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Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Trip

A “Modern-Day” Adventure! Machu Picchu, often called the “Lost City of the Incas,” has recently been named one of the New Wonders of the World! Experience the ancient trails and lush Peruvian paths of the Inca Trail on our Machu Picchu Trip. Journey to one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites on this breathtaking adventure!

What’s Included

ALL LAND COSTS INCLUDED!

• Internal flights to a from Cusco
• 4 days/3 nights trek on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
• 1 extra full day at Machu Picchu/overnight in Aguas Calientes
• 2 days/3 nights at Casa Andinia Plaza Cusco
• 3 full days for acclimatization including cultural tours in and around Cusco and Sacred Valley
• 1 night at Hotel Pakaritampu in Ollyatatambo
• 1 day/2 nights in Lima at Grand Faraona Hotel including Lima cultural tour
• Internal flights to and from Cusco/Lima
• All transfers to and from Jorge Chavez International airport in Lima and Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco
• Expert local guide and Backwoods Adventures guide Joe Koehly
• Minimum 3 pre-departure information conference calls with Backwoods Adventures guide Joe Koehly
• All meals, cultural tour transportation, sanctuary and ruins fees, and all guide fees

What’s Not Included

• All airfare to and from Lima (Inquire to learn more about our flight booking service)
• Personal gear and clothing
• Alcoholic drinks, extra drinks and snacks
• Gratuities
• Extras; laundry, massage, internet, etc.

Experience the ancient Inca Trail of magnificent stone structures, located in the heart of the Andes, covered in beautiful landscapes and filled with exotic flora and fauna. Throughout the trek, you will see astounding architectural enclosures attached to mountainsides, including temples, homes and sculptures.

We’ll also experience the diverse culture and tour colorful markets of the Peruvian villages, where the locals practice a lifestyle filled with ancient traditions. We will visit historic Peruvian cities, explore numerous Incan ruins, and immerse ourselves in the language, history, cuisine, and culture of this great country. From the arid coast to the Amazonian rainforest, with the world famous Andes in between Peru is as diverse culturally as it is geographically. We will focus on the Andes and one of the most important archeological finds in South American history, Machu Picchu.

This unique and unforgettable adventure offers amazing views on a spectacular hike to the famed ancient ruins, while highlighting the aspects of the magical Peruvian culture.

Travel in a fully supported trekking style, carrying only your daily needs while our local staff handles all camp operations. Enjoying the freedom of hiking under a light pack while hearing the history of the landscape from an expert Peruvian guide and relaxing in camp each night under the mountain stars!

Meals

At Backwoods Adventures we know that well fed travelers are happy travelers! We aim to please your palate. These examples may not be the exact fare of the day and may change from day to day, but following are a few examples of our daily meals:

Breakfast: Breakfasts are typically eggs, toast, meat, and fruit along with a selection of hot drinks.
Lunch: Lunches will be some combination of bread, cheese, cucumbers and tomatoes, fried potatoes, fried bread, fruit, biscuits, and hot drinks.”Tea” is served mid-to-late afternoon with peanuts, popcorn, and/or biscuits.

Dinner: Dinners will be served with soup and bread first, followed by pasta, potatoes, or rice with different sauces, which are o en tomato-based with meat, beans, and vegetables.

Note: Vegetarian and other special diets can be accommodated. Because of the exercise and high altitude, you should drink 3-4 liters of water a day. The porters will boil water along the route for you.

Accommodations

Our accommodations will vary based on our location. However, all hotels are among the highest rated in the country both for location and amenities. We strive to deliver high quality and unique experiences in the country we are visiting! During the trek we will stay in spacious 4-person tents. All accommodations are on a twin sharing basis, unless otherwise arranged.

Health

Altitude – Our Machu Picchu Trip will take us to regions of high altitude. We always take our time to acclimatize properly by allowing for additional rest days. When gaining in altitude above 10,000 feet, we have included sufficient rest days to ensure that you acclimatize properly. While many people may experience minor ill effects from high altitudes, there are some who have persistent symptoms that require returning to a lower altitude or, in extreme cases, emergency evacuation. We do our best to allow a pace for everyone to acclimatize. Listening to your guide will help a great deal. We cannot determine how you will do at altitude, but being in the best shape possible and having a lower body fat percentage will help greatly. The trek to Machu Picchu is a strenuous adventure and should not be undertaken if you have any health conditions which may put you at risk. You are strongly advised to consult your physician for a thorough medical check-up and clearance before attempting the mountain. If you are over 50 years old, talk to your doctor about doing a “stress EKG”. Should you require any medication whatsoever, you must provide your own and be able to administer it yourself. Medical supplies in third world countries are not reliable or guaranteed though we will have a fully stocked medical kit on the trip. Talk to your doctor about the following vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Malaria pills, prescriptions you are currently taking, or should take in case you get sick.

Visa Requirements

No tourist visa is required for stays of up to 90 days in Peru. Documents required for most entries in to Peru. Include: Valid Passport (must be valid for at least 6 months beyond entry), Pre-paid airline ticket to exit Peru, If you wish to learn more about travel requirements in Peru you can email the embassy at: consulate_ga@peru-embassy.org You should carry a photocopy of your passport, insurance information and emergency contact numbers with you at all times. You should leave a copy of this information with a friend or relative at home.

