ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

MEALS ON TREK

All of our cooks pride themselves on their delicious specialty menus with the freshest local ingredients available with vegetarian option for every meal (please advise at least 2 days prior to departure).   

TREK ACCOMMODATION

During the trek single travelers will share a tent with another traveler of the same sex & couples will have a tent to themselves.

SUGGESTED PACKING LIST

Bring or Rent in Cuzco: hiking poles, rain pants, rain poncho, trekking boots, sandals, warm socks, sweater, thermals, hat, gloves, sun hat, sun block, sun glasses, flashlight/torch, camera, extra batteries and memory card (there is limited to no electricity available during the trek), waterproof bags for your camera, hand sanitizer, personal first aid kit, water bottle.  Bring extra cash for snacks, water, gatorade which doubles or triples in price along the trail.

ESSENTIALS

Original passport, visa (if applicable), insurance card and personal medications.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This hike is demanding, it’s important to be in good physical condition. The Inca Trail elevation changes make the hike strenuous as there are three passes during the hike and you will have 1950 meters of uphill and 2250 meters of descent.

BRIEF HISTORY OF MACHU PICCHU & ADVICE

Machu Picchu was (relatively recently) "discovered" by American historian, Hiram Bingham, in 1911 while searching for the legendary "lost city of the Incas". Hiram Bingham and his local guides stumbled across the site which was then covered in thick vegetation which was later cleared revealing the magical mountain-top archaeological site and opening up the possibility for archaeologists to conduct research on the site by 1915. Whether arriving via Inca Trail or entering from Aguas Calientes don't miss the excellent photo opportunities from the following spots:  Hut of the Caretaker of the Funerary Rock (a restored building with a thatched roof), Sacred Plaza with views of the Cordillera Vilcabamba in the distance and Rio Urubamba below. Take a short walk out to the Inca Drawbridge (30 minutes) and Inti Punku (45 - 60 minutes) for great views of the site as dawn breaks and the clouds lift over Machu Picchu.

The one and only, the most spectacular (and not to mention most popular) archaeological site in all of South America.  Your guide will take you on a 2-hour tour of Machu Picchu walking you through the most important sites and covering the history of the place.  Then you will have free time to explore on your own and take pictures at your leisure. 

Take an OPTIONAL hike up the steep peak named Huayna Picchu, which is located inside the Machu Picchu archaeological site. This sometimes muddy peak takes about 45 - 60 minutes to hike up and awards you with unforgettable views of Machu Picchu from a coveted perspective. Keep in mind that if you want to take this optional hike, you must now purchase your ticket at least 2 weeks in advance for an additional cost in order to get one of the 400 passes (200 people are allowed up at 7:00am and 200 more at 10:00am).  Please send us an email directly to request this extra ticket.

If desired, an extra night in Aguas Calientes town can be arranged. (Please let us know whether you would like to stay an extra night when booking your tour.)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFING

There is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at our Cuzco Headquarters one day prior to departure at 5pm, 6pm or 7pm depending on your trek. You will receive detailed information on your excursion, a list of what to bring and confirm your departure details.

PRE-DEPARTURE CHECK-IN

Please make sure to check-in with your passport before your pre-departure briefing. We encourage our travellers to check-in at our offices a couple of hours before or any day prior to the briefing , that way we can give everybody personal attention and information regarding booking extras, rental equipment or questions in general. 

Time schedule for meetings will be: 
- Inca Trail and Lares 6pm 
- Salkantay, Inca Quarry, Machu Picchu Jungle, Ausangate, Choquequirao 7pm 
- Rainbow Mountain, Machu Picchu by Train, Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu Full Day 5pm 

Bamba Experience is located at: 
Calle Matara 242, Second Floor. Cuzco, Peru 
Hours of Operation: 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-20:00 hrs Daily 
Tel: +51 84 205234 
Emergency Contact: Ruth: 984008440

Travellers who booked their trip using one passport, then renewed or replaced it afterward, must carry the old passport they used to make the booking or a photocopy with them on the trip.