Inca Trail Holidays

Inca Trail Booking

It is very important to book this trek a good time in advance!!! As there are only 500 permits (Tour Guides, Porters and Cooks including) issued per day for the Inca Trail!!

A general recommendation on how long time in advance to book is:

• If you like to hike in December, January or March: 4-6 weeks in advance
• If you like to hike in April, October or November: 2-3 months in advance
• If you like to hike in May, September: 3-4 months in advance
• If you like to hike in June, July or August: 4-5 months in advance

Peru Inca Trail Tour Booking

If you like to do the Inca Expedition Tour, please first check an availability of Inca Trail on this Peruvian government website: Ministerio de Cultura. You can choose your language clicking on flags on top of the page. Then, go to the section “Consultas” (“Queries” in English version), select “Inca Trail” from the Archaeological Centre section, choose year and month when you like to do the tour. Please note: the Inca Trail starts on the sixth day of the Peru Inca Trail Tour! (For example, if you like to start the tour on the 6th of August, you need to check Inca Trail availability of the day 09th of August!)

If there is still availability of the Inca Trail on your date requested in the time of your booking, the booking of the Inca Trail Expedition Tour will be confirmed firstly by our Reservation Department via e-mail. Then your full personal details wil be required as well as a deposit in order to purchase your Inca Trail permit. (Please note that an Inca Trail booking is valid only for 1 hour!! If it is not paid within this time, it expires!!!)

Inca Trail Closure

Each February, the Inca Trail is closed to allow its conservation as well as to give vegetation a chance to recover. This is a suitable month to close it since it is the wettest month of the year too. However, Machu Picchu itself remains open during the month so you can visit it!

All Tierras Vivas adventurous group tours are accompanied by a Tierras Vivas Tour Guide, a Representative or an expedition team. The aim of our Tour Guides is to take a hassle out of our customers’ trips and to help them to have the best trip possible. The Tour Guides provide information on places visited, offer suggestions of what to see and to do, recommend a good place to eat and introduce to his/her colleagues. The Guides have a broad general knowledge of each country visited during a tour, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local Tour Guides where we think that more specific knowledge could add more enjoyment to visited places.

Accommodation during the Peru Inca Trail

These following hotels are used to accommodate you during your tour:

Accommodation in Lima:

Hotel Las Palmas

Address: Calle Bellavista N 320

Tel: (+51) 1 4446033

Accommodation in Cusco:

Hotel Prisma

Address: Calle Matara N 394, Cusco

Tel: (+51)  84 224466

Accommodation in Ollantaytambo:

Hostal Las Orquidea Real

Address: Av Ferrocarril , Ollantaytambo

Tel: (+51) 84 204032

Accommodation in Puno

Casona Plaza Puno

Address: Puno 280, Puno 15001

Tel: (+51) 051 365614

Accommodation in Arequipa:

Hotel Casa Consuelo

Address:Calle Consuelo 114 A, Arequipa

Tel: (+51) 054 288585

Accommodation in Colca Canyon:

Hotel Colca INN

Address: Av. Salaverry 307, Chivay

Tel: (+51) 054 531111

During the tour, we request our hotels to get ready your rooms for time of your arrival, especially, if you arrive prior to standard check-in time. Nevertheless, this is not always possible. In this case, you just store your luggage in that hotel storage room and you can explore around your new destination in between.

Please note! If you have purchased pre or post trip accommodation, you might be asked to change your room during your trip.

Inca Trail Accommodation

Camping Equipment included

• Double Tent
• Therma-a-rest Mattress
• Sleeping Bag (-5 Grade)

Please note that if you have booked the “Single Room” option for a tour, you receive your own single room for all nights as well as a single tent if your trip includes trekking.

EMERGENCY FUND

Please, make sure you have access to at least an additional USD200 (or equivalent) as an ’emergency’ fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (eg. a natural disaster) need a change to our planned tour. This is a rare occurrence! But you never know…

HEALTH

When travelling to Peru, you DO NOT NEED any vaccination!!

