“Please read carefully the following information; it will help you answer all of your questions about our services and tour”

 How get to Cusco

The airport in Cusco currently is only for domestic flights, so all international travelers by plane must disembark in Lima and go through Customs. Even if your flight to Cusco is the same day by the same airline carrier, you must grab your bags in Lima and then check them back in.

The best way to get to Cusco is by air and there are several options in airlines. LAN tends to be the most expensive, but has the most options and flights. Expect delays or flight cancellations. Due to the high altitude of Cusco, it tends to be difficult to land and any acclimate weather will stop air traffic. Bus travel is always available and while the trip can be long, especially from Lima, the buses in Peru are very well maintained and comfortable. This option is strongly encouraged if coming from a city closer to Cusco, like Puno. Lima buses will take about 20 hours to arrive.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?

Any extra luggage you have with you can be left safely in Cusco at either your hotel or with us at the Machupicchu Hiking Peru deposit while you trek. We will grab from you the morning of your trek and return once you are back in Cusco. Make sure your bags have some kind of identification on them so they are easy to locate.

WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS?

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. Over 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.

Most of the time, these symptoms will be mild. We always recommend easing into activity slowly, allowing your body to adjust. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or coca tea. Coca tea has been used since ancient times to help prevent altitude sickness. Leaves from the Coca Plant contain alkaloids which helps bring oxygen into your blood, helping your body avoid the effects of altitude sickness. Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol and coffee. They will cause you to urinate more often and become dehydrated. Avoid smoking. Smoking makes it more difficult for your body to get oxygen. Avoid sleeping pills. They may cause shallow breathing at night, making it more difficult for your body to absorb oxygen while you sleep.

Remember the trek to Machu Picchu is not a race. Even those in the best shape will suffer from altitude sickness when they race to the top of the mountain too quickly. Go slowly, it will give your body time to adjust to the mountain.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicines, such as acetazolamide and dexamethasone, to help prevent altitude sickness. Start the medicine two days before you get to a high altitude. Continue to take it while you are at high altitude.

You must remember that this is your holiday and you do not want to stress out about the possibility of getting sick from the mountains. Do everything slowly. Drink lots of water. And enjoy the coca tea. If anything does happen and you unfortunately get sick, let your guide know right away… Machupicchu Hiking Peru guides are trained in how to help you get through it.

We offer the Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley tours and Maras Moray Salt Mines and Chinchero Inca Textiles that you can book while you are acclimatizing.  Check out our day tours on our Main Page.

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON OUR TREKS & TOURS?

Of course weather is unpredictable. Typically the dry season in Cusco is from April through October, but this does not stop rain from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December – 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. Many people forget about gloves, but being cold and wet makes hiking very unpleasant.

Also prepare 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. And evenings will always be cold, so please be prepared with a warm, winter-weight jacket.

First Aid

Every Machupicchu Hiking Peru guide has received training in first aid from a physician. We conduct mandatory training every February – every single Alpaca guide attends. When guiding you, they will have with them a first aid kit for basic medical problems (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) and oxygen. They know how to make you feel better.

In case something unexpected happens and you feel you can no longer complete the trek, they will figure out the safest and quickest way off the course and to a clinic. You will never be left alone, you will have a member of the team escort you every step of the way until safely with a doctor. When you are feeling up to it, we will make sure that you still have the chance to visit Machu Picchu and re-connect with your group, traveling by train comfortably.

Travel Insurance

To protect your travel investment, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. Obtaining travel insurance before you leave home is strongly encouraged and very easy. Other  ways we can help you getting travel insurance in your country let us know please. This is a great way to protect yourself while visiting Peru.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY, SUSTAINABLE & RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

Machupicchu Hiking Peru believes and is committed in using ECO-TOURISM as a tool to encourage the protection of the natural environment. We endeavor to encourage a love and respect of nature through enhanced understanding and awareness, both in our staff and clients. With local communities we create frameworks where the ECO-TOURISM business promotes truly sustainable use of pristine natural environments and nature. These benefits are shared equally and fairly with communities, with no loss to the natural environment.

To sustain tourism for the future, Machupicchu Hiking Peru works on projects to clean and reforest with native plants of the place maintain the Incan Trails where they have treks. We take our responsibility in this area seriously.

We use biodegradable soap and transports all our garbage back to Cusco. Our porters are trained to look after the trail and pick up any waste from other groups, as well. We also use environmentally-friendly chemical portable toilets that allow us to pack waste out. We believe in leaving no footprint behind.

SPREADING THE BENEFITS OF TOURISM THROUGH COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Machupicchu Hiking Peru was  established to helping to spread some of the benefits brought by tourism to local communities by donating school equipment to village schools and ensuring that it is properly used. A large percentage of the profits made by Machupicchu Hiking Peru will go towards such community projects. (rather than just talking about helping communities we would prefer to be judged upon our actions.

This is a main focus for our company. We are working with villages directly to help supply them with needs their families were missing. We are helping  local schools by giving them tables, chairs, desk, computers and education books specially for the kids. We support with school supplies at the village most of our porters come from to ensure their children are offered the best education.

Personal Porter Included

All of our treks include porters, who are responsible for carrying and setting up all equipment. They will also carry your personal duffel, which you will receive at your briefing the night before your trek. This duffel can not exceed 8 kg/17 lbs, and must include your sleeping bag and air mattress.

HOW TO BOOK OUR TOURS AND TREKS?

FIRST, to book  a tour or trek need you to fill out our booking form on our secure site, by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.

Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group).  We cannot purchase an Inca Trail permits, entrances to Machu Picchu, or  train reservations (it is a government requirement) without the following information:

• Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
• Gender
• Passport number
• OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
• Nationality

SECOND, we require a deposit of per person (the amount depends on which trek or tour you are booking) in order to purchase permits, entrances, and train reservations for your tour or trek.  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 or click here on the payment of your choice, either VISA or PAYPAL,

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@machupicchuhikingperu.com

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 at the age of 17 but you turn 18 before you do your trek, you do not qualify for a student discount.
• 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 info@machupicchuhikingperu.com

HOW DO I GET THE STUDENT ISIC CARD DISCOUNT?

• The ISIC Student Discount is US$25.
• You must have a valid current internationally accepted ISIC card in your name.
• You can apply for the ISIC Card at https://www.isic.org/
• You must provide a copy of your ISIC card at the time of your booking.
• Send us a copy at info@machupicchuhikingperu.com

DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON THE INCA TRAIL AND  ALTERNATIVE TREKS?

• 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 Inca Trail Machu Picchu permit, entrance to Machu Picchu, train ticket or other entrances and reservations depending on your choice of trek.
• The rangers on the Inca Trail will check every day and it will be checked when you enter Machu Picchu. The train company will also check your passport before allowing you to board the train.
• 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 per person.  We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change.  Before you change your passport keep a copy of your old one.
• If you do not wish to pay this fee you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you.  You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both passports, old and new to be to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or the train.  If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or get on the train. They are very strict about this here!!

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE PER GROUP?

The maximum group size is 8 persons. Usually our groups are between 4-6 persons. Machupicchu Hiking Peru specializes in SMALL and PRIVATE groups and provides personalized services.

AT WHAT TIME DOES THE TRAIN DEPART FROM AGUAS CALIENTES?

It will depend on the train availability (high season it could book 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 from the train. We usually book the train at train departs from Aguas Calientes at approximately 18:20pm (time can vary subject to ticket availability) and you’ll arrive back in Cusco for about 22:15pm. Included in our service is the tourist bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, return on the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo where you will be collected and taken by bus back to Cusco., you will have more than 8 hours to enjoy Machu Picchu

THE BRIEFING

The briefing for treks and tours will take place the night before your trekking departure before 7pm in our office, where  the remaining trek balance needs to be paid in our office in Cusco at least 2 days prior to the trek departure date, before 7.00pm. Payment is to be made in cash US dollars (preferred) or local currency. When we confirm your trek booking we will send you more details about how to pay the trek deposit. Please note that the trek deposit is non-refundable & non-transferable. The deposit is used to purchase your entrance fee to Machu Picchu and reserve space within the group, and  to buy return train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (hot spring). For the last day  trek, after purchasing the ticket (or submitting your details to the government) we cannot change the date of entrance fee  to Machu Picchu or change the name or passport number entrance fee.Note: ONCE WE ALREADY PURCHASED YOUR TICKET  TO MACHU PICCHU WITH 1 AND 2  MONTHS IN ADVANCE. OFFICE ADDRESS. Which is located at Av. Pachacuteq 321 FIFTH FLOOR two blocks from Wanchaq Peru Rail Train Station Cusco, Peru

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 Machupicchu Hiking Peru destinations. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you feel, 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.

FOOD ON THE TREK WITH MACHUPICCHU HIKING PERU

• The primary ingredient found in nearly every Peruvian dish is rice, potatoes, chicken, pork, lamb and fish. Most of these meals include “aji”, or better known as a Peruvian hot pepper. They vary in colour being yellow, red and red rocoto pepper
• Today more than 3,000 varieties of potato can be found in the Cusco region. They range in color from purple to blue, and yellow to brown. Sizes and textures vary as well. Some are as small as nuts, others can be as large as oranges and in the highland region they process the potatoes by dehydrating them.
• Sacred Valley Vegetables such as aubergine, asparagus, beans, beetroot, beetroot, broccoli, Brussels, sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower,  celery,  courgette,  eggplant,  garlic, lettuce,  onion, pepper,  pumpkin,  spinach, squash,  tomato.
• Cusco Region Cereal products, such as Quinua, Quiwicha, Maiz, which are Andean Grains, Legumes, Quinua and Kiwicha, known as the Golden Grain. It is one of our flagship products. This ancestral nutritious food was one of the most important commodity during pre-Hispanic period.
• Meals while trekking with MACHUPICCHU HIKING PERU
• Breakfast: Lunch, Dinner.
• Meals ( breakfasts,  hot lunches,  hot dinners) – food includes pancakes, omelettes, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking, hot drinks including coca leaf tea which is excellent for the altitude. Teatime everyday (tea, coffee, biscuits, popcorn)

Afternoon Tea Time or High Tea:

• High tea: Every afternoon at around 5pm you will get stuffed with popcorn, biscuits, wantan, jam and butter.
• Chocolate, tea, etc.  And of course —— it´s time to play cards!!
• Hot toddy: A special drink made with alcohol, sugar, hot water, lemon, cinnamon tea and a slice of apple – nothing like warming up!!
• Bed Time: 20:00pm – Time to ask for your hot water bottle, especially on the 1st and 2nd nights, if you required.
• Snacks: Every morning before leaving camp you will be given a bag containing your snacks for the walk until lunch; this usually contains a power bar, biscuits, fruit and more.
• Vegetarian and special diet requirements are available on request.

Looking after our Porters and Horsemen

Our porters and horsemens have been carefully selected from six communities in the mountain villages around Cusco. We employ about 30 permanent porters and another 50 are employed as required. Two porter groups come from the village of Chinchero which is high up in the mountains about a 1-hour walk from Chinchero. One porter group is from the Cuper Alto community beside Lake Piuray near the District of Chinchero, and another porter group comes from Umasbamba Community as well and one group of porter from Amaru Community Pisaq District in the Sacred Valley of the Incas which is 3 hours far awy from Cusco City. We also have three groups of muleteer from the high Andean communities of Cusco, Our Muleteer from Wayrac community  in the mountains of Salkantay on the way to Machupicchu, the second group from the community of Upis  in the mountains of Ausangate, the  third group of muleteer from Wacawasi community in the mountains of Lares Valley, The three high Andean communities are far from Cusco, 3 to 4 hours away by car.

Without doubt, for many visitors to Peru, the arrival at the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu and Alternative Treks to Machupicchu after having completed the Inca Trail and Alternatives Treks are the highpoint of their trip. For others it is a fulfilment of a life long dream. No matter what your religious beliefs are, the Inca Trail and Alternative Treks really is a special pilgrimage passing through spectacular mountain scenery, high Andean communities beautiful cloud forests with orchids and hummingbirds dotted with Inca ruins, finally arriving at the mysterious ancient city of Machu Picchu for sunrise. Visitors cannot help but feel an inner satisfaction and a sense of personal achievement at having completed the trek. Some people say that this feeling is enhanced by the spiritual energy that is derived from the sacred stones at Machu Picchu. However you feel, it is certain that this positive feeling is greater in the knowledge that your haven’t contributed to the exploitation of the porters who have helped you achieve your goal by carrying the trekking equipment.

The majority of the porters on the Inca Trail and Alternative Treks to Machupicchu  are from the countryside, simple farmers who supplement their income by working on the Inca Trail and Alternative Treks during the busy months. Their first language is Quechua, the official language of the Incas, although many now speak Spanish. In fact the majority of these people are still pure blooded Quechua, the people who were governed by the Incas almost 500 years ago. Many of their traditions and superstitions have remained unchanged since well before the Spanish arrived. However, most would agree that these people have remained a quiet and humble folk and easily manipulated by both governments and tour operators who have been quick to exploit this hardworking source of workers.

ESSENTIALS:

• Original Passport
• Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
• Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
• Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

FOR YOUR DUFFEL:

Remember you are packing for 2 nights of camping and 1 night in a hotel. Porters will carry up to 8 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3.5 kg.

• 2 wicking t-shirts
• 2 hiking pants
• 4 sets of undergarments.
• 3 sets of hiking socks
• Bathing suit for Hot Springs
• 1 Fleece
• 1 Warm, down jacket: this trek includes 2 cold nights camping
• 1 Rain jacket and pants
• 1 sun hat
• 1 wool hat
• Headlamp: essential
• Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
• Comfortable shoes for camp
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might enjoy something a little larger.
• Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to clean – might make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.
• Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
• Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
• Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least

TOILETRIES:

• Sunscreen
• Face moisturizer
• Bug spray
• Handsanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Toiletpaper
• Personal medication
• First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS:

Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, no bag larger than 25L will be allowed in. If larger, you will need to store outside citadel gates.

PassportValid, STUDENT card (if you booked as a student)Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)Good daypack (the smaller, the better)Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

• Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to filter water until your first lunch.
• Sunhat
• Rain gear
• Fleece
• Camera
• Music (IPhone)
• Handsanitizer
• Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
• Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips