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The trip starts in Cuzco (3400m) today. The group flights usually arrive late morning. The Inca capital - though small enough to be easily manageable - is among the most attractive cities in South America, with much of the centre comprising colonial-era buildings with Inca foundations, and it is full of interesting museums, churches and pre-Columbian sites. We will have a short walking tour of the city including a visit to the Qoricancha Sun Temple. 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 (3,400m). There will be a welcome briefing in the hotel lobby this evening. *Hotel Koyllur / Warari (or similar)* * *
The hills above Cuzco city are dotted with some of the most interesting Inca ruins. We drive to the highest, Tambomachay, and return on foot to Cuzco via Puca Pucara, Qenco and Sacsayhuaman: an easy acclimatisation walk to get used to the altitude. An open-air picnic lunch is included during the hike near the spectacular ruins. *Hotel Koyllur / Warari (or similar)*
Distance in Km: 6.5
Distance in Miles: 4
Activity Hours: 5-6 (inclusive of the time for visiting the sites)
Free day in Cuzco to relax and further acclimatise before starting the tour. A range of optional activities and sightseeing excursions can be arranged, including visits to Inca and pre-Inca sites south of Cuzco, or walks in the hills surrounding the city but we recommend taking it relatively easy in preparation for the start of the trek tomorrow. *Hotel Koyllur / Warari (or similar)*
A few hours drive via the interesting Inca remains of Tarawasi (optional) takes us high to the hill town of Mollepata (2980m) where we make a brief stop, before continuing on to Marcocsa (3515m), where we will start our trek. We trek from here to our campsite near of Soraypampa (3910m) where we spend our first night under canvas. The total driving time is approx. 4 hours, and the walk will take around 5-6 hours of uphill and steady climbing along well-made tracks. *Full-service Camping*
Distance in Km: 11
Distance in Miles: 6.8
Activity Hours: 5-6
Start your day with an optional 3 hour (return) walk to Humantay Lagoon to see the magnificent water mirror in the middle of the Andes. Return for an early lunch at the campsite of Soraypampa (3910m), and then continue our ascent towards the massive bulk of Salkantay (6271m) which soon dominates our view. We camp at around 4400m in the high grassy meadow of Ichu Pata, below the south face and glaciers of the impressive peak. *Full-service Camping*
Distance in Km: 7
Distance in Miles: 4.3
Activity Hours: 4-5
The high point of the trek and this morning's goal is the Inca Chiriasqa pass at almost 5000m. Climbing more steeply now we walk close to the spectacular glaciers and ice walls of Nevado Salcantay. Passing through Pampa Japonesa, base camp for a Japanese mountaineering expedition, we finally top the pass and gain some excellent 360° panoramic views. Inca Chirisaqa means ‘the Inca fell ill from cold', and the exposed situation makes it easy to see why. Descending from the pass, we drop down into the upper reaches of a broad valley where Salcantay reappears in a new profile. After passing a huge ridge of terminal moraine, once the snout of the East Salcantay Glacier, the river suddenly becomes dead straight, canalised by the Incas centuries ago. We camp alongside the canal close to the hamlet of Pampa Cahuana (3870m). *Full-service Camping*
Distance in Km: 12
Distance in Miles: 7
Activity Hours: 6-7
Setting off from camp this morning, we follow the canal, which soon drops into a steep-sided valley. The path follows the side of this valley all the way to Paucarcancha, an Inca watchtower which guarded the Pampa Cahuana valley. We have time to explore this small site before continuing to the village of Huayllabamba (3100m) where we camp for the night. *Full-service Camping*
Distance in Km: 7
Distance in Miles: 4
Activity Hours: 5-6
Today we join the main Inca Trail, the iconic trek to Machu Picchu. From the village of Huayllabamba, a long and steady climb takes us first through an area of cloud forest to the meadows of Llulluchapampa, then over the Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman) Pass at 4,215m. After quite a long, steep descent we camp in the scenic Pacaymayo valley (3600m). *Full-service Camping*
Distance in Km: 10
Distance in Miles: 6.2
Activity Hours: 6.5-7.5
We start today with an easier climb, past the small ruins of Runcuracay, which takes us over the Runcuracay Pass (3800m), and from now on the Inca Trail becomes a clearly defined path made of flat boulders. We pass the ruins of Sayajmarca and suddenly enter cloud forest. At one point the trail passes through a short Inca tunnel before crossing onto the Amazon side of the continental divide. We normally camp on the ridge above the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca (3650m) to benefit from the views of sunset and sunrise, and to avoid the crowded Wiñay Wayna campsite. *Full-service Camping*
