What’s Included:
• Hotel transfer by PRIVATE bus to start of Trail
• Professional English speaking Guide (two guides for groups over 8 persons)
• Pre-Briefing at your hotel
• Personal Porter carrying 7kg personal luggage allowance per person
• Duffle bags to put your luggage into including plastic bag to keep your gear dry during rainy season
• Meals: 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners (we provide generous amounts of nutritious meals and
beverages and have vegetarian options available)
• Entrance fee onto Inca Trail and into Machu Picchu Sanctuary
• Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
• Spacious tents and sleeping mats
• Dining tent, kitchen tent, latrine tent
• Tables and chairs for the group
• Emergency Oxygen bottle and first aid kit
• Porters to carry the group equipment (food, tents, tables, etc.)
• Backpacker train ticket back to Cusco/Ollantaytambo. If Ollantaytambo there will be a transfer bus
waiting for you to take you back to Cusco.

What’s Excluded:
• Sleeping Bag - can be hired for $20 per bag for entire trail
• Breakfast on the first day
• Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes
• Thermal baths in Aguas Calientes (10 Soles)
• Gratuities – In Peru it is customary to tip your Porters, Cook and Trail Guide at the end of the trek, although this is entirely at your discretion.

DIFFICULTY - Moderate
In order to undertake this trail you need to have a reasonable level of fitness – age does not matter! The most important factor is acclimatising to the altitude. The maximum height above sea level along the trail is 4,200m, so we suggest that you spend at least 2 days in Cusco before attempting to walk the trail. During this time you can explore the wonderful city of Cusco, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Note: Viva Expeditions can help you with any pre-hike arrangements you may like, including hotels, sightseeing and transfers.

BRIEFING
Prior to commencing the hike you will receive a briefing either at your hotel in Cusco or in the offices of our Inca Trail operator. During this briefing you will get a thorough run down of what to expect on the hike, what you need to take, and will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

IMPORTANT NOTES WITH REGARDS TO INCA TRAIL REGULATIONS
1) The Institute of National Culture do not give refunds on Inca Trail Permits already obtained! Therefore, if you need to change your date of departure that we have already obtained Permits for, you will need to pay the full deposit again as we do not get any refund from the INC.
2) Inca Trail Permits are non-transferable and non-refundable and no cancellation list exists or waitlist.
3) Please ensure that you supply us with the correct Passport Information for each Traveller! You need to travel with the same passport as per the information you give us, otherwise you will incur problems at the Check Points on the Inca Trail and we cannot be held liable for this.
4) If you become ill on the Trail and are unable to continue assistance will be provided to escort you back to Cusco. We carry a full Medical Aid Kit and Oxygen - any assistance required further than this is at the expense of the passenger. We are happy to assist you with documentation required for Travel Insurance purposes in the case of genuine illness. There are no refunds on original payment if illness is incurred whilst on the Trail. We do however do our best to get you to Machu Picchu via train utilizing your return train ticket and your entrance & bus tickets. All you will be responsible for paying extra is your outbound train and any hotel accommodations.
6) We are not liable for inconveniences such as strikes, landslides and other natural disasters. We will, of course, do our very best to accommodate our passengers in these circumstances.
7) You are wholly responsible for your personal property and hired equipment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you wish to stay overnight in Aguas Calientes please let us know and we can arrange your hotel and return train for the required dates.

PASSPORT
Your passport must be valid for at least 9 months from the departure date and you must have at lease 6 blank pages in your passport. If you have dual nationality you can use only one passport. The passport you enter on is the passport you will have to use for the duration of the trip.
Important Note: You need to travel with the same passport as per the information you give us when booking the Inca Trail.

VISA
It is your responsibility to obtain all of the necessary visas! If you are unsure which, if any, visas you require please contact your travel agent or check online.
Peru - At present nationals of UK, Ireland, USA, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada do not require a visa.
Note: When you enter a country, whether by air or land, you will be given an ‘Immigration card’ on arrival. It is important that you keep this with your passport during your entire stay in the country as it is required to exit the country. Failure to retain and produce this immigration slip can result in fines of up to US $50.

