MOONSTONE TO SUN TEMPLEExploring Inca Trails - 5 days/4 nights

Weekly Departures to Machu Picchu

xplore the spectacular eastern extension of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This little-known route is our favorite alternative to the better-known traditional Inca Trail

to Machu Picchu. We follow the footsteps of the Incas who built a high route from their capital city of Cuzco westward through the rugged cordillera, and filled their empire with amazing temples and royal residences. We camp high, and discover the beauty of tranquil Andean valleys with sublime views toward the 18,000-foot snowpeaks of the Urubamba and Huayanay Ranges. We also explore amazing Inca stonework in an enormous 15th century quarry site of Cachiqata. After descending into the Sacred Valley of the Incas we reach the royal Inca town of Ollantaytambo, with its remarkable Sun Temple. We travel to Machu Picchu by train for a full exploration (how Long a train ride) of the famous city.

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Huayraqpunku and Nevado Veronica (Suzie Stengel)

Open country beyond the second pass, Chancachuco(Peter Robertson)

During four hiking days you cover 39 km/24 miles, starting at 3,224m/10,575’, and finishing at 2,840m/9,315’ above sea level. You cross two high passes, with a maximum elevation of 4,625m/15,170’. While trail conditions are generally good, some steep trail sections require careful footing, good hiking boots with lug soles, and trekking poles. Nevertheless, thanks to our careful pacing, dedicated guides and professional support staff, the trip is suitable for novices as well as experienced hikers.

Your trail duffel and the camp gear is carried by packhorses; you walk carrying only a day-pack. Cooks prepare wholesome meals from fresh ingredients and handle all the kitchen chores. You sleep warm and protected in high quality tents. Join the most reliable outfitter in the Andes for a trek you'll never forget.

2012 COST: US$725 (4-16 passengers)US$825 (3 passengers)US$865 (2 passengers)Requested single hotel and tent: $90Machu Picchu citadel fee with Huayna Picchu: $75Group size: 2-16 passengers

Since this route does not require trek permits, it is an excellent choice when the Inca Trail is sold out!

2012 DEPARTURES:We depart Cuzco at 7.00 AM every Sunday starting May 6, 2012. The last trek of the year starts Nov 4, 2012. NEW DEPARTURE ADDED: Nov 4-8! Call now to join.

At 10.30AM on the day prior to the trek, there is an important orientation meeting with your guide and other participants in the ITTA office at Avenida Pardo 705 in Cuzco. We review trek arrangements, discuss trail gear and packing strategies, health and dietary matters, tipping and other cash needs, and trail documentation requirements. We distribute your trail duffel and sleeping pad. If you’ve rented a sleeping bag from us, we give it to you now so you can pack your duffel, ready for the departure early next morning. We also review passenger air reservations, so we can reconfirm your continuing flights.

Day 1 Quillarumiyoq to Chillipahua We pick you up at your Cuzco hotel and transfer by van west across the high Anta Plain, following the route of the royal Inca Road which led from the capital toward the northern quarter of the empire. We stop first at Izcuchaca, a bustling market town. We venture into the market building to enjoy the colorful scene. A few minutes drive beyond Izcuchaca, we reach the sacred Inca shrine known as Quillarumiyoq (“Moonstone” in the Quechua language of the Incas), one of the finest of the carved rock huacas (sacred places) in the vicinity of Cuzco. Archeologists working at this site are revealing extensive terracing of a major ritual center. We continue to our trailhead by the Huaracondo River where it drains the western edge of the plain, and meet our trail crew, who arrive from a nearby community. We commence trekking following a broad trail northward, above the west bank of the Huaracondo River. After an easy two-hour hike, we reach the first pass and Huatta, a substantial pre-Inca fortress dominating the crest of a ridge at 3,855m/12,645’. Archeological excavations have revealed burials and occupation levels from the Formative Period (2,500 years ago) on through the enormous fortifications of the 4th century Regional Development period. A scattering of late-period Inca structures on the top of the highest hill seems like an historical afterthought. The site is classic: a defensible ridge with dominating three-way views along converging valleys. After lunch, we continue on our way westward into the range, and camp at 3,750m/12,300’ next to a rural school in the hamlet of Chillipahua. 10.5km/6.5 miles (L,D)

Day 2 Chancachuco We climb gradually through fields and glades of the indigenous Chachacomo tree, in a landscape of sparse pastures and small fields supported by terraced walls on the steep mountainsides. Wherever there is water, we find an Andean family compound of adobe and straw. But there is little water in this mountain range –hour by hour we are reminded of how precious a commodity water was and is to the Andean people. We climb to a small knoll at 4,400 m/14,432’ for delicious hot lunch, then continue up to the col. From our location atop Accoccasa Pass (4,625m/15,170’ – the highest point on the trek) we enjoy breathtaking views to immense snowpeaks: the Huaynays to our west, the Urubamba range to the north. We enjoy an easy descent, to camp at 4,350 m/14,268’ in the broad valley of Chancachuco, facing the glaciers of the Huaynay Range. 8.8 km/5.5 miles (B,L,D)

Day 3 Huayrapunku/Cachiqata Quarry We trek westward, gradually descending the high valley, to the headworks of a now-abandoned Inca aqueduct which transported water from the Chancachuco valley north to supply the otherwise-arid north-facing slopes above

Ollantaytambo. Inca engineers built this aqueduct across a sheer cliff face high above the Silque River. After we descend through a flower-filled slot canyon in the valley wall, we enjoy views north towards Nevado Veronica (5,682m/18,637’) directly across the valley. On the mountainside above us we can glimpse traces of the original stonework, testimony to the extraordinary engineering in the project. We reach our final pass (3,940m/12,923’) and visit a spectacular ridge-top Inca shrine called Huayrapunku (Gate of the Wind), with more great panoramas. The site offers unsurpassed views to the terraces and temple site of the royal town of Ollantaytambo, over 4,000 feet below us. Constructed in the 15th century by the Inca emperor Pachacutec, the town was an important administrative and religious center. We descend, past the curiously arid and abandoned Inca administrative site of Llaqtallaqtayoq, to our camp on a broad terrace at 3,525m/11,562’at the edge of the enormous Cachiqata quarry. In the afternoon we visit a cave to pay our respects by making coca-leaf offerings to mummified human remains considered ancestors by the wranglers and trek crew. We also explore the intricate quarry workings. From this steep talus slope beneath the sheer face of Cerro Yanaorco, immense red granite building stones were carved onsite and then skidded down to the valley floor, across the river, and then up to the sun temple site on the far side of the valley. We explore the ramps and work platforms around the largest of the stones. Orchids and other flowers are abundant in and around the quarry site, set high on the mountainside above the valley floor. 11.8 km/7.4 miles to camp, plus optional additional walking in the Inca quarry. (B,L,D)

Slot Canyon below Chancachuco (Michael Laub)

Day 4 Ollantaytambo/Machu Picchu We descend on a broad Inca road down through the lower quarry zone, and stop at a key hilltop, from where the worked stones were skidded down the steep slope to the Vilcanota River below us. On the far bank, between the

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river and the Sun Temple, we can see several of these piedras cansadas (“Tired Stones”), which were abandoned half-way between quarry and temple construction zone. Chroniclers tell us that work on the temple site was suddenly halted when the Colla masons fled back toward their homes in the Lake Tiahuanaco area, just prior to the arrival of the Spanish invaders. We continue down to the village by the river, and visit a local chicheria, where you may sample chicha, the delicious lightly-fermented corn beverage which is an integral part of every Andean festival and social gathering. After crossing the river, we walk into the village of Ollantaytambo. We have time to explore the temple and the adjacent village, and enjoy lunch at the

home of a local family. In late afternoon we catch a train down the valley to Aguas Calientes. (how Long a train ride & who books hotel or is it our choice) We check into a hotel for the night. 8 km./5 miles. (B,L are included; dinner in Aguas Calientes is on your own).

Breakfast at the Qachicata camp (H. Dowd)

Day 5 Machu Picchu We enter the famous “Lost City of the Incas” early in the

morning How do we get here (bus? Aguas Calientes ? How long a ride), do we beat the train tourists? for an in-depth guided tour of the ridge-top citadel of Machu Picchu. Those who wish to witness sunrise over Machu Picchu go up on the early shuttle bus and enter the site at daybreak. You have time for a thorough exploration of the remarkable site. We descend to Aguas Calientes for return to Ollantaytambo, continuing by chartered bus to Cuzco, arriving around 10.00PM. Transfer to your hotel. (B)

Included: indicated meals, transport by train and bus, porterage of up to 12 kg personal gear, communal camp gear including tables and camp chairs, heated dining tent, spacious sleeping tents, Thermarest sleeping pad, water filter and other amenities. Machu Picchu Citadel Site fee is billed separately from the rate for the land package. The rate is subject to change without prior notice by order of park authorities.

Excluded:

· BTG multi-site entrance ticket - most of our passengers purchase this ticket in Cuzco prior to commencing the trek, as it contains site entrances to many of the most popular sites in Cuzco and the Sacred Valley. The full ticket costs US$50 (as of Jan 1, 2012); separate site entrance to just the Ollantaytambo ruins are also available. Passengers who purchase the BTG ticket prior to the trek must bring this along on the trek in order to avoid having to purchase a separate entrance to the Ollantaytambo ruins. Site ent-rance costs are subject to change.

Other Exclusions: personal trekking gear and sleeping bag; tips to guide and trek staff; city services before and after trek program; dinner and lunch in Aguas Calientes; air Lima/Cuzco/Lima (currently $350 and subject to change).

Rental sleeping bag: $36. We provide mummy-style, winter-weight synthetic-fill sleeping bags, with sheet liners. We launder the liners between each trek. Rental sleeping bags should be requested well in advance of your departure. If you are taller than 6 feet, please request an extra-long bag.

Single supplement: If you are traveling alone and are willing to share a tent and hotel, we will pair you with another trekker of the same gender and you pay no supplementary charge. If you prefer single occupancy, the surcharge is US$90. Pre-Trek AcclimationSo that your body has sufficient time to acclimate prior to starting the trek, we strongly recommend that you arrive in Cuzco or similar elevation a minimum of two days prior to the trek. This is a 35-km/22-mile trek with a maximum elevation over 4,600m/15,150 feet.

Joining Your GroupOnce we receive your final payment, we will send a Con-firmation of Service voucher with your prepaid travel details. Services in Peru are provided by Inca Tours & Travel Adventures (ITTA).

At 10.30AM on the day prior to the trek, there is an important orientation meeting with your guide and other participants in the ITTA operations office in Cuzco. We review trek arrangements, trail gear and packing strategies, health and dietary matters, tipping and other cash needs, and trail documentation requirements. We also distribute your trail duffel and sleeping pad. If you’ve rented a sleeping bag from us, we give it to you now so you can pack your duffel, ready for the departure early next morning.

ITTA office is at Avenida Pardo 705, tel. (51-84) 225-701, 235-583. Passengers who have not contacted the office by noon on the day prior to trek departure to reconfirm their arrangements will be considered no-shows and deleted from the roster. In these situations your tour prepayment is non-refundable.

If your travel plans change at the last minute, due to airline delays, misconnections or any other reason, you must advise our Cuzco office (51-84)225-701, (51-84) 600-500; after-hours operations staff

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are at 51-98465-1404) to see if alternate arrangements can be made for you.

If you are a student 18 years and older with a valid International Student ID card you may be eligible for a reduced rate for your Machu Picchu site entrance. Passengers who cannot produce student ID judged acceptable to the INC will pay the full adult rate. Students 15 years and younger need no student ID, your passport is sufficient ID to obtain the student rate for the Machu Picchu citadel entry fee. Important: Tickets for entrance to Machu Picchu citadel are no longer sold at the entrance to the ruins; you must purchase these in Aguas Calientes at the INC office on the town square next to the church. Our guide coordinates this detail to assist you.

Optional ExtrasWe are pleased to assist you with additional tour ar-rangements prior to and following your tour. Hotels in Lima or Cuzco are available from $64 per night for a double and $48 in single including taxes and continental breakfast. Airport transfers in Lima and Cuzco may be arranged upon request. If you seek an economic hostel, there are kiosks at the airports where you can arrange accommodation on arrival.

Additional Expenses Currency other than US$ and € is difficult to exchange

in Peru. Bring travelers' checks and/or cash. Major credit cards are also accepted in hotels and larger restaurants. Most credit card companies charge 2-3% surcharge over the purchase price – we recommend you check the policy with your credit card company prior to your trip. You can find ATM machines in Cuzco but not in towns. Food and beverages in mainstream restaurants and hotels are comparable in cost to what you'll pay at home. 19% government value-added tax plus service charges of up to 10% are added to your bill.

You’ll pay airport departure taxes of approximately US$6 for domestic flights in Peru, and US$30.25 for international departures.

Tipping your trek staff is optional but customary. Take along between $35-$70 in local currency for this purpose. On the final trek morning, trekkers distribute pooled funds among guide(s), kitchen crew and wranglers. Suggested distribution: to the Chief Guide $2.50 per day, Asst guide $1.00 per day, Cook $1.00 per day, Asst cook $.50 per day. Wranglers $5.00 for the trip (not per day). Wranglers appreciate receiving donations of used clothes that are in good condition, including children's clothes.

PLEASE NOTE: We reserve the right to make minor changes where necessary for the safety and comfort of tour participants. Please reconfirm the current tour rate and park fee when you make your reservation. Additional expenses caused by circumstances beyond the control of the operator will be the responsibility of the tour participant.

PLANNING YOUR TRIP

ClimateCuzco has well-defined seasons. From June to August, while Andean winter days are typically sunny and warm, the temperature can drop to below freezing (27°F/-3°C) at night in our high camps. Rain seldom falls during winter. From January to March, the Andean summer months offer daytime temperatures to 85°F/30°C, milder nights (typically to 45°F/8°C) and plenty of rain. Despite some rain, December and April are among our favorite months for trekking, since the mountains are lush with summer flowers and you enjoy plenty of sunshine. Departures during Andean spring (September through December) and autumn (April and May) offer weather patterns intermediate between these seasonal extremes.

Clothing Expect a wide range of temperature and precipitation on your program. In high mountain environments, you must be prepared for inclement weather at any time. Even at mid-day, if clouds obscure the sun, the apparent temperature cools dramatically. By packing a system of thin, independent layers of clothing, you can easily add or remove layers to remain comfortable as conditions change throughout the day. Most trekkers leave camp in the morning wearing a cold-weather layer over T-shirt and shorts. At the first rest stop, after you have warmed up a bit, remove a layer and continue in hot-weather clothing until the temperature cools off later in the day. At all times, carry rain-gear in your day-pack.

A time-tested strategy is to plan your day-time trekking layers (which will get dirty, and which remain with you, either on you or in your daypack during the warmer parts of the day); and a set of clean camp clothes, starting with full-length thermal underwear. On arrival in camp, change from your trail clothes to your clean, dry camp clothes. In

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the morning, change into your trekking gear, and pack your camp clothes to stay dry.

Basic clothing list: underwear, thermal underwear, socks, light hiking boots, sneakers for around camp, loose-fitting long pants or wind-pants, shorts (or convertible hiking pants), T-shirts, long-sleeved shirt, Polarfleece jacket, full rain gear, sun hat, bathing suit, gloves and ski-type hat.

Other GearEssential: Day pack, winter-weight sleeping bag, 1-litre water bottle, flashlight or headlamp, sunglasses, sunscreen, toilet kit, insect repellent. Optional: trekking poles (highly recommended!), pocket knife, sewing kit, iodine-type water purification pills, camera and film, binoculars, paperback book, snacks and/or energy bars. Your outfitter provides: a heavy-duty, 4,100-cubic-inch trail duffel, Thermarest® sleeping pad, tents and communal camping gear. The guide carries a hand-pump water filter; all drinking water is filtered and treated with iodine.

Weight RestrictionPackhorses carry up to 12 kg (26 lb.) of your personal gear. If your packed duffel exceeds 12 kg. In weight (including sleeping bag and pad) at the trailhead, you will have to transfer excess weight from your duffel to your daypack.

Vaccinations While no vaccinations are mandatory for entering Peru, and no official is likely to demand to see proof of your vaccination against any disease, some protection is prudent. Consult your physician or local travelers' clinic for the latest recom mendations. For general travel, the most common recommended vaccinations or boosters are against tetanus, typhoid/diphtheria, Hepatitis A, and polio. The World Health Organization does not recommend vaccination against cholera. If you're visiting the Amazon before or after your trek, ask about yellow fever and chloroquine-resistant malaria. Some countries (notably

Brazil, Costa Rica and Panama) require travelers to show proof of a valid Yellow fever vaccination when arriving from Peru.

Important Notice for Vegetarians, Passengers with Allergies and Other Restricted Diets

In the cities, you will find sufficient vegetarian choices in most restaurants. We serve a variety of freshly-prepared foods in our camps. While our trek meals are designed for omnivores, our creative and hard-working cooks are able to satisfy most restricted-diet passengers. Please advise your dietary restrictions when you join our departure. Strict vegetarians will have to bring many food supplements from home, as specialty items are unavailable in South America.

If you have food allergies you must detail these on your trip application when you register for your trek. Review these with our guide and operations staff during the trek orientation meeting. While our cooks concentrate on providing the main meal, they can heat and serve food supplied by the passengers that the passengers deem safe. Note: we treat our camp water (both for drinking and for cleaning) with iodine.

If you have a restricted diet, please ask for our memo detailing our approach to food service on the trek.

Environmental PolicyAndean Treks applies a policy of 100% carry in/carry out. We were the first outfitter to introduce a system whereby all the camp waste is hauled out. Our system includes portable chemical (biodegradable) toilets, with no holes in the ground and no solid waste left behind.

document.doc Rev: Oct 22, 2011

Macho shuttle train oll

Van to cuzco