Do you have a Bucket List Trip? Is Machu Picchu on that list? Have you always wanted to go with a group of like-minded adventure travelers? You are in luck….
The MSL Society will now be offering an Annual Bucket List Trip!
The MSL Society is not only dedicated to helping MSLs and MSL leaders advance in their careers but also building a community. Our Annual Bucket List Trip will be one more opportunity to bring the MSL community together!
Join us on our inaugural trip as we explore the lost city of Machu Picchu. In a spectacular location, it’s the best-known archaeological site on the South American continent and we can’t wait to discover this awe-inspiring ancient city with MSL friends!
Who can participate?
This is an adults only trip and everyone participating must be over 21 years old. All expenses will be paid by each individual participating. The MSL Society is only responsible for coordinating the trip with a professional tour guide.
Please read carefully the following information for a detailed overview of the itinerary and have a better understanding of the travel requirements.
July 24 – 27, 2018
Machu Picchu – Peru / Brazil
Start and End Times
July 23 @ 7:00 pm (Pre-departure briefing at 7:00 pm the night before)
July 24 @ 5:40 am (Departure from Hotel)
July 27 @ 7:00 pm (Departure from Peru)




Health & Fitness
You must advise the travel agency of any medical problems or allergies. You need to be in good physical health and if your health is questionable, then you should consult a doctor. If you are over the age of 69, then you will need to present us with a current medical certificate as Lares trek goes to 4600 Meters Above Sea Level.
A 4 Day / 3 Night Private Group Trek through Lares Valley & Short Inca Trail
Day 1 - Cusco -Urubamba- Pumahuanca (Start of our Trek)
Pick up from your Hotel in Cusco. Our private bus leaves Cusco at 05:40am for a scenic drive through the Sacred Valley, passing through Chincheros and stopping in the town of Urubamba, (2,700 meters above sea level) for a brief toilet break and the chance to buy any last minute snacks, water, etc, Small packed breakfast is served here. Departing Urubamba around 07:15, we have a further 20 minutes drive to the beginning of the Pumahuanca Valley, land of the famous white corn crops and the Chicha, the Inca´s favorite corn beer. This is the place where we will meet our horses and handlers, (arrieros), and trek staff. All of our required equipment will be carried by mules and horses. We commence our hike through this beautiful polylepis qeuñas Valley in the Andes with a gentle switchback ascent on a gravel path from 2,800 mt to 3,600 mt with stunning views of the surrounding valley and mountains. 4 hours walk to the Inca complex of Inca–Kancha for a guided visit, and where we stop for our first lunch. Our expert cook will indulge you with delicious Peruvian dishes. Time to relax or a little nap, Continuing afterward along the way you will be able to observe native trees of qeuñas, eucaliptus, then we reach a small Andean community of P´accha, spectacular mountain landscapes, herds of llamas, alpacas, sheeps and goats. Then final 2 hours further we will reach a series of small waterfalls and beautiful campsite named Cuyoc, our first campsite at 4,000 meters above sea level. Meals: B,L,D – Snacks Accommodation: Camping Tents for 2 ppl
Maximum Altitude: 4,000m/13123ft / Minimum Altitude: 2,800m/9186ft
Distance Travelled: approx 14km / Approximate Walking Time: 7 hours
Day 2: Cuyoc – Pumahuanca Pass – Lares Hot Springs Campsite
Early wake up at 06:00 am with a cup of coca leaf tea, then a good breakfast with quinua panqueques. At 07:00 am we recommence our trek with scenic views of Chicon, San Juan and Veronica mountains. Surrounded by a native forest for a challenging 4 hours climb along a dirt road with some stone steps, in some parts there are zig zag switchbacks toward the Pumahuanca Pass located at 4,580 meters above sea level (A sacred Apacheta is a series of piled stones, made by pilgrims as a symbol of gratitude and respect to the Apus), Once we get to the pass we honor the top of this mountain with coca leaves as is the local customs. Enjoy the amazing views of part of Moray, Maras and Salineras. Then we are ready to descend for an hour along a stone road with a nice view on both sides, arriving to enjoy lunch near impressive lakes by which we rest. After our lunch we walk for 2 more hours mainly downhill and enroute we will meet some local campesinos (people of the local village) in colorful costumes as is traditional with all villages around Lares. Impressive landscape views, mountains, flocks of llamas and alpacas. Cuncani is the major district in the area., located at 3,750 meters above sea level, where, before our final part of our trek, . At this little village we have the chance to visit the house of our arriero who will share with us how they live in a simple way in deep connection with nature, preserving traditional customs in agriculture, weavings, showing their textile skills from generations past, use of medicinal plants etc. Then our transportation will go to pick you up and then will go to Lares village, once we arrive to the pools, we can soak in the springs. The village is also very famous for its medicinal hot springs and we are going to enjoy our Dinner on the camp site next to pools of natural hot springs.
Day 3: Short Inca Trail Train to Km 104. Sunset at Machu Picchu. Night in Aguas Calientes
Early pick up from the campsite at Lares at 4:00 am to take you on a journey of 3.5 hours, with a private transportation to train station in Ollantaytambo. Here we board the Expedition train, travel by train for 1 hr and 45 minutes to Km 104 (start of our trek). At Km 104 after submitting passports at check control point, we began to walk softly around meters Vilcanota River then gradually to walk up around 600 mts. Starting we will see the ruins of Chachabamba, a stone altar -site that was used to worship the sun and mountains around, still revered by local people . After visiting Chachabamba, we continue the path south and started a gradual climb to the mountain, before entering a cloud forest , overgrown , then the trail leaves the forest and goes west while continuing uphill in an open meadow . After walking 3 hours, the road descends into a forest amazing. Here you will find a beautiful waterfall, then get to the bottom of the ruins of Winaywayna. Appreciate the beauty of this place, information from our expert guide. After lunch at Winaywayna, we will continue in the afternoon in the cloud forest, filled with bromeliads, orchids and tree ferns . As we walk the last part of the way we pass many impressive features such as the stone stairs and drums (“resting places”). You climb 60 stairs before you reach Inti Punku (“Sun Gate”). From this point, you can see and observe this wonderful place. Then descend for 45 minutes to get to the viewpoint of the famous place, from here you can watch the sunset. Descend to the entry of Machu Picchu where we board the bus to Aguas Calientes. Accommodation and Dinner included, rest, plans and arrangements for tomorrow. Overnight at Viajeros Hostel or up-grade accommodation upon your request.
Meals: LD/Accommodation: Viajeros Hostel Double,
Maximum Altitude:2680m/8792ft / Minimum Altitude:2100m/6888ft
Distance Travelled:7 Km aprox. / Approximate Walking Time:6 – 7 Hours
Day 4: Early walk or bus to Machu Picchu. Climb to HuaynaPicchu (Optional)
Breakfast from 04:30 am then board the first bus to Machu Picchu at 05:20, the park opens at 6:00 am. We have a guided tour of Machu Picchu, this enigmatic and mysterious city is explored for about 2-3 hours explained by your expert guide, you can visit the most amazing places as the Royal Mausoleum, the Temple of the three windows, the main temple , the Sacred Plaza , the famous Intihuatana where wise Inkas tied to the sun in the winter solstice in June , stairways , plazas , fountains, etc. (You usually have about 5-6 hours after extra time off).
Optional walks to Inca Bridge and Huaynapicchu mt (check availability previously).
After finishing our masterful visit, we walk down to Aguas Calientes 1 hr, (option with bus down to pay $ 12.00 pp) Hotel Viajeros await us with a delicious lunch with our group. Then we have some free time to explore this quaint village before boarding our train back to Cusco
The train departs Aguas Calientes in the afternoon at 16:45 pm and arrives in Cusco (Poroy train station ) at 8:30 pm , then moved for 25 minutes to Cusco. .
Meals:BL / Maximum Altitude:2400m/7872ft
Minimum Altitude:2100m/6888ft / Distance Travelled:9 km approx
Approximate Walking Time:4 – 5 Hours
Pricing
$690.00 Per Person ($300 Deposit at registration)
This price is for the 4 day tour and includes the following:
- Pre-departure briefing at 7:00 pm the night before of your tour in our office.
- Collection from your hotel in Cusco from (05:30 am) or from Sacred Valley.
- Private bus to Pumahuanca (Start of our trek).
- Breakfast in Urubamba in our farm house, bathrooms available.
- 11 Full meals for the entire tour (4 Breakfast, 4 Lunch 3 Dinner) + snacks (vegetarian, vegan option, gluten, wheat free or special diets upon your request.)
- Permit and fees for Short Inca Trail Park and Machu Picchu Sanctuary.
- Porters to carry (camping equipment: client tents, dinning and cooking tents, table, stools, cooking gear, stove, gas container, cutlery, plates, food and fresh vegetables).
- 2 Excellent experienced top tour guides (9-16 person / 6-8 with 1 tour guide)
- 2 expert gourmet mountain cooks, assistants.
- Happy hour with macho-tea and hot drinks every afternoon on camp.
- Boiled water provided from 2nd day.
- A gentle start to the day with a wake up coca tea in your tent.
- 2 person per tent clean, new, spacious (4 person dome igloo tents).
- Thick, comfortable sleeping mattress, (Pillows by request)
- Buckets of hot water for washing in your tent every day.
- Biodegradable soap and hand cleansing gel.
- Emergency First-aid kit and Oxygen assistance.
- 3-4 hours guided tour in Machu Picchu and extra time for yourself.
- Bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes town.
- Buffet Lunch in Aguas Calientes after Machu Picchu. Time to go to the hot springs or shop around the village.
- Tourist Expedition train return to Poroy Station and bus to Cusco (Return to Plaza Regocijo end of our tour.)
What is not included:
- Sleeping bag (4 season -Minus 8ºC) $20
- Tips for the trekking crew, guides, cooks and porters at your discretion. $50 per person.
- Hot Springs in Aguas Calientes. Optional (10 soles)
- Flight Ticket to Cusco. Accommodation in Cusco. see recommendation
- Travel Insurance- eg: World Nomade (check that your insurance covers you for treks above 4,200 meters above sea level)
Questions? contact:
Lisa Bourbeau – lisa.bourbeau@themsls.org – 919-928-3739
Be Aware: You will need 2 to 3 days to acclimate to the altitude so we recommend arriving in Cusco by Saturday, July 21, 2018
Things recommended to bring
- Original passport.
- A comfortable 45 Lt trek backpack if you want to carry all your belongings.
- A small daypack to carry your personal belongings
- Warm sleeping bag Minus 8ºC
- Lighter style trekking boots with good ankle support or tough sport shoes, (light sandals or clogs are recommended to rest at campsites).
- Trekking poles with rubber tips. (metal tips are not allowed on the trail).
- Warm clothes, layers for variable temperature especially at night
- Thermal underwear can be worn in the sleeping bag or in cold conditions
- Gloves or mittens, scarf, wool socks, woolen hat for cold nights
- T-shirts and trekking pants that zip off to short pants for comfort
- Flash light, head torch and extra batteries
- Camera and extra batteries, – Binoculars
- Wear a hat with a broad visor to keep the sun off your face
- Sunscreen, and sunglasses
- Personal medical kit, insect repellent
- Rain Gear: a good rain jacket, rain poncho
- Toiletries, toilet paper, small towel
- 2-liter water bottle (disposable plastic bottles are forbidden).
- Bathing suits for hot springs for hikers with a night in Aguas Calientes (5 Day Special Inca Trail)
- Extra money for drinks en route, Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes. ($10-15)
- Tips for (porters, cooks, guides. ($30-40) Not mandatory.
- Emergency money at least 200-300 soles ($ 120)
Additional information
- 32 spaces are available and reservations can be made at any time as long permits are available for purchase
- You must carry your original passport on the trail, if you do not take the correct original passport as indicated in your permit, the control will annul your permit and refuse you entrance to the trail. If for any reason, you organize a new passport after we have purchased your permits, you must bring the old passport with you, or if this is impossible, advice us in writing with a scan of the old passport and your new passport for us to present to the INC with official documentation to avoid problems. Administration charge for this formal change is (US$ 15 pp).
- Deposit is Non-Refundable