5 Day Moonstone Trek to Machu Picchu

We will pick you up at your hotel at 6:00 a.m., heading to Anta, a county of Cusco. We´ll make our first stop at Quillarumiyoc archaeological center, best known as Moonstone. A very important temple dedicated to the moon. After this, we continue towards Huarocondo, and for about 25 minutes we´ll walk through the valley to the point where we will begin the trek along the path to the north. We will gradually ascend for two hours till Huata, a big pre-Inca fortress in the crest of a peak 3,855 m / 12,645ft. After that we continue to the place where we´ll have lunch; there we can have rest and see the stunning views of the mountains and high Andean vegetation. After lunch we will end the day in a small community called Chillipahua at 3,750m / 12,300ft .

WALKING TIME: AROUND 6 - 7 HOURS

This trek will start gradually climbing through the fields and chachacomo trees. Along the way we will meet Inca decendents who still preserve their ancient traditions such as agriculture, religion and language. Continuing the path we will reach the Accoccasa pass at 4625 masl / 15 170 ft, there we´ll enjoy the huge snow-capped of this fabulous alternative route. Then we go down smoothly to the Chancachuco camp 4350 masl / 14268 Ft just in front of the Huananay mountain range glaciers.

WALKING TIME: 7 OR 8 HOURS

We continue our hike descending through the upper part of the valley where we can see ruins of an Inca aqueduct. it still transports water from the northern Chancachuco valley to the north-arid-facing slopes otherwise above Ollantaytambo . Later we will reach our final step, wayrac punku (wind door) 3940 masl / 12923 Ft, also known as the gateway to the Andes. From there we will have an impressive view of the snow-capped “La Veronica” or (wakaywilke) 5682 masl / 18637 Ft. Then we continue the descending path to reach cachicata 3525 masl / 11562Ft was a quarry inhabited by hundreds of workers and architects of the empire, where they carve the rock and transport them to the city of Ollantaytambo, at that time still under construction.

Very close to the Cachicata quarries is located our camp with a spectacular view of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the city of Ollantaytambo.

WALKING TIME: 6 OR 7 HOURS

Today we start our trek towards Ollantaytambo 2792 masl / 9176 Ft. We will descend through a wide Inca road; through the area of the quarries and the Chullpas (old Inca cemeteries). Continuing downhill, crossing the Vilcanota river and finally reaching the famous Temple of the Sun. At Ollantaytambo, we will have time to visit the town and its temple before taking the train to Aguas Calientes 2040 masl / 6692Ft.
In the afternoon, once we get to Aguas Calientes we will check in our hotel, where we will spend the night.

WALKING TIME: 3 OR 4 HOURS

It will start very early to take the first bus (5:30 am) to go to Machupicchu to do the guided tour before the whole tourists get there, to places included in the tour for an hour and a half or two hours. After the tour you will have free time to explore by yourself the city.

If you have some tikect to visit any of the mountains such as Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu mountain you will have enough time to do it.

Once back in aguas calientes, you must be at the train station 30 minutes before to take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where we will be waiting for you with the bus to take you back to Cusco.

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

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.

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.