In the Eyes of an Inca
8 Days / 7 Nights
Tour Type: Hiking, adventure, history, culture
Good For: Everyone interested in a touch of hiking
Difficulty: Moderate
Considerations: Permit required for Inca Trail. See Availability.
Tour Price
In the Eyes of an Inca 8 Days / 7 Nights
Price from $
1,435
USD
Per Person
Group Size
Up to 16
Activity Level Challenging
Trip Details
Itinerary
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Night 1: Welcome to Peru
( Provide us your correct international flight details )
We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel, located in the in Miraflores district.
Accommodations: Casa Andina Standard in Miraflores ( 3-star Hotel )
Meals Included: None
Entrance Tickets: N/A -
Day 1: Lima City Tour
You will enjoy breakfast at your hotel, followed by a free morning in the city. Between 2:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. we will begin your city tour in Lima, known as “The City of Kings”. This excursion offers a great combination of the attractions in Lima and its three historical periods: pre-hispanic, colonial and contemporary. Lima was part of the Inca Empire until it was founded by the Spaniard, Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535. During our guided tour we will travel along Lima’s millinery history.
* This tour can be done at 9 a.m. if preferred. You will then have the afternoon free. Please let us know your preference.
Accommodations: Casa Andina Standard in Miraflores ( 3-star Hotel )
Meals Included: Breakfast Only
Entrance Tickets: Included -
Day 2: Fly to Cusco
In the morning, we will transfer you to the airport in Lima for your flight to Cusco. We will be waiting for you at the airport in Cusco, to bring you to your hotel. You will have a free afternoon to explore Cusco.
* Flight is not included – you must arrange this yourself. It can be any time that suits your schedule, then it MUST be provided to us to arrange the transfers from/to hotels.
Accommodations: Rumi Punku ( 3-star hotel )
Meals Included: Breakfast
Entrance Tickets: N/A -
Day 3: City Tour
You will have a free morning in Cusco. Following, you will enjoy an afternoon city tour of Cusco at 1 p.m., visiting the most important sites of the city, including the ruins above Cusco (Cusco Cathedral, Q’oricancha/Temple of the Sun, Sacsayhuaman, Puca Pucara, Q’enqo and Tambomachay). At the end of the tour, you will be brought back to your hotel.
Accommodations: Rumi Punku* ( 3-star hotel )
Meals Included: Breakfast
Entrance Tickets: Included -
Day 4: Sacred Valley
We will pick you up from your hotel at 8 a.m. for an all-day tour. You will travel out of the city and into the Sacred Valley. You will visit some beautiful Inca ruins, a handicraft market, and visit with some alpacas and llamas. You will visit Pisaq market, Pisaq ruins, Ollantaytambo ruins and enjoy lunch in Urubamba.
Accommodations: Hotel Pakaritumpu ( 3-star hotel )
Meals Included: Breakfast
Entrance Tickets: Yes -
Day 5: Inca Trail 2 Days: The Beginning
You trekking guide will meet you at 5.30 am at your hotel lobby and you will take the 6:10 a.m. train from Ollantaytambo to KM104, which will take approximately an hour and twenty minutes. You will then, partake in your gradual uphill hike for three hours. A packed lunch will be provided, upon stopping. You will have the opportunity to visit Wiñay Wayna ruins, one of the nicest ruins on the Inca Trail. Once you are finished, you will continue your hike for one more hour to the Sun Gate entry into Machu Picchu. After another hour you will arrive at the Machu Picchu ruins, where you will have some time to enjoy the views, take photos without the crowds and if the weather allows, see the sunset. There will be a bus waiting to take you down to Aguas Calientes to your hotel, La Cabana. Dinner will be in the town of Aguas Calientes.
Accommodations: La Cabaña (This can be done with camping for an additional fee)
Meals Included: Lunch and dinner
Entrance Tickets: Yes -
Day 6: Inca Trail 2 Days: Machu Picchu
The usual departure is at 5:20 a.m., following breakfast. You will have the option to leave at a later time. The bus you will ride to Machu Picchu takes 25 minutes and is first come, first serve. If the weather allows, it will be possible to see the sunrise over the ruins. Your tour guide will accompany you for two hours, explaining the Inca culture, history, and the specialty of their architecture. After the tour, you will have time to explore on your own or use your tickets to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain (Huayna Picchu climb requires a $75 ticket and needs to be booked in advance) to get better idea which mountain hike is better for you open this link . When you are ready to leave the Machu Picchu complex, you will take a bus back down to Aguas Calientes to enjoy lunch and explore the village. Your train will depart Aguas Calientes at 4:22 p.m. and you will arrive to Ollantaytambo around 6 p.m. You will have a free evening to enjoy Ollantaytambo, a small traditional town.
