Mollepata to Machu Picchu - Sat, Aug 8 2009, Sun, Aug 9 2009, Mon, Aug 10 2009, Tue, Aug 11 2009, Wed, Aug 12 2009, Thu, Aug 13 2009, Fri, Aug 14 2009, Sat, Aug 15 2009, Sun, Aug 16 2009

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page. This is a paid event with payment managed by the trip leader(s) and NOT the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for payment details and instructions.



Mollepata to Machu Picchu


The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Mollepata, near Cusco, Peru
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Aug 8 2009, Sun, Aug 9 2009, Mon, Aug 10 2009, Tue, Aug 11 2009, Wed, Aug 12 2009, Thu, Aug 13 2009, Fri, Aug 14 2009, Sat, Aug 15 2009, Sun, Aug 16 2009  12:00 am >> N/A
Registration Opens: Fri, Jan 16 2009 1:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Wed, Jul 1 2009 8:00 pm
Event Duration:Nine days
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Trip Leader(s):
Richard A. Zalik
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Member Cost:$600.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:22
Minimum Group Size:15
Number Registered So Far: 3 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
An alternative route to reach the lost city of the Incas, this trek affords the opportunity to enjoy the view of the magnificent sacred mountains Salkantay and Humantay, and take in both high altitude mountain walking and high altitude jungle vegetation. With a day at the end to take in Machupicchu this is ideal for hikers with a little more time and desiring an experience away from the main tourist trails. You will not, however, be away from Andean culture and will be able to see, and experience, lots of village life.

Schedule:
Day One: Atlanta to Lima, Peru
Day Two: Lima to Cusco: we spend the day here to adjust to the high altitude (about 11,000 ft).
Day Three: Cusco - Mollepata - Soirococha. After an early breakfast at our hotel, our transport takes us across the high pampa and down the old Inca road which the Spanish conquistadores used to reach Cusco. Stopping at a local market en route we reach Mollepata (2,800 mts) to then continue towards Cruz Q’asa (3,330 mts), where we collect our pack animals and make a pleasant ascent to Soraypampa and reach our first campsite at Soirococha ( 4,100 mts). Walking time: 5 hours.
Day Four:. The day begins with a four hour ascent, climbing nearly 500 mts to the first pass of Abra Humantay (4,550 mts). This takes us between Mt. Humantay (5,700 mts) and Apu Salkantay (6,271 mts). Apu means “Great Spirit” in Qechua, the lingua franca of the Incas. It is one of two most revered sacred mountain sites in the Andes. The scenery in this vicinity is absolutely stunning. We descend to Huayracmachay (3,550 mts). We continue to Collpapampa, at the confluence of four rivers. Here we can have a hot bath in the thermal springs. This set of baths is really beautiful and has no equal anywhere in the Andes. From this point we are in a jungle environment, with the accompanying fauna and flora to admire, and, of course, mosquitoes. It is important to use full length clothing and good quality repellent. We camp at Challhuay ( 3,350 mts). Walking time: 6 hours.
Day Five: Challhuay - Lucmabamba. This is an easy day featuring a gradual descent through the heart of the jungle, passing by banana and coffee plantations. We will see flora such as orchids and local birds such as the Cock of the Rock. We reach our campsite at Lucmabamba ( 2,550 mts). Walking time: 5 hours.
Day Six: Lucmabamba - Km 122. After breakfast we descend all the way to Wiñaypoco (2,500 mts). We then begin our last ascent to the pass of Abra Aobamba (2,800 mts). From here there are impressive views of Mt. Machupicchu. A two hour descent by foot takes us to the hydroelectric station on the Urubamba river. From here we cross to the train station, over the Urubamba River - now falling as a huge waterfall- by a hand hauled, suspended cradle to reach the impromptu tent town that flanks the railway line. We continue our hike to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night in a hotel. Walking time: 5 hours.
Day Seven: Machu Picchu. The bus leaves at 5:30 AM to take us to the lost city of the Incas to see it at sunrise. There is a full guided tour and plenty of time to explore on your own. You may wish to climb the adjacent peak of Huaynapicchu, if you still have the energy, for unparalleled views of the famous ruins. We return to Cusco by train in the afternoon.
Day Eight: Cusco to Lima.
Day Nine: Lima to Atlanta.

