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Details of the Trip
ITINERARY
DAY 1: CUSCO – PATABAMBA – HUCHUY QOSQO
Your Andean adventure begins at 6 am when we pick you up at the hotel and then we drive in our private transport to the village of Patabamba (3,800m/12,467ft), only 1 hour from Cusco. Once arrival, we put our backpacks on and get ready to start a gentle hike uphill for the next 3 hours to get to the highest point of the trek (4,200m/13,779ft). Here, we have fantastic views of the surrounding snow capped mountains and valleys. We descend towards the village of Pucamarca and spend time at the Inca ruins.
Later, we follow a section of the original Inca trail into the Inca city of Huchuy Qosqo. There, we have time to explore the city and head to our homestay. The guide will introduce you to the local family who will show you to your room for the night and the bathroom with a proper toilet. You will see all the amazing views of the surrounding areas and the Inca city. By late afternoon, you will enjoy your tea, and later have dinner with your local family! In the evening, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the sky full of brilliant stars, far from the light pollution of any city and see the Inca constellations which your guide will show you.
- Meals included: Picnic lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
- Accommodation: Homestay at a local family’s home with a proper toilet
- Distance: 13kms/8 miles approximately
- Difficulty: Moderate
DAY 2: HUCHUY Q’OSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES
After a delicious breakfast, there will be a guided tour of the Huchuy Qosqo Inca City, in which you will discover amazing Inca buildings, sacred temples, farming terraces, storehouses and water channels. The guide will tell you about the fascinating history of Huchuy Qosqo and how it changed the course of Inca history! After you have had time to explore everything, we head downhill to Lamay for 2 hours. Our private van will take you to Urubamba, city where we will have lunch.
Afterwards, we head to the archaeological site of Moray also known as “The Greenhouses of the Incas,” which is a unique and fascinating site, built prior to the Incas. Different levels of terraces are carved into a huge basin, part of which was further excavated by the Incas. The terraces have varied microclimates, depending on how deep into the bowl they were used by the Incas to discover the optimal growing conditions for their crops. After you have time to enjoy and explore the site, we continue driving towards the colonial town of Maras and to the Pre-Inca Salt Mines (Salineras). Thousands of saltpans have been passed down through the generations and used for salt extraction since before Inca times. A hot spring at the top of the valley discharges a small stream of heavily salt laden water, which is diverted into saltpans and evaporated to produce salt. This is one of the few places in the world where you can find naturally pink salt!
Then, we continue our journey to Ollantaytambo where we will explore the stunning Inca City of Ollantaytambo. After dinner in a restaurant, we take the 7:04 train to Aguas Calientes, where we spend the night in a hotel.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 3* Accommodation: Hotel Ferre´ Machu Picchu
- Distance: 7kms/4.3 miles approximately
- Difficulty: Easy
DAY 3: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
This is the day you’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast at your hotel, take one of the first busses up to Machu Picchu to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and not something you’ll want to miss! The guide will give you a tour, which takes about two hours. You will see most of the important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel. Learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious.
When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs.
The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. You can also see Wiñay Wayna from the train, if you look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. Expect to arrive at your hotel by 7:00pm.
Meal included: Breakfast
Difficulty: Easy
After your tour, those who have booked in advance for an extra hike up Huayna Picchu, this tour is without a guide.
***IMPORTANT:
- You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55 or 3:20, 4:22, or 4:43pm. The cost is $67 USD.
- Early trains can be organized by request and it has to be done by booking time.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE HUCHUY QOSQO TREK 3 DAYS?
Included
- Transfer from the airport to your hotel
- Briefing at our office the night before the trekking departure
- Pick up from your hotel in the morning of the trek departure
- All transfers in our van only for SAM Travel Peru clients’
- Entry fee to Machu Picchu
- Entrance tickets to Moray, Salt Mines and Ollantaytambo
- Entry to Huchuy Qosqo
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Homestay with local family
- English speaking experienced professional tour guide
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food with prior request)
- 2 Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and return to Aguas Calientes
- First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
- Round trip train ticket (Expedition service) from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Private transport from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes with private bathroom and room, hot shower, phone, storage, wifi and breakfast included!
