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DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF TREKKING POLES AND BECOME AN EXPERT HIKER

21/04/2023 5:54 pm

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Have you ever wondered how useful trekking poles are? If you are passionate about nature and hiking trails, surely you have asked yourself this question. But, did you know that these poles can become your best ally during your excursions?

In this article, we present the 10 reasons why you should consider including trekking poles in your equipment for the next routes you do:

1.-They offer more support points: Trekking poles provide two additional support points, which is essential for multi-day hikes and extreme terrain. By using them, you engage the upper body and work 90% of the muscles, compared to the 60% that are used in normal walking.
2.-They improve the rhythm: By using the trekking poles, you will be able to set the pace of the march and increase speed. In addition, you can increase your calorie consumption by up to 45%, which makes them a guaranteed way to stay in shape.
3.-Improved traction and balance: Trekking poles are especially useful for terrain with snow, water, mud and loose rock, as they provide greater traction and balance. This increases your agility and therefore your pace and speed.
4.-They reduce the load on knees and ankles: Trekking poles have been shown to greatly relieve the lower extremities, avoiding knee and ankle injuries by involving the upper trunk. They reduce the impact on the knees by up to 25% and allow you to enjoy the activity for longer.
5.-They help control body posture: Long poles are ideal for straightening the back and improving posture and stability of the spine. In addition, many talk about its benefits for the neck, since they relax and massage the neck when walking with trekking poles.
6.-Move obstacles with them: Trekking poles make the path easier to travel, allowing you to easily move aside any obstacle that is in your path.
7.-They offer moments of rest: The poles are two new support points, which allow the weight of the back to be distributed and you feel lighter. Also, if you need a break, you can lean on them without any problem.
8.-Useful as a Probe: Trekking poles can act as a probe to examine the terrain and thus have more information about where you stand. This is of great help on all kinds of routes and trails, especially when going through the bush or high mountains.
9.-Useful for defending yourself: You never know what you might come across while hiking in the middle of a mountain. Trekking poles can become a defense weapon if necessary.
10.-Multiple uses: With hiking poles you can get poles for shelters, monopods for your best photos, stakes or splints for injuries.

17/03/2023 5:17 pm

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On December´s 2022 1st week of the month, the Peruvian protests seemed to be a left-wing only movement, where a great number of our society couldn’t comprehend the uprisings, on which the restitution of the former president, Pedro Castillo, was requested alongside the resignation of the now president, Dina Boluarte, because they considered the takeover as illegitimate, since she was the vice-president when he was elected president. This led to a posture from a different wing of society which asked to respect the constitution, the principle of authority and order in the country.

Between the second and the third week of that month, the citizens were divided since both postures became a reason for confrontations between these groups.

The left-wing group asked for the restitution of the former president and the resignation of the actual president, for congress to be closed, and a new constitution, while the right-wing group exhorted the people to look for peace and tranquility, this, through the “marches for peace”, most people considered the pleads the left-wing group formulated were anti-constitutional, and that they only generated chaos.

In midst of these protests, people appeared who promoted the violence, vandalism and destruction (Delinquents, outlaws, some left-wing leaders, political parties in anonymity), as well as the invasion of airports, road blockades, damage to private and public property.

To face these events, the government decided to send the Armed Forces with the goal of reinstating order. 

Unfortunately, the use of guns was inadequate and disproportionate for repelling the protests, causing human losses in the Apurimac and Ayacucho regions. As a consequence of the losses, people began to reject the government, and the number of demonstrators began to arise.

The left-wing began to promote massive demonstrations, calling upon different social organizations and some radical leaders started to manipulate its sindicato members with threats, mainly in rural communities and social organizations, these marches generated some confrontations between locals.

While the citizens were clashing, the government dedicated itself to minimize and discredit the protests while ignoring the pleas, deciding to strengthen the Armed Forces as a power of coercion, this attitude created frustration between the protesters.

Near Christmas Eve, the demonstrations halted, being postponed to January 4th in 2023 according to the announcement made by the radical leftwing social leaders.

In this period, the country found itself in peace, and most of the activities were resumed, the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu resumed their activities accordingly.

A great part of the population thought that the demonstrations were over and that this would be a new beginning that could lead to strengthening the productive activities in the country, especially in the tourist sector, due to the complications that tourists had to go through when in the country.

January 4th came and the demonstrations resumed, but now with fewer participants and it was believed that these would have little to no effect. As days went by, the volume of protestors increased, and road blockages, airport invasions and destruction of properties began once again.

 

To be continued…

 

04/03/2023 5:56 pm

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The head of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, belonging to the National Service of Protected Areas by the State (SERNANP), an entity in charge of the conservation of the biodiversity of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, carried out a cleaning campaign of the Inca Trail network on March 3. The goal was to ensure the conservation of the area and contribute as a state entity to providing guarantees so that passengers who hike the Inca Trail can have a pleasant experience during their journey.

