Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail To Machu Picchu

4 Days/ 3 Nights

Day 1: Cusco – Pisac– Huaran – Cancha Cancha

Your Andean Mountain adventure through the Lares Valley to Machu Picchu begins early with your pickup at 5:00am from your Cusco hotel. Within an hour, we will arrive at the ancient ruins of the truly awesome Pisac Inca Citadel. Visit the ruins before any other groups arrive, enjoying the tranquility of the morning. Your guide will share with you the unique history of the Pisac Inca Citadel and its importance both before and during the Inca Empire.

Breakfast is served in a comfortable and private Pisac guest house. You will be impressed with your chef’s hearty and delicious breakfast, which will be just what you need to get ready for the first day trekking! Driving onward for 40 more minutes to Huaran, we meet your horsemen and horses. Time to get ready, boots on, and begin our first 3 hours gradually ascending towards Cancha Cancha. Along the way, your lunch will be served next to the river, replenishing your energy for the trek ahead with a delicious meal prepared by your trekking chef.

Cancha Cancha(3,900m/12,800ft) is one of the most isolated and traditional communities, self-sustaining as it has been for hundreds of years. There is no road to the community and they were recently connected to electricity in December, 2019. After settling into your tents and having afternoon tea, you will have the opportunity to visit a local family. You will learn all about life in a traditional Andean village, with your guide as your interpreter. After dinner, your guide will show you the Inca constellations on which they depended for their agricultural guidance and still do to this day.

• Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities with bathroom building
• Distance: 9kms / 5.6 miles
• Time: 3.5hrs approximately
• Difficulty: Moderate 

Day 2: Cancha Cancha – Quiswarani – Ollantaytambo

Feeling all revved up to begin our second day, after another delicious breakfast, we begin our 7 hour hike northeast. It starts out as an intense walk, accomplishing high passes on our way to the highest point of our trek at Pachacutec Pass(4,500m /14,800 ft). This is where you pat yourself on the back and embrace the satisfaction and exhilaration for making it up to the summit. Motivating you along the trail for this intense part of the trek are the views of glaciers, remote lakes, alpaca herds, rugged valleys and spectacular mountain vistas. Keep your eyes on the sky for the Caracara falcons and Andean geese.

After enjoying the summit, we descend for 3 hours until we reach our campsite located by the Quiswarani community at (3,700m/12,139ft). On the way, we will be taking an isolated trail where we will see indigenous highland people in their traditional outfits herding their llamas and alpacas. The local indigenous people will open their hearts and interact with you in the Quechua language (the Incas’ language). Your guide will act as your interpreter to translate and teach you some Quechua language. When you arrive at the spectacular seven waterfalls, you are almost to the end of the trail!

Finally we arrive to Quishuarani and take our transportation for 2 hours to Ollantaytambo where we will have dinner together and stay the night. If you are staying at the Veronica View, you will have time to enjoy the heated swimming pool or sauna before dinner.

• Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• 2* Accommodation: Veronica View Hotel or Tunupa Lodge
• Distance: 12kms / 7.5 miles
• Time: 7hrs approximately
• Difficulty: challenging

DAY 3: Ollantaytambo – KM 104 – WIÑAYHUAYNA – SUN GATE – MACHU PICCHU

We start this exciting day early; your guide will leave the hotel with you at 5:30. When you arrive at the train station, your guide will give you your lunch to add to your daypack. Your train departs Ollantaytambo at 6:10 and you will have just over an hour on the train to enjoy the scenery and have breakfast (not included), Your hotel will provide you a picnic breakfast to take with you or you can pack your own breakfast.

Your guide will get off the train with you at the famous Km104, where your hike begins! (2,000m/6,560 ft. above sea level) After crossing the Urubamba river on a picturesque foot bridge, you will show your passport at the checkpoint and visit your first Inca site nearby. The first hour and a half are a gentle up, with several shelters along the way to pause for a bit out of the sun, or rain, depending on the season. Along the way, you will stop at several outlooks where you have an expansive view of the Urubamba River. You will also pass through several microclimates, including cloud forest, so be ready for damp or even rain at any season of the year. The next hour and a half are a slightly steeper uphill with a beautiful waterfall as your reward at the end of the hike!

