F. A. Q.'s

F. A. Q.’s

Frequently Asked Questions

WHY RUNAS EXPEDITIONS?

RUNAS EXPEDITIONS is an experienced travel company, we are experts doing tours and you are our motivation; to show you our culture; You will have your best adventure and experience ever in PERU. We will work together to do your trip, hiking through the Andes to reach MACHUPICCHU or any other tours.
Peru is one of the countries that has so many things to do as an adventure, so we offer you the best experiences ever in your lifetime. Whatever is your tour you will have the best adventures. All our tours are only and strictly operated by RUNAS EXPEDITIONS with our professional staff. we are located and based in Cusco, working more than 10 years in the tourism industry, we believe that we are in advance than any others tour companies because we really practice and educate the people to protect the environment and we really help to local people with giving jobs, and giving donations to the local children. And we really care about our employees guides, chefs, porters, horsemen and all our staff. Runas Expeditions contributes to the Peruviangovernment with 19%taxes on all sales (overseas companies are exempt from paying this so do not contribute to the Peruvian economy in this aspect).
All our tour guides are from university who speak English; they are very professional with a lot knowledgeable and a lot passion to their work.

DO I NEED TO BE FIT?

Well all the treks Inca trail, Ancascocha trek, Inca Quarry Trek, Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek, Ausangate trek or whatever trek are moderately difficult, at least you need to train like go running, gym, hike a little bit or do any exercise. On the trail you will have enough time do anything, if you are hiking slow on the way that’s not problem take your time enjoy yourself because our tour guides will be ready to help at any times.
Please when you will be going high altitudes, go slowly and steady and drink a lot water and of course drink the magical coca tea.

HOW LONG IN ADVANCE SHOULD I BOOK FOR THE INCA TRAIL?

Inca Trail is busy almost all year; high season is May, Jun and July and government allow only 500 people per day as permission. You have to book 5, 6, 7 months in advance before doing the Inca Trail.

For the alternative trek or any Machu Picchu tours: Ancascocha Treks, Inca Quarry Trek, Lares trek, salkantay, Huchuy Qosqo etc. You can book three months in advance before doing the trek or any tour.

HOW CAN I PROCEED TO BOOK A RESERVATION FOR THE INCA TRAIL?

Sending your main Departure date and back up date:
You must provide us a main date and a backup date. By providing us with a main date and a backup date for your trek classic Inca Trail, you automatically authorize Runas Expeditions to use either of these dates for your reservation. Runas Expeditions within the next 24 hours, we will send you an electronic receipt confirming your trek has been officially booked and also to confirm the exact departure date of your trek. And will be required to make a deposit of 20% or 200$ USA of the total price of the Inca Trail. If you want more information just follow the website or contact us.

HOW CAN I PROCEED TO BOOK A RESERVATION FOR THE ALTERVATIVE TREKS?

The same as the Inca Trail, sending your departure date and backup date:
You must provide us a main date and a backup date. By providing us with a main date and a backup date for your trek classic, you automatically authorize Runas Expeditions to use either of these dates for your reservation. Runas Expeditions within the next 24 hours, we will send you an electronic receipt confirming your trek has been officially booked and also to confirm the exact departure date of your trek and also you have to do a deposited of 200$ usa or 20% of the total price of the trip.

HOW MANY DAYS IN ADVANCE IS RECOMMENDED TO BE IN CUSCO?

How far in advance must one check in at the ROYAL ADVENTURE Office to guarantee the reservation?All the hiker from any treks, we high recommended to be in Cusco 1 or 2 days before doing the trek or any tour in order to acclimatize with high elevation. The last details about your trek (to pay the remaining balance) should be at the Runas Expeditions office at least two days prior to departure.

HOW TO MAKE A DEPOSIT?

We are Unable to accept any bookings without completed booking form and deposit sent to Runas Expeditions. All deposits are $200 per person and are non-refundable.
We accept payments through PayPal and Visa, they do charge 6% so the total per person is $212 and should be sent to runasexpeditions@gmail.com

You can make your deposit by clicking on the PAYPAL symbols on our page or you need to log into your Paypal account and send the money to runasexpeditions@gmail.com

NOTE: The client will assume all transaction fees.

CAN I BOOK GROUP SERVICE OR PRIVATE SERVICE.

When you book as Group Service, you will meet people from different nationalities, different ages, and different culture minds, while you are hiking you don’t have to wait for the last one but you will wait at lunch place and camping site because you will share the same food, the same sleeping tents etc.

When you book as Private Service, you will definitely have exclusive service with more details and surprise to you. You will travel just yourself not with other people to share thing, it will selected just two people for honeymooners, for family or a group of friends and normally the groups are small but they could be a big group.

IS THERE A MEETING BEFORE THE TREK?

Of course there will be a meeting at Runas Expeditions office before doing any tours, where you will meet your tour guide, the rest of your group, and be provided with a clear information about your trek or any tours.

