Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu

Should I get traveler’s insurance to travel to Peru?No matter what vacation you take that involves physical activity, it is always worth considering travel insurance that covers injuries. Action Peru Treks suggests that trekkers get travel insurance for visiting Peru.

Cancellations:

• Cancellations made 30 days in advance have no charge. However, some services such as the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu have special treatment (no cancellation).
• Because of the strict regulations of the Machu Picchu Park, once you have made your reservation, you cannot cancel the space that you have reserved. You also may not alter the name or date of the reservation.  If you are unable to come on the date you have reserved, we cannot reimburse your payment because the permits are non-refundable and Action Peru treks purchases the tickets from Machu Picchu Park when you reserve your spot.
• If you cancel between 30 and 10 days before your trek, you must pay 50% of the total cost.
• If you cancel Between 10 and 3 days before your trek, you must pay 80% of the total cost.
• If you cancel one day before your trek, you must pay 100% of the total cost. In the exceptional case that you decide to head back once you have started the trail, you must pay additional expenses such as food, lodging and transportation.
• If after the tour has started a client cannot participate in the walk (sickness, physical problems, etc.) he/she must pay the additional costs for transportation, lodging and food. On the last day the tourist will be able to rejoin the group and participate in the Machu Picchu tour and receive the services they paid for.

Is the price to climb Huayna Picchu mountain included in my trek price? Will the guide be climbing Huayna Picchu with me?

• The fee to climb Huayna Picchu mountain is included with the following treks:
• Salkantay 5 day
• Salkantay 4 day
• Salkantay 6 day
• Lares Trek
• Inca Quarry (Soqma) Trek
• Moonstone Trek
• Huchuy Qosqo Trek
• Choquequirao 9 day Trek
• Premium Inca Trail 5 day/4 night
• Machu Picchu Tour by train 2 day/1 night
• Sacred Valley with Machu Picchu tour by train 2 days/1 night

For all the remaining treks the fee to climb Huayna Picchu mountain will be US $75 per person

The guide will not be hiking Huayna Picchu mountain with the trekkers. The exception so this is for the 2 day Machu Picchu tour by train.

Are Inca trail permits available for the month I want to visit?

The maximum number of Inca Trail permits per day is 500. This number includes both trekkers and support staff. In general this number is broken down into 300 porters and 200 trekkers.

You can click on the links below to see if permits are still available for the month you want to visit.

The Inca Trail is closed throughout February.

See: The Inca Trail Availability

What is altitude sickness?

Arriving to Cusco, located at about 10,800 feet above sea level, from a city where the altitude is pretty close to sea level can be an uncomfortable experience if you are hit by altitude sickness. Only a person who has experienced it knows how hard it can knock you out. If you are coming from a city located lower than 6,000 feet, you could eliminate the risks of getting altitude sickness while hiking the Inca Trail.

Knowing that hiking the Inca Trail and visiting Machu Picchu are not inexpensive, you should not let altitude sickness ruin one of the best experiences of your life.

Usually, the symptoms of altitude sickness can be first felt at about 7,000 feet above sea level. The possibilities of getting altitude sickness increase as soon as you start going higher. Some of the most frequent symptoms of altitude sickness are strong headache, dizziness, nausea, stomach illness, and sometimes nose bleeding. These symptoms are caused by low atmospheric pressure conditions which occur at high elevations.

Studies have shown that not everyone gets altitude sickness. Unfortunately, there is no way to know if a person is a going to get it. Being in good physical shape does not reduce the risk. Only once you arrive to a high altitude city, you will know if your body will be affected by the altitude.

It is possible to reduce the risk of getting altitude sickness by taking some over the counter medicine, chewing coca leaves, or arriving to a high altitude city three days prior to starting a high energy activity such as hiking the Inca Trail.

If you decide to take over the counter medicine, it should be taken a few days before starting the trek. However, it is important to know that this medicine does not guarantee that you won’t be affected by altitude sickness.

Native Peruvians use a natural source to reduce the effects of altitude sickness as well as fatigue. This natural source is the coca leaf and needs to be chewed constantly upon arrival.

The most effective and conventional method to eliminate the risks of getting altitude sickness is the gradual acclimatization to the altitude. Arriving to Cusco or another high altitude city at least three days prior to your starting date for the Inca Trail will help to eliminate the risks of getting altitude sickness during the trek.

In addition to the methods mentioned above, you should drink plenty of liquids, avoid high energy activities the first two days, and you should not overeat  or eat fatty meals.

Why should I book with Action Peru treks?

Please see the “Why we are different page”

What is the food like on the treks?

In general we provide complete meals and snacks during the trip starting with lunch on the first day and ending with breakfast on the fourth day (the last lunch in Aguas Calientes is not included). Our experienced chefs make amazing meals in the middle of the mountains and are also used to preparing dishes for people with different food restrictions or lifestyles, so please let us know your preferences and we will make sure to meet your dietary needs.

What is the weather like in Peru and on the trail and what are the best months to visit?

The best months to do the Inca Trail are from May to September when the conditions are fairly dry and the weather generally sunny. However the months of June, July and August can also be very cold at night so bring a good quality 4 season sleeping bag (or you can rent one from us).

Peru’s climate varies depending on where you visit.

On the coast it is usually quite hot although during the winter (April-August) it can get chilly early in the morning and at night.

In the Andes there are two main seasons – wet and dry. The wet season runs from November to April and is wet but usually warmer overall. The dry season runs from May to October and has hot clear days but cold nights.

The only one thing you can say about the weather in Peru is that it is difficult to accurately predict. You can have beautifully clear hot days in the middle of the wet season and hail storms in the dry season – it’s one of the beauties of Peru.