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Is my departure guaranteed?
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Reservations are subject to availability. Once Valencia Travel has received your desired dates, they will apply for your permit as soon as possible. Please note that Valencia may require additional information in order to apply for a permit on your requested dates. Please also note that a request for your information does not mean your dates have been secured. You'll receive a verification email once your permit has been purchased. Please do not make travel arrangements or book airfare until you have received confirmation from Valencia Travel and confirmed your permits.
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How do I redeem my voucher? For which dates is it valid?
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Voucher valid only for travel dates that fall within start and end dates shown above. To redeem your voucher, please reach out to Valencia Travel as instructed in your confirmation email. Reservations are subject to availability and Valencia Travel will do whatever they can to secure your desired dates. Please do not book travel until your trip is confirmed by Valencia Travel. Your date cannot be confirmed until you provide Valencia with your personal information.
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Which departures can be requested?
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Departures are available daily in May and June and almost every day in the rest of the months except in February (the trail is closed in February for maintenance). Please do not make travel arrangements or book airfare until you have received confirmation from Valencia Travel and confirmed your permits.
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What if I want to change my dates?
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If your reservation is not yet confirmed, you can change your travel dates with no penalties or added fees. After your reservation is confirmed, a change fee will apply. Change of travel dates is not guaranteed and requires approval by Valencia Travel.
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Are private departures available?
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Yes, we have private departures available on this trip! Private departures offer more flexibility to travel when it suits your group. Additional costs may apply depending on your group size. Please contact our Adventures Team to explore pricing and check on availability.
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What is the best way to get to the trip start location?
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Fly into Cusco, Peru (CUZ), where you’ll be met by a representative from Valencia Travel and transferred to your Cusco hotel.
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What are the accommodations like?
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The three nights spent in Cusco are at a luxury 4-star hotel. Depending on room availability Valencia Travel will provide one of the below hotels.
Option 1: Palacio del Inka, A Luxury Collection Hotel
Option 2: JW Marriott El Convento Cusco
Option 3: Hotel Aranwa Cusco Boutique
The three nights of camping along the trek are designed to make guests feel as comfortable as possible. During the trek you will share a 4-person tent with your travel partner and be provided with an air mattress pad, sleeping bag, dining tent with tables and chairs, and a professional chef.
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Can solo travelers get their own room? Is there a single supplement fee?
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Solo travelers or the odd-numbered person in your group may opt to share with another person of the same gender (if available). If this option is not available, or if you would like to have your own room, you'll need to pay a single supplement of $700 directly to Valencia Travel.
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What do I need to pack? Do you have a packing list?
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Official papers:
- Valid and original passport
- Travel insurance - it is strongly recommended that you purchase travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
Clothing:
- Mid weight fleece or wool sweater
- Fleece pants or tights
- Mid weight thermal underwear tops and bottom, synthetic or wool
- Hiking pants
- Hiking shorts
- Long-sleeve shirts
- T-shirts
- Underwear and casual socks
- Hiking socks
- Liner socks, synthetic
- Swimsuit
Clothing accessories:
- Cap
- Fleece hat
- Bandana
- Fleece gloves
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
Footwear:
- Sturdy hiking boots (waterproof, lightweight, broken-in, aggressive tread)
- Camp shoes (such as tennis shoes, sandals or other comfortable footwear)
Travel accessories:
- Water bottle or Camelback
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Watch with alarm or travel clock
- 2 rolls of toilet paper
- Sunglasses and retainer strap
- Sun block and lip balm
- Toiletry kit
- Small washcloth
- Personal first-aid kit (Valencia Travel also carries first aid equipment)
- Hand sanitizer gel
- Insect repellent and appropriate clothing for mosquitoes
- Several Ziploc plastic bags
Extra money for:
- Drinks
- Tip or gratuities for guide, cook, and porters
- Souvenirs
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What meals are included? What is the food like?
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Daily breakfast will be included, along with all meals while on the trek (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners). Snacks and hot drinks will also be provided. Vegetarian diets will happily be accommodated at no extra cost. Please notify Valencia Travel in advance so they can make appropriate arrangements.
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How much extra money should I bring? How much is the Sacred Valley day tour?
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Most of your costs are covered by the trip fees. Although spending will vary from person to person, plan on bringing at least $500 for those meals not included, personal expenses, and souvenirs.
The Sacred Valley day tour is $45 per person.
