If you’re considering a trek or tour to Machu Picchu or a hike on the Inca Trail, you might be tempted to plan your own trip and go it alone. Before you make any decisions, however, it’s important to understand what you can and cannot do without a fully licensed tour operator. Do You Need a Tour Guide for an Inca Trail Trek? No matter how experienced you are as a hiker or how much you’d like to trek the Inca Trail without a guide, the official Inca Trail regulations require all hikers to be a part of an organized group led by a duly licensed and authorized tour guide. Because only a limited number of companies have the required licensing and authorization, you must do your research and choose your tour agency carefully. Only licensed providers can purchase the necessary permits. Double-check that your agency is purchasing the permits, because they sell out quickly. You must also be careful when booking your trek because, unless you book with a direct provider of a Classic Inca Trail Trek, you will be handed off to an unknown third-party tour agency. It’s also important to note that tour operators are allowed to book up to 16 hikers per trek. If you find yourself in a group that size, you may not have a good experience if not enough guides, porters and other support team members are present. Likewise, some companies have last-minute cancellation policies if not enough people book a trek. That…
Today more than ever, visitors to Machu Picchu – and the tour companies that assist them – must practice environmental and social responsibility. Sometimes referred to as eco-tourism, these principles and practices allow visitors to enjoy a rich, interactive experience without exerting any adverse effects on the culture, economy, social structure or natural environment of this unique locale. At SAM Travel Peru, we are committed to operating under truly sustainable principles. As a local tour operator based in Cusco, we lead by example with our environmentally and socially responsible practices, fostering understanding, awareness and respect for this incomparable region. Eco-Tourism & Machu Picchu Whether you prefer eco-tourism or ecotourism, this phrase is used often by tour companies around the world. For tour operators providing treks and trips to Machu Picchu and the surrounding areas, it’s even more common – and for good reason. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu faces countless risks due to its popularity as a tourist destination. Unless tour companies exercise great care, this fragile site and the pristine environment of the region may become irreparably damaged. Not only do the ruins and environment face risks but the culture of the region and the well-being of its indigenous peoples are also vulnerable in a variety of significant ways. Why We Must Be Environmentally & Socially Responsible Environmental responsibility is critical for anyone visiting Cusco, Machu Picchu and any of the surrounding areas. The onus is on tour companies to ensure that their operations have no negative…
Boutique travel to Machu Picchu and alternative locations, including luxury and all-inclusive tour and trek packages, might not hit all the highlights that you’ve dreamed about. If you encounter this challenge, consider booking a customized tour package. When you work with a tour operator who will work with you to customize the adventure of your dreams, you can rest assured that your trip will be everything you imagined it could be. Options for Customizing Your Peru & Machu Picchu Tour Package The popular Machu Picchu travel options include treks up the Inca Trail to the Citadel and traditional (non-hiking) tours. Most travelers use Cusco as a launching point, and many choose to include the Sacred Valley as a part of their adventure. That said, you have a virtually endless supply of other locations to visit, including Salkantay, Lares, Huchuy Qosqo, Choquequirao, Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain. Choquequirao, for example, is home to a truly magnificent archaeological site. You might prefer to add a stop there and take a private tour of the palaces, temple and ritual water fountains. Or perhaps you would prefer to trek from Lares to Machu Picchu, allowing you to meet indigenous peoples in the remote villages along the way. Designing Your Custom Machu Picchu & Peru Itinerary Virtually all of southern Peru and the areas surrounding Machu Picchu offer an unbelievable combination of culture, scenery, history and ecological diversity. So much so, in fact, that you may struggle to decide what you want to include in your…
If you’re thinking about an Inca Trail trek to explore Machu Picchu in 2020, you don’t have too much time left to plan and book your tour. This magical adventure is the most popular hike of South America, allowing you to walk in the footsteps of the Incas on a trail that dates back almost a millennium. This scenic hike leads directly through the Sun Gate and into the legendary seat of the Incan Empire, the majestic Machu Picchu Citadel. A 4-day trek on the Classic Inca Trail provides the most immersive experience and a sense of accomplishment that almost defies description. However, unless you research your options and choose the right tour company for your adventure, you could miss out on some of the most significant experiences of the trek. Highlights of a 4-Day Classic Inca Trail Trek The archaeological treasures and ecological diversity of the Inca Trail are unparalleled in the world. On your adventure, you will experience ten different ecological zones, ranging from tropical forests to glacial peaks. The Machu Picchu historical sanctuary is home to more than 200 different species of orchids and more than 450 bird species. In addition to dozens of archaeological sites, the area is crisscrossed with ancient Incan travel routes and majestic rivers. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to camp in small villages that you would otherwise never have the chance to experience. You will gaze out over life-changing views of snow-capped mountain peaks, canyons and even a cloud…
DÍA 1: PISAC – MORAY – MINAS DE SAL – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES Lo recogeremos en su hotel a las 7 am, con nuestra camioneta privada y nos dirigiremos hacia el Valle Sagrado de los Incas, tomando la ruta directa a Pisac. Primero nos dirigimos al Santuario de Animales Ccochahuasi, que tiene una variedad de animales peruanos, incluido un Puma peruano, y el gran Cóndor, el ave nacional del Perú. Luego se dirigirá al mirador de Taray para disfrutar de una vista clásica del valle de Urubamba con cultivos que visten las montañas como una alfombra. En adelante, nos dirigimos al sitio arqueológico de Pisac, donde se puede ver el cementerio inca más grande con más de 2000 tumbas. Allí admiramos las increíbles terrazas agrícolas excavadas en la montaña, exploramos el túnel inca y el área religiosa de esta importante ciudadela. Aquí pasaremos más de 2 horas, explorando la ciudad inca. Luego regresamos al colorido mercado de Pisac, pasamos un tiempo visitándolo con todas sus artesanías y tesoros para descubrir y luego conduciremos a Urubamba para almorzar. Con su encanto atemporal, visitamos el sitio arqueológico de Moray, también conocido como “Los invernaderos de los Incas”, un tazón evolutivo de terrazas ecológicas. Las terrazas están talladas en un enorme tazón, que fueron excavados por los incas con fines agrícolas. Las terrazas tienen microclimas variados, dependiendo de la profundidad del recipiente. Se cree que fueron utilizados por los incas para descubrir las condiciones óptimas de crecimiento para sus diferentes cultivos. Ampliando…