Distance in Km: 12
Distance in Miles: 7.5
Activity Hours: 5-6
From the ridge, we embark on the infamous Inca steps: a two kilometre stone staircase taking us rapidly downhill amid a panorama of overwhelming immensity, with the peaks of the Vilcabamba range above, and the river thousands of metres below. 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. Traditionally busy with groups of trekkers clamouring for photos, we plan our arrival at Inti Punku later in the day so we can enjoy unobstructed views of the magnificent ruins. Passing around the edge of the ruins, we exit the site and descend to Aguas Calientes for a well-earned rest, a shower and a comfortable bed for the night. Our trekking permits allow us one entry into the site, which we use for our tour tomorrow. There is usually time for an optional visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes, however, in recent years they have become over-crowded and the water quality can suffer as a result. *Hotel Inti Punku El Tambo (or similar)* * *
Distance in Km: 9
Distance in Miles: 5.6
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, Exodus 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; Exodus selects the most comprehensive route. We catch an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30 mins) where we stay for the night. *Tunupa Lodge (or similar)* * *
A day exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting the famous Inca fortress ruins of Ollantaytambo and Pisac which tower over the villages below them of the same name. We will also have time to look around Pisac Market, famous for its handicrafts, before returning by road to Cuzco. *Hotel Koyllur / Warari (or similar)* * *
Today has been left free to relax or explore Cuzco further. There are a number of optional excursions available which your tour leader can arrange for you. If you still have the energy you could chose to mountain bike in the Sacred Valley taking in a 30-35km ride through Moray, Maras and then down to Sacred Valley through ancient communities, farming fields and amazing Andean landscape. Alternatively, you could try your hand at paddle boarding on Lake Piuray near the town of Chinchero. Or, if feeling more subdued, take it easy and watch the world go by in Cuzco’s Plaza de Armas. *Hotel Koyllur / 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 for your overnight international flight to London.
* 7 nights en suite hotels and 6 nights full-service camping
* 7 days point-to-point walking with full porterage
* Altitude maximum 4960m, average 3550m
* Travel by private minibus and by train
* Inca Trail Permit required - early booking essential
* 10kg personal weight limit on trek
All breakfasts, 8 lunches and 6 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 provided. 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 dish, sometimes
fruit, tea/coffee and fruit juice. Regrettably, we can not 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 is not included in Cuzco/Aguas Calientes we'll visit a
variety of cafes and restaurants.
During the 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.
* 7 nights en suite hotels and 6 nights full-service camping
* 7 days point-to-point walking with full porterage
* Altitude maximum 4960m, average 3550m
* Travel by private minibus and by train
* Inca Trail Permit required - early booking essential
* 10kg personal weight limit on trek
This trip is graded as Challenging (level 5) - please refer to our activity
level guidelines [1]. There are 7 days point-to-point walking with full
porterage, reaching a maximum altitude of approx. 4960m, average 3550m. More
strenuous and at higher altitude than the classic Inca Trail, sections of
this trek take us over difficult terrain underfoot, particularly on the
descent from the high pass, which has a lot of loose gravel. The walking days
are generally not long but there are some steep climbs and descents. On the
main Inca Trail the paths are well maintained, but there are a lot of
irregular stone steps which can be tiring on the knees, so we recommend
walking poles.
You may find our
https://www.exodus.co.uk/assets/pdf/Exodus_WT_Fitness_Training_Guide.pdf"
target="_blank"Fitness Training Guide a useful reference.
Some nights can be very cold (below freezing), and you should note that over
the last few years there have been a few occasions where heavy snowfall has
closed the Inca Chiriasqa Pass (day 7). If this happens the leader will take
an amended route to join the Inca Trail. If the snow is very heavy the group
may retreat to Mollepata and then join the Inca Trail at Km 82 (the start
point of the normal Inca Trail). This is not a common occurrence but you
should be aware that it does occasionally happen. It is most likely to occur
in July and August although is very unpredictable.
