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Salkantay to Machu Picchu
5 day Trek - Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How far in
advance do I need to make a trek reservation?
A1: Trek permits are
not required for this trek so in theory you could just turn up in
Cusco and book this trek a day or two in advance. However the
train tickets from Aguas Calientes and back to
Ollantaytambo at the end of the trek are becoming more and more
difficult for us to purchase at short notice and it is highly
recommended that these tickets are bought at least 2 weeks before
trek departure. The number of spaces within the group are also
limited so if you have limited time in Cusco and you really want
to do this trek then we would recommend making a trek booking as
far in advance as possible.
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
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 of the trek
balance 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 Salkantay Trek is
a 50km hike through mountainous regions. The maximum
altitude reached is 4600m
above sea level. 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.
Q4: Is there a minimum or maximum
age limit for the trek
A4: There is no restriction
on the age limit for the trek. 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 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 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. Otherwise you will be unable to go on the trek. Photocopies are no
longer acceptable.
Q7: What do I need to
carry?
A7: We include
horses to carry all
the other items such as tents, food and cooking equipment.
Horses are also provided to carry your personal items such as
sleeping bag, mattress and change of clothes up to a maximum of
6kg per person.
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 trek?
A9: Many
people like to hike with trekking poles or walking sticks.
Unlike the Inca Trail there are no restictions
on the use of trekking poles. Metal trekking poles
and wooden walking sticks can be purchased in
Cusco. Metal 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
trek?
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: What is the
weather like on the trek?
A14:
Average weather
conditions in Cusco and on the trek
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J
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F
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M
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A
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M
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J
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J
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A
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S
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O
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N
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D
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Av. Max Temp
ºC
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20
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21
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21
|
22
|
21
|
21
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21
|
21
|
22
|
22
|
23
|
22
|
|
Av. Max Temp ºF |
68 |
70 |
70 |
72 |
70 |
70 |
70 |
70 |
72 |
72 |
73 |
72 |
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Av. Min Temp
ºC
|
7
|
7
|
7
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4
|
2
|
1
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-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
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13
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11
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8
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3
|
2
|
2
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2
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7
|
8
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12
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16
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Q12: 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$12 per
person for the 3 day/2 night trek
(you won't need them for the 4th day of the trek when staying in Aguas Calientes. We will give you the sleeping bag one day in advance.
In the afternoon of the
3rd day of the trek the cook will
have instructions to collect the sleeping bag and bring it back to the office.
Our sleeping bags are synthetic (easily
washed) and weigh 2.5kg.
Q13: Are there toilets
on the trek?
A16:
We will carry a
toilet and toilet tent with us on the trek.
Q14: What is the
maximum group size?
A17: The maximum size of our
Salkantay to Machu Picchu 5 day group
service is 16 persons. For groups of over 12 persons we also employ an assistant guide to help out.
Q15: 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.
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
cost and quality. Our
first choice is to work with the company Qente who offers a high
quality
reliable 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.
Such agencies include SAS Travel, Llama Path,
Andina Travel, Chaska Tours, United Mice. If we have to combine
with a company that is slightly cheaper then we will refund you
100% of the difference between the company´s published website
price and Peru Treks published website price.
If we have to combine with a more expensive
company we will ask you to pay only 50% of the difference between
the company´s published website price and Peru Treks published
website price. Peru Treks we pay the other 50% of these extra
costs.
Q16:
What do we do for water
along the
trek?
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. Many people complete the
trek without ever having to use water taken from streams etc, but
sterilizing tablets are recommended for emergencies.
Q17: 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.
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