Please refer to your tour voucher for details of the meeting point for this tour. Ths contains contact details for our local partners who run this trip on behalf of Kumuka Worldwide.

A trip briefing is generally held early evening the day before departure. We strongly advise you attend this briefing. Please advise your agent if you are unable to attend this briefing.  

Please note: It is essential that Kumuka has full details of where you will be staying in Cusco on the night before your tour starts (hotel name and telephone number) so that we can pass these on to our local partners in Cusco. Local conditions (climatic, political) occasionally mean that we need to change tour departure times or transfer times at short notice, therefore it is essential that our local partners in Cusco are able to contact you in Cusco. We are unable to issue vouchers for this tour until we have received details of your Cusco accommodation. We strongly suggest that you organise pre-tour in Cusco with Kumuka Worldwide.

Cusco. Today is a free day to relax, acclimatise and enjoy all that this town has to offer. You may want to take a guided city tour in the afternoon, or simply unwind and enjoy the markets, cafes and bars.

Overnight Cusco.

We recommend you purchase a Cusco tourist ticket on arrival which allows entrance to a variety of sites during your stay in Cusco. (see pre-departure information for further information)

Jungle Lodge/ Tres Chimbadas Oxbow Lake / Parrot Clay Lick

We wake up early and enjoy a fantastic jungle breakfast, we depart early on a 30 minute boat ride follwed by a 45 minute hike which brings you to the Tres Chimbadas Oxbow Lake. At the lake whilst paddling in a catamaran we may be lucky and view a family of Giant River Otters who are mainly active between dawn to 8 or 9 in the morning. Other lakeside residents include caiman as well as many differnt birds including the horned screamer endemic to the area this bird boasts iridescent feathers and an interesting call.

After the lake and heading back to the lodge we stop at the Parrot Clay lick from a small hide about 20 metres away one can be lucky enough to spot dozens of parrots and parakeets.

Lunch at the Lodge, followed by an afternoon Ethnobotanical Tour. A short boat ride takes you to a trail designed by another communal organisation, Centro Nape. The trail looks at how to utilise various forest plants for medicinal purposes and explores the importance of the various plant species.

Dinner at the lodge can be followed with a short nocturnal walk experience. This is an opportunity to see most of the forest mammals who prefer to be active at night and experience the sounds and smells of the forest.

Sacred Valley Tour. The drive winds its way up the hillsides and over the mountains, taking you past many local ruins and finally descending into the Urubamba Valley - more commonly known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The valley is lush, peaceful and very picturesque, with many tiny villages that seem to have not changed for hundreds of years. Ruins run the length of this valley all the way to Machu Picchu, evidence that this was an extremely important area for the Incas, both ceremonially and strategically.
 
First stop is the Pisaq Ruins, located high up on the side of the valley. This is one of the best examples of the huge terracing system that the Incas used to produce the vast amounts of corn and potatoes they needed. Guided tour included. 
 
Next stop is the tranquil village of Pisaq, which has a fantastic and very colourful market. It is a great opportunity to meet the local Quechua people, and buy some locally made crafts.
 
The tour then follows the Urubamba River down the valley to Ollantaytambo. The group will stop for lunch at either the village of Pisaq or at a stop along the valley. Ollantaytambo village is a traditional Incan Village with its buildings, courtyards and narrow lanes retaining their original form. Rising above the village are the impressive Ollantaytambo ruins which gaze across the valley like a fortress. Guided tour included. 

Overnight in the Sacred Valley for clients departing the following morning on the classic Inca Trail. Return to Cusco and overnight Cusco for clients departing the following morning on the Lares trek.

Please note that Cusco Tourist Tickets are not included in the cost of this tour. These are payable locally. A full Cusco Tourist Ticket currently costs approximately USD30 (April 2012 price). This is not included as  part of the tour as there are several options and the tickets are also available at a discounted rate for those with international student cards. The ticket is required for entry into Pisaq ruins  (not needed for Pisaq market) and Ollantaytambo ruins. The ticket also allows access to many other sites in and around Cusco not included on this particular tour

Inca Trail. Wallyabamba to Pacamayo - Dead Woman’s Pass.  Day two is the toughest day as we reach the highest point of the trail at Dead Women’s Pass with an altitude of just over 4200 metres above sea level.

