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INCA TRAIL
FAQ's
Q: How far in advance do I need to make a trek
reservation?
A:
Because the government strictly limits the number of people permitted on
the Inca Trail (200 trekkers per day plus 300 porters)we recommend
making your Inca trail reservation as far in advance as possible.
We provide available dates on our Inca Trail Prices & Services page
which we update every few days. The following is a guide to booking:
January, March,
November & December:
Reservations should be made at least 3 months in advance.
April, May,
Sept., Oct.:
Reservations should be made at least 4 months in advance.
June, July,
Aug.:
Reservations should be made at least 5 to 6 months in advance.
NOTE: Inca Trail is closed for maintenance in February.
Q: Do you require a deposit?
A:
After we have confirmed your booking, we require a deposit of
US$200 per person, paid by PayPal, major credit cards,
Western Union money transfer or wire transfer. The remaining
balance must be paid in our Cusco office before 7pm at least 3 days
before departure. Therefore if your trek departs on a Monday
you must come to our office before 7pm on Friday to pay the balance.
Q: If I’m arriving in Cusco from another
high-altitude locale, do I still have to arrive three days ahead?
A: Yes.
For acclimatization purposes we require everyone to be in Cusco at least
3 days ahead, although 4 days is even better. Unfortunately, we are no
longer making any exceptions to this policy even if our clients have
already been at high altitude prior to arriving in Cusco. We are strict
on this point!
Q: How fit do I need to be?
A:
The Inca Trail is a fairly difficult trek, so you must be reasonably fit
and exercise regularly. The Trail is a 43km (26- mile) hike
through steep mountains. The maximum altitude reached is
4200m/13799ft above sea level. We recommend walking 15km a day
and work out for several months before the trek. The good news is that
virtually everyone in the last few years has finished the trek!
Q: Are there age limits on the Inca Trail?
A:
There are no government-mandated age limits. However as a responsible
trekking company, Earthbound Adventures does not accept reservations for
children under the age of 7, and an adult must accompany all
children under 18. We require that all of our trekkers over the age of
59 hire an extra third of a porter, a private porter for three people
who carries only sleeping bags and mats, which costs US$40. Consult with
your doctor about how best to prepare for the trek and make sure that
your travel insurance covers such adventure activities. For trekkers
over 64, we require a letter from your doctor confirming that you are
fit to participate. If you fail to bring a letter, we cannot allow you
to start the trek and your deposit cannot be returned.
Q: What do I need to bring on the trek?
A: Your
personal gear (See gear list). You will need to carry your
sleeping bag and mattress (We can provide you with sleeping bag and
mattress, it weights about 3kg-9lbs) camera and spare batteries (there’s nowhere to charge your
camera during the trek).
IMPORTANT: You must bring your original passport with you on the trek,
with the same passport number you originally made your reservation with,
otherwise you will be unable to go on the trek. Photocopies are no
longer acceptable.
Q: Is there
anything else I need to know about using my passport?
A: We
will buy your Inca Trail trek permit using the name and passport number
you send with your booking application. If
the name or number in your passport is different from 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.
If you plan to renew your passport between making the trek booking and
actually starting the trek, please see the section below relating to
passport numbers. If you make a trek booking at the student price you
must send us a copy of your ISIC card at the time you pay the deposit.
If you fail to bring your ISIC card, the government authorities will not
allow you to start the trek. You will not be given the opportunity to
pay the extra difference in price and you will not be entitled to a
refund. These are government regulations and apply to ALL licensed Inca
Trail tour operators.
Q: What do I need to carry?
A:
Unless you hire an extra “third of a porter” (1 porter per
three people), you will need to carry all
your personal gear. Porters carry all the other items such as tents,
food and cooking equipment.
Q: Do I need to bring walking boots?
A:
Walking boots are recommended as they provide ankle support, which
reduces the risk of injury, especially when trekking in the wet season
(December-March). It is equally important that your boots be comfortable
and well worn-in and not brand new. Many people prefer to trek in tennis
shoes, but extra care should be taken. Make sure the shoes are sturdy
enough for the duration of the trek and will not fall apart.
Q: Can I use trekking poles or walking sticks on
the Inca Trail?
