INCA TRAIL 4d / 3n

Unless you hire an EXTRA PORTER you need to carry your back pack, sleeping bag and the mattress. You need to indicate this at the time of booking as porters who carry for the full 4 days require permits in advance in the same manner as trekkers.

PORTERS to carry up to $45 9kg $90 18 kg for the full duration of the tour from Cusco to Aguas Calientes. From May 1 2008 cost is 9kg = $50 18 kg = $100. 60% of trekkers hire an extra porter for the full extent of the trek. Regarding porters who carry personal items. You will need to carry with you a daypack with your Camera, water bottle, snacks, a fleece or something warm and a poncho in case of rain (unlikely in Dry season but as a precaution) and anything you will need before lunch as porters do not walk alongside you.A SAS duffle bag is provided for your items for the porter and this will be waiting for you in your tent at campsites.

Please note there are fines if you give an excess of 9 or 18 kgs so try to underpack rather than overpack or pay for an extra 9kgs. On day 2 you can hire a porter from the village of Wayllabamba to carry your pack over the pass to the second campsite approximately 50 soles. Please pay these porters directly.

Please check carefully your pack and belongings before the 2nd day optional porter leaves the pass.

TIPPING OF THE PORTERS

As for all American countries, tipping is normal and it is a tradition on the Inca trail. The porters will be much better off if you tip them in cash rather than beers in WINAYWAYNA. Generally groups prepare a collective tip at dinner on the last night which is shared out between the porters and cook on the last morning at breakfast. The porters protection group state. "Please let your group know that 30 soles per porter is a minimum for general porters, and deal separately with porters that carry individuals' bags." A group of 16 generally have approx 19 - 20 general porters. Tipping of porters who carry your personal items is separate and you are asked to tip an extra porter directly. Again the recommended minimum is $10 for 18kg. A general guideline is $15 tip per treker for the porters but please do not worry if others tip less or more. This does not account for tips for guides and cooks generally $10 - 15 more. Most trekkers take approximately $30 to cover the tipping tradition.

ALTITUDE SICKNESS:

It´s possible you will feel the effects of altitude on arriving in Cusco, ( 3,400 Mts - 11,350 Feet ) remember in the Andes the %of oxygen is less which makes you tired and weak before you adjust to it Especially if you flew from sea level, eg LIMA. It is best to wait at least two days before setting out on the trail, don´t drink alcohol, smoke or take sedatives. Drink lots of water and coca tea, catch a good sleep , and eat moderate ligh meals hight in carbohidrates , digestion goes very slow.

Very Important! :We also encourage you to allow at least 3 days in Cusco before your trek because apart from there being so much to see and do ( see our other activities or our Special Packages that will meet all your needs )....it is possible that your arrival could be delayed due to transport strikes or cancellation of flights due to poor weather etc and because there is no way to change your permit to another date you could miss out on your Inca trail experience altogether or feel the altitude effects more than you would have hoped due to even less time to acclimatise. So please keep this in mind when choosing the date of your trek!!!

Water: We suggest you take a 2 litres bottle of water on the first day and then you can refill this on the trek.( You can use the same plastic bottle for the entire trek ) We boil water each night which is available after breakfast each morning for your water bottles. We still suggest you take water purification tablets or filters for any unboiled water you take directly from streams or waterfalls etc. You can buy water along the first day, for the first few hours of Day 2 and the afternoon of Day 3 at the Hostal in Wiñaywayna.

Temperatures during the day: If you are walking in the sun it is very hot and feels like 26 degrees celcius, but when you walk through the forest or in the shadow of a mountain it can feel like 14 degrees almost immediately. At night on the second night it could get to -5 degrees celcius if you are really unlucky but more likely just freezing ! Third night is warmer being at 2700mts considered high Jungle!

Main hint for dealing with the temperatures is to try and keep your body temp as regular as possible by using layering of clothes so when you feel cool put on an extra layer before you get cold and if you start to feel warm take off a layer before you perspire which will leave you with a chill later if you don´t take care. The weather from Dec through to early March is usually the wettest on the trail.

Some days it may be drizzly all day or you may have a burst of rain and clear skies for the rest of the day or it could be wet off and on all day. You need good rain gear for walking as well as something to protect your pack. We have dining tents for all meals so you are protected at this time.

Hot Shower along the Trail: Unfortunately not yet, but a little hot water will be offered to you every morning for a quick wash, and very important to use this service before meals. There is a basic (pay 10 soles) timed electric shower at the 3rd night camping in Wiñaywayna, please do not expect too much !!!

