Posts Tagged ‘ausangatetrail’

Trip Overview:

The Ausangate Rainbow Mountain 4 Days 3 Nights is a combination between Ausangate Trek and the popular rainbow mountain. The Ausangate trek takes visitors through remote mountain passes, stunning high-altitude landscapes, glacial lakes and snow-capped peaks. Along the way, hikers will have the opportunity to see wildlife, including llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas, and learn about the culture and traditions of local communities.

Highlights:

• Visit natural wonders: Ausangate snow-capped mountains, beautiful colorful lagoons and rainbow mountains.
• Visit the incredible Rainbow Mountain of Peru.
• Get to know the people of the Andes of Peru, descendants of the Incas.
• Enjoy the most stunning and remote treks in Peru.
• Spend the nights among enormous mountains and under a starry sky.
• Get touch with indigenous people in rustic rural villages of the highlands.

By booking Ausangate Rainbow Mountain 4 Days 3 Nights with Cusco Journeys you are choosing the best. Don’t believe us? Check out our reviews on Tripadvisor.

Pre-trek briefing:

You will have through briefing with your guide 1 or 2 days before your Ausangate Rainbow Mountain 4 Days 3 Nights. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you can take this opportunity to ask questions and make any final preparations.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1. Cusco – Tinki – Upis Community – Upis Hot Sring

We will pick you up from your hotel at 4:30AM to begin this beautiful adventure and drive for 3.5 hours, in our private transport to Upis Community (4,250m/13,944ft), where we will meet our horseman and horses, and have some time to prepare for the great adventure and enjoy the breakfast accompanied by the view of the Andes and snow-capped mountain range of Vilcanota with Ausangate Glacier Peak (6,384m/20,940ft) in the background.

After our local breakfast, we will start walk up through the highland valley inhabited by herds of llamas and alpacas enjoying views of the Andes, as we continue our trekking, we can see impressive views of the glaciers of Ausangate and meet some farmers wearing their typical dress. Upon Arrival to Upis Village (4,250m/13,944ft), we will enjoy our lunch prepared by our trekking cook, and we will camp in this dramatic place, with the spectacular view to Ausangate Mountain in front of our camp.

In the afternoon, you will have a chance to relax and soak in a natural hot spring whose cost is 10 PEN, or just walking around trying to shoot the best sunset on incredible views of the snow-capped Ausangate range.

• Walking Distance: 7km/ 4,5 miles.
• hiking hour: 3-4 hours roughly.
• Trailhead Elevation: 4,220 meters / 13,840 feet.
• Campsite Elevation: 4,250 meters / 13,944 feet.
• Accommodation: Camping.
• Difficulty: moderate.

Day 2. Upis – Arapa Pass – Puca Cocha

Today we will have wonderful views of the peaks of the Ausangate snow peak, because we will walk around this snow peak. After our breakfast, We will have a 3-hour uphill walk to reach the first Arapa pass (4,800m/15,748ft), where you will have magnificent views of the surroundings. It is possible to encounter vicuñas, which are the most impressive animals that still live in the wild in Peru and belong to the Andean camelid family.

After taking some amazing photographs, we will continue towards our lunch spot, It’s all downhill for 1.5 hours. After enjoy our lunch and having rested appreciating nature, we continued our 2½ hour walk to reach our camp in Pucacocha (4,500 m/14,764 ft).

This campsite is one of the most beautiful campsites located at the skirt of the Ausangate peak and at the bank of the lake. You can see amazing sunsets from here and perhaps some condors and eagles flying nearby.

• Walking Distance: 10 km/ 6,21 miles.
• hiking hour: 5 hours roughly.
• Difficulty: moderate/difficult.
• Campsite Elevation: 4,500 meters / 14,760 feet.
• Accommodation: Camping.

Day 3. Puca Cocha – Ananta – Chillca –  Yana Cocha

After hearty breakfast, we will start with a 2-3 hour steep climb to Alpaca Pass (4,870m/15,978ft). A lo largo de la ruta esta mañana, te sorprenderán las impresionantes vistas de los glaciares y los valles de un verde intenso. Siente la impresionante presencia del Apu Ausangate y toma fotografías de sus hermosas lagunas color turquesa.

Once you reach the summit of this mountain, you will be located right in front of Ausangate and you can really enjoy the Chilca Valley, with many alpaca grazing along these hills. After taking some great pictures you will continue for another 2 hours gradual downhill, then we reach our lunch spot located in Anantapata (4,750m/15,584ft).

