Current as of: March 28, 2024 - 11:41

TPS

The Salkantay Trek Trip Notes

  • Ways to Travel: Guided Group, Private Group Adventures
  • Destination: Peru
  • Programmes: Walking & Trekking
  • Activity Level:

    5 out of 7 - Challenging

  • 14 Days: Land Only
  • Ages: 16+
  • Trip Code: TPS
  • Carbon Footprint: 14kg CO2e

Trip Overview

Trek amid the Vilcabamba mountains of Peru, then join the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

This ultimate Inca Trail trek spends four days trekking deep in the majestic Vilcabamba mountain range before joining the classic Inca Trail for the approach to Machu Picchu. This high route skirts many of the great peaks and passes close to Mount Salkantay (20,574ft/6,271m) and its creaking glaciers. The trek continues through remote villages and crosses the spectacular Inca Chiriasqa Pass to finally join the classic Inca Trail before finishing at the famous Inti Punku (Sun Gate).  This trek also allows plenty of time to explore the Inca temples and fortresses of Cuzco and the Sacred Valley.

Our classic Inca Trail trip is designed to give you more time to enjoy the trail by arriving to Machu Picchu in the afternoon for iconic photos and overnight in Aguas Calientes.  We return the next morning, fresh and well rested, for our in-depth tour of Machu Picchu and train back to Cuzco.

 

At a Glance

  • Seven nights in hotels and six nights of full-service camping
  • Seven days of walking with full porterage
  • Altitude maximum: 16,275ft (4,960m); average: 11,645ft (3,550m)
  • Travel by private minibus and by train
  • Inca Trail permit required – early booking essential
  • 22lb (10kg) personal baggage weight limit on trek

Highlights

  • Enjoy a remote full-service camping trek through the beautiful Vilcabamba range
  • Connect the Salkantay Trail and classic Inca Trail for the ultimate inca trail trek
  • Marvel at Mount Salkantay and its glaciers
  • Experience two unique visits to Machu Picchu for photos and fully guided exploration
  • Spend four nights in Cuzco, the old Inca capital
  • Explore the fortresses and markets of the Sacred Valley

Is This Trip for You?

This trip is graded as Activity Level 5 (Challenging). For more on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page.

There are seven days of point-to-point walking with full porterage, reaching a maximum altitude of approximately 16,275ft (4,960m), average 11,645ft (3,550m). More strenuous and at higher altitude than the classic Inca Trail, this trek has sections with difficult underfoot terrain, particularly on the descent from the high pass, which has a lot of loose gravel. The walking days are generally not long but there are some steep climbs and descents. The paths are well maintained on the main Inca Trail, but there are a lot of irregular stone steps, which can be tiring on the knees, so we recommend walking poles. You may find our Fitness Training Guide a useful reference.

Please note, it is essential you read the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu regulations in the Important Information section of the Trip Notes before you book this trip.

Some nights can be very cold (below freezing) and over the last few years there have been a few occasions where heavy snowfall has closed the Inca Chiriasqa Pass (Day 7). If this happens, the leader takes an amended route to join the Inca Trail. If the snow is very heavy, the group may retreat to Mollepata and then join the Inca Trail at Km82, the start of the normal Inca Trail. This is not a common occurrence but you should be aware it does occasionally happen (most likely in July and August although it is very unpredictable).

As this trip spends considerable time at altitude, we ask you to refer to the altitude warning within the Trip Notes. We spend three days in Cuzco (11,155ft/3,400m) acclimatising before starting the trek.

Protest action/strikes are not uncommon in Peru and, while these are generally peaceful, they can involve roadblocks and cause disruption to travel. Occasionally, your leader may have to adapt your itinerary in response to this.

Walking hours stated within the itinerary are given as approximates only. Timings stated include lunch and photo stops and vary depending on the group’s pace.

Group

We have a local tour leader and may have an assistant guide for the trek depending on group size. While trekking, we have a cook and assistant cook for the duration, mule/horse wranglers for the first half (to Huayllabamba) and human porters for the Inca Trail itself.

Adult min age: 16

Min group size: 4

Max group size: 16

Itinerary

The Salkantay Trek

Land Only

  • Start City: Cuzco
  • End City: Cuzco

Flight Inclusive

  • Start City: London
  • End City: London

Land Only Itinerary

Day 1
Start Cuzco; afternoon city tour

The trip starts in Cuzco. The Inca capital, small enough to be easily manageable, is among the most attractive cities in South America, with much of the centre comprising Colonial-era buildings with Inca foundations. It is also full of interesting museums, churches and pre-Columbian sites. We have a short walking tour of the city, including a visit to the Qoricancha Sun Temple.

Take it easy upon arrival into Cuzco and drink plenty of water to allow your body time to acclimatise to the altitude (11,155ft/3,400m).