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What does the portage service on the Inca Trail include?
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Porters will carry all the cooking equipment and camping equipment. In addition, all guests have a personal porter limit of 11 pounds.
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What level of service can I expect on the trail?
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With the luxury package, you can expect a premium level of service. While on the trail, three gourmet meals a day are prepared by a professional chef and served in a dining tent. Additional porters are included in the package and will carry up to 11 pounds of personal belongings. Comfortable tent accommodations include a four person tent per two guests with air mattress pads and warm sleeping bags.
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What is the difference between the Inca Trail trek, the Salkantay trek, and the Lares Trek?
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The Inca Trail is certainly the more famous option, though the Salkantay and Lares treks both gain in popularity each year. In efforts to control the numbers on the Inca Trail, the government restricts access by awarding only 500 non-transferable permits per day (with up to 300 going to guides and porters). The Salkantay and Lares treks currently have no such restriction, making last minute trips much more of a possibility. Permits for the Inca Trail during peak season (May – September) are often sold out several months in advance. We partner with Valencia Travel to offer departures for all of the routes detailed below. If you are interested in booking a trip on another route that isn't currently on the site, please give us a call and we can help you make arrangements.
Inca Trail
Days trekking: 3+ (4th day is 3 miles and time in Machu Picchu)
Distance: 26 miles
Highest elevation: 13,800 ft/4,200m
Overall difficulty: challenging
Average number of trekkers per day: 180
Highlights: Incan archeological sites, trekking directly to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) Permit availability: permits for the year go on sale in January, high season dates sell out months in advance
Salkantay Trek
Days trekking: 4
Distance: 40 miles
Highest elevation: 15,215 ft/4,640m
Overall difficulty: very challenging
Average number of trekkers per day: 50
Highlights: Fewer trekkers, better chance at viewing wildlife, fantastic views of Salkantay and Humantay peaks, Llactapata archeological site Permit availability: permits are easily obtainable throughout the year
Note: The Salkantay trek does not let you hike directly to Machu Picchu; on the 4th day you will arrive in Aguas Calientes where you'll spend the night before visiting Machu Picchu the next day.
Lares Trek
Days trekking: 4
Distance: 25 miles
Highest elevation: 14,763 ft/4,500m
Overall difficulty: challenging
Average number of trekkers per day: 50
Highlights: Least number of trekkers, good chance at viewing wildlife, pass through a few traditional villages, stunning views of lakes and waterfalls, and great hot springs
Permit availability: permits are easily obtainable throughout the year
Note: The Lares trek does not let you hike directly to Machu Picchu; on the 4th day you'll arrive in Lares, bus to Ollantaytambo, and train to Aguas Calientes where you'll spend the night before visiting Machu Picchu the next day.
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Should I purchase travel insurance? If so, do you have a recommended provider?
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Travel insurance is required for this adventure. It allows you to seek reimbursement if you are forced to cancel your trip for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to cover medical help, emergency transport, and/or theft or accidental damage while traveling. For travel insurance, we recommend VisitorsCoverage as a provider.
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Are there special requirements for entry into the destination I am visiting?
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We recommend you visit the local government websites where you plan to travel and review the required documentation for entry, current restrictions, and general recommendations for travel within the area. We encourage you to also visit your home country's embassy website if you are traveling to a foreign country. Requirements can change rapidly. Please be sure you stay abreast of the requirements and restrictions for anywhere you plan to visit. You can also enroll in the U.S. government’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and you will be sent updates if the situation in your destination changes. You can find the program link at https://step.state.gov/.
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Can I cancel or modify my trip?
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Yes! Book confidently with Free Cancellations within 72 hours of booking. After 72 hours, cancellation fees will apply.
New For 2022 & 2023 Departures: We’re providing more flexible booking options on this trip.
Up to 60 days prior to departure*
You will have the option to postpone or modify your trip up to 60 days prior to your departure. Standard cancellation and date transfer fees will apply.
You will have the option to:
1) Select a new date within one year of your original departure date,
2) Select a new adventure or destination, or
3) Receive a lifetime store credit toward a future trip.
*If you select a new adventure, you will be responsible for the difference of any additional trip costs above the value of your current trip. If travel restrictions preclude you from entering the country or the operator is forced to postpone the trip due to local restrictions fees to cancel or reschedule may be waived. Fee waivers are subject to permit issuer approval.
For more information on our Travel Cancellation Policy please Click Here.