As this trip spends considerable time at altitude, we ask you to refer to the
altitude warning within the Trip Notes. We spend three days in Cuzco (3400m)
acclimatising before starting the trek.
Protest action/strikes are not uncommon in Peru, and whilst these are
generally peaceful, they can involve roadblocks and cause disruption to
travel. Occasionally your leader may have to adapt your itinerary in response
to this.
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.
*Inca Trail Regulations*
An Inca Trail permit is required for this trip. There are a number of
important regulations regarding the Inca Trail that we would like to make you
aware of:
1. Spaces on the Inca Trail are on a first come, first served basis and we
urge you to book as early as possible.
2. If you cancel your booking more than 8 weeks before departure and wish to
transfer your deposit to another departure or another trip the transfer fee
is £150 as we will lose the permit we have purchased. This is an amendment
to our Booking Conditions. No transfers are possible within 8 weeks of
departure.
3. Bookings can only be made if we are supplied with your full name, passport
details, date of birth and nationality, exactly as per the passport you will
be using to travel to Peru (this information is used to purchase your Inca
Trail permit). If your passport details do not match those on your permit you
will be refused entry to the Inca Trail by the local authorities.
4. Should the passport used to purchase your permit be lost, stolen or expire
before your Inca Trail start date, you must purchase a new passport and
notify Exodus immediately as we will need to apply to amend your Inca Trail
permit. To do so, you must supply copies of both your old and new passports
to Exodus in advance of travel and pay an administration fee of £25. For
this reason, we strongly recommend that you make a copy of your passport at
the time of booking.
5. Please be aware that these regulations may change at any time, and Exodus
is not responsible for the decisions made by Peruvian authorities.
6. There is a possibility that the Peruvian authorities may increase the
entrance fees to the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and other major sights at any
time. If they do so, we will inform you of this increase and the extra amount
will need to be paid locally in cash in Peru.
*Please Note:* Whilst your departure date may be 'Guaranteed', your Inca
Trail permit itself will initially be 'On Request'. If travelling within the
current year we will try to purchase your permit immediately upon receiving
your booking. If travelling next year, we will apply for your permit as soon
as they are released for sale. In either case, in the event that we are
unable to get your permit we will contact you to discuss your options. /*
*/
*List of Regulations for visiting Machu Picchu:*
The main points impacting your visit are the following:
1) The tickets are valid only for one entry which means that you cannot
leave the site and re-enter.
2) 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.
3) The two visit times for visiting the site, either 6am-12pm or 12-16.30pm.
4) 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 leader
* Between 9-10am start the guided tour
* Between 11.30am-12.30pm passengers leave Machu Picchu
[1] node/714
Hotels and Camping
The hotels normally used are indicated within the itinerary, however,
accommodation may differ from those stated depending on your departure date.
All of our hotels are small and locally-owned with en suite bathrooms and
breakfast facilities. In Cuzco, 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 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. For the first part of the trek we stay in wild
campsites, and on the Inca Trail, we stay in organised campsites jointly
administered by the Regional Cultural Directorate and the National Parks
Service. The tents have enough room inside for the kitbags. A bowl of warm
water (to wash with) will be brought to your tent each morning and evening.
Should you wish to extend your stay in Peru, Exodus can book extra nights
accommodation in Cuzco for you either before or after the tour.
A limited number of single supplements (hotel and tent) are available on this
trip; please request this at the time of booking. We recommend the early
booking of single supplements.
On this trip we have a local tour leader, and for the trek we may also have
an assistant guide, depending on group size. While trekking, we have a cook
and assistant cook for the duration, mule/horse wranglers for the first half
(to Huayllabamba) and human porters for the Inca Trail itself.
All breakfasts, 8 lunches and 6 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 provided. 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 dish, sometimes
fruit, tea/coffee and fruit juice. Regrettably, we can not 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 is not included in Cuzco/Aguas Calientes we'll visit a
variety of cafes and restaurants.
During the 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 and the carriages have panoramic windows and
there is air conditioning/heating.
On Day 11 (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:* *16 days*
The group flight from London is an overnight flight departing the day before
Day 1 of the itinerary.
*Flights from London*
We normally use the scheduled services of 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.
