PERU: Express Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (Comfort Hotels)

ST
Safarika Travel
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58 reviews
Duration: 7 days
Group size: 8 - 12
PERU: Express Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (Comfort Hotels)
Peru

Safarika Travel
  • Email address verified
  • Facebook verified
58 reviews

Duration: 7 days
Group size: 8 - 12

About this trip

JOIN A TRIP OF A LIFETIME: 


The "EXPRESS INCA TRAIL" is a 1-day hike, designed for travelers who want to experience the magic of the ancient Inca Trail, without committing the time needed for one of the longer multi-day hikes. This 1-day trek is great for families with junior& teenage kids, as it is only about 6 hours of moderate hiking, and includes very comfortable overnight HOTEL accommodations.


The Inca Trail day-hike culmination moment - walking through the Sun Gate with the most spectacular first view of Machu Picchu from above!! 

You will head back to the Lost City of Machu Picchu on your second day again to explore the mystery and history of sacred temples as you walk around with your local guide.


MORE HIGHLIGHTS ARE WAITING FOR YOU:


🌟 Immerse yourself in the colonial charm of CUSCO, a city rich in history and culture 

🌟 Explore the remarkable Inca temples of the SACRED VALLEY OF INCAS 

🌟 Walk along the ancient IINCA TRAIL to the iconic Sun Gate of Machu Picchu
🌟 Witness the breathtaking sunrise at the mystical Lost City of MACHU PICCHU 

🌟 Delight in the renowned Peruvian cuisine and savor the finest seafood in LIMA

🌟 Capture the perfect selfie with adorable fluffy ALPACAS, creating fun memories of your journey.

🌟 Indulge in LUXURY accommodations and lodges throughout the journey

🌟 Travel assisted by our team of EXPERT LOCAL GUIDES who will ensure a smooth and enriching travel experience

🌟 Discover the awe-inspiring RAINBOW MOUNTAIN on a thrilling day hike from Cusco. This hidden gem, ranked among National Geographic's 100 unique places on Earth, promises an unforgettable experience


HOW DO WE STAND OUT FROM OTHERS:


SIGNATURE GLAMPING, DELUXE COMFORT, AND EXTRA BENEFITS INCLUDED


👍 Enjoy a premium travel experience with your private group, avoiding mixing up with other crowded groups. 

👍 Best dining experience. Delicious meals. A homemade lunch will be served on a trail from scratch by our chef. We don't use preserved or dry food. We also cater to vegetarians and are gluten-free.

👍 On a trail, we provide: gear (hiking poles) and fresh drinking water refill at lunch

👍 We own private campgrounds for our groups separately from other group tours.  We have private restrooms there.


CUSCO IS HIGH ALTITUDE REGION. 

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ALTITUDES:


Cusco – 3400m/ 11152’

Inca Trail &  Machu Picchu – 2430m/ 7972’ 

Aguas Calientes – 2040 m/ 6700’ 

Urubamba (Sacred Valley of Incas) – 3000m/ 9842’ 


Express Inca trail distance: 15km/ 9 mi 

Elevation of the trailhead (start): 2000m

The highest point of the trail: 2600m

Elevation of Aguas Calientes (finish): 2040m

Elevation gain & drop: 600m/1900 feet

Level: Moderate 

Good for kids: suggested age 10+ 


Trip Cancellation Policy

We encourage you to have your trip cancellation insurance purchased right after booking your trip.

If you cancel your trip due to your own personal or medical reasons, the following cancellation terms will be applied:

- Cancellation outside of 121 days before departure date  - registration deposit fully refundable

- Cancellation 120 to 91 days before the start of the trip - registration deposit is non-refundable

- Cancellation 90 to 45 days before departure - up to 50% of the trip cost is non-refundable

- Cancellation 44  to 0 calendar days before departure – up to 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable

Travel entry requirements in Peru

! NO VISA REQUIRED  for US, Russian Federation, Belarus, and Ukraine passport holders. 

! YOUR TRAVEL PASSPORT MUST BE VALID NO LESS THAN 6 MONTHS TO ENTER PERU

Geat & Packing list

PACKING LIST:

- Suitcase

- Compact daypack for hiking

- Hydration reservoir (2L) of plastic water bottle

- Comfortable hiking shoes or boots

- Hiking poles – you can rent them in Cusco or bring your own (NOTE: hiking poles are not allowed into carry-on luggage on the flights)

- Sunglasses 

- Hiking outfit 

- Fleece/softshell jacket for chilly evenings 

- Windbreaker jacket, waterproof

- Lightweight puffy vest or jacket for chilly evenings in Cusco and Sacred Valley

- Sun hat

- Sunscreen (UVF 50+)

- Insect repellent

- Your first-aid kit & medications for travel

- Bathing suite and flip flops (for hot springs in Aguas Calientes)


Electricity, WiFi & Phone reception

In hotels and towns:

Electricity is available 220V/60Hz (110V less common). PLEASE Bring your own plug adapter

Wi-Fi is normally available at hotels and public places but can be slow

Wi-fi or electricity is not available in the wilderness areas during day-hikes

The trekking guide will have a satellite phone to be used for emergencies

Money & Currency

• The local currency in Peru is the Nuevo Sol (1USD = 3-4 Soles)

• You can exchange currency at the airports (the rate is not good), or in Cusco Old town in certified money exchange offices (cambio de moneda). Remember , in South America they like crispy new banknotes, $100 USD banknote are better accepted for exchange 

• You can find ATMs at the airports of Lima and Cusco, and in the old town Cusco. There’s

no ATMs in the rural areas. 

