IMPORTANT NOTICE:

BOOKINGS FOR AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER:
CIRCUIT 1 can be full through the Machu Picchu website. However, the Peruvian government is giving the option to queue in their office in Aguas Calientes to buy the entrance for CIRCUIT 1, in case, there is no space, you will queue between 30 minutes and 1 hour approx. The guide will assist you and the tour operator guarantees the visit to Machu Picchu sanctuary.

The entrance times for the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu and train tickets are referential only. The exact times for your entry slot will be informed by your guide on the day of your visit. The max length of time in the Sanctuary is equal for all visitors at 2 hours.

Minimum Age: 8 years old – Must have parents permission

DAY 1: CUSCO – HUAMANMARCA – PISPITAYOC

We will pick you up between 6:00AM and 6:30AM at your hostel or hotel. After which we'll head towards the sacred valley of the Incas, along the way you will get a chance to see picturesque villages and beautiful landscapes, arriving at Ollantaytambo at about 08:00AM. Here you will have a chance to get some breakfast and stock up on some things you might have forgotten to buy. At 08:15AM the bus heads towards Abra Malaga (4350 m.a.s.l.) which is the point of departure with the bikes, we will descend for 3 hrs., passing through small villages, orchards, rivers and streams, reaching the town Huamanmarca (1250 m.a.s.l.) around 12:00PM. approx. While descending it´s possible to see the vast changes in flora and fauna and the effect of oxygen level and altitude.
In Huamanmarca, lunch will be served, a buffet restaurant who mainly uses local ingredients and prepares unique dishes. After a short break we´ll head towards Santa Maria where the group will divide into 2: the ones who booked the rafting and the ones who didn´t. The ones who did book the rafting will be picked and brought the rafting camp, where they will receive a briefing and instructions. Safety is a priority, so you will be handed out all the protection gear necessary, during the rafting a safety catamaran and cataraft will always accompany us. The rafting guides are well trained and have tons of experience on the river. Depending on the season the river will be between class III and III+, in case the river will be class IV or higher for security reasons we will cancel the rafting refund your payment. The travelers that didn’t book the rafting tour will go with an assistant guide in our private bus for 20 min. to the next town of Santa Rosa, from this point we will walk for 45 min. approx. until reaching the eco lodge called “La Choza”, there they will have the chance pick coca leaves, coffee beans and maybe some other fruits or vegetables.
At the end of the rafting adventure, the bus will be waiting the group to take them to the town of Santa Rosa where they as well will start the hike towards our jungle lodge La Choza. La Choza is a unique chance to enjoy the pure jungle in it’s best way, the guest family who receives you there still does things in the according to tradition, in a way you can say it´s travelling back in time for 200 years. Don´t worry though, there are rooms with bunk beds and normal mattresses for you to rest your night on, accompanied by an orchestra of jungle sounds.


DAY 2: PISPITAYOC – COCALMAYO – SANTA TERESA

At around 7:00AM it’s going to be time to wake up, after which we’ll have the chance to enjoy a nice typical breakfast and nice cup of home grown and made coffee in the middle of nature. At around 8:00AM we´ll start walking along the banks of the river and start climbing for 30 min. toward an original Inca path. In this area a lot of Inca trails can be found, but the one we will walk is the only one who still maintains in good a condition. On our way we will see wild fruits, like: pine apple, pacay, avocado and many more. The area is surrounded by many types of birds and orchids; this ecosystem belongs to the high forest and is one of the richest in terms of biodiversity of the Inca jungle. Once on top we will see the whole valley of the lower Urubamba. The group will walk down the mountain for approx. 2.30 hrs. until arriving at the village of Qellomayo, to have lunch and regain some of your energy. After the meal you will have free time to relax in a hammock and give your legs some rest. After a break we continue walking for 3 hrs. crossing farms, waterfalls and rivers (one river you will have to cross with a cable car). At around 4PM the group arrives at Cocalmayo or better known as the hot water springs of Santa Teresa. Cocalmayo offers several relaxing crystal clear hot springs, each with its own temperature. The sound of the river and the stars at night time make it a perfect scenery. After the hot springs the group will continue to walk for about 40 min. (or take a bus of you´d prefer) until reaching the town of Santa Teresa where you will check in to a nice comfortable hotel. After the dinner you all are invited to visit one of the bars to hang out with the other members of the group.


