Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu Via Llactapata Inca Ruins 5 days

Important Info

IMPORTANT INFO :

Please read carefully the following information; it will help with your questions about our services and the Salkantay trek.

ARRIVAL TO CUSCO

When you arrive at the Cusco airport, we send our representative there to greet you and take you to your hotel. To help us make sure everything runs smoothly, please provide us with your flight details at least two weeks before you arrive. When you exit the arrival terminal, keep an eye out for our representative, who will be holding an Apple Travel Peru sign. Our representative won’t be able to enter the terminal, so you’ll need to step outside to find them.

THE BRIEFING

Your briefing will take place the night before your trip, at our office at 6 or 6:30 pm, depending on your confirmation email details. The office is located at Calle Garcilaso 2010 Office 2012.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?

Of course! During the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, you can store your main luggage at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you.

HOW TO BOOK THE SALKANTAY TREK?

FIRST, to book your Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or clicking here on the link BOOK NOW.

Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase a Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu permits and entrance tickets without the following information:

• Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
• Gender
• Passport number
• D.OB. (dd/mm/yyyy)
• Nationality

We require copies of each participant’s passport at the booking.

SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person in order to purchase a permit for the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.  You can make your deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.

WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?

If you’re worried about high credit card fees while in Peru, don’t worry! You have options to pay for your tour with Apple Travel Peru. You can pay in cash (in US dollars or Peruvian soles) at our office located in Cusco‘s historical center. There are also plenty of ATMs in the area where you can withdraw cash.

If you prefer to pay online, we accept payments through VISA or PayPal. However, please note that there is a 5.5% service fee charged by these payment platforms. To pay your balance through PayPal, simply log into your PayPal account and use our email address: appletravelperu@gmail.com.

We want to make sure that you have a stress-free and convenient payment experience. So, feel free to choose the option that works best for you!

HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR THE STUDENT DISCOUNT?

According to Peruvian Law, you must be under 18 years of age at the time of your trek or tour to Machu Picchu (students 18 & above need student cards). For example: if you book a trek at the age of 17 but you turn 18 before you do your trek, you must have a valid university ID card to qualify for the student discount.

• University students must provide a copy of their ID card showing a photo, University name, and card expiration date. Cards must be valid for the current academic year only.
• For all students from 11 to 17 years, the discount is $30 USD.
• For children from the age of 2 to 11, the discount is $40 USD.
• Children from the age of 0 to 2 are free.

All students must provide a copy of their passport at the time of their booking to get the student discount. Send us a copy at appletravelperu@gmail.com

MAY I CHANGE THE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?

Unfortunately, the answer is No. We cannot change the dates for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu once the permits have been purchased. This is due to government regulations and the permits cannot be transferred or refunded. If you decide to cancel the Inca Trail, unfortunately, the deposit will not be refunded.

DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT FOR SALKANTAY TREK?

It’s essential that you bring your original passport for your Salkantay Trek, as well as any other entrances and reservations. This is because officials will check your passport when you enter Machu Picchu, embark on the trek, and board the train. It’s important to note that the passport you bring must be the same one you used to book your trek and other reservations.

If you plan to renew your passport or change your name, please send us your old passport information to secure your permit, and we can update it once you get your new passport or updated name for a fee of $25 USD per person. To make the change, we’ll need a copy of your old and new passports.

If you prefer not to pay the fee, you must bring both your old and new passports with you to Peru. You can enter the country with your new passport, but you’ll need to present both passports (old and new) to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, or board the train. It’s important to have both passports with you, as you will not be allowed to enter Machu Picchu or board the train without them.

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE SALKANTAY TREK?

The weather on the Salkantay Trail can be quite unpredictable, making it difficult to plan in advance. That’s why we recommend dressing in layers to make it easier to adjust to any sudden changes in temperature or weather conditions.

WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS ON SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU?

Altitude sickness can be a concern for those traveling to higher elevations such as Cusco and the Sacred Valley. However, if you exercise regularly and spend a few days in the area, you can usually acclimate normally within 24-48 hours. It is always a good idea to consult with a physician for appropriate advice and medications.

To combat altitude sickness, we recommend drinking plenty of water, drinking coca tea, and using oxygen if needed. Our guides are trained to help you manage any symptoms of altitude sickness, so you can rest easy knowing you are in good hands. For more detailed information about altitude sickness, please refer to our FAQs section.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE PER GROUP?

The maximum group size is 8 persons.  Our groups are between 2-6 people. Apple Travel Peru specializes in SMALL, PRIVATE groups and provides personalized service.

HOW MANY COOKS/PACK HORSES FOR THE GROUP?

You will have 1 cook per group. The number of pack horses depends on the size of the group. For a group of 2 trekkers, they will have 4 horses, 4 trekkers will have 6 horses, 6 trekkers will have 9 horses, and 8 trekkers will have 12 horses.

HIKING THE SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU

Before starting your Salkantay Trek, you will be provided with a small duffel bag to pack your clothing for the next four days. You are allowed to pack up to 7kg/14 lbs in weight. Don’t worry about carrying your duffel bag or camping gear, as our team of pack horses will handle it for you. However, please note that you will not have access to your items until the end of each day, as the porters will be ahead of the group. For the duration of the trek, you will need a day backpack to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, rain jacket, camera, sunscreen, snacks, and water. We recommend a 30 to 40L backpack size, which should be sufficient for your needs.

IS THE TREK DIFFICULT, DO I NEED TO BE FIT?

Before embarking on the Salkantay Trek, it is important to note that it is a fairly challenging trek and requires a good level of physical fitness. We recommend regular exercise and practicing walking long distances, such as 15 kilometers or 9 miles a day, in the months leading up to the trek. It’s also important to acclimatize to the altitude as much as possible, by spending at least 2-3 days in Cusco (which is 3,350m/11,047ft above sea level) before starting the trek. This will help you adjust to the altitude and reduce the risk of altitude sickness. It’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor before embarking on any physically demanding activity.

ARE THERE TOILETS ON THE SALKANTAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU?

You’ll be happy to know that there are toilets available on the Salkantay trek, but they are only offered by the locals for a small entrance fee of 1 sole. So be sure to bring some change with you!

When we’re at camp, we understand the importance of having access to a toilet, which is why we have a biochemical toilet set up in a tent at a comfortable distance from your sleeping tent. We want to make sure you have a comfortable and convenient experience on your trek.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM UNABLE TO FINISH THE SALKANTAY TREK?

Although it is unlikely, if you encounter a health issue that prevents you from completing the Salkantay Trek, Apple Travel Peru is here to support you. We will help you get to the nearest town for transportation assistance. For any respiratory problems, we carry oxygen on the trek. If the situation becomes extreme, we can arrange a helicopter pick-up at your own expense. (Don’t forget to purchase travel insurance!) However, we are unable to provide refunds if you are unable to complete the trek.

Typically, individuals who require assistance are taken to Ollantaytambo. If they recover quickly, they can continue their journey to Aguas Calientes (the cost incurred by the trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to the original plan.

ARE WE GOING TO BE DROPPED OFF AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE SALKANTAY TREK?

Absolutely!! Hotel pick-ups and drop-offs are included with all of our packages! If you have booked your hotel in Sacred Valley, we will drop you off there and vice versa.

AT WHAT TIME IS THE TRAIN DEPARTURE?

It will depend on the train availability (during the high season it could book out) but the idea is to give you as much time as possible in Machu Picchu and enjoy the amazing views on the way back to Cusco from the train. Therefore, we usually book the train at 14:55 or 15:20.

HOW MUCH IS THE VISTADOME TRAIN UPGRADE?

The Vistadome train service has nicer seats, panoramic windows, and a ceiling. You will be offered snacks and a dance show will take place on board. You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for $67 USD. These trains run from Aguas Calientes to Poroy. We will you up in Poroy and drive you back to Cusco, which takes about 25 minutes. Please request in advance.

TIPPING

If you’re pleased with the services you’ve received from our staff, we welcome any gratuities you may wish to offer. While tipping may not be a standard practice in your home country, it is an essential part of the tourism industry in many destinations we operate in. Tipping inspires our staff to provide exceptional service, and it is greatly appreciated. The amount you choose to tip is entirely up to you and should be based on the quality and duration of your trip. We want to emphasize that tipping is not mandatory and should only be given if you feel you’ve received excellent service.

ARE WE SUSTAINABLE?

Absolutely! Apple Travel Peru is committed to being a responsible tourism operator that prioritizes sustainability and local engagement. We believe in following universal principles of tourism that protect the environment and ensure that local communities benefit from tourism while respecting their culture and beliefs. To ensure that we achieve this, we have extensively trained all our local staff to understand, appreciate, and respect the local communities and places we visit.