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BOOKING THE INCA TRAIL PERMIT 2009

Frequently Asked Questions - New Inka Trail Regulations

Five years ago the Peruvian government proposed many changes to the administration of the Inca Trail in a bid to protect its fragile eco-structure from over-use.
Most of these proposals have been aimed at reducing the number of trekkers on the trail, improving the quality of the tour operators and offering a reservation system whereby trekkers will be forced to make their reservations many months (5-4) in advance.
The number of hikers allowed to trek the Inka Trail is strictly regulated, and space is limited (500 spaces per day). Inca Trail permits are issued for each individual trekker by full name, nationality, passport number, birthday, age and must be obtained 5-4 months before the day trek commences.
PERU ADVENTURE TOURS hast to elaborate new Frequently Asked Question to help our clients understand the new regulation for the Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu, see below:

1: How far in advance do I need to make a trek reservation?
As far in advance as possible. The government has strictly limited the number of people permitted on the Inca Trail during 2008 (500 people per day). Make your Inca trail reservation as far in advance as possible as soon as you know the dates of your international flights.
In 2008 we therefore recommend making a reservation at least 4 and 3 months in advance, although 3 months is recommended.
For 2009 we recommend making a trek booking between 5 and 4 months in advance. Earlier is better.
2: What about payment, do you need a deposit?
You will need to pay a trek deposit 80% per person. The deposit can be paid via Moneybookers, Western Union money transfer, Paypal or by bank transfer. The final balance needs to be paid in cash dollars or local currency also you can pay with American Express travel checks (5% commision charged). The final balance will be paid in Cusco, one day before at 7pm we programate the meeting day in your hotel of our local office.
3: Is the trek difficult, do I need to be fit?
The distance of the Inca Trail is 43km (26 mile) hike through mountainous regions. The highest pass reached on the second day is 4200m named Abra Warmy Wañusca. You have to be moderately fit and take regular exercise. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude for that try to spend 2 nights in Cusco (3400m) prior to do the trek.
4: Is there a minimum or maximum age limit for this treK?
Peru Adventure Tours does not accept reservations for children under age of 7 years old. All children under 18 years old must also be accompanied by an adult.
For trekkers over 64 years old we also ask you to bring a letter from your doctor confirming that you are fit to participate in the trek. Unfortunately if you fail to bring a letter from your doctor we cannot allow you to start the trek and your trek deposit cannot be returned, sorry.
6: What do I need to bring on this trek?
Backpack 65Lt - Sleeping bag -15ºC (can be hired from our office for US$5 per day) - Rain jacket or poncho (December - April) - Strong comfortable and waterproof footwear - One complete change of clothing (you can afford to carry more changes of clothing if you hire a personal porters, see options below) - Sweater and jacket (something warm) - Bottle of water and purification tablets (Micropur are recommended and can be bought in local pharmacies in Cusco) - Flashlight and batteries - Hat or cap to protect you from the sun - Sun block (sun protection cream) - Insect repellent - Toiletries, towel and toilet paper - Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits, etc - Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries - Swimsuit (if you plan on visiting the hot springs at Aguas Calientes after the trek) - You also need to bring your original passport on the trail - Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail).
7: What do I need to carry?
You will need to carry your personal items, also you can hire a porter to help you carry your personal items. We include porters to carry tents, food and cooking equipment.
8: Do I need to bring trekking boots?
Trekking boots are recommended as they provide support to the ankle which reduces the risk of injury especially when trekking in the wet season (December - April). Many people prefer to trek in tennis shoes but extra care should be taken, the sandals are not recommended for this trek.
9: Can I use walking sticks or trekking poles on the Inca Trail?
This is fine as long as the poles will not cause damage to the stone paving along the Inca Trail. If the trekking poles have metal spikes then these must be protected by rubber tips. We recommend bring some spare rubber tips with you, rubbers protectors can also be bought in several shops in Cusco. You can buy wooden walking sticks in Cusco or in Ollantaytambo on the way to start the trek. Professional poles can be hired in Cusco for US$4 per day.
10: 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, all hotels have a luggage store 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.
11: Can I hire an extra porter?
Porter can be hired for US$120 for 4 days, he will carry your personal items (includes porters entrance fees, meals, transport and wages). You can give him a maximum of 12kg to carry which is usually sufficient for your sleeping bag, mattress and change of clothes. Porter don’t will wall next to you during the trek so you will still need to bring a day pack to carry essential items (water, snack, camera, rain jacket, etc).
12: Can I wait until Cusco to hire an extra porter?
No. we recommend let know us to hire a porter in advance at the same time you make your trek booking. Porters also have to pay entrance and their tickets need to be booked in advance because there is restriction of number of people permitted on the Inca Trail.
Unfortunately if you feel weakened by the effects of the altitude when you arrive in Cusco and feel it necessary to hire a porter at the last minute the new regulations make it impossible for us to arrange this.
13: Do Peru Adventure Tours take care for their porters of this trek?
From the beginning to the end of each operated trek we take care of our porters providing better wages than all of our competitors.
Peru Adventure Tours supply adequate food, comfortable dry place to sleep and access the first aid kit administrated by the tour guide. All our porters are considerate just same as any other member of the group. Salary for porter is same as nurse gets paid the equivalent of about US$250 per month how was trained 3 to 5 years to become professional.
14: What is the weather like along the Inca Trail?
Average weather conditions in Cusco and on the Inca Trail, see below:
DRY SEASON APRIL – NOVEMBER
Day temperature 20ºC - 25ºC - Night temperature -1ºC - 7ºC
WET SEASON DECEMBER – MARCH
Day temperature 17ºC - 22ºC - Night temperature 4ºC - 7ºC
15: How warm are the sleeping bags that your rent?
All our sleeping bags as low as -15ºC. We charge US$20 per person for the 4 day trek. We will give you the sleeping bag one day in advance. On the last you will need to give back the sleeping bag to the trek guide, he have instructions to collect the sleeping bag and bring it back to the office. Our sleeping bags are synthetic (easily washed) and weigh 1.8kg.
16: Are there toilets on the Inca Trail?
Since the beginning of 2003 many new, flush toilets have been built along the Inca trail including all of the major campsites. This has helped a lot to improve conditions and to protect the environment.
17: What is the maximum group size?
Maximum size of group for the Inca Trail is 12 participants. For groups of over 8 participants we also employ an assistant guide to help out.
20: What do we do for water along the Inca Trail?
At each meal times we provide boiled water for you to fill your water bottles.
You'll come across a mountain spring approximately every hour along the trail where you can fill up your water bottle. Take a bottle of at least 1½ liter capacity per person. You can take purification tables to purify water from springs, tablets can be bought in pharmacies of Cusco. Bottle mineral water can also bought at km88 (trail head), at Wayllabamba (first camping), and Machu Picchu.
21: If I am traveling alone can I have my own tent?
Yes, you can have your own tent for additional cost (US$20 – double capacity) or you can share a tent with a member of same sex. See the quality of our camping gear, click here...
24: Can I stay an extra night at Aguas Calientes, what is the cost?
Yes, if you want to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes after the Inca Trail trek this can easily be arranged. We will purchase your train ticket to return to Cusco the following day. You need to let us know at the time of making the trek reservation so we can reserve your train tickets in advance.
Obviously if you stay an extra night then you will have to pay for your accommodation.
26: What happens if I arrive at Machu Picchu and then decide to stay an extra night, can I change my train ticket?
It is still possible to make changes to your return train ticket if you decide to stay an extra night at Aguas Calientes. You will have to take your train ticket personally to the train station in Aguas Calientes and ask them to change the return date of your ticket. You will probably be asked to pay an extra US$10 administration fee and changing the ticket will be subject to availability of spaces the following day. If you change your ticket for a cheaper service then you will not be refunded the difference!.
28: I don't have a passport can I still make a trek booking?
No. We require a passport number in order to buy the trek permits. If you don't have a passport then you can’t make a trek booking.
29: I do have a passport but it is out of date, Can I still make a trek booking?
Yes. You can make a trek booking using your old passport number.
30: If I change trek dates can I transfer my permit?
Both your trail permit and your trek deposit are non-refundable and non-transferable. To join a new trek date, we have to start the permit process all over again only if there is available spaces.
31: Are there student discounts for the trail permit?
For students 16 years and older, we must receive a digital version of your International Student Card (ISIC), showing the institution, student status, and date of validity. A JPG file sent to us as an email attachment is the best format to achieve this. For those who will be younger than 16 years at the time of trekking, send a JPG of the passport ID page. We submit the documentation when we purchase the permit. If the park authority accepts the documentation, then they will issue the permit at the student rate of 50% of the adult rate. If the park authority rejects the documentation, their decision stands and we purchase the adult-rate ticket. Either way, we charge you the actual amount we pay for the permit. The June 18, 2005 regulation specifies that ONLY an ISIC will be accepted; and that the original ISIC must be brought on the trek. Trekkers on student rate tickets who cannot produce ISIC at the trailhead will be charged the difference between student rate and adult rate tickets.
32: Can I enter Machu Picchu ruins at night on my trek permit?
No. Night-time entry to the Machu Picchu ruins is currently prohibited by the INC.
33: Is it possible to join a trekking group close to the trek departure date?
For all dates but those very early and very late in the trekking season, the answer is a resounding NO. Trekking permits sell out typically two months or more ahead of the trek date. The park authorities allow only 500 people to enter the park for any given day, including guides, cooks, porters, and paying customers. Each person who enters that day needs to be listed on a permit. From the end of March through the end of October, if you’re not on a roster two months prior to your trek, you’ll likely find that no permits are left. When that happens, you have two options – change your holiday dates, or trek outside the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary. For an excellent alternate treks such as:
INCA TRAIL - 4 Days Calssic Version
INCA TRAIL - 2 Days Classic Version
Salkantay Trek - 5 Days
Lares Llama Trek - 4 Days
Choquequirao Trek - 4 Days
Inka Jungle Trail To Machu Picchu - 4 Days
Ausangate Trek - 6 Days
Or another outdoor activities
34: Do other companies have allocations of permits that I can purchase after your supply is sold out?
No. The park authority sells the permits on a first-come, first-served basis. The permit must specify for each trekker the full name, nationality, passport number, date of birth, and gender. Permits are not transferable, and the only change allowed on the permit is a full cancellation of one or more passengers. The result is that outfitters can buy permits only for passengers actually on their rosters; and once the 500 permits are issued, no more are available from any source.

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