Machu Picchu - Peru
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INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS:
TRIP COST: $3199/person, double occupancy (hotels, tents) Optional Add-ons based on 2021 prices, 2023 not posted yet
*This price covers the Inca Permit, Guides, Porters, Tips on the Inca Trail, meals as identified in the schedule, all ground transportation while in Peru, and permits into the Sacred Valley, Salt Mines, Machu Picchu, and other group activities. It also covers our cost for supplies and meals while serving at the Andiva Cannis Mission Project, training and guidance prior to the trip, and custom leadership by G1AT Staff. The full amount is to be paid by January 15, 2023 with the option of at least paying minimum installments which will be set soon.
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TRIP DESCRIPTION:
See the schedule below to see how we acclimate for our adventure by spending a few days touring the former Inca imperial heartland around Cusco and the Sacred Valley as well as a day of serving missionaries who are friends of G1AT/BAS.
Then we will embark on the classic 4-day hike to Machu Picchu, walking on centuries-old stone paths that cling to mountain valleys and lead up and down mountain passes to remarkable ruins and spectacular vistas. On the fourth and final day, you’ll walk the last kilometers through the misty cloud forest to the Sun Gate and you’ll enter the mystical citadel the same way the Incas did 500 years ago. How difficult is the hike? It is not a trail to underestimate as the altitude over the 27 miles goes from about 8,500’ up to about 13,800’ and back down to 8,000’ while hiking on Inka stones and steps
OTHER INFO:
Our porters will carry 15 lbs of your personal gear which is more than the typical trip allowance and allows you to carry a daypack with just extra clothing layers, water, snacks, and camera. The Porters also carry our tents, dining tent, food, tables and chairs to sit at during meals, and extra sleeping pads. Each day as we arrive at our camp our tents will already be set up (double occupancy) and our duffle bags of personal gear ready for us to access for the evening. Each morning we will be greeted with hot tea or coffee at our tents and, after we are packed up, we enjoy a hot breakfast as our porters pack up our tents an duffle bags to get on the trail to be ready for us when we arrive that night.
What will we eat along the trail? This is one of the best parts of the experience as our trail chefs prepare fresh meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner! We eat in our own private tent on chairs at tables by candlelight and sometimes our own Head-lamps. You will not go hungry! Delicious meals give our team wonderful opportunities to relax and enjoy one another.
One of the challenges we westerners face on this trek, though, are the bathroom facilities. Yep, this is a third world country and squat toilets are the rule out on the trail. They are not clean, they are not enjoyable, they are actually downright disgusting, to be honest. For this year’s trek we are going to, for the first time, relieve our team from this part of the “adventure” by having our porters bring along a separate, private to just our group, latrine tent and travel potty for at our campsites. We’ll still have to use the bathrooms along the trail during the hike, but at least we will be able to avoid the worst ones on the trail at the campsites. This is a special, custom part of our trip you will not find with almost any other tour group.
Inca Permits are non-refundable, non-transferable and require absolute accuracy for reservations. This is one of the unique aspects of the Inca Trail. To protect the trail and to keep tour groups from being able to reserve and re-sell (translate “scalp”) Inca Trail permits, the Peruvian Government requires names and passport information and reservation fees to reserve a spot on the trail. Once that permit is purchased, it cannot be refunded or even transferred to another person. There are only 500 people allowed to hike the trail each day and those 500 include all guides, porters and tourists. If a person purchases a permit and can’t use it, there are just 499 people on the trail that day. These permits are all purchased at one time on the first day that the Peruvian Government decides to sell the 2023 permits. (2019 permits went on sale in October 2018.) We MUST have every person’s accurate Passport information and money in order to get permits for our group. Due to this policy, deposits are non-refundable after September 20 but can be transferred to another person up until September 30.
May is the most sought after and most competitive month to get Inca Permits! Why, then, do we do this trip in May? Simple. Because May is the best month for the Inca Trail. The rainy season in Peru generally ends in April. The crazy tourist season when the city of Cusco and the Sacred Valley quadruples in size begins in June and runs through the summer months. This is because the Incas worshipped the Sun and the Summer months are filled with festivals, religious celebrations, and inflated prices. We choose to go in between the rainy season and the high season. Could we get rain? Absolutely! We have had some rain every trip. But we have also had wonderful weather on the trails for 80-90% of all three past trips.
Travel Insurance and Medical Evacuation Insurance. We do not provide any type of insurance for the trip. Travel and Medical Evacuation Insurance required. We recommend World Nomads Travel Insurance.