Leaving Wayllabamba, the trail climbs again, passing through sub-tropical vegetation before giving way to woodland, which in turn gives way to scrub vegetation. As you ascend higher, passing through rugged terrain, the views of the valley below become increasingly spectacular. One last steep ascent brings us to the fabled “Dead Woman’s Pass” and a welcome rest break – congratulations! You made it! This is the highest point on the trail at 4200m. Once your energy returns, we descend to the Pacamayo Valley and our campsite, situated at 3600m. This is the coldest night on the trail, where temperatures fall to 2 to 4 degrees in December and –3 to –5 degrees in June.

OR

Lares Trek. Quishuarani - Cancha Cancha (3,800m)
This morning we depart early as this is going to be our longest day on the trail.  We will hike approx. 7 hours today with a midday lunch break.  We start our ascent to the highest point of the trek, Pachacutec Pass (4,450m).  From the pass you will be rewarded with superb views of Pachacutec Lake and the snowy peaks of Pitusiray, Sawasiray and Chicon. The path then continues downhill for about 2.5hrs to the village of Cancha Cancha where we have our campsite waiting for us.  Today you have a chance to see an abundance of wildlife, fauna and flora. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Inca Trail. Winaywayna to Machu Picchu. We rise very early on the morning of Day 4, trekking through woodland for a couple of hours, before climbing up stone stairs to arrive at the Sun Gate for dawn on the final day. Providing the weather is clear, the view from the Sun Gate down to Machu Picchu is breathtaking and something you will never forget.

OR

Lares Trek. Machu Picchu! - Cusco
A very early start after breakfast in order that we can arrive in time for sunrise at Machupicchu. We take one of the first bus up around 5.30am-6.00am.  There will be a 2 hour fully guided tour around the ruins, visiting the main sites and monuments. After the tour you will have free time to wander around and explore by yourself. In the afternoon we take the train back to Ollantaytambo/Poroy (depending on availability), where you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cusco. (Breakfast)

Inca Trail, Machu Picchu to Cusco. Imagine what it was like for the explorer Hiram Bingham who discovered this long lost city back in 1911 and gave the world one of its most breathtaking ancient sites. The city, with its temples stairways and gabled dwellings is probably one of the most astounding engineering feats of the whole of the Ancient American civilisations. What you see is never to be forgotten - but have your camera ready as well, just for the record. Upon reaching the ruins, our experienced local guides will give you a tour of the ruins for approximately two hours and then the rest of the day is yours to explore. If you’re still feeling energetic you can climb the nearby Huayna Picchu Mountain (please co-ordinate this with your guide as restrictions apply to climbing numbers and times) and enjoy some more great views of the city and snap some brilliant pictures as well! Alternatively you can kick back under a tree in the plaza at Machu Picchu. We descend to the town of Aguas Calientes (bus fare of US$7 payable locally or option of hiking down to Aguas Calientes) to enjoy a buffet lunch and enjoy a hot shower. Sacks will be given out so that you can transport your personal belongings carried by the porters, back to Cusco That afternoon you can lie back and relax in the hot springs at Aguas Calientes. The return train to Cusco (or train and bus combo) leaves Aguas Calientes at around 4 or 5 pm, arriving back in Cusco around 8.30pm, followed by a transfer back to Main Plaza in Cusco arriving about 9pm.

Lake Titicaca: Floating Reed Islands and Amantani Island Family Homestay. We make an early morning transfer from the hotel to the port and travel by motor boat across the blue waters of the lake to the legendary Uros Islands where you can observe the lives of the Uros people who live on floating reed islands some only 20 metres in length. After a beautiful 3hr boat ride we reach Amantani island where we will break into smaller groups to stay with the local families. We will trek to the top of the mountain (4150 mtrs) to see the Temples of the Pachamama and Pachatata and enjoy the traditional customs of the island people. Here we spend the night with a friendly local family, and get to know about how they live -a very different life from our own. Dance the night away to traditional music and learn some of the local dance moves.