IF FLYING VIA THE USA
Important Visa Information
As of September 2007, Visa waiver travellers from ALL 27 Visa Waiver Program countries (British, Australian, New Zealand) must present a machine-readable passport at the U.S. port of entry to enter the U.S. without a visa, otherwise a U.S. visa is required (even in transit). If you are unsure please check the following websites to establish whether you will need to apply for a visa to the US prior to flying out to join
your tour. Alternatively ask your travel agent with whom you booked your flights.
Foreign & Commonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk
U.S State Department travel advice: www.travel.state.gov
As of 26 October 2005 all VWP nationalities with passports issued on or after that date entering or transiting through USA require biometric passports or obtain a USA visa before travelling. If your nationality does not participate in the VWP, check the US State Dept website for your visa requirements.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Personal travel insurance is compulsory for all clients whilst on a tour organized by Viva Expeditions. This must be organized prior to commencing any travel arrangements you have with us and it is your responsibility to ensure you are covered for the regions through which we will travel and for all activities you wish to undertake. A suitable policy must provide adequate cover for all necessary medical expenses and repatriation costs, loss of baggage, and cancellation or curtailment of your holiday. It is important that you read the terms and conditions of your policy very carefully. You should be aware of any exclusions relating to:
• Pre-existing medical conditions (including allergies)
• Certain activities deemed hazardous
Note: Travel Insurance attached to credit cards can often be very limited and is usually only affective if you have purchased your travel arrangements with your card.

Important note: It is highly recommended that you take out your travel insurance at the time of booking as
your cover for pre-departure cancellation will commence from the date your policy is issued. This means that should you have to cancel your travel arrangements for any insured reason you may be able to claim back losses. This is subject to the standard terms and conditions of your policy.

SECURITY IN SOUTH AMERICA
While South America is generally a safe place to travel a certain amount of caution and in particular common sense must be remembered particularly in larger cities and towns. As with most major cities world wide, South American cities have their share of pickpockets and thieves. Don't walk around town wearing expensive jewellary and wrist watches, carry large amounts of cash or carry cameras. It is always advisable to leave your valuables in the hotel safe. At night-time always use a taxi; don't walk around the streets at night. If approached by individuals on the street use your common sense. Avoid buying, bargaining, or negotiating with such people. However once out of the main cities, people and small towns in general are a lot more relaxed. This is not meant to scare you as you will find people in South America to generally be kind and friendly however there are good and bad people everywhere so you must remember to exercise
caution.

COMMUNICATIONS
LANGUAGE
Spanish is the official language throughout Peru and Ecuador. It is very useful to learn a few phrases and you will be pleasantly surprised at the reaction you will receive, and the satisfaction you will get, in being able to communicate with local people.

CONTACT
The easiest and most reliable way to receive messages from friends and family at home is via email. Internet access is available in most of the towns that we visit either inside the hotel or at internet cafes in the town.
While the efficiency or speed of the connection is often very good is never a guaranteed!! In general you will usually be able to email approximately every couple of days.

PERSONAL HEALTH
HEALTH
To join the expedition you should be in good general health. We must be told if you have any pre-existing medical condition or are on any regular medication.

FITNESS
The tour is generally suited to all levels of fitness however as a number of the activities available throughout include a certain amount of walking, often up hills or over uneven surfaces, a reasonable level of fitness is advisable.

VACINATIONS
It is your responsibility to ensure you have had all the necessary vaccinations prior to commencing the tour. Vaccination against Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A and Meningitis is advisable and you should consult your doctor about the necessity of having Yellow Fever, Hepatitis B and Rabies shots. Useful information can be found online at the following sites:
www.traveldoctor.co.nz
www.traveldoctor.com.au
www.traveldoctor.co.uk

PERSONAL MEDICINES
We advise you bring along your own small medical kit which should include:
• Eye drops/bath
• Antiseptic ointment
• Anti-diarrhoea treatment
• Nurofen or equivalent pain-killer
• Antihistamine cream and tablets
• Sun block / after sun lotion / moisturiser / lip balm
• Some suitable antibiotics as recommended by your doctor
• Assorted plasters
• 1-2 Sterile Syringes
• Insect repellent containing Deet
• Rehydration sachets / Vitamin Tablets
• Medication for personal allergies / asthma etc
• A couple of bandages ( elasticated and triangular) Please ensure your medical kit is portable so that you can carry with you while out and about on walks or other excursions.

