Salcantay to Inca Trail plus Machu Picchu
Recommendation: Experienced backpackers with high altitude conditioning with proven ability to ascend & descend 3000 vertical feet plus cover 15 miles per-day.
Marketing Literature Description:
Day By Day Notes:
Our Overview:
With over 20 guided adventure trips to our credit, Doug and Margaret rate this
trip in the top 20%. The scenery is awesome. The wilderness
experience was satisfying. The adventure, physical exercise, and degree of
difficulty was as hoped for. The brief encounters with high Andes Peruvian
culture was moving. And the grandeur of Machu Picchu did not disappoint.
Day by day -- even hour by hour -- the Travel Agency Mayuc and Edison Chavez,
the guide they assigned surprised us in positive ways. Examples include:
hot drinks served every morning in our tent,
morning hot water for washing,
afternoon tea with hors d' oeuvre or popcorn,
porters who dressed each evening in native costume rather than
gortex.
tent pitched and folded for us
clean bathroom tent
exquisite meals with attention to presentation
Mayuc uniforms for all staff members
Edison's personality contributed significantly to the overall experience.
His English was fine which enabled us to engage in detailed conversations.
His knowledge of local geography, biology, and history was extensive. He
was always responsive to our needs and never pushed his agenda. We never
detected a single instance of esteemed-guide versus fumbling-tourist attitude
that sometimes poisons a relationship. Likely his age -- 54 -- meant he
had nothing to prove and enabled him to concentrate on adjusting to our style
and meeting our needs.
Much to our delight, the level of cleanliness was superb. Our tent was
clean and was kept that way. All staff washed their hands before working near
any food -- preparing, cooking, and serving. If we spilled something, a
staff member rushed to clean it up. Dishes were always well washed.
Drinking water was boiled.
Screening of personnel and establishing the level of service are two important
elements of the local travel agent. We applaud and recommend Mayuc for
their selection of guide, cook, porters, and for setting the standards on
cleanliness, menu, etc. Mayuc was also very responsive in answering
questions we had before we embarked on the trek. Along the Inca trail we
were able to observe a number of other groups and saw plenty that did not have
the same level of service and cleanliness as provided by Mayuc and Edison Chavez
[email: grupochave (at) hotmail].
Marketing Literature Description:
The actual trek followed this description exactly...
Day 1: Cusco/Mollepata/Soraypampa Early
morning beautiful scenic drive from Cusco to Mollepata and up to Soraypampa
where we camp at the head of the trail. Our Mule wrangles and mules will be
wayting . You will enjoy tea time and later dinner in our dinning tent, with
tables and stools and a good cook that will prepare excellent meals. (L+D)
Day 2: Soraypampa/ Sisaypampa
We start our trek escorted by a bilingual guide and camp crew. Mules carry our
luggage and a few saddle horses are available in case they are needed. Today,
we slowly hike up to the Inca Chirihasca Pass at 5,000 meters. We hike along
the right face of the massive Salcantay with magnificent views of snow-
covered peaks. Then we descend to our camp at Sisaypampa.(B+L+D)
Day 3 : Sisaypampa / Llullucchapampa:
After a healthy breakfast, we start hiking, bypassing the hamlet of Huayabamba
and entering the main Inca Trail. We then go through an Andean cloud forest to
camp above the tree line at Llulluchapampa. (B+L+D)
Day 5 : Phuyupatamarca / Machupichu:
Early morning wake-up call to see the sun rise over the ruins. This is the
best camp on all the Inca Trail.After breakfast, trek down to the ruins of
Winay Wayna and then through the ¨Gates of the Sun¨ (Inti Punku) and into
MachuPicchu, the Lost City of the Incas¨. Overnight at a hotel of your choice
at the town of Aguas Calientes.(B+L)
Day 6: MachuPicchu/ All day visit
to this ancient Inca sanctuary. Late afternoon train back to Cusco. Transfer
to your hotel. (B)
INCLUDES :
-Transportation to the head of the trail.
-For the first portion of the trek, we will have mules and horses, then
later we will have porters.
-All the meals during the trek
-Professional bilingual guide, cook, assistant cook
-Double-occupancy tents
-Dining tent, kitchen tent, latrine tent.
-Clients do not carry anything but a day pack.
-First Aid Kit and oxygen bottle
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
-International or local airfare.
-Sleeping bags -Personal equipment
-Hotels
-Overnight at Machu Picchu
Still under construction....