SHORT INCA TRAIL FAQ
Responses to most FAQs related to the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu by Eco Path Trek.
- BEFORE YOU GO
- IN THE TREK
- RESERVATIONS AND RESERVATIONS BEFORE THE TREK
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Where is the pick up for the short inca trail hike?
The pick up from your hotel will be at 4:00 am, please provide clear contact information of your place of residence at check-in at the Cusco office.
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Where to pay the remaining amount of the Short Inca Trail?
We assume most people try to get to Cusco 2-3 days before the trek to give enough time for acclimatization. Once you have settled in and rested you should come to the Cusco office to see and confirm the information we have pertinent to your short inca trail tour, personal needs and sign the conditions (even if you have already paid in full.) There are occasions in Local festivities or discomfort may require last minute changes to departure times or some additional information and that is why we have a brief briefing before your trip.
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Where can I store my luggage while I’m on the Short Inca Trail?
For the short inca trail you just have to take with you the things you really want / need and leave the rest of your things in your hotel in Cusco. Eco Path Trek offers free luggage storage for all our guests. If you have luggage, you should leave it at the office the day before, and after your tour you can pick it up.
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What should I pack for the Short Inca Trail?
The most important things, for a day of trekking like:
- 1 trekking pants
- small backpack
- Sun cream
- Sunglasses
- Has ample
- Bottle of water
- appetizers
- walking shoes
- raincoat
- Original passport
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Am I going to need any extra money on the short inca trail?
Yes, so you can buy: for example, a bottle of water / drinks, hot springs in Aguas Calientes , souvenirs, snacks in Machu Picchu, etc. Bring at least 400 soles as emergency money.
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How many people will be in my group on the short inca trail?
We require a minimum of 2 people for our tour, dates indicated in the availability of the web, are open groups in which you are invited to join. We can have up to 8 hikers with a guide and a 9 -16 hikers sheet we have 2 licensed trekking guides on the short inca trail. During the low season groups are more likely to be small and during peak season groups will probably be large. The Ministry of Culture has a rule in place made limited the amount of passengers by 2 guides for 16 people.
DURING THE TREK ON THE SHORT INCA TRAIL.
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I am not very experienced hiker in? What if I can not keep up? How difficult is the Short Inca Trail?
Most people have that concern, but they do not care. Only in extremely rare circumstances does a passenger need to return before. Just remember what made you are able to go at a speed made it comfortable for you. Take your time, your own pace, and enjoy. The Short Inca Trail is considered a moderate hike. It is not a technical hike but there are plenty of Inca steps, up and down, and altitude can affect some individuals by value. It is recommended to use a trekking poles and have them in the early evening before the trek.
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Are trekking poles really necessary on the short inca trail ?
For the short inca trail we recommend the use of trekking poles, especially for those passengers with known problems of the knee. There are several times during the short inca trail hike the need for its use, whether ascending a mountain or walking through immense sets of ladder of the short inca trail. It will help you with your balance and reduce the impact on your knees. Park rangers only allow trekking poles with rubber tips, because if it is metal it damages the road. You can purchase rubber tips for metal tips from any local store in Cusco.
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Is altitude sickness common? And how high is the Short Inca Trail?
It is impossible to predict that they will be affected by altitude. Its ability to adapt to high altitude is deterministic undermined by its genetic makeup and has little to do with fitness or health. Most people will have no problem as long as they take the time to acclimate properly.
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Can ECO PATH TREK meet my dietary needs? What kind of food will there be?
Not to worry, ECO PATH TREK is able to accommodate many types of dietary needs on request at the time of booking. If you are a vegetarian, or can not eat gluten or have allergies to certain foods, it will not be a problem for us.
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I’m going to have to carry the water on the short inca trail?
Yes you must carry your own water, be it in a canteen or a bag to carry water. Since 2018, the entry of plastic bottles to the Inca Trail networks and the Machu Picchu Sanctuary is no longer allowed. So we beg you to take that detail into account. On the other hand you must be wondering how much water you should carry, the answer is, that you will evaluate it according to your need to want to drink, on the short Inca trail you usually have the first two hours a very hot temperature so Surely you should drink more than a liter of water, and to continue the journey you must have another equal volume of water. We do not recommend the idea of carrying water tablets for you to take from the streams and can purify, since many of them are not suitable for human consumption.
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Are there any bathrooms along the way?
Along the short inca trail there are 3 places with toilet facilities. First at the hiking start, then after 3 hours, and in Machu Picchu. Please bring a roll of toilet paper. As for another type of trash going, please take your own trash to each camp. Do not leave a trace or throw away the trash.