 

The cleaning campaign was carried out thanks to a joint effort between Sernanp and the most important companies that operate the Inca Trail route to Machu Picchu. The campaign began early in the morning of March 3, where personnel from both Sernanp and the involved agencies departed from the city of Cusco towards Ollantaytambo station, where the team boarded the first train to Machu Picchu. From there, the train takes them to km 104 at Chachabamba checkpoint, which is the starting point of Route 05 of the Inca Trail network.

 

The personnel from Sernanp and the agencies involved in this campaign began the cleaning work from the Chachabamba checkpoint. The SERNANP representative mentioned the key points and activities to be followed, and the walk towards the Wiñaywayna archaeological center began, which lasted an average of 2 hours. Around this archaeological center are located the 18 campsites with the same name, which are used as camping sites by all the agencies that operate the Inca Trail, where travelers spend their last night before heading to the Inca city of Machu Picchu on the 4-day hike.

 

The cleaning work was executed in an average of 4 hours of hard work, where Wayki Trek participated alongside other companies in the sector. At around 2 pm, the cleaning work of all the campsites in this sector was concluded, collecting significant amounts of waste in general, which were taken to km 106 for proper treatment.

 

At Wayki Trek, we are not only committed to providing quality service but also to contributing to the conservation of the environment, which is an institutional objective. Therefore, we are very happy to be part of these cleaning campaigns and to contribute with our bit to the development of the activity in a sustainable way.

02/03/2023 6:49 pm

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On March 1st, 2023, the Inca Trail officially resumed its activities with the presence of government officials, tour operators, visitors, guides, cooks, porters, and the local population. The population received the reopening with great joy, with music, dances, and offerings to Mother Earth, among other activities.

The Inca Trail, being one of the most spectacular hikes in the world, its reopening means a great relief and hope for visitors, the tourism sector, and local families who benefit from this activity in the Cusco region and the country. In recent years, this hike has been severely affected by the pandemic and even in recent months by social conflicts within the country. This is an opportunity that must be seized by the government and local actors to reactivate and move forward with dedication and hard work, providing the best experiences to visitors.

Government officials are committed to providing all the facilities to complete the 4-day hike. This opening allows the visit of thousands of travelers who can hike through pedestrian paths over 5 centuries old that united the great Inca cities, and that have as a final destination “Machu Picchu”, with an impressive landscape surrounded by mountains, valleys, glaciers, rivers, and abundant flora and fauna with very variant microclimates, becoming the seventh wonder of the world.

Keep in mind that spaces are limited with a capacity of 500 visitors per day, this number of visitors includes tourists, guides, cooks, and porters, which means approximately 180 to 200 travelers per day and 320 to 300 workers per day. This number of spaces is quickly exhausted, to make a reservation you will need to:

  • Select a travel agency or tour operator of your preference, tour operators are authorized by government entities and must comply with all requirements to organize a hike.
  • Request an Inca Trail permit through your travel agency, for which you will need to provide your personal information and a deposit for the purchase of the permits. The deposit amount will be set by your travel agency and you.
  • It is important to use the personal information found in your passport, as they will require your passport to enter the Inca Trail and verify your personal information.

Written by Leo Cusi , 22/02/2023 7:16 pm

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The importance of travel insurance.

 

If you are planning to travel abroad or visit Peru, be assured that this destination offers a wealth of natural and cultural richness, an exquisite gastronomy, not to mention the enigmatic Machu Picchu in the middle of the Andean glaciers, mountains, valleys and rainforest.

Traveling out of your homeland can sometimes involve certain risks, such as delays or missed flights, hotels, tours, luggage and health issues, due to natural phenomena, social conflicts or other incidents.

In case any inconvenience arises during your trip, a travel policy guarantees the reimbursement of your money or a postponement without any additional charge.

In order to safeguard your integrity and make possible a pleasant trip without any concerns, we at Wayki Trek suggest you purchase an international travel insurance plan for your trip. We suggest obtaining this option for the above mentioned reasons, such insurance companies can be found in your country of origin, with many options.

What should you consider when choosing a traveler’s insurance?

Before purchasing we recommend you to take into consideration the coverages and exceptions of each policy, since some companies require you to purchase the insurance days before the trip.

 

The following are the most important factors to take into account:

– Type of coverage: Pay attention to the type of coverage offered by the insurance companies. As we have already seen, this will depend on your trip and your needs. For example, if your trip is short and you only want to take hand luggage, it is convenient that the policy contemplates it by eliminating the extra luggage insurance fee.

– Cost of each service: At this point the variables are many, since some insurance companies vary their rates depending on the ages and destinations. Some insurances have a higher cost for travelers over 65 years of age or for children. This is due to the fact that they are exposed to greater possibilities of getting sick or needing more extensive medical attention than other age groups.

– Travel destination and stay: If your destination is abroad, it is advisable to purchase traveler’s insurance, since health coverage guarantees personalized attention at a lower cost than if you had to go to a health center on your own.

 

Tip: If you have questions about what is covered by an insurance plan (before or after purchase), be sure to contact a licensed insurance agent for any clarification – never assume that something as fundamental as medical prescriptions will automatically be covered by your plan.

 

We made it to the end my Waykis!

I hope this brief article can be of use in your travel arrangements, and if you would like to stay informed about the best travel protection measures for your trips… contact us and we will be happy to help you.

 

Miguel Paredes, Wayki Trek guide.

Written by Leo Cusi , 22/02/2023 7:04 pm

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Political crisis and its effect on the markets.

 

 

As an expedition tour guide, it is hard for me to believe all the events that are taking place in 2023 in my beloved Peru. However, I wish to provide general information about some of the challenges that Peru will have to face in 2023, to move forward. 

This country has a lot of historical, natural, and cultural wealth. In early 2022, the main challenges that Peru faced were the negative effects left by COVID-19. 

Pandemic times that have had a significant impact on the Peruvian economy, causing a decrease in economic activity, increased unemployment and inflation, and a decrease in foreign investment, the government and private sector will need to work together to implement measures to boost the economy and create jobs.

Cusco, my thousand-year-old city, whose main industry is Tourism, was affected by the consequences of COVID-19, but we were courageous and fortunate to return to our normal life. We worked on the economic recovery of our main activity and this effort brought positive results. 

However, in 2023, Peru was once again attacked by the virus of political corruption.

Peru is going through tough situations, which are accompanied by violence with confrontations between Peruvians, due to a system of government, to which we are exposed generation after generation.

The fight against corruption is a long-standing problem in Peru. In the last few years, the country has been splashed by a series of corruption scandals involving politicians, public officials, companies and even non-public individuals.

The anti-corruption fight is growing, and today I can be witness of this historical moment, the uneasiness, the upset, the discontent, the indignation, there seems to be no longer fear and there is a willingness to change things.

It is a social movement that is not waiting for leadership, but generating them, this struggle is generalized to all ages who reason and analyze.

This situation is bringing some other problems that affect the city, such as food shortages in Cusco, the situation of the markets is being critical because, with the road blockade, the normal transit of trucks transporting fruits and vegetables to supply the wholesale markets of different cities is prevented. This situation generates shortages and product price increase.

On the other hand, the issue of climate change is also an important factor for scarcity in Peru. My country is home to varied ecosystems, such as the Amazon rainforest, the Andean Mountain region.

This last year I was able to experience firsthand the lack of rainfall in its respective season, which caused a low production of potatoes, corn, meat & vegetables in general. We must understand that this situation is global and in some cases the damage is irreversible against our mother nature. Let’s take care of the “Pachamama” since we are the only ones responsible for doing something about it.

Finally, I would like to mention that Peru will also have to address the social and economic disparities that persist in the country. Despite progress in recent years, poverty and inequality remain elevated, especially in rural areas and among indigenous communities. After a thorough analysis, the government must implement policies to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion to build a more prosperous and equitable society 

I am not in favor of violence; however I am tired of the same political system that has been subjugating me for all these years, damaging my country and my hometown of Cusco, which today is seriously affected by the uncertainty in all our potential visitors and generated a bad reputation in the eyes of the world.

I hope this will be over soon, I believe that my children and the population in general will be able to enjoy a new and strengthened Peru.

Miguel Paredes, Wayki Trek guide.

Written by Leo Cusi , 16/01/2023 7:30 pm

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THE SOURCE OF THE POLITICAL CRISIS IN PERU

On the latest presidential election of April 5th, 2021, 14 different candidates from various political parties were running for office on the ballots. From this pool of contenders, the ones who made it to the second electoral round were Keiko Fujimori, a right-wing candidate, daughter of Alberto Fujimori (Peruvian former president involved in acts of corruption who is currently in prison for crimes committed during his government, as well as for the coup d’état of 1993), and Pedro Castillo, a rural teacher and teachers’ union leader with a left-wing agenda, a character unheard of by the vast majority of Peruvians at that time.

During this second round of elections, a large percentage of Peruvians rejected Fujimori due to her father´s criminal history and an anti-Fujimorism phenomenon was generated as a result. At this moment the option of Pedro Castillo became a real possibility for Peruvians; a man who had great support from the rural population, despite the lack of organization and improvisation that existed in his party and his team.

Pedro Castillo became the winner of the elections with a certified majority of 50.13% against the 49.87% of Keiko Fujimori.

Pedro Castillo began his presidential term on July 28th, 2021. However, as time went by, he began to replace his secretaries of state in a disproportionate manner. In the brief first sixteen months of his tenure, 78 high level officials were swapped on his administration, an anomaly that exposed the instability in the executive branch. On the other hand, the opposition congressmen gave rise to accusations on Pedro Castillo, his secretaries and government officials on acts of corruption and other irregularities, pushing for his removal from office.

The opposition party submitted to congress, on two different occasions, a motion for the removal of the president from office due to moral incapacity, an action that came without fruition due to a lack of the required votes needed for such action.

A new motion of removal was submitted for a third time with “overwhelming evidence”, according to the opposition party. A debate for this action was scheduled in congress on December 7th, 2022, at 3:00 P.M. That same day, at 11:30 A.M., Pedro Castillo gave his infamous message declaring a coup d’état, as he tried to dissolve congress and several important institutions of the state. However, he did not have the support of the armed forces, therefore this coup d’état was never fulfilled.

The political constitution of Peru considers the coup d’état as a serious crime since it attempts against the constitutional order. Hours after his message, Pedro Castillo was arrested by the authorities and is still imprisoned while the ongoing investigations of the failed coup d’état last.

That same day, demonstrations originated by Castillo’s supporters demanded the dismantling of congress, the resignation of the interim president who succeeded him in office and the immediate release of Pedro Castillo. The general population was shocked and incredulous of what was happening; the presence of extremist groups from the left and right emerged, each promoting demonstrations in favor of their own interests, intimidating the citizens, and generating attacks to private and state property.

According to specialists, the demands from the left regarding the dissolution of congress, the resignation of the interim president, the release of Pedro Castillo and the immediate elections are constitutionally unfeasible, as these requirements must be met according to the regulatory frameworks governing the country.

Faced with the government’s refusal to meet the demands of the demonstrators, violent protests began on their behalf by blocking highways, airports and continuing the destruction of state and private property.

As a result of these actions, law enforcement agencies came out to rebuke demonstrators by using tear gas, buck shots and prohibited weapons on society, with disgraceful results and a loss of lives. All these actions have caused the government to declare a state of emergency in several regions of the country for a month, to restore peace.

Currently, union leaders from the left and the right are manipulating and coercing local union members to go out to these demonstrations by the muscle of their union organizations, threatening them with burdensome fines and sanctions if they do not participate.

The Peruvian population denounce the actions of demonstrators who provoke violence, as well as the disproportionate actions of the armed forces, which have resulted in human losses on both sides of the political spectrum. The only thing that most of the Peruvian people demand is that this crisis ends promptly and that peace is reestablished.

To be continued…

Written by Wayki Trek, 14/08/2022 9:18 pm

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We made a list of recommendations to pack your backpack for the Inca Trail and Salkantay trek.

Recommendations to pack your backpack for the Inca Trail and Salkantay trek

  1. A backpack is a bag of bags, which means that we will separate things into bags inside, in order to order them and find them more easily and quickly.
  2. You must choose a backpack according to your height and that above all you are capable of carrying, do not overload it to the limit remember that you must walk its good steps on more than one occasion.
  3. The total weight of your backpack must not exceed 20% of your weight.
  4. Before putting things away, we will organize them: toiletries, underwear, eating utensils and try to put them in the outer pockets of your backpack, so you will have them within reach.
  5. Inside, you must order long pants, shorts, t-shirts, long and short sleeves, cotton polo shirt (a couple of changes of clothes), socks, jacket and a rain poncho for the rainy season.
  6. What cannot be missing is your “ALWAYS READY”, here you must take basic necessities such as: thread, needle, band-aid patch, aspirin, tweezers, a match box protected in a bag (so it does not get wet).

IMPORTANT: Do not bring items that are not essential, since the load will be heavy.

Why choose Wayki Tre to going to Machu Picchu?

machu picchu

We’ve worked with hundreds of guides, cooks and porters, many of whom have gone on to start their own successful businesses.

We are a local company, formed in 1998 by a group of experienced tour guides from different rural communities and with a vast professional experience.

Throughout our 20 years of operation, we have been pioneers in professionalizing the experience on the Inka Trail.

Make more than 18,000 clients from different parts of the world happy.

We work hard on the personal and professional development of our employees and the rural population.

As a result, many of our porters have been promoted to cooks and guides. Also, many of our guides today have their own travel agencies.

For more information, registrate here!

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Trekking & Tours

CONTACT US

Don't be told, live it! Wayki Trek is a Tour Company in Cusco, Peru specializing in Inca Trails to Machu Picchu, Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu and tours around Cusco region, with environmental and social responsibility always as a priority

Dónde encontrarnos: Calle Quera 239 Cusco – Perú

Horario comercial: de lunes a viernes de 9:00 a 18:00 / sábados de 9:00 a 13:00 (GMT -05: 00)

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Para reservas: + (51) 1-251-8796
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Emergencias: + (51) 984-693-474 / + (51) 958-317-303

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