Once we’ve filled our hungry stomachs, we’ll take the opportunity to rest and relax a little before continuing with an ascent for 2 hours to the Warmisaya (4,985m/16,355ft).  It will be 1½ hour slow pace to reach the summit of this highest pass of the trek. Along the way it is possible to see some condors, and vicuñas if we are lucky enough.

From there, you’ll feel like you’re a bird flying through the mountains and can observe the vastness of the horizon. We only have to descend one hour to Surineqocha lagoon, where our night’s camp will be waiting for you. You’ll be able to observe the incredible sunset behind Rainbow Mountain that’ll fill you with tranquility and a wonderful feeling of inner peace.

This is a perfect place at night to spot the famous Inca constellations and do some stargazing!

• Walking Distance: 10 km/ 6,214 miles.
• Campsite Elevation: 4,985 meters / 16,355 feet.
• hiking hour: 7  hours roughly.
• Difficulty: moderate/difficult.
• Accommodation: Camping.

Day 4. Yana Cocha – Rainbow Mountain – Llacto – Cusco

After an early final breakfast with your trekking team and enjoying the famous traditional warm drinks such as coca tea, it will be about 1½ hours gradual uphill trek until we reach the famous rainbow mountain and the Red Valley (5100 m/16,732ft). Your guide will walk you to the best spots to get the perfect postcard pictures of these incredible mountain and the other surrounding mountains.

Your guide also will explain why these mountain are special and really are something quite different from any other mountains in the Vilcanota Range. This is due to a composition of various minerals which make different colors of stone striations formed right in the middle of the red mountains. This is definitely one of the key tourist highlights in South America and one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Peru. There is nothing else like it!

After taking your photos and enjoying the views which you have come so far to see, you will continue the expedition to the end of the trail. This is all downhill along the Llacto Valley for about 1 hours where you will enjoy your final lunch with your team. We will then drive back to Cusco about 3 hour max drive and we will drop you off at your hotel. The drive itself provides really nice views of the Andes, passing some traditional villages along the way. You will be arriving into Cusco around 4pm.

• Walked distance: 6.5 km /4.04 miles
• Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinking wáter
• Weather: dry / cold.
• Level of Difficulty: Moderate.

Note: This itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions, strikes, roadblocks, or other events which are beyond our control. We will always do our best to follow the itinerary as closely as possible.

Included:

• Trek briefing with your Guide.
• Professional local Guide (on hike).
• Second tour guide for groups of 9+.
• Private Transport and professional driver (to the starting point of hike at Upis).
• All entrance tickets and permits for Ausangate Trek.
• Entrance tickets and permits for Rainbow Mountain.
• Entrance tickets and permits for Red Valley.
• Horses or mules and Indigenous horsemen to carry ((camping equipment: client tents, dining and cooking tents, table, stools, cooking gear, stove, gas container, cutlery, plates, food and fresh vegetables).
• Personal items to carry 7 kg/15 lb. (so you just need to carry your day backpack with everything you will need during the day).
• 3 nights camping.
• Spacious tents / Sleeping mat.
• We provide a duffle for personal items.
• One Cook.
• Excellent Meals (3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 2 Dinners) – (Vegetarian, vegan or special diet meals upon request).
• Food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all before rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking.
• Tea time before dinner (tea, coffee, coco, biscuits, popcorn).
• Boiled water provided from 2nd day (for drinking).
• Wake up coca tea in your tent.
• Buckets of hot water for washing in your tent every day.
• Biodegradable soap and hand cleansing gel.
• Cusco Journeys & Adventure uses walkie-talkies on all treks.
• Oxygen Tank & First aid kit.
• All local taxes.

Not Included:

• First breakfast and Dinner on the last day.
• Hot springs at Upis (S/15.00 soles).
• Sleeping bags.
• Walking Stick.
• Personal expenses.
• Travel insurance.
• **Tips, for the crew (muleteers, chef and guide).

