TRAVEL FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions from our clients. Before making a general inquiry, feel free to read this page carefully along with our trek information and Peru travel information pages.

HOW DO I MAKE A BOOKING?

Get Matched to Top Travel Specialists

WHY DO I NEED TO COME TO THE BRIEFING?

The briefing is really important because it's where you'll meet your guide. Throughout this meeting, the guide will explain important details about the excursion. Depending on your route, you will be given a duffel bag.

During this meeting, you will be asked to pay any outstanding balance. You will be given a map of our offices with your reservation information.

CAN I LEAVE MY LUGGAGE AT THE AUSANGATE PERU OFFICES?

Yes. You can leave your luggage at our offices.

You can leave your luggage with us, don't worry. You can bring it when you are picked up in the morning to leave for your trek. The driver will bring it to our storage.

You'll pick it back up once we return from our expedition.

IS WATER INCLUDED?

Yes. Please bring your own water for the first morning of your trek. After that, we will provide you with water. No need to worry, the water will be clean and safe to drink!

DO I NEED TO BRING EXTRA MONEY FOR THE TREK?

Yes. This is very important!!! We recommend that you bring 300 to 400 Peruvian soles. You may not need any of this money, but in case of an emergency, make sure you have plenty of cash. If you are struggling on the route, you can use the money to purchase alternative forms of transportation, such as a car, a horse, or a train. If you are participating in the 5-day trek, there are a couple of extra activities along the way, including hot springs.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP THE TREKKING TEAM?

Tipping is at your discretion, but is always highly appreciated.

HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE IN MY GROUP?

Groups are usually 10 to 12 people. This also depends on the time of year. The maximum is 12 people, and the minimum is 2 people.

WHAT SIZE BAG DO I NEED TO TAKE WITH ME?

We will provide you with a duffel bag for all of the Treks. You can carry about 7 kilograms in the duffel bag. These duffel bags will be carried by horses throughout the trek.

You only need to carry a small backpack/day pack with the items you might need throughout the day, like sunscreen, bug spray, jackets, or snacks.

WILL I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHARGE MY DEVICES DURING THE TREK AND WILL I HAVE WIFI?

Yes. You will have the chance to charge your devices at each of our campsites. That said, at some sites, you cannot leave your devices charging overnight.

You will have access to Wi-Fi at some campsites for an additional cost. Cameras and cell phones are not allowed to be left charging overnight.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PRIVATE TOUR AND GROUP TOUR? WHY IS IT WORTH IT TO PAY MORE FOR THE PRIVATE TOUR?

If you choose a private tour, it will be tailored to you. The size of the group depends on you and only you. You can decide exactly who will be on the trek with you. This is perfect for couples, families, or groups of friends. You will have your own personal chef and guide, which means the trek is more personalized and able to satisfy your personal needs.

WILL I HAVE THE CHANCE TO TAKE SHOWERS DURING OUT TREK? WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO BATHROOMS?

Not in all campsites will you find showers. However, please note the following:

• Soraypampa (1st camp): No showers.
• Collpapampa (2nd Campsite): Hot showers are available at no extra cost.
• Lucmabamba (3rd Campsite): Hot showers are available at extra cost.
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes (4th Night): Hot showers are available at no extra cost.

The camps provide facilities from local families, so you have to pay 10 soles to use the showers. You'll be in a hotel on the last night in Aguas Calientes, so there’ll be no extra charge.

SHOULD I RENT AN EXTRA HORSE?

If you are worried about the trek, you can rent an extra horse. The cost is US$ 80.00. You will only be able to ride the horse during the first two days while trekking uphill. During the latter days, at times you will have the opportunity to opt out and take a car or train for certain legs of the trek. Also, you should know that on the first day, you will be going a different route from those who choose to hike. You do not have to organize this in advance.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MACHU PICCHU ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE AND MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN?

Your ticket to the Machu Picchu archeological site is included in the tour price. This involves a two-hour guided tour through the ruins of Machu Picchu. This is your general entrance ticket. With your entrance ticket, you have the option of buying a ticket to Machu Picchu Mountain.

Machu Picchu Mountain is an extra hike that is NOT included in the price of your tour. It costs an extra $60.00 USD for both the Salkantay Trek and the Inca Trail. The hike is about a three-hour round-trip that you can take after your guided tour. From the top, you will have a 360-degree view. You can see the Machu Picchu ruins from a much higher vantage point. We recommend this if you wish to spend more time at Machu Picchu.

These two tickets must be purchased together, so it is important to let us know as soon as possible if you wish to do Machu Picchu mountain.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE INCA TRAIL AND THE SALKANTAY TREK?

• The Inca Trail is a lot more crowded than the Salkantay Trek.
• Salkantay is more comfortable than the Inca Trail. There are bathrooms and nicer accommodations.
• On the Salkantay Trek, you spend a night in a hotel before entering Machu Picchu. On the Inca Trail, you do not.
• The Inca Trail is much more expensive than the Salkantay.
• An extra hike up either Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain costs US$ 60.00 (an extra ticket is required).
• The Inca Trail is a bit more difficult than the Salkantay Trek.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET ALTITUDE SICKNESS?

Our guides are trained in case you get sick. Unfortunately, it is illegal for us to provide you with altitude medication, but we do our best to help you feel better in other ways. For example, we often make coca tea, and the guides carry oxygen bottles. If you feel bad, you can return to Cusco and then meet up with your group in Aguas Calientes so you don’t miss out on Machu Picchu.

This will come with significant extra charges, however. You also have the option of using other forms of transportation along the trek, such as cars, horses, and trains, for a significantly lesser cost.

CAN I JOIN AS A SINGLE TRAVELER?

Yes! We have single travelers joining our treks all the time. You would share accommodations with someone of the same sex. If you wish to have a single hotel room, you can arrange that for an extra $30.00.

IF I DECIDE TO CANCEL, WILL I BE REFUNDED?

No. Unfortunately, our company has a no-refund policy. All $200.00 deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. We understand that unexpected events are beyond your control, but we can’t make exceptions. For more information, please see our terms and conditions.

WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE DURING THE TREK?

The weather is very unpredictable, changes quickly, and varies by season. It is impossible to say exactly what kind of weather you will encounter on your trek. However, the first night will generally be quite cold. It can get down to about 5 degrees Celsius. Towards the end of your trek, you will be in the Peruvian jungle. In these sections of the trek, temperatures can reach 25 degrees Celsius.

WHY IS THERE AN 5% CHARGE FOR PAYPAL AND VISA? IS THERE ANY WAY TO AVOID THIS CHARGE?

Unfortunately, the 5% charge is completely out of our hands. This fee does not go to us but to PayPal and VISA. There is really no way around it.