Machupicchu Tour

OVERVIEW:

A combination of hiking and a thrilling downhill bike ride, this is a very cool back door entry to the great citadel of Machu Picchu.

Also known as the Tropical Inca Trail or the Inca Jungle trail, this trip is increasingly more popular, particularly the thrilling downhill mountain bike ride and then a trail that takes you through beautiful landscapes with impressive panoramic views and a wide variety of flora and fauna. The tropical Inca trail is recommended for people wanting something different and we offer a unique opportunity to stay with a coffee growing family.

This is the classic “back way” bike ride to Machu Picchu via Santa Maria and Santa Teresa, known as the Inca Jungle or Back Door to Machu Picchu trip. It is not a mountain bike ride in the classic sense as the road is paved; however it is an extremely popular route due to the incredible scenery along the way and for people who wish to avoid the cost and hassle of taking the train.

DAY 1: CUSCO – CHINCHERO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – MALAGA PASS – SANTA MARIA (DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKING).

Hotel pick you up at 07:00 am, the starting point of our adventure is the city’s main square.  We leave the city seeing the towering surrounding with rolling hills until we reach the town of Chinchero overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

After, descending this mountainside, we arrive in Ollantaytambo and then, we will go up to reach ABRA MALAGA (mountain pass at 4350 masl) approximately at midday…the starting point of the downhill (just in case the weather won’t be OK for us and our bikes, we will go to the next starting point) the hamlet of Carrizales where we will rest and have our lunch. After that, we will begin to descend the cloud forest to the hot valleys towards the Amazon basin. This trip will be for 5 or 6 hours, crossing little rustic villages.

We will stop 2 times enroute to visit the Archaeological center of Incatambo (Inca Lodge) and Wamanmarka (Falcon site).

We will arrive to Santa Maria where we will have our lodging and dinner.

DAY 2: SANTA MARIA – QELLOMAYU – COLCAMAYU – SANTA TERESA (TREKKING).

We will wake up very early at 05:00 am and have breakfast, then we will start walking near the riverside and we will continue to go up the route to get to the start of the ancient Inca jungle trail as well as crossing the Oroyas (cable car bridge) and suspension bridge in this hike, we can observe the region’s wild animals like hummingbirds, parrots, eagles, etc. Also, we will see (and maybe taste) wild fruits and medicine plants like: avocados, yucca, oranges, tangerines, pacay, mango, cacao, coffee, coca shrubs, etc. Then arriving to the village of Quellomayu, we will have 1 hour approximately to rest and have lunch.

After that, we will continue walking by the river for about 2 hours to get to the hot springs of Colcamayu very near the town of Santa Teresa to relax for about one hour and then, we will arrive to Santa Teresa (where we will eat and rest).

DAY 3: SANTA TERESA – HYDROELECTRIC STATION – AGUAS CALIENTES (TREKKING).

We will get up at 07:00 am and have breakfast. Then, we will continue the trek to the hydroelectric power plant. We will be passing many waterfalls and especially one falling down from 45 minutes approximately, where you can take a shower if you want (optional). After that, we will arrive to the hydroelectric power plant to rest and to have lunch. Then, we walk for 2 hours to reach our final destination…Aguas Calientes.

Here, we will have our lodging and dinner and then, we will have the briefing for Machu Picchu for the next day.

DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU – RETURN TO CUSCO.

We will get up very early at 05:00 am to take the bus at the Machu Picchu citadel (optional climb up by foot) where we will see the wonderful sunrise. We will have 2 hours with our guide to visit this great citadel. After that, you will have free time to walk around. (Optional climb Wayna Picchu Mountain).
Finally, we return down to Aguas Calientes at around 14:00hrs to take the train back to Ollantaytambo and Cusco.

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

•  Private tourist transportation pick up from your hotel in Cusco (that takes us to the start of the trail).
•  Bikes with front suspension, gloves and helmet.
• Full meals service with 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 Dinners.
•  2 overnights in country lodge (all basic services included).
•  Private Hostel Room in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu, Continental or similar).
• Admission ticket to Machu Picchu citadel.
•  Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes town to Machu Picchu.
• Professional Bilingual Guide (English – Spanish).
•  Train ticket Expedition Class back to Cusco.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

• First day breakfast and last day lunch.
• Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes town.
•  Entry to Hot Springs in Aguas Calientes town (Optional: S/. 10).