Not Included
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu –$75 USD
- Walking Poles -$15 USD
- First breakfast and last lunch
- Upgrade to Vista Dome Train -$67 USD (Return only)
- Optional upgrade for your hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Tips for your guide and the crew of SAM TRAVEL PERU
**Huayna Picchu is an optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which does not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.
PRICE
- $517 USD per person
This trek can be done any day that is best for you as long as we have a minimum of 2 trekkers!
All inclusive package, hiking, cultural tour, homestay in the community with local and Machu Picchu. We include the entrance tickets to the Salt mines, Moray and Ollantaytambo Inca Ruins
DISCOUNTS
- 18 to 25 years old: $30 USD. Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card is required at booking for government approval for discount.
- Under 18 years old: $30 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
- Under 11 years old: $40 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
- Group of 5 or more: $30 USD. – All you need is to book the trek together at the same time.
EXTRAS
- Optional hotel upgrade
- Upgrade to Vistadome train: $67 USD per person. (Return Only)
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu –$75 USD
- Walking Poles -$15 USD
- Hotel single supplement -$40 3* USD (for solo travelers)
**Huayna Picchu is an optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which does not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.
ADDED VALUES FOR FREE
- OXYGEN TANK will be available along the trek
- SMALL GROUP up to 8 people, usually around 2 to 6 hikers
- ENGLISH SPEAKING guide
- EARLY TRAIN for the way back to Cusco at 2:55 OR 3:20
- TOURS OF MORAY, SALT MINES AND OLLANTAYTAMBO
WHY CHOOSE SAM TRAVEL?
SAM Travel Peru is a family owned travel agency and a local tour operator based in Cusco with personal experience over many years of trekking. SAM Travel Peru is a 100% Cusqueñian Company without any shareholders.
Our dream as a locally based company is to create small personalized tours & treks strictly and only operated by local professional staff catering in PERSONALIZED and HIGH QUALITY SERVICE.
We take pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. Our staff are our extended family. We ensure they are supported financially by offering them a fair salary. We are proud of our team without them , we wouldn’t be able to offer the best service and lifetime experiences to our clients.
SAM Travel Peru knows how important it is to trust in a reliable honest operator to create your adventure of a lifetime while in Peru. Check out our reviews and certificates of excellence on, TRIPADVISOR for yourself! Also we are highly recommended on Conde Nast Travelers, Lonely Planet and by many blogs like: Trek de Lares 4 hours, “It’s the journey, not the destination…”, Lares Pass – Day 3, Trekking in the Sacred Valley.
SMALL GROUPS
To ensure a more personalized service for our guests, at SAM Travel Peru we have a policy that our groups will not exceed 8 people. This fact alone sets us apart from other companies that operate departures with bigger groups.
OUR TOP TOUR GUIDES
We are so proud of our guides! They are highly professional and speak fluent English. They are very knowledgeable and passionate for Inca heritage and history. Our guides are dedicated to continuous personal and professional development. They do research to ensure that you receive accurate and recognized theories in Inca and Andean culture. Our crew is fun loving, great sports and well-educated. They all hold degrees in one of the following: Archeology, Tourism, Botany, History or Anthropology.
OUR SERVICE PROJECTS
At SAM Travel Peru, we have always believed that we should give back to the local isolated communities. Therefore, as part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we always do many service projects and hire locally.
SAM Travel Peru is so proud to be able to support these people, not only employing them but also going back to our own grassroots as they share with their families. It makes us happy to have this holistic approach with our highland employees and their families!
IMPORTANT INFO
Please read carefully the following information. It will help with your questions about our services and the trek to Machu Picchu!
ARRIVAL TO CUSCO
You will be greeted at Cusco airport and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival. Look for our representative holding an orange SAM Travel Peru board at the exit from the arrival terminal.
THE BRIEFING
The briefing will take place the night before the trek at 6pm in our office, which is located at Calle Garcilaso 210, office 213 (second floor) in the La CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.
CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?
Of course! During the trek your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you.
