Betchart Expeditions Inc. MACHU PICCHU LODGE TO LODGE TREK OCTOBER 23 - NOVERMBER 2, 2011 With Optional Manu Biophere Reserve Pretrip to the Peruvian Amazon October 20-24, 2011 We invite you to join this once-in-a-lifetime trekking journey! It will take you along the magnificent Salkantay Valley where you will travel through spectacular snow-covered high mountain scenery to lush cloud forest en route to Machu Picchu. The trek includes a 15,000 foot pass and will then continue through isolated mountain villages, potato farms and coffee plantations with bromeliads, orchids and butterflies surrounding you. It is an amazing personal experience of the high Andes and Peruvian culture. Please let me know what questions you have! I took part in the trek in September 2010, and would like to tell you all about it! Renee Apostolou DAILY ITINERARY DAY 1 Sun Oct 23 MIAMI TO LIMA, PERU MIAMI PASSENGERS: Check in at Miami International Airport for American Airlines flight #917 to Lima, Peru. 4:35 pm AA flight #917 departs Miami for Lima. 9:15 Arrive in Lima, Peru. Go through immigration and customs. Meet your guide and transfer to the Casa Andina Miraflores Hotel (1 night). DAY 2 Mon Oct 24 LIMA TO CUSCO, PERU Breakfast at our hotel. Transfer to airport. Check in for your Lan flight #2033 to Cusco. 10:40 am Flight departs for Cusco. 11:55 Flight arrives Cusco. Meet your local guide and transfer to Casa Andina Cathedral Hotel (2 nights) or similar. Take an afternoon short walking / orientation tour of Cusco, the historic capital of the Incas. Welcome dinner. (B,D)
DAY 3 Tues Oct 25 CUSCO Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will have a tour of Cusco, including the major archaeological sites, cathedral, and historic wonders. Lunch on own. Afternoon for personal interests. 7:00 Briefing with trekking guide at the hotel. The guide will bring space duffel bags should you need to repack. (Weight limit is 15-17 kg; 30-35 pounds.) 8:00 Dinner. (B,D) DAY 4 Wed Oct 26 BEGIN MOUNTAIN LODGES TREK CUSCO TO SALKANTAY LODGE & SORAYPAMPA 6:30 am Breakfast at the hotel. 7:00 Depart for Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort in Soraypampa. En route, take a break to visit the Inca ruins of Tarawasi near the town of Limatambo (1 1/2 hrs from Cusco). Pass thru the mountain village of Mollepata. Stop for a coffee break, before ascending a winding mountain road to Marcoccasa (30 min. from Mollepata by vehicle). Here we begin our trek to Saroypampa, an old route called the Camino Real (Royal Path). Enjoy a 4-hour trek (Hiking level: moderate). At the head of the valley is Salkantay peak, the second most sacred peak in Inca mythology and at 20,600 ft, the highest in the region. Box lunch. Afternoon at leisure to adjust to the altitude. Evening briefing by the fireplace is followed by aperitifs and dinner. Night at Salkantay Lodge.
DAY 5 SORAYPAMPA Thurs Oct 27 Breakfast at the lodge. Today the most popular activity is the half-day hike to a glacial lake where the more adventurous take a very short swim! (3-4 hours) (Hiking level: moderate to challenging) This activity is excellent for acclimatization and a first immersion into highmountain trekking. In the afternoon, you may choose to follow the glacial swim with a relaxing soak in the outdoor jacuzzi. In the evening the guide will brief the trekking party on gear and the itinerary for the following day. Lunch and dinner at the lodge. DAY 6 Fri Oct 28 SORAYPAMPA TO WAYRA LODGE AT HUAYRACCMACHAY (12,600 feet) Breakfast at the lodge. The is the big day: the start of the four-day trek to Machu Picchu. After an early start, we will hike up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak across from Salkantay Peak. The highest point in the trek is a pass at 15,000 feet. (You may ride a horse if you prefer.) Hiking Time: 4-6 hours. Total excursion time: 5-7 hours. Hiking Level: Challenging with the 15,000 foot mountain pass. At the pass, stop to take in views of snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction, with the south face of Salkantay towering above us. Look for Andean condors, often visible in this area. From the pass, continue our descent toward the Wayra Lodge ( the place where the wind lives ). Hot lunch en route. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. DAY 7 Sat Oct 29 HUAYRACCMACHAY to COLPA LODGE AT COLLPAPAMPA (9,200 feet) Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the lodge. Begin our trek by hiking downhill above the Salkantay River, through increasingly verdant scenery. Hiking Time: 3-4 hours. Hiking Level: Easy to moderate. Colpa Lodge is on an open promontory at the confluence of 3 rivers. The outdoor hot tub at the lodge has prominent views of lush green mountains and a small town in the far distance. Dinner and overnight at Colpa Lodge. DAY 8 Sun Oct 30 COLLPAPAMPA TO LUCMA LODGE at LUCMABAMBA (6,900 feet) Breakfast at the lodge. Depart early today and head down the Santa Teresa River Valley, through more populated rural areas. Pass through orchards and coffee plantations (said to be among the best organic coffees in the world).
Stop along the river for a hot picnic lunch. Trek another hour, then take a vehicle to the head of the Llactapata Inca Trail (30 min. drive). Climb 30 minutes to Lucma Lodge, set in an avocado orchard. Visit a coffee grower near the small village of Lucmabamba. Dinner and overnight at Lucma Lodge. Hiking Time: 5-6 hours. Total Excursion Time: 6-8 hours. Hiking Level: Moderate to Challenging, due to distance. DAY 9 Mon Oct 31 LUCMABAMBA to AGUAS CALIENTES (6,200 feet in elevation) After an early start and a hearty breakfast, begin the last day of our trek. Head uphill 2-3 hours towards llactapata pass (8,900 feet). Arrive at a distant, but quite special view of Machu Picchu from the southwest, a view few tourists ever glimpse. Also see the Llactapata Ruins, which have recently been restored. Lunch at the observatory, in view of Machu Picchu. Begin the final descent to the Aobamba River through lush bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations (2-3 hour descent). Take the train for 30 minutes to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. Total Hiking Time: 4-6 hours. Hiking Level: Moderate to Challenging. Arrive in Aguas Calientes and check into El Mapi Hotel or similar. DAY 10 Tues Nov 1 MACHU PICCHU TO CUSCO Breakfast at the hotel and luggage out. Transfer to top and take a guided tour of Machu Picchu. Lunch on own at Totos House. 2:15 pm Depart hotel for train station. 3:05 Return train journey to Ollanta Station. 4:35 Board motorcoach to continue to Cusco 7:00 Arrive Cusco and check into Casa Andina Cathedral Hotel (1 night) or similar. Dinner on your own. (B) DAY 11 CUSCO TO LIMA & MIAMI Wed Nov 2 Breakfast buffet at hotel and luggage out. Morning for continued exploration in Cusco on your own. Early snack lunch on your own. Transfer to Cusco airport. Checkin for Lan Peru flight #2020 to Lima. 12:10 pm Flight departs. 1:30 Arrive Lima; transfer to Miraflores by taxi on own. (You may check your bag at Left Luggage at the Lima Airport.) At leisure for personal interests. Transfer by taxi on own to the Lima Airport. 7:30 pm Arrive at Lima Airport and check in for group flights home. 10:40 AA#918 departs for Miami. (B, meals aloft)
