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Inca Trail 4 day Trek - Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How far in
advance do I need to make a trek reservation?
A1: As far in advance as possible. The
government has strictly limited the number of people permitted on
the Inca Trail (permits are issued to about 200 trekkers per day
plus 300 porters). We therefore recommend that you
try to make your Inca trail reservation as far in advance as
possible as soon as you know the dates of your international
flights. The list of available trek spaces is shown on our
Inca trail main page and is updated
2 or 3 times a week. As long as dates are shown available then you
can make a trek booking. Dates that have been removed are either fully booked or because there
are a limited number of trek permits remaining on a specific day have dropped
to a dangerously low level so we have stopped taking further
bookings (even though the group is not full) and have had to buy
the trek permits for the group. We have included recommendations below,
as a guide as to when to make a trek booking.
Nov, Dec, Jan & March:
Reservation should be made at least 2.5 months in advance
April, May, Sept, Oct: In 2007
most trek permits were sold out 3 months in advance. In 2008 we
therefore recommend making a reservation at least 4 months in
advance, although further in advance is recommended.
June, Jul, Aug: In 2007 most
trek permits were sold out 4 months in advance. For 2008 we
recommend making a trek booking between 5 and 6 months in advance.
Earlier is better.
Q2: What about
payment, do you need a deposit?
A2: After we have confirmed your trek booking
you will need to pay a trek deposit of US$175 per person. The deposit can be paid by
PayPal (preferred method as it is quick and relatively cheap), Western Union money
transfer or by bank transfer. UK clients can also pay their
deposits into our UK Lloyds TSB account (no transfer fee).
The remaining trek balance needs to be
paid in our office in Cusco at least 2 days prior to the trek departure date,
before 7pm. Unfortunately
this year we are no longer making any exceptions to this policy
even if our clients pay in full, in advance and have already been
at high altitude prior to arriving in Cusco. We are strict on this
point ! .
Payment is
to be made in cash (US dollars or local currency) or by American
Express travel checks (3% commission charged).
When we confirm your trek booking we will send you details about
how to pay the trek deposit.
Q3: Is the trek
difficult, do I need to be fit?
A3: The Inca Trail is
a 43km (26 mile) hike through mountainous regions. The maximum
altitude reached is 4200m above sea level. On the second day of
the trek we climb 1200m. Make no mistake,
the Inca Trail is a fairly difficult trek and you should be well
prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You have to be
moderately fit and take regular exercise. Try walking 15km in a
day or go to the gym in the months leading up to the trek. It is
also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to
spend 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3400m) prior to starting the trek.
This time can be put to good use visiting the city of Cusco,
nearby Inca ruins and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The good
news is that virtually everyone in the last few years
who started the trek finished it !
Only a handful had to turn back. (see tips on staying healthy on the trail below).
Q4: Is there a minimum or maximum
age limit for the Inca Trail trek
A4: There is no government restriction
on the age limit for the Inca Trail. However as a responsible
trekking company Peru Treks does not accept reservations for
children under the age of 7 years old. All children under 18 years
old must also be accompanied by an adult. We require that all of
our trekkers over 59 years old hire the service of an extra third
porter (6kg, US$35). We recommend that if you are over 59 years
old you should talk to your doctor
well in advance about how best to plan for the trek and also to
ensure that your travel insurance covers such adventure
activities. We also insist that clients over 59 years old arrive in Cusco at least 3 days
prior to starting the trek (rather than the usual 2 days). For trekkers over 64 years old we also
ask you to bring a letter from your doctor confirming that you are
fit to participate in the trek. Unfortunately if you fail to bring
a letter from your doctor we cannot allow you to start the trek
and your trek deposit cannot be returned. We do not accept
bookings from single trekkers over 59 years old (i.e. trekkers
travelling on their own), sorry.
Q5:
Having paid my trek deposit can I turn up in Cusco the day before
to pay the balance?