MALERIA
The areas we visit on this trip malaria free. However at times we may encounter mosquito’s or sand flies and as such it is advisable to carry insect repellant with you.

CAMERAS & PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography as a fantastic way to capture and remember your experience however there a few things you should bear in mind:
• We recommend you have a good all-round carry case to protect your camera from dust and knocks. Plastic or zip-lock bags are often useful to protect your camera in dusty, sandy or wet conditions.
• It is forbidden in all the countries we visit to take photos of anything military. Bridges, border posts and airports are also sensitive. As such it is best to avoid photography in such circumstances unless you are prepared to have your film or possibly your camera confiscated.
• Please act with discretion and respect when taking photos of people. If in doubt always ask first if it is okay with the person for you to take their photo. Please be sensitive to their circumstances and also their rights as it can be very insulting to take someone’s photo if this is against their will.

SLR CAMERAS
An SLR camera with a good zoom will get you some great scenery and people shots. While often available sometimes it can be difficult to find good film at a reasonable price. It is defiantly advisable that you bring enough film to last you for the entire trip.

DIGITAL & VIDEO CAMERAS
Be sure to bring you’re a charger and some spare batteries. Most towns and cities have internet cafes where you can download your pictures onto CDs or internet sites. We also advise that you to bring your USB cable for your camera so you can connect it in the internet cafes. We also recommended that you bring at least 2 memory cards of 512mb or higher so that you are not caught out and don’t have to worry about constantly downloading.

BATTERIES & CHARGERS
You should bring at least one spare battery with you. Finding spares to buy on route can be difficult and expensive and there will be times on the tour when you will not be able to charge you batteries from the mains supplies for several days at a time. Having a spare battery charged and ready to go ensures that you always have a back up if the other runs out. The worst thing is to run out of battery when at a great sight and not be able to take any photos. You should also bring your normal 230V mains charger as well as a travel adaptor plug so that you can charge your battery at the hotels.

ELECTRICITY
For information about the different electrical plugs and voltages used in different countries visit www.kropla.com

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
“Leave only footprints, take only pictures . . .” Minimizing environmental impact is hugely important to us.
We care greatly for the regions through which we travel and do our best to protect its landscapes, its people and its culture. We support local and international charities and are constantly seeking new projects and ways to assist local communities. We firmly believe that as the company continues to grow so does our ability to operate and support projects in various areas. We are continuously striving to increase our support and contribution to local communities.
We are committed to ensuring that our Porters are paid the minimum wage that is stipulated by the Law! We therefore do not compromise on our Standard of Service and the above displayed prices have taken this into account so that we do not falter!

CURRENCY AND PERSONAL SPENDING
TIPPING
In Peru it is customary to tip your Porters, Cook and Trail Guide at the end of the trek, although this is entirely at your discretion.

CURRENCY
In Peru the local currency is the Nuevo Sole. US dollars are also widely accepted and are easily converted into local currencies at all exchange places.
We recommend you bring your money as one third US Dollars Cash, One third travellers cheques and one third Credit/Debit card.
Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted but your card must have a pin number and be suitable for use internationally. Check with your bank prior to travel to make sure your bank card is suitable. You should also check with your card issuer what the charges are for using your card to withdraw cash internationally.
We also recommend that you tell your bank that you will be using your card in South America to avoid your card being blocked.
In smaller towns card may not be accepted for cash advances and it is quite common that ATM machines may not always be functioning at the time you need to withdraw money. As such do not rely on credit/debit cards for cash advances.
For this reason it is important to have cash with you. This can be kept locked in the truck safe and also at hotel safes throughout the trip.
American express travellers cheques can be changed to USD cash (commission free) in many major cities.
Please refer to the following website for fee free exchange sites www.americanexpress.com/uk/tc/

Important note: In recent years there has been a problem with counterfeit US dollars in parts of South America. This affects mainly $100 dollar bills. Old (pre ’96) or damaged notes are often not accepted nor are bills with serial numbers beginning with the letters CB or AB.
As such, when buying US dollars prior to traveling you must ask for clean notes with no tears or markings that are dated post ’96. You should also bring currency in mixed denominations ($100’s, $50’s, 20’s, 10’s etc)

SPENDING MONEY
We suggest that you allow about US$ 200 per person per week spending money. This is to include spending money, optional excursions, meals out that are not included in the itinerary, drinks, emails, souvenirs, visas and arrival/departure taxes. Of course this is only an estimated figure as personal spending habits and budgets vary hugely from person to person. If you plan on buying a lot of souvenirs or have expensive taste in wine and food you may need a bit more.

