We're heading to Machu Picchu in early/mid July and I've read that I need to book Inca Trail hikes ahead of time. I'm having trouble finding anything other than $1,500 7-day trips online. Where should I go?
Reply to this Start here - look at the menu on the left for inca trail hiking. http://www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/
I don't think you will find availability for the traditional inca trail at this point - you have to book several months in advance during high season. However, there are alternate treks and trails available. Expect to pay at least $300 pp for the classic 4 day Inca Trail hike.
We are traveling in a couple weeks with perutreks - www.perutreks.com and have been very satisified with the reviews and customer service so far.
Good luck!
Reply to this I did the Inca Trail a few years ago and I just booked it when I was there. There are a ton of outfitters so you can scout around. I think I paid maybe less than $300 USD for it. All you had to bring was your own sleeping bag.
Reply to this thanks for that information lauar. i will be arriving in mexico city in five weeks time and heading south from there. plan to do the trail in january 2007 sometime after xmas and my birthday - is the high season classed as this time of year or not ? so you are basically saying i can book a trail in december or january with a tour company in either cuzco or lima despite the oversubscription and storires about booking well in advance.
cheers jason
Reply to this Hmm. Its up to you. I went from May-August so I'm not quite sure if January is high season. If it makes you less nervous to book in advance I'd do it. If you want to save money, you can wing it and just book it when you get there. If you choose the latter, I wouldn't expect a lot from your tour. My guide didn't speak a lot of english (I did speak a bit of spanish) and was shy so there wasn't a lot of communication there. I think what you pay for is to have simple meals provided and cooked for you, your tent set up and taken down for you... and thats about it. Be prepared to fork out maybe another $20 US for a tip on the third night before the trek ends to give to the guide and porters.
Reply to this check www.adventureswithinreach.com -- they are great!
Reply to this I just found a website showing availability and were you can book directly online!
www.inca-trail.com.pe..
Reply to this www.sastravelperu.com is where we booked ours. USD200 deposit online, the rest when you arrive. I would recommend SAS any day. Very professional, treat the poor porters well (something that many companies don't care about), first class service on the trail, guides who really know what they are talking about and give you the little extra. Augusto at SAS has done the trail over 600 times, and he loves it, it really shows. You can't put a price on that. Sure, you can get it cheaper elsewhere, but you get what you pay for. We've met a lot of people who've done it with other companies. I dare to say that we got most bang for out buck.
Reply to this 
