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Inca Trail 5 day Private Service (IT501)

Machu Picchu

The 5 day version of the trek is an excellent alternative that allows you to escape from the majority of other trekkers on the Inca Trail. Leaving Cusco early on day 1, we will visit Ollantaytambo in the sacred Valley before continuing on to Kilometer 82 at the beginning of the Inca Trail. After a few hours easy trek we’ll arrive at the Inca ruins of Llactapata where we will set up camp and spend the night. There are some important Inca ruins close to Llactapata called Machu Qente that can be visited in the afternoon if time permits. Leaving camp at 0730 on the second day will allow us to make a 4-5 hour head start on groups arriving at km82 from Cusco to start the 4 day Trail. We will be able to make better progress and reach quieter, more distant and beautiful campsites. We’ll reach Machu Picchu late in the afternoon on day 4 (when the famous ‘Lost City of the Incas’ is at its quietest) and proceed down to our hostal in Aguas Calientes, for the night. We’ll return to Machu Picchu at sunrise on day 5 for a guided tour before the majority of trekkers arrive from the Inca Trail. We’ll take the train back to Cusco late in the afternoon.

We strongly recommend that you make your trek booking as soon as possible because permits for certain days has now sold out, then you should have a look and take one of our best alternative options.

Prices are per person 2008: 2 persons US$785, 3 persons US$695, 4 persons US$645, 5 persons US$605, 6 persons US$565, 7 persons US$545, 8 persons US$535, 9 persons US$515, 10 persons US$495, 11 persons US$465, 12-16 persons US$440.

There is a US$35 discount on these prices for students in possession of a valid International Student Identity Card ISIC or children under 16 years old. (University ID or Youth Travel cards NOT valid)

Group Size: Please note that this is a private group trek. This means that if there are just two of you interested in doing this trek, the trek will be organized just for you i.e. US$785 per person. Obviously with more people in your group the cost per person becomes more economical. We do not add other people to you trek and unfortunately it is not possible to join another group.

Departures: To suit group requirements (except the dates that does not appear in the information below, as on those dates the park is fully booked, so please note spaces are running off, better you decide when to depart and book on the still open dates, thanks)

Denote, Very Important News :

If you do not find a right date to depart to the inca trail 5 days Private Service, down below to work with your plan and schedule on your escape trip to Cusco, so you may decide to have a look and take one of our best alternative options to hike a 4 days or a 5 days trek program options, both ones ends at Machu Picchu, having on the last day a full day time between 7 a.m. till 2 p.m. to completely enjoy the great Inkan City, that means you will see and be at Machu Picchu before the crowded trains arrive, good for pictures of the scenery without all those people and enough time for those looking to climb the holy mountain of Huayna Picchu (1:40 minutes round trip approx.), or a quiet hike to the temple of the Moon which is located behind Huayna Picchu mountain (1 hr 50 min. round trip approx.).

They are Wonderful options Instead the Classic 4 days inca trail, we offer 5 departures per week, by groupal services or by private service as well, of course with very flexible bookings police, remember with those options we don't need to be worry about spaces getting off quickly as on the inca trail because there is not a regulation to limited the people who wants to hike on those areas, that is why you can count as great options to booked and enjoy the stunning andean scenaries, great views of the snow peaks on the sacred valley of the incas such Mount Veronica (5750m) and on the vilcanota mountain range the Mount Salkantay (6,262 m), and hike on remote region that offers to the trekker an insight into the real lives of the Andean farmer, dressed in their traditional brightly colored ponchos. You’ll have the opportunity to see thatched stone houses surrounded by herds of llamas and alpacas. Inside the houses you’ll see guinea pigs running loose.

Our Alternative happy options:

1.-The Lares Trek - Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, 4 days/ 3 night Service:

please click here: http://www.andeanlife.com/lares_valley_to_machu_picchu_4_day_trek.htm

2.-The Salkantay Trek - Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, 4 days/ 3 night Service:

please click here: http://www.andeanlife.com/salkantay_to_machu_picchu_5d.htm

We strongly recommend that you make your trek booking for Our Program Inca Trail 5 day Private Service as soon as possible because permits for certain days has now sold out.
And then once dates does not work with your own Schedule you should have a look and take one of our best alternative happy options.