However, if you plan to visit a rainforest, you should get vaccinated against yellow fever and take antimalarial drugs. Other vaccines recommended are against hepatitis and typhoid. You should also use mosquito repellent when in jungle or a subtropical area!!

When going to mountain areas such as Cusco, acclimatization is necessary to avoid high altitude sickness!

Altitude sickness also called acute mountain sickness (AMS) or locally “soroche” — is a pathological effect of high altitude on people due to acute exposure to low partial pressure of oxygen access. It basically appears at altitude above 2,400 metres within 6-12 hours after reaching high altitude. It manifests itself as a set of nonspecific symptoms, acquired at high altitude or in low air pressure that are similar to flu, hangover or carbon monoxide poisoning. Being in excellent physical condition does not automatically mean immediate acclimatization and altitude sickness avoiding. There are no specific factors that correlate with a tendency to altitude illness. AMS can progress to high altitude cerebral oedema (HACE) or high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), which can be fatal, so immediate medical help is necessary!!

At high altitude, air density (oxygen and nitrogen molecules number per given volume) decreases as the altitude increases resulting in the fact that physical and mental alertness drops too. Dehydration caused by higher rate of water vapor lost from the lungs may contribute to the symptoms of altitude illness. The rate of ascent, altitude achieved, amount of physical activity at high altitude as well as individual susceptibility are contributing factors to the appearance and seriousness of high-altitude illness. Usually, the illness occurs following a rapid ascent (for example, by flying from sea-level to La Paz or Cusco) and can be mostly prevented by ascending slowly. The symptoms are mostly temporary and disappear within a couple of days (2-3) as a general rule.

Acclimatization to high altitude is a process of adapting to reduced oxygen amount in the atmosphere. This process differs for everybody individually.

Common symptoms of high altitude:

Headache, nausea or vomiting, lack of appetite, dizziness, tiredness or weakness, sleepiness or insomnia, shortness of breath upon physical effort, persistent rapid pulse, needles and pins, nosebleed, general malaise, excessive flatulence, peripheral oedema (swelling of feet, hands and face).

Severe symptoms:

Pulmonary oedema (fluid in the lungs), cerebral oedema (swelling of the brain), fever, symptoms similar to bronchitis, persistent dry cough, shortness of breath even during a rest, headache that does not react to analgesics, increased nausea, unsteady gait or gradual loss of consciousness.

How to prevent or reduce high altitude sickness:

You should drink lots of liquids, including the local remedy mate de coca (traditional tea made of coca leaves), eat plenty of sweet, avoid drinking alcohol, taking sedatives or any other mind-altering substances and heavy and hard to digest food (high-carbohydrate meals). Above all, you need to rest! Acclimatization is achieved when the heartbeat is normal at rest, you can eat and sleep well and have no headache.

SAFETY

Peru is a relatively safe country excepting the capital of Lima. The biggest problem in Peru is theft and pocket-picking. For Peruvians, foreigners represent enormous wealth as a budget of any tourist exceeds what most of Peruvians earn in a year (or even much longer time)!! For that reason, it is HIGHLY recommended to leave on street with a minimum of cash and valuables (cameras, video-cameras, mobile phones, lap-tops or iPods) only, leave luggage just in a safe place and wear simple and unpretentious cloths. You should also avoid travelling in nights (unless with a very safe travel company), do not leave alone after the sunset and be vigilant around scenes of commotion that are often arranged to distract your attention!

When travelling across the country using ground transportation, choose a safe travel company. Very cheap bus companies possess very old vehicles in a corresponding technical state! Peruvian highways are in good conditions. Nevertheless, most of roads are in a very, very poor state and they are signed in the same way, particularly in inland. The best and most important motorway is a 3 400 km long Panamerican Highway connecting the south of the country with the north. Peruvians are not good drivers at all and you need to pay attention all the time, especially in nights. The worst drivers are taxi drivers as they drive very inconsiderately.

HYGIENE

Meal in hotels of higher categories (3*, 4* and 5*) is very tasty and wholesome. Nevertheless, AVOID eating and drinking on streets and local markets as food there is prepared in very poor sanitation.