 

 

Trip Dates: 
2014 Dates TBD

Lake Titicaca Ext.: 2014 Dates TBD

Galapagos Cruise: 2014 Dates TBD

Or, book a custom adventure trip.

Pricing:
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu:
8 or more – $3,900
5 to 7 – $4,650
1 to 4 – Custom pricing

Lake Titicaca Ext.:
$799

Galapagos Cruise Ext.:
$3,999

Activities: Hiking/Trekking

Accommodations:
Grand Faraona Hotel, 2 nights; Casa Andina, 3 nights; Pakaritampu Hotel, 1 night; Inti Inn, 1 night; Inca Trail Camp,3 nights

Machu Picchu Links:
Peruvian Embassy
CDC Health Information
Weather for Cusco, Peru
Travel Insurance

Suggested Readings:
Buy these books at your local Backwoods store or call 1.877.331.4255.

Lonely Planet Peru

Detailed coverage of the breathtaking Machu Picchu and other archaeological sites $19.99

Explore the Inca Trail (Rucksack Readers)

This revised edition contains everything the walker needs to plan and enjoy hiking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu in Peru, choosing from three routes taking from 2-7 days. It includes advice on how to prevent and manage altitude sickness; background on Inca culture and the ruins; and advice on planning in the light of new Trail regulations. $17.95

 
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Area Facts and Details

    • Often referred to as “The Lost City of the Incas”, Machu Picchu is the most known symbol of the Inca Empire. Roughly translated from Quechua, the language of the Inca, Machu Picchu means “ Old Mountain Peak.”
    • Probably one of the most significant features of Machu Picchu history is the architecture. Like the pyramids of Egypt, it was created using massive stones hauled over great distances. However, unlike the Egyptians, the Incas didn’t use any kind of mortar to bind their stones together. Instead they cut the stones with such precision that they fit together so tightly that you couldn’t even fit a thin knife blade between them.
    • Machu Picchu is called the “lost city” because the jungle had literally swallowed it when Yale explorer Hiram Bingham III “rediscovered” it in 1911. When the overgrown vegetation was removed, the complex of ruins was revealed.
    • The Incas started building it around AD 1430 but was abandoned as an official site for the Inca rulers a hundred years later at the time of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire.
    • Machu Picchu is divided in 2 areas, the urban sector and the agriculture sector. The second one is a vast network of terraces and channels for the irrigation. The urban sector is divided in 2 neighborhoods, the upper and lower. In the upper one there are many temples, ritual chambers and also the royal bedroom. In the lower one there are many houses for the noblemen and their servants. Between both neighborhoods is a big plaza for ceremonies.
    • The facts Machu Picchu uncovered are so amazing that on July 7, 2007 it was named one of the new seven Wonders of the World joining other wonders such as the Great Wall of China.
    • The fauna in the reserve include the spectacles bear, cock-of-the-rocks or “tunqui”, tankas, wildcats and an impressive variety of butterflies and insects unique in the region.
 
 

Something Life Changing Is Just One Adventure Away!

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  • "My general comments are…this was THE BEST trip of my life, by far(and I have been places). The group, Joe, the supporting company, the hike, the safari, the whole overall experience was absolutely amazing and I would recommend it to anybody who loves Nature, adventure and physical challenges.

    Carlos Q. – Kilimanjaro 2011

  • "This trip far exceeded my expectations. I knew it would be beautiful, but it was more beautiful than I expected. I knew the good would be good, but it was better. I knew Joe would be good, but then there was Beatrice and Caroline. I knew the group would be good and fun loving…but it was even more fun than I thought!"

    Rich C. – Mont Blanc 2011

  • "Great success overall. Definitely and experience I will remember for a long long time. The flexibility offered on the trip was greatly appreciated. Great call on gear list and was able to get all the appropriate gear at Backwoods."

    Dan M. – Costa Rica 2011

  • "The Salkantay/Machu Picchu trip was amazing. The icing on the cake was Joe's fantastic sense of humor, patience and unassuming nature. Backwoods Adventures was exceptionally well represented by Joe on this trip. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to fulfill a life list goal."

    Pam C. – Machu Picchu 2008

  • "Once again the Backwoods Adventures guides provided a well- planned, professional and entertaining outdoor experience. Great knowledge of the trail, the environment and culture of the canyon kept the trip interesting and engaging. Looking forward to my next trip!"

    Jim R. – Utah Canyons 2011

  • "I’m speechless. Having just returned from this very trip all I can say is – can I do it all over again? This trip is absolutely unbelievable at every level. The accommodations, the food, the people, the ruins, the hiking-I find I have to pinch myself while reviewing my pictures in order to believe that I was actually there!"

    - C. Blaise `2008

  • " Thank you to Joe for being our trip leader. His sense of humor and patience played a huge part in the success of the trip. It was a great experience that was planned well!"

    - R. & M. Hall `2009

  • "Not only was the food good, but the variety & impulsiveness was fun... keep it up. The lunch at Silencio was pleasantly unique, as were the roadside stops and new foods. I traveled with Backwoods as the positive result of a previous Backwoods trip and would be pleased to do so again."

    - J. Rogers `2008

  • "The whole Backwoods Adventure, from the slideshow, to the advice/shopping at the Norman store to the conference calls to the actual trip itself was fantastic. I hope to continue these trips as they provide a lot of value for the cost!"

    - Terry B `2011