Other Policies:
The trip schedule, fees, and itineraries are subject to change or adjustment. Some instances where this may occur, but are not limited to, weather, route conditions, currency fluctuations, changes in costs, government instability, and many other factors. G1At has complete discretion to change plans to accommodate any of these or other factors, for the proper and safe conduct of the program.
G1AT reserves the right to dismiss a participant from a trip or to send a participant to a lower altitude at any time if staff, in its sole discretion, that the participant is not physically, technically, or psychologically prepared for or capable of participating or continuing in the trip.
The participant understands and agrees that G1AT assumes no responsibility or liability in connection with any travel and hospitality service provided to the participant by others in connection with the trip, including but not limited to the services provided by airlines, hotels, and motor vehicle operators, and that G1AT is not responsible for any act, error, omission, or any injury, loss, accident, delay, irregularity, or danger by a supplier of travel or hospitality services to the participant in connection with the G1AT trip.
See the schedule below to see how we acclimate for our adventure by spending a few days touring the former Inca imperial heartland around Cusco and the Sacred Valley as well as a day of serving missionaries who are friends of G1AT/BAS.
Then we will embark on the classic 4-day hike to Machu Picchu, walking on centuries-old stone paths that cling to mountain valleys and lead up and down mountain passes to remarkable ruins and spectacular vistas. On the fourth and final day, you’ll walk the last kilometers through the misty cloud forest to the Sun Gate and you’ll enter the mystical citadel the same way the Incas did 500 years ago. How difficult is the hike? It is not a trail to underestimate as the altitude over the 27 miles goes from about 8,500’ up to about 13,800’ and back down to 8,000’ while hiking on Inka stones and steps
OTHER INFO:
Our porters will carry 15 lbs of your personal gear which is more than the typical trip allowance and allows you to carry a daypack with just extra clothing layers, water, snacks, and camera. The Porters also carry our tents, dining tent, food, tables and chairs to sit at during meals, and extra sleeping pads. Each day as we arrive at our camp our tents will already be set up (double occupancy) and our duffle bags of personal gear ready for us to access for the evening. Each morning we will be greeted with hot tea or coffee at our tents and, after we are packed up, we enjoy a hot breakfast as our porters pack up our tents an duffle bags to get on the trail to be ready for us when we arrive that night.
What will we eat along the trail? This is one of the best parts of the experience as our trail chefs prepare fresh meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner! We eat in our own private tent on chairs at tables by candlelight and sometimes our own Head-lamps. You will not go hungry! Delicious meals give our team wonderful opportunities to relax and enjoy one another.
One of the challenges we westerners face on this trek, though, are the bathroom facilities. Yep, this is a third world country and squat toilets are the rule out on the trail. They are not clean, they are not enjoyable, they are actually downright disgusting, to be honest. For this year’s trek we are going to, for the first time, relieve our team from this part of the “adventure” by having our porters bring along a separate, private to just our group, latrine tent and travel potty for at our campsites. We’ll still have to use the bathrooms along the trail during the hike, but at least we will be able to avoid the worst ones on the trail at the campsites. This is a special, custom part of our trip you will not find with almost any other tour group.
Inca Permits are non-refundable, non-transferable and require absolute accuracy for reservations. This is one of the unique aspects of the Inca Trail. To protect the trail and to keep tour groups from being able to reserve and re-sell (translate “scalp”) Inca Trail permits, the Peruvian Government requires names and passport information and reservation fees to reserve a spot on the trail. Once that permit is purchased, it cannot be refunded or even transferred to another person. There are only 500 people allowed to hike the trail each day and those 500 include all guides, porters and tourists. If a person purchases a permit and can’t use it, there are just 499 people on the trail that day. These permits are all purchased at one time on the first day that the Peruvian Government decides to sell the 2023 permits. (2019 permits went on sale in October 2018.) We MUST have every person’s accurate Passport information and money in order to get permits for our group. Due to this policy, deposits are non-refundable after September 20 but can be transferred to another person up until September 30.
May is the most sought after and most competitive month to get Inca Permits! Why, then, do we do this trip in May? Simple. Because May is the best month for the Inca Trail. The rainy season in Peru generally ends in April. The crazy tourist season when the city of Cusco and the Sacred Valley quadruples in size begins in June and runs through the summer months. This is because the Incas worshipped the Sun and the Summer months are filled with festivals, religious celebrations, and inflated prices. We choose to go in between the rainy season and the high season. Could we get rain? Absolutely! We have had some rain every trip. But we have also had wonderful weather on the trails for 80-90% of all three past trips.
Travel Insurance and Medical Evacuation Insurance. We do not provide any type of insurance for the trip. Travel and Medical Evacuation Insurance required. We recommend World Nomads Travel Insurance.