There is a welcome briefing in the hotel lobby this evening.

Accommodation: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)

Day 2
Full-day walking tour of nearby ruins including Tambomachay and Sacsayhuaman

The hills above Cuzco are dotted with interesting Inca ruins. We drive to the highest, Tambomachay, and return on foot to Cuzco via Puca Pucara, Qenco and Sacsayhuaman: an easy walk to aid acclimatisation. An open-air picnic lunch is included during the hike near the spectacular ruins.

Accommodation: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)

Distance covered: 4mi (7km)

Activity hours: 5-6 (inclusive of the time for visiting the sites)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3
Free day in Cuzco

We have a free day in Cuzco to relax and further acclimatise before starting the tour. A range of optional activities and sightseeing excursions can be arranged, including visits to Inca and pre-Inca sites south of Cuzco, or walks in the hills surrounding the city but we recommend taking it relatively easy in preparation for the start of the trek tomorrow.

Accommodation: Mamasara Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4
Drive to Marcocasa; trek to camp at Soraypampa

A few hours’ drive, via the interesting Inca remains of Tarawasi (optional), takes us to the hill town of Mollepata where we make a brief stop, before continuing to Marcocasa, where we start our trek. We trek from here to our campsite near Soraypampa (12,830ft/3,910m) where we spend our first night under canvas. The total driving time is approximately four hours, and the walk takes around five to six hours of uphill and steady climbing along well-made tracks.

Accommodation: Soraypampa Camp (full-service camping)

Distance covered: 7mi (11km)

Activity hours: 5-6

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5
Optional walk to Humantay Lagoon and climb up to base of Salkantay

The morning begins, as all do on our Inca Trail trek, with a hot drink delivered to your tent. Start your day with an optional three-hour return walk to Humantay Lagoon to see the magnificent water mirror in the middle of the Andes. Return for an early lunch at the campsite of Soraypampa and then continue our ascent towards Salkantay, the “Savage Mountain” in local Quechua language, which soon dominates our view. We camp at around 14,435ft (4,400m) in the high grassy meadow of Ichu Pata, below the south face and glaciers of the impressive peak.

Accommodation: Salkantay Camp (full-service camping)

Distance covered: 4mi (7km)

Activity hours: 4-5

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6
Cross Inca Chiriasqa Pass and follow glaciated valley to Pampa Cahuana

The high point of the trek, and the goal this morning, is the Inca Chiriasqa pass at almost 16,400ft (5,000m). Climbing more steeply now, we walk close to the spectacular glaciers and ice walls of Nevado Salkantay. Passing through Pampa Japonesa, basecamp for a Japanese mountaineering expedition, we finally top the pass and gain excellent 360-degree views. Inca Chirisaqa means ‘the Inca fell ill from cold’ and the exposed situation makes it easy to see why. Descending from the pass, we drop down into the upper reaches of a broad valley where Salkantay reappears in a new profile. After passing a huge ridge of terminal moraine, once the snout of the East Salcantay Glacier, the river suddenly straightens, canalised by the Incas centuries ago. We camp alongside the canal close to the hamlet of Pampa Cahuana (12,695ft/3,870m).

Accommodation: Pampa Cahuana Camp (full-service camping)

Distance covered: 7mi (12km)

Activity hours: 6-7

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7
Follow river to camp at Huayllabamba

Setting off from camp this morning, we follow the canal, which soon drops into a steep-sided valley. The path follows the side of this valley all the way to Paucarcancha, an Inca watchtower which guarded the Pampa Cahuana valley. We have time to explore this small site before continuing to the village of Huayllabamba (10,170ft/3,100m) where we camp for the night.

Accommodation: Huayllabamba Camp (full-service camping)

Distance covered: 4mi (7km)

Activity hours: 5-6

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8
Join Inca Trail and summit Dead Woman's Pass

Today we join the main Inca Trail, the iconic trek to Machu Picchu. Today’s journey is both challenging and rewarding, marking the most demanding and best-known stretch of the trail. A slow and steady climb takes us through a cloud forest to the meadows of Llulluchapampa, then we summit Dead Woman’s (Warmihuañusca) Pass, the highest point on the trek at 13,829ft (4,215m). After a well-deserved round of high fives and photos at the summit, we begin our steep descent on original Inca steps to reach our campsite in the scenic valley of the Pacaymayu River (11,811ft/3,600m). Warm up in the dining tent with a hot, fresh meal followed by a well-deserved sleep under the Andean night sky.

Accommodation: Pacaymayu Camp (full-service camping)

Distance covered: 6mi (10km)

Activity hours: 6hr 30min to 7hr 30min

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9
Over Runquracay Pass to the ruins of Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca

After a hearty breakfast, we start the day with a climb, which takes us past the ruins of Runquracay and over the Runquracay Pass (12,894ft/3,930m), our second and final pass. From here, the Inca Trail becomes a clearly defined rolling path of flat boulders, providing access to sites only available to those on foot. One of the standout archeological sites we visit is Sayacmarca (11,893/3,625m), perched high above the green cloud forest. From here, we enjoy views of Salkantay mountain as we hike to our spectacular campsite on the ridge above the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca (12,073ft/3,680m), where we can enjoy the sunset and sunrise.

 Accommodation: Phuyupatamarca Camp (full-service camping)

Distance covered: 7mi (12km)

Activity hours: 5-6

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10
Walk down Inca steps to Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate

From Phuyupatamarca, we take the famous Inca steps: a 1.2mi (2km) stone staircase that rapidly descends into an immense panorama, with the peaks of the Vilcabamba range above and the Vilcanota River far below.

Reaching Wiñay Wayna, we have plenty of time to explore these beautiful ruins and eat lunch before continuing along a relatively flat section of the trail (by Inca standards, through cloud forest and wild orchids to finally reach Inti Punku (the Sun Gate).

From here, we get our first full sight of Machu Picchu, with the Huayna Picchu mountain rising behind… congratulations, you made it!

Inti Punku is traditionally busy with photo-taking trekkers in the morning, so our late afternoon arrival affords us unobstructed views of the magnificent ruins. We also get a chance to snap some classic photos of Machu Picchu before we take the 30-minute bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes for a shower and comfortable bed for the night.

Accommodation: Terraza de Luna (or similar)

Distance covered: 6mi (9km)

Activity hours: 6-7

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11
Guided tour of Machu Picchu; train to Sacred Valley

We start early to beat the day-trippers from Cuzco and reach the ruins as early as possible; buses return us up the winding road to the Machu Picchu entrance. During high season (May to October), there may be a bit of a wait.

Machu Picchu is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the ancient world and, what makes it all the more dramatic, is the staggering mountain backdrop. The Spaniards never found it, the Incas left no records of it, and so it remained an enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. Your guided tour highlights the history, culture, architecture and mysteries that Machu Picchu holds to this day.

We catch an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30min) where we stay for the night.

Accommodation: Tunupa Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 12
Explore Ollantaytambo and Pisac; return to Cuzco

We spend a day exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting the Inca fortress ruins of Ollantaytambo and Pisac, which tower over the villages of the same name. We also have time to look around Pisac Market, known for handicrafts, before returning by road to Cuzco.

Accommodation: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 13
Free day in Cuzco

Today has been left free to relax or explore Cuzco further. There are several optional excursions available, which your tour leader can arrange for you. If you still have the energy, you could choose to mountain bike in the Sacred Valley taking a 18mi-22mi (30km-35km) ride through Moray, Maras and then down to Sacred Valley through ancient communities, farming fields and amazing Andean landscape. Alternatively, you could paddleboard on Lake Piuray near the town of Chinchero. Or, if feeling more subdued, take it easy and watch the world pass in Cuzco’s Plaza de Armas.

Accommodation: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 14
End Cuzco

Begin your return journey home after breakfast. But if you’re not ready for the adventure to end, you can always book onto our Lake Titicaca extension, where you explore the sky-high waters by boat, visit an indigenous community and explore the pre‐Incan site of Sillustani. Alternatively, journey into the wilds on our Amazon Rainforest extension and explore lakes, rivers and jungle trails in search of the abundant wildlife that lives there.

Meals included: Breakfast

Extend Your Trip

Amazon Rainforest extension (from Cuzco)

Easily accessible via a short flight to Puerto Maldonado from Cuzco, the Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world and home to an astonishing array of wildlife, plus countless plant species. Spending three nights at a lodge in the incredibly rich Tambopata Reserve, we use motorised canoes to explore lakes and rivers, and follow jungle trails to navigate dense forests. The detailed itinerary can be found here.

Please ask your sales representative for more details. Prices listed are starting prices.

Lake Titicaca extension

Journey across the spectacular altiplano to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable freshwater lake in the world at 12,467ft (3,800m). Explore the waters by boat and visit the indigenous Uros community who live on floating reed islands and produce fine textiles. Back on the mainland, we visit the pre‐Inca site of Sillustani, composed of burial towers with fantastic views over the region. The Lake Titicaca extension is only available after your main tour as we do not recommend arriving straight into Puno due to the altitude. The detailed itinerary can be found here.

Please ask your sales representative for more details. Prices listed are starting prices.

Altitude Charts

The Salkantay Trek

Altitude warning

This trip includes one or more nights over 11,480ft (3,500m) above sea level, where there is a genuine risk of being affected by acute mountain sickness (AMS). If left untreated, AMS can be life-threatening. We expect most clients to experience some mild symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headaches, shortness of breath while walking or sleeplessness. Our leaders are trained to identify symptoms of severe AMS and if a client requires extra care, arrangements such as rapid descent, will be made immediately.