Accommodations: Hotel Pakaritampu ( 3-star hotel )
Meals Included: Breakfast
Entrance Tickets: Yes -
Day 7: Maras, Moray and Chincheros
We will pick you up at 8 a.m. from your hotel and begin your tour with a visit to Maras salt mines. You will then head to the Moray Inca ruins. You will be exposed to an example of how well the Incas could manipulate their environment. The tour will end with Chincheros, where you will learn about textiles. Handmade souvenirs can be purchased here. After the tour, we will bring you back to Cusco for you to enjoy the rest of your day.
Accommodations: Rumi Punku ( 3-star hotel )
Meals Included: Breakfast
Entrance Tickets: Included -
Day 8: Departure
We will pick you up from your hotel in the morning and transfer you to the airport for your flight back to Lima.
* Flight not included. Must be arranged on your own and provided to us to arrange transfer
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel
END OF TOUR
*All hotels are based on availability. We will not make any changes without your approval. Four and five-star hotels are available – inquire within for rates.
Inclusions
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Included
- Professional Guides: All of our guides studied English and tourism at Cusco National University. They all grew up in this region and have a true passion to teach others about their heritage. They are fun yet professional, and will ensure you are safe and happy.
- Permits: As soon as we receive your details and deposit we will purchase your permits for you, as long as they are still available. These permits are given for a specific date and in your name. They can’t be changed, once they are confirmed. The only thing that can be updated is your passport number. The permit includes entrance to Machu Picchu.
- Briefing: Those doing the trek with Hotel Stay, can skip the office briefing and instead, do a itinerary overview at a time you prefer. For those doing the trek with camping, the night before your trek, you will come to our office at 6:30 p.m. to have your briefing with your tour guide. At the briefing, you will receive your duffel bag, that will be with the porters while you hike. This bag should not exceed 7kg/14 lbs and needs to include your sleeping bag and air mattress, if you have chosen to rent or bring one. Remember, layering your clothes is key.
- Porters: If you choose to do the 2D/1N Inca Trail with camping, you will have a personal porter to carry your duffel bag. There is no additional fee for this. You are responsible for carrying your own day pack during your hike. Your duffel bag will only be accessible to you at your evening campsite.
- If you are doing the 2D/1N Inca Trail with the hotel, there are no porters. You will be responsible for carrying your own things needed for the next day. Either way, you can leave your larger luggage at the hotel in Cusco, or with us.
- Ground Transportation: All your ground transportation is included in this tour, from the moment you land in Lima, Peru, until your departure from Cusco. Your transfers, trains and buses are all included. We will send you an itinerary that will include all times you need to be prepared for. Additionally, when we pick you up, we will have a sign with our name and your name on it.
- For your trek portion of the itinerary, you will be taking the expedition train to and form the hike. However, an upgrade on the return is possible. If you prefer, you can upgrade your train leaving Aguas Calientes to the Vistadome train for $65 per person. Once you arrive at the train station, we will bring you back to your hotel in Cusco.
- Equipment: This is only relevant for those who wish to camp with us. Alpaca Expeditions has the best equipment. We use four man, Eureka Timberline tents, that only need to be shared by two people. You will have a spacious dining tent to enjoy your meals. You group will have its own toilet tent. They are comfortable, clean and environmentally safe.
- Food: Most meals are not included during the tour. However, we will provide a nice lunch during the Sacred Valley tour, as well as your breakfast, lunch and dinner during your hike. Breakfast will be served at your hotel, each day.
- Water: Water will be provided during your Sacred Valley tour and your hike.
- First Aid: Your safety is our number one concern. All our guides are trained and re-trained every February by a medical doctor. They all carry first-aid kits and full oxygen tanks. If needed, we will get you off the trail as quickly and comfortably as possible to be taken directly to a clinic for treatment. While these situations are rare, we prepare for them.
