Trip Dossier

                                                              
Tips/Money:
Tips for the guide, assistant, cook and porters are not included in the price of the trek. Our staff are well paid and tips are optional and dependent on the service provided. Generally tips are distributed amongst the trekking staff on the third night at Wiñay Wayna. Usually the group elects someone to collect the tips. A tip is made to the guide. The tips for the porters and cook should be paid to each individual. If you have a personal porter then it is best to keep some money back and pay him directly yourselves. The amount each person tips depends on you. Don’t get annoyed if some of your fellow trekkers don’t pay anything at all. We recommend you give 20-40 soles from each of you, to be divided up and handed individually to the staff.

Apart from money for tips you will also need to bring money for other items such as meals in Aguas Calientes, souvenirs, film, and second day bus and entry to Machu Picchu if applicable etc. There are no cash machines at Aguas Calientes and credit cards cannot be used there. Soft drinks, chocolate and biscuits can be bought at the start of the trek (km82) and at the first village Wayllabamba on the first night. At Wiñay Wayna on the third night there is a small restaurant where you can buy snacks and even a beer. At the ruins of Machu Picchu itself you can buy drinks, sandwiches, film and some souvenirs but because of the location prices are over inflated and it is cheaper to wait until you get to Aguas Calientes.

Extra Walks:
After exploring the site of Machu Picchu, if you still have the energy, there are three walks well worth doing, before heading down to Aguas Calientes.

Machu Picchu Mountain just south of the site, and overlooking it, is a 500m climb, up a well made Inca pathway. There are some Inca constructions on the top that were probably for religious ceremonies, given the prominent position of the mountain. They look like they have been damaged by treasure seekers. Allow 2 hours each way through lush forest, keeping a look out for interesting birds, flowers and snakes sunbathing on the path. The path up Machu Picchu mountain starts from the terraces where the Inca Trail comes in to Machu Picchu at the top of the site.

Huayna Picchu Mountain is a steep one hour climb (200m in height difference), much of which is up Inca stairs. Try to get there early, before the hoards as it’s a popular walk.

Less popular and an equally beautiful walk is to the Temple of the Moon. There is some high quality Inca stone work inside a cave, which was obviously a sacred place. This is on the west side of Huayna Picchu mountain, 400m below the summit. For both of these walks head for the path leading out of the north end of Machu Picchu.

If you are staying an extra day in Aguas Calientes and feel like getting a different view over Machu Picchu try this walk from the town. Putucusi, the verdant rocky lump on the east side of the river, oppposite Machu Picchu, is a challenging climb. Take a guide with you if possible. Most of the ascent is up rickety wooden ladders, with short sections of path in between. This scramble should only be attempted by serious climbers. The views from the top, of Machu Picchu and beyond to Salkantay are pretty spectacular, but be warned it’s a hot sweaty, slippery struggle to get there.