FAQ
CAN I STORE MY LUGGATE AT YOUR OFFICE
Of course! Any extra luggage you may have with you can be left safely in Cusco at either your hotel or with us at our MACHU PICCHU EXCURSIONS office for the duration of your trek.
HOW DO I BOOK A TOUR?
- To book your tour, fill out our Reservation form in order to book your trek to Machu Picchu, we need to purchase permits and entrance tickets for your trek, on your behalf. To purchase the requisite permits and entrance tickets, we require certain information from each of the participants. Therefore, please be ready with the following information of each participant when booking your tour:
Full name (exactly as on passport)
Passport number
Gender
Date of birth (DD / MM / YYYY)
Nationality
*** We also require copies of each participant’s passport when booking in order to purchase the permits for your Machu Picchu trek, we require a deposit of US$ 210.00 per person to be made online.If you have any more questions on how to make a booking, please feel free to contact us via booking@machupicchuexcursions.com
WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE OF THE BOOKING FEE?
It would be greatly appreciated, if you pay the balance of the booking fee in cash at our office. We accept US dollars or Peruvian soles. We have many ATMs within the historical center. You can also pay online but you will have to pay a 5.5% credit card transaction fee on top of our booking fee, charged by the credit card company.
HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR THE STUDENT DISCOUNT
According to Peruvian Law you must be under 18 years of age at the time of your trek, tour, or visit to Machu Picchu (students 18 & above need ISIC cards). For example, if you book a trek or a tour at the age of 17 but you turn 18 before you do your trek, you do not qualify for a student discount.
For all students from 12 to 17 years, the discount is $40.
For children from the age of 2 to 12 the discount is $60.
For children from the age of 0 to 2 are free.
All students must provide a copy of their passport at the time of their booking to get the student discount.
Send us a copy at booking@machupicchuexcursions.com
MAY I CHANGE THE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?
Unfortunately, the answer is generally, no. Once the tickets have been bought the Government of Peru does not allow any changes, so we are unable to change any departure dates.
Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.
With alternative treks, we may be able to change dates for a fee, depending on what has already been purchased. Please contact our office as soon as possible if you need to change your date.
In the event you cancel your trek, please be informed that the deposit is non-refundable.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE TREK?
The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. We recommend always dressing in layers as it is easier to adjust to the different climates.
Typically, the dry season in Cusco is from May to October, but this does not stop rain from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December – so just be prepared. No matter what month you are doing the trek, please make sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho and waterproof gloves.
Also come prepared for four seasons. Many of the treks through the Andes involve many micro-climates and you will need to be prepared for all seasons. Layers are always key as they are easy to adjust to the different temperatures. Evenings will always be cold, so please be prepared with a warm, winter-weight jacket.
DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON THE TREK?
Yes! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport you used to book your trek, other entrance tickets, and reservations.
Passports will be checked at the entrance to Machu Picchu, the trek, and when you board the train.
In the event 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 or update your name for a fee of US$ 25.00 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 passports with you to Peru. You can enter Peru with your new passport, but you will need to show both passports, old and new, in order to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or board the train. If you do not have both passports, you will not be allowed to enter Machu Picchu or board the train.
WHAT ABOUT THE ALTITUDE SICKNESS ON THE TREK TO MACHU PICCHU?
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 usually takes between 24 hours to 2 days to acclimatize to Cusco’s high altitudes.
The recommended remedies for altitude sickness are water, coca tea, and oxygen (if needed). Don’t worry, our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness, so if your experiencing any symptoms while on your trek please be sure to let our guides know and they’ll take care of you.
As soon as people book their trip to Peru, specifically Cusco, they start wondering about Altitude Sickness. The air at high altitudes contains less oxygen than at sea level and forces your body to work harder to get the oxygen it needs. When you spend several days at high altitude, your body adjusts to the lower amount of oxygen in the air. This is why we always recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before beginning any trek. If you have more time, even better. Cusco is an amazing city with a lot to do, so you won’t be bored.
With Altitude Sickness, you may first feel like you have the flu or a hangover. You may have a headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, trouble breathing during exercise. If any of these effects become severe, please contact our office and we will help you get to a doctor.
If you want to learn more about Altitude Sickness in Cusco and Machu Picchu, be sure to read our blog article on ‘6 Ways to Beat Altitude Sickness In Cusco And Machu Picchu’.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE PER GROUP?
Our maximum group size is 8 persons. Our groups are usually between 2-6 persons. MACHU PICCHU EXCURSIONS specializes in small, private group tours and provides a personalized experience.
IS THE TREK DIFFICULT, DO I NEED TO BE FIT?
The trek can be fairly difficult, and you should be prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You should be moderately fit and take regular exercise prior to doing the trek.
In preparation: try walking 15 km / 9 miles in a day or working out in 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 (3,400 m / 11,150 ft. above sea level) prior to starting the trek.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is inexpensive and strongly recommended. These trips are planned months ahead of time and you can never predict what will happen. Adventure travelling includes more risk than your normal trip. Insurance is a way to protect the investment you have made on this amazing journey. We can help to recommend an agent to walk you through this type of insurance, if needed.
ARE THERE STRIKES IN PERU?
Unfortunately, strikes are very common in Peru and can cause a lot of disruption to our tours. Roads are often blocked, trains stopped. We will do everything possible to operate your tour including leaving the night before your start date. Tours may need to be canceled under these circumstances. Our Operation Department will coordinate with you in this situation. Your safety is always our top concern and will guide our decisions in this respect.