A5: No. We require
everyone to be in Cusco at least 2 days prior to starting the
trek, although 3 days is even better. Therefore if your trek
departs on a Monday you must come to our office before 7pm on
Saturday to pay the trek
balance. This ensures that everyone in the group is well
acclimatized to the high altitude. Unfortunately this year we are
no longer making any exceptions to this policy even if our clients
have already been at high altitude
prior to arriving in Cusco. We are strict on this point ! (Please
note the trek balance needs to be paid in Cusco, and cannot be
paid in advance of your arrival).
Q6: What do I need to
bring on the trek?
A6: Backpack,
sleeping bag, double-thickness foam mattress (we will provide you with this
but you have to carry it, it weighs approx 1kg), rain
jacket, strong footwear, one complete change of clothing, sweater,
jacket (something warm), water bottle (metal or nalgene
type) and sterilizing tablets
(Micropur are recommended and can be bought in local pharmacies in
Cusco), flashlight and batteries, broad-brim or peaked cap,
sunblock, insect repellent, toiletries and toilet paper, selection
of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits etc, camera and
spare batteries (nowhere to charge your camera during the
trek). You also have to
bring your original passport with
you on the trek, with the
same passport number
you originally made your reservation with.
Otherwise you will be unable to go on the trek. Photocopies are no
longer acceptable.
Q7: What do I need to
carry?
A7: Unless you hire
an extra 'third of a porter' you will need to carry all of the above
personal items. We
include porters to carry all the other items such as tents, food
and cooking equipment.
Q8: Do I need
to bring walking boots?
A8: Walking
boots are recommended as they provide support to the ankle which
reduces the risk of injury especially when trekking in the wet
season (December - March). However it is important that your boots
are comfortable and well worn-in and not brand new. Many people
prefer to trek in tennis shoes but extra care should be taken. We
do not recommend trekking in sandals or using new boots or hiring
boots prior to the trek. Make sure the shoes are sturdy enough for
the duration of the trek and will not fall apart.
Q9: Can I use
trekking poles / walking sticks on the Inca Trail?
A9: Many
people like to hike with trekking poles or walking sticks. This is
fine as long as the poles will not cause damage to the stone
paving along the Inca Trail. If the trekking poles have metal
spikes then these must be protected by rubber tips. We recommend
bringing some spare rubber tips with you. Rubber protectors can also
be bought in several shops in Cusco. Wooden walking sticks are
obviously fine as long as you bring them with you from home.
Recently government authorities have stopped trekkers using wooden
sticks that could have come from local forests (to prevent
deforestation of protected Andean forests). In Ollantaytambo on
the way to the start of the trek you can currently buy wooden
broom handles that have been decorated that can be used in an
emergency !!! Metal trekking poles can also be hired in many
equipment hire shops in Cusco for about US3 per day.
Q10: Where can I
store the bags that I do not need to take on the Inca Trail?
Q10:
Any bags that you
don't need to take on the Inca trail can be left at your hotel in
Cusco. Nearly all hotels have a luggage deposit and rarely charge
for this service as long as you are returning to the hotel after
the trek. You can also leave valuables in the hotel safe,
but remember to bring your passport and some emergency money.
Q11: Should I hire an
extra porter ('third of a porter')?
A11: About
30% of the group hire the services of an extra
porter to carry their personal items. A 'third of an porter' can be hired for US$35
for the 4 day trek (includes porters entrance fees, meals,
transport and wages). If you hire the services of a third of a porter
you can give
him a maximum
of
6kg (13lbs) to carry
which is usually sufficient for your sleeping bag
(about 2.5kg), mattress (1kg) and change
of clothes (about 3kg). However the porter will not walk at your side during
the trek so you will still need to bring a day pack to carry
essential items such as water, snacks, camera, warm sweater and
rain jacket. When you pay the trek balance in our office in Cusco
we will give you a duffle bag
so that you can
put your items in that, which you will give to the porter on the day of the trek.
Q12: Can I wait
until Cusco to hire an extra porter ('third of a porter')?
A12: No. The
restrictions on the number of people permitted on the Inca trail
includes porters. Porters also have to pay a trek entrance fee
(about US$14) and their tickets need to be booked in advance. If you
want to hire the services of a third of a porter (US$35,
maximum 6kg) then you must let us know at the time you make your
trek booking. Unfortunately if you feel weakened by the effects of
the altitude when you arrive in Cusco and feel it necessary to
hire a porter at the last minute the new regulations make it
impossible for us to arrange this. However on the trek itself the
guide can often help you find "unofficial porters" who live at
Wayllabamba (first campsite) who can help you with your equipment
from Wayllabamba up to the top of the first pass (the most
difficult section of the trail). These porters charge about US$15
for their services but they cannot always be relied upon.
