8 Day Luxury Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Upon your arrive in Cusco, a representative of Valencia Travel Cusco will be waiting for you. We will pick you up in our private transportation and take you to your hotel. Here you will join your guide for a short briefing about the wonderful tour that awaits you. Today begins with a guided tour of the impressive Koricancha temple and enjoy the sights, the capital of the Incas. You can enjoy the indigenous and colonial heritage then spend the remainder of the day at leisure “by exploring Cusco’s nightlife or sampling some of its many typical restaurants.

Overnight at: Depending on room availability we will provide one the below hotels.
Option 1: Palacio del Inka, A Luxury Collection Hotel
Option 2: Hotel Aranwa Cusco Boutique

OPTIONAL: Today we will enjoy a guided tour for about 2 hours and visit one of the most important Inca temples located in the center of Cusco city.

KORICANCHA: The famous Sun Temple of Cusco was and is in practice a synthesis of the Incan organization, architecture and religion. Koricancha means "Courtyard of the gold" in Quechua. It possibly represented the Navel of the World in the pre-Hispanic Andean Cosmovision. In the center of the courtyard is a structure, which was once covered with 55 kilograms of gold, and along the sides of the courtyard are small Inca rooms whose smooth gray stones and sharp angles are a stark contrast to the rounded arches and Spanish architecture that surround them

 

OPTIONAL: FULL DAY SACRED VALLEY TOUR (FOR AN EXTRA COST).

After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel at 8:00am. This is a full day excursion to the Urubamba Valley visiting the colorful Indian market in Pisac where you will be able to appreciate the mixture of color and tradition and have an opportunity to test your bartering skills, interact with the local craftsmen and purchase their hand-made souvenirs. Pisac is located at the entrance of the Sacred Valley. The Valley is (31km)/ (19mi) from Cusco, and at an altitude of (2,970m)/ (9,700 ft.). Followed by Pisac is Urubamba where we will have a lunch break to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch (not included) then we continue through to Ollantaytambo, the oldest continuously occupied town on the American continent. The narrow streets of Ollantaytambo, along with their canals, have not changed much from the time of the Inca Empire. They evoke their ancestral inheritance and give you a feeling of what it would be like to live during this time. The last visit will be the Chinchero market. Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Its major claim to tourism is its colorful Sunday market which is much less tourist-orientated than the market at Pisac. At the end, we will return you to the Plaza de Armas in Cusco at approximately 6:30 pm.

P.S: Tonight we will have the Inca trail briefing at 7:00pm at the hotel lobby.
Overnight at: Depending on room availability we will provide one the below hotels.
Option 1: Palacio del Inka, A Luxury Collection Hotel
Option 2: Hotel Aranwa Cusco Boutique

 

Today we pick you up at 5:00 am and travel by bus to Mollepata. We will then take a 3 hour hike to Cruzpata where we will have lunch with the panoramic views of the beautiful snow-capped mountains of Humantay (4120m)/(13500ft) and Salkantay (6271m)/(20575ft) – just the start! We will begin our trek towards Soraypamapa, our first campsite at (4000m)/(12750ft); the highest and coldest campsite of the trip, taking in the beautiful landscape along the way.

Overnight: At the campsit.

 

We will have breakfast at around 5:30 am and begin our hike to the highest pass on this trek at (4650m)/(15200ft), located halfway between 2 huge mountains; Salkantay on the right and Tucarhuay on the left. From the pass, the view of the 2 snow-capped mountains is incredible. There is a possibility of snow here. After a rest, we will continue our walk (downhill) through a dramatic cloud forest towards Huayracpunku, also known as Huayracmachay, where we will have lunch. We hike again after lunch for approximately 3 hours towards the jungle until we reach our second campsite, Colcapampa (3000m)/(9800ft). We may reach the other campsites of Challway or Andenes (depends on the pace of the group).

Overnight: At the campsite.

 

After breakfast, at 6:30 am, we start trekking through the upper jungle crossing the Lluskamayo River and a series of small brooks/creeks. Today we will pass through valleys and have wonderful views of waterfalls, tropical fruits and plants. We will camp in the warm climate of La Playa (2500m)/(8202ft). After a rest, we will go to the hot springs and enjoy the well-deserved, soothing water. A real treat after finishing the trek! (Optional).

