Classic Inca Trail is sold out? Fear not! This is the perfect alternative option; you will start hiking from the outskirts of Cusco city, following the ancient Inca Trail that connected the capital of the great Inca Empire with the provinces located in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. This trail was used by the Last Inca King who moved his rebel army in 1536 from Cusco to the Last Capital of Incas during the XVI century.
Alternative Inca Trail to Machu Picchu The Alternative Inca Trail is a 4-day trek to Machu Picchu, We will start nearby Cusco city hiking along ancient Inca Trails, visit local communities, Llamas, alpacas, beautiful archaeological sites such as Huchuy Qosqo, Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, hike the Short Inca trail arriving to Machu Picchu through the sun gate in the afternoon making this trip really unique since we can see the sunset at Machu Picchu, and next day we will go up to Machu Picchu the see the sunrise again to see Machu Picchu for a second time. DAY 1: Cusco – Tambomachay – Quenko (13 km, 8 hrs) To Book a tour you only need to send a 200.USD deposit, the remaining balance can be paid in Cusco with any credit card with no additional charges at all. Discount: The ID must have: Name of the university, name of the person, photo and expirations date no later than Dec 31st fo the year of travel, Please send a copy of your ID to booking@trexperienceperu.com for verification. Huayna Picchu – Tickets must be booked in advance at $75 per person. Takes 2 hours round trip Montaña Climb – Tickets must be booked in advance at $75 per person. Takes 3.5 hours round trip Price per person: 670.USD
DAY 1: CUSCO – TAMBOMACHAY – QENKO Depart from your hotel at 5:30 AM and drive to Tambomachay just 20 minutes outside of Cusco. We will start slowly hiking up to the highest mountain passes with vast grasslands, birds, and beautiful lakes along the way. The hike is about for hours to lunch at Koriccocha Lake at 3700m (12130ft). Once lunch is over we will start the second part of the day to Quenqo Village at 3800m (12467ft), along the way is possible to sport herds of Llamas an alpacas that they belong to the villager, Quenko is a small village with few hundred inhabitants who survive from the agriculture. Spent the night in a tent. Distance: 10 km/8.1 miles DAY 2 QENKO – HUCHUY QOSCO – LAMAY –OLLANTAYTAMBO Enjoy the Local Village early in the morning with a cup of coffee while you enjoy the first rays of the sun, after breakfast, we will start a gradual up and down to Huchuy Qosqo 3600m (1118127ft) a spectacular ancient city on top of the Sacred Valley, Along the way you pass refreshing streams, beautiful canyons, and breathtaking views. After exploring the Inca Site, we will continue for 15. hours into the Sacred Valley, Our chef will be waiting with a special Lunch that local love, PACHAMANCA, The last part of the will be traveling by van along the Sacred Valley until we arrive in Ollantaytambo where we will check-in in a hotel. Distance: 8 km/5 miles DAY 3: OLLANTAYTAMBO– KM104 – MACHU PICCHU PUEBLO (AGUAS CALIENTES) Wake up early in your hotel, breakfast and then take the train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104, to begin the Inca Trail. Once you pass the checkpoint you will start the final and most impressive stretch of the full Inca Trail. You will visit amazing Inca Sites, see a vast variety of flora and fauna, and finally arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. This trek allows you to visit the most impressive sites inside the Inca Trail and you will have the chance to arrive twice to Machu Picchu, if you plan properly the times, you can arrive after 4:00 pm to Machu Picchu and you will find the place almost empty since everybody start leaving the citadel early. After enjoying a full day in teh Inca trail and Machu Picchu, You will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, check-in, dinner in a local restaurant and sleep early for the next day. Highest altitude: 2700m / 8858ft DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU (LOST CITY OF THE INCAS) The guided tour takes about 2 to 23 hours, where your tour guide will show you the best of Machu Picchu. Later you will have time to explore by yourself or either climb Huayna Picchu or Montaña, These tickets need to be booked in advance. After you are done with Machu Picchu, you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch ( not included) and then take the Panoramic train and bus back to Cusco. The TreXperience Team will meet you off the train and return you safely to your hotel. Guided Tour: 2 – 3 hours
Included during the trek Not Included All hikers need a warm sleeping bag for camping during the trek. We recommend a sleeping bag that keeps you warm during temperatures as low as -10C. Air mattresses and trekking poles are optional but recommended. If you don’t want to bring all these bulky items from home, you can rent them from us.
