Inca Trail Faqs
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 through the Andes to reach MACHUPICCHU or any other tours in Peru.
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 15 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, doing social projects, giving school suplies to the local children and much more. And we really care about our employees guides, chefs, porters, horsemen, drivers and all our staff. Runas Expeditions contributes to the Peruvian government 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: Short Inca Trail, Ancascocha trek, Inca Quarry Trek, Ausangate trek, Salkantay Trek, Lares 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 to do your trekking trip, 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 SHORT INCA TRAIL?
For the Short Inca Trail, Inca Quarry Trek, Ancascocha Trail, Huchuy Qosqo, Ausangate Trek, salkantay, Lares trek etc. You can book like three months in advance before doing any tours to Machu Picchu then we can arrange the best trip of a lifetime.
HOW CAN I PROCEED TO BOOK A RESERVATION FOR THE SHORT INCA TRAIL?
The same as the Classic 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 Trip, 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.
Clients assume all transactions or commissions that banks require. For example, if you deposit $200 via PayPal you will have to add $12 more to the total for the PayPal commission. which means you will need to deposit $212 per person.
HOW MANY DAYS IN ADVANCE IS RECOMMENDED TO BE IN CUSCO? HOW FAR IN ADVANCE MUST ONE CHECK IN AT THE RUNAS EXPEDITIONS 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 $212 and should be sent to runasexpeditions@gmail.com
You can make your deposit by clicking on the PAYPAL symbols on our page or you need to log into your Paypal account and send the money to runasexpeditions@gmail.com
We also accept deposits via Western Union.
NOTE: The client will assume all transaction fees.
CAN I BOOK GROUP TOUR OR PRIVATE TOUR.
When you book as Group Tour, you will meet people from different nationalities, different ages, and different culture minds, while you are hiking you don’t have to wait for the last one but you will wait at lunch place and camping site because you will share the same food, the same sleeping tents etc.
When you book as Private Tour, you will definitely have exclusive service with more details and surprise to you. You will travel just yourself not with other people to share thing, it will selected just two people for honeymooners, for family or a group of friends and normally the groups are small but they could be a big group.
IS THERE A MEETING BEFORE THE TREK?
Of course there will be a meeting at Runas Expeditions office before doing any tours, where you will meet your tour guide, the rest of your group, and be provided with a clear information about your Trip or any other tours.
CAN I RENT EQUIPMENT FROM RUNAS EXPEDITIONS?
Yes, You can. Here you can rent sleeping bag, sleeping tents, trekking poles, inflatable mattresses or air mattresses but we don’t rent hiking boots, rain jackets or other personal clothing.
CAN I RENT AN EXTRA PORTER AND HOW MUCH WILL THEY CARRY FOR ME?
For the Short inca Trail to Machu Picchu we provide duffle bag to carry 8 kilos of your belongings with extra fees 80$ per person. Then you will carry just a small daypack during your trip.
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 MUY GROUP?
According to Peruvian laws and regulation on the Inca Trail or any other trips, 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 just one tour guide. At many times of year, the group size will be smaller.
Our groups in Runas Expeditions are smaller than 8 people, we love giving a personalized service and we are sure you will love our details.
ARE THERE TOILETS ALONG THE WAY?
On the Short Inca Trail there are some toilets at some places however you don’t expect fancy toilets until you arrive to Machu Picchu. Some of the toilet are squat, if you need any restroom on the way you will use the Inca Toilet which are behind the bushes.
WHAT KIND OF FOOD ARE THERE ON THE SHORT INCA 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 Snacks and Box Lunch with water and energy drinks. And definitely we have the best food. Dinner will be at one of the best restaurants in Aguas Calientes town.
Breakfast on day 1 and Lunch on day 2 is on your own.
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 us. 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 1liter of water and energy drinks.
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?
From the Short Inca Trail you will be arriving to Machu Picchu on day1 at 3pm or 4pm to enjoy the sunset and also you will take your classic photos of Machu Picchu. On day 2 you will get back to Machu Picchu around 7am or 8am or the tour guide will arrange this with you.
IS THERE ANY OTHERS THINGS TO DO AT MACHUPICCHU?
After the guiding tour you will have plenty of time to visit on your own. If you book for the extra climb to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Macho Picchu Mountain you can do it which takes about 2 hours, or you can just explore at the Inca city.
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! Tip could be done in soles peruvian or USA dollars.
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, and transportation. On the last day the trekker will be able to rejoin the group and participate in the Machu Picchu tour.
No refund will be given.
WHAT KIND OF MONEY IS USED IN PERU?
Peruvian Soles are the national currency.
WHAT TYPE OF MONEY IS MOST COMMONLY ACCEPTED?
Soles are accepted everywhere in Peru. However, at tourist sites you are often able to use American dollars and money exchanges are easy to find it.
