Included
Briefing: The night before your trek, you will come to our office for your briefing. You will receive your duffel bag that will stay with your porters, while you hike. This bag should not exceed 7 kg/14 lbs and does need to include your sleeping bag and air mattress.
Professional Guides: All of our guides studied English and tourism at University. They all grew up in this region and have a true passion to teach others about their heritage. They are fun yet professional and will ensure you are safe and happy.
Porters: We include a personal porter, who is responsible for carrying your duffel bag containing your personal items. There is no additional fee for this. We will give you your duffel bag at your briefing the night before, to be filled with the things you will need for the next night and day. You will not have access to your duffel bag until your arrive at your evening campsite.
Hotel: The alternative treks all end in, or before Aguas Calientes. The last night is spent at a hotel in the village, rather than camping. This 2 star hotel is included in the trek cost, and is based on a shared room. If you would like to upgrade your hotel, or prefer a single room, there will be an additional cost.
Transportation: All your transportation is included in this trek. You will be picked up directly from your hotel around 3,00pm and brought to the trail head.
Your guide will hand out your bus ticket to make your way down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes, and you will be booked on the expedition train leaving that afternoon. If you prefer, you can upgrade your train leaving Aguas Calientes to the Vistadome train for $75 per person. Once you arrive to the train station, we will bring you back to your hotel in Cusco.
Equipment: Alpaca Expeditions has the best equipment. We use four man, Eureka, Timberline tents that are shared by only two people. You will have a spacious dining tent to enjoy your meals in.
Food: The Alpaca Expeditions chefs prepare delicious meals that have been highly praised by our previous trekkers. We accommodate all dietary restrictions. Please make sure to remind your guide of any restrictions at the beginning of the trek. Meals are typically served family-style (with shared dishes). You will enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day of the trek, along with a happy hour featuring tea and snacks. You will also receive a snack each morning to enjoy during the hike. Your last meal with the chef will be after lunch on day four. Lunch on the final day is not included.
Water: From your first lunch until your last breakfast, Alpaca Expeditions will provide all the water you need. This water will be boiled, filtered, and then cooled before being served. You must bring your own water bottles or camelback. We recommend carrying a capacity of approximately 3 liters. Water will be refilled at each meal.
First Aid: Every Alpaca Expeditions guide has received training in first aid from a physician. We conduct mandatory training sessions every February, which every single Alpaca tour guide must attend. Your tour guide will always have a first-aid kit for basic medical problems (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) and oxygen. We will get you off the trail as quickly and comfortably as possible, if needed, and ensure you get directly to a clinic for treatment.
Extras: We believe it's the attention to small details that separates us from other tour companies. Every trekker receives a small pillow to sleep with, a foam mat for insulation, a day pack cover to protect their things while hiking and a rain poncho. We will work hard to create your best vacation.
Satellite Phones: Our top priority will always be the safety of our clients and our team. While we are prepared and all our guides are trained for most of the issues clients have on the mountain, being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital or friend helps everyone feel assured that they are safe. Radios, which all our guides have, are limited in how far they can reach, so Alpaca Expeditions has added Satellite Phones to every trek. Every guide will have a fully charged phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to connect us anywhere in the world. And they can be used by our clients for non-emergencies as well. While they are not cheap to use, they are available just in case you need to check in on the puppy you left at home with grandma.
