Mt Salkantay and the

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

A longer & more strenuous hike than the regular Inca Trail itinerary, this trek allows you to experience the remote beauty of Mt. Salkantay as well as the farming communities of the region. Leaving Cusco we reach the roadhead past highland plateaus and a view of the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba. The trail slowly ascends to a camp below Mt. Salkantay. We go over a high pass to continue on a back-country trail, rocky in places until we join the famed Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for a two day trek. Our support crew is made up initially of pack animals and the last three days our gear is carried by porters. The spectacular Andes were the center of the vast and prosperous Incan Empire, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries. Radiating from their capital of Cusco, engineers created over 5,000 miles of stone roads, tunnels and bridges that enabled people, messages and products to move rapidly across the empire. The Incas named this system Capac Nañ, which means beautiful road--an accurate description of this amazing system.

Travel the routes of the Incas while experiencing cultural and scenic treasures. In order to provide you with the best in-depth experience, we have designed itineraries around this trek to include acclimatization time, and visits to nearby important sites.

All trips depart on Mondays, and return on the following Sunday (or Saturday night, depending on your flight preference), with a minimum of two passengers.

2009 Prices:

• $2600 per person based on double occupancy
• Single and triple rates available on request (double tents only available during trek)

The above rates include Inca Trail fees. ** DUE TO RECENT TRAIL REGULATIONS, TO RESERVE SPACE ON THIS PROGRAM, WE MUST HAVE YOUR FULL PASSPORT NAME, PASSPORT #, BIRTH-DATE AND NATIONALITY ALONG WITH YOUR DEPOSIT TO REQUEST AND CONFIRM SPACE**

Itinerary

Day 1/Mon: Arrive Lima, where you are met and assisted to the nearby airport hotel Costa del Sol for a one night stay.

Day 2/Tue: Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Cusco (not included in cost). Transfer to Hotel San Agustin International, Plaza de Armas or similar. Morning free to rest and acclimatize to the 11,600' altitude. An afternoon group tour of city and the nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko and Tambomachay will give you a good background of the incredible history and culture of the region. (B)

Day 3 & 4/Wed & Thu: Option to select one of two tours, which must be designated at time of booking: Option #1(Thursday only)--Full day guided tour to visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit the colorful Indian market in Pisac, full of textiles, and handicrafts. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before you head won the valley to visit Ollantaytambo--a small town surrounded by Incan ruins. Tour the adjacent great fortress for a spectacular view of the Urubamba Valley. (B, L) Option #2—(Wednesday or Thursday) River rafting in the Sacred Valley (Class III). A half hour bus ride brings you to the put-in point of today’s river trip. A half-day of rafting will bring you to our lunch spot on the banks of the river. Picnic lunch included. Return to your hotel in Cusco for a two-night stay. (B, L) Note: for an additional cost, both tours can be included

Day 3 & 4/Wed & Thu: Your free day-- to further allow you to acclimatize to the high elevations in preparation for your trek. You can explore the museums & nearby ruins, go mountain biking or horseback riding, or enjoy a nice day hike. There are also many shops, markets & restaurants to explore as well. Lunch & dinner on your own. Tonight you will have a briefing session & orientation for your upcoming trek. (B)

Day 5/Fri: Begin your trek! Your gear should be packed in duffel bags no more than 20 pounds in weight, including your sleeping bag. This gear will be transported by pack horse the first three days, and then by porters. (Note: You should plan to leave all unnecessary travel items in luggage storage at your Cusco hotel.) You will need to carry your own personal daypack for water, camera, raingear, etc. Drive over Tika-Tika pass with a first view of Mt. Salkantay and Humantay in the horizon. Cross the plateau of Anta (Antapampa) an area that's considered the breadbasket of Cusco, important for grains and cattle. We reach the pass of Limatambo with an amazing view of both mountains and the panorama of the lush agricultural valley below. We visit the ruins of Tarawasi with its long asymmetric Inca stone wall. Leaving Limatambo we drive up a side-valley to the village of Tomacaya, the roadhead. From this village of farmers we will have great views of the Limatambo valley and down into the Apurimac Valley towards Curawasi. A two hour hike uphill will bring us to Tocobamba at 3400m (11,152 ft) where we camp near a small stream. (Distance: 4 kms, Time: 2 hours).

Day 6/Sat: TOCOBAMBA / TINKOC / COLLPA . Leaving our campsite we begin our ascent towards a pass at 3,950 m (12,956 ft), called Muyuhorko for about four hours where we take our lunch break. Here you find a pre-inca ceremonial site from where we can get an astounding circumspective view of Mt. Salkantay, Humantay, Yanantay and Palcay and beyond Ausangate, Ninaparayoc and Qoylluritiy as well as the Pampa de Anta and the Pass of Huilki. We descend to the Tinkoc river at 3500 m (11,480 ft), and camp at Collpa. (Distance: 11 KM/6.6 miles, Time: 6 hours). (B, L, D)

Day 7/Sun: COLLPA / TOCTO / SISAYPAMPA Leaving Collpa we head up the valley to the confluence of two rivers at 3,800m / 12,464 ft. We take the left fork up over a pass at Tocto at 4,900m (16,072 ft) a long slow ascent uphill. We reach this Pass and have Mt. Salkantay, Yanahorco and Palcay opposite with views of the Pampaccahua valley and our campsite below at Sisaypampa 4,200m (13,690 ft). At first a steep descent and then a two hour hike down the valley floor brings us to our campsite, with a dominating view of the eastern face of the mountain. (Distance: 12 KM/7.2 miles, Time: 8 hours). (B, L, D)

Day 8/Mon: SISAYPAMPA / PAMPACAHUA / PAUCARCANCHA The trail continues to the end of the valley, turns north and enters a wider valley called Pampacahua with an Inca canal running through the middle and small settlements of farmers along its edges. At the end of the Pampa the trail begins to get steeper as we pass the tree line, continuing to our campsite at Paucarcancha, our first Inca site, and the confluence of the Pampacahua and Keska valleys. Here we camp in the vicinity of the ruins at 3,150m (10,260 ft) (Trekking: 5-6 hours, Distance: 10 KM/6 miles). (B, L, D)

Day 9/Tue: PAUCARCANCHA / HUAYLLABAMBA / LLULLUCHAPAMPA A slow day at low altitude at first, visiting the village of Huayllabamba, from where a steep ascent brings us to the Huayruro stream at 3,400m (11,084 ft). Here we stop for lunch at Yunkachimpa. At the village we meet a group coming from the Urubamba Valley and leave our pack animals behind-changing to a new crew of porters. From here we cross over to the Llullucha gorge and traverse a unique forest of Unca trees, a native species, which nowadays is hard to find except in isolated areas. We have now entered the Machu Picchu Sanctuary and will see fewer people living in the area. Once out of the forest we reach Llulluchapampa, with a view of Mt. Huayanay overlooking our campsite at 3,750m (12,225 ft) (Trekking: 5-6 hours, 8 KM/4.8 miles). (B, L, D)

Day 10/Wed: A steady ascent on an Inca Trail up to the Warmiwañusqa pass at 4,200m (13,692 ft) affords a magnificent view of our ascent and the trail ahead of us. We descend on a reconstructed Inca Trail down to the Pacaymayo River to then ascend again to the ruins of Runkuraqay and the second pass at 4,050m (13,200 ft). From here we walk down to the site at Sayacmarca at 3,850m (12,551 ft) on the original Inca Trail, passing a dry lake and the first signs of the cloud forest. A beautiful location overlooking the Aobamba Valley, it affords a respite for a leisurely walk through its imposing structures. Continue along the ridge through amazing landscapes, viewing Mt. Salkantay from the western side and Mt. Pumasillo, a silhouette to the north on the horizon. Walking through a rolling flagstoned trail we arrive at Phuyupatamarca (the village on the edge of the clouds) in whose vicinity we camp. (Trekking: 7-8 hours, Distance 14KM/8.4 miles) (B, L, D)

