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Head Office Cusco - Perú : |
Important information you need to know about our trekking tours in Peru:
About the treks
The treks normally involve from two to 12 days of walking (please see each itinerary). You will be accompanied by a team of porters, with or without carrying animals (donkeys, mules, horses or llamas), a cook and one or more English speaking guides (depending on size of the group). You can walk entirely at your own pace as your guide will be at the front and either a guide or tour leader at the back with the last person. The chosen trek route is normally not easy but you don’t need to be an athlete or a mountain expert to complete it, although some routes require trekking experience and altitude fitness.
It is important to remember that certain trek routes can be a week or more of challenging hiking. The most imperative factor in tackling the chosen trek is to take it slowly (try to take small, shuffling steps), walk at your own pace (this is vital) and remember that it is not a race! Drink plenty of water and take breathers often (walking sticks are often very useful to help walking and leaning on it, rather than sitting down). Those who charge into every uphill section and want to be the first at every pass will find the trek the toughest.
Fitness
Fitness naturally is important but it is the kind of trek that anyone with a positive attitude and determination can do.
Age itself is certainly no barrier if you have the right attitude and live an active lifestyle. However the more fit you are the more you will enjoy the trek and the more chance you will have to take in the scenery and enjoy the interaction with local people. If you do not exercise regularly, it is advisable to do some extra walking or some kind of aerobic activity in the months leading up to your trip.
Altitude
Altitude can affect anyone at moderate to high altitude (generally in any place over 3,000 metres). Altitude sickness is caused by the lack of oxygen which can be up to a third less than at sea level. No one understands why some people are affected and others not and age, level of fitness and strength is no indication of how well you will fare. Be aware that altitude sickness can be serious, so if your guide advises you to rest or descend, please do as instructed. As most treks are a mixture of ascents and descents, altitude sickness is often short term and suffering from it does not necessarily mean you will be unable to complete the trek.
But by high altitude trekking routes lasting several days altitude sickness can be very serious and make your guide force you to rest or descend.
Drugs are available to combat the effects of altitude sickness, for more information please contact your doctor.
Staff
The trek will be led by an experienced guide with extensive local historical and archaeological knowledge. You may pass several nature scenarios and/ or pre Inca or Inca ruins along the way and your guide will conduct short tours wherever it is possible to do so. A team of porters will carry all equipment leaving you with just a small daypack to carry. The cook will prepare three meals a day (while camping) plus provide hot drinks and snacks.
Equipment & Campsites
All camping gear (tents are large two persons) and cooking equipment is supplied (except sleeping bags). Each day the porters will overtake the group to arrive in camp well in advance. This gives them plenty of time to set up camp and start to prepare dinner. Tents are two person large dom style and there is a communal dining tent for eating and staying dry – if it rains or if it is too cold. Sleeping mats are provided and these will be laid out in the tents by the porters. When you get into camp you will be able to collect your duffle bag and access your clothes/toiletries. Facilities while camping are basic (no showers or toilets) however a toilet tent will be provided by the porters. The porters will usually also provide a bowl of warm water to wash your hands when reaching camp and each morning. Campfires are not permitted so there is not a lot to do after dinner and most people retire to bed early.
Meals while trekking
Your cook and porters will prepare in their cooking tent three meals a day on the trek usually consisting of bread, eggs, tea and coffee for breakfast; soup, cheese, tomato, cold meat and rolls for lunch and a two or three course dinner usually accompanied by rice, pasta or potatoes. There is usually a constant supply of coca tea and coffee and daily tea breaks with biscuits during trekking. Meals are not included in hotels, except breakfast.
Tipping
Your porters, guides and cooks have amazing strength, stamina and skill and generally make your trek a thoroughly enjoyable and hassle-free experience. Most people would almost certainly not be able to complete the trek without them. It is therefore commonly accepted that the standard combined tip for guides, porters & cooks on the Lares trek is US$30 per trekker.
Packing for your Trek
Sleeping Bags
You will need a good warm sleeping bag for the duration of your Trekking. If you are doing an altitude Trek it may be a good idea to also bring a silk sleeping bag liner to use inside for added warmth and comfort.
A four season* (or -10) bag is recommended for the winter months or high altitude treks. At other times or lower altitude treks you will probably be fine in a 3 season (or -3º /-5º) sleeping bag although this depends on how much you feel the cold and is given as a guideline only. Roll mats are provided on the trek, however for greater comfort and warmth, Thermorest style mattresses are to be brought or can be hired in Cuzco or Huaraz for US$10.
*Please note; if you are travelling in winter and you do not wish to invest in a 4 season bag you may want to consider purchasing a 3 season bag plus a sleeping bag liner and bringing additional clothing.
Weather and clothing
The weather in the Andes can be very unpredictable and you should be equipped for bad weather. Peru is located in the southern hemisphere meaning the winter extends from June to August. In the summer months daytime temperatures can be hot & humid, but the nights can be very cold. During winter it can be warm or cold during the day and particularly cold at night. It is usual to encounter some rain (or snow at high altitude) on the treks all year round so a poncho or rain protection coat is ideal along with thermal underwear if you really feel the cold. (Cheap throw away ponchos which fit over everything including your day pack can be bought in Cuzco or Huaraz for approx USD 1, better ones for USD 3).
Footwear
Good quality, comfortable footwear is essential. Whatever you wear on your feet the most important thing is comfort. It is vital to ensure your boots are well worn in and lightweight. Ankle support and waterproofing is recommended but if you already have something comfortable with good grip on rocks then don’t go rushing out to buy new boots – you are better off with your well worn in pair!
Luggage Storage & Load Limits
During the trek your main luggage will be stored in Cuzco or Huaraz and you will receive a small duffle bag at your briefing (which will be held the evening before you start the trek) to pack clothes for the needed days. Your team of porters will carry these bags together with the food and equipment for the trail. Please note that you will not have access to these items until the end of each day as the porters will always be ahead of the group. You should therefore bring a day pack in which you can carry personal belongings such as your camera, water and sun screen etc.
By Peruvian law the duffle bag must not weigh more than 8 kg (16lbs) which is to include your sleeping bag. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 8 kg, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra amount together with your day pack.
Packing Checklist
- Sleeping bag To match with -3º / -5º (for Ausangate, Salkantay, Cordillera Blanca or Huayhuash treks at least for -10ºC)
- Silk sleeping bag liner – if you need to add warmth to your sleeping bag
- Warm clothing for nights - fleece, long pants, woollen hat, gloves
- Thermal underwear – if trekking in winter or in high campsites
- Walking clothing in layers – e.g. Zip off trousers, fleece, t-shirts
- Water proof clothing – a rain protections clothing is recommended. If you don’t have one, you can buy a reasonably good one for about us$ 3.
- Small lightweight umbrella – light umbrellas which pack away to almost nothing can be useful to keep away drizzle.
- Waterproof walking boots, well worn in
- Plastic bags - to keep your belongings & clothes dry (wrap everything in plastic bags).
- Toilet paper - (also small plastic bags for rubbish which can then be thrown in the main rubbish bag provided by the porters)
- Towel and basic personal toiletries.
- Tater bottle – bring 1 large (1.5l) or 2/3 small water bottles which can be refilled on the trail with boiled water which will be supplied.
- Personal medication & basic first aid kit - (band aids, imodium, panadol, rehydration sachets)
- Camera & spare film or chips - note: there are no electrical outlets along the trails so make sure you fully charge or/and have spare batteries!
- Your preferred snacks - chocolates, chips, biscuits, energy bars.
- Torch (flash-light) - (very important) and spare batteries.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat
- Insect repellent for treks under 4000 mts
- Swimwear for Aguas Calientes, Salkantay to Santa Teresa, Ausangate and Cordillera Blanca treks.
- Flip flops/thongs – good to change into in camp
Trek grade
The treks can be from easy to demanding, please check each route description.
Inclusions
All meals, camping equipment (except sleeping bags), entry fees, transfers (minibus, bus or train), English speaking guide, porters & cook .
Equipment and facilities
All equipment is supplied for camping (except sleeping bags) and cooking. Facilities while camping are basic (no showers or toilets) however a toilet tent will be provided by the porters. See section below for more details.
Accommodation & meals
Camping in two person large tents with all meals provided, hotel when applies.
Group size
The group size will vary depending on passengers request; however treks can operate with a minimum of 2 passengers (supplement applies).