Below is a list of items that we highly recommend you keep with you at all times in your backpack. Remember you will be carrying this with you every day of the trek, so we recommend you bring a good quality daypack which is both light and comfortable. It is important to note that due to local regulations, your backpack should not exceed 25L. All larger backpacks cannot be taken into Machu Picchu and will need to be stored outside the gates. During the trek will provide you with a duffel bag in which you can pack any items that you won’t need to keep with you during the day. Our porters will carry this bag for you throughout the trek. Please note this bag should weigh a maximum of 7 kg including the weight of your sleeping bag and air mattress (if you bring/rent one). When rented from us, these two items weigh approximately 3 kg. During the Inca Trek, you will travel through different temperatures as you climb/descend, it can also be cold at night when at the campsite. Therefore layers work best!
ARRIVING IN CUSCO We advise all hikers to arrive in Cusco at least two days prior to your TreXperience. This will enable you to get used to the high altitude. Those who have not had time to acclimatize may struggle with the treks. Cusco is a domestic airport only and therefore international visitors typically arrive via Lima. The easiest and fastest way to get to Cusco from Lima is to take a flight. The bus journey from Lima to Cusco is very long (approximately 20 hours). Visitors traveling to Cusco from closer cities in Peru are advised to take a bus. There are a number of companies in Peru operating very comfortable bus journeys. We advise you to book your bus journey in advance as tickets do sell out. There are many hotels locates throughout Cusco city. If you require any assistance with booking a hotel or would like some recommendations of where to stay then please do not hesitate to contact the TreXperience Team. PLANNING YOUR TIME IN CUSCO If you have some extra time in Cusco either before or after your TreXperience then we would be happy to help you plan your time or organize excursions: Cusco is situated high up in the Andes which makes the weather very hard to forecast. In Cusco, we have two seasons; the rainy season, which runs from November to March, and the dry season which is from April to October. We advise all visitors to prepare for all types of weather by carrying the following items with them at all times; a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and good rain gear. Additionally, many of our treks involve quick transfers from the cold, high mountains to warm, sub-tropical climates. Therefore layers work best! Its always better to be prepared for all weather types so you can concentrate on having the best possible experience. ALTITUDE SICKNESS OR “SOROCHE” Cusco city is located at 3300 meters above sea level so the air is thinner here, with less oxygen than you may be used to. Some visitors experience altitude sickness, in particular when they first arrive to the city. We advise all hikers to arrive at least two days prior to their trek to give themselves time to acclimatize. Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes, however, are located much lower – at around 2000 meters – therefore you are less likely to suffer from altitude sickness in these locations. If you do find yourself struggling with the altitude, the following tips should help you: HOW DIFFICULT ARE THE TREKS? All our Trexperiences are designed so that they can be accomplished by trekkers of every ability. Some sections of the trek are challenging while others are much easier. Remember that nothing is impossible. Our guides are very experienced, they are used to accommodating groups of mixed abilities, and they will, of course, be there to help you. We advise that you exercise regularly prior to your trip and that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 days ahead of your trek to acclimatize to the altitude. BOOKING WITH TREXPERIENCE We want to ensure booking with us convenient and stress free. All we require from you is your deposit and your details (name, passport number and dates of your trek). We will take care or everything. You can pay the remaining balance to us when you arrive to Cusco. All reservations with Trexperience Peru require a $200 deposit per person. However, if you opt for the deluxe package then the deposit is $400 per person. Deposits need to pay via PayPal. “No Extra Fees with TreXperience”. Unfortunately all deposits are non-refundable as they will be used to secure your reservation by purchasing permits and entrance tickets. RESTRICTIONS ON THE NUMBER OF VISITORS TO THE INCA TRAIL AND MACHU PICCHU The number of visitors to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are limited by the government. There is a limit of 500 people per day to the Inca Trail and 2500 people per day to Machu Picchu. Additionally, train tickets, tickets to Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain all sell out well in advance. In high seasons hotels may also sell out. We, therefore, recommend you book your trek as far in advance as possible to avoid disappointment. We are always here to help if you require any support. UPDATING PASSPORT NUMBERS If you renew your passport between booking your trek and traveling to Peru then please let us know as far in advance as possible and we will be able to assist you. Don’t forget to send a photocopy of both your passports to info@trexperienceperu.com and bring both passports when