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Details of the Trip
ITINERARY
Day 1 – CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – HUMANTAY LAKE – SALKANTAY PAMPA – PAMPA JAPONESA
Your Andean mountain adventure begins at 4:30am when we pick you up from your hotel and drive in our private van for 3 hours to the Soraypampa trailhead. As we travel along curvy roads in the Andes, you will have views of the villages Iscuchaca and Limatambo, the surrounding valleys and the famous snow-capped Salkantay Mountain. At the Soraypampa trailhead, we have our delicious and hearty breakfast while enjoying the spectacular views of the Humantay Mountain (5,900m/ 19,356ft) and Salkantay Mountain (6,217m/ 20,396ft) glaciers.
After breakfast, give your duffel bags to our horsemen and begin your trekking adventure on the Salkantay trek by hiking up to Humantay Lake. This hike up takes about 1.5 hours and will take you to the base of Humantay Mountain, where you get to take in the beautiful, crystalline-blue waters of the Humantay Lake. Take some time to be mesmerized by the beauty of such an incredible creation of nature, then hike back down to the starting point to continue with your trek to the place, where you will enjoy a hot lunch. The next part of your hike takes about 2 hours as you descend to Salkantaypampa at (3,900km/12,795ft) arriving at about 1 p.m. Salkantaypampa is located on the base of the Salkantay glacier mountain and has some incredible views of the Salkantay Mountain. After lunch, you will gradually hike uphill for around 3 hours to the campsite of Pampa Japonesa at 4,250m/13,943ft.
Hot drinks and appetizers will be waiting for you and your tents will already be set up. After dinner, you get to sleep under the unforgettable star filled night sky at the base of the majestic Salkantay Mountain.
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
- Walking distance: 14km
- Trailhead elevation: 3,800m/12,467ft
- Campsite elevation: 4,250m/13,943ft
- Difficulty: Challenging
Day 2 – PAMPA JAPONESA – CONDOR PASS – INCA CANAL – PAUCCARCANCHA
Your guide will wake you with a hot mug of tea or coffee to enjoy before you get up for breakfast. Take your time today, stopping to enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding glacier peaks and mountains. From Pampa Japonesa, slowly ascend for the next 3 hours until reach the Inca Chiriaska, pass located at 5,100m/16,732 feet. Chiriaska means ‘getting cold’ in Quechua. This place is truly cold at most times of the year, but it has some of the best views of the Salkantay glacier peaks. After admiring the breathtaking scenery, you will get to enjoy a hot drink before continuing on your trek. The hike from the pass to Sisaypata, our lunch spot, will take around 3.5 hours, but it is all downhill. At Sisaypata, you will enjoy lunch as you take in the beauty of the Paltayoc peaks.
After lunch, we continue trekking for another 3 hours downhill to the campsite for the night at Paucarcancha at 3,770m/12,370ft. Your hot drinks and appetizers will be waiting for you once again and your tents will be set up and ready for you to settle in before dinner.
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
- Walking distance: 18km
- Highest point of the trail: 5100m/16,732ft
- Campsite elevation: 3300m/10,827ft
- Difficulty: Challenging
Day 3- PAUCARCANCHA – LLACTAPATA – KM 82 – OLLANTAYTAMBO
After another hot mug of tea or coffee in your sleeping bag, followed by breakfast, you will visit the Inca archaeological site of Paucarcancha before continuing on with your trek. This day you get to trek on a section of the Classic Inca Trail which is still the original stone laid down hundreds of years ago. As you are trekking, be enthralled by the stunning views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. Plus, also get to experience a bit of the famous Inca Trail by visiting the Llactapata Inca archaeological site. This site is known for having been an Inca village characterized by its houses, water channels and many farming terraces gently bordering the mountain side. From Llactapata, we will trek for about 1 hour and then stop for another hearty and delicious lunch.
After lunch, you will hike for about another 2 hours until you reach Km 82 where you will meet up with our private van and be transferred to the town of Ollantaytambo. In Ollantaytambo, you will get to enjoy dinner and stay that evening in Ollantaytambo in anticipation of starting the Inca Trail the next morning.
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Walking distance: 15km
- Campsite elevation: 3300m/10,827ft
- Trail end elevation: 2700m/8,858
- Aguas Calientes elevation: 2000m/6560ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Accommodations: 2* Veronica View or Tunupa Lodge
DAY 4: CUSCO – 104 kms – WIÑAYHUAYNA – SUN GATE – MACHU PICCHU
We start this exciting day early; your guide will leave the hotel with you at 5:30. When you arrive at the train station, the guide will give you a lunchbox to add to your daypack. Your train departs Ollantaytambo at 6:10am and you will have just over an hour on the train to enjoy the scenery and have breakfast (not included), Your hotel can provide a picnic breakfast to take or you can pack your own breakfast.