Cross the bridge below the waterfall, take some time for photos and then you will find yourself gazing up at the spectacular Wiñay Wayna! (2,600m/8,500ft above sea level) These amazing Inca ruins have a fascinating history and some parts are still hidden by the dense jungle. This close to Machu Picchu, you are hiking through lush sub-tropical jungle. Your guide will tell you all about the ruins, plus the incredible flora and fauna of this microclimate and answer any questions you have before the short 5 minute walk to your lunch spot.

You have lunch at a covered shelter at the Wiñay Wayna campground, which is the last campground for those hiking the four day Inca Trail. Nearby are outdoor sinks to wash your hands and also restrooms. Take your time enjoying your hearty, gourmet lunch and admiring the tropical flowers around the campground. Be sure to notify us of any food allergies or dietary restrictions when you book!

After lunch, you will have a mostly flat walk to the Sun Gate, from which you have your first view of Machu Picchu! Though the hour long walk is a gentle rolling up and down, it does end with a set of steep stairs carved directly into the bedrock by the Inca. Once you reach the stairs you will know that you’re almost at the Sun Gate! It is a breathtaking view of Machu Picchu, so take some time to savor the moment and take photos. The last 45 minutes down from the Sun Gate provide many opportunities to take more photos of Machu Picchu from this unique vantage point. There are also a couple more important Inca sites between the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu, so make sure to go slowly, enjoy your time walking in the footsteps of the Inca on the Inca Trail and ask your guide questions about these historical places on the last bit of your hike to Machu Picchu.

Once you reach Machu Picchu, you will have time to take more photos from the viewing platforms above the site. You will arrive in the afternoon, as the archeological area starts to empty of tourists, which gives you the opportunity to take beautiful photos in the afternoon light with fewer people in your shots. Take your time to enjoy this magical experience before you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to check into your hotel. Your will have a delicious dinner, then have time to walk around this picturesque little town, visit the hot springs or just go to your hotel to rest after such an exciting day.

• Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner in a restaurant in Aguas Calientes
• 2* Accommodation: Inti Punku Tambo or Wiracocha Inn
• Difficulty: moderate

You will leave your duffel from the trek at the Ollantaytambo train station to be sent by train directly to Aguas Calientes.

DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

This is the day you’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast at your hotel, you’ll take one of the first busses up to Machu Picchu so that you can be there to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and not something you’ll want to miss! Your guide will give you the full tour, which takes about two hours. You will see all of the most important parts of Machu Picchu, including the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Condor, Temple of Three Windows, Sun Dial, Quarry and the House of the Inca. You will also learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious.

After your tour, those who have booked in advance for the extra hikes up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain will have time to enjoy those views on their own. When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs. Your train will depart at 14:55 or 15:20.

The train will take you back to Ollantaytambo, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. You can also see Wiñay Wayna from the train, if you look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 19:00.

Meal included: Breakfast

• Difficulty: Easy

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• Transfer from the airport to your hotel
• Private transportation from the hotel to Huaran – Trail head
• Licensed guide fluent in English, Spanish and Quechua.
• Round trip Expedition train ticket from Ollantaytambo to KM 104 and Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• 3 Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and return to Aguas Calientes
• Admission ticket to the Machu Picchu Archeological Complex
• Entrance tickets to the Inca Trail National Park
• 2 nights hotel with private bathroom, hot shower, wifi, storage and buffet breakfast included
• 4 person Igloo tents for 2 trekkers (large and comfortable)
• Pillow and foam mattress
• Delicious meals during the 4 days, as indicated in the itinerary
• Cook and cooking equipment
• Horseman and mules, to carry all camping and personal equipment (7 kilograms of your personal items such as extra clothes, sleeping bag, these will be carried by our mules) (on Lares Trek portion only)
• Provision of a horse in case of emergency (With helmet) in case of illness, to ensure the trek can be completed by all participants (on Lares Trek portion only)
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
• Boiled water to fill your drinking bottles
• Guided tour in Machu Picchu
• Chef, cooking equipment and kitchen tent
• Rain poncho
• Transfer back to Cusco for our group
• Local interaction with the local kids and the community

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

• Sleeping Bag: $20 USD per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
• Air Mattress: $20 USD per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
• Walking Poles: $15 USD per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)
• Personal tent: $30 USD – (Please request when you book your trek)
• Vistadome Train Upgrade: $67 USD per person (Return only)
• Huayna Picchu Mountain : $75 USD per person (Please request when you book your trek)
• Machu Picchu  Mountain : $75 USD per person  (Please request when you book your trek)
• Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes
• OPTIONAL UPGRADES: Hotel
• Tips for the crew, guide, cook and porters of SAM TRAVEL PERU

**Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are optional treks within Machu Picchu Citadel which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour. 

