|
Inca Trail 4 day 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 Prices &
Services page and is updated 2 or 3 times a week. As long
as dates are shown available then you can make a trek booking. We
have included recommendations below, as a guide as to when to make
a trek booking.
Nov, Dec, Jan: In 2012 the trek
permits for some departure dates were sold out 3 months in advance. In 2013 we
therefore recommend making a reservation at least 4 months in
advance, although I am sure there will still be trek permits
available for some dates 2 or 3 months in advance. Departures
around Christmas and New Year tend to sell out fast. Some dates in
mid-January (low season) may still be available up to 3 to 6 weeks in
advance.
March, April, May, June:
Many trek departure dates during these months have sold out as
soon as the trek permits go on sale at the beginning of January so
we would recommend making a booking before the beginning of
December to allow us time to process your booking. We are already
taking bookings for 2013 so I would recommend making a booking as
far in advance as you can. The first couple of days in March,
Easter and the whole month of May are particularly popular and the
permits for these dates can sell out almost as soon as they are on
sale.
Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct: In 2012
most trek permits were sold out 4 months in advance. In 2013 we
therefore recommend making a reservation between 4 and 5 months in
advance, although further in advance is recommended.
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$225 per person (2012)
and US$220 (2013). The deposit can be paid by
PayPal (preferred method as it is quick), or by bank transfer. UK clients can also pay their
deposits into our UK LloydsTSB 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. Payment is
to be made in cash (US dollars or local currency).
When we confirm your trek booking we will send you more details about
how to pay the trek deposit. Please note that the
trek deposit is non-refundable & non-transferable. The deposit is
used to purchase your trek permit and reserve space within the
group. After purchasing the permit (or submitting your details to
the government) we cannot change the date of
trek departure or change the name or passport number on the trek
permit.
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 8 years old and adults over 67 years
old. All children under 18 years old must also be accompanied by
an adult. We require that all of our trekkers over 64 years old
hire the service of an extra third porter (6kg) and 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 reserve the right to cancel your trek and your trek
deposit cannot be returned. We also recommend that clients over 64
years old arrive in Cusco at least 3 days prior to starting the
trek (rather than the usual 2 days). 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 do not accept bookings
from single trekkers over 60 years old (i.e. trekkers travelling
on their own) and group bookings where everyone in the group is
over 64 years old.
Q5: Can I have vegetarian meals?
A5: Our cooks can provide
vegetarian meals no problem. Just let us know your dietary requirements when you
book your trek.
Q6: I have a food allergy, can this be
catered for?
A6: We have plenty of clients who have
allergies to nuts, wheat, etc. Please give us details of your
allergy at the time of booking. Please indicate the severity of
the reaction and what type of medicines you have to take in an
emergency. If your allergy is severe you must be accompanied by a
friend on the trek who is aware of your allergy and the location
of any required medicines. Due to the nature of the remote
geographical location of the trail and the lack of suitable nearby
medical facilities Peru Treks will not accept any responsibility,
either directly or indirectly, for any problems due to your
special medical/dietary requirements. We suggest that you to check
with your doctor before booking the trek.
Q7: I have asthma / diabetes /
another medical condition. Can I still do the trek?
A7: You must disclose at the time of
booking any medical condition that could affect
your ability to do the Inca Trail trek. Peru Treks reserves the
right not to accept a trek booking if we feel that a medical
condition may put your life or the lives of any of our trekking
staff or other clients at risk on the trek. People with heart
conditions, knee problems, severe asthma or are more than 18 weeks
pregnant should not participate in the trek. People with mild
asthma / diabetes / pregnant less than 18 weeks will have to bring a medical note from
their doctor stating that they are fit to undertake the trek. They
will also be required to be accompanied by a trekking companion on
the trek at all times who will trek at their sides and be familiar
with any medicines required in case of an emergency. Peru Treks
reserved the right to cancel the trek booking of a client if the
client has not fully disclosed at the time of making a booking a
medical condition that may pose a risk to the health of the client
and/or other trekkers. No refunds will be given in this instance.