Inca Trail 5 day Private Service Departure Dates 2008

To get a better understanding about , what is going about spaces on the Inca Trail??, Visit this well informative link:

http://www.andeanlife.com/inca-trail-available-departure-dates.htm

June to September 2008	INCA TRAIL DEPARTURES: Sorry to Inform that there are 00 spaces during the months of June to September 2008!!) Note:The information shown is taken directly from the government trek permit database and shows the real-time availability of trek permits for the Inca Trail. Please check to Our Alternative Inca Trail hikes to Machu Picchu, we do have confirmed group departures, then find the right One for your plans, they are great ones, becoming very popular and very flexible in terms of dates of departure as well !! Remember with those options you can depart on any date during the months of April, May, June, July, August and September as well. Example Salkantay Trek is been considered as one of the best 15 hikes of the world!! ALTERNATIVE TREKS 2008: SEE MORE DETAILS AND CHECK CONFIRMED DEPARTURES GROUPS, AT THE LINKS BELOW: LARES TREK, 4 DAYS/ 3 NIGHTS: http://www.andeanlife.com/lares_valley_to_machu_picchu_4_day_trek.htm SALKANTAY TREK, 5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS: http://www.andeanlife.com/salkantay_to_machu_picchu_5d.htm CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK, 4 DAYS/3 NIGHTS: http://andeanlife.com/choquequirao_4_day_private_trek.htm
October 2008	INCA TRAIL DEPARTURES: 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. Below are the Dangerous dates as spaces are running off very quickly, so you better make your booking As Soon As Possible if planning to depart on one of the dates below: (Note: The information shown below is taken directly from the government trek permit database and shows the real-time availability of trek permits for the Inca Trail) October 25 - there are only 039 spots left October 26 - there are only 084 spots left
November 2008	INCA TRAIL DEPARTURES: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30.
December 2008	INCA TRAIL DEPARTURES: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,31. * Special Departure on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21, as departing on those dates you will return on day before or at least on the same evening of Chrismas eve and of course join to enjoy chrismas eve with the friendly and great local people, big festival at the Main square of Cusco city, buy in advance your fire works!! * Special Departure on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28, as departing on those dates you will return on day before or at least on the Evening of Chrismas eve and of course join to enjoy New years eve with the friendly and great local people, bigger festival at the Main square of Cusco city, buy in advance your fire works and be careful with the happy drunk guys around the square!!!

What is included:

Collection from your hotel in the morning
Private bus to the start of the trail
Inca Trail & Machu Picchu entrance fees (US$84.00 value 2008) - this includes the 5th day
English speaking professional guide (two guides for groups over 9 persons)
Igloo tents - 2 persons in each 4-person capacity tent with plenty of space for your backpacks
Double thickness foam mattress
Cook and Cooking equipment
Meals (04B,04L,04D) - food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking, hot drinks including coca leaf tea which is excellent for the altitude.
Teatime everyday (tea, coffee, biscuits, popcorn)
Porters (to carry the tents, food, and cooking equipment)
Dining tent with camp tables and chairs
Kitchen tent
Accommodation for our porters and cooks
First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
Bus from Machu Picchu ruins down to the village of Aguas Calientes (3 trips) Hostal accommodation on the 4th night.
Train ticket (Backpackers service) from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
Transfer from the train station to your hotel.

What is not included:

Breakfast on the first morning. Some hotels offer an early morning breakfast service. If not, we stop at the town of Urubamba on the way to the start on the trek where you’ll have the opportunity to have breakfast,
Meal in restaurant in Aguas Calientes on day 5 of the trek.
Entrance to the thermal springs in Aguas Calientes US$3.
Sleeping bags can be hired in our office for US$20 for the 5 day trek.
Tips for the guide, cook and porters

What you need to bring/carry:

Backpack,
Sleeping bag (can be hired from our office)
Sleeping mattress (we will provide you with this)
Rain jacket or poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco for a few dollars)
Strong, comfortable footwear
One complete change of clothing (you can afford to carry more changes of clothing if you hire a personal porters, see options below)
Sweater and jacket (something warm)
Water bottle and purification tablets (Micropur are recommended and can be bought in local pharmacies in Cusco)
Flashlight and batteries
Hat or cap to protect you from the sun
Sun block (sun protection cream)
Insect repellent
Toiletries, towel and toilet paper
Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits etc,
Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries
Swimsuit (if you plan on visiting the hot springs at Aguas Calientes after the trek)
You also need to bring your original passport on the trail & ISIC card (if you obtained a discount when booking)

Options:

(1) Personal porters can be hired to help carry your personal items such as clothes, sleeping bag etc. They can be hired for $100 for all 4 days (a porter will not be required on the 5th day) and will carry up to a maximum of 18kg (usually 1 porter between 2 persons is more than sufficient). You can hire the services of a half a porter to carry up to 9kg for US$50. However, even with a personal porter, you will still need to bring a day pack for essential items.
About 30% of the group usually have personal porters to help them. If you hire a porter we will provide you with a sack to put your items in to give to the porter. This extra porter will help you carry: duffle bag or sack (we will provide you with this), sleeping bag, mattress (we will provide you with this), clothing, sweater, jacket, wooly hat, scarf, gloves (something warm for at night), flashlight and batteries, toiletries. Your personal porter, however, will not walk at your side so you will still need to bring a day pack for essential items. You will meet up with your porter at lunch time and at the campsite late in the afternoon. Equipment to be carried by yourselves: small day pack, water bottle and sterilizing tablets, warm sweater, broad-brim or peaked cap, sun protection cream, insect repellent, toilet paper, selection of small snacks for the day etc, camera, lightweight plastic poncho just in case of rain (can be bought in Cusco for US$2)
Important note: You must decide if you want to hire the services of a personal porter in advance when making your trek reservation since we need to purchase the porter's trekking permit. You cannot decide to hire an additional porter once you arrive in Cusco.

(2) An extra night in Aguas Calientes can easily be arranged for you by yourself, independently. Hotels costs and costs associated with returning to Machu Picchu the following day are additional to trek costs. It is best to make your hotel reservation directly. The web page www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/hotels/machupicchu has some good recommendations and contact details.You must advise us when making the booking if you wish to stay the extra night, as we can change the date of your train tickets to the following day. We cannot change the train tickets at a later date.

(3) Vegetarian Meals. We can provide vegetarian meals or cater for special diets with no extra cost. Just let us know at least 2 days prior to trek departure.

(4) Sleeping bag hire. If you haven't got a sleeping bag or you don't want the hassle of bringing one all the to Peru with you then we have sleeping bags in our office for rent. The price is US$20 per person for the 5 days.

(5) Exchange Rate. The Inca Trail trek price of 2 persons US$785 ( as example), is based on an exchange rate on the 01 January 2008 was 1 USD = 2.95 Peruvian Soles. Although we accept payment for the trek in US dollars the majority of our expenses are in Peruvian Soles (trek permits, wages, food, taxes). Andean Life will absorb any change in costs up to 15 points difference from 2.95. i.e. if the exchange rate falls to 2.80 we will not ask you to pay any additional surcharge. If however the value of the US dollar falls below 2.80 we will ask you to pay a US$15 surcharge, if the value falls below 2.70 we will ask you to pay a US$20 surcharge, below 2.60 we will ask you to pay a US$25 surcharge etc etc. Of course exchange rates can go both up and down so if the value of the US dollar increases against the Peruvian Sole we will refund you the following amounts: exchange rate greater than 3.10 we will refund US$10, greater than 3.20 we will refund US$15, greater than 3.30 we will refund US$20 etc etc. Andean Life will have to show any calculations to clearly justify such surcharges.

