Mollepata to Machu Picchu

NOTE: We will schedule several meetings to answer questions and organize ourselves for this event.

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. There is no daily limit for the number of hikers on this trail.

Schedule:

Day One: Atlanta to Lima, Peru

Day Two: Lima to Cuzco: we spend the day here to adjust to the high altitude (about 11,000 ft).

Day Three: Cuzco - 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 hanging bridge to reach the impromptu tent town that flanks the railway line. We take a train 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. If you do not wish to participate in the guided tour you may wish to climb the adjacent peaks of Huaynapicchu,  or Machu Picchu Mountain. The daily number of people allowed to climb Huaynapicchu is limited. To climb either mountain you have to pay an additional access fee and make reservations in advance. We return to Aguas Calientes where we take the train back to Cuzco.

Day Eight: Cuzco to Lima.

Day Nine: Lima to Atlanta.

1. A deposit of $450.00 must be received by the organizer not later than two weeks after you are moved to the list of participants. Please make the check out to Richard Zalik and mail it to: Richard Zalik, P.O. Box 29732, Atlanta, GA 30359.
You have to pay for your own lodging. The organizer will negotiate a group rate with a local hotel, and will give you the details at the first group meeting. Last year we paid $35.00 per person per night in a double occupancy room.
3. The day before the hike begins you will pay the tour operator the $300.00 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. You must be either an AOC trip leader or be recommended by an AOC trip leader. This requirement is in place to verify that you have the necessary level of fitness and, most important, that you are a sociable person that will get along with the rest of the group and will not engage in disruptive behavior. Please put yourself on the waiting list. As soon as I receive the actual price  from the tour operator (expected in early January) I will make the necessary price adjustments (if required). Two weeks after I start moving people to the list of participants in the Inca Trail trip I will check whether you qualify for this trip and, if you do, move you to the list of participants, provided the maximum number of participants has not been reached.       

2. After I move you to the list of participants you will have ten business days to send your deposit. If I don't receive your check within that period of time I will move you back to the waiting list.

3. After I move you to the list of participants you will have ten business days to send me the following information: a. Your name as it appears in your passport; b. your nationality and passport number; c; your passport's expiration date; d. your date of birth; e. Your occupation. If I don't receive that information within that period of time I will move you back to the waiting list.

The expiration date of your passport must be at least six months after the date you leave Peru. Therefore, you cannot be included in the trip if you do not have a valid passport. It may take up to three months to get a US passport.

I will make a first wire transfer about twelve business days after I start moving people to the list of participants and a second wire transfer  about ten business days after that. IF YOUR CHECK CLEARS AFTER THIS SECOND DATE AND THERE IS STILL ROOM AVAILABLE, I WILL CHARGE YOU AN EXTRA $45.00 FOR A WIRE TRANSFER, unless you were moved into the list of participants because somebody else was moved back to the waiting list or dropped out.

LOCATION

Cuzco is at an altitude of about 11,000 ft and the Mollepata trailreaches an altitude of 15,500 ft. Acclimatization is therefore very important. It is advisable that you begin your trip two days earlier, so as to arrive in Cuzco on Friday July 26. Saturday and Sunday can be profitably spent touring the area. Several tours are available for a small fee. Alternatively, you may wish to arrive on Thursday July 25, and spend Friday to Sunday on a trip to Lake Titicaca, which is at an elevation of 12,500 ft. The road reaches an altitude of around 17,000 ft, and the trip involves a short hike at 14,000 ft. This is an excellent way to acclimate. This trip costs around 240 USD, not including food.

Trip leaders' web page: www.picasaweb.google.com/zalikri; email address: zalikri@gmail.com

Pics:

https://picasaweb.google.com/zalikri/MollepataToMachuPicchu

https://picasaweb.google.com/zalikri/MollepataToMachuPicchu03

https://picasaweb.google.com/zalikri/MollepataToMachuPicchu02

https://picasaweb.google.com/zalikri/MollepataToMachuPicchu04

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 ).

Treated drinking water.

Train from Km 122 to Aguas Calientes.

Dinner at Aguas Calientes on Day Six.

Accommodation in Aguas Calientes in double rooms ( rooms with private bathroom and hot showers), breakfast included.

Bus from Aguas Calientes up to Machu Picchu and return.

Train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco or to Ollantaytambo (depending on availability)- VISTADOME CLASS

Transfer from train station to hotel.

Tips for support personnel.

Wire transfer processing fees.

Price does NOT include:
- Airfare: Atlanta/Lima/Atlanta or Lima/Cusco/Lima.
- Hotel expenses in Cuzco.
- 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.

If you cancel before the money has been wired to the tour operator your deposit will be refunded in full. Otherwise no refund is possible. However, it is possible to switch participants, provided the new participant qualifies and both agree. In that case I need to be informed of the proposed switch two weeks before the event starts.