Path to the SunGate
8 Days / 7 Nights

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 Plant contain 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 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.

Of course weather is unpredictable. Typically the dry season in Cusco is from April through October, but this does not stop rain 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 four 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.

Every Alpaca Expeditions guide has received training in first aid from a physician. We conduct mandatory training every February – every single Alpaca guide attends. 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 out 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.

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.

Alpaca Expeditions uses biodegradable soap and transports all our garbage back to Cusco. Our porters are trained to look after the trail and pick up 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.

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 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 the 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 for our partners. Please let us know of your ideas and we will work to help.

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 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 film
• Flashlight with spare batteries
• Walking stick
• Bathing suit for the hot springs
• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips

We include all meals and snacks for every trek until the last lunch (after your tour of Machu Picchu). For your last lunch in Aguas Calientes, or for all train tours, you will have the option to dine at one of the many restaurants in Aguas Calientes village.

We understand you may be curious about the quality of the food provided by Alpaca Expeditions during the treks. While each meal is prepared by a chef in a small tent on a small stove, our reviews prove our meals to be excellent! Each chef is professionally trained to prepare the best breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks, and they are all served with a smile! After completing each day’s trek, you will enjoy a social happy hour before enjoying a delicious buffet dinner, that will undoubtedly exceed all your expectations about food on Inca Trail.

All food is prepared from fresh ingredients, that are purchased in the Cusco local market. Everything is transported by the porters, and then prepared by the chef. We do not use any canned or rehydrated food. It is all fresh, healthy and delicious!

Do you have special dietary needs? No problem! We cater to vegetarians, vegans and any food allergies.

How about the water? We take tap water from each campsite and boil it for 15 minutes, so it is safe for you to drink. There is plenty of water provided during each trek, but you will only need to carry enough water to get you to the first lunch stop. You can refill your bottles at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

You will be well fed during any of our Adventure Treks. Food will be provided five times a day, beginning with a big breakfast, a snack, a tremendous lunch, an afternoon tea (happy hour), and finally dinner.

You will be treated like royalty when you’re on the Trail! Please, just in case, bring some coca leaves.

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, pancakes, omelettes, porridge, cereal, fruit salad, toast, orange juice, milk, tea, coffee, hot chocolate

Snack: Fruit, cookies, cereal, chocolate, candies

Lunch: Corn or mushroom soup, chicken and rice, sausage, fried fish, ceviche, steak, beans, fried rice, french fries, boiled potatoes, vegetables, salad

Happy Hour: Popcorn, fried wontons, tea, coffee

Dinner: Stuffed chicken, vegetable tortillas, pizza, spaghetti, pork cutlet, sauteed vegetables, salad