SHORT INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU 2 DAYS

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

“Please read the following information carefully; it will help you answer all of your questions about our services and aout the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2 days” 

WELCOME TO CUSCO

You will be welcomed at Cusco airport and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to your trek. Look out for our representative holding an orange board INCA TRAIL HIKE at the arrival terminal. You must exit the terminal in order to find our representative (they cannot enter inside) It can be done on any date that is best suited to you!

THE BRIEFING

It will take place the night before the trekking departure at 6pm in our office which is located at Garcilaso Street 210 , Office Nº:213 (2nd Floor) in the la CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE:

Of course! During the Short Inca Trail Machu Picchu your main luggage can be store at our office or at your hotel, both are for free. Please don´t  pack anything you will need for your hike.

HOW TO BOOK THE SHORT INCA TRAIL MACHU PICCHU?

FIRST, to book your Short Inca Trail Machu Picchu, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click the link BOOK NOW.

Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group).  We cannot purchase a Short Inca Trail Machu Picchu permit without the following information:

• Personal information (your full name, exactly as it appears on your passport):
• Gender
• Passport number
• D.O.B. (dd / mm / yyyy)
• Nationality

SECOND, we require a deposit of US$200.00 per person in order to purchase a permit for the Short Inca Trail Machu Picchu.  You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.

WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?

It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many cash machines in the historical center to withdraw money.  You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL.  To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address of info@samtravelperu.com. 

MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?

Unfortunately the answer is “No”. Once the tickets have been bought the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure date after the ticket has been bought. The Short Inca Trail Machu Picchu tickets are also not transferable nor refundable.
If you cancel your Short Inca Trail Machu Picchu, the deposit is strictly not refundable!

DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT?

Yes for sure! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your Short Inca Trail Machu Picchu permit. The rangers will check every day and when you enter Machu Picchu. The train company will also check your passport before allowing you to board. In case you are renewing your passport, go ahead and send us your old number to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number…if so, please send the new passport number as soon as possible. Fees apply, please check with the office. 

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE INCA TRAIL?

 The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee.  BUT you will have varietied weather conditions as you pass through the numerous microclimates, it will be dependet on your location. We highly recommend that you bring some warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack.

WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS?

In general if you exercise regularly and spend a couple of days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatisation to the altitude, you may be fine.

The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN IF NEEDED; our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness. See our detailed information about Altitude Sickness under FAQS.

We offer the Cusco City Tour or Sacred Valley Tour that you can book while you are acclimatizing.  Check out our Day Tours on our Home Page.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE PER GROUP?

The maximum group size is 8 people. Usually our groups are between 2-6 people. INCA TRAIL HIKE specializes in SMALL and PRIVATE groups and provides a personalised service.

WHAT DOES THE SHORT INCA TRAIL MACHU PICCHU LOOK LIKE IN PEAK SEASON?

It could get a bit crowded but with the regulations in place by the government to limit the amount of people per day, there is enough space for everyone. To improve your experience on the Short Inca Trail Machu Picchu, we have small groups with expert guides.

ARE WE DROPPED AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE TREK?

Absolutely! Included in our packages is dropping you off at your hotel upon return from your trek or tour. If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like in Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too!
If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the trek, we wil pick you up from there.

WHAT TIME DOES THE TRAIN DEPART?

It will depend on the trains´ availability but the idea is to give you as much time as possible in Machu Picchu and also a  chance to enjoy the amazing views on the way back to Cusco from the train. Therefore you will take the train at 4:22pm. With this train schedule, you will have more than 9 hours to enjoy Machu Picchu

VISTADOME TRAIN UPGRADE; HOW MUCH IS IT?

 You may upgrade to the Vistadome train which has slightly nicer seats, as well as panoramic windows and ceilings. You will be offered some snacks and a dance show will take place on board. The price is US$67 per person which includes the transfer from Poroy (Cusco) train station to your hotel in Cusco. It is 2 hours by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and then another 2 hours from Ollantaytambo to Cusco by bus. If you upgrade to the Vistadome Train, the trip from Aguas Calientes to Poroy (Cusco), takes 3.5 hours, and then 25mins by taxi to your hotel. Usually our clients are back at their hotel by 8pm. If you plan to take the bus to Puno the same night, that is totally possible.

TIPPING

If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek.  It inspires excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many INCA TRAIL HIKE destinations. Of course you are free to tip what you feel is appropriate, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

ARE YOU SUSTAINABLE? 

Yes, we are a local sustainable & responsible tourism operator in that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our staff to know, understand and respect the local places and it´s people.