There are some our recommendations:

• Drink bottled water only. If not possible, boil water or use water purification tablets.
• Do not allow adding ice cubes into your drinks (you never know what kind of water was used to be made).
• Eat well-cooked (heat treated) meals only!
• Avoid meals containing mayonnaise, cream, yoghurt, etc. due to poor storage conditions in general (lack of refrigeration system or its insufficient temperature).
• Eat packaged ice cream, preferably from well-known brands.
• Avoid eating salads in restaurants due to poor hygiene.

Other recommendation is to take your own toilet paper whenever you leave your hotel as you do not find any in local restaurants, local markets, supermarkets, internet cafes, etc. For the same reason, you should take your soap and paper towel (outside of your hotel) as well!!

GETTING READY FOR THE INCA TRAIL:

At your pre-trek briefing, please advise your Tour Guide or a Tierras Vivas Representative about any special dietary or medical needs you might have. Our staff takes a first aid kit and oxygen bottle to each trek in case of emergency. Except that, do not forget your personal medication please (if applicable).

This trek is of strenuous difficulty. Although its daily distances are not big, the high altitude and cold nights make the trek hard. So we recommend getting some pre-trek practice in order to reduce a likelihood of an ankle´s sprain, falls and other injuries. You should start exercising or trekking at least several weeks prior to your Inca Trail. Good way of preparation is briskly walking in hilly country or cycling as it strengthens thigh muscles resulting in knee protection as well.

Please note: Everybody, who likes to undertake the Inca Trail, must be in good physical shape!

Peruvian cuisine is divided by geographic location. So there are basically 3 kinds of cuisine:

• Costal Cuisine,
• Mountain Cuisine,
• Tropical Cuisine.

Costal Cuisine

This cuisine is called “Comida Criolla”. It has a strong tradition and can be found all over the country. Typical for this cuisine are dishes based on seafood. The most popular dish is “ceviche”. This meal is made of white fish, marinated in lemon juice, onion and hot peppers. Ceviche is served traditionally with cooked corn-on-the-cob, toasted corn, yucca and sweet potatoes (camotes). Cebiche can be also served without onions; in this case, it is called “tiradito”. Another fish dish is “escabeche” – fish with onions, hot green peppers, red peppers, prawns, cumin, hard-boiled eggs and olives; everything sprinkled with cheese (it can also be made of chicken). If you like to eat only fish itself, do not miss out an excellent corvine or sea bass. Worth of try is also “chupe de camarones”, which is a stewed shrimp, accompanied with various ingredients. Next fish dish is called “parihuela” – a popular bouillabaisse that contains tangy seaweeds (yuyo de mar) and “aguadito” (soup of a hen´s neck and feet), thick rice and fish soup (it is said that it has rejuvenating effects). A favourite northern coastal meal is “seco de cabrito” – a roasted kid (a baby goat) served with omnipresent beans and rice. “Seco de cordero” is also favourite, but it is made of lamb instead. You can found “aji de gallina” not only on the coast, which is a rich and spicy creamed chicken (or a duck). “Humitas” are small, stuffed dumplings made of corn. Two other popular meals are “cau cau” that are made of tripe, potatoes, peppers and parsley, accompanied with rice and “antichuchos” – shish kebabs of beef heart with garlic, peppers, cumin seeds and vinegar. Typical soup of this area is “sopa a la criolla” containing thin noodles, beef heart, bits of eggs, vegetables, everything pleasingly spiced.

Highland Cuisine

Staple food of Mountain (or Andean) Cuisine is corn and potato. These two commodities date back to Inca times and are found in a remarkable variety of shapes, sizes and colours!