There is a basic (pay 10 soles) timed electric shower at the 3rd night camping in Wiñaywayna, please do not expect too much !!!

Toilets : In each of the Campsites there are basic toilets constructed and maintained by the Inka Trail Park control,

Garbage : There are many bins along the trail, at lunch time and campsites our porters will always clean the area. Please keep this historical sanctuary clean and cooperate so that we only leave our footprints.

PROHIBITED : Alcohol, Drug use, Campfires, Graffitti, Collection of Orchids or Hummingbirds !!

Unexpected : Be surprised to find Gatorade, Coca cola , Cuzqueña Beer and even snickers chocolate bars at 4,200 meters along the trail.

What happens if I get exhausted or weak in the middle of the trek : SAS has a minimum record of hikers that decide to turn back, our trekking staff will accompany you back if necessary but they are prepared to walk at your pace, carry your pack and even you if necessary, to enable you to reach the top.

Few Spanish words to be learned:

Buenos Dias ( Good Morning )

Muchas Gracias ( Thanks a lot )

Mi nombre es ( My names is )

Como te llamas ? ( What is your name ? )

Since the porters mainly speak the LANGUAGE OF THE INCAS "QUECHUA" try learning !!

"Hello" (Napaykullayki)

"Ima Sutiqui? ( What is your name ? )

Ask your guide for more!!

Important lessons learnt by some to share!!

Don`t get drunk on the night before the walk to Sunrise in Machupicchu and Dont get drunk in Cusco before you start the trek!!!

Don`t take that lonely Planet guide on the trail, you`ll be too exhausted to read it so leave any unnessary items with our secure luggage area in Cusco.

SAS Inca trail and other tour goals; Educational, Full of Adventure and Fun, Safe and Unforgetable!

TOTAL PRICE:

EXTRA NIGHT IN AGUAS CALIENTES OFFER INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS

IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:

• To allow you much more time… in Machu Picchu after your guided tour.
• Gives you the opportunity to climb Wayna Picchu, Temple of the Moon or walk to Inca Bridge.
• Allow you to relax in the Hot Springs(10 soles) if you like and at least get to bed early after a huge day!!
• Visit the renewed Julio C Tello- Machupicchu Museum and the Botanical & Orchids Garden near Puente Ruinas.( Old Machupicchu Train Station )
• Avoid typical train problems on the 4th afternoon in high season and around important holidays when we can´t guarantee the time of return until Peru rail let us know 6 days in advance. Typically these days at 9pm but could be later or much earlier and so staying the night with the 09.30am train to Ollantaytambo and from there you can have a look around and there are many buses that provide cheap transport around $3 through the day to Cusco via Urubamba.
• Actually this Vistadome Train in the early morning is one of the best services for panoramic views and very confortable

So this package includes the typical program PLUS 1 NIGHT (DOUBLE or TRIPLE BASIS) ACCOMODATION IN VIAJEROS HOSTAL or similar level accommodation IN AGUAS CALIENTES ( Machu Picchu town)

INCLUDES:

• Dinner Day 4th and Breakfast on Day 5th
• Vistadome Train to Ollantaytambo at 09:30 am (or afternoon Train with Bus connection through to Cusco. This is generally with the Inca Trail group of the following day. If choosing the OVERNIGHT Option you automatically will be registered for Day 5th with VISTADOME Train Departing at 09.30 am Arriving to Ollantaytambo at 11.00 am . END OF TOUR here.

It is also lovely to stay here in Ollantaytambo for the day and even spend the night ! IF YOU WANT A DIFFERENT OPTION YOU MUST INDICATE THIS VERY CLEARLY.

The Vistadome Train leaves at 09.30am and arrives at Ollantaytambo to 11.05am. It has large high windows to allow you to appreciate the spectacular views from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. This train then returns to Aguas Calientes.

There are public buses and collectivos waiting in Ollantaytambo Train Station that transfer passengers back to Cusco through Urubamba arriving approx 12.30 – 1pm to Cusco which could cost approx 7 – 9 soles = US$3

Note: Peru Rail have recently Jan 2008 changed policies for using the Vistadome train at 3.30pm through to Cusco arriving back 7.20pm. Therefore if you would prefer this train it is best to book your trek without train return and book it directly through Peru Rail. This will be $42 less on the cost of your trek but you must have a very clear confirmation from us that we understand you are purchasing your train tickets under your own arrangement and they will not be the responsability of SAS travel.

Price EXTRA NIGHT IN AGUAS CALIENTES OFFER