What do you need to bring:

Hiking to Ausangate Rainbow Mountain 4 Days 3 Nights is like any other high altitude trek, so it is essential to be well prepared. As it begins in the dead of night morning, consider to pack the following Items:

• A good day pack: such as Eagle Creek Afar Backpack (Appropriate pack to carry your personal belongings.)
• Original passport.
• Travel insurance.
• Lighter trekking boots (with good ankle support).
• 3 pairs of trekking pants (not jeans), 1 hiking, 1 cotton–which is just enough. 
• Layers for variable temperatures especially at night.
• 1 rain jacket.
• 1 warm/winter jacket (Thermals: wool socks/gloves, scarf and woolen hat for cold nights).
• 4 pairs of underwear.
• 4 shirts, 2 long sleeve shirts.
• 1 good sleeping bag liner which is super lightweight and easy to pack. 
• Travel-size tissues and wet wipes–The air is cold and damp, so your nose is going to run a lot. 
• Iron tablets and pills for altitude sickness. 
• Sun protection cream (SPF 35 or higher recommended).
• Bug spray with 30% DEET.
• Re-usable plastic or metal water container or a hydration pack such as Camel-back.
• Water (Only for first day of the hike, as we will provide you with water throughout the rest of the hike).
• Camera and film.
• A headlamp to navigate camp in the evenings and pre-dawn mornings with spare batteries
• Bandages or moleskin.
• Flip flops to change into at night. 
• Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste/floss, shampoo/conditioner, brush/comb, Vaseline (great for potential blisters on the feet), feminine hygiene products, deodorant, nail clippers/file/tweezers, spare glasses and/or prescription, mini-eyeglass repair kit, contact lenses and supplies, hand sanitizer etc. 
• Medication (Imodium AD or something for your stomach) because some people get an upset stomach on the trek. 
• Plastic bags for dirty and wet clothes.
• Something to read in the evenings.
• Extra money for drinks.
• Emergency money at least 300-450 extra soles (USD$ 220).

 Prices are valid from March 2024 through January 2025. All prices quoted are $USD

Price: $509 per person

* We need a minimum of 2 people to run the tour. We guarantee that your tour will be limited to a maximum of 8 people.

Important: Price includes up to 7 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules (NO need of extra Porter hire!).

Rentals:

• Hiking poles – US$20.00
• Sleeping bag – US$25.00
• Sleeping bag Deluxe Package (+ Pillow & Liners) US$30.00
• Private Tent – US$30.00

By booking or participating in a tour and any related products or services (a “Tour”) with Cusco Journeys, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.

Booking:

1. Your booking is confirmed and a contract exists when the Tour Operator or your travel agent issues a written confirmation after receipt of the applicable deposit amount. Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to the Tour Operator or authorized agent immediately. Please ensure that names are exactly as stated in the relevant passport.
2. You will pay a deposit which is completely non-refundable in any situation. There are no exceptions.
3. You will be required to show the original passport (not a copy) that you booked with, at the checkpoint to enter the Inca Trail. If you originally booked with an old passport and then renewed your passport, you must also bring your expired passport along with your new, valid passport to permit entry or they will refuse your entrance to the trail.
4. The only acceptable ID to receive a Student Discount is your University Card with a clear expiration date that must be the same year as trek. IDs with expiry dates the following year, even though clearly valid, will not be accepted by the Peruvian government. You must submit a copy of this card at time of booking.

Cancellations:

1. Cancellations: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 40% is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing (we do not accept medical notes of any kind) as our out of pocket expenses are non-refundable to us.. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:

ONCE BOOKED, DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. CHART BELOW OUTLINES WHAT FURTHER FEES WILL BE DUE.

Inca Trail Tours:

1. Permits: Permits for the Inca Trail are in your name and can not be transferred to anyone else under any circumstances. Change of dates is also not possible once a permit has been purchased. Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. The deposit will be forfeited. Please note that this is a regulation of the Peruvian government and not Cusco Journeys (or any agency).
2. In extreme cases when the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is declared closed for safety reasons, Cusco Journeys will replace your trek with an alternative trek.
3. Those who booked PERMITS with a Student ID must bring that ID with them on the trek. If they fail to show this card to the Park Rangers, they will not be allowed entry onto the trail.

Medical Information:

1. You must advise Cusco Journeys of any medical problems or allergies you may have. You need to be in good physical health, and if your health is questionable, then you should consult a doctor. If you are over the age of 70 years old, then you will need to present us with a current good health medical certificate.
2. You are responsible for assessing whether a Tour is suitable for you. You should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. You should seek your physician’s advice on vaccinations and medical precautions. The Tour Operator does not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the Tour based on your own unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level and medical requirements.
3. Cusco Journeys reserves the right to deny you permission to travel or participate in any aspect of a Tour at any time and at your own risk and expense where the Tour Operator determines that your physical or mental condition renders you unfit for travel or you represent a danger to yourself or others.
4. Pregnancy is considered a medical condition and must be disclosed to the Tour Operator at the time of booking. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry pregnant women over 24 weeks. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry anyone with certain medical conditions if reasonable accommodation or alternatives cannot be arranged.
5. It is strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance to protect you in case of medical emergency or any tour cancellations.