DAY 3: SANTA TERESA – HIDRO ELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES

Around 7 am., after a typical breakfast we will get ready to continue exploring the roads that were followed by the first expeditionaries that discovered Machu Pichuand other important archaeological complex. The next journey will start in Santa Teresa. Those who reserved in advance will make the zipline (and later this group will be taken by bus to the area known as the hydroelectric), the rest of the group will continue the trek of 3 hrs. aprox. through the valley until reaching the hydroelectric too, where the entire group will get together again. Here we will enjoy of a great lunch. And after a break we will continue walking along this great inca jungle tour for 3 hrs., enjoying beautiful waterfalls, going through coca and coffee farms along the railway until arriving at the town of Aguas Calientes around 4 pm. Here the group will spend the night in a hostel. At night we all will get together in a local restaurant to enjoy a great dinner and have a briefing about our next excursion to Machu Picchu and the group will receive some snacks.

Accomodation: Sol de los Andes or Luna Muna or Eco Mapi or others ( double, twin, triple and 4-beds) - subject availability


DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO (WALKING AND VISIT THE INCA CITADEL)

Finally on last day of our Inca jungle tour we get up around 4:00AM. After which we´ll get ready to head to Machu Picchu, our trek will follow an ascending path through the high forest, after registering in the control entrance around 6:00AM. we will have a private guide leading us within the Inca citadel for about 1,5 hours. The travelers that booked the hiking to HuaynaPicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain will be able to start this journey, the climbing lasts around 45 min. for Huayna Picchu, the way up is very steppy at some points but it’s worth it because the view from the top is absolutely breathtaking. For Machu Picchu Montaña, it´ll last you about 2hrs to go up, and it´s not as steep as Huayna Picchu, and even higher! Please note that you have to go before a certain time, so don´t forget to ask your guide which time you have been issued. In the afternoon, according to the departure of the train ticket, you will descend walking on your own to the town of Aguas Calientes to get the train back to Ollantaytambo where the group will be picked up and transferred to Cusco city. Remember to be at least 30 min. at the train station before departure. The journey ends in the Plaza de Armas.

Arrival time in Cusco:
Train return 6:20 pm or before (It is subject to availability) - Arrival at 10:20 pm approx.

Note:
-If you want to buy Huaynapicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain ticket in your tour, you should inform by email bookings@findlocatrips.com with your reservation number.

You must email us a scanned copy or photograph of your passport immediately after you have booked your tour. This is to enable the purchase of your Machu Picchu entrance ticket. It must be the passport you will use to enter Machu Picchu itself. This is a requirement when booking any tour of Machu Picchu from any operator.

Note: If you are staying at a different location than the one you select as your pick up location, it is explicitly your responsibility to be at the main entrance of the hotel or hostel selected as your pick up location for the duration of the pick up time range on your tour date. You must be in a visible place easy to see for the operator and be alert for their vehicle/guide when they go to pick you up for the tour.

DAY 1: 05:30

Pick up from your hotel.

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DAY 1: 07:00 - 09:30

Bus from Cusco to Abra Malaga.

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DAY 1: 09:30 - 13:30

Biking (Abra Malaga-Huamanmarca) for 4 hours

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DAY 1: 13:30 - 14:00

Buffet lunch (Huamanmarca)

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DAY 1: 14:30

Optional Rafting (Santa María)

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DAY 1: 16:40

Transport from Santa María to Santa Rosa (per 20 minutos)

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DAY 1: 17:00

Hiking from Santa Rosa to Pispitayoc (Casa familiar)

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DAY 2 : 07:00

Breakfast

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DAY 2 : 07:30

hiking from Pispitayoc to Santa Teresa

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DAY 2 : 13:00

Lunch (Quellmayo).Hot Spring

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DAY 2 : 19:00

Dinner in Santa Teresa.

