Machu Picchu Travel Forum

planning on goin in the end of august...my travel companions want to book from Gap Adventures, but if i can go cheaper i would for sure like to do it that way...now ive read on here that there is a 4-5 month waiting time to get a permit to hike the inca???is this true? if not how long in advance should book an inca tour and through which company.
thanks so much for your help
marc

You should book as soon as possible since there are very strict limits on the number of permits granted. Most of the trek operators are priced pretty close with the exception of the high end ones which I assume you are not looking to go deluxe :)

One that I can recommend is Apus Peru
http://www.apus-peru.com/classic_inca_trail.html they are good and another reason is they support responsible, sustainable and ethical tourism. They also treat their porters with more respect than some of the operators. Be sure and tip your porters well since they will be doing most of the hard work.

suerte
SAM

Yes there are only limited amount of permit issued for the tour operators. For the individual trekker if you book ahead should be no problem. Local tour agent is much cheaper than foreign agent, the only concern is how safe is your deposit or even the full amount that you have to pay before you get there. Few years ago in May I was in Cuzco, many tour operator offered the Inca trekking tour for tourist without pre booking. The permit might be sold out but the capacity was not full yet.

booking with a local agency should be cheaper, but yes, buook as early as possible.
united mice are good also.

Yes "mgilks," I believe I have already mentioned this to you before from a previous forum inquiry. It's actually 5-6 months advance booking because the permits need to be applied for by your trekking provider and the process takes a while. Also, don't be fooled by those numbers you see on the permit availability on-line (yes, you can find the link on my general Peru page under "permit availability) because those #s are reflective of permits for both the STAFF (e.g., guides, porters, cooks, etc.) and the TREKKERS, which the majority of it goes to the STAFF. So, for instance, a 500 daily limit on permits does not say that you are going to be allowed in for the day you choose unless you book months in advance because only so many of the TREKKERS can get in, and most permits really go to the STAFF, and your selected date can become a reality if you only go with those "visible" agencies that get their quota for daily permits on a consistent basis. There's politics involved with these permits, I tell you. Book your space for the trek, if you're seriously considering going this year, NOW and NOT LATER THAN APRIL, so that you can hike the traditional Inca Trail in good weather. Please check my general Peru page AGAIN for topics related to trekking availability, trekking agency, walking poles, etc. Good Luck and Enjoy Beautiful Peru!

I booked my Inca trail through Dos Manos travelling agency in cusco, they have a discount for students with ISIC-cards.

From what I remember, most of the tour operators & trek providers in Peru accepted student discount cards. So, that's an advantage if you are indeed a student. Good Luck!