Overnight: At the campsite.

 

We will have breakfast at 6:30 am and then head for Llactapata, a 3 hour steady climb. Llactapata is an incredible Inca fort from which we will see Machu Picchu! After some photos and rest, we will continue on a 2 hour downhill hike passing a variety of plantations that produce coca, bananas, etc., until we reach the hydroelectric for lunch. And then we walk for a couple of hours until get Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night at the hotel.

Overnight at: Inkaterra Machupicchu Hotel.

 

Early breakfast at the hotel, then your guide will pick you up at 5:30am to take the bus station and board the bus up to the majestic Machu Picchu Inca citadel to catch the sunrise where you can take the classic photo (picture postcard shot) of this ancient city with the T-shirt provided which has the Inca trail logo and the “I DID THE SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU” phrase.

Then, we visit Machu Picchu itself with a walking tour for at least 2 hours, which is given by your guide, and after this you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. Later we will take we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (Not Included). Then we will board the train back to Poroy train station where we will be waiting for you and take you back to your hotel.

Overnight at: Depending on room availability we will provide one the below hotels.
Option 1: Palacio del Inka, A Luxury Collection Hotel
Option 2: Hotel Aranwa Cusco Boutique.

 

After breakfast, we will take you back to the airport according your flight itinerary.

 

Know Before You Go

Although most of the planning and preparation is taken care of for you, there are still a few things you should know and some details you should take care of to ensure your comfort, safety and peace of mind. Please review the following information before your departure to ensure that any surprises along the way will only be pleasant ones.

Getting Ready to Go

Passports and Visas

It is each traveller's responsibility to have a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of entry to Peru and a visa if required.

Passengers requiring visas, whether obtained in advance or locally upon arrival, should ensure that their passport has unstamped visa pages.

Passport information must be submitted to Valencia Travel Cusco at least 30 days prior to departure. This information is necessary to issue Machu Picchu train tickets.

 

Trip Preparation

A little pre-planning can make your trip go a lot smoother. Several weeks before your trip, make a list of what you will need to take with you. Make sure your personal documents (passports, visas and driver’s license) are in order and that you have enough prescription medications to last through the trip. We suggest that you make photocopies of passports, visas, personal IDs and any other important travel documents and pack them separately from the originals. Pack a list of medications including dosage and generic names. If you lose the originals while travelling, you'll have copies for easier reporting and replacement. You may consider bringing a small supply of over the counter medications for headaches and/or anti-diarrhea pills. We recommend that you pack a portable alarm clock. Avoid placing valuables such as cameras in your checked luggage. Airplane pressure can cause similar pressure in your body, most notably in ears, as well as liquid tubes and bottles. Your physician can suggest medication for decongestion. As for the liquid containers, we suggest that you squeeze out excess air from those containers and place into Ziploc bags to catch any leaks.

Cell Phones and Calling Cards

You may wish to carry a cell phone while traveling. Check with your cell phone provider if your phone will work in the destination(s) you are visiting. U.S. service is dominated by the CDMA technology standard, while most of the world uses the incompatible GSM standard. Some U.S. providers do offer GSM, but you may incur high international roaming fees. With GSM, however, you can often choose to have your phone unlocked and then add a local SIM card for lower fees. If you can access the Internet as you travel, you can take advantage of email or a Skype Internet telephone (VOIP) account for the best value. Alternatively, you may investigate renting a cell phone before you leave or buying an inexpensive phone locally.

When calling the U.S. from a Peru, you may also use a prepaid calling card; normally, the only additional charge (besides the prepaid long distance charges) is a local fee of a few cents and possibly a connection fee if you are using your card at your hotel. It is best to check with the hotel's reception desk prior to making phone calls to avoid unexpected charges.

Wireless Internet Access

Passengers traveling with WiFi enabled devices (such as a personal computer, smartphone, tablet, or digital audio player) may be able to connect to the Internet via wireless networks. Passengers requiring Internet access can often locate free WiFi hotspots such as libraries or coffee shops.