IMPORTANT:

• Prices with accommodations based in double occupancy.
• Optional: Vistadome train service, add $ 60.00 per passenger.
• For the Inca Jungle 4 days and 3 nights, on your arrival to Cusco, we will give you a pre-travel talk (briefing) of the city and of the tour in your hotel; the time will be confirmed on your arrival.

PAYMENT DETAILS:

For the Inca Jungle 4 days and 3 nights, we require a non-refundable trek deposit (50%) of the total. The deposit can be send by a WESTERN UNION or to our BANK ACCOUNT money transfer. This is the fastest and most secure form of payment in Peru. Once you arrive in Cusco, you must pay the remaining balance in cash prior to beginning your tour. We accept both US Dollars and Peruvian Soles (local currency)

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING:

•  Backpack for medium to large with rain shelter.
•  Suitable shoes for trekking.
•  Sleeping bag (in case you have not, you can rent one in Cusco).
•  Raincoat (may be purchased in Cusco).
•  Clothing for warm and cold climate like a waterproof jacket, rain pants and        Lightweight pants.
•  Slippers or sandals (for showers and Hot Springs).
•  Woolen or synthetic socks and a sweater.
• Long and short-sleeved polo´s/T-Shirts.
•  Rain poncho and a hat.
•  Bathing suit (for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes).
•  Water bottle and sterilizing tablets, toiletries and toilet paper.
•  Flashlight (we recommend two pairs of batteries).
•  Sunscreen and insect repellent, disinfecting alcohol and gel.
•  Some snacks like Chocolate bars and dry fruits, sweets, etc.
•  Personal things and towel.
•  Original passport, original ISIC student card and extra money in soles.
•  Camera (wrapped in plastic bag), batteries, etc.
•  Since the weather can be very cold, your clothes once gotten wet won’t dry at night. So take some clothes to change.

CONDITIONS & TERMS:

• Please note that the program deposit is non-refundable. The deposit is used to purchase the ticket entrance to Machu Picchu and for booking the train ticket and hostels. Moreover, once a space is purchased it cannot be resold.
• Finders Peru will not give any refunds if a participant decides to cancel the trip prior to departure or during the trip (except from the entrances to the archaeological sites and the bus/train tickets).
• If Finders Peru doesn’t confirm the reservation, your payment will be refunded totally.
• All participants have to carry their own backpacks, including sleeping bag and mattresses unless they booked an extra porter or the service includes porters, horsemen or mules.
• This is not a simple walk, is an adventure for over 3800 meters. The first day can be stressful for some people. Before this can have problems with altitude, must be prepared for eventualities how are you, headaches, heart palpitations, shortness of breath even vomiting.
• All participants must declare if he/she has any sickness or medical disorder and must bring his/her own medicines (If you have any health problem that depends on some special attention, we recommend that you do not the Inca jungle trail, because at least two days we will be outside of any care you may want).
• You must be in Cusco at least 2 days before departure date to the Inca jungle. This just to confirm their presence and also to make a basic acclimatization before starting our adventure.
• All participants must bring their original passport and if available, their original student “ISIC GREEN” card.
• It is compulsory that all clients have personal travel insurance. This insurance must cover personal accident, medical expenses, loss of effects and all other expenses, which might arise as a result of loss, damage or injury occurring to the client. Finders Peru can´t be accounted for any accident or loss of personal belongings the customer caused by his/her own.
• In case force majeure occurs, like impossibility to operate the program or trek due to unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside Finders Peru’s control like: extreme weather conditions, landslides, strikes not allowing operation or putting it at risk, sudden inaccessibility of route, etc. Finders Peru will propose viable solutions to operate the program within the available dates, or if impossible, will then propose an alternative program. If the alternative program chosen by the client is of lower value than that originally booked then the client is entitled to a refund of the price difference. All costs derived will be at the expense of the client. In case none of these would be feasible, Finders Peru would refund all the money paid except all the incurred expenses so far.
• Everything that you do not take the Inca Jungle trail, can be left at our office in Cusco or the Hotel. Since our office has a warehouse.
• If you have any questions or concerns about this program, come in contact with us by email, phone or msm.

NOTES:

1. Visit to Wayna Picchu mountain, requires to booked long time in advance, however we charge additional US$ 15.00 and then, we will guarantee your entrance for Wayna Picchu as well (This new State law began since the 18th of July, 2011).
2. Tips for porters, cooks and guides are always welcome. The porters are also very grateful for a small donation, for example clothes or school equipment for their children.