Inca Trail to Machupicchu 4D/3N		Inca Trail to Machupicchu 2D/1N		Salkantay to Machupicchu 5D/4N
This is the most popular route trekked by hundreds of visitors each day. This beautiful trail starts at kilometre 82. (so called because it is 82 km along the railroad from Cusco) and takes in many of the Inca ruins including Runcuracay, Sayacmarca... more..>>		This is a less strenuous route and starts at kilometre 104 along the railroad from Cusco. The trail climbs up to Wiñay Wayna where you join the final stages of the Classic 4 day hike. From Wiñay Wayna the trek then descends to Machu Picchu... more..>>		A spectacular 5 day trek that passes beneath the sacred snowcapped mountain of Salkantay. This mountain God (or Apu) was worshipped by the Incas and is still honored by existing Quechua farmers. The trail starts in the Mollepata... more..>>

WEATHER IN PERU LAND OF INKAS

Peru has three main climatic zones: the tropical Amazon jungle to the east; the arid coastal desert to the west; and the Andean mountains and highlands in the middle of the country. In the Andes, which have altitudes over 3500m, average daily temperatures fall below 10°C (50°F) and overnight temperatures can dip well below freezing. Travelers flying straight into Cuzco (3326m) should allow time to acclimatize.

From June to August is the dry season in the mountains and altiplano (Andean plateau); the wettest months are from December to March. It rains all the time in the hot and humid rainforest, but the driest months there are from June to September. However, even during the wettest months from December to May, it rarely rains for more than a few hours at a time. Along the arid coastal strip, the hot months are from December through March. Some parts of the coastal strip see rain rarely, if at all. From April to November, Lima and other areas by the Pacific Ocean are enclosed in garúa (coastal fog, mist or drizzle) as warmer air masses off the desert drift over the ocean where the cold Humboldt Current hits.

The El Niño effect, which occurs on average every seven years, is when large-scale changes in ocean currents and rising sea-surface water temperatures bring heavy rains and floods to coastal areas, plunging tropical areas into drought and disrupting weather patterns worldwide. The name El Niño (literally ‘the Child’) refers to the fact that this phenomenon usually appears around Christmas. The El Niño in the winter of 1997–98 was particularly traumatic for Peru. El Niño is usually followed the next year by La Niña, when ocean currents that cool abnormally create even more havoc and destruction.

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When to go
Peru’s climate has two main seasons – wet and dry – though the weather varies greatly depending on the geographical region. Temperature is mostly influenced by elevation: the higher you climb, the cooler it becomes.

The peak tourist season is from June to August, which coincides with the cooler dry season in the Andean highlands and summer vacation in North America and Europe. This is the best (and busiest) time to go trekking on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, or climbing, hiking and mountain biking elsewhere.

People can and do visit the highlands year-round, though the wettest months of December to March make it a wet and muddy proposition. Many of the major fiestas, such as La Virgen de la Candelaria, Carnaval and Semana Santa, occur in the wettest months and continue undiminished even during heavy rainstorms.

On the arid coast, Peruvians visit the beaches during the most hot and humid time of the year, from late December through March. In central and southern Peru, the coast is cloaked in garúa (coastal fog) for the rest of the year. Although the southern beaches are deserted then, the coastal cities can be visited at any time. In the north, the coast usually sees more sun, so beach lovers can hang out there year-round.

In the eastern rainforest, of course, it rains. The wettest months are December through May, but even then it rarely rains for more than a few hours at a time, so there’s still plenty of sunshine to enjoy. Follow the locals’ example: briefly take cover during the heaviest downpours. It’s not a big deal.

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Costs and Money

Costs
Shoestring travelers watching their céntimos – by sleeping in dormitory rooms, traveling on economy buses, eating set menus – can easily get by on a minimum of US$25 a day. Visitors who prefer private hot showers, à la carte meals in moderately priced restaurants, comfortable buses and occasional flights will find that at least US$60 to US$100 a day should meet their needs. Staying at luxury hotels and dining at top-end restaurants can cost up to several hundred dollars a day, especially if you’re doing your trip by organized tour or visiting only the most expensive cities of Cuzco and Lima.

You can stretch your budget by traveling with a partner as double rooms are usually less expensive than two singles. Hone your bargaining skills – taxi cabs don’t have meters, and drivers routinely overcharge gringos. Hotels often give discounts if you simply ask for their best price (mejor precio or inquire about promotional, student or business rates. Many restaurants offer filling three-course set lunches for around S7, while eating à la carte will triple your bill. Pay with cash rather than credit cards, in order to avoid hefty surcharges. Peruvian ATMs dispense both local currency (nuevos soles) and US dollars. Above all, keep your money safely stashed – an economical trip can get expensive fast if you are pickpocketed!

