our local partner, we have prepared the below guidelines which
we hope will be useful. Please note that PEN is the preferred currency for
tips.Tipping Kitty: On this trip we recommend running a tipping kitty. A
tipping kitty means we tip as a group, and individuals don’t need to worry
about giving out small tips to various people who have helped during the trip
(i.e. drivers, local guides, hotel staff). The tipping kitty excludes tips
for Moonstone trekking crew and the Tour Leader. The contribution we suggest
is US$50 (PEN 150) per person.Tour Leader: Leaders are fairly paid for their
role but are of course always grateful for recognition of their skills and
hard work. Tips for your leader should be based on their performance and
engagement with the group, and if you are happy with the leader’s work, we
recommend somewhere around US$5 (PEN 15) per person per day, but customers
are encouraged to contribute what they feel happy giving - either less or
more than the amount suggested above. Tipping of your trekking crew: The
trekking crew is made up of guides, cooks, kitchen staff, and horsemen. Tips
are best arranged on a group basis, and a volunteer from the group should
gather the money and split the total collected into smaller amounts for each
person. This is normally done on the last night of the trek. Your leader will
be happy to assist as needed. The recommended contribution per group member
is PEN140-190 (or PEN 160-210 pp for small groups of 6 or less). Around
PEN200-300 of the total collection would normally be allocated to the Main
Trek Guide.Based on the above distributions, tips for absolutely everyone
(inclusive of a tipping kitty and a tip for your trekking crew and tour
leader) for the whole tour duration should amount to a total of
approx.US$145-$165 (PEN 445-515) per person, depending on the group size.
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request)Visas or
vaccinationsSleeping bag (hire locally from US$20)
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.