You get off the train at the famous Km104, where your trek begins! (2,000m/6,560 ft. above sea level). After crossing the Urubamba River on a picturesque foot bridge, you will show your passport at the checkpoint and visit your first Inca site nearby. The first hour and a half are a gentle upward climb. Along the way, stop at several outlooks where you have an expansive view of the Urubamba River. You also pass through several microclimates, including cloud forest, so be ready for damp or even rain at any season of the year. The next hour and a half are a slightly steeper uphill with a beautiful waterfall as your reward at the end of the hike!
When you cross the bridge below the waterfall, be sure to take some time for photos and as you do you will find yourself gazing up at the spectacular Wiñay Wayna! (2,600m/8,500ft above sea level) These amazing Inca ruins have a fascinating history and some parts are still hidden by the dense jungle. This close to Machu Picchu, you are hiking through lush sub-tropical jungle. Your guide will tell you all about the ruins, plus the incredible flora and fauna of this microclimate and answer any questions you have before the short 5-minute walk to your lunch spot.
After lunch, you have a mostly flat walk to the Sun Gate, from which you have your first view of Machu Picchu! Though the hour-long walk is a gentle rolling up and down, it does end with a set of steep stairs carved directly into the bedrock by the Inca. As you turn the corner from the Sun Gate, you will enjoy your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. So, take some time to savor the moment and take photos. The last 60 minutes down from the Sun Gate provide many opportunities to take more photos of Machu Picchu from this unique vantage point. There are also a couple more important Inca sites between the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu, ask your guide questions about these historical places on the last part of your hike to Machu Picchu.
Once you reach Machu Picchu, you will have time to take more photos from the viewing platforms above the site, “House of the Guardians”where you can take the famous postcard pictures of Machu Picchu. You will arrive in the afternoon, as the archeological area starts to empty of tourists, which gives you the opportunity to take beautiful photos in the afternoon light with fewer people in your shots. Take your time to enjoy this magical experience before you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to check into your hotel. Your will have a delicious dinner, then have time to walk around this picturesque little town, visit the hot springs or just go to your hotel to rest after such an exciting day.
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
- Accommodation: 3* Hotel Ferre´ Machu Picchu
- Difficulty: Moderate.
*** You will leave your duffel bag at the train station, to be sent directly to Aguas Calientes. You will pick it up at the train station before you check into your hotel.
Day 5 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 buses up to Machu Picchu to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and not something you’ll want to miss! Your guide will give you a guided tour of Machu Picchu, which takes about two hours. You will see many of the most important parts of Machu Picchu.
When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will 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, the driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 7:00pm.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Meal included: Breakfast
After your tour, those who have booked in advance for the extra hikes up Huayna Picchu, this tour is without a guide.
***IMPORTANT:
- On the 2 day Inca Trail, we will be doing the circuit #3 and there is no way to do another circuit unless you buy an additional entrance to Machu Picchu.
- You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55pm or 3:20pm, 4:22pm, or 4:43pm. The cost is $67 USD.
- Early trains can be organized by requested and it has to be done by booking time.
- The Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike depends on availability and let us know about it at booking time.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Included
- Pick up at your hotel in the morning of the trek departure
- Private transport from Cusco to Soraypampa (starting point of the trek)
- Permit for the Inca Trail and entrance to Machu Picchu
- English speaking, experienced, professional guide
- Private guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Comfortable tents (sleeping 2 people in a 4 person tent)
- All camping equipment such as: dining tent, table, chairs, kitchen tent and toilet tent
- Round trip bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
- Expedition Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to KM104 and Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo Station
- Private transport from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco
- Celebration dinner at a restaurant in Aguas Calientes
- Hotel in Ollantaytambo & Aguas Calientes with private room and bathroom (This applies ONLY if you are choosen the price which includes hotels)
- Mules and horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen. A duffel to carry 7 kgs of your personal items such as extra clothes, sleeping bag etc.
- Provision of an extra horse in case of emergency such as illness, to ensure trek can be completed by all participants
- Pillow and comfortable foam mattress.
- Boiled water for drinking and washing purposes
Not Included
- Sleeping Bag – US$20 per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
- Air Mattress – US$20 per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
- Hiking Poles – US$15 per pair per trek (professional poles that can be extended)
- Personal tent: US$30 – (Tent for single travelers only)
- Vistadome Train Upgrade – US$67 per person (Return Only)
- Huayna Picchu Mountain – US$75 per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
- Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes
- Tips for the crew, guide, cook and porters 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.