Peru Treks cannot accept responsibility for the services provided
by these porters.
Q13: Do Peru Treks &
Adventure care for their porters?
A13: Peru Treks &
Adventure pays our porters 168 Soles for the 4 day trek
plus their transport costs. This is the legally required wage
agreed with the Porters Union. Although
all trekking companies should pay this wage it is estimated that
only about 20% actually do so. We are enthusiastic supporters on porters rights and
have contributed regularly to campaigns such as Porters Inka Ñan
(Peru Porters Project)
www.peruweb.org/porters. However improving porter welfare is
not just about paying fair wages. It is important that the porters
have adequate food, a warm dry place to sleep and access the
medical attention just the same as any other member of the group.
The wages that the
porters get paid are by no means high by Western standards but you
have to look at wages relative to other professions in Peru. A
school teacher gets paid the equivalent of about US$250
per month and has trained for 5 years to become professional. A
porter, if he departs 4 times a month receives just a little less
than this if you include his tips. Most porters are seasonal
workers and have no formal qualifications. For just 16 days work
per month
they receive wages similar to a teacher
who has to work 22 days. Peru Treks & Adventure
also
tries to help the porters in a different way.
We are unique in the fact that we donate a percentage of
our profits to community projects in the Andean villages from
where many of the porters come from. In this way we help directly
in the education of some of the porters' children. For
details and photos of the projects we have undertaken so far
please see our Community Projects page.
However, we realize that Peru Treks & Adventures is by no means
perfect and we have many things to learn and to improve upon with
respect to porter welfare. We are working in a competitive market
and have to be realistic about our goals. If we implemented all
the projects that we would like to do the cost of our trek would
probably be so high you would likely end up trekking with
one of our competitors!
Q14: What is the
weather like on the trek?
A14:
Average weather
conditions in Cusco and on the Inca Trail
|
|
J
|
F
|
M
|
A
|
M
|
J
|
J
|
A
|
S
|
O
|
N
|
D
|
|
Av. Max Temp
ºC
|
20
|
21
|
21
|
22
|
21
|
21
|
21
|
21
|
22
|
22
|
23
|
22
|
|
Av. Max Temp ºF |
68 |
70 |
70 |
72 |
70 |
70 |
70 |
70 |
72 |
72 |
73 |
72 |
|
Av. Min Temp
ºC
|
7
|
7
|
7
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
-1
|
1
|
4
|
6
|
6
|
7
|
|
Av. Min Temp ºF |
45 |
45 |
45 |
40 |
36 |
34 |
30 |
34 |
40 |
43 |
43 |
45 |
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Wet days
/ month
|
18
|
13
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11
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8
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3
|
2
|
2
|
2
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7
|
8
|
12
|
16
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Q15: How warm are the sleeping
bags that your rent?
A15: Our sleeping bags
are rated to temperatures as low as -11ºC but are more suitable for temperatures of about
-7ºC. Since you won't find temperatures as low as this on the Inca Trail we rate
them as very warm and cozy! We charge US$15 per
person for the 4 day/3 night trek. We will give you the sleeping bag one day in advance.
On the morning of the 4th day of the trek the cook will have
instructions to collect the sleeping bag and bring it back to the office.
After renting out our standard sleeping bags 15 times we
give them to our porters to use. Our sleeping bags are synthetic (easily
washed) and weigh 2.5kg.
Q16: Are there toilets
on the Inca Trail?
A16: Since the
beginning of 2003 many new, flush toilets have been built along
the Inca trail including all of the major campsites. This has helped
a lot
to improve conditions and to protect the environment.
Q17: What is the
maximum group size?
A17: The maximum size of our Inca Trail 4 day
group service is 16 persons. For groups of
over 8 persons we also employ an assistant guide to help out.
