How to book the tours with Tierras Vivas?

How to book the tours with Tierras Vivas

Booking with us is a simple process, but it varies a little depending on the type of tour you choose. Some routes (like the Inca Trail or Choquequirao) depend on limited government permits and must be booked months in advance. Others, like Salkantay, the Amazon, or one-day tours, have more flexible dates. Here we explain both processes so you know exactly what to expect.

Tours with limited permits

These routes and tickets have a daily limit, either by the Ministry of Culture of Peru or by the Machu Picchu circuit system, so the booking process is stricter in times and required details:

• Classic Inca Trail (4 days): 500 daily permits in total (between trekkers, guides, cooks, and porters).
• Short Inca Trail (2 days): It shares the same limited permit system as the classic route.
• Machu Picchu entrance ticket: It is sold by circuits with a limited capacity (Circuit 2 or 3 depending on the tour), regardless of the route you use to get there.
• Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain: Extra tickets with a very small limit (a very small number of visitors per schedule), they usually sell out even before the Inca Trail.

Here we show you the steps to book these tourist destinations:

1. Choose your route and date. Check the available options and select the date you want to start the trekking.
2. We check real availability. We confirm if there are still spots for that date, since permits are updated daily and can sell out.
3. You send the details of each passenger. Full name (same as on the passport), passport number, nationality, date of birth, and gender. We review this information with you before processing it, because any mistake can stop you from entering the route on the day of the trekking.
4. You pay the deposit. Usually 50% of the total value, needed so we can buy the permit in your name. This step is the one that secures your spot; before this, the date can sell out.
5. You receive the official confirmation. We send you the proof of the issued permit along with the confirmation of your booking.
6. You pay the remaining balance before your arrival in Cusco, according to the time limit shown in your confirmation.

Tours without spot limits

For these routes and packages we do not depend on limited permits, so the process is more flexible regarding dates and booking times:

• Salkantay Trekking (4-5 days): The most popular alternative to the Inca Trail, with views of the snowy Salkantay mountain.
• Lares Trekking: A tour through Andean communities and mountain landscapes, ideal for those looking for a more cultural experience.
• Choquequirao Trekking: The route to the "sister city" of Machu Picchu, more physically demanding but without a limit on permits (only the entrance ticket to the archaeological site).
• Ausangate and 7 Colors Mountain (Vinicunca): High mountain trekkings, including options for one day or several days.
• Inca Jungle Trail: Combines cycling, walking and the option of rafting or zip-line on the way to Machu Picchu.
• Sacred Valley, Cusco City Tour and one-day tours: Short trips with daily departures.
• Custom and multi-destination packages: Combinations tailored to you (Cusco, Sacred Valley, Amazon, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, etc.).

Steps to book these tourist destinations:

1. Tell us what you are looking for. Write to us pointing out the tour or destination you are interested in, tentative dates, and number of travelers. If you do not have a set tour, we can put together a custom package based on your interests and available time.
2. We send you a detailed proposal. It includes a day-by-day itinerary, what is included (transport, guide, meals, camping gear if it applies), total price, and payment method.
3. You confirm with the deposit. The percentage changes depending on the tour; we clearly state it to you in the proposal before you pay.
4. You receive all the information before the trip. Luggage guide, acclimatization recommendations, and logistics details (meeting point, schedules, contact for your guide).
5. You pay the remaining balance before the start of the tour, according to the policy stated in your confirmation.

Payment methods

During the booking process you will be able to choose between the following payment methods:

• Bank transfer: Bank charges are paid by the client and are not included in the price of the tour. If the received amount is less than the required deposit because you did not cover these charges, the difference is added to your pending balance.
• Western Union or MoneyGram: A 12% extra charge applies to the transferred amount, which is also not included in the price and must be covered by the client.
• Credit or debit card (Visa/Mastercard): The card charge is already included in the price of most tours, except for the tours in the "Quick Escapes" category (short trips), where the charge is added separately.

About the deposit:

• A 50% deposit is required for all tours and trekkings.
• Your booking is confirmed only once the deposit is paid, and it is non-refundable.
• If you book less than 2 days before the departure date, full payment is required (the deposit system does not apply).
• The remaining balance can be paid upon your arrival in Cusco, except for last-minute bookings (where full payment is already demanded from the start).

Details we will need from each passenger: Full name, gender, passport number, passport expiration date, date of birth, nationality, email, dietary restrictions (if it applies), and medical restrictions (if it applies).

Documentation: Once the deposit is paid, we will send you all the information before the trip, including your service voucher (also check your spam folder). The final documentation is issued between 1 and 2 days before your departure date.

You can review all these details directly on our official page: How to book and send the payment.

Frequently asked questions

• How long does the confirmation of my booking take?
  For tours without permits, we normally confirm in less than 24 hours. For the Inca Trail or other routes with a permit, the confirmation depends on the current availability at the moment of processing your request.
• Can I change the date after booking?
  It depends on the type of tour. On routes with a permit like the Inca Trail, date changes depend on availability and may not be possible once the permit is issued. On tours without spot limits, it is generally possible with advance notice.
• Is the deposit refundable?
  On tours with permits, the deposit is not refundable once the permit is bought. On other tours, check the specific policy of your booking. We recommend you get a travel insurance that covers cancellations.
• Do I need to pay everything in advance?
  No. Only a deposit is asked for to confirm your booking; the balance is paid before the start of the tour, according to the stated deadline.

Why book with us?

Backed by real travelers. We have a 4.8/5 rating on TripAdvisor and more than 830 reviews, based on the experiences of hundreds of travelers who have already hiked the Inca Trail with us. You can read their reviews directly on TripAdvisor before booking.

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Committed to the trail we walk. We know the Inca Trail is a limited and fragile resource, which is why we put a part of each booking towards our tree planting program in the Cusco region, helping with 10,000 planted trees. Every traveler who books with us takes an active part in conservation and helps the Cusco communities.ertificate of Excellence as Best Tour Operator by TripAdviso