Puno  to Cusco OR Arequipa OR Copacabana (Bolivia). Please advise Kumuka or your agent which city you wish to end your tour in.
Approximate departure / Arrival times for each journey are:

Puno to Cusco - Pick up approx 7:30am for Bus departing at 8am. Arrival in Cusco approx 2:30-3pm

Puno to Arequipa - Pick up approx 2:30pm for bus departing 3pm. Arrival 8:30 - 9pm

 Puno to Copacabana - Pick up approx 7 for bus departing 7.30am, Arrival 11:30am Bolivian time (10:30am Peru time)

We automatically pair you up to share a tent with another traveller of the same gender. However, if you prefer to have sole occupancy of a tent, this will incurr a single supplement of GBP20/AUD50/NZD60/EUR30/CAD45/ USD40. Please advise Kumuka or your agent at the time of booking if you wish to organise a single supplement.

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible but please note that Latin America does not run like clockwork, therefore do not expect the streamlined travel arrangements associated with some other continents. Things do not always go to plan; there will be times when you will need to be patient and philosophical about your travels. Conditions in South America can change rapidly and changes to the itinerary may be necessary.

CONTINGENCY FUND:
Protests and civil unrest occasionally take place in South America, namely Peru and Bolivia. Occasionally this might mean that we have to fly between two destinations in order to continue the tour. We strongly recommend that you bring along a contingency fund (as a guide we suggest USD300) or a credit card to cover any unexpected additional travel costs that may arise in these circumstances.

Be flexible, you will enjoy your tour much more. Kumuka makes a point of visiting the indigenous populations of each country you visit, in order to give a true reflection of the country; please treat the local people and their customs with respect.

Lastly, your tour leader is always conscious of everybody's views, but sometimes he/she will have to make an unpopular decision and your understanding will be appreciated in these circumstances.

Our Jungle lodge is a 30-bedroom rainforest lodge perfect for families and other soft adventurers looking for their first taste of the Amazon’s natural wonders.

Just a 45-minute boat ride from the town of Puerto Maldonado, this spacious lodge offers an excellent combination of convenience and comfort with outstanding opportunities to see Amazonian wildlife, all during a short break of as little as two nights.

Owned by the indigenous Ese-Eja community of Infierno,  the lodge is located within the Ese-Eja’s communal reserve, next to the Tambopata National Reserve.

Despite being relatively close to Puerto Maldonado, the lodge offers ample opportunities to see wildlife and experience the Amazon’s rich ecosystem at firsthand, including: Otters,Monkeys, Caimans, capybaras and any number of various bird species.

Being built sustainably from traditional materials including mahogany, palm fronds, wild cane and clay, the lodge bedrooms are spacious with private bathrooms. They can comfortably accommodate three beds each although most only have two beds.Each bed has a mosquito net and each room a hammock. Each bedroom opens out on one side directly onto the rainforest, allowing visitors to engage with this vibrant ecosystem even on their downtime.Rooms are decorated with bas-relief wood-carvings representing stories and characters from Ese-Eja traditions.The entire roof of the lodge is constructed using high quality crisneja palm fronds, whereas the floors are of tropical mahogany.A generator is switched on daily to allow guests to recharge cameras, cellphones and other devices. Lighting at night is by candle and kerosene lamp. It gets very dark when the lights go off so be sure to bring your flashlight!

Porters carry all tents, cooking equipment and food. Personal porters are included in the price you pay to carry up to 7kg . 

You will still 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. Your bag will be waiting for you in your tent at the campsites.

A rice sack to protect your backpack can be provided although these are not water proof so we advise you to use plastic bags to protect your gear. The porters have large ponchos to cover them and the bag.