Staying Healthy While Traveling

All travellers should familiarize themselves with local conditions, such as high altitude or required immunizations, which could affect their health. We recommend you consult with your personal health-care provider, the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) and/or the World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/en/) for their recommendations.

There are several easy steps you can take to stay healthy while traveling which may help prevent contracting an illness while away from home.
Watch what you eat. Try new foods in modest quantities, and depending upon your destination, you may want to avoid street foods, salad bars, raw vegetables and fruits, unless they have thick peels like bananas or grapefruit.

Stay hydrated. Drink bottled water and avoid consuming ice cubes made with tap water.
If you have allergies to foods, medications or insect bites, or have any other unique medical issues, consider a medical alert bracelet and/or a physician's note detailing required treatment should you become ill.

Wash your hands regularly and carry hand sanitizer.

Where appropriate, pack sunscreen and insect repellent (for both active and warm destinations).

You may also want to bring a small first-aid kit with band aids, antibiotic cream, pain killers, bug bite cream, digestive aids like antidiarrheal or anti-bloat medications, antacids, and cold medicine. This is in addition to any prescription medications to last for the entire trip.

Climate & Clothing

In Peru, the sun is strong, particularly in higher altitudes. Please, bring a sun hat that has a circular brim all the way around (not a baseball cap) and sunscreen. Bring comfortable, cushioned walking shoes for the hard cobblestone streets, a sweater, clothes you can layer and an all-weather jacket. Remember that during your trip, you will be travelling between regions and will need to be prepared for all weather conditions. Winter months (May through October) are cold. During those periods, you will need a warm jacket, gloves, a hat and a scarf.

The highland regions of Peru (Cuzco, Puno, Urubamba and Machu Picchu) have a dry temperate climate that also experience two distinct seasons. The dry season (May through October) consists of sunny days and cold nights with very little rain. The rainy season in the highlands runs from December to March. Temperatures can change drastically during the day in this region, sometimes varying as widely as highs around 65°F and lows of 35°F during the same day.

IMPORTANT
Peru Average Temperatures

City		Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Lima	Low	68	70	70	67	63	61	61	61	59	61	63	67
	High	79	81	81	76	72	70	67	67	67	70	72	76
Urubamba	Low	46	46	46	43	39	36	34	37	41	45	45	46
	High	68	68	68	70	70	68	68	70	70	72	72	70
Cuzco	Low	43	43	43	41	36	32	32	36	40	41	43	43
	High	65	65	67	67	67	67	67	67	68	70	70	70
Puno	Low	39	38	38	34	29	25	21	25	30	34	37	38
	High	61	61	61	63	61	61	61	61	63	65	63	63
Aguas Calientes	Low	45	45	42	41	37	34	32	36	39	43	43	45
	High	66	66	66	68	68	66	66	68	68	70	70	70

Book & Film Recommendations

Many of our guests enjoy reading about their destination, either in advance of their trip or while travelling, as a way of adding context to their visit. Whether reading a traditional guidebook, learning about the history and culture, or simply enjoying a fictional novel set in the destination, a good book can add greatly to your experience. Similarly, a good movie set in your destination helps set the mood before you travel. We asked our tour managers and staff to recommend books and films that past guests may have enjoyed. The following list does not constitute an endorsement of any authors, books or movies; it is merely a collection of guests' recommendations.

Books

Machu Picchu:
Lost City of the Incas by Hiram Bingham (1948)
Machu Picchu Sacred Center by Johan Reinhard (2007)
Turn Right At Machu Picchu by Mark Adams (2011)
Machu Picchu: Unveiling the Mystery of the Incas by Richard L Burg (2008)
Incas: Book 3: The Light of Machu Picchu by A.B. Daniel (2003)
The Steamer Trunk Adventures #2: The Ghosts of Machu Picchu by R.M. Garcia (2006)