• Payments by Visa/MasterCard are accepted in Lima and Cusco airports, restaurants, grocery stores and hotels. AmEx is not accepted in Peru.

• Small gift shops and cafeterias are normally cash only. Payments in small USD bills can be accepted ($1/5/10/20) - make sure bills are crispy and new, otherwise they are not accepted. If you pay in USD, the change will be given in the Peruvian currency.

Weather

Mountain weather is unpredictable. Typically, the dry season in Cusco region is from late May through early October, but this does not stop rain from falling in June – just be prepared.  Layers are always a key as they are easy to adjust to the different temperatures. Evenings and nights can be cold, so please be prepared with a lightweight down-jacket (700+ Down fill). 


Average temperatures: 

  • Cusco & Sacred Valley: 15-21C day; 2-5C night
  • Machu Picchu: 20-26C day; 5-10C night

Acclimatizing & Altitudes

Starting from the elevation of the city of Cusco (3400m/ 11152’) many people feel symptoms of altitude sickness. That's normal. The air at high altitudes contains less oxygen than at sea level and forces your body to work harder to get the oxygen it needs. Over a couple of days in Cusco that we allow in our itinerary for acclimatizing at high altitudes, your body will adjust to the lower amount of oxygen in the air.  With altitude sickness, you may have a headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea or even vomiting, dizziness, and trouble sleeping.  If you have those symptoms in Cusco, just ask for an oxygen tank at the hotel's reception desk or let the Team Leader know and assist you. Most of the time, these symptoms are mild.  For safe travels and better acclimatizing, we don't plan any physical activities on the first days of our itinerary in Cusco.


SUGGESTIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL ACCLIMATIZING: 


1) Drink plenty of fluids such as water, herbal, and coca teas Coca tea is always available at no additional cost at the hotel's reception desk. Coca has been used since ancient times to help prevent altitude sickness. Leaves from the coca plant contain alkaloids that help bring oxygen into your blood 


2) Avoid drinking alcohol and coffee. It will cause you to urinate more often and become dehydrated

  

3) Avoid smoking 


4) Try not to use sleeping pills. They may cause shallow breathing at night, making it more difficult for your body to absorb oxygen while you sleep. Try to sleep on your side, not on your back

 

5) While on the hike remember the trek to Machu Picchu is not a race. Even those in the best shape will suffer from altitude sickness when they race to the top of the mountain too quickly. Go slowly, it will give your body time to adjust to the mountain  


6)  Optional medications such as dexamethasone (Diamox) might help prevent altitude sickness. See your doctor for a prescription. If you decide to take these medicines, you should start the medicine a day BEFORE your departure or at least on the day of arrival to the altitude, not later. Continue taking it daily while you are at a high altitude.


AVERAGE ALTITUDES:


Cusco – 3400m/ 11152’

Inca Trail &  Machu Picchu – 2430m/ 7972’ 

Aguas Calientes – 2040 m/ 6700’ 

Urubamba (Sacred Valley of Incas) – 3000m/ 9842’ 


WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET SICK: 


 If you feel sick on the trek, let a team leader & tour guide know right away – our local guides are trained in first aid and they will do their best to help you feel better. Our guide will also have an oxygen and first aid kit for basic medical issues. 

Meals & Water

Drinking water. General suggestions:

Use bottled or boiled water for drinking. Don’t drink tap water. This water is good for brushing your teeth. Please don’t order ice in your drinks. Ice is usually made out of tap water. Tap water is not bad, but bacterial content is different from the water you used to drink at home and this may cause upset stomach and diarrhea.


Drinking water on day-hikes: 

The drinking water we provide at the campsite at lunch will be boiled, filtered, and then cooled, then distributed for refilling your reservoirs. Prepare your bottles (Nalgene or Camelback). Carrying about 1.5-3L worth is recommended for the day hike.