Please note there are fines if you give an excess of  7kgs so it is advisable to underpack rather than overpack.

Tipping is entirely at your discretion although it is commonplace for trekkers to tip their guides and porters on the Inca Trail. We recommend you carry approximately USD50-60 to cover the tipping tradition.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment and repatriation. It is also very important that your insurance policy is relevant to the Kumuka style of travel. Kumuka offers a specially negotiated insurance policy specifically tailored to adventure travel. As well as providing substantial cover for medical emergency, cancellation and curtailment, personal luggage, money and valuables and legal expenses, this insurance will also provide cover for the adventure activities you may choose to undertake whilst on tour. Please call us on the Kumuka freephone number 0800 068 8855 (UK only), or on 1300 667 277 in Australia, for further information.

No client will be allowed on tours without suitable insurance. If you have already arranged insurance elsewhere, please be aware that many of the optional activities such as bungy jumping or water rafting may not be covered on your policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance.

At the start of your tour you will be asked to present your original policy document and complete an insurance information form. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original.

Please note: you will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.
   

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your South America trip. Country  entry regulations change daily, www.kumuka.com provides visa information. Please consult your Travel Agent or relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs.

EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR.

Kumuka does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.
   

The Inca Trail can be undertaken by anyone of average fitness, however, it must be stressed that this is a demanding trek at altitude. Whilst you may be accustomed to trekking over 10kms a day in your home country, it is unlikely that these treks that you have previously undertaken have been at significant altitude. It is important not to underestimate the effect that altitude can have on your body, and whilst most travellers experience nothing more than breathlessness for the first few days, and perhaps a mild headache, occasionally more serious altitude-related complications can occur.

We advise you to spend at least 2-3 days in Cusco prior to the start of your trek in order to acclimatise. Eating lightly for the first day or two, as well as drinking plenty of bottled water and getting some rest upon arrival will all help with acclimatisation. Should you feel ill prior to commencing the Inca Trail we urge you to contact our local agent SAS, as medical facilities on the trail are non-existent and your return to hospital facilities in Cusco may take up to a day.

However, most travellers complete the Inca Trail with nothing worse than tired legs, aching feet (which can be helped by a soak in the hot springs at Aguas Calientes) and certainly with a great sense of personal achievement!
Should you have reservations about trekking the Inca Trail but wish to visit Machu Picchu and the surrounding area we recommend that you take our "2 Day Classic Train" trip.  

Prophylactic tablets are essential in some areas of South America. They are prescribed by your vaccinating doctor and should be taken as directed.

We suggest passengers budget for between US$25-30 per day for personal expenses, souvenirs, evening out, alcoholic drinks etc. Be aware that some countries are more expensive than others and that if you are travelling through several your expenses will vary enormously. Similarly there will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget.

Take your money is US dollars only. This the only foreign currency readily exchanged in Latin America.

Traveller’s cheques should be AMERICAN EXPRESS. American Express is the most widely accepted. Cash is far easier to exchange than Travellers Cheques, but also more risky as once lost, is irreplaceable.

However, we do recommend that you take some US dollars cash in small denominations ($10 and $20). In many countries, you may exchange US Dollars traveller’s cheques for US cash, or retrieve US dollars cash from ATMs (with a credit card), usually for a small commission but please do not rely solely on this option.

Credit cards are accepted frequently, particularly in the larger cities. They can also be used to get money from ATMs. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are the most widely accepted credit cards. Visa being the most useful.
   
Please Note:  Note: You need to take at least 150.00 Soles extra emergency money as there are no ATM´s in Aguas Calientes and higher commission is charged on Travellers’ Cheques.
 