On some days, this trip climbs faster than commonly published ascent-rate recommendations. Based upon an assessment by our external safety and medical advisors and our risk-assessment process, we consider the ascent rate acceptable due to the additional safety measures in place for our customers. All our trips operating at high altitude meet our internal altitude-safety standards, which minimise the risk of serious incidents occurring while travelling at altitude.

Several medical conditions or medications can reduce your body’s ability to acclimatise. This may affect your performance and make you more susceptible to AMS. If you are worried about any pre-existing conditions, such as heart conditions, or your overall physical ability, you must seek medical advice prior to booking. The drug Diamox (also known as acetazolamide and normally only available on prescription) has been shown to aid acclimatisation in some individuals, and therefore may reduce the risk of AMS. Clients considering using Diamox should speak to their doctor about the drug, its side-effects and a prescription. While we endeavour to assist all our clients in achieving their goals, there may be times when your leader decides to delay or stop your ascent based on your overall condition or the onset of AMS.

If you are not taking out Exodus Travel Insurance, make sure your policy covers you up to the maximum altitude on this trip (if trekking in the Himalaya your policy should also cover the use of a helicopter for emergency medical evacuation).

Ascents, descents and distances

All ascents, descents and distances listed above have been measured by our local partners or tour leaders, in many cases with satellite-based mapping software. Please note, different GPS measuring devices can give differing results, particularly on winding paths or in mountainous terrain. Measurements stated throughout these trips notes are given to help you understand the types of terrain and distances you will encounter. Timings stated will vary depending on the pace of your group.

Accommodation

Hotels and full-service camping

The Salkantay Trek

On this Peruvian adventure, we stay in three-star hotels for seven nights and spend six nights camping. The selected hotels have an excellent blend of quality and comfort and are within an easy walk of city and town attractions. Our camping is full service with porterage, meaning our camp staff put up and take down the tents, cook, and do all the camp chores. You need only carry your backpack for the day and enjoy your time on trek. Below are the accommodations we typically use.

Cuzco: MamaSara (nights 1-3 and 12-13)

The Salkantay Trek

Just a few blocks from the historic centre, MamaSara is well located for our adventures in the one-time Inca capital of Cuzco. The design of the rooms pays homage to the city with locally sourced furniture and artwork, while the restaurant serves Peruvian Andean cuisine.

Salkantay and Inca Trail: Full-service camping (nights 4-9)

The Salkantay Trek

For six nights, we sleep among Andean peaks and wake to mountain views. It’ll be the adventure of a lifetime for some, but not one without comforts. We sleep and dine in good-quality four-season tents and we have a toilet tent set up both in camp and during lunch stops. While on trek, a bowl of warm water is provided for washing each morning and evening. Camp staff will set up, break down and transport all camp equipment necessary on the trek, providing you with more time and energy to take in these magnificent routes.

Aguas Calientes: Inti Punku Machu Picchu Hotel (night 10)

The Salkantay Trek

The Inti Punku Machu Picchu hotel is centrally located in the small town of Aguas Calientes, which sits alongside the Urubamba River. This comfortable hotel has clean, contemporary rooms with private baths and hot water, making it a perfect place to relax and take in this unique setting far below the ruins of Machu Picchu.

Ollantaytambo: Tunupa Lodge (night 11)

The Salkantay Trek

Tunupa Lodge is in Ollantaytambo, a town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It has a bar and restaurant that serves delicious local and international cuisine, plus a variety of drinks. It also has a lovely garden and is a great place to relax and reflect on your amazing trek to Machu Picchu.

Worth knowing

  • Camping: Boiled and filtered drinking water is provided in the mornings, at lunch and dinner times so we can refill our water bottles.
  • Single accommodation (including tents) can be arranged, subject to availability. Please request this at the time of booking.

Single supplement from USD 555

Food & Drink

All breakfasts, nine lunches and seven dinners are included in the tour price.

Peruvian cuisine is loved for its flavours and originality; it’s well worth digging into the local delicacies. Among these are ceviche (seafood or fish marinated in lime juice), lomo saltado (a Peruvian take on a beef stir-fry), and various hearty soups including the delicious quinoa soup. Other dishes include roasted cuy (guinea pig) and alpaca steak. To drink, there’s pisco sour, the national beverage.

Drinking water is provided as tap water in Peru is not safe to drink; boiled and filtered drinking water is provided on the trek and elsewhere your leader buys large water containers from which you can refill your bottle.

Hotel breakfasts are normally simple buffets, usually including bread/toast and jam, cereal, sometimes eggs or a cooked dish, sometimes fruit, tea/coffee and fruit juice. We cannot guarantee that wheat-/gluten-free products are available for breakfast in all locations – if you have an intolerance you may wish to bring your own breakfast food.