Q18: Is there a
minimum group size and what happens if Peru Treks does not meet
the minimum size?
A18: We require a
minimum group size of just 6 persons to depart.
During the last 3 years Peru Treks managed to meet the minimum
group size for ALL of our departure dates and have not had to cancel any group departures
or have to combine with any other trekking company or accept clients from any other
trekking company in Cusco. However each year, due to high demand
and limited numbers of trek permits, we are having to close our
groups further and further in advance so we expect our group sizes
to be smaller and it is becoming more difficult to fill the
groups.
If in the event that we do not reach the
minimum required number of persons we will combine our clients
with another trekking company of similar or higher cost. Our first
choice is to work with the company Qente who offers a high quality
service. If however Qente does not have a trek on the required
date or we do not consider the chosen guide to be of sufficiently
high quality then we reserve the right to combine with any other
suitably professional trekking agency. Unlike many other trekking
agencies, including some of the most expensive, we will not
re-sell your trek to a cheaper, inferior company. There will be NO
trek surcharge when combining with a more expensive trekking
company as Peru Treks & Adventure will accept responsibility for
this extra cost. However we cannot guarantee that porters used by
other companies will receive the same treatment and high pay as
provided by Peru Treks, although we do our best.
Q19: Do you buy the trek permits
straight away?
A19: No. Buying the trek permits can
be a little complicated. Normally we buy the trek permits as soon
as we have a minimum of 6 people in the group. Since the quality
of our service is very high we need 8 people in the group just to
cover the trek operating costs and 10 people to start to make a
profit! However we don't mind operating small groups of six
persons as long as it isn't all the time and in 2006 we even
operated several groups of 4 or 5 persons rather than send them to
join another company. When additional people
make a booking we will buy their trek permits usually within a
week of receiving their trek deposits. If the number of trek
permits remaining is fairly low (below 200) then we usually buy the trek
permits a day or so after receiving the trek deposit. The number
of remaining trek permits can be seen on the web page
www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/treks/inca_trail_trek_permit_availability.html
Every year the Inca Trail trek permits are selling out further and
further in advance as demand increases and the number of permits
is limited. Sometimes the number of trek permits for a particular
date can sell out very quickly indeed. On many occasions in 2007
the number of trek permits for a particular date sold out in a
manner of days leaving many companies with clients without
permits. Luckily this has not happened to Peru Treks but the
chances of it happening are increasing all of the time
particularly since we offer a group service which depends on
obtaining a minimum group size before all the trek permits run
out. If we have only 2 or 3 people booked for a particular date
and the number of permits drops to below 150 (there are 500
permits available each day) then we will quickly look to join our
clients with another company (see Q18 above). If we can't find
another suitable company with spaces then we will try to offer you
an alternative departure date or refund your trek deposit (see
Inca Trail
cancellation terms and conditions). We have never had to do
this so far.
Q20:
What do we do for water
along the Inca Trail?
A20: At
meal times we will give you teas, coffees etc to drink. If the
group size is small we will have enough gas to boil up water for
you to fill your water bottles. However this should not be relied
upon and during the trek you may have to use local water sources. You'll come
across a
mountain
spring, fountain
or small stream approximately
every 2 hours along the trail where you can fill up your water
bottle. Take a bottle of at least 1.5 liter capacity per
person. Although the water
looks
clean
it is always
safer to use
sterilizing tablets
or a water filter.
The sterilizing tablets can be bought in most pharmacies
in Cusco.
With these tablets you have to wait
between
60 and
90
minutes before drinking. Bottled mineral water can also be taken
from Cusco, bought at km82
(the start of the trek),
at
Wayllabamba
(first night)
and at Wiñay Wayna
(third night)
and at
Machu Picchu
(final day).
Many people complete the
trek without ever having to use water taken from streams etc, but
sterilizing tablets are recommended for emergencies.
Q21: If I am traveling alone can I
have my own tent?
A21: If you are
traveling
alone and are willing to share a tent with a member of the same
sex, then there is no additional cost. If, however, you would like
your own tent then there is an additional supplement of US$20.
Q22: Can you
guarantee that the group will camp at Wiñay Wayna on the third
night of the Inca Trail ?