General Peruvian Life / Exploration:
The Peru Readers by Orin Starn, Carlos Ivan Degregory, and Robin Kirk (2005)
The Art of Peruvian Cuisine by Tony Custer (2003)
Eight Feet in the Andes: Travels with a Mule in Unknown Peru by Dervla Murphy (2003)
Conversation in the Cathedral by Mario Vargas Llosa (1975)
Aunt Julia & the Scriptwriter by Mario Vargas Llosa (1977)
The White Rock - An exploration of the Incas heartland by Hugh Thomson (2001)

Incas:
The Conquest of the Incas by John Hemming (1970, reprint 2003)
Narrative of the Incas by Juan de Betanzos (originally from 1550s, not discovered and published until 1980s)
The Secret of the Incas by William Sullivan (1997)
Incas: Books 1&2 by A.B. Daniel (2002-2003)

Other Archaeology/sites:
Lost Tomb of Viracocha by Maurice Cotterell (2001)
Temple by Matthew Reilly (2002)

Movies:
The Secret of the Incas (1957)
The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969)
Indiana Jones & The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008).

 

About Your Flights

Airline Seat Assignments

As a courtesy service, airline seat assignments are requested on your behalf and, when available, are displayed in order of passenger number. Assignments reflect the best available seats at the time of booking. Some airlines and/or fare types do not allow for pre-seating and require this be done at airport check-in only; in which case the display shows "N/A". Seats are subject to change by your airline(s) including, for example, when there is a schedule change or equipment change after your initial booking; this may cause seat assignments to be changed or even cancelled. In the event that you change seat assignments directly with your airline, changes will not be reflected on this display. At the time that Valencia Travel Cusco documents are issued, the currently assigned seats will be listed based on the assignments stored in your airline reservation at that time. Should you have questions regarding your assignments, please email us at the following: info@valenciatravelcusco.com.

Luggage

Although luggage sizes are now fairly standard, each airline does have specific requirements based upon the route and aircraft size.
Valencia Travel Cusco land tour packages allow for one piece of luggage per person plus a carry-on bag. Valencia Travel Cusco is not responsible for loss or damage to luggage and personal belongings. Therefore, you must report any loss or damage items immediately at the time of the incident and obtain a written report from the local authority for submission to your insurance provider. Avoid placing valuables in your checked luggage. If your luggage is lost or damaged by the airlines, a baggage claim form must be filed with the carrier before leaving the airport. Any cost to retrieve luggage will be your responsibility and you should retain receipts to submit to your insurance provider.

Code-share Flights

If your flight itinerary displays a flight as "Operated By" another carrier, you should check-in at the desk of the "Operated By" airline. When you arrive at the airport, check the airport monitors for updated check-in desk listings.

Airline Flights

Please check in at least three to four hours prior to the scheduled departure time for international flights and two hours prior for domestic flights. Many airlines do not permit check-in less than one hour prior to the scheduled departure time.

Passengers connecting from another point within the USA should check their luggage through to their final destination. Although problems with lost luggage have been minimal, it is a possibility. Certain carriers do not allow baggage "interlining," and luggage must be checked separately for each flight. When you check your luggage, please verify where your luggage is being sent. If you are connecting from a domestic flight that is delayed for any reason, causing you to miss your international flight, ask the airline for assistance in getting you to your destination. Since all airline tickets are issued on special fares that carry restrictions and penalties if changed, you must hold the airlines responsible for making alternate arrangements on your behalf, as Valencia Travel Cusco has no authority or control over airline activities and policies. Do not leave the airline check-in desk until an alternative itinerary has been confirmed.

The Transportation and Safety Administration

The (TSA) has increased security measures drastically since September 11, 2001. Plan to arrive no fewer than two hours prior to a domestic flight and three to four hours prior to an international flight. Check the TSA website www.tsa.gov for the current list of acceptable items you may bring on a plane before packing.

About Business Class Airfares
Business Class service may not be available on all flights or aircraft types, and therefore some flights within an itinerary may not include Business Class seating. This includes, for example, some US domestic connections and/or short haul flights abroad. When Business Class service is not available, you will be accommodated in the best alternative class of service and seating. Please check your operating airline to determine the extra services you may receive in Business Class.