A: Many
people like to hike with trekking poles or walking sticks. This is fine
as long as the poles will not cause damage to the stone paving along the
Inca Trail. Trekking poles with metal spikes must have rubber tip
protectors that can be bought in Cusco—please bring spares. You must
bring wooden walking sticks from home because the government has
forbidden trekkers from using sticks that could have come from local
forests (to prevent deforestation of protected Andean forests). In
Ollantaytambo you can buy decorated wooden broom handles that that can
be used in an emergency! Metal trekking poles can also be rented in
Cusco for about US$3 per day.
Q: Where can I store the bags that I do not need
to take on the Inca Trail?
A:
Nearly all hotels in Cusco have free luggage storage. You can leave
valuables in the hotel safe, but remember to bring your passport and
emergency money.
Q: Should I hire an extra porter third of a
porter?
A:
About 30% of the group hires the services of an extra porter to carry
their personal items. A third of a porter can be hired for US$40 (2009)
for the 4-day trek, which includes the porter’s entrance fees, meals,
transport and wages. You can give him a maximum of 6kg (13lbs) to carry,
which is usually sufficient for your sleeping bag (about 2.5kg),
mattress (1kg) and change of clothes (about 3kg). 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 for the items you will
give to the porter.
Q: Can I wait until Cusco to hire an extra porter?
A: No.
The restrictions on the number of people permitted on the Inca Trail
includes porters. They have to pay a trek entrance fee (about US$14)
that needs to be booked in advance, you must let us know if you want an
extra porter when you make your booking. Unfortunately, if you feel
weakened by the effects of the altitude when you arrive in Cusco and
want to hire a porter at the last minute, new regulations make it
impossible. However, on the trek itself the guide can often help you
find "unofficial porters" who live at Wayllabamba (the first campsite)
who can help you from Wayllabamba to the top of the first pass (the most
difficult section of the trail). These porters charge about US$15 for
their services but cannot always be relied upon. Earthbound Adventures
cannot accept responsibility for the services of these porters.
Q: How many
porters and trekking staff are in the group?
A: Earthbound Adventures is committed to looking after our porters and
our trekking weights are carefully calculated so that they are not
overloaded. Earthbound Adventures in the only tour operator to supply
its porters with specially designed carrying frames to carry our
equipment. The group sizes given below show the absolute minimum
number of porters that we provide for each group. As a professional
company, we guarantee these numbers. Obviously we will use extra porters
if any of our clients decide to hire the services of an extra third of a
porter up until the maximum number of porters per group permitted by the
government. This is why we limit each client to a maximum of just a
third of a porter i.e. maximum 6kg.
Group sizes:
4 clients + 1 guide + 1 cook + 9 porters (max 9 porters permitted)
5 clients + 1 guide + 1 cook + 10 porters (max 10 porters permitted)
6 clients + 1 guide + 1 cook + 10 porters (max 11 porters permitted)
7 clients + 1 guide + 1 cook + 11 porters (max 12 porters permitted)
8 clients + 1 guide + 1 cook + 12 porters (max 13 porters permitted)
9 clients + 1 guide + 1 assistant guide + 1 cook + 13 porters (max 14
porters permitted)
10 clients + 1 guide + 1 assistant guide + 1 cook + 14 porters (max 15
porters permitted)
11 clients + 1 guide + 1 assistant guide + 1 cook + 15 porters (max 16
porters permitted)
12 clients + 1 guide + 1 assistant guide + 1 cook + 16 porters (max 17
porters permitted)
Q: How does Earthbound Adventures care for their
porters?
A:
Earthbound Adventures guarantees that we pay our porters 200 soles for
the 4-day trek, plus their transport costs. This is well over the
legally required wage agreed upon by the Porters Union. Although ALL
trekking companies should pay this wage, it is estimated that only about
5% actually do so. We are enthusiastic supporters of porters’ rights and have
contributed regularly to campaigns such as Porters Inka Ñan.
However, improving
porter welfare is not just about paying fair wages. It is important that
the porters have adequate food, a warm, dry place to sleep and access to
medical attention the same as any other member of the group. The wages
that the porters get paid are by no means high by Western standards, but
you have to look at their wages relative to other professions in Peru. A
school teacher gets paid the equivalent of about US$250 per month and
has trained for 5 years to become a professional. A porter, if he
departs 4 times a month, receives just a little less than this if you
include his tips. Most porters are seasonal workers and have no formal
qualifications. For just 16 days’ work per month they receive wages
similar to a teacher who has to work 22 days.
