Is there an oxygen bottle available during the trek, just in case?
Yes, all our tour guides take an oxygen bottle with them along the trail and will provide oxygen as needed.
What is included in the boxed lunch? Do I have to carry my own lunch?
The
first day of this trek includes a box lunch, which usually consists of a
sandwich, fruit, and some cookies. As part of our commitment to
sustainability, your lunch comes in a specially-designed, reusable cloth
bag, which you may either keep at the end of your tour or return to
your guide to be recycled. Please be aware you will be required to carry
your own lunch during the trek. The bag is ideal for fitting inside or
over a daypack, and weighs no more than two kilos when full.
Is there a direct train from Cusco to Machu Picchu? How long is the train journey back to Cusco?
The
train travels between the town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley
and Aguas Calientes, a small town located fifteen minutes below the
Machu Picchu complex. The journey from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
is an hour and forty minutes. (The return journey will be about three
and a half hours, because the drive from Ollantaytambo station to Cusco
is about an hour and forty minutes.) From Aguas Calientes, it is either a
fifteen minute bus ride or hour hike up to Machu Picchu.
There
is no direct train from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Although there is an
additional station located at Poroy, about 25 minutes from Cusco, it is
not always open. Train service from Ollantaytambo, meanwhile, is
constant and reliable. Furthermore, taking the train from the Poroy
station extends the total length of your journey between Cusco and Aguas
Calientes to more than four hours, instead of three and a half.
Where do I have to be on the morning of the trek and where will I be dropped off at the end of the trek?
On
the morning of the trek departure, we will pick you up from inside your
hotel in Cusco (don’t wait outside in the street) and drop you off
either in the Plaza de Regocijos ( next to the main square) or Plaza San
Francisco (two blocks from the main square) upon your return to Cusco.
You won’t be dropped off directly at your hotel/hostels.
It
helps us if you try to stay in a hotel/hostal that is within a few
blocks of the Plaza de Armas (Main Square). If your hotel/hostal is far
away from the main square we will ask you to come to our offices with
the exact location and name of your accommodation. If you are not staying in the city center, we may not be able to pick you up from your hotel. You must take a taxi to the center.
The
guide will come into your hotel and ask for you at reception. Because
the centre of Cusco is full of small cobblestone streets, our larger
bus/van is not permitted to enter certain zones in the city centre, so
you will then have to walk a short distance to where the bus/van will be
waiting for you. Traffic regulations prohibit large buses/van from
entering the main square but usually after 10pm we don´t have a problem
Is there a minimum group size and what happens if Inka Trail Backpacker does not meet the minimum size?
We
require a minimum group size of just four people. During the last few
years, Inka trail Backpacker has always managed to meet the minimum
group size for ALL of our departure dates and have never had to cancel
any group departures due to group size.
If
in the unlikely event that we do not reach the minimum required number
of persons we reserve the right to combine our clients with another
trekking company of similar cost.
What vaccines do I need for my trip? Will I need malaria pills?
Before
traveling to Peru, you should consult your doctor. Routine vaccines,
Hepatitis A, and typhoid vaccines are recommended for most travelers by
the CDC. Some travelers may also need vaccines for Hepatitis B, rabies,
and yellow fever. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should
also be advised that the Zika virus is present in Peru.
Malaria pills are not necessary for these treks.
Do you recommend a rain poncho, or is a rain jacket okay?
The
rainy season in Cusco is generally from November to April, when there
are near-daily showers and the ground—especially in trekking areas—is
wet and muddy. However, there are occasional showers throughout the rest
of the year; you should always pack a rain jacket, regardless of when
you plan to visit. For treks, a rain poncho is highly recommended—since
you will be walking through rain for potentially several hours without
shelter, a poncho will be much more effective at keeping all of your
belongings and your base layers warm and dry. Waterproof shoes are also
strongly recommended.
What if I get sick on the trail during my tour?
In
the event of illness or injury, we will offer all of the support and
care we are able; however, you should carry any medications you expect
to need with you (ask your doctor for specific recommendations or
prescriptions for altitude sickness, traveler´s diarrhea , colds and
sore throats, and pain or inflammation). If you are not capable of
completing the trek, we will transport you back to Cusco, where you can
seek medical treatment. However, the cost of this transportation is not
included in your tour and you will be expected to pay the additional
expense—for this reason, we highly recommend travel insurance for your
trek.
Will I have a private bathroom in the hostel?
Yes, in all of the hostels that we book for you, you will have a private room and bathroom.
Do I need walking poles?
Although
not required, walking poles are recommended for any trekkers worried
about joint stress or balance. They also are quite helpful in providing
stability and leverage on especially steep climbs and descents. If you
do not have poles or are unsure how to use them, we are able to rent
them to you and provide instruction.
What documents do I need to bring to Machu Picchu?
As
of July 1, 2017, you must have your original passport to enter Machu
Picchu. You also need to have your entrance ticket, which your guide
will give to you at the appropriate time. The passport that you bring to
Machu Picchu must be the same one that you used to book your tour and
entrance; if you change or renew your passport between booking and your
trip, please be sure to bring the originals of both.
Do we go to Machu Picchu for sunrise?
Your
entrance time to Machu Picchu will depend on when you book your trek.
As of July 1, 2017, there are two possible entry times to the site: 6:00
am to 12:00 pm, or 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Your ticket will grant you
entry for either the morning or the afternoon—not both. The
morning entry is significantly more popular and quickly sells
out—unless you book your trek two to three months in advance, we cannot
guarantee a morning entry.
If
you book far enough in advance to secure a morning entry, you will
start to hike up to Machu Picchu at 4:30am, arriving at the site by
about 6:00 am—just in time for the sunrise!