HOW TO BOOK THE HUCHUY QOSQO TREK
FIRST, to book your Huchuy Qosqo Trek Machu Picchu, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase an Huchuy Qosqo Trek Machu Picchu entrances and train without the following information:
- Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
- Gender
- Passport number
- D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
- Nationality
SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person in order to purchase a permit for the Lares trek Machu Picchu. You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.
WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?
If you would like to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATMS within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service fee, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account and use our email address samtravelperu@gmail.com
MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?
Unfortunately the answer is No. Once the tickets for Machu Picchu have been bought the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure dates. Tickets are not transferable nor refundable. Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date. If you cancel your Huchuy Qosqo Trek Machu Picchu, the deposit is not refundable at all!
DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON HUCHUY QOSQO TREK TO MACHU PICCHU?
Yes! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your Huchuy Qosqo Trek, other entrances and reservations. In case you are renewing your passport or changing your name, go ahead and send us your old passport information to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number or updated your name for a fee of $25 USD per person. We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change. Before you change your passport keep a copy of your old one.
If you do not wish to pay this fee you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you. You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both passports, old and new to be to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or the train. If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or get on the train.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE HUCHUY QOSQO TREK TO MACHU PICCHU ?
The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. We recommend that you plan to always dress in layers to facilitate adjusting to the quickly changing weather conditions. We highly recommend you bring some warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack.
WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS ON HUCHUY QOSQO TREK TO MACHU PICCHU?
In general if you exercise regularly and spend 2 to 3 days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatization to the altitude, you may be just fine.
The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN IF NEEDED; our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness. For more detailed information on Altitude Sickness click this link: Altitude Sickness.
We offer the Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley tours that you can book while you are acclimatizing. Check out our day tours on our Main Page.
HIKING HUCHUY QOSQO TREK TO MACHU PICCHU
The evening before you start your trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFEL BAG to pack your clothes for the next three days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/14lbs. Your team of porters will carry your duffel bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware, that you will not have access to your items in the duffel bag until the end of each day, as the porters will always be ahead of the group. During the trek, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. A 30L backpack is usually sufficient.
IS THE TREK DIFFICULT, DO I NEED TO BE FIT?
The Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu is a 20 km/12 hike through the Andes in the Cusco region. The maximum altitude reached is (4,200m/13,779ft). The trail is an easy to moderately difficult trek. You have to be moderately fit and be used to regular exercise.
In preparation: try walking 15kms a day or go to the fitness club in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3,350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM UNABLE TO FINISH THE HUCHUY QOSQO TREK TO MACHU PICCHU?
In the unlikely scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, Sam Travel Peru will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.
Generally, those who have to be assisted off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and if they recover quickly, they then continue the journey to Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to original plan.
ARE WE GOING TO BE DROPPED OFF AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE TREK?
Absolutely!! Included in the package and on the last day we will drop you at your hotel! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too! If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the trek, for sure we will pick you up there !
AT WHAT TIME IS THE TRAIN DEPARTURE?
It will depend on the train availability (high season it could book out) but the idea is to give you as much time as possible in Machu Picchu and enjoy the amazing views on the way back to Cusco from the train. Therefore, you we usually book the train at 14:55 or 15:20.
TIPPING
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SAM Travel Peru destinations. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you feel appropriate, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
ARE WE SUSTAINABLE?
Yes, we are a local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator for that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.
PACKING LIST
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING
- A lightweight, waterproof day pack with change of clothes (about a 30 liter size)
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Warm clothes and trekking pants (trousers)
- Layers of clothes, include thermals, for variable temperatures especially at night
- Head lamp with spare batteries
- Camera with extra film and batteries
- Sun protection: sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses
- Woollen socks, gloves, scarf, woollen hat for cold nights
- Insect repellent
- Extra plastic bags, especially in the wet season
- Waterproof clothing or a rain poncho
- Water bottles
- Personal medical kit with a simple whistle
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, tips
- Walking poles (rentable)
- Favorite snacks
- Toilet paper
- Sandals or flip-flop
- Swimming suit (optional for hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
- Original passport and university card if is applicable