   

Packing List  Packing List:  BACKPACK
SLEEPING BAG 
WALKING CLOTHES : LAYERS 
FLASH LIGHT 
CAMERA AND EXTRA FILM 
SUNPROTECTION : SUNSCREEN : SUN HAT : SUNGLASSES 
THERMALS : WOOL SOCKS : AND WOOLEN HAT FOR COLD NIGHTS
INSECT REPELLENT 
RAIN PONCHO : GOOD RAIN GEAR IN WET SEASON: NOV TO MARCH 
TOILETRIES / PAPER 
GLOVES / SCARF 
WATER BOTTLE : WATER PURIFYING TABLETS 
PERSONAL MEDICAL KIT 
ORIGINAL PASSPORT 
EXTRA MONEY FOR PORTERS TIPS, ETC
OTHER INFORMATION
SLEEPING BAG RENTAL
Sleeping bag rental/ 4 days/ US$20

Introduction

This is a moderate to strenuous hiking trek to the Lost City of Machu Picchu. The gateway for this trek is Cuzco, where passengers leave their luggage at the hotel and only need to take their mats, sleeping bags and personal items necessary for the duration of the excursion (4 days).

Porters

Porters are included. General porters carry tents, food, cooking equipment. We also include personal porters for approx 7kgs per person. They carry sleeping bags, clothes etc. You need to carry a day pack with water bottle, jacket, camera etc. As porters are split between group members, 7kgs is a rough guide as to the weight that a personal porter will carry. Additionally, it may sometimes be possible to hire extra porters on Day 2 (the most difficult day of the trek) if you require, to carry day packs etc to second campsite. Approx cost is USD25 - this is not organised through Kumuka or our ground handler. Foam sleeping mats are provided by the ground handler, weighing 800g and counted as part of the 7kgs carried by personal porters.

Tipping

Tipping is entirely at your discretion although it is commonplace for trekkers to tip their guides and porters on the during the Inca Trail and Lares treks. We recommend you carry approximately USD50-60 to cover the tipping tradition.

Itinerary and Distances

This is a guideline to the average distances and altitudes during the Inca Trail (please note all the information is a guideline only and every person must judge their own physical condition personally). Should you believe you are not fit enough for this hike, you can go to Machu Picchu by train, please advise your tour leader.

• Day 1 - trailhead to first camp Huayllabamaba (2700 m), distance 13 km, an average hiking time 7 hours with stops.
• Day 2 - hardest day, ascending to 4200m, distance 15KM, average hiking time 8 hours with breaks.
• Day 3 - very scenic day with many Ruins en route, distance 14 KM, camp at Winaywayna 2700m. 7-8 hours hiking.
• Day 4 - start in the dark to get to Machu Picchu at sunrise, 3 hours hike and free morning to explore Machu Picchu. If you wish to climb Wayna Picchu, please co-ordinate this with your guide as the park has restricted climbing times and numbers to  An ascent of the nearby Huayna Picchu mountain offers fantastic views of the city of Machu Picchu and some great photos as well. If you wish to guarantee your permit, this must be booked in advance. Return to Aguas Calientes (bus down from Machu Picchu payable locally). For those who have hired personal porters, blue sacks will be given out a lunchtime for you to transport your belongings back to Cusco. Train back to Ollantaytambo.

Permit Availability

Availability of Inca Trail and Huayna Picchu permits is limited, particularly during high season when the number of tourists wishing to walk the Inca Trail is greater than the number of permits available. Whilst we will endeavour to organise an Inca Trail and Huayna Picchu permit for you, these are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. In the event that permits for the Inca Trail and Huayna Picchu are unavailable, we will advise you as soon as possible about the two possible alternatives for reaching Machu Picchu 1- The 4 day Lares trek and 2- The 2 day Classic Train trip. Our website tour departure dates are updated frequently to indicate availability or non-availability of Inca Trail permits, however, permit availability can change with little warning: whilst we endeavour to keep this information as current as possible, we cannot guarantee permit availability.

Passport Details

Please ensure that you provide Kumuka with your passport details at the time of booking. Failure to do so may mean that you miss out on an Inca Trail permit as these can sell out very quickly. Kumuka will apply for your Inca Trail permit with the passport details which you provide us at the time of booking. If you hold more than one passport you must advise Kumuka which passport details we should use in order to apply for the Inca Trail permit.