Where lunch and dinner are not included in Cuzco/Aguas Calientes, we visit a variety of cafes and restaurants.

During the trek, hearty breakfasts are served and good quality cooked lunches and dinners are provided. These usually consist of soup or a starter, a main course with meat/fish and some form of carbohydrates, followed by a dessert. Snacks are also provided. Tea/coffee is brought to your tent each morning and juice or hot drinks are provided with all meals during the trek.

Transport

A variety of transport is used during this tour and vehicle types may vary depending on group size: travel is by bus and by train.

Airport transfers are by private car or minibus. All main road journeys are by private minibus or coach with heating/air-conditioning.

We travel by train (with Peru Rail/Inca Rail) between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu) in expedition/executive class. Seating is four seats to a table and the carriages have panoramic windows and there is air conditioning/heating.

On Day 11 (for the guided tour of Machu Picchu), we take the public bus for the short journey between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu – this is the only transport option available on this route as private vehicles are not permitted. Queues can be very long first thing in the morning, especially during the peak summer months.

Weather & Seasonality

The diverse geography of Peru results in a very varied climate between different regions.

Cuzco and the Andes have a temperate climate. December to March is the rainy season in Cuzco/the Andes and April to November is the dry season, characterised by clear skies and strong sunshine in the mornings, sometimes clouding over as the day progresses. Daytime temperatures are usually pleasant (approximately 20C/68F on average) but night times only 5C-10C (41F-50F), except for May, June, July and August when days are cooler and nights on trek are often below freezing, particularly at the highest camps where it may be around -10C (14F). In the Andes, anything is possible at any time of year, including cloud, rain or even snow, and rapid and unexpected changes!

Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are in the cloud forest and, as such, attract large amounts of precipitation all year as clouds move up from the Amazon Basin. Rain here can be heavy but is seldom prolonged. Cold fronts sometimes occur from July to August.

Peru is affected by El Niño, a weather phenomenon whereby warming of Pacific Ocean surface water off South America drives a shift in the atmospheric circulation resulting in abnormally high levels of rainfall over parts of South America. These events occur at irregular intervals of two to seven years, and last nine months to two years.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start hotel: Koyllur Inn, Pumapaccha 243, Cuzco 08003
Phone: +51 84 245118
Recommended arrival time: By 3pm at the start hotel to check in for our orientation tour
Airport: Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ)

Getting to the start hotel

Our Cuzco hotel is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers.

Collecting baggage in Lima
If you are flying via Lima, you need to collect your baggage in Lima, even if your bag has been checked all the way through to Cuzco. After collecting the bag, you are required to clear customs, and you should then drop it off at the bag drop for the onward flight. If you do not pick up your bag, there is a chance it may not reach Cuzco for the start of the trek. This is a requirement of Lima airport and also applies to your return flight.

Catching your return flight

Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) from the end hotel.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Cuzco
Location end: Cuzco

What To Take

Essential Equipment

  • Three- or four-season sleeping bag (four-season essential for May to August departures)
  • Warm jacket
  • Several layers of clothing to cope with varying temperatures during the trek
  • Comfortable, waterproof walking boots
  • Warm hat and gloves
  • Waterproof jacket and overtrousers (overpants)
  • Sunglasses
  • Two refillable water bottles (ideally metal or reusable Nalgene due to trail restrictions)
  • Backpack (25-35 litres should be sufficient for trekking days)
  • Lightweight quick-drying towel
  • Insect repellent
  • Small trek towel

In Cuzco, Exodus provides a sleeping mat for the duration of the trek. The mat is full length and approximately 1.5in (4cm) thick when inflated.

A sleeping bag is not included but is required for the trek – these can be hired locally through your leader in Cuzco from 112 soles (US$35).

Inca Trail baggage

While any type of normal luggage or suitcase can be used for this trip, a soft kitbag (measuring approximately 27in x 12in/70cm x 30cm) is needed for the trek portion, since porters cannot carry hard suitcases or bags with wheels.

If you book the Inca Trail option, we provide an Exodus kitbag to pack your luggage in while on trek. Once you have booked, you will be sent instructions on how to claim your free bag (they are not sent automatically). There are also details on how to claim for another item from the Exodus shop should you already have one of these. Please note, if you book less than three weeks before the departure date, we cannot guarantee your kitbag will arrive before your trip starts. If this is the case, please contact us on customerops@exodus.co.uk (or customeroperations@exodustravels.com if you’re based in the US or Canada). See www.exodus.co.uk/kitbags for full T&Cs.

As the kitbags do not have wheels, you may prefer to pack it inside your own wheelie case for ease of travelling to and moving through the airport. Your suitcase can then be left in Cuzco with anything not needed for the trek, while the kitbag is carried by your porter on trek. If, however, you can’t fit the Exodus kitbag in your main luggage (or do not receive one in time) then our local partners will provide a soft kitbag in Cuzco (this should be returned to your leader after the trek).