PRICE 

• $657  USD per person  without hotels

• $697 USD per person 2 nights 2* hotels

Personal porter included!

*** This price includes the pack horse who will carry your belongings up to 7 kilograms. We will provide you a duffel bag, to put your belongings in.

***We provide large Eureka 4 person tents for each 2 trekkers.  

***Private service is $100 USD extra per person 

DISCOUNTS:

• 18 to 25 years old: $30 USD. Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card is required at booking for government approval for discount.
• Under 18 years old: $30 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
• Under 11 years old: $40 USD.  Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
• Group of 5 people or more: $30 USD. All you need to do is book the trek together at the same time.

*** The short Inca trail to Machu Picchu is almost always available year round except it is closed in February for maintenance — This trek takes you into Machu Picchu by walking through the SUN GATE like in the ancient times, you will explore some amazing Inca ruins along the way like the magical Wiñay Wayna.

EXTRAS 

• Sleeping Bag: $20 USD per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
• Air Mattress: $20 USD per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
• Walking Poles: $15 USD per pair per trek (Professional poles that can be extended)
• Personal Tent: $30 USD – (Tent is for single trekkers only)
• Additional Night in Aguas Calientes – From: $60 USD (depending on availability)
• Vistadome Train Upgrade: $67 USD per person (Return only)
• Huayna Picchu Mountain : $75 USD per person (Please request when you book your trek)
• Machu Picchu  Mountain : $75 USD per person  (Please request when you book your trek)
• Single Supplement: $30 USD 2* for single travelers

**Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are optional treks within Machu Picchu Citadel which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour. 

ADDED VALUES  FOR FREE

Comfortable foam mattresses for every hiker, camping pillow, transfer from airport to hotel (only in Cusco), duffle bags, plastic liner bags, and extra blanket for the tent are included in the trekking price!

• GUIDED TOUR INTO PISAC INCA RUINS: Enjoy and explore the amazing Inca city of Pisac which is one of the most important Inca cities of the famous Sacred Valley.
• EXTRA PACK HORSE is included in the price, the pack horse will carry your things up to 7 kgs / 14p  sleeping bag, mattress, clothes etc. (Lares Trek portion only)
• COLD BOILED WATER will be provided along the trek, there will be hot and cold water at each meal time.
• OXYGEN TANK will be available.
• EMERGENCY HORSE is included which can be ridden if you feel tired or sick. (Lares Trek portion only)
• BEST ITINERARY operated by Lares Trek specialist only.

WHY CHOOSE SAM TRAVEL

SAM Travel Peru is a family owned travel agency and a local tour operator based in Cusco with personal experience over many years of trekking. SAM Travel Peru is a 100% Cusqueñian Company without any shareholders.

 Our dream as a locally based company is to create small personalized tours & treks strictly and only operated by local professional staff catering in PERSONALIZED and HIGH QUALITY SERVICE.  

We take pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. Our staff are our extended family! We ensure they are supported financially by offering them a fair salary. We are so proud of our team! Without them, we wouldn’t be able to offer the best service and lifetime experiences to our clients.

SAM Travel Peru knows how important it is to trust in a reliable honest operator to create your adventure of a lifetime while in Peru. Check out our reviews and certificates of excellence on, TRIPADVISOR for yourself! Also we are highly recommended on Conde Nast Travelers,  Lonely Planet and by many blogs like: Salkantay/Inka Trail ! July 14th to 20th 2016  Trek de Lares 4 hours, “It’s the journey, not the destination…”, Lares Pass – Day 3, Trekking in the Sacred Valley.

