Hotel Jardin del Sol

Calama 166 y Diego de Almagro

Quito new town

Ecuador

+593-2-2230941 / +593-2-2230945

Otavalo, Mishualli and the Amazon Jungle. We leave Quito and head north across the Equator to the famous market town of Otavalo. Otavalo has one of the best textile markets in Ecuador. You can easily spend an afternoon shopping in the Plaza de Ponchos, buying hammocks, blankets and Alpaca jumpers. And if you are all shopped out, the surroundings of Otavalo are great for hikes and bike rides also.

We leave the Andes and journey down into the lush Amazon jungle. From here, the true adventure begins as we head further inland to the remote jungle town of Tena, the gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon. This will be our starting point for our adventure into the heart of the Amazon. We continue from Tena to Mishualli, where we board motorized dugout canoes to navigate down river to our lodge. We will enjoy a 3-day jungle trip, exploring the jungle vegetation and searching for the local wildlife. The terrain is rich and lush, and alive with hundreds of species of plant and trees. A shaman explains the many medicinal uses for these plants and trees, which are practiced by the local people, and talks about how he uses jungle plants to treat many of the rainforest illnesses. As well as hikes through the jungle and a visit to the Kichwa Indians, you will also have the opportunity to swim in a lagoon and spot wildlife – including early morning bird watching. We may even see some of the rarest birds of the Amazon, the “hoatzins” , a living fossil.

Leaving the jungle, we stay at Shangri-La lodge, just outside Tena, for a couple of days, where you can relax and soak up views over the rainforest of clouds snaking across the jungle and fabulous sunsets. For the energetic this is the chance to do a tubing excursion downriver or perhaps some white water rafting (optional).

Cuenca. Our next destination is Cuenca. Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador, and considered to be the most attractive. It has many fine colonial churches, a lovely plaza and cobbled streets. Cuenca is also home to the Panama Hat. We will visit the factory for a tour to see how they are made, and then you have the opportunity of buying one of these famous hats from the factory shop.

Sechura Desert - Huanchaco - Chan-Chan. From Punta Sal we then drive south through the Sechura desert on our way to the Peruvian coastal resort of Huanchaco. The village is unique for its caballitos - “little horses”. These are strangely shaped canoes are lined up along the beach, and you will see the fishermen surf them onto the beach with their day’s catch. While we’re here we take a step back in time with a visit to the amazing archaeological site of Chan Chan, the imperial city of the Chimu culture, and the largest adobe city in the world, covering 28 square kilometres. The ruins contain the remains of palaces, temples, workshops, streets, houses, gardens and a canal. There are well preserved molded decorations showing small figures of fish, birds and geometric motifs. We take a guided tour of these fascinating ruins, as well as the huge pyramid Temple of the Moon built by the Moche tribe nearby. The Temple of the Moon has brightly coloured molded decorations found on interior walls.

Lima. Our next stop is Lima, the capital city of Peru. Lima is a huge, sprawling and very busy city with a population of 8 million people – one third of the population of Peru. After the conquest of the Incas, the leader of the Spanish Conquerors, Francisco Pizarro looked to establish a capital for the new Spanish colonies in South America. The Inca capital of Cuzco was not considered suitable as the Spanish were sea-faring people, and so Lima was founded in 1535. It was originally known as the City of Kings. Lima became the seat of the Spanish Viceroyalty of South America.

Lima has some great colonial architecture and some of the best museums in Peru. The Plaza de Armas has the main Cathedral, which houses the remains of Francisco Pizarro as well as many beautiful monuments. Also on the Plaza is the Presidential Palace, where each morning the palace guards perform a changing of the guard ceremony. The fabulous Gold Museum houses a private collection of gold and weapons, and the Museo de la Nacion houses many exhibits and artifacts from the ancient cultures of Peru.

Arequipa - Chivay. From the coast we journey up into the Andes to Arequipa. Peru’s second largest city, Arequipa is set in a spectacular backdrop of snowcapped peaks.

Arequipa is a very attractive colonial city with beautiful plaza, cathedral and cobble stoned streets. Take a visit here to the once mysterious Monasterio de Santa Catalina. It was built in the 16th century and became a secret city within a city. Behind its walls up to 450 nuns and their servants lived lives that no one else knew about. It was opened to the public gaze in the 1970s, and you are now able to take a guided tour through its maze of alleyways and gardens.

Another interesting optional trip is to visit Juanita. Juanita is an Inca mummy, sacrificed to the Inca gods over 500 years ago, and then found by a team of archaeologists at the top of the Volcano near Ambato, over 5000 metres high, in 1995. Many of the textiles and gold, which adorned the female mummy's body were very well preserved, and they continue to be well preserved, along with many other artifacts, at her home in the Universidad Catolica near the Santa Catalina monastery.

From Arequipa, we take an overnight excursion to Colca Canyon. Chivay is our base to do our trip to see the Condors in Colca Canyon nearby and is a very traditional mountain town with many of the locals dressed in traditional costume.

Cuzco And The Inca Trail. After the canyon comes the beginning of your Inca adventure. We leave Chivay and drive over two mountain passes at an altitude of 4,700m -and arrive into the beautiful city of Cuzco.

This was the capital of the Inca Empire. The word Cuzco actually derives from the word Qosqo (from the Inca language of Quechua), which means Navel of the World, for this city was the hub of a network extending to each of the 4 regions which formed the 4 parts of the world according to the Incas world view. This is where the Inca Emperors held their throne during the period of the Inca Empire in the 15th and early 16th centuries. The city is abundant with historical buildings, and still has original Inca built walls, as well as many colonial churches and houses. Cuzco has some stunning attractions. Take a look at the magnificent Plaza de Armas; the Cathedral is on one side and the La Compania de Jesus on the other. And there are many ancient Inca sites to visit in and around Cuzco. Most notable are those of Koricancha and Sacsayhuaman. Koricancha, or place of gold, was the Incas principal religious building, dedicated to the worship of the sun. Sacsayhuaman is situated on the outskirts of Cuzco overlooking the city. This spectacular fortress guarded the Inca Capital. The ruins are renowned for their enormous carved stones joined together with incredible precision. Cuzco has some great markets for souvenir hunting – good buys are jewellery, ceramics, and woodcarving, which you can get from workshops that are open to the public. And while you’re here you can eat to your hearts content for the trek ahead. Cuzco has lots of restaurants and bars. Peruvian food is good and hearty, featuring tamales filled with cheese or meat, soups and stews, kebabs and peppers. Don't forget to try the guinea pig. Cuzco is also renowned as a party town - with some of the best nightlife in Peru.

The trip now takes you to the Urumbamba Valley for a tour of what is known as the Sacred Valley. We visit the magnificent ruins of Pisac, set high in the walls of the valley, and then to the famous markets in the town of Pisac below the ruins. These markets offer a great selection of blankets, jumpers and other local handicrafts. From here we continue along the valley to Ollantaytambo, where we visit another Inca Ruin before staying here the night.

From Ollantaytambo we begin our four day hike to mythical Machu Picchu. The trek takes you in the footsteps of the ancient Incas along original pathways and past many ruins. Day one of the trek includes approximately 6 hours walking, taking in some spectacular scenery and local life as we walk through a couple of villages. Day two is the tough one as we reach the highest point of the trail at Dead Women’s Pass with an altitude of just over 4200 metres above sea level. Day 3 requires a bit more uphill climbing before beginning the gradual descent down towards Machu Picchu. We rise very early on the morning of Day 4 so that you arrive at the Sun Gate for dawn on the final day. Providing the weather is clear, the view from the Sun Gate down to Machu Picchu is breathtaking and something you will never forget. Imagine what it was like for the explorer Hiram Bingham who discovered this long lost city back in 1911 and gave the world one of its most breathtaking ancient sites. The city, with its temples stairways and gabled dwellings is probably one of the most astounding engineering feats of the whole of the Ancient American civilisations. What you see is never to be forgotten - but have your camera ready as well, just for the record. Upon reaching the ruins, our experienced local guides will give you a tour of the ruins for approximately two hours and then the rest of the day is yours to explore the ruins. If you’re still feeling energetic you can climb the nearby Huayna Picchu Mountain and get some more great views of the city and some great pictures as well! That afternoon you can lie back and relax in the hot springs at Aguas Calientes before taking the train back to Cuzco.

In the event that we are unable to obtain Inca Trail permits, we will include the Lares Trek or Classic Train to Machu Picchu.

La Paz. We follow the lakeshore and travel into Bolivia to La Paz the highest capital city in the world at 3700m. It was built in a canyon at the base of the Altiplano to keep it sheltered from the cold but over time it has grown and now spills up the canyon walls. It’s a stunning sight from the heights of the Altiplano. La Paz has buckets of charm, winding cobble stoned streets with lots of busy little markets. Visit the intriguing Witches Market where stall holders sell magical mixes of herbs plus some even weirder objects aimed at curing illness or keeping evil spirits at bay. La Paz is great to explore and while you are here there are optional trips to the highest ski resort in the world at Mount Chacaltaya, the Valley of the Moon and a hair raising downhill descent on a mountain bike in the area surrounding La Paz. And laze your evenings away in a colourful bar listening to local bands and their haunting music.

Potosi. Heading south across the Altiplano, we arrive in the colonial city of Potosi. Potosi began its journey to fame almost 500 years ago when silver was discovered in Cerro Rico, a hill just outside the town. In the late 1700s, Potosi was the richest city in Latin America. The situation declined when the silver demand diminished but these days you can still choose to take a guided tour of Potosi’s silver mines (optional) as mining still continues today in primitive conditions, or wander around the colonial streets but whatever you choose to do, bring plenty of warm clothes. Potosi’s altitude of 4070m makes it not only the highest city in the world but also one of the coldest as well!

Uyuni – Tupiza. Our next stop is Tupiza. The drive here is stunning, taking us through canyons and mountains covered with cacti. This is the land that Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid once roamed. Once at Tupiza we have the chance to do one of the many optional activities here including horseback riding, hiking, or a jeep safari.

Cafayate Gorge – Cafayate – Valles Calchaquies. The road south from Salta leads us through the spectacular Cafayate Gorge, home of a variety of fascinating and colourful rock formations and the entrance to the Andean town of Cafayate. Surrounded by vineyards, you’ll be spoilt for choice for wine-tasting and winery tours, with several wineries within 10 minutes walk of the main plaza. Furthermore, the town’s other specialities are ice cream, flavoured with the local wine and “vino patero”, wine produced by stamping on the grapes! This is also a great town to try out delicious northern Argentinean corn-based food such as humitas, tamales and locro. South of Cafayate we visit the Quilmes ruins, built by the Quilmes Indians on a mountainous site, which offers spectacular views over the surrounding countryside. There is also an optional and highly recommended visit to the regional museum. Heading south out of this area known as the Valles Calchaquies, we camp for one night at a bush camp under the stars, en-route to the south.

Mendoza. Our next stop is Mendoza, quite possibly the prettiest big city in Argentina with its tree-lined streets and shady plazas with the backdrop of the snow capped Andes. Mendoza is situated on the 33rd parallel and wine lovers will tell you that the world’s finest wines come from the 33rd parallel. Vineyards and wineries surround the city, each offering wine tasting tours so you may want to go and decide for yourself. In addition to the wineries, you might also want to visit the “bodega” of Chandon and indulge in a little sparkling wine tasting as well. Mendoza also has many fine restaurants and cafes, and for those who are a little more inclined towards action and adventure there are optional opportunities for white water rafting, trekking and hiking and a whole host of other outdoor activities.

Pucon. From Santiago we travel South through the lake district, vineyards and fertile farmland, and onto the picturesque town of Pucon, a small resort on Lake Villarica, nestled below the perfect cone-shaped Volcano Villarica. The area is surrounded by lakes, mountains, forests, rivers and waterfalls and offers many exciting activities. A fabulous optional activity offered here is a trek to the top of the Volcano. It is a tough climb but the views at the top are spectacular, and to be able to look into the crater of this active volcano as it roars softly and belches steam, is an amazing experience. Other activities available in Pucon are white water rafting, horse riding, mountain biking and water sports on the Lake.

El Chalten. We finish our journey through this area in the spectacular Argentinean lake district and start the long drive south to El Chalten. We spend a night in the lovely Los Alerces National Park, which has many beautiful lakes and mountain views. The area to the north of here is also famed as once being the home of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. They spent time here in the early 20th century attempting to avoid the detectives looking for them from the United States.

As we follow the long road south, we are treated to many beautiful views of the Andes, and opportunities to see condors, flamingos and the odd armadillo scuttling across the road. El Chalten is a small town dwarfed by the magnificent, surrounding mountains, and now considered to be the trekking capital of Argentina. This is the northernmost section of the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, and there are countless hiking opportunities branching out in every direction from this little haven. One of the most popular is the trek to the base of Mount Fitzroy. The views of this mountain are breathtaking as its jagged peak punctures the Patagonian sky. There are also many options for horse riding in the surrounding area. Another fantastic day out here is an optional hike on a glacier and ice climbing. After the initial hike to Laguna Torre, which has a glacier running into it, you will then hike onto the glacier after being issued with crampons. You spend a couple of hours hiking around the glacier past many crevasses and ice formations, and all against the spectacular backdrop of Cerro Torre. And to conclude the time on the glacier you receive some instruction on ice climbing and you are then able to have a go for yourself.

Torres del Paine N.P. From El Calafate we begin our long journey across the dry, windswept expanse of Patagonia, drive along the shores of Lago Argentino, the third largest lake in South America, re-enter Chile and onto Torres Del Paine National Park.

The spectacular Torres (towers) del Paine National Park is named after its enormous granite towers. It is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and occupies an area of 2400 square kilometres. We camp at a beautiful site overlooking Lake Pehoe, with the backdrop of the nearby Cuernos (horns) del Paine. As well as the stunning scenery, the park is home to a variety of fauna and flora, including condors, guanacos and rheas (the South American ostrich). The park is one of the trekking capitals of the world, and with good reason as it has plenty of opportunities for trekking on the many trails.

We spend three full days in the park to enable you to fully enjoy all the park has to offer. A couple of the more popular trails are those going up to the base of the towers themselves, and also the trip to Gray Glacier. The trip to Gray Glacier begins with a boat ride across Lake Pehoe, and then trekking up to a vantage point where you can get fantastic views of this huge glacier. The trek to the base of the towers is a fantastic walk. Not only does it provide beautiful views of the mountains and valleys around, but also breathtaking views of the towers at the end.

Ushuaia.  We proceed south again, and cross the Straits of Magellan towards the Southernmost town in the world, Ushuaia.

Driving towards the Argentinean border, we enter the region of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire), where the scenery changes once again into rugged mountain wilderness. Situated in this beautiful setting is the lovely town of Ushuaia. It is perfectly located overlooking the Beagle Channel and with a backdrop of snow-capped peaks behind. From Ushuaia it is possible to take an optional boat excursion onto the Beagle Channel. The boat trip offers the opportunity of not only spectacular views of Ushuaia and surrounding area, but also to see the local wildlife such as sea lions, albatross and many other species of sea birds. You can also make a visit to the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park where the Pan-American highway ends. Here you will find some wonderful hiking trails through the beautiful beech forests.

Valdes Peninsula. Reaching the Valdes Peninsula we spend a day visiting various sites renowned for sea lions, sea elephants and a variety of bird life. At certain times of the year (July to December) it is also possible to see Southern Right Whales, which gather in great numbers for the breeding season in the waters around the peninsula.

Buenos Aires. Commonly known as the “The Paris of South America”, Buenos Aires is a lively city with many attractions it offers fantastic restaurants, shopping and nightlife. Our hotel is centrally located and close to a lot of the major attractions and main shopping streets of Florida and Santa Fe. At Plaza De Mayo you may see the Mothers of the Disappeared and nearby you can find the obelisk and bustling Recoleta. We recommend you take a city tour, which the hotel can organise, for you. This will take you to all the major sights, which are centrally located, and also to the area of La Boca, the home of Buenos Aires most notorious football team, Boca Juniors. Another must in Buenos Aires is a Tango show. Buenos Aires is the home of tango and our hotel can organise for you to see one of these fantastic shows, an opportunity not to be missed.Buenos Aires is a lively, cosmopolitan city with many attractions. From the charming main plaza with government palace, to the many shopping streets and cafes, there is always something to keep you occupied in Buenos Aires. You may wish to see a Tango show in the city where the dance originated or visit the cemetery where Eva Peron is buried.

Salto – San Ignacio - Jesuit Ruins. We travel through the rolling hills and citrus groves of western Uruguay to Salto where we can enjoy a couple of days at the thermal springs and spas – this is overlanding at its most luxurious. Onto the Jesuit Ruins of northern Argentina. Once settlements of the Guarani Indians, we take a trip to one of the best-preserved ruins. The Jesuits established many communities in this area of Paraguay and also Northern Argentina, with great success in the 17th and 18th centuries. However, it was their success, which brought about their downfall, as jealous landowners nearby could not compete with their production methods, forcing the Spanish government to expel them in 1767. However, many ruins of these communities remain, and Trinidad is one, which has been very well preserved. While visiting this area we camp at a nearby farm where you can explore by horse or jeep, or just relax by the pool.

Bonito. From Iguazu we continue north to the town of Bonito. Here we spend two full days with many optional activities available. The most popular of these is a trip to what the locals refer to as one of the clearest rivers in the world. The river, fed by natural springs, is kept incredibly clear because of the limestone at the bottom of the river. Here you will have the opportunity to drift down this crystal clear river with a wetsuit, snorkel and mask and gaze at the abundance of different species of fish living there. It is a truly amazing and unique opportunity. Other trips available from Bonito include a trip to the Blue Cave with its amazing colour and formations. There is the possibility to abseil down into other caves and then scuba dive or snorkel through them.

Eastern Brazil - Parati. From the Pantanal region, we proceed east towards the coast and the beach. This is a long 2-day journey across Brazil, but the beautiful coastline is worth the wait. Arriving at the coast we discover the lovely town of Parati, with its cobblestone streets and quaint little shops. Here we can treat you to a fantastic day out on an old schooner sailing around the nearby islands. Spend the day relaxing on board or swimming in the warm waters and soaking up some sunshine.

Florida Hotel

Rua Ferreira Viana 81

Flamengo

Rio de Janeiro

Tel: ++55-21-2555-6000

Please note:  This tour ends on arrival in Rio de Janeiro.  Accommodation is not included for the final day of the tour.  If you would like to enjoy the festivities of Rio Carnival then please consult Travel Amazing South America with regard to booking our Rio Carnival Accommodation Package (6 days / 5 nights).

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then please visit our Travel Insurance page for more information.

Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Tour without travel insurance.

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your South America trip. Please consult your Travel Agent or relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs.

EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR.

Please note that clients travelling on SA6 Buenos Aires to Rio tours should be aware that Brazilian visas (if required) can take up to 3-4 working days to issue.  We strongly advise that you arrive into Buenos Aires at least 4 working days before your trip starts in order to ensure that you have sufficient time to obtain your Brazilian visa.

We for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.

Prophylactic tablets are essential in some areas of South America. They are prescribed by your vaccinating doctor and should be taken as directed.

You might like to read up on the destinations that you are about to visit as these cities all have interesting sites and histories. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide and Insight Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the countries you visit.

Please use your discretion and be sensitive to cultural differences in the countries that you visit, in particular visits to religious buildings and when taking photographs. Your Tour Leader will advise you of any specific customs to observe.

Travel Tip: Always bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella even during the height of summer - this should prepare you for anything!

In Patagonia temperatures can fall to below zero, even in the height of summer. Be prepared for very cold conditions. You should bring a warm jacket, gloves and woolly hat if you are doing a trip in Patagonia.

Spanish is the language most widely spoken in the countries we visit in Latin America but English will be spoken in the larger cities. You might like to take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable.

We provide hearty meals, and your tour cost covers most breakfasts, lunches and dinners while camping, as well as some road lunches when travelling on the vehicle.

Most food substances are stored on the truck in bulk quantities including all types of condiments, pastas, rice etc. Markets in the countries through which we travel are always well stocked and we purchase as much fresh food as possible including fruit, vegetables and meats on the road. Those designated as cooks on the rotating roster system help in buying, preparing and cooking the food for the group under the guidance of your Tour Leader. The variety of food will differ, as you will be visiting a number of different countries. Everyone helps out with the cooking and all are encouraged to put their culinary skills (or lack there of!) to the test over the campfire! You will be surprised with what you can create over the campfire with a little imagination!

Vegetarians or those with special dietary needs or allergies can also be catered for however in some countries the type of food may be limited. Please let the Reservations team know your special requirements as soon as possible so we can do all possible to assist your needs. Please note we will attempt to provide for these special requests,
however they cannot be guaranteed - please ensure the tour leader is aware of any special requests.

When camping, we usually prepare and cook our own meals, at other times whilst staying in hotels it is more convenient to eat out. When staying in hotels, meals are the responsibility of each passenger. This allows you a
chance to try the local cuisine. The amount of time spent in hotels on each tour section is given in the brochure and in the itineraries. These are flexible and each tour will differ from the next.

Local Restaurants - Latin American food is delicious, nutritious and varied and local restaurants provide an important insight into local ways of life. There is always an excellent range of restaurants to choose from. An evening meal can range from US$1 up to US$20. Most travellers spend an average of US$5 to US$10 plus drinks. Local alcoholic drinks are generally inexpensive even in restaurants and bars.

Vegetarians are easily catered for.

All our tours begin with a pre-departure meeting when you meet your tour leader and fellow travellers. If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you. On the last day of the tour we usually arrive at our final destination in the late afternoon, when the tour ends. If you would like to book accommodation for that night or even stay additional nights, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. (All rates per person per night and subject to availability).

Tipping porters and trekking crew is a tradition on the Inca Trail and Lares treks. However, tipping is at your discretion: please do not feel obliged to do so.

On the Inca Trail you will be expected to tip US$12-15 for general porters, cooks and trekking crew and a further US$5 for the porters who carried your personal allowance of 9kgs. These tips are shared out amongst the trekking crew on the 3rd night. It is also customary to voluntarily tip the guides after the Machu Picchu tour on the 4th day.

Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. Seven days after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still write a review on the tour page you've done on our site.

Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email at tours [at] travel-amazing-southamerica.com

Introduction

This is a moderate to strenuous hiking trek to the Lost City of Machu Picchu. The gateway for this trek is Cuzco, where passengers leave their luggage at the hotel and only need to take their mats, sleeping bags and personal items necessary for the duration of the excursion (4 days).

Porters

Porters are included. General porters carry tents, food, cooking equipment. We also include personal porters for approx 6kgs per person. They carry sleeping bags, clothes etc. You need to carry a day pack with water bottle, jacket, camera etc. As porters are split between group members, 6kgs is a rough guide as to the weight that a personal porter will carry. Additionally, it may sometimes be possible to hire extra porters on Day 2 (the most difficult day of the trek) if you require, to carry day packs etc to second campsite. Approx cost is USD25 - this is not organised through us or our ground handler. Foam sleeping mats are provided by the ground handler, weighing 800g and counted as part of the 6kgs carried by personal porters.

Tipping

Tipping is entirely at your discretion although it is commonplace for trekkers to tip their guides and porters on the during the Inca Trail and Lares treks. We recommend you carry approximately USD35-40 to cover the tipping tradition.

Itinerary and Distances

This is a guideline to the average distances and altitudes during the Inca Trail (please note all the information is a guideline only and every person must judge their own physical condition personally). Should you believe you are not fit enough for this hike, you can go to Machu Picchu by train, please advise your tour leader.

• Day 1 - trailhead to first camp Huayllabamaba (2700 m), distance 13 km, an average hiking time 7 hours with stops.
• Day 2 - hardest day, ascending to 4200m, distance 15KM, average hiking time 8 hours with breaks.
• Day 3 - very scenic day with many Ruins en route, distance 14 KM, camp at Winaywayna 2700m. 7-8 hours hiking.
• Day 4 - start in the dark to get to Machu Picchu at sunrise, 3 hours hike and free morning to explore Machu Picchu. If you wish to climb Wayna Picchu, please co-ordinate this with your guide as the park has restricted climbing times and numbers. Return to Aguas Calientes (bus down from Machu Picchu payable locally). For those who have hired personal porters, blue sacks will be given out a lunchtime for you to transport your belongings back to Cusco. Train back to Ollantaytambo.

Permit Availability

Availability of Inca Trail permits is limited, particularly during high season when the number of tourists wishing to walk the Inca Trail is greater than the number of permits available. Whilst we will endeavour to organise an Inca Trail permit for you, these are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. In the event that permits for the Inca Trail are unavailable, we will advise you as soon as possible about the two possible alternatives for reaching Machu Picchu 1- The 4 day Lares trek and 2- The 2 day Classic Train trip. Our website tour departure dates are updated frequently to indicate availability or non-availability of Inca Trail permits, however, permit availability can change with little warning: whilst we endeavour to keep this information as current as possible, we cannot guarantee permit availability.

Passport Details

Please ensure that you provide Travel Amazing South America with your passport details at the time of booking. Failure to do so may mean that you miss out on an Inca Trail permit as these can sell out very quickly. We will apply for your Inca Trail permit with the passport details which you provide us at the time of booking. If you hold more than one passport you must advise us which passport details we should use in order to apply for the Inca Trail permit.

Pre-payment of Inca Trail deposit
The cost of the Inca Trail deposit  must be paid in full at the time of booking. This is in addition to the tour deposit and is non refundable. Inca Trail permits will be applied for ONLY once full payment of deposit,  and written confirmation of your full name, passport number and date of birth have been received. These deposits are  included in the total tour price, and this amount will be deducted from the tour balance once paid.

Late Permit Applications
Late Inca Trail permit applications may occasionally incur an extra charge as we may need to organise an additional guide and pay for their trekking permit in order to secure your permit. We will advise you at the time of booking.

Changes and Amendments
Note that fees apply if you need to make changes and/ or amendments to your Inca Trail permit due to factors such as passport loss or renewal, illness, failure to provide us with correct details, date changes and tour transfers.

No Permit Availability
We can normally arrange the alternative 4 day Lares trek. Lares departures generally coincide with high season. Due to lesser demand and inclement weather, departures on the Lares Trail are limited during the low season. If there is no availability for either the Inca Trail or the Lares trek, we can normally arrange for you to spend 2 extra days in Cusco and then take the 2 day Classic Train trip to Machu Picchu, where you will meet with your original group for the guided visit to Machu Picchu. Please note that if we are unable to secure you an Inca Trail permit and you do not wish to hike the alternative Lares trek or take the Classic Train trip, your deposit will be returned to you.

High Season/ Low Season Information
November to March is considered low season. We can often obtain permits at short notice during this time. April to October is considered high season. We require your passport details as far in advance as possible during this time. The trail is closed during the month of February for maintenance. If your tour coincides with the Inca Trail closure, we can normally offer Lares or the Classic Train.