Day 11/Thu: An early departure today will have us trekking along a buttress and passing Phuyupatamarca ruins, the flagstoned trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna located below the ridge on the same water course as the previous site, it has well restored Inca Ruins. After a two hour walk through a cloud forest covered Inca Trail we arrive at Machu Picchu the way the Incas used to come, watching the magnificent citadel at our feet from Intipunku, the door of the sun. Transit through the ruins to the shuttle buses that will take you to the small town of Machu Picchu Pueblo, where you check in to your hotel. (Optional overnight at el Pueblo or Sanctuary luxury hotel available). Dinner on your own. (B, L)

Day 12/Fri: You’ll take the early morning shuttle up to the ruins for a tour of the ruins. You’ll have additional with free time for photography or a climb up Huayna Picchu before boarding the afternoon train back to Cusco. Arrive early evening; transfer to your hotel. (B)

Day 13/Sat: Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Lima (flights not included in cost). You will be met by our local driver and transferred to your hotel (day room for those departing on late night flights) with the remainder of the day free to explore Lima on your own. (B)

Day 14/Sun: Our driver will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your return flights to the US. (B)

Included: Hotel accommodations as specified, all meals while on the trek, excursions and land transfers as specified, guiding, porters, and common camping equipment.

Not included: Flights and airline taxes of any kind, (flights are required between Lima and Cusco round-trip--approximate price is $225-$250) departure taxes, insurance, and items of a personal nature, such as laundry, phone, personal beverages, excess baggage charges, and gratuities. Additional expenses caused by the delay or extension of a trip due to weather, political disputes, or other causes beyond our control.

In general, we provide twin tents, foam mattress, all communal camping gear. Passengers must supply their own sleeping bags, day-packs, and duffel bags for transporting their gear. A complete clothing and equipment list will be provided once you are confirmed on a trip.

Trip Notes:

• The Inca Trail is considered a moderate to strenuous trek, including consistent uphill hiking at altitudes of 10-16,000 feet. Participants should be in good physical condition, and maintain a regular exercise program at for at least 3 months prior to their trip. Previous hiking experience, as well as a pair of broken-in hiking boots are also required!
• This trip requires an addition of domestic flights Lima-Cusco and Cusco-Lima. Our office in Lima will make these arrangements. Ticket prices average between $360 to $375 round-trip, and will be confirmed once we have your trip deposit.
• This trip begins and ends in Lima, Peru, which can be reach by daily flights on a wide variety of airlines. We offer excellent discounted international airfares!
• You can join the group one or two days early in Lima to allow time to explore the museums and historical sites of the city. Please specify this option at time of booking!

To confirm reservations:

A deposit of $300 per person is required to confirm reservations. In addition, the following payment procedures apply:

Payment for airline tickets is due at the time tickets are issued, but no later than time of final payment.

Last Minute Bookings: Last minute reservations (less than 30 days before departure) will be accepted, subject to availability, if payment has been received, and documents can be delivered. Any special communication costs and delivery charges will be at the client's expense.

Revision Fee: Revision fees will apply once the initial deposit has been received. Charges will vary based on itinerary, and extent of changes, with a minimum charge of $50. Changes requested after documents have been issued (generally with-in 30 days) will incur a minimum $100 change fee, plus additional services requested.

International bookings: We gladly accept bookings from passengers outside the US. However, an additional surcharge of $50 per booking is applied to cover additional shipping charges.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS--At the time we receive written notification that you must cancel your trip, money will be returned less the following cancellation fees:

Note Special restrictions apply to Peru departures:

Trip Documents: Trip documents will be forwarded approximately 3 weeks prior to travel, and once all payments and completed application forms have been received.

Risk and Responsibility

In arranging these trips, Latin American Escapes, Inc. acts only as the agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers actually providing tour services for these trips with whom Latin American Escapes, Inc. has no legal connection or joint ownership. These local tour operators attempt to conduct these trips as described in the preceding itineraries. However, it is possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, itineraries may vary from what is described. Participants are responsible for extra costs due to travel delay or itinerary changes for reasons beyond our control and assume all risks, whether identified in advance or unforeseen, as described under Limitation of Liability, and Trip Member Responsibility, located in our Terms and Conditions, which all travelers agree to sign. Traveler's insurance is not included, but is offered, and is strongly recommended. CST # 2023695-40.