International Backpacking: Inca Trail - Sat, Jul 19 2008, Sun, Jul 20 2008, Mon, Jul 21 2008, Tue, Jul 22 2008, Wed, Jul 23 2008, Thu, Jul 24 2008, Fri, Jul 25 2008, Sat, Jul 26 2008

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.



International Backpacking: Inca Trail


The Basics:
Event Type:Backpacking
Event Location: Inca Trail/Machu Picchu, Peru
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Jul 19 2008, Sun, Jul 20 2008, Mon, Jul 21 2008, Tue, Jul 22 2008, Wed, Jul 23 2008, Thu, Jul 24 2008, Fri, Jul 25 2008, Sat, Jul 26 2008  12:00 pm >> N/A
Registration Opens: Tue, Jan 22 2008 12:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Mon, Mar 3 2008 11:59 pm
Event Duration:Eight days
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Trip Leader(s):
Richard A. Zalik
Email Trip Leader(s)
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Member Cost:$529.20/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:22
Minimum Group Size:8
Number Registered So Far: 19 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
Moderate to Strenuous 26 miles hiking and high altitude backpacking

NOTE: We will schedule several meetings to answer questions and organize ourselves for this grand adventure!

The Inca Trail is the classic trek originating from Cusco, taking in an Andean culture and archaeology set in dramatic mountain scenery. It is a mix of mysterious ancient ruins and the excitement of high Andean landscapes. The trail was a royal Inca highway linking Cusco with the religious citadel of Machu Picchu. The city became lost to the jungle to be rediscovered by Hiram Bingham on 24 July 1911. Some of the trail has only been rediscovered in the last two decades. Now you can retrace the steps of the ancient Inca to encounter the splendor of Machu Picchu.

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 - HUAYLLABAMBA: An early start takes us by chartered bus to Km 82 (8,480 ft) where we collect the porters to commence trekking via Urubamba Valley. From Km 82, we cross the raging Vilcanota River. Walking in the shadow of snow-capped Mount Veronica, we continue the hike stopping for lunch near the Cusichaca River and admiring the Inca ruins at Llactapata. We complete 5 to 6 hours of gentle hiking by reaching the first campsite at Huayllabamba (9,300 ft).
Day Four: HUAYLLABAMBA - PACAYMAYO: This second day is the most arduous of our journey. After breakfast, we ascend to Warmihua or Dead Woman's Pass which, at 13,962 ft. marks the highest point of our journey. This change of altitude means that we will pass through three separate ecological zones during the day: Quechua, Yunga and Puna (from valleys with trees, through high pasture, to arid grassless ). The ascent of over 4,500 ft to the pass earns magnificent views. Descending from this superb vantage point we pass waterfalls before making camp at Pacaymayu (11,900 ft). We complete 7 hours hiking.
Day Five: PACAYMAYU - WIÑAYWAYNA: The day starts with the pass of Runkuracay (12,480 ft) where we see an Inca watchtower. Then we continue to the Inca ruins at Sayacmarca (a small maze-like ruin built above a sheer cliff) and, passing through a rock tunnel, we reach Phuyupatamarca (City Above The Clouds) (11,520 ft). From this area, we should have views of Mt. Salkantay, one of two most sacred peaks to the Incas. The descent down from the third pass (11,840 ft) is by a continuous set of steps (over 2,300 of them), into cloud forest, to our last campsite. From here, a short walk takes us to the impressive ruins of Wiñaywayna (8,320 ft), curving around a steep valley with walled terraces hugging the contours. The extra relaxation time provided here allows us to recoup our strength to make an early start the next day and maximize the experience of Machu Picchu. We complete 7 hours.
Day Six: WIÑAYWAYNA- MACHUPICCHU : A pre-dawn breakfast allows us to ascend to Intipunku (the Sun Gate), where we may observe the sunrise over Machu Picchu, shrouded in the morning mists (7,840 ft). After taking in this memorable view we descend to the ruins for a guided tour, starting well before the crowds arrive by train from Cusco. There should be 6 to 7 hours available to spend in this unique archaeological site, allowing ample opportunities to explore on your own. Those not interested in the archeological sights may like to climb Huaynapicchu (about 1,000 ft)for an unparalleled view of the lost city of the Incas. However, those trying to climb this mountain make encounter scheduling problems.
Once we finish at Machu Picchu, we board a bus down to the village of Aguas Calientes. Here we have lunch and take the 3:00 or 3:50 pm. train towards Cusco. This narrow gauge railway gives a scenic ride through the Urubamba valley. To save time, we leave the train at Poroi station and take a chartered bus to our hotel.
Day Seven: Cusco to Lima.
Day Eight: 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.
Personal Equipment List for Inca Trail:
- Duffel Bag (provided)
- Hiking boots
- Sleeping Bag
- Sandals
- Sun hat
- Spare set of clothes
- Rain gear
- Gloves
- Extra socks
- Toiletries
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- Lip balm
- Personal First-aid kit
- Head lamp and Batteries
- 1.5 liter Nalgene bottle (disposable plastic bottles are not allowed on the trail)
- Camera
- Plastic bags for clothing and garbage (provided)
- Extra snacks
- Trekking poles (park regulations require you to cover the ending metal tip with rubber tap).