Inca Trail luggage weight restriction

There are strict regulations regarding luggage on the Inca Trail. These are strictly enforced and were created to reduce environmental damage to the Inca Trail and to comply with porter work laws.

Porterage for up to 22lb (10kg) of personal gear is allowed on the Inca Trail section of this trek. This is inclusive of your sleeping bag, which usually weighs approximately 4lb (1.8kg). Your sleeping mat, however, does not count towards your personal weight limit. If your packed kitbag exceeds the allowed weight, you must transfer excess items from your kitbag to your backpack.

We use mules on days 5 to 7 of the trip (before the official start of the Inca Trail) and the 22lb (10kg) restriction is not enforced. When we arrive in Huayllabamba on Day 7, the group has to weigh their gear; excess (which can include dirty clothes, books etc) can be sent out with the horsemen to Cuzco. This excess luggage is then reunited with the group back in Cuzco.

Donations for porters

The porters we work with are mostly from rural farming communities. If you have any old walking gear you no longer need, or any unwanted warm children’s clothing, these would be much appreciated by the porters and their families. Please leave any donations with your leader in Cuzco or you can give items directly to your porters on the last night of the trek.

Environmental considerations

We believe in reducing our negative environmental impact wherever possible, even when nature calls. If no facilities are available, you may need to go behind a tree, bush or rock. To avoid leaving toilet paper behind, we recommend taking biodegradable bags with you. Once you have done your business, put the used paper in the bag and dispose when appropriate facilities are available.

Water included

Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill or get burned. Both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. For your trip, we provide an alternative to single-use plastic bottles to reduce the plastic used. This means that safe drinking water will be available throughout; all you need to do is bring a bottle to refill along the way. Please add this to your packing list.

Optional Equipment

We strongly recommend taking trekking poles for the Inca Trail, as the number of steps can be hard on the knees. Please note, due to recent environmental legislation, poles must have a plastic tip or protector fitted on the end. Walking poles with rubber tips can be hired through your leader in Cuzco from 57 soles (US$14) per pole. Please note, walking poles are not permitted inside the ruins of Machu Picchu without a medical certificate detailing their necessity.

We also recommend:

  • Small sewing kit (with safety pins)
  • Wet wipes
  • Cold-water detergent or laundry soap (biodegradable)
  • Personal music player/books/pack of cards
  • Swimwear for hot springs

We strongly recommend storing electronics (cameras etc) in a sealed waterproof bag to prevent damage during rain.

Practical Information

Visa

Peru

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Peru. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

If you are travelling via the USA and are eligible to transit under the Visa Waiver Program, you are required to register in advance for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). There is a US$21 charge, which is only payable online. Please see our website www.exodus.co.uk/usvisa for further information.

Please note, not all nationalities have the same eligibility for travel to or transit via the USA, and you may not be covered by the visa waiver program. Regulations stipulate that any person who has travelled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011, or have dual nationalities of these countries, may no longer qualify. In addition, if you have travelled to Cuba since 12 January 2021 you will not be eligible for the visa waiver program and should instead apply for a visa.

If you are in doubt of your eligibility, please check the visa requirements with your local US embassy.

Vaccinations and Health

Peru

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, typhoid, tuberculosis and yellow fever. Additionally, Zika fever, a mosquito‐borne viral disease, is a known risk in Peru. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so you should take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Please check all vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.

Amazon: If you are travelling to the Tambopata reserve in the Amazon rainforest, the risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice. We also strongly recommend that you obtain a yellow fever vaccination. Additionally, dengue fever and chikungunya are known risks in the Amazon region. Both are tropical viral diseases spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for either, and therefore the best form of prevention is to take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Local Time

Peru's time zone: America/Lima (UTC -05:00)

Electricity

Peru’s electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins), B (three pins: two flat, one round) and C (two round pins)– 220V, 60Hz.

There are no charging facilities available on the Inca Trail, so we recommend you take spare batteries or a solar charger with you.

Money

Peru's currency: Peruvian nuevo sol (PEN)

ATM Availability

ATMs are available in the larger cities and towns and are particularly recommended since they often allow you to withdraw either US dollars or Peruvian soles and exchange rates are generally good. Most international credit and debit cards are accepted, but you should inform your bank you are travelling to Peru and check if your card works in the local ATMs. There are some ATMs in Aguas Calientes, but they do sometimes run out of cash so it is a good idea to take your spending money for Machu Picchu with you on the trek itself. Credit card acceptance is increasing, but generally they can be used only at the large (and more expensive) restaurants and shops. Check with your card provider to ensure your card can be used in Peru.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

We recommend either taking cash with you to change into sol locally or using local ATMs to withdraw money in Peru as you go, so you are not left with excess at the end of your trip. It is a good idea to change a small amount into sol at the counters in the baggage hall upon arrival. Change is often in short supply, so ask for small denomination banknotes and try to break up any large notes at the earliest opportunity.