A22: Wiñay
Wayna is the campsite closest to Machu Picchu, so it is everybody's
favourite campsite. Wiñay Wayna is about a 2 hour trek to Machu
Picchu so it allows the group to arrive at Machu Picchu very early
in the morning. However there is not enough space at Wiñay Wayna
for all the Inca Trail groups. The next nearest campsite is
Phuyupatamarca which is a 5 hour trek to Machu Picchu. When we buy
the trek permits for the group we are allocated the campsites by
the government. Peru Treks has a great reputation for closing our
groups and buying the trek permits much earlier than most of the
other trekking companies. We are therefore allocated the campsite
Wiñay Wayna most of the time. In fact in 2006 we were allocated
the Wiñay Wayna 165 times out of our 170 groups (97% of the time)
and in 2007 we were allocated Wiñay Wayna on all but one occasion.
Of the 5 groups in 2006 that did not camp at Wiñay Wayna two of the groups
camped at Phuyupatamarca and three of the groups continued on to
Machu Picchu and stayed at Aguas Calientes and returned to Machu
Picchu for sunrise on the 4th day.
Q23: Will I be able to Climb Huayna
Picchu?
Q23: Possible yes in the low season,
but probably no in the high season, unless you spend an extra night
in Aguas Calientes after the trek. Since June 2007 the government
have restricted the number of people who can climb Huayna Picchu
to 400. Tickets are given out on a first-come-first-served basis
and are free of charge.
The Inca Trail group will arrive at
Machu Picchu between 7:30am - 8:30am depending on the speed of the
group and how dedicated they are to waking up early. We cannot
arrive any earlier because we are not permitted to leave the last
campsite at Wiñay Wayna until 5:30am (regulations prevent the
groups from trekking in the dark). Machu Picchu opens to the
public at 6am. Therefore any visitors who have spent the previous
night in Aguas Calientes will have the opportunity to get to Machu
Picchu before the Inca Trail groups arrive. During the high season
(June-August) this means that all the 400 tickets to climb Huayna
Picchu will probably have been allocated to visitors before the
groups arrive, sorry. Outside these months there is a possibility
of obtaining tickets but obviously this cannot be guaranteed and
is outside of the control of Peru Treks. If you really want to
climb Huayna Picchu then you must spend an extra night in Aguas
Calientes and return to Machu Picchu on the first buses in the
morning that departs Aguas Calientes at 5:20am. (remember to buy
your bus ticket and entrance ticket to Machu Picchu the evening
before in Aguas Calientes and start queuing for the buses by about
5am !!!)
Q25: What time do we leave Aguas
Calientes?
A25: Included
in the price of the trek is the
train ticket for the
Backpacker Cerojo train from Aguas Calientes to
Ollantaytambo,
currently priced at US$40 (2007).
.The train
normally departs Aguas Calientes at 16:20 and arrives in
Ollantaytambo for about
18:00.
We then send a bus to collect you at the station in Ollantaytambo
to bring you back to Cusco arriving at about 19:30. The
Backpacker Cerojo service is a comfortable
service with reserved seats, no standing. Teas, coffees and snacks
are also
available for purchase on this train.
If tickets are not available on the
16:20 service we may
have to purchase
tickets on the backpackers shuttle that departs Aguas Calientes at
20:30 and
arrives in Ollantaytambo (arriving at
22:00). We then send a bus to Ollantaytambo to
bring the group back to Cusco, arriving at about
23:30.
On three occasions in 2007 we have had to purchase return tickets
on the 14:30 service back to Ollantaytambo but this is a rare
event which we try to avoid.
All train services are subject to availability. Peru Treks reserve
the right to purchase tickets on alternative train services.