Required Items to Bring:
Valid Passport		Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
- Duffel Bag (provided)
- Hiking boots
- Sleeping Bag
- Sandals
- Sun hat
- Spare set of clothes
- Rain gear
- Gloves
- Extra socks
- Toiletries
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent and afterbite medication
- Lip balm
- Personal First-aid kit
- Head lamp and batteries
- Water bottle
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Plastic bags for clothing and garbage
- Trekking poles.
- Toilet paper

Notes:
Payment Schedule:
1. A deposit of $340.00, by cash or check, must be received by the organizer by the cut off date. Please make the check out to Richard Zalik. Of this payment, $5.00 will be used to pay bank fees and telephone expenses and $265.00 will be wired to the tour operator as a deposit. The remaining $70.00 will be used to pay suitable bonuses to the support personnel, which include licensed guides, cooks, mule handlers, and and porters. Please mail your payment to: Richard Zalik, P.O. Box 29732, Atlanta, GA 30359.
2. You have to pay for your own lodging. The organizer negotiated with a local hotel a group rate of 35 USD per night per person based on double occupancy, and will give you the details at the first group meeting.
3. The day before the hike begins you will pay the tour operator the $260.00 remaining balance. Because of the high credit card fees charged by local banks, payment must be made in cash (dollars or soles). ATM machines are widely available in Cusco.

Registration Requirements.
TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT YOU MUST HAVE BEEN AN AOC MEMBER FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF YOUR REGISTRATION. In addition :
1. The organizer must receive your deposit by the cut off date.
2. The organizer must receive, by the cut off date, an email with a scan of the first two pages of your passport, showing your passport number and personal information. It may take up to three months to get a US passport.
3. You must participate in at least three outddoor events with the AOC, one of which must have been an overnight backpacking trip rated D4 or above. If you have not satisfied this requirement yet, you must do so by the cut off date.
If you do not satisfy all these requirements by the cut off date you will be removed from the list of participants.
These requirements (including time as a member) may be replaced in part by other outdoor activities with the AOC. Consult the organizer for details.

Cusco is at an altitude of about 11,000 ft and the Inca Trail reaches an altitude in excess of 14,000 ft. Acclimatization is therefore very important. It is therefore advisable that you begin your trip two days earlier, so as to arrive in Cusco on Friday August 7. Saturday and Sunday can be profitably spent touring the area. Several tours are available for a small fee.


* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Member Cost:$600.00/Person
Cost Includes:Private bus from Cusco to Mollepata.
Private Professional English speaking guide for the 5 days.
Mules to carry the equipment, food, and our belongings. We carry only a day pack.
Porters to carry our gear on Day 6. Mules and horses are not allowed on this section of trail because of the presence of archeological sites.
Entrance to Machupicchu.
Horse for emergency transportation.
Cook + assistant.
Two person tents (North Face or REI)
Kitchen tent, dining tent, cooking equipment
Tent for toilet
Mattresses
Camping stools, cooking gear , oxygen, first aid kit.
Meals while on the hike ( breakfast, lunch , afternoon tea, dinner, wake up tea every morning )
Dinner at Aguas Calientes on the Day Six
Treated drinking water.
Accommodation in Aguas Calientes in double rooms ( rooms with private bathroom and hot showers), breakfast included.
Bus from Aguas Calientes up to Machu Picchu.
Train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco or to Ollantaytambo (depending on availability)- VISTADOME CLASS
Transfer from train station to hotel.
Tips for support personnel.
Bank processing fees and cost of the organizer's telephone calls to Peru (5.00 USD).

Price does NOT include:
- Airfare: Atlanta/Lima/Atlanta ($500-$1200) or Lima/Cusco/Lima ($200).
- Hotel expenses in Cusco.
- Personal Expenses.
- Breakfast on Day Three (we will have breakfast at the hotel).
- Lunch on Day Seven.
- Meals on days One, Two, Eight and Nine.
- Airport taxes in Peru ( around $50).
Make a Payment:Although there is a cost for this event, you do not pay through the AOC. Please review the event details carefully for information about how/where to make your payment.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note: f you cancel before the money has been wired to the tour operator your deposit will be refunded in full. Otherwise, only $70.00 from the deposit can be refunded.