PERU

The Inca Trail - Choquequirao to

G uaranteed departure dates for 2008: 05/4, 20/11 Ref. number: - Last edited by: EL, 04/01/08 (Other dates also possible during the best period if the requirement for the min group size is fulfilled)

/no meals included/ Introduction: is considered one of the best places for - - is the capital and largest city of Peru. hiking in South America. This program is the Situated on the Pacific Ocean coast it is the NB! ALTITUDE: The city of is at ultimate trekking to Machu Picchu. We are nineteenth most populous city in the world above 3000m. In order to speed going to visit the recently discovered with 7,8 milllion people. The Historic centre of acclimatization rest for a couple of hours Archeological site Choquequirao, going Lima was declared a UNESCO World after your arrival by plane from Lima. through the Salkantay Park, and finishing in Heritage Site in 1988 due to its large number Avoid alcoholic beverages and eat lightly Machu Picchu. The Choquequirao trail takes of historical buildings dating from the Spanish the first day. you from Cusco, through to Tarawasi, onto to colonial era. Day 3: Free day. Optional mountain Choquequirao, and finally to Machu Picchu. - Cusco (3300m.a.s.l.) - the historic capital of biking or exciting white water rafting on En-route we pass through a number of the sun-worshiping situated in Urubamba River, also called remarkable landscapes as we meander our southeastern Peru near the Urubamba Valley Chuquicahuana in The . way along the Apurimac River, into lush (The Sacred valley). The mountain bike route carves along a tropical forests, through various archeological - Apurimac River Canyon - in the native mountainous trail, zigzagging past sites and Inca archeological sites, and past quechua language meaning “Speaker of the colonial haciendas where farmers are thermal baths. Choquequirao is one of the “lost Gods“ the river is the most direct source of frequently seen herding their livestock. cities” of the Incas, and supposedly one of the the Amazon making it the longest river in the From there we continue on a rocky last built as they were fleeing the Spanish world. downhill for 45 minutes through the town conquistadors. Much of the ruins of this lost - Chokequirao - built during the last days of of Maras to the Salt Flats. These salt city are yet to be uncovered. When the whole the Inca Empire it is the city which mines have captured salt water from a thing is excavated, they say it could be bigger demonstrates the inspiring example of an natural spring before pre-Inca times. than Machu Picchu! elite Inca ceremonial center. A city dedicated Biking distance: 30 km, biking time: 3 Join us on this journey through the history of a to the worship of the mountain gods, the river hours remarkable extinct civilization. and the elements of nature. It is the largest The white water rafting starts with an hour Inca-town of the continent. transfer from you hotel to the put-in place Special highlights: - Machu picchu (2200 m.a.s.l.) - The of the upper Chuquicahuana River. The - The - The Andes run the entire length Legendary " of Machu Picchu" is guides will give you a safety talk and of South America (7000 km), from the humid without a doubt the most important tourist provide you with all the proper equipment of the Caribbean to the ice fields of attraction in Peru and one of the world's most for rafting. You will be in the water for Patagonia with an average height of 4000m. impressive archaeological sites. Built by the approximately two hours, running class II Being the longest north-south mountain range Incas on the summit of "Machu Picchu" (Old and III, rapids (class IV rapids from in the world, the Andes encompass a Peak) and overlooking the deep canyon of January to April). Afterwards you'll arrive tremendous range of ecosystems and are the Urubamba River it is one of the Inca's to the take-out, where we are going to home to a rich variety of plant and animal best kept secrets. have a picnic. We Return: to Cusco species and human communities. The highest around 4 pm. Rafting distance: 8km, peak of the Peruvian Andes is Huascarán, Itinerary rafting time: 2 hours 6,768 m a.s.l.. Overnight in 3 or 4 star hotel in Cusco. - The Inca trail – the world famous old Inca Day 1: Arrival in Lima. Public transportation /lunchpack for the tours included/ roadway between the Sacred Valley of the to the hotel or private transfer (booking Urubamba River and the mysterious required in advance). Accommodation in 3 or Day 4: Cusco - Playa Rosalina abandoned citadel of Machu Picchu. Climbing 4 star hotel in Lima. Chiquisca out of the river valley, crossing rugged /no meals included/ You will be picked up from your hotel mountain passes over 4000 m (13,000 ft) high, early and have about a 4 hrs bus ride to the trail winds through the Andes, passing Day 2: Transfer to the the airport. Flight to Cachora. Once there we will pack all our numerous significant Inca ruins en route before Cusco. Optional city tour of Cusco with a local gear on the horses and get ready to head descending through the Sun Gate to the silent English speaking guide. Overnight in 3 or 4 off. During the trip we will have splendid stone city of Machu Picchu. star hotel in Cusco. views of the beautiful mountains. We will Penguin Travel 1 Postadresse: Frederiksberg Allé 32, 1820 Frederiksberg C, København. Tel. i Norge: 85 22 66 85. www.penguintravel.no, [email protected] arrive to the path of Capuliyoc and will have a Machupicchu). In Machupicchu we will have a Rains in Lima are scarce, while in Cusco great view of the Apurimac River Canyon - the guided tour around the ruins. If you still have wet days vary from 16 per month in source of the Amazon River. We will start to energy we can have a nice walk to January to 2-3 per month in June-August. descend to 1,550 m where we will camp part Waynapicchu. The weather in the mountains can be way up the canyon in Rosalinda. At 4:00 pm, we will take the train from Aguas divided into two seasons: Walking distance: 19 Km; Walking time: 6 to 7 Calientes back to Cusco Mid April – October: hours /breakfast/ This period is the dry season, with hot, /dinner/ dry days and cold, dry nights, often Day 12: Day off in Cusco. You can again hovering just above freezing, particularly Day 5: Playa Rosalina – Maranpata enjoy a thrilling mountain bike trip, wild white in June and July. May is perhaps the best Early in the morning we cross the river and water rafting or exciting horseback riding. If month with the countryside exceptionally arrive at Santa Rosa and Marampata where it you feel tired of the trekking days you can lush, yet with superb views and fine will be possible to see some typical Andean simply enjoy a rest in the streets and cafes of weather. You’ll find the flowers in full house. After we arrive to Chokequirao and will Cusco. Overnight in 3 or 4 star hotel. bloom, the grass green and the streams have a nice walk around the archeological site. /no meals included/ full. Peru’s high season is from June to Here we will be able to see Condors and other August which coincides with the dry species of birds. Day 13: Flight to Lima. Free day for rest or season and summer holidays in North Walking distance: 14 Km; Walking time: 6 city tour with a local English speaking guide. America and Europe. You’ll find Cusco a hours Overnight in 3 or 4 star hotel. pretty cosmopolitan city with tourists from /breakfast, dinner/ /no meals included/ all over the globe converging on Machu Picchu. Day 6: Choquequirao - Maizal Day 14 November – Mid April: After a delicious breakfast we will walk through Public transportation or private transfer (if This is the wet season with most rain in majestic scenery where a variety of flora may purchased in advance) to the airport for January and February. It’s usually clear be seen. After a hard walk up, we descend departure. and dry most mornings with outbursts of during which we will see Pinchiunuyoj, another /no meals included/ heavy rain in the afternoons. The daily archaeological site. temperatures are typically mild with only a Walking distance: 16 Km; Walking time: 8 Accommodation & luggage transportation: small drop at night. hours We stay in specially made camps with /breakfast, dinner/ kitchen, dinner and toilet tents (days 4-9) and Equipment and clothing: in 3 and 4 star hotels with private facilities Dress in layers in order to hike Day 7: Maizal – Yanama (rest of the days). Luggage that you won’t comfortably starting the day with cool Today we will see the Inca Mines Victoria and need for the trekking days can be left in the mornings turning into hot noons and be some Inca trails. Our highest pass will be at hotel in Cusco. prepared for rains. Bring your own 4,150 m after which we descend to our sleeping bag for the camps. For the full campsite. Tour type: GT list with recommended items see Walking distance: 15 Km; Walking time: 6 Difficulty grade: C/D “General”. hours Best period: April 15th - November 15th /breakfast, dinner/ Group size: min. 6 pax General remarks: The price includes: accommodation and Day 8: Yanama – Totora - N.B! – booking 2 months in advance is boarding as mentioned above, all After an early breakfast, we will start climbing recommended, last minute bookings may transfers (excluding airport arrival and slowly to our higher pass in the whole trail require slight changes of the route departure transfers), train tickets back to (4,670 m.a.s.l.). Again the view will be amazing - Although the treks are not that long and Cusco, English speaking guide from here, we will be surrounded by hard due to the humid and high throughout the organized tour, horses as snowcapped mountains: The Sacsarayoj altitude walking can be hard at some points. a porters, extra horse in case of Mountains and the Padreyoj Mountains. A reasonable level of fitness is required for emergency, horse man to lock after the Walking distance: 17 Km; Walking time: 7 this hike. horses, kitchen, dinner and toilet tents, hours - Highest point of the trek is 4,670m. First aid kit, mattress, all camping gear, /breakfast, dinner/ - The times cited are approximate. Walking entrance fees to Choquequirao, Salkantay times depend on the group and the guide can park and Machupicchu, bus ticket from Day 9: Totora – Playa change lunch spots and campsites, Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu and vice Today we will descend to Totora River and will depending on the progress of the group. versa. see a variety of natural life such as typical - This region is not frequently visited by The price does not include: meals species of trees, hummingbirds and tourists, therefore tourist infrastructure is during the stays in Cusco and Lima woodpeckers. Campsite at 2,125m limited. This tour incorporates public transport (Some hotels offer breakfast but not lunch Walking distance: 18 Km; Walking time: 6-7 and use of local facilities. Visitors should be and Dinner), airport arrival/departure hours aware that things change, or may not follow transfers, entrance fees, tips, alcohol /breakfast, dinner/ exactly the tour plan. drinks, cigarettes and other personal expenses. Day 10: Playa - Aguas Calientes Weather: Optional services (tentative prices): It will take 3 hours to arrive to the last uphill The climate of Peru is rather diverse due to transfer from the airport to the hotel in 2,810 m; and then we will have a view of the different altitudes. It is divided up into three Lima upon arrival and to the airport for most visited and principal destination, the lost distinct geographical regions: the coast, the departure: 15-20 Euro/per person/one city of The Incas - Machu Picchu. After that we mountain highlands and the jungle. way; Horseback riding tour: 25-30 Euro; descend to the hydroelectric plant on the The average temperatures in Lima (on the Mountain biking tour (depending on the Urubamba River and from there we walk to coast) are: group size): 110 Euro (1 pax) to 25-30 town of Aguas Calientes. Overnight in hotel. - Average low +13oC (August) to +20oC Euro per pax in a group of 4 (including Walking distance: 20 Km; Walking time: 7-8 (February); Average high +17oC (July- bike, helmet, guide and lunch ); White hours September) to +26oC (February) water rafting: (depending on the group /breakfast, dinner/ The average temperatures in Cusco (at size): 130 Euro (1 pax) to 30-35 Euro per 3300m) are: pax in a group of 4 (including special Day 11: Machu Picchu – Cusco - Average low +1oC (June-August) to +7oC equipment, guide and lunch); Guided This last day we will take a bus to (January-March); Average high +19-21oC group city tours in Lima or Cusco: 15 Machupicchu (Optional hiking 2 hours uphill to euro/per pesron Penguin Travel 2 Postadresse: Frederiksberg Allé 32, 1820 Frederiksberg C, København. Tel. i Norge: 85 22 66 85. www.penguintravel.no, [email protected] GENERAL ======- Meal – 5-15 Euro ======Equipment and clothing: Exchange Rate Indicators: £1.00 = TOUR TYPES & GRADES You should always remember that you PEN6.23; $1.00 = PEN3.06; €1.00 = We provide different varieties of tours as must try to keep the weight of your clothing PEN4.33 (Oct.2007) regards to their types and difficulty grades! equipment down to a minimum. Your ======Whether you will choose individual and packed rucksack should weigh no more Cell phone coverage: group tours with a guide or combined tours than 10-15 kilograms. Roaming agreements exist with some with a guide for some part of the trip Recommended items: waterproof rucksack international mobile phone depends on you. We emphasize on using (60-80 l) & daypack (35 l); walking companies. Mobile phones can be local experienced guides with knowledge of waterproof boots with suitable ankle rented in Lima and the main cities. the local language, culture, history, art, etc. support; sleeping bag; light casual shoes Coverage is sporadic. The tours are conducted in the English for walking and/or for travelling; gaiters; ======language. Guides in other languages are loose, casual trousers for trekking; Electricity available upon request. waterproof trousers; fleece windstopper In Peru two-pin sockets are normal. 220 Tour types jacket; windproof, waterproof outer shell volts AC, 60Hz. (110 volts AC is Our tours are divided in different tour types, garment (breathable if possible!); hat for available in most 4- and 5-star hotels.) regardless of being guided or not or if sun protection; sunglasses with UV If you come from the U.S. or UK you someone travels alone or in a group. We protection; sunscreen lotion and lip balm; better bring an adapter. have prepared your vacation so that you can water bottle; torch (headlamp); mobile ======concentrate on new impressions and phone; underwear (not cotton); mosquito Brief about Peru experiences, awaiting you all the time. Here repellent; trekking sticks. Territory - 1,285,220 sq km is a description of the various tours: Vaccination: Boundaries – North: (1,420 GT: Group tours Immunisation against Yellow fever, km), North East: Colombia (1,800 km), There is a guide accompanying you Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid is East: Brazil (2,995 km), South East: throughout the whole trip, meeting you at the recommended. Diphtheria, Malaria, (1,075 km), North: (171 airport upon arrival and leaving you at the Rabies, tuberculosis and hepatitis B km), West: South Pacific Ocean airport again for departure. We use well- vaccination is sometimes recommended by Coastline - 2,414 km trained and experienced local people with some medical sources. Dengue fever Terrain - western coastal plain (costa), good knowledge of English. The group size outbreaks are common in the Amazon high and rugged Andes in center is normally 6-12 people, if not specially Basin. Altitude sickness can be a problem (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of mentioned. if visiting the highlands. Visitors should Amazon Basin (selva) Difficulty grades take time to acclimatise. It is advisable to Elevation extremes - lowest point: To prepare yourself for the best of your take medicines for altitude sickness and Pacific Ocean 0 m, highest point: vacation we recommend that you start stomach problems. International travellers Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m planning it in an advance. Good physical are strongly advised to take out full health Capital city – Lima (7,600,000) condition is required. In order to achieve it insurance and should be prepared to pay Bigest towns – , Trujillo, we advise you to start walking, jogging or up front for medical services. Chiclayo, Piura, cycling everyday. Swimming a couple of Money and personal expenses: Government type - constitutional times a week is also highly recommended. You will need some extra money to cover republic You do not need much to get yourself in meals, drinks and extra trips not included in Population – 28,674,757 (July 2007 shape. And don't forget that the most the tour price. Additional money for est.) important tip for an unforgettable active souvenirs and personal things could also Religion – Roman Catholic 81%, holiday is to choose a trip which be spent. The official curency of Peru is Seventh Day Adventist 1.4%, other corresponds to your physical condition! New Sol (PEN; symbol S/.) = 100 Christian 0.7%, other 0.6%, unspecified C: Difficult céntimos. Only a few bureaux de change in or none 16.3% (2003 est.) These tours include trekking which is a little Lima will exchange currencies other than Ethnic groups -Amerindian 45%, harder, normally on a challenging terrain. US Dollars. Outside Lima, it is virtually mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) We take it for granted that you are in good impossible. US Dollars can be exchanged 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, condition and fit. You should be physically everywhere and banks, hotels and many Chinese, and other 3% prepared at home to get the maximum of the shops also readily accept US Dollars Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua tour. Most of the trekking is done at a (although very old, torn or damaged notes (official), Aymara, and a large number greater height (max 3000 m). As on other are usually rejected). It is not of minor Amazonian languages tours you are free to skip some treks and recommended to exchange money from Time zone – GMT - 5 have a rest. street vendors. All major credit cards are Telephone code - + 51 D: Challenging accepted, but usage may be limited outside Protected areas – 18 National Parks, Tours of this level demand that you be really of Lima. ATMs are now generally regarded 12 Nationall reserves, 7 National in good shape. The paths are not always in as one of the best ways to obtain money in Nature sanctuaries and other protected the best condition and the marking can be Peru. Banks will exchange traveller's areas scarce. There are day-treks with big ascents cheques although it can be a slow process ======and descents. Changing weather conditions outside Lima. To avoid additional exchange Weather /even in midsummer/ play an important role rate charges, travellers are advised to take There is no single climate in Peru - the when trekking at a very high altitude and traveller's cheques in US Dollars. The deserts, jungles, mountain villages and may cause changes of the preliminary route. ability to use traveller's cheques is also coastal cities are each under the This is to be decided by the mountain guide quite limited in some areas so you should influence of different natural forces and on the spot. Normally, the treks are 6-8h per check whether or not they will be accepted climate varies according to the area. day, but some can be longer. Preliminary in the area you are visiting prior to travel. Peru's climate can be divided into two trekking experience is an advantage, but not Here are some examples of comparative seasons - wet and dry - though this can necessary if you are really in good shape. costs in Peru: vary depending on the region. Note that during some of the days, you - Bottle of beer (0,5 l) –1 Euro Temperature is mostly influenced by should personally carry your baggage, which - Bottle of water (1,0 l) – 0,7 Euro elevation: the higher you climb, the is naturally an additional difficulty. - Souvenir t-shirt – 3,5 euro cooler it becomes. Penguin Travel 3 Postadresse: Frederiksberg Allé 32, 1820 Frederiksberg C, København. Tel. i Norge: 85 22 66 85. www.penguintravel.no, [email protected]