CLASSIC INCA TRAIL
If you are booking the Classic Inca Trail, 4 or 5 days, you must book well in advance to get your desired date. Depending on the month you wish to travel, you may need to book 6 months or more in advance. Permits go on sale a year in advance usually in October and many dates sell out within minutes.
ALTERNATIVE DATES
We work hard to obtain permits for your preferred date, we make 98% sure that you get your preferred dates. However, we prefer that you also provide us with at least 2 alternative dates in case we are unable to obtain permits for your preferred date. This ensures that we can still obtain permits for you and ensure that you can enjoy the Inca Trail.
SHORT INCA TRAIL
If you are booking the 1 or 2 day Inca Trail, it is preferable that you also book well in advance, however, it is possible 2 to 4 months in advance depending on the date you chose to hike.
If the permits for the Classic Inca Trail are sold out on your preferred date, unfortunately there are no waiting lists, but we can offer you other options that will allow you to hike and enjoy the Andes on the way to MACHU PICCHU. The alternative hikes are just as beautiful as the Inca Trail. They are less crowded and off the beaten track in the Andes and we make sure that you get the most out of an amazing hike on the way to MACHU PICCHU.
PASSPORT RENEWAL OR EXCHANGE
If you plan to renew or change your passport between making your trip reservation and the start of your trip, you can book your trip or tour with your current passport number or name, but you must send us a copy of your old passport and a copy of your new passport when you have them, as the change formalities will need to be made before your arrival in our country. The additional cost to make the change is US$25 per person. (This will cover the change in the number or name on your Inca Trail Permit, entrance to Machu Picchu and train and other admissions)
We also give you the option at no charge, for this you will need to bring your passport (old and current). You can enter Peru with your new passport, but you must show the government authorities your old passport to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or train. If you cannot do this, the government officials will not allow you to start your trek. All names and numbers must match!
Important note: We will purchase your Inca Trail Permit using the names and passport numbers you send us with your trek reservation request which must be clear and accurate, you will need to present your passport at the time of entry control.
If the name or number on your passport does not match 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.
STUDENT DISCOUNT
If you make a travel reservation we have the option of a student discount, for this you must send us a copy of your valid and updated university card at the time of paying the travel deposit. If you do not bring your original university card to the trek, the government authorities will not allow you to start the trek.
* The government does not give you the opportunity to pay the price difference
More information about the route
The Salkantay trek tour, unlike the famous Inca Trail, can be purchased online or in the city of Cusco itself days or weeks in advance. To find the right option it is recommended to check the positive and negative comments on online tourism forums (such as TripAdvisor, for example).
It is best to spend one or two days in Cusco before starting the hike. The reason? This will allow tourists to better adapt to the mountainous geography of the Andes Mountains. Remember that you may experience symptoms of altitude sickness such as nausea, fatigue and headaches. Do not drink alcohol before the expected hike.
Your main luggage can be stored at our office at no cost or at your hotel in Cusco.
You will receive a small duffel bag (valija) at your briefing in which you can pack your clothing and sleeping bag for 3-4 days. Your team of porters or horses (depending on the trek) will carry these bags along with food and equipment for the trek. Please note: you will not have access to these items until the end of each day as the porters will always be ahead of the group. Please plan to carry your day pack with your personal belongings such as your camera, water and sunscreen, etc. By Peruvian law, a duffel bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15 lb). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters or horses. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you need more than 7 kilograms, it will be your responsibility to carry the extra weight with your backpack. In these 7 kilos, count 2 kilos for your sleeping bag and 1 kilo for your sleeping pad. This leaves you about 4 kilos for your personal equipment.
You must bring your original passport, a photocopy is not acceptable.
As a tour operator, we provide you with a duffle bag at your briefing in which you can pack your necessary items for your trek. Your team of porters or horses (depending on the trek) will carry these bags along with food and equipment for the trek. Please note: you will not have access to these items until the end of each day as the porters will always be ahead of the group. Plan to carry your day pack with your personal belongings such as your camera, water and sunscreen, etc. By Peruvian law, a duffle bag should not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15 lb). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters or horses. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you need more than 7 kilograms there will be an additional cost.
Within the 7 kilos, you should consider 3 kilos for your sleeping bag, mat and your sleeping pad. This will leave you about 4 kilos for your personal things.
SLEEPING BAGS:
You will need a good warm sleeping bag for the trek. We recommend that you bring your own sleeping bag. However, you can rent one from us for $20 USD per person, which is guaranteed to be warm, clean, and have a liner. If you plan to buy a sleeping bag, it is a good idea to buy a four-season (or -10 C) sleeping bag during the winter months. For other months, you will probably be fine in a 3-season (or -4/-5 C) sleeping bag, although this depends on what you need.
INFLATABLE MATTRESS:
It is recommended to have an inflatable mattress for comfort, but it is not mandatory. META Peru Tours foam mattresses are included in the package price. If you would like to rent a high-quality Thermarest inflatable mattress, we have them available to rent for $20 USD per person. If you rent the air mattress, you can put the foam mat underneath for comfort.
TREK POLES:
Trekking poles can be a great help and it is even better if they are adjustable, on the way up you can shorten them and on the way down you can extend them. They are beneficial if you have any injuries and are useful for everyone. They will help with your balance, also take the weight off your knees and ankles. The Inca Trail is not like any other trek you may have experienced, the stairs are the biggest challenge for most people and the poles serve as support.
META Peru Tours has professional extendable poles available for rent for $15 USD per pair, per person.
Note: This packing list is only for 3, 4, 5 and 7 day treks.
Important aspects to consider about your personal attire and equipment
The most important equipment is your trekking shoes. They should be comfortable, previously worn by you so that you don’t get blisters. They have to be non-slip because the stone path is usually very slippery. It is recommended that your trekking shoes be waterproof and provide ankle protection.
High-top trekking shoes, waterproof, these shoes have to be worn by you previously for greater comfort and to avoid blisters, and they have to have good grip because some stones around the Inca trail are slippery and wet.
The backpack should be comfortable (30L) and preferably have grip for the waist and chest (remember that on the Inca Trail our porters will carry most of your luggage so you will only have to worry about carrying a 25-liter daypack)
Even in the dry season you should bring a good jacket, because one of the microclimates you will be in is the cloud forest. Obviously when walking through this forest you will feel humidity and it could rain in any season. Rain jackets and pants are recommended for this trek.
Toiletry items
This will be with you the whole way so we recommend you to pack light, carry at least 1 liter of water and a reusable bottle because disposable bottles are prohibited and we are also trying to take care of the environment. We recommend you to bring some small snacks for your consumption.
You should think about bringing multi-use jackets for the different microclimates on the trek also in some warmer areas on the trail where you will need to wear light clothing for your comfort and there are also areas where the weather is cold and you will need a warm fleece jacket (light), but when you get to the Pass the wind is cold and you will need to wear a fleece jacket and a windbreaker rain jacket. You must have a hat and rain pants.
Sunscreen is essential in any season because you will be at high altitudes near the Equator. UV rays are strong even if it is cloudy.
Check with your doctor and a travel clinic for anything you need to bring. We also recommend that you bring medication for some of the common problems travelers experience: headaches, muscle aches, upset stomach, diarrhea or constipation.
Altitude sickness symptoms occur when people are at an altitude between 1,500m – 2,000m (4921ft – 6561ft) when our bodies start to react differently to compensate for the changes in oxygen levels.
Therefore, as you go up, the air pressure decreases, with each breath there is less oxygen for your body. Your body gradually adapts to get more oxygen – you breathe faster and deeper and your body produces more red blood cells. This takes time, so if you go from low to high altitude too quickly you may feel symptoms of altitude sickness until your body acclimatises.
Cusco is at an altitude of 3,400 metres (11,200ft) and it is common for many visitors to experience some mild symptoms of altitude sickness or ‘soroche’ as it is known locally. It is difficult to know if you will be affected by altitude sickness as some people may be more susceptible than others, regardless of age, sex or physical condition.
Mild altitude sickness should not interfere too much with your normal activity. Symptoms are usually felt within 12 to 24 hours of arrival. If you have been somewhere at high altitude before arriving in Cusco, such as Puno, Arequipa or Bolivia, then a day to acclimatize should be fine.
Being in good physical condition can also help you adjust to the altitude. Regardless of physical condition, most people experience headaches the first couple of days and feel a little fatigue. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about. We recommend checking with your doctor what kind of medications for these types of symptoms you will have when you arrive in the city.
ALTITUDE SICKNESS SYMPTOMS
Common mild symptoms of altitude sickness may include:
EIGHT TIPS TO AVOID ALTITUDE SICKNESS