Other Policies:
The trip schedule, fees, and itineraries are subject to change or adjustment. Some instances where this may occur, but are not limited to, weather, route conditions, currency fluctuations, changes in costs, government instability, and many other factors. G1At has complete discretion to change plans to accommodate any of these or other factors, for the proper and safe conduct of the program.
G1AT reserves the right to dismiss a participant from a trip or to send a participant to a lower altitude at any time if staff, in its sole discretion, that the participant is not physically, technically, or psychologically prepared for or capable of participating or continuing in the trip.
The participant understands and agrees that G1AT assumes no responsibility or liability in connection with any travel and hospitality service provided to the participant by others in connection with the trip, including but not limited to the services provided by airlines, hotels, and motor vehicle operators, and that G1AT is not responsible for any act, error, omission, or any injury, loss, accident, delay, irregularity, or danger by a supplier of travel or hospitality services to the participant in connection with the G1AT trip.
Tentative Schedule
INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS & 3 NIGHTS PLUS A NIGHT IN AQUAS CALIENTE (Our 2019 Itinerary)
NOTE: Only 500 people are allowed to hike the Inka Trail each day. This is the total number, including tourists, guides, and porters. This is to protect both the Inca Trail and the sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Stipulations are very strict as well – your identification must be perfect, matching a valid Passport with your permit for both the Inca Trail and entrance to Machu Picchu. Once a permit has been purchased (about $550), there can be no changes, transfers, or refunds. Because of this, we ask for a non-refundable deposit payment for our trip.
NOTE: Only 500 people are allowed to hike the Inka Trail each day. This is the total number, including tourists, guides, and porters. This is to protect both the Inca Trail and the sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Stipulations are very strict as well – your identification must be perfect, matching a valid Passport with your permit for both the Inca Trail and entrance to Machu Picchu. Once a permit has been purchased (about $550), there can be no changes, transfers, or refunds. Because of this, we ask for a non-refundable deposit payment for our trip.
The 2013 BAS Group at the beginning of the Inca Trail, Killometer 82
ROUTE - ITINERARY
1st Day: Cuzco to KM82 to Wayllabamba
We will begin at an elevation of 8,438’ and hike 7.5 miles gaining altitude to stay at our first site, Huayllabamba at an altitude of 9,843’. This is a great warm-up day helping us to acclimatize to the altitude and get our hiking legs ready for the most challenging day, day #2.
1st Day: Cuzco to KM82 to Wayllabamba
We will begin at an elevation of 8,438’ and hike 7.5 miles gaining altitude to stay at our first site, Huayllabamba at an altitude of 9,843’. This is a great warm-up day helping us to acclimatize to the altitude and get our hiking legs ready for the most challenging day, day #2.
The 2013 BAS Group at the top of “Dead Woman Pass”, 13,780’
2nd Day : Wayllabamba to Pacaymayo
Inca Trail: We begin our day with a hike uphill for four miles, through the morning, to summit Dead Woman’s Pass at 13,796’. This is our highest point of the trek and always brings a celebration photo. We then give our knees a crazy workout dropping down Inca stone steps 2,000’ of elevation in just 1.5 miles to stay at Pacaymayo, 11,788’ elevation.
Inca Trail: We begin our day with a hike uphill for four miles, through the morning, to summit Dead Woman’s Pass at 13,796’. This is our highest point of the trek and always brings a celebration photo. We then give our knees a crazy workout dropping down Inca stone steps 2,000’ of elevation in just 1.5 miles to stay at Pacaymayo, 11,788’ elevation.
The 2013 BAS Group at Wiñaywayna
3rd Day: Pacaymayo to Phuyupatamarca, the "town above the clouds"
Today as we climb back up 1,200’ in about a mile to Abra De Runkuraqay (our second highest peak) at 12,960’. We continue another 6 miles on some of the most impressive sections of the Inca Trail to get to Phuyupatamarca, the "town above the clouds". Another night of outstanding views guaranteed as we sleep up at 3,650m (11,972').
Today as we climb back up 1,200’ in about a mile to Abra De Runkuraqay (our second highest peak) at 12,960’. We continue another 6 miles on some of the most impressive sections of the Inca Trail to get to Phuyupatamarca, the "town above the clouds". Another night of outstanding views guaranteed as we sleep up at 3,650m (11,972').