Internal flights during the trip are normally with Lan Peru.
*Travelling land only: 14 days starting and ending in Cuzco*
Your 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.
*Collecting baggage in Lima*
If you are flying via Lima, 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.
The cost of a taxi is likely to be about US$10 should you decide to make your
way independently.
Peru's diverse geography results in a very varied climate between different
regions.
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 on
trek are often below freezing, particularly at the highest camps where it may
be around -10 degrees C. In the Andes, however, anything is possible at any
time of year, including cloud, rain or even snow, and 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.
3 or 4-season sleeping bag (4-season essential for May-August departures)
Warm jacket
Several layers of clothing to cope with varying temperatures during the trek
Leather or lightweight walking boots
Warm hat and gloves
Waterproof jacket and over trousers
Sunglasses
2 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 towel
Insect repellent
Small trek towel
Exodus 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$35 (PEN112).
*Inca Trail Baggage & Weight Restriction*
Whilst any type of normal luggage or suitcase can be used for this holiday, a
soft kitbag or duffel bag (measuring approximately 70cms x 30cms) will need
to be used for the trek portion (since porters 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"mailto:datateam@exodus.co.uk"*datateam**
@exodus.co.uk to let us know. For full T&Cs see
https://www.exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/our-kitbags"
target="_blank"*
.*
As"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 your porter on 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).
There are strict regulations regarding luggage on the Inca Trail. These
regulations are strictly enforced and were created to reduce environmental
damage to the Inca Trail and to comply with porters work laws.
Porterage for up to 10kg of personal gear is allowed on the Inca Trail
section of this trek. This is inclusive of your sleeping bag, which usually
weights approx. 1.8kg. Your sleeping mat, however, does not count towards
your personal weight limit. If your packed duffel bag exceeds the allowed
weight, you will have to transfer excess items from your duffel bag to your
daypack.
On days 5-7 of the trip (before the official start of the Inca Trail) we use
mules, and the 10kg restriction is not enforced. When we arrive in
Huayllabamba on day 7 the group have to weigh their gear, and excess (which
can include dirty clothes, books etc.) can be sent out with the horsemen to
Cuzco. This excess luggage will then be reunited with the group back in
Cuzco.
*Donations for porters *
The 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 Inca Trail, as the number
of steps can be hard on the knees, but please 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$14 (PEN45) 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.
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 Holders*
Please 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 Excursions*
Your 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).
*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.
*Cuzco: Stand Up Paddle (half day – 4 hours):* From US$55 per person.
Minimum of 2 participants. Fruit, water and hot drinks included.
*Cuzco: Zip-Line (full day – 8-9 hours):* From US $66 per person. Includes
Transport security equipment, specialized guide, box Lunch.
*Cuzco: Via Ferrata (full day – 8-9 hours):* From US$66 per person.
Includes Transport, security equipment, specialized guide, box Lunch.
*Cuzco: 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$172 per person (based on 2 participants). Includes private transfer,
security equipment, specialized guide, box lunch.
*Classic Rainbow Mountain (Full day – 8 hours):* From US$ 94 per person
(based on 4 participants). This famous trek takes you up to 5200 m. Rainbow
mountain is one of the most impressive geologic features in Cusco region. The
mountain is striped with colours ranging from turquoise to lavender to maroon
and gold. Price includes transportation, guide, entrance fee and box lunch.
*White Water Rafting (full day – 8 hours): *From US$130 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 some guidelines which we
hope will be useful. Your leader will provide additional
information. 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 Inca Trail (or Moonstone) trekking crew and the Tour Leader. The
contribution per person per day we suggest is US$5 (PEN 15).
*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
between PEN140 and PEN240 per person, but customers are encouraged to
contribute what they feel happy giving - either less or more than the amount
suggested above. Those on the Moonstone Trek may prefer to give towards the
lower end as the Tour Leader does not accompany you on the Moonstone Trek.
*Tipping of your trekking crew*
The trekking crew is made up of guides, cooks, kitchen staff, and porters (or
horsemen on the Moonstone Trek). 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 PEN300-400 (or PEN 340-440
pp for small groups of 6 or less).
* Travel insurance
* Single accommodation (available on request)
* Visas or vaccinations
* Sleeping bag (hire locally from US$35)
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.