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Not Included
- Rentals: If you would like walking sticks, sleeping bags and liner (for the campaign tour) or an air mattress, all are available for rent:
Sleeping Bag: $15
Air Mats: $10
Walking Sticks (Pair): $10 - Huayna Picchu: Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It is a 45 minute hike to the top. Going back down is quite steep, if you are scared of heights. This is done after your tour of Machu Picchu. The cost is $75. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance, due to popularity. Please understand that weather is out of our control.
- Day packs: Day packs are not provided by Alpaca Expeditions. Be sure the one you bring is not too large, as you will have to carry it while you are trekking. Plus, Machu Picchu will not allow you to bring in a bag larger than 25L. Large backpacks will need to be stored before your tour. Only essentials are needed while trekking: water, snacks, camera, sunhat, warm layer, rain layers, insect spray, sunscreen, and a first-aid kit.
- Headlamps: These are only needed for those who are hiking. It is strongly encouraged to bring a headlamp for your night camping. There will be no lights at the camping sites. It can be difficult to get to your dining or bathroom tent without one. Flashlights are acceptable, if you don’t have a headlamp. Although, a flashlight will make some tasks a bit more difficult.
- Flights: Flying to Cusco can be tricky. Delays occur often and it is not uncommon for flights to be cancelled. Please be sure to arrive in the city at least two days before your trek start date. LAN Peru is the most reliable of the airlines. Avianca and Peruvian Airlines are acceptable companies, as well. You will not return from your trek until around 8 p.m. on the last day, so be sure your flight is not until the next day, when leaving Cusco.
- Gratuities: Tipping is always appreciated and should be based completely on your satisfaction. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels.
- Travel Insurance: This is not required, but always recommended. For those of you who live at sea-level, landing in Cusco will take an adjustment period. Most people need one or two days to adjust. In case you have a hard time adjusting to the altitude, it is suggested to have protection for missed tours.
- Rentals: If you would like walking sticks, sleeping bags and liner (for the campaign tour) or an air mattress, all are available for rent:
Price
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Price:
With 3 Star Hotels: $1435 per person
With 4 & 5 Star Hotels: $2275 per person
*These prices are based on shared rooms (either double, matrimonial or triple).
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Options:
Book Without Hotels: – $365 per person
Single Room (with 3 stars): +$365 per person
Single Room (with 4 and 5 stars): + $1325 per person
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Student Discount:
$35 off per person
Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the trek or who is 17-years-old or younger. For those using an university student card to receive the discount, we need to see a copy of the card at booking. For those booking children 17-years-old or younger, we need a copy of their passport at booking time. Please send all to info@alpacaexpeditions.com.
More Information about STUDENT CARD
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Upgraded Hotels Include (based on availability):
Lima: Belmond Miraflores Park
Cusco: Palacio del Inka
Sacred Valley: Tambo Del Inka
Aguas Calientes: El Mapi
Travel Info
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Altitude
As soon as people book their trip to Peru, specifically Cusco, they start wondering about altitude sickness. The air at high altitudes contains less oxygen than at sea level and forces your body to work harder to get the oxygen it needs. Over several days at high altitude, your body adjusts to the lower amount of oxygen in the air. This is why we always recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before beginning any trek. If you have more time, even better. Cusco is an amazing city with a lot to do, so you won’t be bored.
With altitude sickness, you may first feel like you have the flu or a hangover. You may have a headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, trouble breathing during exercise. If any of these effects become severe, please contact our office and we will help you get to a doctor.
Most of the time, these symptoms will be mild. We always recommend easing into activity slowly, allowing your body to adjust. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or coca tea. Coca tea has been used since ancient times to help prevent altitude sickness. Leaves from the coca plantcontain alkaloids which helps bring oxygen into your blood, helping your body avoid the effects of altitude sickness. Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol and coffee. They will cause you to urinate more often and become dehydrated. Avoid smoking. Smoking makes it more difficult for your body to get oxygen. Avoid sleeping pills. They may cause shallow breathing at night, making it more difficult for your body to absorb oxygen while you sleep.
Remember the trek to Machu Picchu is not a race. Even those in the best shape will suffer from altitude sickness when they race to the top of the mountain too quickly. Go slowly, it will give your body time to adjust to the mountain.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicines, such as are acetazolamide and dexamethasone, to help prevent altitude sickness. Start the medicine two days before you get to a high altitude. Continue to take it while you are at high altitude.