What’s included

  • Domestic Flights
    Lima->Cusco>Lima roundtrip
  • Premium Lodging
    2-people sharing a room (twin beds)
  • Ground Transportation
    Private van for the group
  • Train tickets
    From Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) to Sacred Valley
  • Guided tours & admission
    In Cusco, Sacred Valley of Incas (Maras, Moray, Ollantaytambo), Machu Picchu & Lima
  • Inca Trail Day-hike
    Guide, trail permits, & lunch included
  • Hotsprings visit
    After Inca Trail, Admission included
  • Professional Assistance
    Tour director (Russian-English-Spanish) expert of local culture
  • Rainbow Mt. Day-hike
    Guide, trail permits, breakfast & lunch included
  • Meals
    Breakfasts in hotels, Lunches on day-hikes

What’s not included

  • International flights
    to/from Lima
  • Meals
    Lunches and dinners in towns (allow a budget of $25 USD per meal)
  • Travel insurance
    Trip Cancellation to personal reasons & Medical: approx. USD $100 for entire trip
  • Tips
    Suggested but not must
  • Single accomodation
    A room for yourself that you won't share with anyone else, at surcharge

Available Packages

EARLY BIRD
Available until 150 days before departure

This cost package is valid if there are min of 8 adults in a group

$3,390
Deposit: $450
COUNT ME IN!
Available until 59 days before departure

The third person sharing a room with adults

$3,490
Deposit: $600

Available options

Itinerary

Day 1 . Jun 29, Sat
Arrival in Cusco. Acclimate.

Arrive in Lima in the morning (or on a previous evening if you wish).

Meet up with your team at the airport of Lima and take a flight to Cusco (1,5 hrs) around 11 AM (arranged by Organizer).


On arrival in Cusco -  pick up from the airport and check-in at the hotel in the Old Town. 


Rest of the day - free time, acclimatizing.


Overnight in Hotel  4* 


The altitude of Cusco:  is 11200" /3400m

Your Organizer


ST
Safarika Travel
58 reviews
Safarika Adventure Club (Safarika Travel Inc.) was founded in Los Angeles (CA) in the year 2013. Legal travel provider on the territory of United States (California Seller of Travel License # 2112795-40) since 2013. Founder & CEO - Karina Safari, professional adventure travel organizer and team leader since 2011. Specialization: in small group hiking trips in South America and beyond, as well as private eco-adventures for families.

Reviews

Had an amazing time on a trip! Great and busy itinerary and we managed to see a lot of things in a short period of time. Thank you for organizers for making it smooth and interesting!
By Anna R for Patagonia: Epic hiking adventure in Argentina on Mar 12, 2024
SC
What an amazing experience! I was eager to visit Patagonia, knew it'd be great and had quite high expectations for it - but all these expectations were exceeded with a huge margin. Where to start? Hikes with breathtaking views around El Chalten and El Calafate (by far the most beautiful places I've even been), rugged beauty of Terra del Fuego, vibes of Buenos Aires - this is something that'll be remembered for life. Another thing worth noting is flawless organization of the trip, and the care we got from Karina and our tour lead Masha. We've never had to worry about transportation, accommodation or any other logistics and could fully focus on experiencing the beauties around. Last but not the least, as already noted in another review, we started as a group of strangers and ended as a group of friends for life. Karina and Masha - thank you for an amazing and very well-organized trip and for one of the best experiences in my life!
By Sergey C for Patagonia: Epic hiking adventure in Argentina on Mar 07, 2024
MS
Amazing trip! Spotless organization and communication, Spanish speaking guide who has become our dearest friend. This trip has started as a group of starangers and ended by a group of friends for life. The trip itself consisted of a perfect combination of moderate-to-challenging physical activity amid unimaginable scenery of southern Argentina, where no day was like any other. Thank you Karina for exceptionally well researched and organized trip.
By Misha S for Patagonia: Epic hiking adventure in Argentina on Mar 06, 2024
Patagonia trip was an unforgettable experience. Great people, stunning views, excellent food and convenient lodging. Everything was organized extremely well, and our team leader Masha went above and beyond taking care of all logistics, so all that was left for us was relax and enjoy Argentina. Highly recommended!
By Roman B for Patagonia: Epic hiking adventure in Argentina on Mar 06, 2024
Morocco trip was one of the best trips I've ever had! I got everything I dreamed of and even more. The trip was organized in a way that we didn't have to worry about anything. We stayed in great hotels, tried authentic delicious food in fancy restaurants, the local guide showed us the most beautiful places. Thank you, Karina, for helping us to see and feel this beautiful country!
By IRINA L for All colors of Morocco. Escape to Sahara Desert on Nov 13, 2023
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References

YM
One of the best trips I've done! I am mainly either a solo traveler or prefer to go with my family But 4 days hiking trip to Montana Glacier NP has changed my preferences :) Thank you very much, it's been a pleasure and FUN Met so many interesting intelligent people, would highly recommend if you enjoy active vacations
By Yelena M on 10 Sep, 2020
GL
I traveled with Karina to Patagonia in 2020 and it was awesome! Perfect planning & organization throughout the trip, including dealing with the unexpected (e.g. lost luggage). I really liked other folks in the group and made several new friends in this trip. I highly recommend Karina's trips to casual and semi-serious hikers, and plan to be a return customer myself.
By Grigory L on 14 Mar, 2020
Thank you, Karina, for a wonderful first time experience of active adventure trip! Everything is well thought and organized. Would recommend to anyone!
By Aizhan T on 20 Jun, 2019