Two very good potato dishes are “causa” and “carapulcra”. Causa is made of yellow potatoes, lemons, peppers, hard-boiled eggs, olives, lettuce, cooked sweet corn, cooked sweet potato (camote), fresh cheese and it is served with onion sauce (it can be made of tuna, avocado or prawns too). Carapulcra is stewed pork and stewed dehydrated potatoes with peanuts, sweet dried chilli peppers and sunflower peppers, garlic, cinnamon, anise and other spices. It is commonly eaten with rice, boiled potatoes or yuca. Another potato dish is “papa a la Huancaina” – potatoes topped with a spicy, milky and cheesy sauce. “Ocopa” is a similar meal containing potato´s slices and sauce made of milk, herbs and pecan nuts. “Papa rellena” is a deep-fried mashed potato ball stuffed with vegetables, eggs and meat. The most favourite corn dishes are “choclo con queso” (cooked corn on the cob with cheese) and “tamales” (boiled corn dumplings filled with meat or vegetables and wrapped in a banana leaf.

There are also many meat dishes. The biggest delicacy coming from high Andean areas is baked guinea pig – “cuy”.
Other typical meat dishes are “olluco con charqui” – olluco is a kind of potato and charqui is dried meat (jerky, it has been used since pre-Incan times); or “sancochado” – a meat with all kinds of vegetables stewed together and seasoned with ground garlic. A dish almost guaranteed to be found in each restaurant is “lomo saltado”, a kind of stir-fried beef with onion, vinegar, ginger, chilli peppers, tomatoes and fried potatoes, served with rice. Other meat meals are called “rocoto relleno” (spicy bell pepper stuffed with beef and vegetables) and “palta rellena” (an avocado stuffed with chicken salad, Russian salad or prawns). “Estofado de carne” is a meat stew often containing wine and “carne en adobo” is a cut and seasoned steak. Very common in mountains are “fritos” – fried pork, usually eaten in the morning; “chicharrones” – deep fried chunks of pork ribs, chicken or fish; and “lechon” – a sucked pig. To not forget some of Andean delicious soups, lets name at least “yacu-chupe” – a green soup based on potato, cheese, garlic, coriander leaves, parsley, peppers, eggs, onions and mint.

Tropical Cuisine

The main ingredient of Tropical (or Jungle) Cuisine is fish, especially succulent, dolphin-sized < paiche (Arapaima gigas), which comes with delicious “palmitos” (palm-hearts) and an ever-present yucca and fried bananas. Another popular meal is “sopa de motelo” (turtle´s soup). “Juanes” are a jungle version of tamales; they are stuffed with chicken and rice.

Peruvian climate is very miscellaneous containing a big variety of climates and microclimates. The climate of Peru includes 28 of the 32 climates of the world!!! This is a result of the presence of the cold Humboldt Current and the Andean mountains.

There are generally two seasons in Peru:

• Dry season from October to April,
• Rainy season from May to September, when the wettest months are January through March.

Three main climatic zones of Peru are the following:

• Mountain – Andean,
• Coastal,
• Rainforest.

Mountain – Andean Climatic Zone: Andean climate is characterized by moderate to cold weather with rainy summers and very cold and dry winters. During days is usually warm, but nights are cold in summer and freezing in winters. Mountain roads and trails may get impassable during the wettest months (January to March).

Coastal Climatic Zone: The climate on the coast is subtropically warm/hot with very little rainfall. Summer months (December to April) are hot and dry with temperature ranging from 25°C to 35°C on the desert coast (around Lima) and even more on the northern coast (further north from Lima). In winter (May to October), temperatures are much milder, airy, though with high humidity. Most of the desert coast (especially Lima) is covered by grey mist that is called “Garua”. This creates an impression that rain is coming in each moment; however, it does not happen. Only quite northern beaches (close to Ecuador) are sufficiently warm to swim (Mancora, Tumbes, etc.)

Rainforest Climatic Zone: This includes eastern lowlands characterized by Equatorial climate with hot and very humid weather and rain distributed all year round.

A kind of luggage you need to take with depends on a kind of tour you plan to undertake, a part of the country you like to visit, a year season and a length of your trip. In general, you should pack as lightly as possible because you carry your own luggage during most of our tours (however, there are not long walking distances – up to 30 minutes). We recommend you to keep weight of your luggage under 10 kg (22 lb.).