It is possible to obtain Peruvian sol before you travel but exchange rates can be lower than exchanging money locally in Peru. Some larger establishments and hotels accept US dollars, but the vast majority of places only accept sol.

Food, drinks and similar incidentals can vary in price enormously in Peru and are relatively expensive compared to other developing nations. Allow about 55-75 soles (US$15-US$20) per meal to eat at tourist-class restaurants. Cheaper food is abundant at small local cafes, although sanitary conditions at these places cannot be guaranteed. Bottled water and soft drinks are readily available for around 4-8 soles (US$1‐US$2) each.

You may want to hire equipment for your trek in Cuzco – please see the Packing Section for prices.

Please note, there is a possibility the Peruvian Ministry of Tourism may increase entrance fees to archaeological sites at any time. If this happens, we will inform you of the increase and the additional amount is payable locally.

Peruvian passport or identity card holders
The cost of Exodus trips in Peru is based on the assumption you do not hold a Peruvian passport or residents card. If you are officially resident in Peru or a Peruvian passport holder, you are liable to an additional 18 percent tax on most services. This extra sum is payable locally to our local partner. Other nationalities are exempt from this tax. Please notify us at the time of booking if you are legally resident in Peru or hold a Peruvian passport so we can advise you of the total cost of these taxes.

Optional excursions

Your tour leader can tell you about the full range of optional excursions available throughout your trip; however, we have listed the most popular below.

A Partial Tourist Ticket (BTG) is required for entrance to the sites in and around Cuzco and the Sacred Valley – this is not included in the excursion prices below but can be purchased locally from 70 soles (approximately US$21).

  • South Valley tour (seven hours): From US$66 per person (based on four participants), excludes BTG. Visit the little-known valley to the south of Cuzco, including the terraces at Tipon, the pre-Inca ruins of Pikillaqta and the Sistine Chapel of the Americas in Andahuaylillas (entrance included); return to Cuzco.
  • Stand-up paddleboard (four hours): From US$82 per person (based on two participants). Includes private transfer, specialised guide, fruit, water and hot drinks. Price can vary if there are more people.
  • Zip-line (eight to nine hours): From US$60 per person. Includes transport, security equipment, specialised guide, box lunch.
  • Via ferrata (eight to nine hours): From US$60 per person. Includes transport, security equipment, specialised guide, box lunch.
  • Via ferrata and zip line (eight to nine hours): From US$100 per person. Includes transport, security equipment, specialised guide, box lunch.
  • Mountain biking in the Sacred Valley (seven hours): From US$130 per person (based on two participants). Includes private transfer, security equipment, specialised guide, box lunch.
  • Classic Rainbow Mountain (eight hours): From US$94 per person (based on four participants). This famous trek takes you up to 17,060ft (5,200m). Rainbow Mountain is one of the most impressive geologic features in Cuzco region. The mountain is striped with colours ranging from turquoise to lavender to maroon and gold. Price includes transportation, guide, entrance fee and box lunch.
  • White-water rafting (eight hours): From US$140 per person (minimum of two participants). Drive to the Chiquicahuana area of the Southern Valley to raft in the Vilcanota River. Spend two to three hours rafting and experiencing level III and III+ rapids. Finish your adventure with a picnic lunch before heading back to Cuzco. Activity available from April to December.

Prices of excursions vary depending on the number of people taking part. The prices given within these Trip Notes are based on four participants and are intended as a guideline only. All tours use private transport and there will be an English-speaking guide. Please note, cash is the preferred method of payment for any of the optional activities.

For some activities, a minimum number of participants may be required. Some activities may not always be possible due to weather, seasonality, national holidays, or unforeseen circumstances.

Tipping

It is customary in Peru for local staff to receive tips, which can be an important source of extra income for hard-working crew. Whether to tip and how much to tip should be a personal decision; however, we have included some guidelines below. Please note that Peruvian sol is the preferred currency for tips.

Tipping kitty: We recommend running a tipping kitty on this trip. A tipping kitty means we tip as a group, and individuals don’t need to worry about giving out small tips to various people who have helped during the trip (ie drivers, local guides, boatmen, hotel staff). The contribution per person per day we suggest is 25 soles (US$6.70).

Tour leader: Leaders are fairly paid for their role but are always grateful for recognition of their skills and hard work. Tips for your leader should be based on their performance and engagement with the group. If you’re happy with the leader’s work, we recommend somewhere around 25 soles (US$6.70) per person per day, but customers are encouraged to contribute what they feel happy giving – either less or more than the amount suggested above.

Tipping of your trekking crew

The trekking crew is made up of guides, cooks, kitchen staff and porters. Tips are best arranged on a group basis, and a volunteer from the group should gather the money and split the total collected into smaller amounts for each person. This is normally done on the last night of the trek. Your leader is happy to assist as needed.

The recommended contribution per group member is 300-400 soles (or 340-440 soles per person for small groups of six or less).

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that improve life for the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

  • The use of a local guide means our customers will be well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
  • This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food, and by supporting other local enterprises.
  • The porters we work with are not directly employed by our local partner, but we work with the same communities each year; they are fairly paid and we supply uniforms, walking shoes and provide safe transport and community support for them. Our trek manager is a leading figure and consultant for the Porters’ Federation, which campaigns for the fair treatment of porters in the region.
  • We’re passionate about the welfare of our porters. Alongside setting the golden standard for fair treatment, we’ve taken the next step with our pioneering Porter Project. In Peru, despite trekking the Inca Trail numerous times, most porters never have the opportunity to visit Machu Picchu. We’ve taken the initiative to fix this and in 2018 started a project to ensure each of our porters has the opportunity to experience an important part of their own cultural heritage. We can now proudly say that more than 164 porters have been involved in this project and our mini-documentary, Carried Away, about our porters has helped raise awareness of the awesome job they do.
  • Funded by the Community Kickstart Project, our operator is working with Medlife to deliver emergency food parcels to the households of porters and other staff members who have continuously worked hard to guide our clients along the iconic Inca Trail.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

  • By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
  • Trekking trips have little detrimental impact on the environment and our entrance fees for the archaeological sites, museums and churches we visit, including Machu Picchu, help support their maintenance, restoration and upkeep.
  • We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead providing refills for reusable bottles.
  • We operate a zero-impact policy on the Inca Trail removing all waste from campsites and separating it so that it can be easily recycled or composted. This ensures no rubbish or plastic is left behind in the places we visit.
  • Our local operator has been certified and verified by Rainforest Alliance since 2015.
  • Our Animal Welfare Policy ensures all our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regards to working animals and wildlife viewing.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

  • Through our Planet Promise, we have pledged to halve the carbon footprint of our trips by 2030 and made rewilding and carbon compensation commitments for every customer who travels.
  • Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
  • Vegetarian and vegan options are available at majority of accommodation and restaurants.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

  • Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
  • Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own reusable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.

Important Information

Water safety

This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.

Inca Trail regulations

There are several important Inca Trail regulations we would like to make you aware of:

  1. Spaces on the Inca Trail are on a first-come, first-served basis and we urge you to book as early as possible.
  2. If you cancel your booking more than eight weeks before departure and wish to transfer your deposit to another departure or another trip the transfer fee is approximately £150 (US$210 / CA$252 / AU$308 / €191) as we will lose the permit we have purchased on your behalf. This is an amendment to our Booking Conditions. No transfers are possible within eight weeks of departure.
  3. Bookings can only be made if we are supplied with your full name, passport details, date of birth and nationality, exactly as per the passport you will be using to travel to Peru (this information is used to purchase your Inca Trail permit). If your passport details do not match those on your permit you will be refused entry to the Inca Trail by the local authorities.
  4. Should the passport used to purchase your permit be lost, stolen or expire before your Inca Trail start date, you must purchase a new passport and notify Exodus immediately as we will need to apply to amend your Inca Trail permit. To do so, you must supply copies of both your old and new passports to Exodus in advance of travel and pay an administration fee of £25 (US$35 / CA$42 / AU$52 / €32). For this reason, we strongly recommend that you make a copy of your passport at the time of booking and keep it somewhere safe.
  5. Please be aware that these regulations may change at any time, and Exodus is not responsible for the decisions made by Peruvian authorities.
  6. There is a possibility the Peruvian authorities may increase the entrance fees to the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and other major sights at any time. If they do so, we will inform you of this increase and the extra amount will need to be paid locally in cash in Peru.

Please note: While your departure date may be ‘Guaranteed’, your Inca Trail permit itself will initially be ‘On Request’. If you’re travelling within the current year, we try to purchase your permit immediately upon receiving your booking. If travelling next year, we will apply for your permit as soon as they are released for sale. If we are unable to get your permit, we will contact you to discuss your options.

Machu Picchu regulations

  1. Tickets are valid for one entry
  2. We spend approximately three hours at Machu Picchu and our guided tour lasts about two hours
  3. Upon finishing our one-way Machu Picchu guided tour, we must exit the site

Please note, we visit Machu Picchu in the morning or afternoon to avoid the peak entry time (10am to midday).

Important Information

Your safe participation 

When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary. 

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity. 

By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred. 

How to Book

  1. Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
  2. Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
  3. Complete your booking and payment

When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.

After booking

You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.

Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.

Trip Note validity

These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

Licensing

Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.