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Is there a possibility to cancel my hike of short inca trail?
There isn’t a chance of cancellation the short inca trail. Even in extreme climatic conditions or even in case of a strike there will be no cancellation. The Ministry of Culture or ECO PATH TREK can not change the date of a walk if there is a general strike. We will make every effort to ensure that you get to the beginning of the short inca trail to start the walk by the date of the permit, on some dates if there is a strike will be communicated by the mail, where you will be informed the time and date of departure, Sometimes you must go a day earlier to prevent the road from being blocked. In the event that a passenger decides to cancel the trip for any reason, he will lose his trip; You would only have the option of going to Machu Picchu, on your own and do not lose your return train ticket, entrance to machu picchu.
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Is the short Inca trail good during the rainy season? It is safe?
The trail is perfectly safe during the rainy season. In fact, some people like to go during the rainy season because there are fewer tourists. If you are one that does not mind the rain then it says’ ok for it! “You’ll just have to bring good rain gear and water boots.
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What kind of weather can I expect on the Short Inca Trail? The temperatures?
During the “rainy season” (Dec 1 – May 1), you could have some rain at any time, but you can not expect it to rain every day. Often in December and January you may only get some continuous light rains or you could be fine and then a splendid afternoon, but in reality you could have days of good weather. At the same station, therefore, it will be noticeably hotter at night. The times of the day will get up to about 25 C° degrees Celsius. On the other hand, during the “dry season” (June – Dec) the days seem surprisingly like spring, with a bright and sunny sky, but it will be much colder at night. During the day you can expect it to be somewhere in the range of 20 C° to 30 C° degrees Celsius and at night it will be 10 C°to 8 C° degrees Celsius. It is always better to dress in layers at any time of the year, really. As you walk, change the poles, since if you walk with the garment wet, it is dangerous since it could catch a flu.
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How many hikers are there per group?
We work with a group size of 2 to 8 people, for which it is assigned: 01 guide. If the group is 8 or more, you will have two guides
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What is the standard procedure when it comes to tips?
The tips for the trekking staff mentioned above are not included in the price of the trek. Gratuities are optional but not mandatory. Tips for the guide: The guide will accompany the group along the tour including Machupicchu. We recommend you tip the guide after the tour in Machu Picchu, a reasonable amount is 80 usd.
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Will I be able to witness the sunrise at Machu Picchu?
This depends on the station that is going to visit the citadel, for example in the rainy season it is almost impossible to appreciate a sunrise, since machu picchu always dawns cloudy. In the dry season, if there is the opportunity to see an impressive sunrise in Machu Picchu.
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Will I be able to climb the Huayna Picchu?
If you are interested in the mountain Huayna Picchu in your visit to Machu Picchu, it is mandatory to have a special permit which is reserved, at least 6 months in advance of your visit to Peru. This income has an additional cost of $ 80 usd.
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How long am I able to stay at Machu Picchu? How I will I get down to Aguas Calientes?
The visits to Machu Picchu have been divided into two schedules, the first is (6:00 am to 8:00 am), those ticket has a one-time validity, with a duration of only two hours with the guide, then you can stay a prudent time until the midday. This system has been implemented for reasons of care and protection of the world wonder. To came back to aguas calientes town you can do by walk wich is 45 minutes or by the local buses.
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What time will I be back in Cusco?
You generally arrive back to Cusco at 18:45 pm. The final place will be your hotel adress in Cusco.
RESERVATION
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Student discount? How can you use it to get a discount?
- A.- For the students of the school: With the passport or national ID – original ones, from 8 to 17 years old
- B.- For the students of the University:With the original student ID gives from the university in PVC material and it must have the follow requirements:
- university information,
- personal student information
- student picture
- expiration date valid only for one year, it year must coincide with the year that student visit Machu Picchu, the discount until 25 years old.
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Is it possible to change the dates after the initial reservation?
You can only make the change of dates, if we have not yet bought the permits for the Inca trail, but if everything is already organized it is very unlikely to change the date of travel, otherwise you may lose your reservation.
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What if I do not have my passport at this time?
The Ministry of Culture requires a valid passport issued, the best case is to organize your new passport in advance if you did is the case. There is the possibility, due to the limits of the spaces on the requested date of reservation with your old passport number, and change it when you have the new passport. So we recommend bringing both documents.
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Can I pay for the full tour in advance?
Generally, we only charge the deposit of your Inca Trail to confirm your reservation. This deposit and full details on the booking form are used as a guarantee for income and other excursions. The balance is payable upon arrival in Cusco in cash. If you choose to pay by credit card you need to pay 10% commission. The prices of the tours are cash payment.