Most of travelers use a suitcase. However, a big backpack would be more suitable. In any case, please do not forget a small rucksack that you will need for daily travels (to carry your bottled water, camera, snacks, etc.). It is better to avoid a wheeled luggage and use luggage with shoulder straps.

What Kind of Clothing to Pack to Peru

Clothing to take with you depends on a year season in Peru and a part of country you plan to visit.

When visiting coastline of the Northern Peru and surroundings of Lima, then you need to pack some light cloths (for example, shorts, skirts, dresses, T-shirts), flip-flops, sandals, a head cover as a protection against the Sun (a hat or a cap), sun protection cream, sunglasses, mosquitos repellent and swimsuit, of course.

If you plan to visit Peruvian mountains (Andean mountain range or Altiplano), then we recommend you to take some trousers suitable for hiking, shorts, T-shirts and trekking shoes for the days; and sweaters, fleeces, hats, scarves and warm jackets for the nights. You also should take a sun protection cream, sun glasses and in some cases, mosquito repellent (depending on a route chosen). It is very convenient to have a light rain-gear available in a daypack (e.g. a waterproof poncho or jacket and/or waterproof trousers) as weather changes quickly and rains can suddenly occur. For more details, please check the below link of “What to Bring on the Inca Trail Expedition Tour”.

If you like to see the Amazonian rainforest (Manu, Puerto Maldonado, Iquitos, etc.), then the most important item of your luggage must be a mosquito repellent (20 DEET as a minimum recommended)!! Except that, you should take some light clothing with long sleeves and long trousers (to put into your shoes as a kind of protection against insect). You should not forget some waterproof cloths (especially, if you plan to visit the rainforest during a rainy season), comfortable and closed footwear, long socks and a hat.

What to Bring

• Passport Original and copies
• Travel insurance(+ copies for a case of lost),
• Flight tickets,
• Cash in USD or credit cards,
• Our service voucher (sent by us to you),
• Entry visa and a proof of vaccination (if applicable),
• Day pack (to carry your personal items during daily travels),
• Rain gear (a rain-jacket and a waterproof trousers or a rain poncho – this can be purchased in Cusco),
• Resistible footwear, waterproof trekking shoes are recommended,
• Sandals (for a higher comfort while at a campsite),
• Warm clothes such as a jacket, a fleece (thermal clothing is also recommended for cold nights during camping),
• Hat or a cap (to protect you against the Sun, rain as well as cold),
• Sun cream or sun block,
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body,
• Insect repellent– recommended minimum is 20% DEET (please note that no malaria has been reported during this trip!),
• Camera and its charger/batteries (please note that batteries are consumed quickly under cold conditions),
• Flashlight/headlamp + batteries,
• Handkerchiefs and toilet paper,
• Small towel and toiletries,
• Sufficient reserve of underwear,
• Swimsuit (to visit the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes),
• Snacks (biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.)
  Please note: we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. The recommendation of taken own snack applies only for customers who like a specific snack that might not be in our menu.
• Bottled water for the first morning and a water bottle.
  Important: plastic bottles are not allowed on the Classic Inca Trail! Please bring a metallic (alternatively Nalgene) bottles!
• Optional: walking sticks (please note: rubber covers are required for the Inca Trail!!); you can also rent it from us,
• Please note: we provide with filtered boiled water during entire Inca Trail, but if you like to use water from streams along the trail, you need to take some water-purifying tablets with you.

Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Debit and credit cards are very useful for cash advances, but you must remember to bring your PIN number (be aware that many ATM machines only accept 4-digit PINs.). Both Cirrus and Plus system cards are the most widely accepted debit cards. While ATMs are widely available, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will work in all of the ATMs in Latin America due to their affiliation with certain card systems. Credit cards can be used in major cities and towns ONLY but please do not rely on them as a method of payment because they are generally not widely accepted. You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 8%-10% usually applies.

Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money. A combination of US dollar cash and cards is best. Always take more rather than less, as you don’t want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE TIP: USD 100 bills with serial number CB or BE and any other USD bills that are old, torn, written or stamped on will not be accepted by local banks. Peruvian banks are allowed to reject dollar bills which are old, torn (more than one centimetre) and which have too many stamps on them. Please make sure you do not accept bills with these problems as they are hard to use.

