Machu Picchu Tours 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?
You don’t need to be in good shape for your Machu Picchu Trip however there are many Inca steps which takes time. Please, you take your time and enjoy the best of Machu Picchu.
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 MACHU PICCHU TRIP?
For Machu Picchu Day Trips, Machu Picchu Package Tours etc. You need to book like three months in advance before doing any tours to Machu Picchu then we can arrange your trip to Machu Picchu with the best details.
HOW CAN I PROCEED TO BOOK A RESERVATION FOR MACHU PICCHU TRIP?
The same as the Trekking Trips, 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 Machu Picchu 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 Runas clients from any Tours, we high recommended to be in Cusco 1 or 2 days before doing any tours to Machu Picchu and in order to acclimatize with high elevation.
The last details about your tour (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.
Most of our tours is done as Private Tour however you can choose your preference.
When you book as Group Tour, you will meet people from different nationalities, different ages, and different culture minds.
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 TOUR?
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.
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.
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 Of Machu Picchu. Our transportation back to Cusco is not early and not late. That’s why we have to book in advance as well, 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?
You will be arriving to Machu Picchu between 6:30am to 8am or depending on your booking time.
IS THERE ANY OTHERS THINGS TO DO AT MACHUPICCHU?
After the guiding tour you will have plenty of time to visit by our own. If you book for the extra climb to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain you can do it which takes about 2 hours, or you can just explore at the Inca city of Machu Picchu.
SHOULD I TIP THE GUIDE?
Tipping the guide is a personal decision. If you decide to tip we recommend that it is according their performance, knowledge and skills while on the tour. Guides are tipped individually at the end of the tour and tipping depends on their performance! Tip could be done in soles peruvian or USA dollars.
HOW MUCH SHOULD WE TIP THE DRIVER?
Tipping the driver is again a personal decision. All staff of Runas Expeditions are well prepared and trained to provide the best experiences. All our staff is always at your disposal to provide you with everything you need for your great trip.
The tip for the driver is a personal decision, the tip can be personal or in a group. Tipping has been part of a tradition for many years, however if you think that tipping is not necessary then don’t do it. This is an average tip for the driver of 20 Peruvian soles or 30 Peruvian soles per day and per person.
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 tour. 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 Runas traveler decides to head back once they have started the tour, they must pay additional expenses such as food, lodging and transportation, entrace fee. On the last day the Runas Traveler 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.