You must remember that this is your holiday and you do not want to stress out about the possibility of getting sick from the mountains. Do everything slowly. Drink lots of water. And enjoy the coca tea. If anything does happen and you unfortunately get sick, let your guide know right away – all Alpaca Expeditions guides are trained in how to help you get through it.
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Weather
Of course weather is unpredictable. Typically the dry season in Cusco is from April through October, but this does not stop raining from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December – just be prepared. No matter what month you are doing the trek, please make sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho and waterproof gloves. Many people forget about gloves, but being cold and wet makes hiking very unpleasant.
Also prepare for 4 seasons. Many of the treks through the Andes involve many micro-climates and you will need to be prepared for all seasons. Layers are always key as they are easy to adjust to the different temperatures. And evenings will always be cold, so please be prepared with a warm winter weight jacket.
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First Aid
Every Alpaca Expeditions guide has received training in first aid from a physician. We conduct mandatory training every February – every single Alpaca guides attend. When guiding you, they will have with them a first aid kit for basic medical problems (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts/ scrapes, etc.) and oxygen. They know how to make you feel better.
In case something unexpected happens and you feel you can no longer complete the trek, they will figure ou the safest and quickest way off the course and to a clinic. You will never be left alone, you will have a member of the team escort you every step of the way until safely with a doctor. When you are feeling up to it, we will make sure that you still have the chance to visit Machu Picchu and re-connect with your group, traveling by train comfortably.
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Travel Insurance
Because there are so many logistics to plan and pay for before your trek occurs, payment for your trek is due even if you are unable to complete the hike. Please read our Booking Conditions carefully so you know what is due. Obtaining travel insurance before you leave home is strongly encouraged. This way, if something happens, and this is rare, you will not be out of pocket a tremendous amount of money. Alpaca will provide a letter and your invoice to submit to your insurance in this case to help expedite your processing.
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Environmental Impact
Alpaca Expeditions uses biodegradable soap and transports all our garbage back to Cusco. Our porters are trained to look after the trail and pickup any waste from other groups as well. We also use environmentally-friendly chemical portable toilets that allow us to pack waste out. We believe in leaving no footprint behind.
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Community
Alpaca Expeditions is really proud of the work we do for our community. This is a main focus for our company. We have worked with villages directly to help supply them with needs their families were missing. We have supported local schools with by giving them computers and books. We currently sponsor a teacher at the village most of our porters come from to ensure their children are offered the best education.
We buy all our food from local farmers and markets and serve the freshest ingredients. We provide English classes for all our team: guides, porters, chefs and drivers. And we are building a house for our porters to give them a safe and comfortable place to stay before and after our treks so they no longer need to sleep on the floor of a friend.
And twice every year we bring our porters and their families to Machu Picchu. This is our favorite trip to do as they guys who work tirelessly have never visited the Lost Citadel of the Incas. Showing them this place is our biggest honor.
We are always looking to do more and for partners. Please let us know of your ideas and we will work to help.
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Personal Porter Included
All of our treks include porters, who are responsible for carrying and setting up all equipment. They will also carry your personal duffel, which you will receive at your briefing the night before your trek. This duffel can not exceed 7 kg/14 lbs, and must include your sleeping bag and an air mattress.
Each Alpaca Expeditions porter is given a proper uniform, salary and insurance. They are the backbone of our company.
Packing List
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Packing List
- Good day back pack
- Copy of your passport
- Good hiking gear like hiking boots, warm jackets, gloves, hat warm fleece and socks
- Sleeping bag
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
- Hat and gloves
- Warm clothes: Layers for variable temperatures, especially at night
- T-shirts
- Comfortable trousers
- Sun hat
- Sun protection cream
- Insect Repellent
- Re-usable plastic or metal water container or camel bags
- Water (only for first 4 hours of trek, then we will provide you with drinking -previously boiled- water)
- Toiletries
- Personal medication
- Camera and films
- Flashlight with spare batteries
- Walking stick
- Bathing suit for the hot springs
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips
In the Eyes of an Inca 8D/7N
Please fill in our BOOKING FORM carefully with your correct personal details.
