IN THE EYES OF AN INCA

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.

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.

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). 

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

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

Upgraded Hotels Include (based on availability):

Lima: Belmond Miraflores Park
Cusco: Palacio del Inka
Sacred Valley: Tambo Del Inka
Aguas Calientes: El Mapi

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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