Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days & 3 Night

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

Please read the following information carefully as it will help answer all of your questions about our services and the trek to Machu Picchu 

ARRIVAL IN CUSCO

You will be welcomed at the airport in Cusco and taken to your hotel. Please ensure that you inform us of your flight details at least 14 days prior to your trek. Look for our representative holding a board stating: Spider Travel Peru at the arrivals terminal. You must exit the terminal to find our representative (they cannot enter inside).

THE BRIEFING

Your briefing will take place the night before your trek. It will be held at our office at 6 or 6:30pm, depending on your confirmation email details.  The office is located at Calle Garcilaso 210, office 213 (second floor) in the La CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?

Of course! During the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu trek, your main luggage can be store at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you.

HOW TO BOOK:

FIRST, to book your Inca Trail Trek, you need to select your trekr date and the number of travelers on the right hand side. Then proceed to the next page to complete the booking form. 

Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group).  We cannot purchase Machu Picchu permits and train tickets 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

  *** We will need each participant’s passport at the time of booking. We need it, in order, to purchase tickets.

SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person, in order, to purchase a permit for the Inca Trail.  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 MY REMAINING BALANCE?

To avoid the excessive credit card fees in Peru, you can pay in cash at our office (we accept US dollars or Peruvian soles) in Cusco. We have many ATMs within the historical center to withdraw money.  You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but there is 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@spidertravelperu.com to complete the payment.

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

Unfortunately, the answer is No. Once the Inca Trail permit and other tickets have been bought, the Peruvian government does not allow any changes. We can’t change the departure date after the permit & tickets have been paid for. Tickets are also not transferrable or refundable. If you cancel your Inca Trail Trek, the deposit is non-refundablel!

DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON THE INCA TRAIL?

Yes! You have to bring your original passport as it is necessary to gain entry onto the Inca Trail, Machu picchu and other sites.  It must be the original passport that you have used to book with us from the start. 

In case, you are renewing your passport or changing your name, go ahead and send us your old passport information to secure your permit and we can change it when you get your new passport number or updated your name for a fee of $25 USD per person.  We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change.

If you do not wish to pay this fee, you will need to bring both your old and new passports to Peru with you.  You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both old and new passports to be able to enter Machu Picchu and other sites.  If you do not have both, you will not be allowed to enter into these amazing sites.

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE INCA TRAIL?

The weather is very unpredictable and difficult to foresee. We recommend to always dress in layers as that makes it easier to add on or take off clothing, while passing through the various microclimates which our beautiful region has to offer.

WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS?

In general, if you exercise regularly and spend a couple of days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, you will be able to acclimate normally.  It takes about 1 to 2 days for your body to adjust.

The recommended remedies for altitude sickness are: WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN, IF NEEDED. Our guides are trained to treat you for altitude sickness.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE PER GROUP?

The maximum group size is 8 people. Our groups are between 2-6 people. Spider Travel Peru specializes in SMALL, PRIVATE groups while providing personalized service.

HOW MANY COOKS/PORTERS FOR THE GROUP?

You will have one chef per group. The number of porters depends of the size of the group. For a group of 2 trekkers, they will have 4 porters, 4 trekkers will have 6 porters, 6 trekkers will have 9 porters, 8 trekkers will have 12 porters.

DUFFEL BAG AND SMALL BACK PACK 

The evening before you start your trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFEL BAG to pack your clothes and items for the next four days. By law, your weight allowance is up to 7kg/15lbs. This includes 1kg for your sleeping mattress and 2kg for your sleeping bag, leaving 4kg for your personal items. Your team of porters will carry your duffel bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware that you will not have access to your items in the duffel bag until the end of each day, as the porters will always be ahead of the group. During the trek, you need a day backpack only big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. A 25 to 30L backpack is sufficient.

IS THE TREK DIFFICULT? DO I NEED TO BE IN SHAPE?

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Trek is a fairly difficult and you should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You have to be moderately fit and exercise regularly.  In preparation: try walking 15kms/9mi in a day or go to a fitness club throughout the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3,350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek. Always check with your doctor before traveling to Peru.

ARE THERE TOILETS ON THE INCA TRAIL TREK?

Our clients who want a bit of privacy, always appreciate the clean and sanitary toilet we provide for you! Spider Travel Peru include a portable bathroom facility with an individual tent and a camping toilet with a seat.  Check out the picture, which illustrates how we set up our camping toilet on the trek by using this link: picture of toilet tent. Our toilets are always set up a comfortable distance from our campsite.  At night, if you need to use the toilet, it is readily accessible and clean, unlike the public facilities supplied by the Peruvian government, which are not always cleaned regularly.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM UNABLE TO FINISH THE INCA TRAIL TREK?

In the unlikely scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, Spider Travel Peru will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. Travel insurance is required and recommended. There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.
Generally, those who have to be assisted off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and if they recover quickly they can then continue the journey to Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by trekker) and visit Machu Picchu, according to original plan.

WILL WE GET DROPPED OFF AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE INCA TRAIL TREK?

Absolutely!! Hotel pick ups and drop offs are included with all of our treks and packages! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley, we will drop you off there and vice versa.

WHAT TIME DOES THE TRAIN DEPART?

It will depend on the train time availability (during high season it could be sold out) but the idea is to give you as much time as possible in Machu Picchu and enjoy the amazing views on the way back to Cusco while on the train. Therefore, we usually book the train at 4:22pm. With this train schedule, you will have more than 4 hours to enjoy Machu Picchu.

HOW MUCH IS THE VISTADOME UPGRADE?

 The Vistadome train, which has seats that conform to your body, panoramic windows and ceiling! You will be offered snacks and a dance show will take place on board. The service includes the transfer from the Poroy train station to your hotel in Cusco. The total travel time is about 4 hours roundtrip. The Vistadome train back to Poroy (Cusco) lasts 3.5 hours, then 25 minutes by taxi to your hotel. Our clients are back at the hotel by 8pm. The upgrade will cost you $75 USD. 

TIPPING

If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Spider Travel Peru destinations. Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you feel, depending on your perception on the quality of service and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

ARE WE SUSTAINABLE? 

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