Due to the nature of the remote
geographical location of the trail and the lack of suitable nearby
medical facilities along the trail Peru Treks will not accept any
responsibility, either directly or indirectly, for any problems
due to your special dietary requirements / medical condition. We
suggest that you check with your doctor before booking the trek.
Q8:
Having paid my trek deposit can I turn up in Cusco the day before
to pay the balance?
A8: No. We require
everyone to be in Cusco for at least 2 nights prior to starting the
trek, although 3 nights 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. Please
note the trek balance needs to be paid in Cusco and cannot be paid
in advance of your arrival.
Q9: What do I need to
bring on the trek?
A9: Backpack,
sleeping bag, double-thickness foam mattress (we will provide you with this
but you have to carry it, it weighs approx 0.5kg), 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). For your own personal hygiene we also
recommend that you bring a small bottle of
antiseptic/anti-bacterial hand gel to clean your hands each time
after using the camp toilets and before eating any snacks / meals. 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.
We will buy your Inca Trail trek
permit using the names & passport numbers that you send us with your trek
booking application. You must bring these same passports with you
to Cusco and take them on the Inca Trail. If the name or number in your
passport is different from the name and number on the trek permit, the
government authorities will not allow you to start the trek and
you will not be entitled to a refund. If you plan to renew your
passport between making the trek booking and actually starting the
trek please see the section below about
Frequently Asked Questions relating to passport
numbers. If you make a trek booking at the
student price you must send us a copy of your ISIC card at the
time you pay the trek deposit. If you fail to bring your ISIC card
on the trek the government authorities will not allow you to start
the trek. You will not be given the opportunity to pay the extra
difference in price and you will not be entitled to a refund.
These are government regulations and apply to ALL licensed Inca
Trail tour operators.
Q10: What do I need to
carry?
A10: 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.
Q11: Do I need
to bring walking boots?
A11: 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.
Q12: Can I use
trekking poles / walking sticks on the Inca Trail?
A12: 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.
Q13: Where can I
store the bags that I do not need to take on the Inca Trail?
Q13: 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.
We do not store clients luggage or valuables in our office.
Q14: Should I hire an
extra porter ('third of a porter')?
A14: 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$50
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 (0.5kg) 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.
Q15: Can I wait
until Cusco to hire an extra porter ('third of a porter')?
A15: 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$15) and their tickets need to be booked in
advance. If you want to hire the services of a third of a porter
(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 between US$20
and US$30
for their services but they cannot always be relied upon.
Peru Treks cannot accept responsibility for the services provided
by these porters.
Q16: How many
porters and trekking staff are in the group?
A16: Peru Treks is
committed to looking after our porters and our trekking weights
are carefully calculated so that our porters are not overloaded.
The group sizes given below show the absolute minimum number of
porters that we will provide for each group. As a professional
company we will guarantee these numbers. Obviously we will use
extra porters if any of our clients decide to hire the services of
an extra third of a porter up until the maximum number of porters
per group permitted by the government. This is why we limit each
client to a maximum of just a third of a porter i.e. maximum 6kg.
Group sizes:
04 clients +
1 guide + 1 cook + 09 porters
(max 09 porters permitted)
05 clients +
1 guide + 1 cook + 10 porters (max 10 porters
permitted)
06 clients +
1 guide + 1 cook + 10 porters (max 11 porters
permitted)
07 clients +
1 guide + 1 cook + 11 porters (max 12 porters
permitted)
08 clients +
1 guide + 1 cook + 11 porters
(max 13 porters
permitted)
09 clients +
1 guide + 1 assistant guide + 1 cook + 12 porters
(max 14 porters permitted)
10 clients + 1 guide + 1 assistant
guide + 1 cook + 13 porters (max 15 porters
permitted)
11 clients + 1 guide + 1 assistant
guide + 1 cook + 14 porters (max 16 porters
permitted)
12 clients + 1 guide + 1 assistant
guide + 1 cook + 14 porters (max 17 porters
permitted)
13 clients + 1 guide + 1 assistant
guide + 1 cook + 15 porters (max 18 porters
permitted)
14 clients + 1 guide + 1 assistant
guide + 1 cook + 16 porters (max 19 porters
permitted)
15 clients + 1 guide + 1 assistant
guide + 1 cook + 17 porters (max 20 porters
permitted)
16 clients + 1 guide + 1 assistant
guide + 1 cook + 17 porters (max 21 porters
permitted)
Q17: Do Peru Treks &
Adventure care for their porters?
A17: Peru Treks & Adventure guarantees that we pay our porters 178 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 5% of
companies actually do so (having talked
to many porters on the Inca Trail we know of only 7 other
companies that are paying their porters the legal amount and no
companies are paying more than the legal amount. The
remaining companies get their porters to sign a receipt for 178
Soles but pay them much less, some as little as 95 Soles). 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$350 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
also tries to help the porters in a different way.
We are unique in the fact that we donate a large 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
another company!
Q18: What is the
weather like on the trek?
A18:
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 |
|
Wet days
/ month
|
18
|
13
|
11
|
8
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
7
|
8
|
12
|
16
|
You'll notice from the above
temperatures on the Inca Trail that there is a large variation between the
minimum and maximum temperatures on the trek. Since temperatures are measured in
the shade you'll notice an even bigger difference between the temperature in the
sun and that in the shade. In general during the day when the sun is out you'll
be too hot so you have to drink plenty of fluids to remain hydrated and during the early hours of the morning it can be freezing
cold so you
have to be prepared for just about everything. It is recommended that you bring
plenty of layers which you can take off / put on as the temperature changes. Trousers (pants)
that zip off at knee level are ideal and t-shirts, long-sleeved shirt and a warm
fleece are also recommended. May to August is the dry season so you are unlikely
to expect a lot of rain so a simple light-weight plastic rain poncho is a good
bet although unlikely to be used. During the wetter months you may want
something more adequate such as a Gore-Tex jacket or a thicker more heavy-duty rain
poncho. April to September temperatures at night can fall to freezing or below
so a four-season sleeping bag is highly recommended (can easily be hired in
Cusco). Bear in mind that the climate throughout the world can be very
changeable and not given to follow previous weather patterns so best be prepared
for just about anything.
Q19: How warm are the sleeping
bags that your rent?
A19: Our sleeping bags are rated to temperatures as low as
-10ºC but are more suitable for temperatures of about -5ºC. Since you won't find
temperatures as low as this on the Inca Trail we rate them as very warm and
cosy! We charge US$20 per
person for the 4 day/3 night trek. We will give you the sleeping bag one day in advance
so you can try it out.
If there are any problems just let us know when we come to pick you up from your
hotel. On the morning of the 4th day of the trek the cook has
instructions to collect all the sleeping bags and bring them 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. We do not provide down-filled sleeping bags because
they can't be washed after each use. There are several equipment rental shops in
Cusco is you need to rent down-filled bags.
Q20: Are there toilets
on the Inca Trail?
A20:
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
sanitary conditions on the
trail although conditions are still not always perfect. Each
toilet block has cold running water. We recommend that you bring
from hand-sanitizer to use after visiting the public toilets. Only the campsite at Wiñay
Wayna has hot showers (extra cost). Every evening we will provide you with a
bowl of warm water to wash with.
Q21: What is the
maximum group size?
A21: 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.
Q22: Is there a
minimum group size and what happens if Peru Treks does not meet
the minimum size?
A22: We require a
minimum group size of just 4 persons to depart.
During the last 5 years Peru Treks has always managed
to meet the minimum group size for ALL of our departure dates and
have never 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. With everyone
receiving the same pre-departure information and everyone paying
the same price we find everyone in the group is better prepared
and happier. 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 in 2013 to be smaller
since it is becoming more difficult to fill the
groups so far in advance.
If in the event that we do not reach the
minimum required number of persons we
reserve the right to 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.
If in the rare event that we cannot find another suitable company
with spaces available in their group we will try to offer you an
alternative trek date or refund your trek deposit in accordance
with our Inca
Trail trek terms and conditions. As mentioned before, we hope
this will be a very unlikely event and during the last 5 years
Peru Treks has managed to meet
the minimum group size for ALL of our departure dates and have never had to cancel any group departures
or have to combine with any other trekking company.
Q23a: When do you buy our Inca
Trail trek permits? (trek departures 2013 & January 2014)
A23a: Inca Trail trek permits for trek departure up until the end
of January 2014 are on sale right now. Buying the trek
permits is not a straightforward process. Normally we buy the trek
permits as soon as we have a minimum of 4 people in the group. As
long as there are still plenty of permits available we then tend
to buy the trek permits in blocks of 6 persons. However if the number of
remaining trek permits starts to drop (below 150) then we usually
start to
buy the trek permits on a day by day basis after having received
your 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 2012
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 Q22 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 trek terms and conditions). We have never had to do
this so far but it is our responsibility to point out the risks.
Q24:
What do we do for water
along the Inca Trail?
A24: 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
at most meal times. 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 recommended 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.
In fact our most frequent complaint about the trek is that we
advice our clients to take purification tablets on the trek that
they never use !! However each year we always have one or two
nights of very cold temperatures on the trek when the liquid gas
in the bottle freezes solid and we are unable to boil water in the
morning so it is always best to be better safe than sorry.
Thankfully it doesn't happen very often.
Q25: If I am travelling alone can I
have my own tent?
A25: If you are
travelling 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$40.
Q26: Can you
guarantee that the group will camp at Wiñay Wayna on the third
night of the Inca Trail ?
A26: Wiñay Wayna is the campsite closest to
Machu Picchu, so it is everybody's favorite 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 2011 we were allocated the Wiñay Wayna 99% of the time.
Just one group in 2011
that did not camp at Wiñay Wayna, instead the group continued
on to Machu Picchu and stayed at Aguas Calientes and returned to
Machu Picchu for sunrise on the 4th day. So far in 2012 we have managed to obtain Wiñay
Wayna as the campsite for ALL of our group service Inca Trail
groups.
Q27: Can I
climb
Huayna Picchu (optional)
Q27: Huayna Picchu
is the large mountain just behind Machu Picchu. There is a narrow
and steep trail right to the top of the mountain and there are
also some interesting Inca ruins at the top. The view of Machu
Picchu from the summit is breathtaking. As from 15 July 2011 the
government authorities have decided to charge an additional fee
for climbing Huayna Picchu. Unfortunately, at the moment, clients can't buy an
entrance ticket just to climb Huayna Picchu. The entrance ticket
to Huayna Picchu is only available as part of a combined Machu
Picchu - Huayna Picchu ticket that costs S/.150 for adults (approx
US$58) and S/.75 for students with an ISIC card (approx US$29).
This doesn't offer good value to people doing the Inca Trail since
the Inca Trail permit already includes entry to Machu Picchu. It
you want to climb Huayna Picchu and think S/.150 is too expensive
then we would recommend staying an extra night in Aguas Calientes
and buying a combined Machu Picchu - Huayna Picchu entrance ticket
for the following day. You will therefore get entrance to Machu
Picchu and be able to climb Huayna Picchu which offers better
value for money. Of course you will still have to pay for your
accommodation in Aguas Calientes and return bus from Aguas
Calientes to Machu Picchu (US$9 each way).
The entrance tickets to Huayna Picchu
must be bought BEFORE you start the Inca Trail and are sold on a
first-come-first-served basis. Combined Huayna Picchu & Machu
Picchu entrance tickets can be bought online at
www.machupicchu.gob.pe
Update: At the moment the
government website is not accepting Huayna Picchu ticket
reservations for 2013. The authorities have informed us that their
website should be working properly as from the last week in
December. If you have any problems we suggest you email the
government call centre at
callcenter@drc-cusco.gob.pe
(the call center staff can understand English and will respond in
English)
During the high season these tickets
can sell out more than 6 weeks in advance. During the low season
it may still be possible to buy the tickets from the government
offices when you arrive in Cusco.
Unfortunately we cannot buy these
tickets for you. A maximum number of four hundred persons
per day can climb Huayna Picchu. Two hundred people will be
allowed to start the climb between 07:00 and 08:00 (Group 01) and
must return by 10:00. Another two hundred people will be allowed
to start the climb between 10:00 and 11:00 (group 02) and must
return by 13:00. This climb is optional and does not form part of
the services provided by Peru Treks. Clients undertake this
activity at their own risk and will not be accompanied by staff
working for Peru Treks. The trail to the top of the mountain is
very narrow with many steep, almost vertical drops at the side. It
should be noted that our Inca Trail group normally arrives at
Machu Picchu between 07:30 to 08:00 and the guided tour of Machu
Picchu commences at around 09:00. Clients wishing to climb Huayna
Picchu the same day that we arrive should book tickets for group 02 starting between 10:00 and
11:00. Clients will have to leave our guided tour of Machu Picchu
slightly early to make the climb.
Q28: Where do I have to be on the morning of the
trek and where will I be dropped off at the end of the trek?
A28: We'll collect you from your hotel on the
morning of trek departure and drop you off either in the Plaza de
Armas (main square) or Plaza San Francisco
(2 blocks from the main square) upon your return to Cusco. You
won't be dropped off directly at your hotel. You have to be acclimatized to the altitude
before starting the trek. This is why we require you to come to
our offices to pay the trek balance at least two days before the
trek departure date. Spending two nights in Cusco before the trek
should ensure that you are suitably acclimatized. On the morning
of trek departure we will collect you from inside your hotel in Cusco
(don't wait outside in the street). It
helps us if you try to stay in a hotel that is within a few blocks of the Plaza de Armas
(Main Square). If your hotel is far away from the main square we
will ask you to come to our offices at a set time (usually 6am). When you come to our office we will make a
note of the name of your hotel on your trek receipt and we'll give
you an approximate time that we will collect you (usually between 5:30
& 06:00). The guide will come into you hotel and ask for you
at reception. Because the centre of Cusco is full of small
cobblestone streets our larger bus is not permitted to enter
certain zones in the city centre so you will then have to walk a
short distance to where the bus will be waiting for you.
Upon return to Cusco the bus will drop the
group back off either in the Plaza de Armas (main square) or in the Plaza San Francisco.
Traffic regulations prohibit large buses from entering the main
square but usually after 10pm we don't have a problem and will be
able to drop you off in the main square. You can then take a taxi
back to your hotel (between US$1.5 & US$3 for a taxi). If we have
to drop you off in Plaza San Francisco you may be a bit
disorientated (some people may need to be woken up!!) but we
recommend that you check to see in which direction the Plaza de Armas is (main square),
the guide or our driver will be happy to help. It's
only 2 blocks away but usually it'll be quite late at night so
best to walk together as a group back to the main square before
taking a taxi or walking back to your hotel. Usually the guide
will accompany you back to the main square and help you find a
taxi. Unfortunately it is
not practical for us to take you back directly to the door of your
hotel.
Most companies request their clients to meet up at a particular
location in Cusco at the start of the trek (i.e. everyone meets in
Plaza San Francisco at 05:30). This does help to save time and
allow for an earlier start. Peru Treks reserves the right to
introduce this system if felt necessary and the hotel collection
by the guide does not form any kind of
contractual obligation on behalf of Peru Treks. Don't worry it
will be made very clear when and where we collect you on your trek
voucher.
Q29: What time do we leave Aguas
Calientes and what time to we get back to Cusco?
A29: Included in the price of the
trek is the train ticket for the PeruRail Expedition train service
84 (or similar) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, currently
priced at US$50 (2012) & US$61 (2013). The train normally departs Aguas Calientes at
18:45 and arrives in Ollantaytambo for about
20:18.
We then send a bus to collect you at the station in Ollantaytambo
to bring you back to Cusco arriving at about
22:30. The
Expedition 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 this service we may
have to purchase
tickets on the Expedition service that departs Aguas Calientes at
21:30 and
arrives in Ollantaytambo (arriving at
23:01). We then send a bus to Ollantaytambo to
bring the group back to Cusco, arriving at about 01:30. On a
couple of occasions in 2011 we have had to purchase return tickets
on the 14:55 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.
Q30: Why can't I come
back on a different train, preferably one that comes all the way
back to Cusco?
A30: A few years
ago it was easy for us to get train tickets for our groups that
left Aguas Calientes at about 16:30 and brought our groups all the
way back to Cusco. This was ideal for us since we didn't have all
the hassle of sending a bus to Ollantaytambo to collect our
groups. Our groups also arrived back in Cusco early in the evening
(much better than 22:30 like now). However, as Machu Picchu has
become more popular with visitors over the last few years these
tickets are very difficult for us to obtain. Because lots of
people trek to Machu Picchu, either by way of the 4 day Inca Trail
or the 5 day Santa Teresa trek, there is a greater demand for
train tickets coming back from Aguas Calientes than there is for
going to Aguas Calientes. Peru Rail isn't keen to meet this demand
because it would mean running only partially full trains to Aguas
Calientes (in order for them to come back full). This isn't
economical for them. Peru Rail just want to sell round-trip
tickets. They don't really want to sell any one-way tickets to us
at all. This means we would have to charge you twice as much for
your train ticket even if you only used the return portion. We
don't think that's fair. 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. We hope that
this agreement will continue until the end of 2013. Basically we
block-book train tickets on the 18:45 service several months in
advance. About a month before departure we confirm the names and
numbers of our clients and receive the tickets just a day or so
before the trek departs. Sometimes we don't get the tickets until
after the group has left Cusco so we have to send the tickets to
Aguas Calientes where they can be collected when the group
arrives. This arrangement explains why we are not very flexible
when it comes to changing your train ticket. There is also the
possibility that this arrangement will end and we will have to
charge you the extra for a round-trip ticket. Peru Rail currently
runs a monopoly service so we just have to accept this situation
for the moment and hope our clients are also flexible and
understanding in this matter, which is outside of our control.
If you want to come
back at an earlier time or on a different train service then read
the section below.
Q31: I want to come back on a different train
service than the service Peru Treks is including, how can I
arrange it?
A31: If you
want to return at an earlier 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
Although Peru Rail are not keen to sell
trekking companies one-way train tickets coming back from Aguas
Calientes they do make a small number of these tickets available
directly to the public through their website. If you book well in
advance then you may be successful in buying a one-way ticket. The
train service that return as far as Poroy (15 minutes by taxi from
Cusco) sells out first so you will probably be more successful
buying a ticket from Aguas Calientes just back as far as
Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo you can take a bus
back to Cusco (cost approx US$5 per person) or a taxi (around
US$40).
If you buy your own
train ticket
we
will deduct the price of our train ticket from Aguas Calientes to
Ollantaytambo (US$50 2012 & US$61 2013) and the price of the bus from Ollantaytambo
to Cusco (US$5) from the price of your
trek. 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. You can easily make a booking online
with PeruRail using your credit card. If you are looking at
the Peru Rail website you will notice that there are very few
trains from Aguas Calientes all the way back to Cusco, most of the
services only run between Aguas Calientes and Ollantaytambo (which
is in the Sacred Valley) so you will need to look at the route
Sacred Valley > Machu Picchu for details of their services.
Q32: If I come
back on a different train from that arranged by Peru Treks will
you still send a bus to Ollantaytambo to collect me?
A32: If you decide
to book your return train yourself or decide to change your
return time from that arranged by Peru Treks then unfortunately we won't be able to send a bus to meet
you in Ollantaytambo and take you back to Cusco. If you let us know
at least 1 month in advance, we will
refund you the transport cost of US$5 per person so that you can
take a bus from Ollantaytambo back to Cusco yourself. There are many buses waiting at the
station in Ollantaytambo to meet the train. Alternative you can
take a private taxi back to Cusco which costs in the region of
US$40 per taxi which works out
fairly reasonable if there are 4 of you, US$10
per person. Max 4 persons per taxi.
Q33:
I am planning on doing the Inca Trail but my friend just wants to
go by train and meet me there. Can you arrange this?
A33: Peru Treks can only arrange the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
We do not sell tours to Machu Picchu by train. However it is easy
enough for your friend to book their train tickets online at
www.perurail.com Information
about getting to Machu Picchu by train can be found on the web
page
http://www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/destinations/machupicchu/index.html.
It is very important that your friend
buys their entrance ticket to Machu Picchu well in advance
since government authorities have recently limited the number of
visitors to Machu Picchu and entrance tickets have been known to
sell out several days in advance. The government have now
introduced an online ticket reservation system which can be found
at
www.machupicchu.gob.pe . (for a useful guide to understanding
the booking process visit the website
www.machupicchutickets.com). We would recommend that your
friend takes the train to Aguas Calientes on the afternoon/evening
before you are due to arrive at Machu Picchu and spends the night
in a hotel in Aguas Calientes. The Inca Trail group should arrive
at Machu Picchu at around 08:00-08:30 on the 4th day of the trek.
The group usually stops at the "caretakers hut" for a short while
- this is a stone hut that overlooks Machu Picchu where the
classic photo of the ruins can be taken. The group then has to
leave the ruins by the main entrance and store their backpacks in
a luggage storage deposit. There is a chance to use the toilets or
buy a coffee or sandwich. Your friend can arrange to be waiting
for you at the "caretakers hut" or wait for you at the main
entrance at around 9am. The exact details and times should be
coordinated with the guide in the office before the trek. Although
your friend cannot officially join our guided tour (i.e. we won't
try to sell you anything) I am sure that the rest of the Inca
Trail group won't have any objections to your friend joining the
group for an hour or so especially if it just one extra person. If
you are meeting a group of friends at Machu Picchu it is probably
best not to invite them to join the group. It would be a good idea
to mention the fact that you are meeting with a friend at Machu
Picchu with the rest of your fellow trekkers at camp the night
before you arrive at Machu Picchu. I'm sure you'd have made good
friends by then and it'll be no problem. Trying to arrange that
you all come back on the same train service can be a bit more
complicated. Typically our group will depart Aguas Calientes on
the 18:45 Expedition service to Ollantaytambo (see information
provided above). However we don't always know the exact time until
a few days before trek departure so the best way to ensure that
you come back on the same service is to buy your own train tickets
back. If you let us know that you will buy your own tickets at the
time of booking the trek then
we will refund you the price of the train ticket from Aguas
Calientes to Ollantaytambo and the price of the
bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco (US$5).
Q34: Can I stay an
extra night at Aguas Calientes, what is the cost?
A34: 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. As mentioned above we can usually only obtain train
tickets departing Aguas Calientes at 18:45 so if you want to return on an
earlier service then you can buy the tickets yourself at
www.perurail.com and we will
refund you the price of the tickets provided that you let us know
when you book your trek. You need to let us
know whether you want to spend an extra night 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$9 each way)
and pay another 126 Peruvian Soles (about US$49)
entrance fee. Entrance tickets to Machu
Picchu must be bought well in advance (see the website
www.machupicchu.gob.pe) If you stay an extra night in Aguas
Calientes we won't be able to send a bus to
Ollantaytambo especially to pick you up so we will refund the
price of the bus ticket (US$5) provided you let us know at the
time of making your trek booking. You
can simply catch a bus to Cusco when you arrive in Ollantaytambo.. There are always plenty of buses waiting in Ollantaytambo to take
passengers back to Cusco but try not to be too slow off the train
since the buses fill up quickly. Alternatively you can return in a taxi
(approx cost US$40 per taxi which works out
fairly reasonable if there are 4 of you, US$10 per person. Max 4
persons per taxi).
Q35: Do you recommend staying an
extra night at Aguas Calientes?
A35: 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 have
lunch or visit the thermal springs. 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
5:30pm. Staying an extra night at Aguas Calientes also gives you
the opportunity to return to Machu Picchu early the following day.
If you want to climb Huayna Picchu then you must ensure that you
buy a combined Machu Picchu - Huayna Picchu entrance ticket (price
S/.150 per person) - see question about climbing Huayna Picchu. If
you just want to visit Machu Picchu again then the standard
entrance fee is S/.126 per person.
All entrance tickets to
Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu must to bought well in advance BEFORE
you start the Inca Trail, preferably before you even arrive in
Peru.
Entrance tickets can now be bought
online at
www.machupicchu.gob.pe
Visiting Machu
Picchu for a second time is quite a good idea 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 upon how much time you have in Peru.
From our experience, 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.
Q36: What happens if I arrive at
Machu Picchu and then decide to stay an extra night, can I change
my train ticket?
A36: It may still
be 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 administration fee
which will be dependent of the train service and departure time and changing the ticket
will be subject to availability of spaces on the train on the following
day. Before doing this you should also check at the Machu Picchu
ticket office in Aguas Calientes if there are any entrance tickets
to Machu Picchu available. During the peak season entrance tickets
can sell out 4 or 5 days in advance. Unfortunately if you decide
to change your train ticket yourselves we will not be able to
provide transport for you from the train station at Ollantaytambo
back to Cusco and the bus ticket price US$5 will not be refunded
(see info above).
Q37: Can you pick me up from
Ollantaytambo on the morning of the trek departure, instead of from
Cusco?
A37: 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.
Q38: I need to
cancel my trek booking, can I get a refund of my trek deposit?
A38: No, as stated
in Q2 above, the trek deposit is non-refundable and
non-transferable. The deposit is used to purchase your Inca Trail
trek permit and reserve space within the group. After purchasing
the permit we cannot change the date of trek departure or change
the name or passport number on the trek permit. If you decide to
cancel we cannot transfer your trek permit to another client.
Government regulations prevent us from filling your cancelled
space with another client and the government won't refund or
credit us the cost of the permit. Even if we were happy to pay for
another trek permit for a new client we are still not allowed to
fill the cancelled space with another person. We just have to
depart for the trek with a smaller group which is less economical
to run.
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).
Q39: I don't have a passport can I still make a
trek booking?
A39: 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.
Q40: I have a passport but it is out of date (expired passport) or
it is due to expire within the next month, Can I still make a trek
booking?
A40: No. You will have to wait until you
renew your passport before you can make a trek booking. Some
companies may still accept your booking but there is a risk that
you won't be allowed to start the trek and you will lose your trek
deposit or even the full price of your trek.
Q41: I have a valid passport (it still has more than a month left
before it expires) but I have to renew it before coming to Peru.
Can I still make a trek booking?
A41: Ideally its
best to wait until you have your new passport before making a trek
booking. However if you can't wait then 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 then you will not
be allowed to start the trek and your trek will be cancelled and
no payments will be refunded. A photocopy of your old passport is
NOT permissible, you have to bring the original old passport.
Q42: After having made a trek booking with Peru Treks I have lost my passport / had my passport stolen?
A43: If, after having made a trek
booking with Peru Treks, you are unfortunate enough to lose your
passport you will have to get a replacement passport. After you
have received your new passport we will then have to submit an
application to the government authorities to update your trek
permit with your new passport number. The application can only be
made a maximum of 3 working days in advance and we won't know if
the application will be successful until a day or two before trek
departure. In order to make an application to update your trek
permit we require (1) a photocopy of your old passport and (2) a
photocopy of your new passport. The date of issue of the new
passport has to be after the date that we bought your trek permit.
We will also require a copy of a police report confirming that the
passport has been lost or stolen. The police report must include
reference to your old passport number. We then have to
prepare a formal application to the government authorities. It
cannot be guaranteed that the application will be successful so
this process should only be used as a last resort. A US$15
administration charge will be made for preparing and submitting
the application. If the application is not successful or for any
reason we cannot make an application in time then your trek
booking will be cancelled and we will not
allow you to start the Inca Trail trek. We will not refund your
trek deposit. You will not be required to pay the trek
balance until we know that the trek application will be
successful. If you are not permitted to start the trek your trek
booking will be treated as a "cancellation of the trek by the
client" (see
Inca Trail Terms and Conditions)
All passports are
checked at the start of the Inca Trail and if your passport name
and number is not the same as the name and passport number on your
trek permit then you will not be allowed to start the trek and the
guide and tour operator may face penalty charges.
It is possible that
the government authorities will only accept the application after
they have seen the original new passport and original police
report so please make sure that you come to our offices as soon as
possible. The government offices are closed on Saturdays, Sundays
and public holidays so if you have a trek on a Monday morning then
you must try to get to our offices by the Friday so we have time to take
the original documents to the government offices. We cannot leave
this process until the day of trek departure.
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.
|