SMALL GROUPS

In an effort to provide a more personalised service to our passengers, we, in SAM Travel Peru  have a policy that our groups will not exceed 8 people. This sets us apart from other companies that operate departures with bigger groups.

BEST LARES TREK ROUTE + SHORT INCA TRAIL 

SAM Travel Peru is the only tour operator which TREKS OFF THE BEATEN PATH with the LARES TREK MACHU PICCHU, passing through the most isolated communities, ending at the exclusive Veronica View Hotel swimming pool. Now you get the best combination possible, our incredible LARES TREK PLUS SHORT INCA TRAIL.  It is the best of both worlds and NO ONE HAS A BETTER DEAL than SAM Travel Peru for this combination trek.

OUR TOP TOUR GUIDES

We are so proud of our guides! They are highly professional and speak fluent English. They are very knowledgeable and passionate for Inca heritage and history.  Our guides are dedicated to continuous personal and professional development. They do research to ensure that you receive accurate and recognized theories in Inca and Andean culture. Our crew is fun loving, great sports and well-educated. They all hold degrees in one of the following: Archeology, Tourism, Botany, History or Anthropology.

OUR  PACK HORSES

Trekking the Lares Trail and Short Inca Trail with SAM Travel Peru  is a life changing experience! This is a fully portered trek, where your comfort and enjoyment are our first priority. We make sure that you get the best experience for your holiday in Peru, while you interact with the locals, explore fantastic sites and re-discover remote ancient Inca towns. Our pack horses will carry your gear and are well cared for.

OUR COOKS ON THE LARES TREK 

The food on the trek has been highlighted by all our clients as delicious and abundant gourmet style meals. Peruvian and international cuisine are prepared by our professional and dedicated cooks from a mixture of local and exotic produce. If you have any dietary restrictions or have food allergies of any kind, we can cater to your needs.

OUR EQUIPMENT

Our team (Guides, cooks, horsemen) and our equipment are what really makes SAM Travel Peru stand out from all the competitors. For all our adventures, we hike we include the following items:

• OUR TENTS: Enjoy a good night’s sleep in our 4 season EUREKA Timberline tents. All our tents are 4 person tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
• OUR MATS: They are used to separate and insulate you from the ground. They all are comfortable.
• AIR MATTRESSES: They can be rented for $15 USD.
  OUR KITCHEN & DINING TENTS: The dining tent is used as our meeting room at meal time. It is a place to enjoy our meals and the company of fellow trekkers.
• OUR TABLES & CHAIRS: The interior of the dining room includes tables and chairs with two doors on each side, which are adaptable to weather conditions.
• DUFFEL BAGS: Will be provided at briefing time the night before the trek.
• MORE: Pillows, backpack, rain covers, survivor t-shirts, hot shower and the biochemical camping toilet are provided on trek.

OUR SERVICE PROJECTS

At SAM Travel Peru, we have always believed that we should give back to the local mountain communities.  Therefore, as part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we always do many service projects and hire locally.

SAM Travel Peru is so proud to be able to support our local people, not only by employing them but also by going back to our own grassroots as they share with their families. It makes us happy to have this holistic approach with our highland employees and their families!

Please read carefully the following information as it will help with your questions about our services and the Lares trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu!

ARRIVAL TO CUSCO

You will be greeted at Cusco airport and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival. Look for our representative holding an orange SAM Travel Peru board at the exit from the arrival terminal.

THE BRIEFING

Your briefing will take place the night before your trek. It will be held at our office at 6 or 6:30pm, depending on your confirmation email details.  The office is located at Calle Santa Teresa  Nº383 ; office 107 (second floor). We are next to Subway sandwich shop and share a lobby with Hotel Casona Corrales.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?

Of course! During the Lares trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you.

HOW TO BOOK THE LARES TREK & SHORT INCA TRAIL 

FIRST, to book your Lares trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.

Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group).  We cannot purchase an Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail permits and entrances without the following information:

• Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
• Gender
• Passport number
• D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
• Nationality

SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USDper person in order to purchase a permit for the Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail.   You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.

WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?

If you would like to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATMS within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service fee, charged by VISA and PAYPAL.  To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account and use our email address samtravelperu@gmail.com. 

MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?

