FAQ'S
VERY WELCOME TO MACHULAS JOURNEY AND CUSCO CITY
You will be welcomed at Cusco airport and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to your trek. Look out for our representative holding an logo board Machulas journey at the arrival terminal. You must exit the terminal in order to find our representative (they cannot enter inside). We can pick you up on any date that is best suited to you prior to your trek!
WHAT KIND OF PACE CAN I EXPECT ON A MACHULAS JOURNEY?
Our itineraries are designed to include full, active days with plenty of opportunities to experience each place from an insider’s perspective, whether that means encountering wildlife, learning about different cultures and environments, or sharing in local traditions. Pace and physical activity level vary by trip and by travel style. On machulas journey, we offer alternate activities when possible. machulas journey Active Expeditions, which include activities like hiking, cultural tour, or homestay on most days, have designated activity levels ranging from easy to ultimate challenge, and travelers always have the choice to rest a day or ride to the next stop. For more information about the pace of a specific trip, see the trip itinerary. Where applicable, we’ve added additional notes about the activity level or physical requirements in a “What to Expect” section on the trip itinerary page. If you are uncertain about the level of activity of a particular itinerary, please call us at +51984738968 +51983006708
WHERE CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE?
¡Of course! During your trek or tour your primary luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel; both are at no cost to your. Please do not pack anything your main suitcase that you will need for your hike.
HOW TO BOOK OUR JOURNEYS AND TREKS?
FIRST, to book a tour or trek you need to fill out our booking form on our secure site, by clicking on book now on our homepage or click here the link book now.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase an Inca Trail permits, entrances to Machu Picchu, or make hotel or train reservations (it is a government requirement) without the following information:
- Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
- Gender
- Passport number
- D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
- Nationality
SECOND, we require a deposit of per person (the amount depends on which journey or tour you are booking) in order to purchase permits, entrances, and hotel and train reservations for your tour or trek. You can make you deposit by PAYPAL – WESTERN UNION
CAN I KNOW PAYMENT METHODS?
The Payment of the deposit you can realice through of these 3 methods.
1) PayPal. Balance can also be paid by this method (PayPal + 8% transaction fee) up to 3 months prior to departure date once you will be in cusco (we do not accept paypal payments), because PayPal often refuses these for security reasons because you are out from the home.
2) interbank:
3) visa
Western Union. Balance can also be paid by this method.
The deposit amount is:
1) The amount of the deposit is US$300 + $15 service fee = US$315 per person (for all trips the price over $500 US dollars)
2) for all trips the Price over USD$ 300, 200, the amount of deposit would be US$100 + $6 service fee = US$106 per person
NOTE: All transaction fees, asume our costumers. And total balance would be paid in cusco = Machulas Journey office
WHAT ABOUT BALANCE?
It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash or by credit card at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many cash machines in the historical center to withdraw money.
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, tour, or visit to Machu Picchu (students 18 above need ISIC cards). For example if you book a trek at the age of 17 but you turn 18 before you do your trek, you do not qualify for a student discount.
- All students from 12 to 17 years, the discount is $40.
- For children from the age of 2 to 12 the discount is $60.
- For 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 info@machulasjourney.com
MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGTH?
Unfortunately the answer is “No” for the Inca Trail. Once the permits or entrance tickets have been bought the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure date after the permits or ticket has been bought. Tickets are also not transferable nor refundable.
In regards to Alternative Treks, it may be possible to change your date for an additional fee. Please contact the office as soon as possible if this occurs so we can assist you in this matter.
If you cancel your tour or trek, the deposit is not refundable at all!
DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON THE INCA TRAIL AND ALTERNATIVE TREKS?
Yes for sure! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your Inca Trail Machu Picchu permit, entrance to Machu Picchu, train ticket or other entrances and reservations depending on your choice of trek.
The rangers on the Inca Trail will check every day and it will be checked when you enter Machu Picchu. The train company will also check your passport before allowing you to board the train.
In case you are renewing your passport or changing your name, go ahead and send us your old passport information to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number or updated your name for a fee of $25 per person. We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change. Before you change your passport keep a copy of your old one.
If you do not wish to pay this fee you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you. You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both passports, old and new to be to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or the train. If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or get on the train. They are very strict about this here!!
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON OUR JOURNEYS & TOURS?
First I would say that the weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. You will have many different varieties of weather as you pass through the numerous microclimates and it will depend on the location. We highly recommend you to bring some warm clothes for the evening and early morning time, and good rain gear in your day backpack in case of rain no matter the season.
WHAT ABOUT 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.
DO YOU RECOMENMDED CLAIM TO HUAYNA PICCHU PEAK?
Yes we recomemd Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu the mountains that stand next to Machu Picchu citadel offer spectacular views. Huayna Picchu takes 45 minutes to get to the top and then 45 minutes back down. Machu Picchu takes 2 hours to summit and another hour back down. This is done after your tour of Machu Picchu Inca city. If you want to climb either of these mountains, please let us know so we can better organize your tour. The cost for Huayna Picchu is $60 USD per person and $55 USD per person for Machu Picchu Mountain. Note: Don’t confuse Machu Picchu Inca citadel with the Machu Picchu Mountain.
ARE YOU LEAVE US NEXT OF OUR HOTEL?
Absolutely! Our service is from to hotel to hotel. If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will leave you at your hotel! Also, if you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before your tour (if your are doing the Inca Trail), we will pick you up there.
AT WHAT TIME DOES THE TRAIN DEPART FROM AGUAS CALIENTES?
It will depend on the train availability (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 you we usually book the train at 2:55 or 3:22pm. With this train schedule, you will have more than 5 hours to enjoy Machu Picchu
VISTADOME TRAIN UPGRADE; HOW MUCH IS IT?
For sure you may upgrade to Vistadome train which has slightly nicer seats, panoramic windows and windows in the ceiling. You will be offered some snacks and a dance show will take place on board. The price is US$75 per person which includes the transfer from Poroy (Cusco) train station to your hotel in Cusco. It is 2 hours by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and then another 2 hours from Ollantaytambo to Cusco by bus. If you upgrade to the Vistadome Train, the trip from Aguas Calientes to Poroy (Cusco), takes 3.5 hours, and then 25mins by taxi to your hotel. Usually our clients are back at their hotel by 8 to 9 pm. If you plan to take the bus to Puno on the same night, that is totally possible.
ARE YOU RECOMENDED TIPPING FOR OUR TEAM?
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Machulas journey destinations. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you feel, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
ARE YOU VERY LOCAL COMPANY?
Yes, Machulas Journey is a very local 100% Peruvian and cusquenian tour company & responsible tourism operator in that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect our cultures benefit the local communities respecting their culture costum and religion. which is our responsibility to remind everyone to do good for those who need it.
WHAT KIND OF MONEY IS USED IN PERU COUNTRY?
In Perú and Cusco we all use Peruvian currency, Soles are accepted everywhere in Peru. However, at tourist sites you are often able to use American dollars and money exchanges are easy to find it.
WITH WHAT KIND OF CURRENCY CAN WE MAKE THE DEPOSIT OF PAYMENT?
Dollars and Euros are also widely used. then you can make the deposit of payment dollar and total balance can do it in dollar = dollars are accepted.