Tours and Treks:

1. All balances need to be paid in either cash, Western Union, Transfer Bank or PayPal (in full) prior to the briefing which will be held the night before your tour. Visa incurs a 5% service fee and if you need to use another card, it must be through PayPal which incurs a 5.5% service fee.
   You must advise your guide if you wish to leave the group or the camping area for independent walks or sightseeing. If you are experiencing any problems with the services of the guide or tour, please advise the guide in that moment, so that he can resolve any problems.
2. All Adventure Treks include transportation to Cusco. The return train route depends on train availability.
3. If you become ill or injured on the trail and are unable to continue, a porter will be provided to accompany you back to an area with emergency assistance capabilities. Helicopter air lifts and medical assistance are at the expense of the trekker. If you are unable to complete the tour due to illness, we will assist you in meeting your group at Machu Picchu to recommence your tour at that point. There will be no refund of the original payment. However, we will prepare a document to certify illness which can be presented for your travel insurance.
4. Cusco Journeys will take all reasonable care in providing to our clients avoidance of accident, illness, and loss of personal property, and will only employ suitably qualified staff. We accept responsibility for the actions of our own employees. Cusco Journeys cannot, however, be responsible for any action of third parties. You are totally responsible for your own personal property and rented equipment.
5. Cusco Journeys does not take responsibility for unfavorable weather conditions, natural catastrophe, strikes, accidents, illness, injury, loss of personal ítems, etc. It is the client’s responsibility to carry insurance to cover these types of events. We reserve the right to modify or cancel the program due to any of the unforeseen conditions listed above.
6. Cusco Journeys may modify your itinerary where reasonably required in its sole discretion.
7. Group tours might be as large as 16 participants. Groups are open to everyone no matter skill or age. By accepting a Group Tour you acknowledge that others might change the speed and timing of the tour.
8. All tours are done in English.

Delays:

1. Any costs, whether direct or incidental, incurred by the Customer as the result of delays caused by bad weather, trail conditions, river levels, road conditions, transportation delays, sickness, government intervention or other contingencies which are beyond the control of southern explorations will not be reimbursed.

Thank you so much for choosing Cusco Journeys!!!

Overview:

The Ausangate trek 5 Days 4 nights is the ultimate trekking destination in the Cusco area. This beautiful snow-capped peak is one of the main features of the Cusco skyline but very few people actually ever see it up close. The area around Ausangate is full of natural beauty; with azure lakes and the majestic snow-capped peak ever present, trekking here is truly amazing.

Ausangate trek really allows you to see a part of Peru few ever visit, this unforgettable trail is perfect for people who love to get away from it all.

By booking the Ausangate Trek with Cusco Journeys & Adventure you are choosing the best. Don’t believe us? Check out our reviews on Tripadvisor.

Useful Information

• Starting Altitude – 3800m / 12,467ft.
• Highest Altitude – 5200m / 17,056ft.
• Walking Distance – ?km / ? miles
• Longest Day – Day ?, approximately ?km / ? miles
• Coldest Night – Day ? around ?º celsius
• Overall Difficulty – V. Difficult

Itinerary:

Pre-trek briefing:

You will have a through briefing with your guide 1 or 2 days before your Ausangate Hike. Your guide will meet you at our office in Cusco and you can take this opportunity to ask questions and make any final preparations.

Day 1. Cusco – Upis  – Yana Qocha

We pick you up from your hotel at 4:30 am to leave the city of Cusco, we will then have three and a half hours driving to get Upis town, along the way we will see picturesque towns, and we will stop for a couple of times to enjoy the sceneries, once we arrive in Upis (the headtrail, 4,350m/ 14,272ft).

We will meet up our local muleteers and horses, where we’ll have our breakfast and get ready to start the great adventure, we will hike gradually uphill for about 2 hours and 30 minutes following the highland valley inhabited by llamas and alpacas with dramatic vistas of Ausangate in backdrop to get the lunch spot located in Pamparapa (4,600m / 15,092 feet).

