Spanish
Portuguese
ARRIVAL TO CUSCO
You will be welcomed at Cusco airport and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival. Look for our representative holding an orange SAM Travel Peru board at the arrival terminal. You must exit the terminal in order to find our representative (they cannot enter inside). We can pick you up on any date that is best suited to you prior to your trek!
THE BRIEFING
The briefing will take place the night before the trek at 6pm or 6:30pm in our office. The office is located at Calle Garcilaso 210, office 213 (second floor) in the La CASA DEL ABUELO building.
CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?
Of course! During your trek or tour your primary luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you!
HOW TO BOOK OUR TOURS AND TREKS?
FIRST, to book a tour or trek need you to fill out our booking form on our secure site, by clicking on BOOK NOW .
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase an Inca Trail permits, entrances to Machu Picchu, or make hotel or train reservations (it is a government requirement) without the following information:
- Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
- Gender
- Passport number
- D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
- Nationality
SECOND, we require a deposit of per person (the amount depends on which trek or tour you are booking). This is in order to purchase permits, entrances, and hotel and train reservations for your tour or trek. You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page. The other option you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.
WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?
If you would like to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATMS within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service fee, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account and use our email address: samtravelperu@gmail.com.
Most banks in Cusco allow you to choose to withdraw either US dollars or Peruvian soles. Many only accept VISA cards, although our clients have found a couple banks which accept Mastercard and will distribute dollars. According to our clients, Banco de la Nación also accepts Mastercard but will only distribute Peruvian soles.
IF I HAVE TO CANCEL, CAN I GET A REFUND?
Notification
Notification of cancellation must always be made in writing by the person that made the booking and paid the deposit to info@samtravelperu.com.
Deposits
Our policy for our deposits for all our treks and tours are that they are 100% non-refundable. There are no exceptions due to the fact that SAM Travel Peru expends a great deal of expense purchasing permits, entrance tickets and making deposits for reservations or services. Most of which are non-changeable, non-transferable, and non-refundable by government regulation.
Tour Cancellation Fees
- If you cancel eight weeks or more before the date of your departure: Cancellation fees are equal to the amount of your deposit.
- If you cancel eight weeks to 4 weeks before the date of your departure: 60 percent of the total tour or trek price is due.
- If you cancel four weeks to five days before the date of your departure: 80 percent of the total tour or trek price is due.
- If you cancel five days to 48 hours before the date of your departure: 90 percent of the total tour or trek price is due.
- If you cancel less than 48 hours before the date of your departure: 100 percent of the total tour or trek price is due.
HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR THE STUDENT DISCOUNT?
According to Peruvian Law, you must be under 18 years of age at the time of your trek or tour to Machu Picchu (students 18 & above need student cards). For example: if you book a trek at the age of 17 but you turn 18 before you do your trek, you must have a valid university ID card to qualify for the student 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.
- All students from 11 to 17 years, the discount is $30 USD.
- For children from the age of 2 to 11 the discount is $40 USD.
- Children from the age of 0 to 2 are free.
All students must provide a copy of their passport at the time of their booking to get the student discount. Send us a copy at info@samtravelperu.com
MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?
Unfortunately the answer is no (this applies to the Inca Trail). Once the permits or entrance tickets have been bought the government does not allow any changes. We can’t change any departure date after the permits or ticket has been bought. Tickets are also not transferable nor refundable. You must ensure you are reserving the correct dates! Double check the date on your booking form because we buy your permits as soon as we have your booking form and deposit. Often there are limited spaces and we must purchase them immediately. They are paid for completely as soon as your complete your booking and deposit. This means that you must buy completely new permits if you change your dates. All of the permits and tickets sold by the Peruvian government are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
In regards to Alternative Treks, it may be possible to change your date for an additional fee. Please contact the office as soon as possible if this occurs so we can assist you in this matter.
*** If you cancel your tour or trek, the deposit is not refundable at all!
DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON THE INCA TRAIL AND ALTERNATIVE TREKS?
Yes! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your Inca Trail Machu Picchu permit. Entrance to Machu Picchu, train ticket or other entrances and reservations depending on your choice of trek.
In case you are renewing your passport or changing your name, send us your old passport information to secure your permit. We can change it when you get your new passport number or updated your name for a fee of $25 per person. We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change. Before you change your passport keep a copy of your old one.
If you do not wish to pay this fee you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you. You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both passports. Please bring old and new to be to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or the train. If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or get on the train.
YOUR PASSPORT MUST BE VALID FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS FROM THE DAY YOU ENTER PERU! Most airlines will not let you board your flight if your passport has less than 6 months left from the date you enter Peru.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON OUR TREKS & TOURS?
The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. You will have many different varieties of weather as you pass through the numerous microclimates and it will depend on the location. We highly recommend you dress in layers to adapt to the climate changes.
WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
In general, if you exercise regularly and spend 2 to 3 days in Cusco or in the Sacred Valley. You will acclimate normally!
The recommended remedies for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN IF NEEDED; our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness. For more detailed information on Altitude Sickness click this link: Altitude Sickness.
WHAT ABOUT TOILETS ON THE TREKS?
This has been highly appreciated by most of our clients, especially by our trekkers, who want a private, clean and sanitary toilet. SAM Travel Peru toilet facilities have an individual tent and a camping toilet with a seat. Check out the picture, which illustrates how we set up our camping toilet on the trek by using this link: picture of toilet tent. Our toilet is always set up a comfortable distance from our campsite. At night if you need to use the toilet it is readily accessible and clean, unlike the facilities supplied by the government.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE PER GROUP?
The maximum group size for all treks is 8 persons. Usually our groups are between 4-6 persons. SAM Travel Peru specializes in SMALL and PRIVATE groups and provides personalized services.
ARE WE DROPPED OFF AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE TREK OR TOUR?
Absolutely! Included in our packages is picking you up and dropping you off at your hotel on the return from your trek or tour. If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba. We will drop you there too! Also, if you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before your trek (if your are doing the Inca Trail), we will pick you up there.
AT WHAT TIME DOES THE TRAIN DEPART FROM AGUAS CALIENTES?
It will depend on the train availability (high season it could book out). The idea is to give you as much time as possible in Machu Picchu. You can enjoy the amazing views on the way back to Cusco from the train. Therefore, you we usually book the train at 14:55 or 15:20. With this train schedule, you will have plenty of time to enjoy Machu Picchu
VISTADOME TRAIN UPGRADE; HOW MUCH IS IT?
The upgrade to Vistadome train which has slightly nicer seats, panoramic windows and windows in the ceiling. You will be offered some snacks and a dance show will take place on board. The price is $67 USD per person which includes the transfer from Poroy (Cusco) train station to your hotel in Cusco. It is 2 hours by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Later another 2 hours from Ollantaytambo to Cusco by bus. If you upgrade to the Vistadome Train, the trip from Aguas Calientes to Poroy (Cusco), takes 3.5 hours, and 25mins by taxi to your hotel. Usually our clients are back at their hotel by 8pm.
TIPPING
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you feel appropriate. This will depend on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SAM Travel Peru destinations.
ARE YOU SUSTAINABLE?
Yes, we are a local sustainable & responsible tourism operator, that incorporates the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our staff to know, understand and respect local places and its people.