Q26: If we send you our names,
passport numbers and deposit more than 3 months in advance why
can't you always obtain tickets for the 16:20 Backpacker Cerojo
service or even tickets all the way back to Cusco (i.e Backpacker
Aguas Calientes to Cusco 17:00)
A26: In 2006 we were always able to
obtain train tickets from Aguas Calientes all the way back to
Cusco on the Backpackers service (price US$46) departing Aguas
Calientes at 17:00. This service is better for Peru Treks as we
don't have to worry about sending a bus to Ollantaytambo to
collect our groups. This service is listed on the Peru Rail
website. However as from May 2006 Peru Rail have refused to sell
us tickets for this service. This is because the service is
popular with day trippers to Machu Picchu and Peru Rail would
prefer to sell return tickers Cusco - Aguas Calientes - Cusco
rather than just one-way tickets Aguas Calientes to Cusco. In fact
Machu Picchu is becoming so popular with day trippers that Peru
Rail is not keen to sell any one-way tickets at all (which to some
extent is understandable). Basically Peru Rail doesn't like Inca
Trail operators like ourselves!! However with help from the
Association of Tour Operators of Cusco (ATC) a certain number of
one-way tickets from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo have been made available to us at a slightly increased
cost. This agreement will likely continue until the end of 2007.
In 2008 it is possible that the only way to guarantee return on the train is to buy a
return train ticket which may increase the cost by as much as
US$40 per person. Peru Rail runs a monopoly service so we just
have to accept this situation and hope our clients are also
flexible and understanding in this matter, which is outside of our
control. Peru Rail have yet to announce details of their services
and prices for 2008. We will keep you informed as soon as they do.
Q27: Can I come back
on a different train than that included in the trek?
A27: If you
are not flexible with your return time or you prefer to return on
a different service such as the Vistadome train (either to
Ollantaytambo or all the way back to Cusco) then you are best to
make this booking directly with Peru Rail yourselves using their
website www.perurail.com We
will deduct the price of our train ticket from Aguas Calientes to
Ollantaytambo (US$40) and the price of the bus from Ollantaytambo
to Cusco (US$6) from the price of your trek i.e refund of US$46
per person. However you must advise us that you do not want us
to include the train ticket at the time that you pay your trek
deposit. When you make a booking directly with Peru Rail you
may have to wait between 3 days and 3 weeks for a confirmation
code. You do not have to pay anything at the time you make the
reservation. When you arrive in Cusco you have to take a copy of
your train ticket confirmation code together with the passports of
all group members to the Wanchaq train station in Cusco. You will
have to pay for your tickets in cash, as credit cards are not
accepted! Try to make a reservation with Peru Rail as far in
advance as possible.
Q28: Can I stay an
extra night at Aguas Calientes, what is the cost?
A28: If you want to
stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes after the Inca Trail trek
this can easily be arranged independently, by yourselves.. We will purchase your train ticket to
return from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo the following day. You need to let us
know at the time of making the trek reservation so we can reserve
your train tickets in advance. You must advise us before
paying the trek deposit. Obviously if you stay an extra
night then you will have to pay for your accommodation,
meals etc You can
find a list of recommended hotels and contact details on the web
page
www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/hotels/machupicchu You can make a
reservation in advance (recommended May to Sept) or simply turn up in Aguas Calientes and
book a room. If you return to Machu
Picchu the following day then you will have to pay for the return
bus fare up to the ruins (US$6 each way)
and pay another 120 Peruvian Soles (about US$38)
entrance fee. Obviously we can't send a bus to
Ollantaytambo especially to pick you up so we will refund the
price of the bus ticket (US$6) and you can simply catch a bus when
you arrive in Ollantaytambo, for Cusco.. There are plenty of buses waiting in
Ollantaytambo to take passengers back to Cusco. Alternatively you
can return in a taxi (approx cost US$28 per taxi which works out
fairly reasonable if there are 4 of you, US$7 per person. Max 4
persons per taxi).
Q29: Do you recommend staying an
extra night at Aguas Calientes?
A29: The website
www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/gallery/photos_aguas_calientes_machu_picchu_peru.html
has some good photos of Aguas Calientes and also of the thermal
springs. The advantage of staying the night in Aguas Calientes is
that you can spend all day at Machu Picchu. Most people leave the
ruins at about 2pm to take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to
catch their train back to Cusco. Machu Picchu is therefore fairly
quiet between 3pm and 5pm. You will have to check the time of the
last bus back to Aguas Calientes but it is usually about 5:15pm.
Staying an extra night at Aguas Calientes also gives you the
opportunity to return to Machu Picchu early the following day.