The Alpaca Difference
Alpaca Expeditions is a 100% peruvian, indigenous owned company. Started by Raul Ccolque, a former porter and tour guide, Alpaca Expeditions separates ourselves by our dedication to both our customer and our team. We work very hard to make sure that all our clients needs are taken care of throughout the tour with us. At the same time, we never forget about our brothers and sisters working tirelessly for us to make all of this possible. Responsible and sustainable tourism that gives as much to our community as to our clients.
Meet the AE Trekking Team!
Everyone on the Alpaca Team is from Cusco region, living the traditions and history they share with you while on one of our tours. Our guides are all graduates of university studying tourism, history and english. Our chefs are trained every February by a professional cooking team learning new meals, adding varieties of entrees for all types of eating. And all our porters are from HUARQUI, HUACAHUASI, PATACANCHA, QUISWARANI, CANCHACANCHA, QUEYUPAY, UMACHURCO and CCACCACCOLLO villages, very often working this job on top of maining their farms back at home. Most of our team has been with us for years, as we have the most loyal, hard working, happy employees in Cusco. We know how lucky we are to have the best team trekking and you will immediately fall in love with all the men and women who call Alpaca Expeditions their home.
AE súper porters
Our Porters represent the Peruvian people, both men, and women who are at the heart of our...
Equality Matters
Alpaca Expeditions aims to promote gender equality and empower women, hiring first Peru Wo...
Our Guides
Travelling and trekking along the mountains is one of the best activities in the World. Co...
Our Chefs
Trekking along the mountain on your way to conquer Machu Picchu is a once in a lifetime ex...
What do we do for our porters?
Alpaca Expeditions would not be where we are today without these hardworking men and women. We could not imagine a harder job and our team does it smiling. We do our best to thank them for their hard work and loyalty by doing as much as we can to make their lives and their families lives better. All our porters receive all their equipment for free from warm winter hats to proper hiking boots. They sleep in proper tents and are given warm sleeping bags for night. They enjoy the same food we serve our clients and all leftovers are donated to their families. We visit their villages with doctors and dentists, donate school supplies and sports equipment. And our favorite time of the year is when we bring a group of porters and their families to Machu Picchu to visit the ruins for the first time.
AE súper porters
Our Porters represent the Peruvian people, both men, and women who are at the heart of our company. It is not possible to ...
Equality Matters
Alpaca Expeditions aims to promote gender equality and empower women, hiring first Peru Women as Porters opening the door ...
Free Medical Assistance to Porters
In 2019, we hired our first Alpaca Expeditions Medical Doctor to help tend to our guides, drivers, chefs…
Our Porter’s bus
We treat our porters with the same dignity and respect as we do our clients. Just as our clients enjoy our…
Our Porter’s House
As we mentioned above, our Porters like many Peruvian people come from distant villages to work our treks…
Tents and Sleeping bags
Again, this is something unique that Alpaca Expeditions provides, and sad others are not doing. We supply…
Proper Equipment for our Porters
Every porter of ours receives proper equipment. That includes moisture-wicking long/short sleeve shirts…
Nutritious Meals for our Porters
A general comment from trekkers on an Alpaca Expeditions tour is that we serve too much food. Well…
Videos of our Porters
Extra information
Alpaca Expeditions is always ready to make your trip safe and as easy as possible for you. Because these trips are a bit more complicated than your typical tour, we have put together some notes on logistics, storage, and even recommendations on where to stay in Cusco. And of course our team is ready to answer any other question, as we promise to be your partner from the moment you first contact us to our last goodbye in Cusco.
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Alpaca Expeditions Recognitions
ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
In the pursuit to stand out from the rest, Alpaca Expeditions has obtained four ISOs plus our carbon footprint certificate to date. These achievements result from our efforts to implement the internationally-recognized integrated management system. They also represent our commitment to all of our clients and staff of operating sustainability and responsibility in every way possible.
World Travel Awards
Alpaca Expeditions is internationally recognized as a leading tourism company in Peru. As proof, we have been awarded the World Travel Award for Peru´s Best Tour Operator 2021 for the second time.
TRIPADVISOR RECOGNITIONS
Our goal at Alpaca Expeditions is to create the best experience for all of our clients. We create journeys that are to be remembered for a lifetime. Journeys you can be proud of and can share with everybody around you.
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