CAN I RENT EQUIPMENT FROM RUNAS EXPEDITIONS?

Yes, You can. Here you can rent sleeping bag, sleeping tens, trekking poles, inflammable matrass or air mattresses but we don’t rent hiking boots, rain jackets or other personal clothing.

CAN I RENT AN EXTRA PORTER AND HOW MUCH WILL THEY CARRY FOR ME?

Runas Expeditions, you don’t have to pay for extra porter, we included in all our tour extra porter to carry 6 kilos per person (duffle bag), so we are the only tour company who provide this. You will carry just a small daypack.

DO I NEED INSURANCE?

We strongly advise you to get travel insurance that covers accidents, medical expenses and emergency repatriation, including rescue and air ambulance. We also recommend that it covers bad weather tour cancellations, loss of luggage, etc. Please forward a copy/ policy number to our offices.

HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL THERE BE IN MY GROUP?

According to Peruvian laws and regulation on the Inca Trail, the maximum group size is 16 hikers and 2 tour guides. After 9 hikers there will be 2 tour guides, and from 2 hikers to 8 hikers there will be a tour guide. At many times of year, the group size will be smaller.

IF I AM TRAVELLING BY MYSELF. WILL I HAVE TO SHARE THE SLEEPING TENT?

The sleeping tents for all our treks are 4 man tents but we only designed for two people in each thus allowing you more space and comfort. If you are travelling alone and there is an even number of people in your group, you will share the tent with somebody else unless you rent an extra single tent.

ARE THERE TOILETS ALONG THE WAY?

On the Inca Trail there are toilets at every lunch spot and every campsites. The type of toilets are squat toilets and sometimes will be busy, they may become slightly dirty.

We will provide chemical baths on the Inca trail and alternate treks, as these baths are more hygienic

WHAT KIND OF FOOD ARE THERE ON THE TRAIL? Can I GET my dietary needs?

You should not worry about the food; our meals are just amazing and plenty for everyone, the type of food that we provide are buffet so you can eat as much as you want. And definitely we have the best food, by the way you will have four meals per Day Breakfast, Lunch, Happy hour and Dinner.
Runas Expeditions is able to accommodate many types of needs upon request at the time of booking. If you are vegetarian or any specially diet or any specific allergies, it will not be a problem for. Our international chefs will be able to give you a surprise at every meal and you will have variety of dietary needs.

WILL I GET WATER ALONG THE WAY?

We will provide you boiled water. At Every morning, you will get plenty water from us, and after every lunch you will get more water from us, even if you need water at night just let us know.

IS THERE A STUDENT DISCOUNT?

Runas Expeditions gives student discounts of %25. You only need to send us your scanned student card at booking time, and your price will be adjusted accordingly.

WHAT TIME WILL I GET BACK TO CUSCO?

We give you all the chance to enjoy more the Inca city Machu Picchu. Our transportation back to Cusco is not early and not late. That’s why we have to book in advance too, because the Train Company Peru Rail provides us all departure times. You will get back to Cusco between 7pm to 8pm.

WHAT TIME WILL I ARRIVE AT MACHUPICCHU?

When you are coming from the Inca Trail, you will arrive to MachuPicchu around 7:30am. But if you are doing any others tour you will arrive to MachuPicchu between 6:30am to 7am or depend on your bokking time.

IS THERE ANY OTHERS THINGS TO DO AT MACHUPICCHU?

After the guiding tour you will have plenty of time to visit by yourself. If you book for the extra climb to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Macho Picchu Mountain you can do it, or you can go to the Inca Bridge or you can go the Sun Gate or you can just explore at the Inca city.

WHY AND HOW MUCH SHOULD WE TIP THE PORTERS?

Runas Expeditions fully complies with the porter’s Law (27608) requirements of payment and insurance. However, tipping is a tradition on the Inca Trail or any trek that has been taking place for the 20 years as a way of showing the porters your gratitude. Generally the groups prepare a collective tip which is shared out between the cook, head porter and porters. Suggested amount to tip is 90 soles to each porter and 250 soles the cook, from the whole group not from each tourist.
Please Note: to tip to the porters is a personal decision and it is optional.

SHOULD I TIP THE GUIDE?

Tipping the guide is again a personal decision. If you decide to tip we recommend that it is according their performance, knowledge and skills while on the trail. Guides are tipped individually at the end of the trek and tipping depends on their performance!

WHAT HAPPENED IF I GET SICK DO I NEED TO TURN BACK?

We have a very low rate of people turning back once on the trek. Our priority is to help you complete it; all our guides are properly trained and carry a first aid kit and a bottle of oxygen for emergencies. Please do not think about this, be positive mind and definitely you are in good hands.
In the exceptional case that a trekker decides to head back once they have started the trek, they must pay additional expenses such as food, lodging and transportation. On the last day the tourist will be able to rejoin the group and participate in the Machu Picchu tour.

No refund will be given.