Peru Domestic Flights
The airline tickets enclosed are for your international flights to/from Lima (provided that you purchased them from Valencia Travel Cusco). If tickets for your flights within Peru are not enclosed, you will receive your tickets (for example, Lima to Cuzco and vice versa) once you arrive in Peru. Please note that you may only bring a total of up to 50lbs of luggage per person on flights within Peru. This weight restriction may differ from your international carrier's and is subject to change.
A passport or picture ID is required to board all flights in Peru.

Frequent Flier Programs

Passengers are responsible to contact their airline directly regarding mileage eligibility and accrual. Airline frequent flier programs determine whether to award miles in part or total based on their own rules, which are updated frequently. Some discounted or promotional airfares as well as some code-share flights are not eligible for mileage accrual.

 

Important Information
Inca Trail Tipping:
Most clients ask about tipping at the end of their trek on the Inca Trail with Valencia. Tipping is of course 100% voluntary and it should only be done if you feel that your guide, porters and chefs have done an amazing job for you. Of course, we hope every trip we lead is a lifetime experience. If you choose to give a tip, we have some general guidelines on how much to give.
Generally in the Inca Trail, groups give collective tips that are shared between the cook and all porters including the head porter and are usually given on the last night of the trek.  If the group pools together money and at the end each porter receives 60 soles and your cook receives double that, 120 soles, they will end with a great tip!. Often, the tip for your guide is done personally and is generally 50 soles per traveller.
Money for unforeseen matters:
We suggest bringing 300 to 400 Peruvian soles per hiker for any situation that may happen along the Inca trail such as:

• Abandon the Inca Trail for health emergencies (things that are not include in the itinerary…etc.)
• Recommended tips
• First day breakfast and lunch on day 4th in Aguas Calientes

Another tip…
Valencia Travel Cusco tries to distinguish ourselves from other companies by really treating our porters well.  We believe they are the hardest workers on our treks and make sure they are all equipped with proper hiking equipment and clothing. If you have any equipment, you bought for your trip that you don't believe you will ever use again. You can donate it to a porter and he will be unbelievably grateful!. Headlamps, sleeping bags, even warm socks, are great things to be donated to your porters.
Remember that tipping is discretionary. If you don't think tipping is necessary in a particular circumstance, then don't tip. This is a guide for people who are planning to tip and want to know the customary amount.
Below you can see the number of porter and guides according to the number of participants in the Inca Trail group:

Group - # Pax	# Porters	# Guide	Total
1	5	1	6
2	6	1	7
3	8	1	9
4	10	1	10
5	11	1	12
6	12	1	13
7	13	1	14
8	14	1	15
9	15	2	17
10	16	2	18
11	17	2	19
12	18	2	20
13	19	2	21
14	20	2	22
15	21	2	23
16	22	2	24

Oficial papers:

• Valid and Original passport
• Travel insurance - You are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.

Sleeping Gear:

• Sleeping bag (can be hire from Valencia Travel Cusco)
• Thermal rest mattress ( To be upgrade)

Clothing:

• Mid weight fleece or wool sweater
• Fleece pants or tights.
• Mid weight thermal underwear tops and bottom, synthetic or wool.
• Hiking pants.
• Hiking shorts.
• Long-sleeve shirts.
• T-shirts.
• Underwear and casual socks.
• Hiking socks.
• Liner socks, synthetic.
• Swimminsuit.

Clothing accessories:

• Cap.
• Fleece hat.
• Bandana.
• Fleece gloves.
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho

Footwear:

• Sturdy hiking boots, waterproof, lightweight, broken-in, aggressive tread.
• Camp shoes such as tennis shoes or sandals or other comfortable footwear to use in our campsites.

Travel Accessories:

• Bottle of water or Camelback.
• Flash light.
• Watch with alarm or travel clock.
• 2 roll of toilet paper.
• Sunglasses and retainer strap.
• Sun block and lip balm.
• Toiletry kit.
• Small Washcloth.
• Personal first-aid kit.
• Hand sanitizer gel.
• Insect repellent and appropriate clothing for mosquitos.
• Several Ziploc plastic bags.

Extra money for:

• Drinks.
• Tip or gratitude to Guide, Cook, and porters.
• Souvenirs.