Today, we’ll have lunch at a very scenic spot still with Ausangate Mt at the background. After eating the delicious meal, we’ll still hike up for about 3 hours and 30 minutes to get the first campsite, called Yana Qocha 4,650 m / 15,256 ft, from lunch spot we’ll hike for two hours to get the first pass called Arapa pass 4,800 m/ 15,748 ft, at this point we’ll be impressed by stunning views of eroded mountains, and highland valleys.

We will then hike downhill for 1 hour and 30 minutes to get the campsite, a place with amazing views around of the Ausangate mountain. All meals included.

• Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.46 miles
• Hiking Time: 6 – 7 hours approx
• Overnight Accommodations: Camping facilities
• Lowest Point: 4,350mt. / 14,272ft.
• Highest Point: 4,800mt. / 15,748ft.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, afternoon tea time and dinner

Day 2, Yana Qocha – Qomer Qocha 

In the morning we will have a beautiful sunrise at the top of towering rocks and mountains, we will enjoy this view while having our breakfast, after having breakfast we will start trekking on an uneven trail (up and downs) this section of the trail is one of the most picturesque ones, as the blue and turquoise colored lagoons surround the bottom part of the massif Ausangate mountain 6.384 m / 20,945 ft, the highest mountain in Cusco.

After hiking for 1 hour and 30 minutes, we will start hiking up on a switchback trail to the next pass at 5,000 m / 16,404 ft. In which, we will enjoy the very dramatic vistas of Vilcanota range going in different directions, colored hills, and the glacier peaks.

From this pass, we will hike downhill to get the valley part and follow up the valley to reach our lunch spot located at the place called Ananta 4,650 m/ 15,256 ft. After lunch, we will continue trekking uphill for 2 hours to reach the next pass called Warmisaya 5,000 m / 16,404 ft from this place, we will be able to spot the Rainbow Mountain in a further distance and views are still very impressive.

The last section is downhill for 30 minutes to get the second campsite located at Qomer Qocha 4,680 m / 15,354 ft. All meals included.

• Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.45 miles
• Hiking Time: 8 – 9 hours approx
• Overnight Accommodations: Camping facilities
• Lowest Point: 4,600mt. / 15,092ft.
• Highest Point: 5,000mt. / 16,404ft.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Day 3, Qomer Qocha – Rainbow Mountain – Ausangate Qocha 

Today’s nutritious breakfast makes us ready to go exploring the Rainbow Mountain. After enjoying our breakfast in the very early morning, we will hike up for about 1 hour and 30 minutes to get the famous Rainbow Mountain 5,050 m / 16,568 ft. And we will beat the large crowds for sure and this place will be just for us for about 45 minutes, which is enough time to enjoy the site.

After having enough time at this place, we will return by the same trail to Ananta (lunch spot of day 2), where we will have lunch again at about 12:30 pm. This afternoon, we will still continue hiking for 3 more hours to the next campsite called Ausangate Qocha 4,700 m / 15,420 ft, for about. All meals included.

• Hiking Distance: 15 km / 9.32 miles
• Hiking Time: 9 – 10 hours approx
• Overnight Accommodations: Camping facilities
• Lowest Point: 4,600mt. / 15,091ft.
• Highest Point: 5,000mt. / 16,400ft.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Day 4, Ausangate Qocha – Jampa. 

Another great day to enjoy the mind-blowing coloured hills next to the Ausangate Mt (6,384m/ 20,945 feet), the highest mountain in Cusco, and see more glacier lagoons, after having breakfast.

We will begin again with our trekking, the trail takes us to the next pass called Palomani that is at 5,130m / 16,831 feet the highest pass on the whole trail; where, we will start to take a glance the massive mountain and some other colored hills which are still close by, then, we will walk downhill to get the valley part, where we will eat our lunch.

In the late afternoon we will walk up for 2 more hours to the next camp spot located at an elevation of 4,700 m / 15,420 feet. Where in the evening we will have tea time, subsequently dinner.

• Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles
• Hiking Time: 7 – 8 hours
• Overnight Accommodations: camping facilities
• Lowest Point: 4,600mt. / 15,092ft.
• Highest Point: 5,130mt. / 16,826ft.
• Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Level of difficulty: Challenging

Day 5, Jampa – Pacchanta Town – Cusco

Wake up hot coca tea in the morning to have another great day, after having breakfast we’ll hike up for 2 hours and 30 minutes to the last pass called Jhampa 5,060 m / 16,601 ft, where we’ll have amazing glacier peaks right infront of us. We will then trek downhill to get our last scenic lunch spot.

After lunch we’ll trek for 2 more hours to get the Pacchanta Town. Where we’ll have a chance to swim at hot springs which is optional, and at this place we’ll say goodbye to our muleteers, we will eventually drive back to hotel in Cusco for about 3 hours and 30 minutes. 

• Hiking Distance: 12 km / 6.83 miles
• Hiking Time: 7 – 8 hours
• Lowest Point: 4,300mt. / 14,104ft.
• Highest Point: 5,030mt. / 16,498ft.
• Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Machu Picchu Extensions:

Rainbow Mountain and Ausangate treks do not include a final day at Machu Picchu. However, Cusco Journeys offers several Machu Picchu extensions that can be added either before or after your trek.

1. Our Machu Picchu Tour is an excellent way to relax in comfort after a beautiful yet challenging multi-day trek.
2. The Machu Picchu and Moray-Salt mine extension combines authentic, off the beaten path experiences along with a visit to Peru’s wonder of the world.
3. The Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley extension fits all the highlights of the area in a few quick days.
4. The Machu Picchu and Short inca trail 2 Days / 1 Night extension fits all the highlights of the area in a few quick days.

What’s Included:

• Pre-departure briefing.
• Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transport to Upis, starting point of the trek.
• Upis entrance fee.
• Rainbow Mountain entrance fee.
• Campsite fees.
• Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. 
• One inflatable sleeping pad per person.
• Dining tent with tables and chairs.
• Kitchen tent.
• Toilet tent with biodegradable toilet facilities.
• English speaking professional and official tourist guide (2 guides for groups of over 9 people).
• Chef and cooking equipment.
• Pack animals (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment).
• Pack animals to carry personal gear up to a maximum of 8kg per person (including sleeping pad and sleeping bag).
• 1 emergency horse every 8 persons.
• Wranglers.
• Accommodation for all our staff.
• Meals (04B, 05L, 04D.
• Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost.
• Filtered boiled water from lunch time on 1st day onwards.
• Bio-degradable personal hand soaps.
• Bio-degradable dishwashing detergents used by our kitchen staff.
• Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead.
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
• Private transport from Pacchanta to Cusco, including transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
• 24-h guest service: please ask for the emergency number available during your time of visit.

What’s Not Included:

• First Breakfast and last dinner.
• Sleeping bag.
• Energy snacks which can very useful such as chocolate and granola bars and dried fruits.
• Spending money – allow approximately US$ 35-50 per day to cover meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, tips and any extras.
• Sleeping bag and breakfast on the first day.
• Travel insurance
• **Tips for Guide, cook and horsemen.

What we recommend that you bring:

• A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
• Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping. A down
• jacket is especially recommended for this trek since it runs at high altitude and temperatures may easily drop
• below freezing in the evening and at nights
• Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
• Camera and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sun block
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Handkerchiefs
• Toilet paper
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning
• snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients
• being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection
• Water container and water for the first morning
• Optionally: water- sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route.
• Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
• Small towel
• Swimsuit (if you wish take a dip at the hot springs along the route)
• Cash in soles and/or US$
• Copy of original passport
• Optional: walking sticks or poles

Permits are needed for your chosen start date. Tour prices are based on the number of people in a group. Prices are valid from March 2024 through January 2025. All prices quoted are $USD

Price: $559 per person

* We need a minimum of 2 people to run the tour. We guarantee that your tour will be limited to a maximum of 8 people.

Important: Price includes up to 8 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules (NO need of extra Porter hire!).

Rentals:

• Hiking poles – US$20.00
• Sleeping bag – US$25.00
• Sleeping bag Deluxe Package (+ Pillow & Liners) US$35.00
• Private Tent – US$30.00

By booking or participating in a tour and any related products or services (a “Tour”) with Cusco Journeys, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.

Booking:

1. Your booking is confirmed and a contract exists when the Tour Operator or your travel agent issues a written confirmation after receipt of the applicable deposit amount. Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to the Tour Operator or authorized agent immediately. Please ensure that names are exactly as stated in the relevant passport.
2. You will pay a deposit which is completely non-refundable in any situation. There are no exceptions.
3. You will be required to show the original passport (not a copy) that you booked with, at the checkpoint to enter the Inca Trail. If you originally booked with an old passport and then renewed your passport, you must also bring your expired passport along with your new, valid passport to permit entry or they will refuse your entrance to the trail.
4. The only acceptable ID to receive a Student Discount is your University Card with a clear expiration date that must be the same year as trek. IDs with expiry dates the following year, even though clearly valid, will not be accepted by the Peruvian government. You must submit a copy of this card at time of booking.