Unfortunately the answer is No. Once the tickets have been bought the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure dates. Permits and entrance tickets are not transferable nor refundable. If you cancel your Lares trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the deposit is not refundable at all!

DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT?

Yes! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail, permit, entrances and reservations. In case you are renewing your passport or changing your name, go ahead and send us your old passport information to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number or updated your name for a fee of $25 USD per person.  We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change. Before you change your passport keep a copy of your old one.

If you do not wish to pay this fee you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you.  You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both passports, old and new to be to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or the train.  If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter the Lares trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu or get on the train.

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE LARES TREK & SHORT INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU?

The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. We recommend that you plan to always dress in layers to facilitate adjusting to the quickly changing weather conditions.

WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS?

In general, if you exercise regularly and spend a couple of days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, you will be able to acclimate normally. It usually take between 24 hours to 2 days.

The recommended remedies for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN, IF NEEDED. Our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness. See our detailed information about Altitude Sickness under FAQS.

HIKING TO LARES TREK MACHU PICCHU

The evening before you start your trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFEL BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/14lbs. Your team of pack horses will carry your duffel bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware that you will not have access to your items in the duffel bag until the end of each day, as the horses will always be ahead of the group. During the Lares trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. A 30 to 40L  backpack is sufficient.

IS THE TREK DIFFICULT, DO I NEED TO BE FIT?

The Lares trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a 39 km hike through the Andes in the Cusco region. The maximum altitude reached is (4,700m/15,419ft).  The Trail is a fairly difficult trek and you should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You have to be moderately fit and take regular exercise.
In preparation: try walking 15kms  a day or go to the fitness club in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3,350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.

ARE THERE TOILETS ON THE LARES TREK & SHORT INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU?

This has been highly appreciated by most of our clients, especially by our trekkers, who want a private, clean and sanitary toilet! SAM Travel Peru toilet facilities have an individual tent and a camping toilet with a seat. Check out the picture, which illustrates how we set up our camping toilet on the trek by using this link: picture of toilet tent. Our toilet is always set up a comfortable distance from our campsite.  At night if you need to use the toilet it is readily accessible and clean, unlike the dirty facilities supplied by the government.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM UNABLE TO FINISH THE TREK?

In the unlikely scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, Sam Travel Peru will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.
Generally, those who have to be assisted off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and if they recover quickly, they then continue the journey to Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to original plan.

ARE WE GOING TO BE DROPPED OFF AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE LARES TREK & SHORT INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU?

Absolutely!! Included in the package and on the last day we will drop you at your hotel! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too!   If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the trek, for sure we wil pick you up there !

TIPPING

If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SAM Travel Peru destinations. Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you feel it, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

ARE WE SUSTAINABLE? 

Yes, we are a local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator that incorporates universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.

WHAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE WITH YOU

• Original passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
• Valid university card (if you booked as a student)
• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage:  2-3L (Please bring reusable, not disposable bottles)
• Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
• Sleeping bag (can be rented from SAM Travel)
• Headlamp: essential
• Toilet paper

WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR DUFFEL BAG

As a Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and  INCLUDE an extra porter who will carry up to 7 kgs or 14lbs including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing. By Peruvian law, a duffel bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15lbs). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters or horses. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 7 kilograms, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra weight with your day pack. In this 7 kilos, please count 2 kilos for your sleeping bag and 1 kilo for your sleeping pad. This leaves you about 4 kilos for your personal gear.

• 2 t-shirts
• 2 hiking pants at least
• 4 sets of undergarments
• 3 sets of hiking socks
• Bathing Suit for the Veronica View swimming pool
• 2 fleece/ thermals
• Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º C
• Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
• Comfortable shoes for camp
• Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger
• Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash
• Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek
• Large plastic bags will be provided at the office — Please ask for them
• Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC – This can be rented from us

TOILETRIES

• Face moisturizer
• Hand sanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Personal medications
• First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc

WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR BACKPACK

We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40L for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.

• Water: Please supply your own water until the first lunch spot, then we will provide you with cold boiled water  at every meal time. Please bring your canteens.
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Headlamp: essential
• Wool hat
• Rain gear
• Fleece
• Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruits
• Rain plastic poncho (provided by SAM)
• Gloves
• Camera
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips