Aditional information
Important Information
Please carefully review the following details to help answer any questions you may have about our services and the Inca Quarry Trail Trek to Machu Picchu.
Welcome to Cusco
Upon arrival at Cusco airport, you will be greeted and taken to your hotel. Please provide your full flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival. Look for our representative holding an orange INCA EXPEDITIONS sign at the exit of the arrival terminal.
The Briefing
Your trek briefing will be held at 6 PM the night before departure at our office, located at Calle Garcilaso 210, office 207 (second floor) in the La CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.
Luggage Storage
Yes, you can store your main luggage at our office or your hotel during the Inca Quarry Trail Trek to Machu Picchu, whichever is more convenient for you.
How to Book the Inca Quarry Trail Trek to Machu Picchu
- Step 1: To book your Inca Quarry Trail Trek, fill out our booking form by clicking on “BOOK NOW” on our homepage, or by using the provided link.
Please be ready with the following information (for each participant in your group), as we cannot purchase a permit without it:
- Full name (as it appears on your passport)
- Gender
- Passport number
- Date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY)
- Nationality
- Step 2: We require a deposit of $211.00 per person to secure a permit for the Inca Quarry Trail Trek to Machu Picchu. You can make your deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our homepage or booking page.
Payment of the Balance
To avoid high credit card fees in Peru, you can pay your balance in cash (US dollars or Peruvian soles) at our office in Cusco. ATMs are widely available in the historical center. You may also pay via VISA or PAYPAL online, but note that a 5.5% service fee applies. For PAYPAL payments, log into your PAYPAL account and use our email address: incasexpeditions@gmail.com.
Student Discount Eligibility
Peruvian law requires that to qualify for the student discount, you must be under 18 at the time of your trek or tour to Machu Picchu. For example, if you book the trek at 17 but turn 18 before the trek, you must present a valid university ID card for the discount.
University students must provide a copy of their ID card showing a photo, university name, and card expiration date. Cards must be valid for the current academic year only. Discounts are as follows:
- Students aged 11-17: $30 USD
- Children aged 2-11: $40 USD
- Children aged 0-2: Free
All students must provide a passport copy when booking to receive the student discount. Send copies to: info@incasexpeditions.com.
Changing Departure Dates
Generally, it is not possible to change departure dates after tickets have been purchased. Once Machu Picchu tickets are bought, the government does not allow changes. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. If you need to change your date, contact our office immediately.
- Note: Deposits for the Inca Quarry Trail Trek to Machu Picchu are non-refundable.
Do I Need My Original Passport?
Yes! You must bring the original passport used to book your Inca Quarry Trail Trek to Machu Picchu, as well as for other entrances and reservations. Rangers will check your passport at Machu Picchu, and the train company will do so before boarding. If renewing your passport or changing your name, send us your old passport information to secure your permit. We can update it with your new passport for a fee of $25 per person. A copy of both the old and new passports is required for the change. Alternatively, bring both passports to Peru. While you can enter Peru with the new passport, you must show both old and new passports to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, or the train. Failure to provide both will result in denied access. Authorities are strict about this!
Weather on the Inca Quarry Trail Trek to Machu Picchu
The weather is highly unpredictable and challenging to forecast. We recommend dressing in layers to accommodate rapid changes in weather conditions. Be sure to pack warm clothing and reliable rain gear in your day backpack.
WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
Generally, if you maintain a regular exercise routine and spend 2 to 3 days acclimating in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, you should manage fine.
To combat altitude sickness, it’s advised to use WATER, COCA TEA, and OXYGEN IF NECESSARY; our guides are trained to assist with altitude sickness. For further details on altitude sickness, click here: Altitude Sickness.
While acclimatizing, you can book our Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley tours. Explore our day tours on our Main Page.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN EACH GROUP?
The maximum number of participants per group is 8. Typically, our groups consist of 2 to 6 people. INCA EXPEDITIONS specializes in SMALL, PRIVATE groups, providing a personalized service.
HOW MANY COOKS/PACK HORSES ARE PROVIDED FOR THE GROUP?
Each group is accompanied by 1 cook. The number of pack horses varies with the group size: 2 trekkers will have 4 horses, 4 trekkers will have 6 horses, 6 trekkers will have 9 horses, and 8 trekkers will have 12 horses.
HIKING THE INCA QUARRY TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
On the evening before you embark on the Inca Quarry Trail Trek to Machu Picchu, you will receive a SMALL DUFFLE BAG for your clothing for the next four days. You are allowed a weight limit of up to 7kg/14lbs. Your team of pack horses will transport your duffle bag, along with food and camping gear. Note that you won’t have access to your duffle bag items until the end of each day, as the horses will always be ahead of you. During the trek, you will need a daypack large enough for essentials such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. Generally, a 30 to 40-litre backpack should suffice.
IS THE INCA QUARRY TRAIL TREK TO MACHU PICCHU CHALLENGING? DO I NEED TO BE FIT?
The Inca Quarry Trail Trek to Machu Picchu spans 39 km through the Andes in the Cusco region, reaching a maximum altitude of 4,700 meters. On the second day, you will climb two mountains. This trek is quite strenuous, so being well-prepared and healthy is essential before starting. You should be moderately fit and engage in regular exercise. In preparation, consider walking 15 km daily or visiting a gym in the months leading up to the trek. It’s also important to acclimate to the altitude by spending at least 2 to 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.
WHAT ABOUT TOILETS ON THE TREKS?
Our clients, particularly trekkers, have highly valued the privacy and cleanliness of our toilet facilities! INCA EXPEDITIONS provides an individual tent with a camping toilet equipped with a seat. Check out the picture of our toilet setup on the trek by clicking this link: picture of toilet tent. Our toilet is always positioned a comfortable distance from the campsite. At night, it remains easily accessible and clean.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I CANNOT COMPLETE THE TREK?
In the rare event that you cannot finish the trek due to a health issue, INCA EXPEDITIONS will assist with transportation to the nearest town. We carry oxygen for respiratory issues, and in extreme cases, a helicopter evacuation can be arranged at your own expense (travel insurance required). There are no refunds if you are unable to complete the trek. Typically, those who need assistance off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and, if they recover quickly, they can continue to Aguas Calientes (at their own cost) and visit Machu Picchu as originally planned.
WILL WE BE DROPPED OFF AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE INCA QUARRY TRAIL TREK TO MACHU PICCHU?
Absolutely! The package includes a drop-off at your hotel on the final day. If you’ve booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley, such as Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you off there as well. If you stay overnight in Ollantaytambo before the trek, we will pick you up there too!
AT WHAT TIME DOES THE TRAIN DEPART?
The departure time depends on train availability (which may be limited during high season), but we aim to provide you with as much time as possible to enjoy Machu Picchu and the scenic return journey to Cusco. Therefore, we generally book the train for 14:55 or 15:20.
TIPPING
If you are satisfied with the services provided, tipping is appreciated though not mandatory. While it may not be customary in your country, it is significant for those who will assist you during the Inca Quarry Trail Trek. Tipping motivates them to offer excellent service and is a common practice across many INCA EXPEDITIONS destinations. You are free to tip based on your assessment of the service and the length of your trip. Remember, tipping is optional and should be given only when you receive exceptional service.
ARE WE SUSTAINABLE?
Yes! We are a local, sustainable, and responsible tourism operator committed to universal tourism principles: protecting the environment and benefiting local communities by respecting their culture and religion. We have trained our local staff to understand, respect, and appreciate the places and people involved