If you are happy with the services provided a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Tierras Vivas destinations. Please note we recommend that any tips are given directly to the intended recipient by a member of your group as our group leaders are prohibited from collecting cash for tips.

Please, make sure you have access to at least an additional USD200 (or equivalent) as an ’emergency’ fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (eg. a natural disaster) need a change to our planned tour. This is a rare occurrence! But you never know…

We recommend you to arrange your travel insurance that includes health care, baggage damage or a loss and flight delays. If you need an advice about a travel insurance company, click here please.

We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers’ cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home – you won’t need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your group leader will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.

Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts you at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for Tierras Vivas travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The explotation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our group leader/local operators has the right to expel any member of the group/tour if drugs are found in their possession or they use prostitutes.

We would like to declare that we will keep confidential all your personal data you provide us (it means your full name(-s), passport number(-s), nationality(-ies), date(-s) of birth, age, telephone number(-s), address(-es), e-mail address(-es) and/or your credit card details), we will not pass the data to third persons and we will use them only to process your booking!!!

• DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS

At time of booking or 30 days prior to departure, whichever is later, we require 50% of the total amount of the tour as a deposit.

If you like to book the tour later than 30 days prior to departure, you need to check its availability with our Booking Department. If the department confirms you can still start the tour, then we require 100% of the total amount as a deposit.

Please note: Your booking will be confirmed only after we will have received your deposit!!!

• PAYMENT METHODS

To pay the deposit, you can use one of the three following payment methods:

– VISA online

– Western Union

• FINAL PAYMENT

Prior to departure of the tour, you need to clear your due balance; it means the remaining 50% of the total amount of the tour in case you book the tour at least 30 days prior to its departure.

Please note: If you do not clear the amount of the tour in total, you will not be allowed to start the tour!!!

• TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

The customer must possess a valid passport required for entry, departure and travel through each destination point along the itinerary of the tour (your passport needs to be valid at least 6 months past your return date), all visas, permits, certificates, including vaccination certificates, insurance policies, required for the whole journey. The customer accepts full responsibility for obtaining all such documents and permits necessary, and is solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from missing or defective documentation. Any information or advice given by the Tierras Vivas regarding visas, vaccination, climate, clothing, baggage, special equipment, etc. is purely advisory, provided as a courtesy to the customer, and the Tierras Vivas is not responsible for any errors or omissions as to the information provided.

• ENTRY VISA

You can check if you need an entry visa visiting the page of the General Consulate of Peru. In the below columns, find your country and check if you need an entry visa. The columns are in Spanish so there is translation of the columns (from left to right): “País” = country, “Turista” = tourist (it means a visa such a tourist), “Hasta 90 días – Negocio” = Business (visa) up to 90 days, “Estudiante” = student (visa), “Hasta 2 días – Transeúnte” = Transfer (visa) up to 2 days.

Everybody arriving to Peru is given an Immigration Card (a small list of paper) showing how many days of entry visa is given. Everybody is responsible for not to lose this Immigration Card and not extend his/her allowed time of stay. If you extend, you have to pay a fine (usually, 1 USD per each extended day).

• TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is mandatory that each customer obtain his/her travel insurance while travelling with the Tierras Vivas and this insurance must cover personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and evaluation expenses. It is highly recommended to extend the coverage to cover a flight cancellation or delay, loss of belongings and all other expenses which might occur as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring to the customer.

Customer must ensure that his/her insurer is aware of the type of travel to be undertaken (in this case, adventurous travel).

• FACTORS OUTSIDE THE TIERRAS VIVAS’ CONTROL (FORCE MAJEURE)

The Tierras Vivas claims to do its best to minimize any effects of matters outside of its control, however, does not accept any liability for these matters such as act of God (e.g. flooding, earthquake, hurricane, volcanic eruption, landslides, fire, etc.), war or war-like operations, civil commotions, labor difficulties (e.g. strikes, demonstrations, etc.), political disturbance, interference by authorities, terrorist activities, border closures, refusals of visas, delayed flights and so on.