PACKING LIST
Being properly equipped is one of the keys to enjoying your trek!
Essentials NOT to forget
For entry onto the Inca Trail you need to carry your Passport with you at all times!

Luggage
Day Pack It is usually more comfortable to carry a slightly larger pack that is not full, than to carry a small pack that is overfull! A pack between 20-25 litres capacity is suitable.
Plastic Packets If you pack bits and pieces into plastic bags inside your day pack they will stay dry in case of rain. A bin liner is a good idea to pack inside your day pack!

Clothing & Footwear
T-shirts We recommend polyester/polypropylene fabrics which keep you warm even when wet.
Shorts These can be very comfortable to walk in but you must carry long trousers with you in case you get either sunburned or cold!
Gloves and Hat Very useful around camp in the morning and in the evening at higher altitudes.
Waterproofs Breathable waterproofs not only protect against rain and wind but also stop you from overheating, especially in the months of November to March.
Thick sweater/fleece jacket A thick sweater or fleece jacket is necessary as nights can be very cold at altitude, especially in the months of
June to August.
Thermals Comfortable around camp and much more practical (and warmer) to sleep in than pyjamas.
Walking Boots We strongly recommend walking in good walking boots. Trainers simply do not have the proper ankle support you need for treks. Many people now trek in lightweight Gortex or leather boots likes Karrimor, Berghaus – these are usually satisfactory. They have the advantage they need little breaking-in! Avoid the types found in high street shops which are simply cheap trainers with a higher canvas side sewn in – they give little support and simply will not last the trek. Above all, your boots must be well broken-in and comfortable.
Trainers or Trekking Sandals Useful around camp.
Socks It is best to wear a pair of liner socks under a pair of fairly thick socks. This helps to protect your feet against
blisters. Avoid nylon socks, they do not breathe well and can cause blisters.

Other Equipment
Trekking poles These are recommended. Note: Metal tipped trekking poles are NOT permitted on the Inca Trail in order to reduce erosion. Please ensure your pole has rubber/plastic tips (can be hired from us).
Sleeping Bags We recommend 4-season (10C to- -5C). A cotton liner is helps to keep your bag clean. If you do not have a
sleeping bag they can be rented from us.
Water Bottle You are provided with purified water each day with which to fill your own bottle.
Water Purification Tablets We recommend Micropur which can be purchased locally, although our Cook boils water for 10 minutes so
not needed if you are comfortable with our cook.
Torch & Batteries A small torch is essential for the nights and early mornings in case you need to go to the toilet or find things
in your tent. A head torch is very practical, allowing you to have both hands free. Remember to bring spare
batteries along as sometimes you cannot find the same as in your home country.
Toiletries Try to keep heavy cosmetics to a minimum. Essentials are toothbrush/paste, soap and a small towel. Wet-
Wipes are great for a quick clean up in your tent.
Sunblock is a must! At high altitudes the sun can burn you much faster that you would imagine!
Insect Repellent is also essential, especially in the area of Aguas Calientes. It is not malarial!
Personal First Aid Kit On our treks we do carry a first aid kit along with oxygen, but you should have your own blister kit, supply
of plasters, aspirin, etc

RECOMENDED READING
• The conquest of the Incas – John Hemming
• Lost City of the Incas – Hiram Bingham
• Inca Cola – A travellers Tale of Peru – Matthew Parris
• The realm of the Incas – Victor Von Hagen
• Royal Highways of the Sun - Victor Von Hagen

GUIDE BOOKS
Lonely planet and Rough Guide both offer great travel guide books as well as Spanish phrase books

MAPS
Both National Geographic and Bartholomew’s offer good detailed maps of the areas we travel through in
South America