Inca Trail general information

Correct data:

Make sure that your names given are as they are written in your passport. The INC (checking the entries) can refuse your entry to the Inca Trail if your name on the permit does not exactly matches your name as written in your passport or if your passport number is incorrect.

Change of passport:

If you change your passport in between your reservation and arriving to Peru, please bring your old passport with you or bring a copy of your old passport. Please send us before your arrival in Peru a scanned copy of your new passport.

If your passport number is different from the data on your trekking permit the INC can refuse entry to the Inca Trail.

Payment:

We have also attached your invoice to this email. In the next few hours we’ll send a Paypal request to your e-mail. With this e-mail you should be able to pay the requested 50% deposit. After payment Paypal will send a confirmation email confirming your payment. On receipt of your deposit we will immediately process the reservation of your trekking permits and confirm your places.

Student discount:

To obtain the student discount we need a copy of your ISIC card. We have to present the copy of your card when buying your trekking permit.

WE THEREFORE NEED A COPY OF YOUR ISIC CARD (BOTH SIDES) TOGETHER WITH YOUR RESERVATION.

There are approximately 300 trekking permits available per day. It happens often that all 300 permits are sold in a few hours.

If we do not receive a copy of your ISIC card we are forced to charge the adult price.

Please understand that if we do not receive your ISIC card immediately and have to wait, we are putting at risk your trekking permit meaning you possibly cannot leave on the Inca Trail.

The issue, valid to date as well as the number must be clearly readable. Only ISIC cards are accepted. If the copy is not readable the INC (Instituto Nacional de Cultura) issuing the trekking permits will not accept your card.

How to send a copy of your ISIC Card?

Faxed copies give a poor and often unreadable result and therefore we do no longer accept a faxed copy of your card.

For best results we suggest to make a digital photo and email the picture.

If you do not have a digital camera your mobile phone might have one integrated or you can use a scanner. Take notice a copy of the front and back is needed. Remember to bring your ISIC card along on the Inca Trail, otherwise you can be charged the adult entrance fee.

Please email us a copy (front and back) of your student card together with your reservation.

Personal porter:

If you have a personal porter we will provide a duffle bag for you to use for your personal belongings during the Inca Trail.  So there is no need to bring a rucksack from your country.  For the Inca Trail you will only need a small daypack or carry your camera, rain-gear and other items you might need during the day.

Please note that your porter will walk ahead and not side by side with you, meaning you will have access to your luggage at the campsite.

The provided duffle bags are intended for usage during your trek only and we kindly request you to return them at the end of the hike. You may leave the duffle bags at your hotel on your return where we will pick them up or return them to our office.

When not hiring a personal porter you are responsible for all your luggage during the 4 day trek.

We can also offer you a half porter which is allowed to carry up to 7.5 kilos of your personal luggage. Costs for this service is 50 US$.

Return by train:

The return by train is by Backpacker Train to Poroy. Upgrade to the Vista Dome Premium train is $ 30.00 per person. Not included in this upgrade is the transfer Poroy trainstation – Cusco. If you want a private transfer to your hotel in Cusco from Poroy train-station, please ask us for the additional costs.

Before the Inca Trail:

Before your departure on the Inca Trail you will receive a briefing in our office with your guide; he will provide detailed information about the Inca Trail and answer all your questions.

The briefing will be held at our office in Calle Garcilaso no. 265, second floor, office number 6.  (At 2 blocks from the Main square, Plaza de Armas).

The briefing is at 5:00PM on weekdays the day before your departure. If your departure is on a Sunday the briefing is on Saturday at 11:00. (Our office closes on Saturdays at 12:00PM).

We are closed on Sundays.

Please pass by at our office on your arrival to settle the final payment and to tell us in which hotel you’ll be staying.

Final payment:

The remainder is to be paid in cash USD $ on your arrival in Cusco at our office. We accept Traveler Checks (2.5% charge), MasterCard and Visa (6% charge).

Transport to trailhead:

We will pick you up from your hotel (if in the centre of Cusco). Please make sure you leave us the name, direction and telephone number of your hotel when booking or 2 or 3 days before your departure.

Change of train tickets:

Note: If you change your mind and want to spend an extra night at Machu Picchu it is best to let us know in when making your reservation. Once your reservation is made we have your train tickets for return on day 4 and additional costs apply for changing your train tickets.

Last minute changes of train tickets depend on availability of seats.

If you want to enter the Sanctuary again on day 5 you have to pay the entrance fee of $ 42.00 and will probably want to take the bus (roundtrip $ 14.00).

Payments:

Upon booking we request a deposit of 50% prepayment.

The remainder is to be paid on your arrival in Cusco, two days before departure.

Payments can be made via Paypal. Paypal accepts all major credit cards.

Please take notice of our opening hours:

Monday - Friday:

Morning: 8:00 - 13:00 pm

Afternoon: 14:00 pm - 18:00 pm

Saturdays: 9:00 - 12:00

Sundays closed

You will find our office at 2 blocks from the main square:

CHASKA TOURS

Ecotourism & adventure

Calle Garcilaso 265,

Office 6, 2nd floor.

Cusco – PERU

Chaska Tours is a licensed operator of the Inca Trail and specialized in hikes and organizing treks in the Cusco region. We follow guidelines of the Inka Nan Porter Project (http://www.peruweb.org/porters) and the The International Porter Protection Group (IPPG http://www.ippg.net) in terms of fair payment and treatment of porters http://www.chaskatours.com/inca-trail/42-inca-trail-info/98-porters-on-the-inca-trail

CHASKA TOURS is recommended by the South American Explorers Club: http://www.saexplorers.org, Footprint Handbooks, Fodors and Frommers Guidebooks.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Cusco - Km. 82 - Wayllabamba

After an early morning departure from our hotel, we'll travel through the Sacred Valley of the Inca.
From Km82, we'll begin our trek by hiking along the left bank of the Vilcanota river, watched over by the summit of Mount Veronica (5,900 metres / 19,000 feet). We'll camp that night on a terrace near the small village of Wayllabamba.

(15.8km –9.8mi / 6 hours walking)

Day 2 Wayllabamba - Pacaymayu

We'll trek upward through native forest to the highest campsiteon the Inca Trail, at Pacaymayu. Today will be one of the most demanding days of the trek as we ascend to the mountain pass at Warmiwanuska (4200 metres/13,750 feet).
From here, we'll be rewarded with spectacular views of the peaks of Huayanay to the east, and the rugged Vilcabamba range to the west. Afterward, we'll descend to our campsite at Pacaymayu.

(8.6km – 5.3mi / 6.5 hours walking)

Day 3 Pacaymayu - Winay Wayna (15 km)

Today, we'll cross a second mountain pass at 4,000 metres (13,100 feet), and follow a finely-paved and well-preserved Inc highway to the restored archaeological site of Sayacmarka. This section of the Inca Trail is paved with white granite and traverses a thickly forested slope. We'll camp at Wiñaywayna after a spectacular descent from cloud forest and high jungle. Wiñaywayna is a beautiful ceremonial site divided into two sectors and fashioned from finely-carved stones fit together withgreat precision.

(15km – 9.3mi / 7 hours walking)

Day 4 WinayWayna - Machu Picchu (5 km)

Orchids and hummingbirds are a common sight along this stretch of the Inca Trail, and the Urubamba river is a constant presence far below us. From Wiñaywayna we'll continue to Intipunku, or the Sun Gate, from where we will see Machupicchu for the first time stretched out below on a rocky outcropping. Overhead you'll find the peak known as Wayna Picchu. From here, we need only stroll down the final stretch of the royal highway and enter at last the enigmatic citadel, which lay hidden for four centuries before being revealed to the world by chance discovery.
(5km – 3.1mi / 2.5 hours walking). 
Guided excursion of Machupicchu and in the afternoon, we'll return to Cusco by train, arriving in the evening.

Note: Campsites may change as dictated by government regulation.