Cancellations:

1. Cancellations: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 40% is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing (we do not accept medical notes of any kind) as our out of pocket expenses are non-refundable to us.. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:

ONCE BOOKED, DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. CHART BELOW OUTLINES WHAT FURTHER FEES WILL BE DUE.

Inca Trail Tours:

1. Permits: Permits for the Inca Trail are in your name and can not be transferred to anyone else under any circumstances. Change of dates is also not possible once a permit has been purchased. Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. The deposit will be forfeited. Please note that this is a regulation of the Peruvian government and not Cusco Journeys (or any agency).
2. In extreme cases when the “Inca Trail to Machu Picchu” is declared closed for safety reasons, Cusco Journeys will replace your trek with an alternative trek.
3. Those who booked PERMITS with a Student ID must bring that ID with them on the trek. If they fail to show this card to the Park Rangers, they will not be allowed entry onto the trail.

Medical Information:

1. You must advise Cusco Journeys of any medical problems or allergies you may have. You need to be in good physical health, and if your health is questionable, then you should consult a doctor. If you are over the age of 70 years old, then you will need to present us with a current good health medical certificate.
2. You are responsible for assessing whether a Tour is suitable for you. You should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. You should seek your physician’s advice on vaccinations and medical precautions. The Tour Operator does not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the Tour based on your own unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level and medical requirements.
3. Cusco Journeys reserves the right to deny you permission to travel or participate in any aspect of a Tour at any time and at your own risk and expense where the Tour Operator determines that your physical or mental condition renders you unfit for travel or you represent a danger to yourself or others.
4. Pregnancy is considered a medical condition and must be disclosed to the Tour Operator at the time of booking. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry pregnant women over 24 weeks. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry anyone with certain medical conditions if reasonable accommodation or alternatives cannot be arranged.
5. It is strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance to protect you in case of medical emergency or any tour cancellations.

Tours and Treks:

1. All balances need to be paid in either cash, Western Union, Transfer Bank or PayPal (in full) prior to the briefing which will be held the night before your tour. Visa incurs a 5% service fee and if you need to use another card, it must be through PayPal which incurs a 5.5% service fee.
   You must advise your guide if you wish to leave the group or the camping area for independent walks or sightseeing. If you are experiencing any problems with the services of the guide or tour, please advise the guide in that moment, so that he can resolve any problems.
2. All Adventure Treks include transportation to Cusco. The return train route depends on train availability.
3. If you become ill or injured on the trail and are unable to continue, a porter will be provided to accompany you back to an area with emergency assistance capabilities. Helicopter air lifts and medical assistance are at the expense of the trekker. If you are unable to complete the tour due to illness, we will assist you in meeting your group at Machu Picchu to recommence your tour at that point. There will be no refund of the original payment. However, we will prepare a document to certify illness which can be presented for your travel insurance.
4. Cusco Journeys will take all reasonable care in providing to our clients avoidance of accident, illness, and loss of personal property, and will only employ suitably qualified staff. We accept responsibility for the actions of our own employees. Cusco Journeys cannot, however, be responsible for any action of third parties. You are totally responsible for your own personal property and rented equipment.
5. Cusco Journeys does not take responsibility for unfavorable weather conditions, natural catastrophe, strikes, accidents, illness, injury, loss of personal ítems, etc. It is the client’s responsibility to carry insurance to cover these types of events. We reserve the right to modify or cancel the program due to any of the unforeseen conditions listed above.
6. Cusco Journeys may modify your itinerary where reasonably required in its sole discretion.
7. Group tours might be as large as 16 participants. Groups are open to everyone no matter skill or age. By accepting a Group Tour you acknowledge that others might change the speed and timing of the tour.
8. All tours are done in English.

Delays:

1. Any costs, whether direct or incidental, incurred by the Customer as the result of delays caused by bad weather, trail conditions, river levels, road conditions, transportation delays, sickness, government intervention or other contingencies which are beyond the control of southern explorations will not be reimbursed.

Thank you so much for choosing Cusco Journeys!!!