If this occurs, the customer accepts to assume all extra costs caused by these factors.

• RESPONSIBILITY OF YOUR TOUR

Customer bookings are accepted on the understanding that they acknowledge that the nature of the tour is adventurous and may involve a significant amount of personal risk. The Tierras Vivas´obligations, and those of any suppliers providing any service or facility involved in any travel arrangements the customer books with us, are to provide services and facilities with reasonable care and skill. Facilities will be provided to the realistic minimum standard recommended by the regulatory authorities responsible.

The Tierras Vivas is not responsible for any damage or loss if the failure to carry out the contract is:

1. Attributable to the customer;

2. Attributable to a third party unrelated to the contracted service operating as well as the event is unforeseeable or unavoidable;

3. Due to unforeseen and unusual circumstances beyond the Tierras Vivas´ control (FORCE MAJEURE) and which consequences could not have been avoided even if every effort would have been made;

4. Due to political disputes, civil commotions, labor difficulties (e.g. strikes, demonstrations, etc.), interference by authorities, border closures, ground works, terrorist activities, war or war-like operations, refusals of visas, delayed flights, etc.;

5. Due to an event, which the Tierras Vivas company, even if every effort would make, could not foresee and forestall.

In any case, financial responsibility is limited up to the total price paid for the tour.

Anyway, the company explicitly excludes any responsibility for an indirect or consequential loss or expense, including loss of profit.

• AUTHORITY ON TOUR

At all times, a decision of Tierras Vivas Tour Guige or Representative will be final on all matters likely to endanger the safety and well-being of the all tour group. By booking with us the customer agrees to abide by the authority of the Tour Guide or the Representative, who represents the company of Tierras Vivas. At all times, the customer must strictly comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of Peru. If the customer fail to comply with the above, or commit any illegal act when on the tour or, if in the opinion of the Tour Guide, the customer´s behavior is causing or likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others, we may terminate that customer´s travel arrangement without any liability on the company´s part and the customer will not be entitled to any refund.

• UNUSED SERVICES

There will be no discount or financial refund for missed or unused services; this includes voluntary or involuntary termination, i.e. sickness, death of a family member, etc.

• PRICES AND SURCHARGES

As we publish our prices well in advance, we may occasionally face a significant cost increase due to factors behind our control, e.g. increases in entrance fees, airfares, train fares, other transport costs or taxes (if Peruvian government should require that). For that reason, we reserve the right to impose surcharges (or on the contrary, price decreases), about which we will inform you up to one month before your departure. Any surcharge or price decrease will be supported by evidence before any implementation will be done. If a surcharge results in an increase over 10% of the tour price, the customer may cancel the booking and obtain a refund consisting of the amount already paid by the customer reduced by already existing costs provided that the cancellation is made at least one month prior to departure date.

• ACCEPTANCE OF RISK

Some of Tierras Vivas’s itineraries have been designed to provide participants with true nature and environment exposure. The participants therefore involve an element of personal risk in their tour, which could result in physical or emotional injury, paralysis, death, or damage to the participant´s or a third party´s property. The participants (i.e. our customers) understand that such a risk simply cannot be eliminated without putting essential qualities of the tour in danger and therefore they assume the risk as part of the tour. The customer accepts that he/she is aware of his physical and health conditions and that, under the knowledge of this; he/she decides to undertake the above-mentioned risks. The customer exempts Tierras Vivas from all liability in respect of any accident or injury that may occur to customer’ health, physical condition and suchlike.

• CANCELLATION BY TIERRAS VIVAS

Tierras Vivas reserves the right to cancel the tour in case that the following circumstances occur:

1. Customer’s failure to pay the final balance two days prior to departure date.

2. Force majeure, terrorism, political instability or other external events: Impossibility to operate the tour or its part due to unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside Tierras Vivas’s control.