Adventurers on a tight budget will be dismayed at the high costs of hiking the famed Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Unguided trips are now illegal (and this is strictly enforced) and the cheapest four-day trips start at around US$300 per person, not including equipment rental, tips for the guides and porters, or any incidental expenses, such as bottled water. Plan on spending US$400 if you're going with a reputable outfitter. A day trip to Machu Picchu via train and bus isn’t cheap either.

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Money
Peru uses the nuevo sol (S), which has traded at S3.00 to S5.50 per US dollar (US$) for several years, although you should keep an eye on current events.

Carrying cash, an ATM or traveler’s check card and also a credit card that can be used for cash advances in case of emergency is advisable. When receiving local currency, always ask for small bills (billetes pequeñas), as S100 bills are hard to change in small towns or for small purchases. The best places to exchange money are normally casas de cambio (foreign-exchange bureaus), which are fast, have longer hours and often give slightly better rates than banks. Many places accept US dollars. Do not accept torn money as it will likely not be accepted by Peruvians. It is best not to change money on the street as counterfeits are a problem.

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ATMs
Cajeros automáticos (ATMs) are found in nearly every city and town in Peru, as well as at major airports and bus terminals. ATMs are linked to the international Plus (Visa), Cirrus (Maestro/MasterCard) systems, American Express and other networks. They will accept your bank or credit card as long as you have a four-digit PIN. Before you leave home, notify your bank that you’ll be using your ATM card abroad. Even better, leave your bank card at home and buy a traveler’s check card instead.

ATMs are a convenient way of obtaining cash, but rates are usually lower than at casas de cambio. Both US dollars and nuevos soles are readily available from Peruvian ATMs. Your home bank may charge an additional fee for each foreign ATM transaction. Surcharges for cash advances from credit cards vary, but are generally expensive, so check with your credit-card provider before you leave home.

ATMs are normally open 24 hours. For safety reasons, use ATMs inside banks with security guards, preferably during daylight hours.

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Cash
The nuevo sol (‘new sun’) comes in bills of S10, S20, S50, S100 and (rarely) S200. It is divided into 100 céntimos, with copper-colored coins of S0.05, S0.10 and S0.20, and silver-colored S0.50 and S1 coins. In addition, there are bimetallic S2 and S5 coins with a copper-colored center inside a silver-colored ring.

US dollars are accepted by most tourist-oriented businesses, though you’ll need nuevos soles to pay for local transportation, most meals etc. Paying in nuevos soles can be a time-consuming hassle at some midrange hotels and many top-end establishments.

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Changing money
Carrying cash entitles you to get the top exchange rates quickly. The best currency for exchange is the US dollar, although the euro is increasingly accepted. Other hard currencies can be exchanged, but usually with difficulty and only in major cities and tourist centers. All foreign currencies must be in flawless condition.

Cambistas (money-changers) hang out on street corners near banks and casas de cambio and give competitive rates (there’s only a little flexibility for bargaining), but are not always honest. Officially, they should wear a vest and badge identifying them as legal. They’re useful after regular business hours or at borders where there aren’t any other options.

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Credit cards
Many top-end hotels and shops accept tarjetas de credito (credit cards) but usually charge you a 7% (or greater) fee for using them. The amount you’ll eventually pay is not based on the point-of-sale exchange rate, but the rate your bank chooses to use when the transaction posts to your account, sometimes weeks later. Your bank may also tack on a surcharge and additional fees for each foreign-currency transaction.

The most widely accepted cards in Peru are Visa and MasterCard, although American Express and a few others are valid in some establishments, as well as for cash advances at ATMs. Before you leave home, notify your bank that you’ll be using your credit card abroad.

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Traveler’s checks
If you carry some of your money as cheques de viajero (traveler’s checks), these can be refunded if lost or stolen. However, exchange rates for traveler’s checks are quite a bit lower than for US cash. With the commissions sometimes charged, you can lose over 10% of the checks’ value when you exchange them, and they may be impossible to change in small towns. Almost all businesses and some casas de cambio refuse to deal with them, so you will need to queue at a bank. American Express checks are the most widely accepted, followed by Visa and Thomas Cook.

Reloadable traveler’s check cards work just like ATM cards, but are not linked to your home bank account. These cards enjoy some of the same protections as traveler’s checks, and can be replaced more easily than a bank ATM card. During your trip, you can add more funds to a traveler’s check card either online or by making an international collect call, or you can authorize someone else at home to do this for you, which eliminates the need for emergency wire transfers. Many Visa providers (www.cashpassportcard.com) offer traveler’s check cards.