you travel. DO I NEED TO CARRY MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS? TreXperience will provide a personal porter for your belongings (up to a maximum of 7 kg in weight) for all tours longer than 3 days. You will be provided with a duffel bag at the briefing (on the night prior to your trek) in which you can pack all your belongings the night before. Please remember this duffel bag also needs to contain your sleeping bag and air mattress. All you need to carry with you on the trek is a small, light daypack for your water, snacks, camera, etc. so you can relax and enjoy the journey! Our porters also carry all the equipment and food required for the trek. The porters will reach the lunch locations and campsites ahead of you and set everything up so it’s ready for your arrival! LUGGAGE STORAGE During the trek, you do not need to be concerned about where to store your luggage. If you cannot store it at your hotel then TreXperience is happy to look after it for you. Just have your bags ready and clearly identifiable on the morning of your trek, we will keep them safe and return them to you at the end of your TreXperience when we drop you off at your hotel. WHO GETS A DISCOUNT? If you have a valid university student card or you are under the age of 17 at the time of your trek then you are entitled to a discount of $35. All you need to do is send us a photocopy of your card when making your booking. TOILETS / SHOWERS DURING THE TREK At TreXperience we have introduced the latest and finest Porta-potty toilets and hot showers on all our tours to maximize your trekking experience. CATERING TreXperience are proud of their highly talented chefs who never fail to cook up a delightful feast despite being in the middle of the Andean Mountains! All chefs specialize in Andean cuisine and are able to cater for all dietary requirements so please let us know in advance of your needs. All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are provided each day (except lunch on the final day) and the food is both delicious and plentiful. We guarantee the biggest foodies among you won’t fail to be impressed. We will keep those energy levels high with snacks each day and we make sure you have a tea/coffee every morning to wake up and every afternoon to unwind. WATER TreXperience will provide all the water you need from the first lunch to the last breakfast. This water is boiled, filtered and cooled and so it is perfectly safe to drink. You will need to bring water storage with you – either a camel bag or water bottle(s) – big enough for at least two liters of water. We also ask that you start your trek on the very first morning with your containers full of drinking water so you have enough water to last you until lunchtime. This is because the porters do not have enough time to get to the first breakfast site ahead of you and prepare the drinking water. PACKING BULKY ITEMS We understand that many visitors to Cusco will be traveling elsewhere both in Peru and beyond and so packing bulky, heavy items can be inconvenient. We would be able to assist you with acquiring all the items you need for your trek including sleeping bags, trekking poles, air mattresses, hiking shoes, and rain gear. As always, please let us know in advance of your needs. VACCINATIONS You may require some additional vaccinations before traveling to Peru. Please don’t forget to consult with your doctor well in advance of your trip so they can advise you.
WHY CHOOSE TREXPERIENCE RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL We are a 100% local tour operator and our aim is to maximize the positive effects of tourism on local communities and the environment. We do this by hiring local staff (including porters, chefs, guides, suppliers) and involving them in a sustainable business model that benefits everyone. Additionally, we organize activities that support the development of local communities and promote environmental conservation. These include cultural exchanges, volunteering, direct donations and clean up campaigns. Our philosophy is that we “leave no trace” in every single place that we visit, and we encourage each and every one of our staff, guides, and guests follow these principles to preserve these magical places. BETTER TREATMENT TO OUR PORTERS Collectively our team has a wealth of experience of working in the tourism industry. Therefore we understand that to ensure 100% guest satisfaction, it is essential to take a good care of your workers, who will in turn take good care of your customers. During your hike we will provide you with the best tour guides and chefs, but it is the porters who are more often that are forgotten. Porters are the backbone of this business and for so many years we have been fighting for their better treatment and better working conditions. This is a personal battle since I – the founder of Trexperience Peru – started out as a porter and my father was a porter before me. Working as a porter on the Inca Trail helped me to study, travel around the world, and start my own company. Therefore, Trexperience Peru pledges a number of commitments to our porters: What we do: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT AND PROJECTS We are extremely proud to work with local communities and to help protect the environment; we love the places we visit and are dedicated to preserving them. To ensure this, Trexperience has partnered with other companies to build a GREENHOUSE in the community of Parompampa; located 2 hours from Cusco. Here we are