PRICES
Our 5 day Wilderness Salkantay Trek + Short Inca Trail may leave on any date that is best suited to you, as long as we have a minimum of 2 hikers and permits are available!
GROUP PRICE
- $787 uds per person without hotel ( it means you need to book your hotel by yourself)
- $877 USD per person 2 night hotels included
PRIVATE SERVICE PRICES:
- 2 – 3 Trekkers: $887 USD per person
- 4 – 5 Trekkers: $857 USD per person
- 6 – 8 Trekkers: $837 USD per person
Pack horse included!
***This price includes an extra pack horse which will carry your belongings up to 7 kilos. We will provide you a duffel bag in which you can put your things.
***We provide large Eureka 4 person tents for every 2 trekkers.
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.
EXTRAS
- Sleeping Bag – US$20 per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
- Air Mattress – US$20 per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
- Hiking Poles – US$15 per pair per trek (Professional poles that can be extended)
- Personal tent – US $30 – (Tent is for single trekkers only)
- Vistadome Train Upgrade – US$67 per person (For the return to Cusco/Poroy at 4:43 pm)
- Huayna Picchu Mountain – US$75 per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
- Single supplement US$40 3* per night (for solo travelers with single room)
**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
- TRANSFER – from the Airport to Hotel (Cusco Only)
- DUFFEL BAG AND LINER BAGS – included in the trekking price!
- EXTRA PACK HORSE is included in the price, the porter will carry your belongings up to 7 kgs /15lbs. like sleeping bag, mattress, clothes etc.
- BOILED WATER is included along the Inca Trail.
- OXYGEN TANK will be available along the trek
- EMERGENCY HORSE is included in the price which can be ridden if you get tired or sick.
- SMALL PILLOW
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 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 so 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.
BEST WILDERNESS SALKANTAY TREK MACHU PICCHU ROUTE
Our itinerary is slightly different than the other trekking companies. Our camps are far away from others and we visit the 2 amazing glacial lakes when no one else is there. We hike up to Llactapata Inca ruins which looks across the valley to Machu Picchu and you can enjoy the guided tour into Machu Picchu in a small group.
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 SUPER COOL HORSEMEN
Trekking the Salkantay Trail with SAM Travel Peru is a life changing experience with a fully portered trek, where your comfort and enjoyment are our first priority. We make sure that you get the best experience for your adventure in Peru, while you interact with the locals, explore fantastic sites and re-discover remote ancient Inca towns. Our horsemen will take care of the pack horses, set up your tents avoiding crowded campsites and take care of you while you sit back and relax.
We provide the following items to our cooks and horsemen for free: Jacket, sun hat, warm hat, t-shirt, pants, hiking boots, comfortable duffel bags, canteen and girdle for protecting their spine, sleeping bags, mattresses and travel insurance. All of our porters are hired from isolated mountain communities and are given the opportunity to work with our company. In order to better their economic circumstances, we provide help for their children’s education! We, SAM Travel Peru, ensure that all of our porters are treated like family!
OUR COOKS
Our Fabulous Cooks have been highlighted by all our clients as providing delicious and abundant gourmet style meals. Peruvian and international cuisine are prepared by our professional and dedicated cooks from a mixture of local and exotic produce. If you have diet restrictions or food allergies, we can cater to your needs!
OUR EQUIPMENT
Our team (guides, cooks, porters, horsemen) and our equipment are what really makes SAM Travel Peru stand out from all the competitors…. For all our adventures we hike we include the following items:
- OUR TENTS: Enjoy a good night’s sleep in our 4 season EUREKA Timberline tents. All our tents are 4 person tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
- OUR MATS: They are used to separate and insulate you from the ground.
- AIR MATTRESSES: They can be rented for $15 USD.
- OUR KITCHEN & DINING TENTS: The dining tent is used as our meeting room at meal time. It’s a place to enjoy our meals and the company of fellow trekkers.
- OUR TABLES & CHAIRS: The interior of the dining room includes tables and chairs with two doors on each side, which are adaptable to weather conditions.
- DUFFEL BAGS: These will be provided at briefing time, the night before the trek.
- MORE: Pillows, backpack, rain covers, survivor t-shirts, hot shower and the biochemical camping toilet, are provided on the trek.
OUR SERVICE PROJECTS
SAM Travel Peru has 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 our local communities, not only employing them but also to go back to our grassroots as they share with their families. It makes us happy to have this wholistic approach with our highland employees and their families!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SALKANTAY & SHORT INCA TRAIL TREK TO MACHU PICCHU
Please read carefully the following information; it will help with your questions about our services and the Salkantay & Short Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu,
ARRIVAL TO CUSCO
You will be greeted at the Cusco airport and taken to your hotel. Please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to trek’s start. Look for our representative holding an orange board of SAM Travel Peru at 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 207 (second floor) in the La CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.
CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?
Of course! During the Salkantay Trek Machu Picchu your other luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you.
HOW TO BOOK THE SALKANTAY TREK & SHORT INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
FIRST, to book your Salkantay Trek Machu Picchu, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click this link BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase Inca Trail to Machu Picchu permits and entrance tickets 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 $200.00 USD per person in order to purchase a permit for the Salkantay 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 charge, 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.
HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR THE STUDENT DISCOUNT?
According to Peruvian Law, you must be under 18 years of age at the time of your trek or tour to Machu Picchu (students 18 & above need student cards). For example: if you book a trek at the age of 17 but you turn 18 before you do your trek, you must have a valid university ID card to qualify for the student discount.
- University students must provide a copy of their ID card showing a photo, University name and card expiration date. Cards must be valid for the current academic year only.
- All students from 11 to 17 years, the discount is $30 USD.
- For children from the age of 2 to 11 the discount is $40 USD.
- Children from the age of 0 to 2 are free.
All students must provide a copy of their passport at the time of their booking to get the student discount. Send us a copy at info@samtravelperu.com
MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Once the tickets 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 Salkantay Trek & Short Inca Trail, the deposit is not refundable at all!
DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON SALKANTAY TREK & SHORT INCA TRAIL?
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 Salkantay Trek & Short Inca Trail 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 copies of both your old and new passports 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 Machu Picchu, or get on the train.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE SALKANTAY TREK & SHORT INCA TRAIL 5 DAYS?
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.
WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS ON SALKANTAY TREK & SHORT INCA TRAIL 5 DAYS?
In general, if you exercise regularly and spend a couple of days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, you will be able to acclimate normally. It usually take between 24 hours to 2 days.
The recommended remedies 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.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE PER GROUP?
The maximum group size is 8 persons. Our groups are usually between 2-6 persons. Sam Travel Peru specializes in SMALL, PRIVATE groups and provides a personalized service.
HOW MANY COOKS/PACK HORSES FOR THE GROUP?
You will have 1 cook per group. The number of pack horses depends of the size of the group. For a group of 2 trekkers, they will have 4 horses, 4 trekkers will have 6 horses, 6 trekkers will have 9 horses, 8 trekkers will have 12 horses.
HIKING SALKANTAY TREK MACHU PICCHU 5 DAYS
The evening before you start your Salkantay Trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you will be given a SMALL DUFFEL BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/15lbs. 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 pack horses will always be ahead of the group. During the Salkantay Trek & Short Inca Trail, 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 30 to 40L backpack is sufficient.
IS THE TREK DIFFICULT? DO I NEED TO BE FIT?
The Salkantay Trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a fairly difficult trek and you should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You have to be moderately fit and exercise regularly. In preparation: try walking 15kms/9 miles in a day or working out 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 (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM UNABLE TO FINISH THE SALKANTAY TREK & SHORT INCA TRAIL 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 will be 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.
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 more or less 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 that incorporates 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 HAVE TO TAKE WITH YOU FOR SALKANTAY TREK & SHORT INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU:
- Original passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
- Valid University card (if you booked as a student)
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: 2-3L (bring reusable, not disposable bottles)
- Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
- Sleeping bag (can be rented from SAM Travel)
- Headlamp: essential
- Toilet paper
WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR DUFFEL BAG FOR SALKANTAY TREK & SHORT INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU?
As a Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra porter who will carry up to 7 kgs or 15lbs including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing. By Peruvian law, a duffel bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15lbs). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters or horses. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 7 kilograms, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra weight with your day pack. In this 7 kilos, please count 2 kilos for your sleeping bag and 1 kilo for your sleeping pad. This leaves you about 4 kilos for your personal gear.
- 2 t-shirts
- 2 hiking pants at least
- 4 sets of undergarments
- 3 sets of hiking socks
- Bathing suit for the thermal waters (optional)
- 2 fleece/ thermals
- Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º Celcious.
- Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
- Comfortable shoes for camp
- Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger.
- Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash.
- Battery Charger: there is no electricity along the trek
- Large plastic bags will be provided at the office — Please ask for them.
- Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -10ºC – This can be rented from us.
TOILETRIES
- Face moisturizer
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and paste
- Personal medications
- First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.
WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR BACKPACK FOR SALKANTAY TREK & SHORT INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU?
We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40Litres for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.
- Water: Please supply your own water until the first lunch spot, then we will provide you with cold boiled water at every meal time. Please bring your reusable water bottles.
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Headlamp: essential
- Wool hat
- Rain gear
- Fleece
- Snacks (chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruits)
- Rain plastic poncho
- Gloves
- Camera
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips