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Entering the country
Arriving in Peru is typically a straightforward process, as long as your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your departure date. When arriving by air, US citizens must show a return ticket or open-jaw onward ticket – don’t show up with just a one-way ticket to South America. Immigration officials at airports are efficient, while those at overland border crossings may take their time scrutinizing your passport before they stamp it.

When arriving by air or overland, immigration officials may only stamp 30 days into your passport (though 90 days is standard); if this happens, explain how many more days you need, supported by an exit ticket for onward or return travel. Bribery is illegal in Peru, but some officials may try to procure extra payment at borders.

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Inca Trail - Hiking Peru - Trekking Peru - Hikes Peru - Peru Treks - Inka Trail to Machupichu - Peru Adventure - Trek to Machupicchu

BOOKING THE INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
* Important Notice: We recommend a minimum of 3 weeks to notice book the Inca Trail.

Making an Inca Trail trek booking: Since only 500 trek permits are issued per day for the Inca Trail (trek permits are also required for the porters and cooks) it is important to try to make a trek reservation as far ahead as possible. There is no clear rule as to how far ahead is enough to to guarantee you a space since this depends on demand.

CHECK INCA TRAIL AVAILABILITY 2010 - 2011

Reservations for the Inca Trail to Machupicchu.

To make reservations for the Inca Trail you have to carry out the following procedure: The reservations can be made 360 days in advance before entering the Inca Trail, anytime of the year, be it through paper or by e-mail, according to the format (Reservation Card). The Reservation Office will hand a code with the status of "reserved". The staff in charge of doing the reservations at the Reservation and Collecting Office of the Dirección Regional de Cultura del Cusco - INC has to be duly certified.
The reservation is subject to space availability, being the limitation the loading capacity. The applicant will confirm the reservation up until 30 days in advance before entering the Inca Trail, presenting the final group list at the Reservation and Collecting Office of the Dirección Regional de Cultura del Cusco - INC.
The applicant will also pay 50% of the total amount of the group's entrance tickets at the aforementioned office. The Reservation Office will register the pre-payment changing the reservation to a "confirmed" status. Any reservation that has not been confirmed according to the previous clause of the present article will be automatically void. The reservation will change to the "reconfirmed" status after paying off the other 50%, which has to be done anytime 5 days before entering the Inca Trail, at the Collecting Office of the Dirección Regional del Cusco - INC

Regulation of the Inca Trail Network of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu click here

Inca Trail - Hiking Peru - Trekking Peru - Hikes Peru - Peru Treks - Inka Trail to Machupichu - Peru Adventure - Trek to Machupicchu

INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU

Each day up to 2,000 tourists flood the ancient Inca mountaintop city of Machu Picchu in southern Peru. They come to marvel at temples built from perfectly chiseled blocks of granite and pay homage to the sun.
Most of the tourists travel by train from nearby Cusco. Others ride the bus. A few hundred heartier souls arrive on foot after a four-day slog along the famed Inca Trail.
Machu Picchu Under Threat from Pressures of Tourism Can Tourists Save a Peruvian Rain Forest? Inca Traditions Pay Off for Peruvian Weavers "For the average tourist, [the Inca Trail] could be the adventure of a lifetime and a real stretch both physically and psychologically," said Karin Muller, a writer, photographer, and adventurer based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Inca Trail - Hiking Peru - Trekking Peru - Hikes Peru - Peru Treks - Inka Trail to Machupichu - Peru Adventure - Trek to Machupicchu

PERU HOLIDAYS

Welcome to Our Holidays. we are uniquely placed to offer you the widest possible range of travel options, and to help you plan and book the trip of a lifetime.

Inca Trail - Hiking Peru - Trekking Peru - Hikes Peru - Peru Treks - Inka Trail to Machupichu - Peru Adventure - Trek to Machupicchu

Inca Trail - Hiking Peru - Trekking Peru - Hikes Peru - Peru Treks - Inka Trail to Machupichu - Peru Adventure - Trek to Machupicchu

Inca Trail - Hiking Peru - Trekking Peru - Hikes Peru - Peru Treks - Inka Trail to Machupichu - Peru Adventure - Trek to Machupicchu

Inca Trail - Hiking Peru - Trekking Peru - Hikes Peru - Peru Treks - Inka Trail to Machupichu - Peru Adventure - Trek to Machupicchu

Inca Trail - Hiking Peru - Trekking Peru - Hikes Peru - Peru Treks - Inka Trail to Machupichu - Peru Adventure - Trek to Machupicchu