• Experience the adventurous Inca jungle trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N
• Explore the stunning Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
• Visit the most the most instagrammable place - Rainbow Mountain.
• Enjoy various sports and activities: mountain biking, white water rafting, zip-lining, camping, hot spring spas, etc.
• Attend a cooking class and learn how to make authentic Pisco sour, ceviche, and more!
• Upgraded accommodations - You will be staying at 4-star hotels in Cusco and the best eco-lodges during the Inca Jungle Trek.

Day 1: Arrival + Acclimatize
Welcome to Peru! Our local representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel.

Day 2: Inca Jungle Trek: Cusco – Santa Maria (Biking, Rafting, Camping)
Leave Cusco early after breakfast. Today you will enjoy a 2.5-hour mountain biking and 2.5-hour white water rafting along the Urubamba River.

Day 3: Inca Jungle Trek: Santa Maria – Santa Teresa (Hiking, Hot Spring)
Today is hiking day. You will trek along the Inca Jungle trail and Urubamba river. Arrive in Santa Teresa in the afternoon and finish the day with a visit to Santa Teresa hot springs.

Day 4: Inca Jungle Trek: Santa Teresa - Aguas Calientes (Hiking, Zipline)
In the morning, you will fly through rivers and jungles by ziplines. After a short break, you will take a hike to Aguas Calients. Finish the day with a great dinner.

Day 5: Inca Jungle Trek: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco
Wake up early to catch one of the first buses to Machu Picchu. Enjoy a guided tour to learn about the culture and history of the ancient Inca ruins. In the afternoon, catch a train back to Cusco.

Day 6: Cultural Day Tour: Cusco City Guided Tour + Farmers Market Guided Tour + Cooking Class
Enjoy a retreat day to recharge. In the morning, have a hearty breakfast and enjoy a guided city tour to explore the historical town. In the afternoon, join our talented local chef to shop at a local farmers market, followed by a fun cooking class.

Day 7: Rainbow Mountain
Wake up super early to enjoy a day trip to Rainbow Mountain.

Day 8: Departure
Our local representative will transfer you to the airport.

Day 1: Cusco

Welcome to Peru! Our local brand ambassador will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Feel free to enjoy the rest of your day exploring the city as you acclimatize.

Accommodations & Meals:

Accommodations: Novotel Cusco (or Similar 4-star Hotel)

Meals: Welcome Dinner

Day 2: Inca Jungle Trek: Cusco - Santa Maria (Biking, Rafting)

After picking up from the hotel, we will take a ride to the Malaga High Pass where our adventure begins. After briefing, we will enjoy a 2.5-hour mountain biking and explore the Huamanmarka Archaeological site along the way. When we arrive at Santa Maria village, we will enjoy a scenic 2.5-hour rafting adventure on the Urubamba River (also known as Vilcanota River). You will then be transferred to the campsite in Vilcabamba Valley.

Accommodations & Meals:

Accommodations: Camping (*We will set up tents (twin-share) and dinning tent with table and chairs. We will also provide sleeping pads and sleeping bags for your use.)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Inca Jungle Trek: Santa Maria – Santa Teresa (Hiking, Hot Spring)

After breakfast, start the day with a short but intense climb to the Inca jungle trail. Then we descend to Quellomayo where we will stop for lunch and have some time to relax. After lunch we continue to trek along the Urubamba river. Later we will cross the river in hand-pulled cable car. (thrilling but safe!) You will finish the day with a visit to the Santa Theresa hot springs. Sink into the warm water and let the ache and tiredness go away. Spend the night in a comfortable hotel in Santa Theresa.

Accommodations & Meals:

Accommodations: Eco Quechua Lodge (or similar hotel)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Inca Jungle Trek: Santa Teresa - Aguas Calientes (Hiking, Zipline)

For people who would like to fly through rivers and jungles, enjoy the zipline. The rest of the group will continue to hike along the trail. Later the whole group will rejoin. After a short break, the journey will continue along the great Inca jungle, hike through waterfalls, coca and coffee farms until arriving at Aguas Calientes. Tonight we will get together to have a great dinner. We will also get briefed about the trek to Machu Picchu the next day.

Accommodations & Meals:

Accommodations: Tierra Viva Machu Picchu (or similar 3-4 star hotel)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Inca Jungle Trek: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Wake up early today to catch one of the first buses to Machu Picchu. Enjoy a guided tour to learn about the culture and history of Machu Picchu. After the guided tour, take time to explore the wondrous ruins before descend to Aguas Calientes. Make sure you arrive at the train station in time to catch the train back to Cusco. After arrive in Cusco, we will be greeted by our guide and transferred to the hotel.