This is particularly useful during the wet season (December to
March) when you are more likely to encounter rain and Machu Picchu
enshrouded in mist and clouds. During this type of weather Machu
Picchu has an almost mystical atmosphere, but if you are looking
for photos of the "Lost City" in the sunshine then the extra day
spent at the ruins helps to improve your chances. The decision as
to whether to spend an extra night at Aguas Calientes may depend a
lot on how much time you have in Peru. From our experience
however, many people who had planned to stay an extra night in
Aguas Calientes usually end up trying to change their train
tickets to return to Cusco straight after the trek (this is
subject to availability and often quite difficult). Machu Picchu
is fairly small and 4 or 5 hours is usually sufficient for most
visitors. Many people are surprised by the beauty of Cusco and
would prefer to spend more time discovering this city than
revisiting Machu Picchu for the second time.
Q30: What happens if I arrive at
Machu Picchu and then decide to stay an extra night, can I change
my train ticket?
A30: It is still possible to make
changes to your return train ticket if you decide to stay an extra
night at Aguas Calientes. You will have to take your train ticket
personally to the train station in Aguas Calientes and ask them to
change the return date of your ticket. You will probably be asked
to pay an extra US$10 administration fee and changing the ticket
will be subject to availability of spaces on the train on the following
day.
Q31: Can you pick me up from
Ollantaytambo on the morning of the trek departure, instead of from
Cusco?
A31: Yes, provided that you are
suitably acclimatized to the altitude prior to starting the trek.
Ollantaytambo is at a much lower altitude than Cusco and time
spent there (or anywhere else in the Sacred Valley) doesn't count
towards your acclimatization period. We recommend that you spend
at least 2 nights in Cusco, preferably three, prior to spending
the night at Ollantaytambo. When you come to our office you must
also give us the name of your hotel in Ollantaytambo so that we
can arrange a time to pick you up. The hotel would need to be
accessible for the bus, otherwise you would need to meet us in the
main plaza. If you do not have a hotel
reservation and you decide to meet us in the main Plaza in
Ollantaytambo at a pre-arranged time we cannot accept
responsibility if we can't find you and leave you behind!! We do
not pick up clients from any intermediate hotels between Cusco and
Ollantaytambo.
Frequently Asked Questions relating to
passport numbers
When you make a trek booking we require your passport number. We
will use this passport number to purchase the trek permits. Your
passport number will be clearly marked on the trek permit together
with your name. When you start the trek government authorities
will check both your passport and your trek permit. The two
numbers have to be the same otherwise the authorities will not let
you start the trek. They won't offer you the option to pay for
another permit and they won't accept bribes to let you pass the
control point (which is quite rare for Peru!). In fact there is
nothing that can be done at this stage accept return to Cusco or
take the train to Aguas Calientes (at your own expense).
Q32: I don't have a passport can I still make a
trek booking?
A32: No. We require a passport number
in order to buy the trek permits. If you don't have a passport then
you cannot make a trek booking.
Q33: I do have a passport but it is
out of date, Can I still make a trek booking?
A33: Yes. You can make a trek booking
using your old passport number as long as you can bring your old
passport with you on the Inca Trail. When making an application
for a new passport you must request that your old passport is
returned to you, most countries do this. If your old passport is
not returned to you or you forget to bring your old passport with
you on the trek you will not be allowed to start the trek and you
will lose your trek deposit. A photocopy of your old passport is
NOT permissible, you have to bring the original old passport.
Q34: I have a valid passport but I
have to renew it before coming to Peru. Can I still make a trek
booking?
A34: Yes. You can make a trek booking
using your current passport number as long as you can bring this
passport with you on the Inca Trail. When making an application
for a new passport you must request that your old passport is
returned to you, most countries do this. If your old passport is
not returned to you or you forget to bring your old passport with
you on the trek you will not be allowed to start the trek and you
will not be entitled to a refund. A photocopy of your old passport
is NOT permissible, you have to bring the original old passport.
These regulations have been introduced
by the government authorities to stop companies inventing list of
clients and then changing the details with real clients at the
last minute (i.e. it stops companies from blocking spaces). This
regulation is very inflexible and strictly enforced.
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