Our industry has
much to learn and to improve upon with respect to porter welfare. We are
working in a competitive market and have to be realistic about our
goals. If we implemented all the projects that we would like to do, the
cost of our trek would probably be so high you would likely end up
trekking with one of our competitors!
Q: What is the weather like on the trek?
A:
Here are the average weather
conditions in Cusco and on the Inca Trail:
|
|
J |
F |
M |
A |
M |
J |
J |
A |
S |
O |
N |
D |
|
Av. Max
Temp ºC |
20 |
21 |
21 |
22 |
21 |
21 |
21 |
21 |
22 |
22 |
23 |
22 |
|
Av. Max
Temp ºF |
68 |
70 |
70 |
72 |
70 |
70 |
70 |
70 |
72 |
72 |
73 |
72 |
|
Av. Min
Temp ºC |
7 |
7 |
7 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
-1 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
|
Av. Min
Temp ºF |
45 |
45 |
45 |
40 |
36 |
34 |
30 |
34 |
40 |
43 |
43 |
45 |
|
Wet
days / month |
18 |
13 |
11 |
8 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
8 |
12 |
16 |
There’s a large
variation between the minimum and maximum temperatures on the trek.
Because temperatures are measured in the shade you'll notice an even
bigger difference between the temperature in the sun and the shade. In
the early morning it can be freezing, while on a sunny day it can be
quite hot. You should bring plenty of layers you can take off as the day
progresses. Trousers that zip off at knee level are ideal, and t-shirts,
long-sleeved shirts and warm fleece are also recommended. From May to
August is the dry season, so a simple light-weight plastic rain poncho
is a good bet, although unlikely to be used. However, during the wetter
months you may want something more adequate such as a Gore-Tex jacket or
heavy-duty rain poncho. From April to September temperatures at night
can fall to freezing or below so a four-season sleeping bag is highly
recommended, which is easily rented in Cusco. Bear in mind that the
climate throughout the world is very changeable, not following previous
weather patterns, so best be prepared for just about anything.
Q: How warm are
the sleeping bags that you rent?
A: Our sleeping bags are rated to temperatures as low as -11ºC (12F°)
but are more suitable for temperatures of about -7ºC (19°F). Since you
won't find temperatures as low as this on the Inca Trail we rate them as
very warm and cozy! We charge a US$20 refundable deposit per person for
the 4 day/3 night trek. We give you the sleeping baga day in advance and
bring it back to the office on the morning of the 4th day,
where you can pick up your deposit. All our sleeping bags come with a
cotton liner for easy washing.
Q: Are there toilets on the Inca Trail?
A:
Since 2003, many new flush toilets have been built along the Inca Trail,
including at all the major campsites. This has helped a lot to improve
sanitary conditions on the trail. Each toilet block has cold running
water. Only the campsite at Wiñay Wayna has hot showers. Every evening
we will provide a bowl of warm water to wash with.
Q: What is the maximum group size?
A: The
maximum size of our Inca Trail 4-day group service is 16 persons. For
groups of more than 8 persons we employ an assistant guide to help out.
Q: Is there a minimum group size and what happens
if Earthbound Adventures does not meet the minimum size?
A: We
require a minimum group size of just 4 persons to depart. During the
last 2 years Earthbound Adventures has managed to meet the minimum group
size for ALL of our departure dates and have never had to cancel any
group departures, had to combine with any other trekking company or
accept clients from any other company. With everyone receiving the same
pre-departure information and everyone paying the same price, we find
everyone is better prepared and happier. However, each year, due to high
demand and the limited numbers of trek permits, we are having to close
our groups further and further in advance, so we expect our group sizes
in 2009 to be smaller since it is becoming more difficult to fill the
groups so far in advance.
If in the unlikely
event we do not reach the minimum required number of persons we reserve
the right to combine our clients with another trekking company of
similar or higher cost. Unlike many other trekking agencies, including
some of the most expensive, we will not re-sell your trek to a cheaper,
inferior company. There will be NO trek surcharge when combining with a
more expensive trekking company, as Earthbound Adventures will accept
responsibility for this extra cost. However, we cannot guarantee that
porters used by other companies will receive the same treatment and high
pay we provide, although we do our best. If in the rare event we cannot
find another suitable company with spaces available, we will try to
offer you an alternative trek date or refund your trek deposit in
accordance with our
Inca Trail Terms and Conditions. During the last 3 years Earthbound
Adventures has managed to meet the minimum group size for ALL of our
departures, never had to cancel any departures nor combine with any
other trekking company.
Q: Do you buy the trek permits right away?
A: No.
Buying permits is not a straightforward process. Normally we buy them as
soon as we have a minimum of 4 people in the group. When additional
people book we buy their permits within a week of receiving their
deposits. If the number of trek permits remaining is fairly low (below
200), we buy the trek permits a day or so after receiving the trek
deposit. If we have only 2 or 3 people booked for a particular date and
the number of permits drops below 150 (there are 500 permits available
each day, we will quickly look to join our clients with another company
(see the above Q&A). If we can't find another suitable company with
spaces, we will try to offer you an alternative departure date or refund
your trek deposit (see
Inca Trail Terms and Conditions). Fortunately, we have never had to do
this.
Q: What do we do for water along the Inca Trail?
A: At
meal times we give you tea, coffee and other beverages. If the group is
small, we will have enough gas to boil water to fill your water bottles.
However, this should not be relied upon and you may have to use local
water sources. You'll come across a mountain spring, fountain or small
stream approximately every 2 hours where you can fill your water bottle.
Take a bottle of at least 1.5 liter capacity per person. Although the
water looks clean it is always recommended to use sterilizing tablets or
a water filter. The sterilizing tablets can be bought in most pharmacies
in Cusco. With these tablets you have to wait between 60 and 90 minutes
before drinking. Bottled mineral water can also be bought in Cusco, at
km82 (the start of the trek), Wayllabamba (first night), Wiñay Wayna
(third night) and at Machu Picchu (final day). Many people complete the
trek without ever having to use water taken from streams etc., but
sterilizing tablets are recommended for emergencies. In fact, our most
frequent comment about the trek is that we advise our clients to take
purification tablets that they never use! However, each year we always
have one or two nights of very cold temperatures when the liquid gas in
the bottle freezes solid and we are unable to boil water in the morning.
Thankfully, that doesn't happen very often.
Q: If I am traveling alone can I have my own tent?
A: Yes.
If you are willing to share a tent with a member of the same sex, there
is no additional cost. If, however, you would like your own tent, there
is an additional supplement of US$25.
Q: Can you guarantee that the group will camp at
Wiñay Wayna on the third night of the Inca Trail?
A:
Wiñay Wayna is the campsite closest to Machu Picchu, so it is
everybody's favorite. It is about a 2-hour trek to Machu Picchu, so it
allows the group to arrive very early in the morning. However there is
not enough space at Wiñay Wayna for all the Inca Trail groups. The next
nearest campsite is Phuyupatamarca, which is a 5-hour trek to Machu
Picchu. When we buy the trek permits, the government allocates the
campsites. Earthbound Adventures has a great reputation for closing our
groups and buying the trek permits much earlier than most of the other
companies.
Q: Will I be able to Climb Huayna Picchu?
A:
Possibly yes in the low season, but probably no in the high season,
unless you spend an extra night in Aguas Calientes after the trek. Since
June 2007 the government has restricted the number of people who can
climb Huayna Picchu to 400. Tickets are given out on a
first-come-first-served basis and are free of charge.
The Inca Trail
group will arrive at Machu Picchu between 7:30am- 8:30am depending on
the speed of the group and how dedicated they are to waking up early. We
cannot arrive any earlier because we are not permitted to leave Wiñay
Wayna until 5:30am (regulations prevent the groups from trekking in the
dark). Machu Picchu opens to the public at 6am. Therefore any visitors
who have spent the previous night in Aguas Calientes will have the
opportunity to get to Machu Picchu before the Inca Trail groups arrive.
During the high season (May-September) this means that all the 400
tickets to climb Huayna Picchu will probably have been allocated to
visitors before the groups arrive—sorry. Outside these months there is a
possibility of obtaining tickets, but this cannot be guaranteed and is
outside the control of Earthbound Adventures. If you really want to
climb Huayna Picchu then you must spend an extra night in Aguas
Calientes and return to Machu Picchu on one of the first buses in the
morning that depart at 5:20am. (Remember to buy your bus and entrance
ticket to Machu Picchu the evening before and start queuing for the
buses by about 5am!)
Q: What time do we leave Aguas Calientes?
A:
Included in the price of the trek is the train ticket for the
Backpacker Cerojo train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, currently
priced at US$31. The train normally departs Aguas Calientes at 18:03 and
arrives in Ollantaytambo at about 19:35/7:35pm. We then send a bus to
collect you at the station in Ollantaytambo to bring you back to Cusco,
arriving at about 21:35/9:35pm. The Backpacker Cerojo service is
comfortable, with reserved seats, no standing. Tea, coffee and snacks
are available for purchase.
If tickets are not
available on the 18:03/6:03PM service we may have to purchase tickets on
the backpackers shuttle that departs Aguas Calientes at 21:20/9:20pm and
arrives in Ollantaytambo at 22:58/10:58pm). We then send a bus to
Ollantaytambo to bring the group back to Cusco, arriving at about
01:00am. All train services are subject to availability. Earthbound
Adventures reserves the right to purchase tickets on alternative train
services.
Q: If we send you our names, passport numbers and
deposit more than 3 months in advance can you obtain tickets for the
18:03/6:03pm Backpacker Cerojo service or even tickets all the way back
to Cusco (Backpacker Aguas Calientes to Cusco 17:03/5:35pm)
A: As
of May 2006, Peru Rail has refused to sell us tickets for the Aguas
Calientes/Cusco departing 17:03/5:03pm. This is due to the popularity
with day trippers and Peru Rail would prefer to sell round-trip tickets.
In fact, Machu Picchu is becoming so popular that Peru Rail is not keen
to sell any one-way tickets at all (which to some extent is
understandable). Basically Peru Rail doesn't like Inca Trail operators!
However, with help from the Association of Tour Operators of Cusco (ATC)
a certain number of one-way tickets from Aguas Calientes to
Ollantaytambo have been made available to us at a slightly increased
cost. We hope that this agreement will continue until the end of 2009.
However, there is always the possibility that the only way to guarantee
return on the train is to buy a round-trip ticket that may increase the
cost by as much as US$31 per person. Peru Rail runs a monopoly service
so we just have to accept this situation for the moment and hope our
clients are flexible and understanding in this matter, which is outside
of our control.
Q: Can I come back on a different train than that
included in the trek?
A: If
you can’t be flexible with your return time or you prefer to return on a
different service such as the Vistadome train (either to Ollantaytambo
or back to Cusco, we recommend you make this booking directly with Peru
Rail using their website
www.perurail.com. Or we can
arrange it and deduct the price of our train ticket from Aguas Calientes
to Ollantaytambo (US$31 in 2009) and the price of the bus from
Ollantaytambo to Cusco (US$5) from the price of your trek, and
recalculate the price to reflect the new train ticket price. However,
you must let us know when you pay your deposit if you would like to make
this arrangement on your own. You can easily make a booking online
using secure online payment. Peru Rail gives preference to its direct
clients rather than trekking companies, so if you want to book anything
slightly different from what we offer, it is best to book directly with
Peru Rail. On Peru Rail website you will notice there are very few
trains from Aguas Calientes to Cusco, most of the services only run
between Aguas Calientes and Ollantaytambo (which is in the Sacred
Valley), so you will need to look at the Routes & Timetables > Sacred
Valley - Machu Picchu page for details of their services. From
Ollantaytambo you can take a bus back to Cusco (costs approx US$5 per
person) or a taxi (around US$40).
Q: If I come back on a different train from that
arranged by Earthbound Adventures will you still send a bus to
Ollantaytambo to collect me?
A:
Unfortunately, we won't be able to send a bus to meet you in
Ollantaytambo. However, not to worry since, if you let us know before
you start the trek, we will refund you the US$5 per person so you can
take a bus back to Cusco. There are many buses waiting at the station in
Ollantaytambo to meet the train. Alternatively, you can take a private
taxi back to Cusco, which costs about US$40, which is fairly reasonable
if there are 4 of you. Max 4 persons per taxi.
Q: If I stay an extra night at Aguas Calientes,
what is the cost?