The following refund policy applies in these cases:

1. In case of customer’s failure to pay his/her due balance, the customer will not have any right to receive his/her deposit refund.

2. In case of force majeure, terrorism, political instability or other external events:

1. a. Tierras Vivas will propose a viable solution to operate the tour within a date available or, if impossible, will then propose an alternative tour.

This may result in two kinds of price differences:

– If the alternative tour chosen by the customer is of lower value than the original tour, then the customer is entitled to a refund of the price difference.

– If the alternative tour chosen by the customer is of higher value than the original tour, then the customer must pay the price difference.

1. b. In case that none of these solutions would be feasible, Tierras Vivas will refund the amount already paid by the customer reduced by already existing costs.

For more details about an amount of a refund, please check our page describing this topic in more details here.

Please note: Tierras Vivas is not responsible for any incidental expense that you may have incurred as a result of your booking including but not limited to visas, vaccinations, a travel insurance excess or non-refundable flights!!

• CANCELLATION BY THE CUSTOMER

Please note that the tour deposit is non-refundable (except the cases stated above in the CANCELLATION BY TIERRAS VIVAS paragraph)! A deposit serves for one thing to purchase a space within a tour group and once purchased it cannot be re-sold afterwards; and for another thing is used to pay your flight tickets, train tickets and other transportation, your Tour Guide(-s), Porters, Cook, food during trekking, to pay hotel reservations, etc.

A customer has to cancel his/her tour in writing and sent by fax, email or by post office. The following fees or percentages will be charged based on the date of the cancellation reception:

• 90 days or more prior to departure: Deposit (and interim payment) forfeit.
• Between 89 and 60 days prior to departure: 30% of the tour price or interim payment forfeit (whichever is higher).
• Between 59 – 30 days prior to departure: 70% of the tour price or interim payment forfeit (whichever is higher).
• 29 days or less before departure: 100% of the tour price.
• After the tour has commencement: 100% of the tour price.

Please note: If the trek due balance is not paid up to two days prior to the tour departure, it is considered as a cancellation by customer and no refund will be given!!!

• CLAIMS AND COMPLAINTS

If a customer has a complaint against the Tierras Vivas Company, the customer must first inform the company´s Tour Guide or Representative whilst on the tour in order that the Tour Guide/Representative can attempt to rectify the matter. If satisfaction is still not reached through these means, then any further complaint must be put in writing to the company within 30 days of the end of the tour. The company will not accept any liability for claims received after this period.

How to Book the Inca Trail Expedition Tour

Before you book this tour, please read well the Booking Terms & Conditions (see above). Please note that you can also find some advices on how to book the tour under the Inca Trail Booking link (see above).

If you agree with the Booking Terms & Conditions, go directly to the “Book This Tour” section (see above) please. There fill and submit our booking form. (Please note that we need details of each participant, so fill a form for all persons in your group.) We will confirm a reception of your booking form in a maximum of two working days. When the reception of the form is confirmed, our booking department will send you instructions on a deposit payment. Upon your deposit arrival, we will confirm your booking and send you all details of your program and your service and travel vouchers.

In case, you have any query, please contact us. We will be happy to help you!! (We usually answer within a maximum of two working days.

Responsible People is our non-profit foundation focused on RESEARCH, MEASUREMENT and SOLUTION FINDING of the world’s greatest challenges to ensure the long-term sustainability of the planet for present and future generations. For more information please visit www.responsiblepeople.org.

If you need to be contacted while travelling we recommend that you set up an email address that can be accessed on the road, rather than relying on postal mail. Ciber cafes are becoming increasingly commonplace and cheap throughout the regions we visit, and have quickly become the preferred way for our leaders and travellers to stay in touch. If someone wishes to contact you in an emergency while you are on one of our trips we recommend that they contact your local booking agent, or refer to our Emergency Contact.

Most of our adventure trips involve a local payment.

This amount is the final payment for your tour. Paying locally facilitates the flow of funds into countries that we travel through and also helps to reduce the overall price of the tour, allowing us to keep our tours at a competitive price, passing our costs savings on to you.

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