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I am very confused about the situation with the Inca Trail in regards to Reserving in advance. I have a lot of people trying to scare me, it seems. Many people are telling me that you must book a month before but then a lot of people also tell me that because i am doing it in december (rainiest month in peru) , then i have nothing to worry about. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!! DO I NEED TO RESERVE A SPOT ON THE INCA TRAIL IN DECEMBER OR NOT??????
hum, maybe you should not try to have very exact answers concerning a trip in South America... things always change. Anyway, if you're scared you cannot do the inca trail, why not doing the reservation even if it's not necessary? Better this way than not reserving and not being able to do the inca trail. Reserve, and be in peace :-)
Wiley-coyote : generally, tour companies ask for a deposit : that's what he will have to lose.
If you can't do the Inca Trail, there are alternative treks as nice as this one (maybe better) as the ones to Choquequirao (the next Machu Picchu) and to Vilcabamba. You may consider them once you're in Cuzco, if you don't find places left to do the Inka Trail (what would surprise me : as you said, it's the rainy season : I personnaly know people who have been there in December 2003 and there were not so many people on the trek : the high season is in July-August), and then visit the Machu Picchu site from Aguas Calientes.
The Peruvian government have introduced a new rule where the tour company/trek company requires a copy of your passport, booking at least 1 month before your inca trail booking.
There are a few reliable and trustworthy companies that you can book over the net.
- United Mice - Andean Peru - SAS
Im heading over in March, and i dont want to risk it, so im just going to book something b4 hand.
Just one more detail : the new regulation imposes a reservation, but it's not specified that it has to be made one month before. Consequently, during the low season (october to march), booking is likely to be done 5 to 7 days before the beginning of the trek.