A: We
will purchase your train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
the following day. You need to let us know when you make your
reservations, so we can reserve your train tickets in advance. You
must advise us before paying the trek deposit. Obviously if
you stay an extra night, you will have to pay for your accommodations,
meals, etc. We recommend that you make the reservations in advance,
especially if you travel between May and September. If you return to
Machu Picchu the following day you will have to pay for the return bus
fare up to the ruins (US$7 each way) and another 122 Peruvian soles
(about US$40) entrance fee. If you stay an extra night in Aguas
Calientes we won't be able to send a bus to Ollantaytambo, so we will
refund the price of the ticket (US$5) and you can simply catch one of
the many buses. Alternatively, you can return in a taxi (US$40), which
is fairly reasonably if there are 4 of you. (Max 4 persons per taxi).
Q: Do you
recommend staying an extra night at Aguas Calientes?
A: The advantage of staying the night in Aguas Calientes is that you can
spend all day at Machu Picchu. Most people leave the ruins at about 2pm
to take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to have lunch or visit the
thermal springs. Machu Picchu is therefore fairly quiet between 3pm and
5pm. You will have to check the time of the last bus back to Aguas
Calientes, but it is usually about 5:30pm. Staying an extra night gives
you the opportunity to return to Machu Picchu early the following day.
This is particularly useful during the wet season (December to March)
when you are more likely to encounter rain and Machu Picchu enshrouded
in mist and clouds. During this type of weather Machu Picchu has an
almost mystical atmosphere, but if you want to photograph the "Lost
City" in the sunshine the extra day helps improve your chances.
Q: If I arrive at Machu Picchu and decide to stay
an extra night, can I change my train ticket?
A: Yes.
You will have to take your ticket to the train station in Aguas
Calientes and ask them to change the return date. You will probably be
asked to pay an extra US$10 administration fee and changing the ticket
will be subject to availability of spaces on the train.
Q: Can you pick me up from Ollantaytambo on the
morning of the trek departure, instead of from Cusco?
A: Yes,
provided that you are suitably acclimatized to the altitude prior to
starting the trek. Ollantaytambo is at a much lower altitude than Cusco
and time spent there (or anywhere else in the Sacred Valley) doesn't
count toward your acclimatization period. We recommend that you spend at
least 2 nights in Cusco, preferably three, prior to spending the night
at Ollantaytambo. When you come to our office (or while booking online)
you must also give us the name of your hotel in Ollantaytambo so that we
can arrange a time to pick you up. The hotel would need to be accessible
for the bus, otherwise you would need to meet us in the main plaza. If
you do not have a hotel reservation and you decide to meet us in the
main plaza in Ollantaytambo at a pre-arranged time we cannot accept
responsibility if we can't find you and leave you behind! We do not pick
up clients from any intermediate hotels between Cusco and Ollantaytambo.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
RELATING TO PASSPORT NUMBERS
When
you make a trek booking we require your passport number to purchase the
trek permits. The number will be clearly marked on the trek permit
together with your name. When you start the trek government authorities
will check both your passport and your trek permit. The two numbers have
to be the same, otherwise the authorities will not let you start the
trek. They won't offer you the option to pay for another permit and they
won't accept bribes to let you pass the control point (which is quite
rare for Peru!). In fact, there is nothing that can be done except
return to Cusco or take the train to Aguas Calientes (at your own
expense).
Q: I don't have a passport. Can I still make a
trek booking?
A: No.
We require a passport number in order to buy the trek permits. If you
don't have a passport then you cannot make a trek booking.
Q: I do have a passport, but it is out of date.
Can I still make a trek booking?
A: Yes.
You can make a trek booking using your old passport number as long as
you can bring your old passport on the Inca Trail. When
applying for a new passport you must request that your old passport be
returned to you. Most countries do this. If your old passport is not
returned or you forget to bring it with you on the trek you will not be
allowed to start the trek and you will lose your trek deposit. A
photocopy of your old passport is NOT permissible—you have to bring the
original old passport.
Q: I have a valid passport but I have to renew it
before coming to Peru. Can I still make a trek booking?
A: Yes.
You can make a trek booking using your current passport number as long
as you can bring this passport with you on the Inca Trail. When
making an application for a new passport you must request that your old
passport is returned to you, most countries do this. If your old
passport is not returned to you or you forget to bring your old passport
with you on the trek you will not be allowed to start the trek and you
will not be entitled to a refund. A photocopy of your old passport is
NOT permissible. You have to bring the original old passport.
These regulations
have been introduced by the government authorities to stop companies
from inventing a list of clients and then changing the details with real
clients at the last minute (it stops companies from blocking spaces).
This regulation is very inflexible and strictly enforced.
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