growing vegetables and native trees and we encourage you to come and visit us! Vegetables: We grow the following vegetables in our greenhouse. We then invite members from local villages to take one of each and plant them back in their communities. We will also provide them with some basic farming training to ensure it is a successful and sustainable program. Native trees: When you plant a new tree, you create new life. Trees help to remove carbon dioxide from the environment, attract native birds and help to maintain a clean water supply. We are working extremely hard to grow new trees that will later be donated to local communities. We will also organize a group of volunteers to go and plant them. COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SOCIAL PROJECTS We have opened a library in the community of Cachiccata in Ollantaytambo. This village has approximately 80 families, all of which work in agriculture. Until recently, the children at the local school had no access to a library, a computer, or to the internet. In partnership with other companies and with help from sponsors and charitable donations, Trexperience donated the following facilities to help the school: What we Provide: · Two shelves full of text books for all grades · Two computers and a laptop with full internet access · A printer · New tables and chairs Although this a small project, it will have a huge impact on the children of Cachiccata school who will now have access to the resources they need for a quality education and a bright future. You can always help this cause by booking a tour with Trexperience, by visiting the community to make a donation directly or even volunteering during your free time. BEST TOUR GUIDES As a new and unique company we offer a personalized service to all our passengers throughout each and every one of our tours. Our tour guides are selected for their extensive experience, training, responsibility and professionalism in order to show off our beautiful country and share their unique experiences. They have guided hundreds of tours and speak fluent English and Quechua – the native Inca language – allowing them to communicate with both guests and local villagers. ALTERNATIVE PORTA-POTTY TOILET AND HOT SHOWER IN OUR TOURS: We have taken on board the feedback from our previous guests who were uncomfortable with the public toilets along the Inca Trail and are introducing our latest Alternative Porta-potty toilets and hot showers. These facilities are available on all our tours. SAFETY AND SECURITY The safety and security is our absolute top priority. We have an excellent record in terms of safety throughout the operation of all our treks. Our team of professional guides have undertaken training with the AHA (American Heart Association) as well as NOLS Wilderness medicine. Guides will carry a first aid kit for basic medical problems and oxygen with them at all times. They are very experienced in dealing with common issues associated with the altitude or the environment and know how to make you feel better. In the extremely rare case that something unexpected happens and you no longer feel you can complete the trek, your guide will figure out the safest and quickest way to get you to the nearest clinic. You will never be left alone and you will have a member of the team to escort you every step of the way until you are 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 comfortably by train. OUR EQUIPMENT TREXPERIENCE only operates with the highest quality equipment to ensure your experience is as comfortable as possible, these include:
Overview
Day by Day Summary
DAY 2: Quenko – Huchuy Qosqo – Lamay – Ollantaytambo(8 km, 7 hrs)
DAY 3: Ollantaytambo – Km104 –Sungate – Machu Picchu (15km 7hrs)
DAY 4: Machu Picchu (The Lost City of the Incas) – 4 hoursHighlights of the Alternative Inca Trail
We offer a 30$ discount to all travelers under 17 years old and students with valid ID under 25 years old. Optional hikes after Machu Picchu tour:
Full Itinerary
Duration: 6 hours
Meals: lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: moderate
Duration of hike: 5 hours hike
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: easy
Distance: 15km, 7 hours
Meals: Lunch, snacks & dinner
Accommodation: Killa INN or similar
Difficulty: Moderate
The final day, you will wake up in your hotel and have an early breakfast and take the first buses up to Machu Picchu. If the weather is good you will be able to witness the sunrise over Machu Picchu, which is truly an unforgettable experience. You will have the chance to go to the Inca Bridge or spend some time in the upper part of Machu Picchu before starting the tour.
Meals: Breakfast (hotel)
Accommodation: not included
Difficulty: EasyWhat's Included?
Packing List
ABSOLUTE ESSENTIALS FOR THE TREK:
FOR YOUR DAYPACKS:
ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR YOUR DUFFEL BAGS:
Important Info
Why Us?
As a company that cares deeply about the communities we serve, TREXPERIENCE takes pride in supporting our brothers and sisters throughout the Andean communities; a region that holds a special place in our hearts. We make a special effort to ensure our tours are conducted in a way that supports local residents and communities, provide donations to local schools and involve local brothers in our industry. Above all, we are dedicated to creating something unique and permanent, which allows us to play an active role in the development of our communities.
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