Pre-payment of Inca Trail deposit
The cost of the Inca Trail deposit  must be paid in full at the time of booking. This is in addition to the tour deposit and is non refundable. Inca Trail permits will be applied for ONLY once full payment of deposit,  and written confirmation of your full name, passport number and date of birth have been received. These deposits are  included in the total tour price, and this amount will be deducted from the tour balance once paid.  Please refer to http://www.kumuka.com/Inca-Trail-News.aspx for more information.

Late Permit Applications
Late Inca Trail permit applications may occasionally incur an extra charge as we may need to organise an additional guide and pay for their trekking permit in order to secure your permit. We will advise you at the time of booking.

Changes and Amendments
Note that fees apply if you need to make changes and/ or amendments to your Inca Trail permit due to factors such as passport loss or renewal, illness, failure to provide Kumuka with correct details, date changes and tour transfers. For full information, please refer to:  http://www.kumuka.com/Inca-Trail-News.aspx

No Permit Availability
We can normally arrange the alternative 4 day Lares trek. Lares departures generally coincide with high season. Due to lesser demand and inclement weather, departures on the Lares Trail are limited during the low season. If there is no availability for either the Inca Trail or the Lares trek, we can normally arrange for you to spend 2 extra days in Cusco and then take the 2 day Classic Train trip to Machu Picchu, where you will meet with your original group for the guided visit to Machu Picchu. Please note that if we are unable to secure you an Inca Trail permit and you do not wish to hike the alternative Lares trek or take the Classic Train trip, your deposit will be returned to you.

High Season/ Low Season Information
November to March is considered low season. We can often obtain permits at short notice during this time. April to October is considered high season. We require your passport details as far in advance as possible during this time. The trail is closed during the month of February for maintenance. If your tour coincides with the Inca Trail closure, we can normally offer Lares or the Classic Train.

From April 2009 no Peru Rail trains will be running from Aguas Calientes all the way to Cusco. Trains will either run from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Aguas Calientes to Poroy. From Ollantaytambo or Poroy to Cusco, a bus transfer service will be provided. Poroy to Cusco is around 20 minutes.

We have put a lot of thought and effort into locating the most appropriate type of accommodation for each tour. We choose our hotels, guesthouses and hostels for their location, comfort, security and hygiene standards. All are located near the city centre usually within easy walking distance of services and facilities. Most rooms are on a twin, double or triple share basis with private bathrooms.

Accommodation is not included in the city of departure or arrival (unless within the specified tour dates). Passengers doing a combination tour will have accommodation included when passing through a joining city (maximum 2 nights) providing they have booked on the combination tour code.

You should allow US$25 to US$40 per day to cover food and accommodation during this time.

The more you put into your tour the greater the experience you will get from your trip. It is all about participation and mucking in with your fellow passengers!

All types of camera film are readily available in Latin America; however, it is often cheaper to purchase it in your country of origin or through duty free. Don't forget to bring an adaptor so that you can re-charge yor digital camera.

Please remember, we are guests in the countries through which we travel and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs without first asking permission.

Most Latin American countries have very strict rules about taking photos of army, police or any official personnel; restrictions apply at borders, bridges and any government building. Please exercise care in this regard as the penalty may be to have your film and/or camera confiscated. It is absolutely forbidden by law to take photos at any borders, as they are all active military installations.
   

You might like to read up on the destinations that you are about to visit as these cities all have interesting sites and histories. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide and Insight Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the countries you visit.
   

Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback

Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com

KUMUKA WORLDWIDE

UK OFFICE

Hillswood Business Park 3000
Hillswood Drive Chertsey KT16 0RS
Tel: +4420 7937 8855 Fax: +442075043782

Email: sales@kumuka.com
www.kumuka.com

AUSTRALIAN OFFICE

Level 5, 387 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: 02 9279 0491 Fax: 02 9279 0492
Email: sales@kumuka.com.au
www.kumuka.com.au