If any of the third party costs listed above change to increase the cost of the trek we will immediately update the trek price listed on our website (apart from the exchange rate which can continue to go up and down throughout the year so the website will not be updated to reflect these cost changes). Clients will be liable for paying any increased cost of the Inca Trail trek upon arrival in Cusco.

Reservation details: All trek reservations must be made at least 2 weeks in advance (however 4-6 weeks in advance is recommended especially during the months of June, July and August)

Payment details: We will require a non-refundable trek deposit of US$ 200.00 per person payable within 3 days of Andean Life confirming your trek booking. The deposit is to be paid by Our VISA Payment On-Line, Western Union money transfer and Mail Order System, these are our fastest & most secure form of payments in Peru. Further details of how to send the deposit are included with our trek booking confirmation email. The remaining balance is to be paid in our office at least two days prior to your trek departure date. Payment can be made in cash US$, local currency (Peruvian Soles), or American Express Travel Cheques (3%) or by VISA (6% surcharge - VISA's cost not ours).
For a trek deposit Payment On-line by Amex and Master Credit Cards, please let Us know by email and we will send ASAP further details about how to proceed with it, thanks.

Other information:

(1) Luggage storage. When you go on the trek it is best to leave any luggage that you are not going to need behind in Cusco. Nearly all the hotels in Cusco provide a secure luggage deposit. Put any valuables in their safe. Very rarely do hotels charge for this service especially if you are returning to the same hotel after the trek. If there are any problems with your hotel we can arrange to store your luggage at our office.
(2) Time of arrival in Cusco. Unless you plan to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes, you will return to your hotel in Cusco for approximately 9pm on the 5th day of the trek. It is subject to Peru Rail's Schedule.This tickets are subject to availability and at times of high demand we may have to change your departure to an alternative service / departure time without prior notice departing on the someday as stated in your service voucher. This alternative service may run only as far as Ollantaytambo, in which case we will provide transport for you back to your hotel in Cusco. If the service is more expensive Andean life will pay additional cost. This applies to return by train only and Andean life will not be responsible for additional costs associated wit returning to Cusco in any other form. If it is your decision to change to a different service or different date you must inform us at the time of purchasing the trek and pay any additional cost yourselves.

Andean Life Trek Cancellation Policy

1. The trek deposit must be paid prior to the date shown on the trek confirmation email. Clients must email Andean Life to confirm that they have paid the deposit. Failure to pay the deposit and/or inform us of the deposit payment details before this date will result in automatic trek cancellation.
2. The trek balance must be paid in the Andean Life office prior to 8pm, at least 2 days prior to trek departure. Failure to pay the trek balance prior to this time will result in trek cancellation.
3. Trek cancellations made between payment of trek deposit and 8pm, 2 days prior to trek departure date: Return of all payments made, less the trek deposit of US$200 per person, less any costs associated with receiving and returning the payment.
4. Trek cancellations made after 8pm, 2 days prior to trek departure: No cash refund. However we will give to your Inca Trail and Machu Picchu entrance ticket, your bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes and your return train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (approximate value US$150). Please note that the client will be responsible for changing the dates of any of these tickets (if necessary) and any costs associated with such changes.

In all instances of trek cancellation by the client Andean Life will provide written confirmation of the cancellation and details of any payments lost so as to be used in the event of any insurance claim made by the client.

To Make an Inca Trail 5 day Private Trek Reservation CLICK HERE

Andean Life Tour Operator

Main Office N° 1 : Calle Santa Teresa 381, Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru
Office N° 2 : Calle Plateros 372, Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru
(Both ones located just half block from the main square of Cusco City)
Fax Telephone: 00-51-84-261269
Emergency Mobil Phone: 00-51-84-9673544

Licensed Inca Trail tour operator, specialists in trekking in the Andes (Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and other treks)
©Andean Life 1999 - 2005. All material within this web site is original work and subject to national and international copyright laws and cannot be reproduced without the written permission of the copyright holder. All rights reserved.

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