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DAY 3 : 07:00 - 10:30

Breakfast, then Optional Zip Line.

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DAY 3 : 10:30

Transport from Santa Teresa to Hydroelectric.

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DAY 3 : 12:30

Lunch. Hiking from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes (per 3 Horas).

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DAY 3 : 15:00

Arrive to Aguas Calientes. Accommodation in the hostel.

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DAY 3 : 19:00

Dinner

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DAY 4 : 04:30 - 06:00

Hiking from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

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DAY 4 : 06:00 - 08:00

Guided in Machupicchu.

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DAY 4 :

Free time

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DAY 4 :

Back to Cusco. Depends the train Hours.

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- Transport from Cusco to Abra Malaga
- Professional bilingual guide
- Bike with front suspension, gloves and helmet
- 3 Breafast. 3 Dinners, 3 Lunch
- Accommodation in hostels 2 nights
- First Night, Family Home
- Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
- Train to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco

- Breakfast day 1
- Zipline and rafting
- Final lunch/dinner in Aguas Calientes (buy some snacks on day 4 in AC for the trip back to Cusco!)
- Bus tickets up and down Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu $ 24.00
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain – if you want to add this please send us an email as soon as you've booked.

Please note that these prices may vary if you decide to take part in any of these extra activities after the tour starts. We recommend booking prior to the departure of your tour to avoid the possibility of paying increased prices for these activities.

- Original passport
- Insurance card/certificate
- Walking stick ( Highly recommended )
- Hiking boots
- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- Hat and gloves
- 2-4 t-shirts
- 2 pairs of pants (1 for hiking, 1 for camp)
- Long underwear for sleeping
- Hand sanitizer
- Comfortable trousers
- Sun hat or cap
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Water
- Toiletries/ Toilet paper
- Personal medication
- Camera
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Extra money for tips/snacks/beer
- Luggage Transport Conditions (by train): the luggage allowed must not exceed 5kg/11 lb and maximum measurements of 62 linear in/ 157 linear cm (height + length + width).

Note: You must email us a scanned copy or photograph of your passport immediately after you have booked your tour. This is to enable the purchase of your Machu Picchu entrance ticket. It must be the passport you will use to enter Machu Picchu itself. This is a requirement when booking any tour of Machu Picchu from any operator.

Cancellation or changes to this tour:

CHANGES: Any changes to the tour date needs to be done before 6:00 pm (Lima time) 30 days before the tour begins and will also receive a 60% administration fee. After this time there is a 100% change fee. Subject to availability.

NO SHOWS & CANCELLATIONS: If you cancel 30 days prior to the tour before 6:00 pm (Lima time), a 60% administration fee will apply. After this time there is a 100% no-show or cancellation fee.

For cancellations or changes to your tour please email bookings@findlocaltrips.com

1. I cannot find my accommodation listed in the operator pick up locations when making my booking. What should I select?

   This operator only offers pick-ups from the hotel and hostel accommodation listed, this covers over 90% of the accommodation providers in the area. They do not provide pick-ups or drop-offs at private residences, Airbnbs, bus terminals etc. Select an alternative close by and be ready there for pick-up at the time on your booking confirmation

2. What is the difference between Salkantay and the Inca Jungle Trek?

   Salkantay is full-on trekking, whereas the Inca Jungle mixes trekking, rafting, mountain biking and other activities.

3. How physically fit do I need to be?

   The Salkantay Trek can range in difficulty, however most are classified as a moderate level. The Machu Picchu complex itself is not difficult, and most people do not have any problems.

