You can only book an Inca Trail Trek with a tour operator who is authorized to operate Inca Trail tours in Peru. The tour operator will book your trek dates and obtain the Inca Trail Permits required to hike the Inca Trail. You must first fill out a booking form with all of your information and the information of any travelers traveling with you if you have a group. A $200 deposit per person is required. Deposits can be paid separately as long as we have a single booking form to track payments. We will book your permits once we have received all deposits and details. When the permits arrive, we will send you an invoice and confirmation that everything is in order. Once confirmed, all start dates are guaranteed.

We strongly prefer all balances to be paid in CASH, either US or Peruvian currencies are accepted. Here in Cusco everything is done with cash – all salaries are paid in cash for our guides, porters and chefs and all logistics are paid in cash. But we understand that carrying so much cash is a concern when travelling. We are now able to accept most major credit cards at our office. Please keep in mind that credit card companies make it extremely expensive for us to process these cards, so we do charge a 5% transaction fee. You can also pay using PayPal, and we can help you through the process.

Overcrowding, erosion concerns, and overtourism have all necessitated the protection of the Inca Trail in recent decades. Fortunately, these safeguards of limiting daily trekkers and visitors protect the ancient Inca Trail and historic Machu Picchu. They also make it more difficult to secure the desired dates for your trip. Permits from the government can only be obtained by licensed Inca Trail tour operators such as AltitudExperience. Check out Inca Trail Permits – How Permits Work and Why You Need Them In Peru to learn more about the entire permit process.

The tours are essentially the same, but the private tour will only include your family and friends. Group tours include people from all over the world with a wide range of hiking abilities. Private tours also include a complimentary air matt rental.

The majority of visitors will arrive in Cusco by plane. Please keep in mind that the Cusco airport is only for domestic flights. If you arrive in Lima from another country, you must collect your luggage and re-check them for your flight to Cusco. Four airlines offer round-trip service between Lima and Cusco. LATAM Airlines, AVIANCA Airlines, Star Peru, and Peruvian Airlines are among them. They all have comparable schedules and in-flight service, but we usually recommend LATAM or AVIANCA. They are usually the most helpful when there are unexpected flight cancellations or delays.

When you arrive at the Cusco airport, follow the signs to the baggage claim area. To find your Altitude Experience transfer, you must exit baggage claim and enter the airport’s parking lot. If you requested an airport pickup, our team is prepared. For easier identification, they will be holding a sign with your names on it. Look for Alpaca Expeditions’ distinctive bright green uniforms.

While you can stay at any hotel in Cusco, driving around the city is becoming more difficult. Many streets, particularly near the main square, are only accessible by foot. If we are unable to pick you up by car, we will notify you and arrange another meeting point for pick up/drop off. See Where to Stay in Cusco When Hiking the Inca Trail for a list of recommended hotels in Cusco with 3-Star, 4-Star, and 5-Star ratings.

Apart from Cusco, the best place to stay is Ollantaytambo. In comparison to Cusco at 11,152 feet, it is a great option for acclimatizing to elevation at 9,160 feet. You will also get more sleep by staying in Ollantaytambo because we will pick you up about 1.5 hours after the Cusco pick up time. Your briefing can only take place in Cusco. So, please coordinate a time that is convenient for you and our office staff with your AltitudExperience sales representative.

The Huayna Picchu Mountain is that gorgeous, picturesque mountain peak that appears in all of the best photos and postcards, tucked up against the Machu Picchu ruins. When you arrive at Machu Picchu, you can go beyond the basic tour of the ruins and hike up Huayna Picchu Mountain, which is located next to the ruins. This hike will provide you with breathtaking views of the forests and valleys that surround this ancient site, as well as a spectacular aerial view of the Machu Picchu ruins that cannot be seen any other way.

Of course, if you are happy to take the same train out of Aguas Calientes as part of your original itinerary, which departs at 4:22 p.m. that evening, there is no additional charge to move the train back a day. If you require us to book your hotel or another trip to Machu Picchu, there will be an additional charge. If you decide to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes (the town at the entrance to Machu Picchu), please notify the Alpaca Expeditions office at least one month in advance so that your train ticket is purchased for the correct day.

Yes, nearly 80% of our guests want to include the Huayna Picchu hike because the views and vantage point looking down on Machu Picchu are simply unparalleled. The other 80% are typically unable to do so due to health, age, or personal preferences. Some will instead hike nearby Machu Picchu Mountain, a longer but less steep hike up another mountain with a view of Machu Picchu. More information on Huayna Picchu Mountain can be found.

The Huayna Picchu hike involves ascending a long, steep set of stone steps carved into the mountainside. The height of Huayna Picchu is 2700 meters/8858 feet. As you climb the steps, you can hold onto a cable. The hike up Huayna Picchu is a truly difficult climb that will take you 2 hours to complete. Permits are required, and the times for climbing are specified on your ticket. You should purchase a ticket to climb Huayna Picchu when you book your trip to Machu Picchu, or as soon as you know you want to. It’s a popular climb, and tickets sell out quickly.

Yes! Hiking the Inca Trail without an operator is now illegal and has been since 2000. Hiking requires a permit, which only licensed operators can obtain – so you must be specific. Other Andes trails can be done without a guide, but the Inca Trail can only be done with a licensed guide from a licensed tour operator.