Accommodations & Meals:

Accommodations: Novotel Cusco (or similar 4-star hotel)

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Cultural Day Tour: Cusco City Guided Tour + Farmers Market Guided Tour + Cooking Class

Enjoy a retreat day to recharge. In the morning, have a hearty breakfast and enjoy a guided city tour to explore this historical town. In the afternoon, join our talented local chef to shop at San Pedro farmers market, followed by a fun cooking class.

Accommodations & Meals:

Accommodations: Novotel Cusco (or similar 4-star hotel)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Day Trip to Rainbow Mountain

Leave early for a 3-hour drive to Quesiuno community, where is the starting point for the hike. Ascend approximately 3 hours to reach the Rainbow Mountain. You will spend about 30min – 1hr exploring the area and take pictures. Then start trekking down to the starting point of the trail, which takes about 2 hours.

Accommodations & Meals:

Accommodations: Novotel Cusco (or similar 4-star hotel)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Departure

Feel free to do any last minute souvenir shopping before heading to the airport. Our representative shall assist you with your departure. We hope you had a great time with us and look forward to seeing you again in our next adventure. Have a safe journey ahead!

Meals: Breakfast

**Please note that anything else not specified in the above session is not included in the trip price. Contact us if you have any questions.

Itinerary Disclaimer

While it is our intention to adhere to the itinerary described, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The itinerary is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to variance due to local circumstances.

Introduction

Country: Republic of Peru
Area: Approx. 1,285,216 sq. km (496,225 sq.mi.)
Population: 32,162,184 (estimated) as per 2018 census
Capital City: Lima
Languages: Spanish
Religion: Roman Catholic 72.9%, Protestant 17.4%, Other 2.2% and Unaffiliated 7.5%
Time Zone: UTC-5

Climate & Weather

• Rainy Season (Nov–Mar): The wet season begins in November and gets into full swing over the months of December, January and February. During this time, Machu Picchu has the greatest amount of rainfall of the year. The Inca Trail is closed every year in February for restoration. We do not recommend trekking Machu Picchu these months as the chance to encounter rain is high.

• Dry Season (Apr–Oct): Rain begins to dry up towards the end of April and the trekking season begins. The daytime temperature averages between 63F and 70F, and the nighttime temperature can drop as low as 32F.

Visa

For citizens of the countries listed below, a visa is not required for a tourist visa to Peru for up to 183 days. Traveler must be in possession of a round-trip airline ticket and a passport valid for 6 months beyond stay with at least 2 blank pages.

• North America: Citizens of the United States, Canada and Mexico
• Central America: Citizens of most Central American countries (exception Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic)
• South America: Citizens of all South American countries
• Europe: Citizens of all countries within the European Union and Switzerland
• Africa: Citizens of South Africa
• Asia: Citizens of Brunei, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand
• Oceania: Citizens of Australia and New Zealand

(**Note: Travel Her Way tries to provide accurate visa information. However, visa requirements and regulations may change at any time without further notice. We strongly encourage you to check out your local embassy website for the most updated visa information prior to departure.)

Arrival

After passing customs at the airport, our local representative will greet you at the arrival gate, holding placards with our company's logo and your name on it. In case you have trouble finding our representative, please contact the emergency contact and our local contact will help you.

Accommodations & Food

We have upgraded the accommodations for the Inca Jungle Trek. In Cusco, you will be staying at a 4-star hotel, and during the Trek, you will be staying at one of the best eco-lodges in the area.

Peruvian cuisine has been profoundly influenced by the immigrants, including the indigenous Inca, the Spanish, the Chinese, the Italians, the Japanese, the Germans and the Africans. You will not only get to taste a variety of Peruvian foods and drinks during the trip, but also join a cooking class to learn to cook some of your favorite dishes from an experienced local chef.

Drinking Water

Foreign travelers should avoid drinking tap water or eating ice cubes at all times in Peru, despite improvements to the country's water and sanitation systems over the last few decades. We recommend you to bring water purification tablets with you. They are handy and environmental friendly when you are in remote areas. The other option is to buy bottled water. Make sure the seal at the top of the bottle is not broken.

Health

You should consult your family physician doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. You must be fit and should be in good health. Please also make sure you bring all your prescription drugs with you. Our guides will bring a first-aid kit for minor sickness and injuries.

Please note that all travelers are required to complete the sections ‘A’ and ‘B’ of the medical form. If you have indicated that you have a pre-existing medical condition you are required to complete section ‘C’ also which must be signed by your physician. This is to ensure that travelers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip.

Vaccinations

There’s no obligatory vaccination schedule for visitors to Peru. That means you won’t be required to show any medical paperwork on arrival. But because of poor hygiene, poverty and poor conditions in many areas of Peru, travelers are encouraged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to get a number of vaccines to prevent illness and disease, especially if traveling to rural areas.

Please arrange a visit to your personal physician and ask about vaccines and medicines you need based on where you are going, how long you are staying, what you will be doing, and if you are traveling from a country other than the US.

Altitude Sickness

Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, located at 11,152 feet/3,399 meters above sea level, where lack of oxygen is the major thing that can prevent you from enjoying your trip. Machu Picchu is significantly lower, located at 7,972 feet/2,430 meters. Altitude sickness generally starts affecting people at 8,000 feet or higher, so Machu Picchu isn’t really the potential problem – Cusco is.

At high altitudes, the decrease in atmospheric pressure makes it difficult to breathe due to less oxygen. However, it is common for people to experience mild altitude sickness, which usually goes away after 2-3 days. Rest well and stay hydrated. If the altitude sickness gets worse, please speak with your guide for medical assistance.

Signs and symptoms

• Headache/dizziness
• Nausea/vomiting
• Tiredness/fatigue and delirium
• Difficulty sleeping
• Drunken gait
• Loss of appetite
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Reduced urine output

Prevention: Trekkers must be prepared and understand the symptoms. There are things you can do to help prevent altitude sickness including:

• Acclimatize properly
• Do not make a rapid ascent
• Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills and smoking
• Drink plenty of water
• Do not carry more than 10 kg
• Climb higher sleep lower
• When starting at 3000+ m, don’t ascend more than 330m a day
• Never travel alone

Treatment

• Descend
• Provide oxygen canisters
• Gamow bags
• Diamox pills (125g) before dinner Link to Travel Insurance Purchasing

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory for all our travelers. Your travel insurance must provide coverage against personal accidents, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation (including air ambulance and helicopter rescue services) with a recommended minimum coverage of US $200,000 for each of the categories of coverage. We also strongly recommend travel insurance that covers cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You must provide proof of your travel insurance on the first day of your trip; you will not be able to join the trip without it.

If you have credit card insurance, we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

Age Requirements

Adventuresses are required to be at least 18 years old if traveling independently. Our tours are open to younger adventuresses aged 15 or older, who must be accompanied by an adult over 21. A parent is required to fill out the “Travel with Minors” form in this case. If the adult is not a parent, he/she is required to fill out a “Parental Consent Guardianship Form” and get it signed by the minor’s parent.

WIFI

Peru has Internet services in Cusco and other major cities. Many hotels and restaurants provide Wi-Fi and there are also many internet cafes in major cities. However, services are very weak or do not exist in remote areas.

Money

• The official currency in Peru is Nuevo Sol.
• Foreign currency should be exchanged through banks or authorized money exchange. Visitors can exchange currency at the airport upon arrival. It is recommended to retain receipts for money exchange transactions.
• Visa cards are the most widely accepted cards. While ATMs are widely available, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work in Latin America. Check with your bank prior departure.
• You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 5%-10% usually applies.
• Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money, a combination of US dollar cash and cards is best. Always take more rather than less, as you don't want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds.

Currency Exchange Tip:

• Please be advised that slightly torn notes, notes that have been heavily marked or are faded may be difficult to exchange. It is best to bring notes in good condition, in denominations lower than 100USD (or equivalent).
• As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com

Photography

Peru is an ideal place and a frequent haunt for photographers offering immense opportunities for photography especially during our outdoor sightseeing trips. However, make sure you ask a person’s permission before taking his or her photo. People from traditional Andean community take offense at unsolicited photography.

Gratuities

Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $5-10 USD per day depending on the quality and length of the service.

Gear List

This is an active trip and you will be responsible to carry your own luggage, so pack as lightly as possible. We recommend using a backpack or a medium-sized suitcase for your international travel. A daypack is also essential to carry your everyday items during the Inca Jungle Trek. You may leave some of your luggage in the hotel at Cusco where we will be staying, but you will need to take all your necessary gears with you.

Equipment

• Daypack
• Waterproof daypack cover
• Luggage locks
• Reusable water bottle (min. 1L)
• Quick-dry towel
• Sunglasses (Recommend bringing an extra pair)
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Prescription medications
• Toiletries (shampoo & body wash, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, etc.)
• Trekking poles
• Headlamp
• Outlet adapter

Clothing

• Quick-dry sports bra
• Non-cotton underwear
• Trekking shirts
• Trekking pants
• Waterproof outer layer jacket (E.g. Gore-Tex)
• Waterproof pants
• Sun hat
• Neck gaiter
• Hiking socks
• Trekking boots
• Camp shoes (E.g. running shoes)
• Bathing suit

Clothing (Cold Weather)

• Thermal base layers
• Warm layers (ex. Fleece, soft-shell jacket, sweater, etc.)
• Warm gloves
• Warm hat
• Scarf

Optional

• Portable charger
• Snack bar
• Electrolytes drink tablets/powder/concentrate/drop/etc.
• Ear plug
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, etc.)