DAY 12 Thu Nov 3 MIAMI TO HOME 5:25 am Group American Airlines flight arrives Miami. Go through customs & immgration. Take connecting flights home. (Meals aloft) MANU BIOSPHERE RESERVE PRETRIP TO THE PERUVIAN AMAZON OCTOBER 20-24, 2011 Before your trek there is an opportunity to visit the Amazon Rainforest at Manu Biosphere Reserve. Manu is legendary among bird watchers, naturalists, and conservationists throughout the world. Every day is filled with awe and wonder about the rainforest and the amount and variety of flora and fauna. Manu National Park and Biosphere Reserve lie adjacent to three other protected areas that together cover an area the size of Maryland. Here is the schedule you would follow to go to Manu before your Machu Picchu Trek. DAY 1 Thurs Oct 20 MIAMI TO LIMA Check in for AA flight #917 at Miami International Airport. 4:35 pm Flight departs. 9:15 Arrive Lima. Go thru customs and immigration. Meet your guide and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Lima. DAY 2 LIMA TO CUZCO Fri Oct 21 Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for flight Lima to Cusco. Take Lan flight to Cusco. 11:55 am Arrive Cusco. Meet your guide and transfer to Casa Andina Cathedral Hotel or similar. Lunch on your own. Afternoon walking tour of Cusco. Check in with our agent for a briefing about the schedule and flights to Manu Biosphere reserve tomorrow. (B) DAY 3 Sat Oct 22 CUSCO TO BOCA MANU Early breakfast at hotel. Early transfer to Cusco airport. Board a 45-minute flight by turboprop aircraft to Boca Manu. Take a 90-minute motorized canoe journey down the Madre de Dios River to Manu Wildlife Center (2 nights). Lunch.
Afternoon to explore the rainforest and one of the lakes by large catamaran. Look for Giant Otters or troops of monkeys crashing through the trees. Also explore trails around the lodge and look for some of the 12 species of monkeys found here, including the Monk Saki and Emperor Tamarin. Dinner. Evening walk on rainforest trails to look for nocturnal birds and wildlife. DAY 4 Sun Oct 23 DAY 5 Mon Oct 24 MACAW LICK, CANOPY TOWER & TAPIR LICK Rise early and take a short boat ride downstream. Walk 20 minutes through palm plantations to a cut-off channel of the river to the Blanquillo Macaw Lick. Sit on the covered platform for a ringside seat of what is usually a spectacular show as the macaws come to the clay lick. Enjoy breakfast here. Red & Green Macaws will arrive to enjoy the clay lick on the eroded banks of the old channel. Also look for Blue-headed, Mealy, Yellow-crowned and Orange-cheeked Parrots. Occasionally a Great Black Hawk may be seen. Return to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon to explore the network of trails around the lodge. In late afternoon, you may climb the Canopy Tower to witness activity in the rainforest. Set out along the collpa trail to the famous Tapir Clay Lick. Wait for the tapirs on the elevated observation platorm. MANU TO CUSCO Breakfast at the lodge. Take a two hour boat trip to Boca Manu Airfield. Look for early morning wildlife activity as you go. Fly to Cusco. Arrive and transfer to the Casa Andina Cathedral Hotel to begin your trekking program. C O S T S & C O N D I T I O N S Machu Picchu Trek Expedition Fee: $3,690 per person twin share + air fare of approximately $695 plus tax from Miami to Lima, RT + in-tour air approximately $395 per person. Single Supplement: $295 additional at hotels in Lima and Cusco; no singles available on the trek. Expedition Fee Includes: Group transfers; Cusco tour; 6-day trekking program as indicated; accommodations based on twin share in first class hotels in Cusco and Aguas Calientes and outstanding small lodges on the trekking program with private bath which reflect the heritage of Peru; meals as indicated; entrance fees; baggage handling; tour leadership by a local guide in Cusco and an excellent trekking guide; administration.
Expedition Fee Does Not Include: International and in-tour air fare (quoted separately); independent transfers; some meals; tips at hotels and to your guides; beverages at meals; alcoholic beverages, snacks, sodas, bottled water, laundry, internet use, phone, fax, passport, travel insurance, or other personal expenses; foreign airport departure taxes. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Manu Pre-Trip Expedition Fee: $995 per person twin share + $390 air Cusco to Manu, RT. Pre-Trip Fee Includes: Two nights at Lodge, all meals at Manu, activities as indicated; guiding services. Pre-Trip Fee Does Not Include: In-tour air fare (quoted separately); beverages at meals, tips to guides. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - RESERVATIONS #1179 YES! I/We want to join the Machu Picchu Trek, Oct 23 - Nov 2, 2011 offered by Betchart Expeditions Inc. Please reserve space(s). As a deposit, I/we have enclosed a check for $ ($500 per person) plus $ ($500 per person) for the Manu Pre- Trip, October 20-24, 2011, payable to the Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Account. Name(s) Age Sex Age Sex Address City State ZIP Phone: Home ( ) Work ( ) Email #1: #2: Membership (please circle): AAAS Sigma Xi ACS Planetary Society Accommodations Preference: Twin Single Twin share (with a friend) or assign a roommate Nonsmoker Smoker Signature: Date: Signature: Date: Please Mail To: Machu Picchu Trek 2011 Betchart Expeditions Inc. 17050 Montebello Road Cupertino, CA 95014-5435
What to Expect: The Machu Picchu Trek is a challenging 39-mile hike, with overnights at extremely comfortable, stone and glass lodges (specially built for the trek). It is for travelers who would like to explore the spectacular Andes Mountains on foot for 6 days, but with all of the comforts at night (including hot tubs). The program is for experienced hikers only, who can walk approimately 6 miles a day, on mountain trails, from 12,000 feet up over a 15,000 foot pass. Horses are available on request. The hike will culminate as you arrive at Machu Picchu for an overnight and chance to explore Machu Picchu the next day. You will also have time to explore the Inca heritage of Cusco on a walking tour and half-day sightseeing excursion. Your leaders will be excellent local guides. The Manu Pre-Trip offers an opportunity to see this renowned area in the Amazon Basin, which is known by scientists and conservationists for the extraordinary wildlife in the rainforest. There will be walks through the rainforest to the macaw lick and to look for tapirs. Wildlife in a rainforest can be elusive. The Amazon Lodge will be rustic and comfortable for the locale. You reach Manu by flights from Cusco and a 90-minute boat trip. The expedition will be a delight for adventurous travelers! We will be traveling at the end of the dry season and temperatures will be pleasant in the highlands. International Air Fare: Is approximate based on current fares with American Airlines from Miami to Lima, Peru RT. Air Fares Are Subject to Change until Ticketed. In-Tour Air Fare: Is booked and ticketed by our agent in Peru for all passengers (fare subject to change until ticketed). Pre or Post-Nights in Lima: Can be arranged. Please let us know your preferred arrival date. Reservations, Deposits & Payments: To reserve a space, please contact Renee Apostolou, Betchart Expeditions Inc. Phone (800) 252-4910 or (408) 252-4910. Fax (408) 252-1444. Email: Renee@betchartexpeditions.com Mail the completed reservation form with deposit check for $500 per person + $500 for the Manu Pre-Trip to Betchart Expeditions Inc., 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014. Final payment is due 60 days before departure (August 20, 2011). Cancellations & Refunds: The initial deposit is refundable up to 60 days before departure, less a handling fee of $100 per person. There is no refund for any cancellation within 60 days of departure. Trip cancellation insurance will be offered. No refunds are made for unused services. Responsibility: Betchart Expeditions Inc., the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation and hotels, and exercise every care possible. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, loss, accident or irregularity in connection with the services of any airplane, ship, motorcoach, or other conveyance used in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, weather, sickness, strike, war, quarantine, terrorism, acts of God, or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to substitute another leader of similar expertise or to reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case the entire payment will be refunded with no further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour. No refund will be made for the unused portion of any tour unless arrangements are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. The price of the program is based on current tariffs and rates, and is subject to change. Any tariff, exchange rate, or fuel increases will be passed on to participants. Baggage is carried at the owner s risk entirely. It is understood that the air ticket when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the airline concerned. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance. Copyright Betchart Expeditions Inc. 2011. All rights reserved.