Package Details - Planning Your Trip to Peru
The high tourist season in Peru is between June and September (winter) with July and August being the busiest months. This is because these months coincides with summer holidays in Europe, North America, Canada etc. Book hotels or flights well in advance. This is also the dry season in the sierra and jungle regions (Cusco, Machu Picchu, Titicaca Lake, Puerto Maldonado, Amazon jungle) with days being typically sunny and warm with little chance of rain.
Because of the proximity to the equator and the high altitude, the sun is very intense, bring good sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses and a hat. Trekking in shorts and t-shirts is pretty comfortable, however the temperature can drastically drop when the sun goes down. Always have a sweater or jacket and long pants at hand. Temperature at nights can drop to below freezing (27°F/-3°C) in August.
The summer months in Peru from December to March, offer daytime temperatures to 85°F/30°C, milder nights (typically to 45°F/8°C) and plenty of rain. Waterproof clothing is highly recommended for this time of the year. Cusco gets kind of quieter during these months with hotel prices dropping a little although clubs like Mama Afrika or Mithology keep throwing parties every night.
Festivals you might want to attend while in Peru :
Peru celebrates some 3,000 festivals a year. Most of them are held in homage to a patron saint and are part of the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar adopted in colonial times, although they have blended with the magical beliefs of ancient forms of worship. The most important festivals in Peru are:
New Year / January 1st.
Feast of the Virgen de la Candelaria (Virgin of the Candles), Puno / February 2nd
Virgin of Chapi, Arequipa / May 1st
Anniversary of Cotahuasi, Arequipa / May 4th
Inti Raymi, Cusco / June 24th
Anniversary of Huaraz / July 25th
Independence Day July / 28th
Anniversary of the city of Arequipa / August 15th
Peruvian Pace Horse National Contest, Trujillo / September 29th.
Clothing
The golden rules for your trip to Cusco are to travel light and to pack for a variety of conditions. Expect a wide range of temperature and precipitation, be prepared to deal with inclement weather, intense heat of the high altitude, cold Andean nights and humidity during the unique jungle transition area. We recommend to dress using several layers to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection rather than one thick and heavy jumper, this way you can add or remove a layer to remain comfortable as conditions change throughout the day. At all times, carry rain-gear in your day-pack.
Basic clothing list: underwear, thermal underwear (tops and bottoms), wool socks, lightweight hiking boots, sneakers for around camp, convertible hiking pants are useful, T-shirts, long-sleeved shirt, light rain gear (waterproof jacket or rain poncho), sun hat, bathing suit, gloves and ski-type hat.
Other Gear: Well broken-in trekking boots, Day pack, sleeping bag, water bottle, flashlight, sunglasses, sunscreen, personal toiletries, medicine/first aid, insect repellent. Sealable bags are essential. They will keep your t-shirts dry from moisture and will trap odors from your stinky socks at the end of the day. Your electronics should be in a sealable bag as well.
Optional: Walking sticks with rounded and rubber end, sewing kit, pocket knife, camera and film, binoculars, snacks and/or energy bars. Sleeping pad, tents, cooking equipment, water filter and communal camping gear will be provided.
Food during the Salkantay Trail
You will be surprised of the excellent high-energy meals served during the Salkantay Trek, this does not mean you should eat voraciously. Trekking at these altitude is very tricky and can affect your body in many ways, including your digestive system.
We can provide vegetarian meals or cater for special diets at no extra cost. Please detail any dietary restrictions or requirements when making the Salkantay Reservation and review these with the operations staff during the trek orientation meeting. Strict diets that includes speciality items must be provided by you as some of these items are unavailable in South America.
A variety of freshly-prepared foods are served during the program. Breakfast will usually be a selection or all of the following: scrambled eggs, hotcakes, bread, butter, jam, coffee, hot chocolate, english-tea or a selection of herbal teas (mate de coca for sure). For lunch and dinner you will always have a bowl of soup followed by a main course (chicken, beef or fish with rice or pasta). A dessert and herbal drink will be provided.
Snacks: You will be given - a piece of fruit, a chocolate bar, biscuits, hot drinks, popcorn, bread and jam.
Know What You Are Buying
To reserve a space on the Salkantay Trek you don't need to wire money or pay other fees for transactions, the price you see published is the final price you will be paying. The fact that we offer online payments and have Visa, MasterCard and American Express authorization, our affiliation to the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), our INRENA and Cusco Government Tour Operator Certifications gives you the guarantee of our seriousness.
One day prior to the trek, you will receive an important orientation meeting, we'll review trek arrangements, trail gear and packing tips, tipping and other cash needs, and trail documentation requirements. We collect any balance unpaid from you at this time in cash. Bills must be in good condition (no rips or missing corners please).
If you have last minute change of plans due to airline or bus delays, you must advise us immediately. Please contact us
or our Cusco office directly for alternative arrangements.
In order to qualify for a student or child (15 years and younger) discount, we must receive a digital version (.jpg) of your ISIC STUDENT card.
The best way for us to receive your documentation is by email as a digital file attachment (.jpg).
Optional Extras / Add ons:
Hotels and airport transfers in Lima are available and can be easily arranged upon request. We are pleased to assist you with additional tour extensions prior to and following your tour.
Other Expenses
* When leaving Lima you will need to pay a $30.25 airport tax for the International flight and $6.05 for the domestic flight in cash at an airport counter.
* Tipping your guide and trek support staff is optional but customary. Bring along between US$25-$40 in local currency for this purpose.
Porters appreciate receiving donations of used clothing or toys that are in good condition, including children's clothes.
Note: We reserve the right to make changes where necessary for the safety and comfort of trek participants. Additional expenses caused by circumstances beyond the control of the operator will be the responsibility of the trek participant.
Social and Environmental Responsibility
At Inca Trail Reservations / Salkantay.org we firmly believe that responsible tourism is the only way of guaranteeing the sustainable development of this activity for present and future generations. We support the efforts of the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary Authority (UGM) to protect the environment within the park by measures which include limiting the daily capacity of the route, and enforcing a policy of 100% carry in/carry out.
As a result of this belief ever since we started, we involved the local communities and worked with them as suppliers of goods and services, helping them by contributing with medicines, school materials and sanitary issues. Tied in with this, was our commitment to the environment trying to minimize footprint and respecting the traditional way of life of the peoples through whose territory we passed.
Preparation - How fit you need to be
To trek you do not need to be an Olympic athlete nor a mountaineer but it is important to be relatively fit and in good physical condition before you start the Salkantay Trek. A few weeks of training, prior to arriving in Peru, will enhance your experience.
Try to spend an hour a day on the road. Walk upstairs rather than taking the elevator, if possible, walk or cycle when you would normally drive or ride a bus, take the dog for a walk around the neighborhood. Better yet, go on hikes in your area. Plenty of cardiovascular training is essential.
Being able to run a few miles each day without issues is probably the best single physical activity you should consider. Spend time on the stepper; you will be glad later when you are literally climbing up and down thousands of ancient steps.
While you are training you can also be breaking in those new trekking boots that may otherwise give you blisters when hiking the Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu.
High altitudes affect everybody in different ways, even a marathon runner may feel debilitated. When in Cusco, go visit some ruins in the surroundings, have a little jog, you will probably notice heavy breathing. This is due to the thin air at altitude, not your lack of fitness.
After a day or two of acclimatization, you'll learn how much food your body can handle in a day, whether coca tea helps, or if acetazolamide is appropriate. Once on the trail, take your time, catch your breath, the Salkantay trail is not a race nor a competition.
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In order to complete the Salkantay Trail, you need to have a reasonable level of fitness, age shouldn't be a barrier. The most important thing is to be well acclimatized to the altitude. The maximum height above sea level along the way is 4600 m (15092 ft), that is why we include 2 days in Cusco before the trek. This period is ideal for visiting the city of Cusco, the nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman and the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas.
