FREQÜENTLY ASKED QÜESTIONS

1.- If I want to extend my trip can I change the date of my fly tickets?

Yes, we will make a change as long as there is space on the plane. Sometimes you will have to pay an extra US$20.00 to change the date depending on the airline.

2.- Is the Inca Trail trek difficult, do I need to be fit?

The Inca Trail is a 45km (26 mile) hike through mountainous regions involving trekking for 5-7 hours at high altitude and over rough terrain. The maximum altitude reached on the trek is 4,200m above sea level. On the second day of the trek we ascend 1200m. Make no mistake, the Inca Trail is a fairly difficult trek and you should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You should be fit and take regular exercise. Try walking 15km in a day or go to the gym in the months leading up to the trek.

It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to spend 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3,400m) prior to starting the trek. This time can be put to good use visiting the city of Cusco, nearby Inca ruins and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The good news is that virtually everyone in the last few years who started the trek finished it! Only a handful had to turn back. If you do not take regular exercise or have a heart, respiratory, knee or back problem do not consider doing the trek.

3.- Is there a minimum or maximum age for the tour?

There is no age limit but on this tour it will be very important for people under 18 years of age to travel with an adult as their representative. We recommended people over 50 to consult a doctor to make sure you have no health problems that could bother you on this tour. It is important to travel with travel insurance.

4.- How far in advance do I have to book a tour?

We recommended you to make a reservation as far as 3 or 4 months in advance before the date of the tour because of the number of visitors to the trail are limited (200 tourist and 300 porters). You can ask about the available dates by calling to +51 950 313131 or +51 984 734633.

5.- What happens if I am very slow or want to see more?

You will never be left alone, if you are the last one in your group. The guides will keep you informed of distances and hours to be covered after every break, as an average people walk at a rate of 1.7 km per hour meaning a slow pace and resting while you are receiving explanation about the Inca sites and environment from our guide.

6.- Where can I store the bags that I do not need to take on the Inca Trail?

Any bags that you don’t need to take on the Inca trail can be left at your hotel in Cusco. Nearly all hotels have a luggage deposit and rarely charge for this service as long as you are returning to the hotel after the trek. You can also leave valuables in the hotel safe, but remember to bring your passport and some emergency money. We do not store client’s luggage or valuables in our office.

7.- Should I hire an extra porter?

About 30% of the group hires the services of an extra porter to carry their personal items. A ‘half porter’ can be hired for the 4 day trek (US$70) (includes porter’s entrance fees, meals, transport and wages). If you hire the services of a half porter you can give him a maximum of 6kg (13lbs) to carry which is usually sufficient for your sleeping bag (about 2.5kg), mattress (1 kg) and change of clothes (about 2.5kg). However the porter will not walk at your side during the trek so you will still need to bring a day pack to carry essential items such as water, snacks, camera, warm sweater and rain jacket.

When you pay the trek balance in our office in Cusco we will give you a duffle bag so that you can put your items in that, which you will give to the porter on the day of the trek.

8.- How do I make a payment/deposit?

We require a non-refundable trek-deposit of US$ 200.00 per person (for the Inca Trail tour). The deposit can be sent by a WESTERN UNION money transfer OR DIRECTLY DEPOSIT.This is the fastest and most secure form of payment in Peru. The money transfer should be in the name of “SUNRISE PERU TREK TOUR OPERATOR E.I.R.L”. Once you arrive in Cusco you must pay the remaining balance in cash prior to beginning your tour. We accept both US Dollars and Peruvian Soles (local currency).

9.- Why do I need to send a deposit?

We use your deposit (non-refundable) to pay official fees when making your official reservation. For example, we need to pay tourist and porters entrance fees at INC and taxes (18%). We also use it to secure chefs, porters and horses for our different treks.

10.- Can I use trekking poles or a walking stick on the Inca Trail?

It helps when you are climbing steps and on various sections of the trail. We normally recommended trekking poles but the spikes should be protected with rubber tips so not to destroy the paved Incan stones. You can purchase trekking poles in Cusco made of dry bamboo wood.

11.- What is the weather like on the Inca Trail?

The Inca Trail runs across the mountains and the cloud forest. You can expect variable weather conditions. You always need to be prepared for all kinds of weather. Here we have two seasons: summer from November to May (rainy season). Days are warm and humid. Nights are not very cold. The winter season is from April to October (dry season). Nights are cold and days are dry, hot and it rarely rains.

12.- How much drinking water do I have to carry?

The first day you must carry one litre of drinkable water. If you run out you can buy more along the trail around midday. After lunch time and at every meal, we will have available drinkable water to refill your water bottle. It’s not necessary to carry purification pills with you.

13.- Can I have a private room in the hotel?

Yes, but it will cost US$20.00 extra per night.

14.- Can I climb Huayna Picchu (optional)

Huayna Picchu is the large mountain just behind Machu Picchu. There is a narrow and steep trail right to the top of the mountain and there are also some interesting Inca ruins at the top. The view of Machu Picchu from the summit is breathtaking. As from 2012 the government authorities have decided to charge an additional fee for climbing Huayna Picchu. Unfortunately, at the moment, clients can’t buy an entrance ticket just to climb Huayna Picchu. The entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu is only available as part of a combined Machu Picchu – Huayna Picchu ticket that costs S/.150 for adults (approx US$58) and S/.75 for students with an ISIC card (approx US$29). This doesn’t offer good value to people doing the Inca Trail since the Inca Trail permit already includes entry to Machu Picchu.

If you want to climb Huayna Picchu and think S/.150 is too expensive then we would recommend staying an extra night in Aguas Calientes and buying a combined Machu Picchu – Huayna Picchu entrance ticket for the following day. You will therefore get entrance to Machu Picchu and be able to climb Huayna Picchu which offers better value for money. Of course you will still have to pay for your accommodation in Aguas Calientes and return bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (US$12 each way).

IMPORTANT:

If you have other questions please do not doubt write us to: reservas@sunriseperutrek.com