Inca Trail Tours & Reservations 2023

Unfortunately, no refunds can be provided within 30 days of departure. The payment is used to purchase your Inca Trail trek permit and reserve space within the group. After purchasing the permit we cannot change the date of trek departure or change the name or passport number on the trek permit. If you decide to cancel we cannot transfer your Inca Trail reservations to another client. Government regulations prevent us from filling your canceled space with another traveler and the government won’t refund or credit us the cost of the permit. Any cancellation over 30 days is subject to a cancellation fee as outlined in the terms and conditions.

A non-refundable deposit is due at time of booking. The full payment is due at 30 days prior to the tour departure. If booking within thirty days of the tour, full payment of the tour is required. This guided tour is $750 per person. This provides payment for your transportation, Inca trail permit, tour guide, food, porter, chef, tour guide payment, entrance fee to Machu Picchu, etc.

During the month of February, the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance, thus resulting in no bookings at this time.  During the wet season, heavy rains can result in landslides that can block part of the trail or close some of the campsites. Usually, these partial trail closures are just for a few days but they can be for several weeks or even months. In the event of such closures Cachi Life, Inc will do our best to find an alternative route to get to Machu Picchu. If we can’t offer a suitable alternative then we will have to cancel the trek and refund any payments less than any costs already spent or committed to operating the trek. You will have to reclaim the remaining proportion from your travel insurance.

A passport is required to book the Inca Trail. Make sure the passport number must match the number that was used to book the trek. You will not be allowed to book if your passport expires within the next 6 months. You are required to bring your passport on the trek or you will not be able to start. The government will not allow you on the trail if you do not have your permit. If you lost your passport you will have to obtain a replacement prior to the trek. This requires you to submit an application with a $25 processing fee to the Peruvian government. You will be required to submit photocopies of your old and new passport along with the police report of the lost passport. Even so, the government may not accept the transfer to the new passport. As such, this is considered a last resort. If this happens, this will be considered a cancellation by the trekker and no refund will be given. Peru will not let anyone in that has a passport expiring within 6 months the date of entrance.

Yes, and we encourage it! However, if your friend’s reserve later they may not be guaranteed a permit with your group. Permits are issued on a first-come-first-served basis. We recommend everyone in your group books your trek at the same time

Please give us details of your allergy at time of booking. Please indicate the severity of the reaction and what type of medicine you have to take in case of emergency. If your allergy is severe, you must be accompanied by a trekking partner on the trek who is aware of your allergy and the location of any required medicines. We do not accept clients with life-threatening allergies. Due to the nature of the remote geographical and lack of suitable nearby medical facilities, Cachi Life, Inc will not accept any responsibility, either directly or indirectly, for any problems due to your special medical/dietary requirements. Check with your physician prior to booking.

We require everyone to be in Cusco at least two nights prior to starting the trek, three nights is preferred. This ensures that everyone in the group is well acclimatized to the altitude before starting the trek. This helps to avoid altitude sickness and help you hike the Inca Trail.

We highly recommend you pack a backpack, sleeping bag, rain jacket, hiking boots, hiking poles, one change of clothing, sweater, jacket, water carrying device, flashlight and batteries, a cap for sun protection, sunblock, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, toiletries, and toilet paper, selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits, etc, camera and spare batteries in addition to any other articles you may need. There is nowhere to charge batteries during the Inca Trail.

We provide tent, food, a small bag for your half porter to carry belongings, cooking gear, water, and you may rent a sleeping bag and double-thickness foam mattress (which weighs approximately 1kg).

Make SURE to bring your original passport that was used to book the trek. Government authorities will NOT allow you on the trail without your original passport. Therefore if your passport is expiring prior to your trek date, please obtain a new passport prior to booking with us. You must bring your ISIC card during the trek if you have a student discount. Once again, the government will NOT allow you to start the trek without this if you have a student rate.

You carry all your own personal gear. We will provide the services of a half porter to help assist you. The half porter will carry up to 6kg (13.2lbs) worth of your gear.

Wear clothing and footwear that is sturdy, comfortable, and can withstand the rigors of the trail.

We recommend hiking poles. However, metal tips are NOT allowed on the trail. Please use rubber tips/protectors. Rubber protectors can also be bought in several shops in Cusco. Please do not purchase/use wooden poles as many of these are obtained from deforestation.

Please bring cash to tip your cooks, guides, and porters

We recommend that you bring antibiotic for travelers diarrhea or UTI, antibiotic for severe bacterial infection, medication for upset stomach/indigestion, anti-diarrhea medication, anti-nausea medication for motion sickness/altitude sickness if needed, cold/flu medication, general painkiller/fever reducer, and have all your vaccinations up to date (MMR, tetanus, etc).

A ‘half porter’ can be rented for $125. The maximum weight a half porter can carry varies from male to female. If you select a female porter they can carry a maximum of 4 kilograms (8.8lbs) and a male porter can carry a maximum of 6 kilograms (13lbs). Keep in mind your sleeping bag and sleeping pad, if rented through us, will weigh approximately 3kg (6.5lbs) in total.

The night of orientation we will provide you with a sack for you to place what you’d like the porter to carry. This will be weighed the morning we arrive at KM 82. We suggest you plan out what you want to bring on the trail and weigh it before your departure to Peru. If you’re looking for a complete packing list for the Inca Trail you can download one here.

If you require more weight, you can hire a full porter (female 8 kilograms/Male 12 kilograms) for the cost of $250.

We provide you with a popup tent toilet that is clean and sanitary. There are bathrooms built along the Inca Trail including all of the major campsites, however, they can be a bit disgusting. Each bathroom block has cold running water. We recommend that you bring a hand-sanitizer to use after visiting any bathroom.

Yes. We charge $85 for this. If this is a request please consult your travel expert prior to departure.

Yes. This is the best way to trek if you did not get the four-day Classic Inca Trail permits in time or you want to hike but not camp. This consists of the last day of the Inca Trail hike past the cloud forest, entrance through Inti Punku (Sun Gate), overnight stay in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, and guided tour of Machu Picchu on day 2. This runs at $689 per person.

Our tour guides all speak excellent English. We guarantee that your guide will stay with you while hiking the Inca Trail guided tour. All our guides provide the highest level of service. Ask as many questions as you would like and ask to see what you want. Our guides will tailor your experience on the Inca Trail to your needs! This is your trip!