4. How do I avoid altitude sickness?

   Take Soroche (Diamox) pills, eat small meals, drink coca tea, drink lots of water, and avoid alcohol (it’s a dehydrator). The best way to avoid altitude sickness is to acclimatize yourself. The recommended approach for acclimatization is to ascend gradually, spending at least 24 hours at every 2,000ft increase in altitude.

5. What are the symptoms of altitude sickness?

   Common symptoms of altitude sickness (sometimes called acute mountain sickness) can be similar to a bad hangover, and may include headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite and shortness of breath. A severe headache (that is not relieved by medication), nausea and vomiting, and increasing fatigue or shortness of breath may indicate more serious problems – seek medical attention.

6. Are there any student discounts?

   Unfortunately, we don’t offer any group or student discounts on our prices. We only work with the best operators who offer safe tours that are also good value.

7. Where is Machu Picchu?

   Machu Picchu is near a town called Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu Town. From there, it is a 1.5 hour hike up steps, or a 20-minute bus ride to the complex itself.

8. Where is Huayna (Wayna) Picchu?

   Huayna Picchu Mountain is the peak located to the north of Machu Picchu citadel. It is the backdrop to the classic image of Machu Picchu. The peak offers inspiring views of the ruins and 360° views of the area. The climb to the summit takes 45 minutes, it is a challenging trek and is very steep in parts. Limited to 400 a day, tickets must be purchased as a combo ticket at the same time as your entrance to Machu Picchu. This ticket cannot be purchased separately and is always in high demand.

9. What is Machu Picchu Mountain?

   Machu Picchu Mountain is the peak located to the south-west of Machu Picchu citadel. The trek offers unparalleled sights of the ruins and panoramic views of the surrounding scenery. The trek is wide and well-marked. It is a moderate/challenging trek and takes 90 minutes to ascend. Limited to 800 a day, tickets must be purchased as a combo ticket at the same time as your entrance to Machu Picchu. This ticket cannot be purchased separately.

10. Why is the train so expensive?

    Peru Rail and Inca Rail are the two operators which have a duopoly on the route, so they can maintain very high prices.

11. Where can I leave my bags?

    You can leave your bags at your Cusco hostel/hotel. Note, if you take the train there are bag restrictions.

12. Is the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu worth it?

    The walk up to Machu Picchu can be seen as part of the experience. However, the bus is an option for those who are tired after a long trek, or who just want to save their energy for all the walking at the top.

13. What kind of weather can we find in Machu Picchu?

    Machu Picchu is at a lower altitude level than Cusco. It contains part of the jungle, and the rains are present during all seasons. During the hottest days, the temperature can reach approximately 26° Celsius (79ºF), and during the cool, early mornings, the temperature can drop to -2° C (-36ºF). The best months to visit Machu Picchu are May and June, since they are the mildest ones.

14. Will I have problems with altitude sickness on this tour?

    Altitude sickness can catch many travellers a little bit off guard. Not everyone gets sick in high altitudes, and it is difficult to predict who is likely to be badly affected by it. For most people, it is nothing more than a headache and a dizzy sensation that diminishes over a short period of time, 1 to 2 days for most people. If you want to limit your chances of getting sick, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, do not fly directly into high altitude - proceed slowly, allowing your body time to acclimatise as you ascend gradually. However, for many that is not possible, so it’s important to drink lots of water, and to slow down! This sounds simple, but both of these things are very important. Your body is struggling because you don’t have enough oxygen, so avoiding any strenuous activity is a good idea. Chew some coca leaves - the native people of South America have been chewing coca for centuries, thanks to its ability to alleviate mild altitude sickness symptoms. Coca leaves can be bought in any supermarket, and even souvenir shops or street stalls. Take altitude sickness pills (Soroche): these are sold over the counter all over Peru and Bolivia, and are just a few dollars. If you are flying straight into altitude over 2500metres without spending any time at an intermediate elevation, and you’re worried about getting sick, you can ask your doctor for more specific and stronger altitude sickness medication in advance. In the rare case that your symptoms are more severe than a headache and mild dizziness, you should descend in altitude and seek medical assistance.