Notes:
Payment Schedule:
1. A deposit of $272.00, by cash or check, must be received by the organizer by the cut off date. Please make the check out to Richard Zalik. This money (less a $6.80 processing fee) will be wired to the tour operator. It will be used to purchase train tickets and entrance tickets to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. These tickets must be purchased in advance and are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Please mail your payment to: Richard Zalik, P.O. Box 29732, Atlanta, GA 30359.
2. You have to arrange for your own lodging. The organizer negotiated a group rate with a local hotel and will give you the details at the first group meeting.
3. When you arrive in Cusco the organizer will collect 200 soles (about $70) from each participant. This money will be used to give a 100 sol tip (about $35) to each porter, plus suitable bonuses to the rest of the support personnel.
4. The day before the hike begins you will pay the tour operator the $264.00 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 :
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. Access to the Inca Trail is limited to 500 persons a day. Preregistration is required, and places are allocated on a first come basis. Preregistration requires your passport number and personal information, and your passport will be checked at the trail head. Therefore, you cannot be included in the trip if you do not have a valid passport by the cut off date. It may take up to three months to get a US passport.
3. You must participate in an overnight backpacking trip with the AOC rated D4 or above. If you have not satisfied this requirement yet, you must do so by June 3, 2008.

If you do not satisfy all these requirements by the due dates you will be removed from the list of participants.


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

Cost & Payment:
Member Cost:$529.20/Person
Non-Member Cost:$529.20/Person
Cost Includes:Inca Trail: USD 529.20 per person

Price includes:
-Entrance fee to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
-Chartered bus from Cusco to Km 82 (initial point)-pick up from hotel.
- Professional English speaking guide and assistants.
- Cook and assistant.
- Meals while in the tour (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 snacks -tea time, 3 dinners, and wake up tea every morning, snacks).
- Treated water while on the hike, and warm water every morning to wash.
- Equipment: two person tent.
- Kitchen tent, dining tent, mattresses, camp stools, camp tables and cooking gear, oxygen, first-aid kit.
- Porters to carry food and equipment.
- Porters to carry our personal belongings (up to 8 kg or 17 lbs per participant.) . We only carry a day pack.
- Bus from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes.
- Upgrade tourist train return from Aguas Calientes to Poroi – Vistadome.
- Transfer from Poroi train station to hotel.

Price does NOT include:
- Airfare: Atlanta/Lima/Atlanta ($500-$1200) or Lima/Cusco/Lima ($200).
-A $6.80 processing fee. This money will be used for wire transfer fees and telephone calls to Peru. Any unused money will be transferred to the AOC .
- Hotel expenses ($35 a night per person in a double room).
- Tips ($70).
- Personal Expenses.
- Meals not mentioned in program.
- 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: The $272 .00 deposit is nonrefundable.