The 2013 BAS Group at Machu Picchu
Al4th Day: Phuyupatamarca Wiñaywayna to Machu Picchu
While most tours have to get up at 3:30am this day, we have a normal wake-up time and breakfast then cruise downhill 1.5 miles to Wiñaywayna, the second most impressive ruins along the Inca Trail. Most groups don't get time here but we will! After lunch there, we go the final four impressive miles to enter the National Park at Intipunku, the "Sun Gate" of Machu Picchu (7,982’) to capture the famous photos of Machu Picchu. We'll then descend to Machu Picchu to begin a tour of this most famous site in all of South America. Several years ago the National Park began limiting tours to only traveling clock-wise through the Park with no back-tracking allowed at all. We'll get in the whole tour before catching a bus ride (ticket is included) down to the ancient city of Aquas Caliente where we will stay the night in a comfortable hotel so that we can enjoy this very special location of hot springs and great food.
5th Day: Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, and Huchuy Picchu
You will have options on this day as some will not just want a full tour of Machu Picchu but will want to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (see below under “Other Options”). Whatever you choose, our guide will help us to experience Machu Picchu to the full before catching a bus ride (ticket is included in our price) down to the ancient city of Aquas Caliente where we will stay the night in a comfortable hotel so that we can really enjoy this very special location before taking the morning train the next day back to Cusco.
CLIMB HUAYNA PICCHU
While most tours have to get up at 3:30am this day, we have a normal wake-up time and breakfast then cruise downhill 1.5 miles to Wiñaywayna, the second most impressive ruins along the Inca Trail. Most groups don't get time here but we will! After lunch there, we go the final four impressive miles to enter the National Park at Intipunku, the "Sun Gate" of Machu Picchu (7,982’) to capture the famous photos of Machu Picchu. We'll then descend to Machu Picchu to begin a tour of this most famous site in all of South America. Several years ago the National Park began limiting tours to only traveling clock-wise through the Park with no back-tracking allowed at all. We'll get in the whole tour before catching a bus ride (ticket is included) down to the ancient city of Aquas Caliente where we will stay the night in a comfortable hotel so that we can enjoy this very special location of hot springs and great food.
5th Day: Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, and Huchuy Picchu
You will have options on this day as some will not just want a full tour of Machu Picchu but will want to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (see below under “Other Options”). Whatever you choose, our guide will help us to experience Machu Picchu to the full before catching a bus ride (ticket is included in our price) down to the ancient city of Aquas Caliente where we will stay the night in a comfortable hotel so that we can really enjoy this very special location before taking the morning train the next day back to Cusco.
CLIMB HUAYNA PICCHU
- Warning – this trail must be done on the same day we are at Machu Picchu. For those that been up since 3:30am that morning to complete the trek to Machu Picchu, this makes for a super exhausting day… but one you will never forget!
- Huayna Picchu is the triangular shaped mountain always seen in the postcard photos of Machu Picchu. There is a separate permit that sells out early for one of the two slots available for hiking the steep and challenging trail to the summit. There are only two times for people to climb Huayna Picchu, start times for the 2-3 hour hike are between 7-8am (200 spaces available) and 10-11am (200 spaces available). We choose the 10-11am start so that we have time to have a great tour of Machu Picchu before beginning the climb. Those who don’t choose to do the climb will stay with our guide who will spend more time completing a tour of Machu Picchu. Those who do Huayna Picchu will be guided by Greg Weisman who will complete the guiding of the rest of Machu Picchu after the climb (yeah, not as good as the professional Peruvian Guide, but after having been there 3 times, he isn’t all that bad!) Cost for this extra Permit is $75 and must be decided on and paid for by September 25, 2019 since these permits must be paid for at the same time as our Inca Trail Permits. CLIMB HUCHUY PICCHU TOO!
- Although Huchuy Picchu may not be a very famous name, it may well be one of the most photographed peaks in the world. Huchuy Picchu is the pinnacle that is dwarfed by its more known neighbor, Huayna Picchu, and is adjacent to the beautiful ruins of Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas". Huchuy Picchu can be seen most descriptively as "the little Huayna Picchu" when seen from the classical aspect of the ruins. Many hikers pass right under Huchuy Picchu on their way to summit Huayna Picchu, yet Huchuy Picchu receives a significantly low amount of people who summit it. From the summit, awesome views of Machu Picchu can be had, as well as great views of the surrounding forested peaks in the area. A short, class 2 trail splits off from the Huayna Picchu trail and brings you to the summit in about 10 minutes. It is a nice side trip to make either on the way up or on the way down from Huayna Picchu. The empty trail is also a nice alternative from the very crowded Huayna Picchu trail. The trail ascends next to ancient terraces and up a short class 2 slab. Summiting Huchuy Picchu is a very nice add-on on a visit to Machu Picchu