Frequently Asked Questions

Peruvian park regulations divide visits into distinct circuits. Circuit 2 (Classic Citadel) remains the gold standard because it includes the iconic upper postcard viewpoint (Guardhouse Terrace), the Main Plaza, the Sacred Plaza, and the Intihuatana sector (approx. 2.5 hours). Circuit 1 (Panoramic) focuses on the high terraces and Inca Bridge, ideal for landscape photography. Circuit 3 (Royalty/Lower) explores the urban stone sector, Sun Temple, and Sacred Rock, and serves as the required access route for hiking Huayna Picchu or Huchuy Picchu.

Both train operators (PeruRail Expedition/Vistadome and Inca Rail The Voyager/The 360°) enforce a strict baggage policy of 1 daypack or carry-on bag per passenger, with a maximum weight of 5 kg (11.0 lbs) and dimensions not exceeding 62 linear inches (157 cm). Your main suitcases, heavy duffels, and extra luggage can be stored securely and free of charge in the locked luggage room of your Cusco or Ollantaytambo hotel until you return from Machu Picchu.

Due to strict conservation caps established by UNESCO and SERNANP, daily entries to Machu Picchu are capped at government quotas. For high season travel between May and October, Circuit 2 permits and Vistadome morning trains routinely sell out 60 to 90 days in advance. If you wish to hike Huayna Picchu Mountain, booking 3 to 5 months ahead is strongly advised. During the green season (November to April), booking 3 to 4 weeks ahead is typically sufficient.

Our medical safety protocol addresses acute mountain sickness (soroche) proactively. Cusco Airport sits at 11,150 ft (3,399 m). Rather than immediately exertion-testing your body in Cusco, our private and customized itineraries transfer travelers directly down to the Sacred Valley (Urubamba or Ollantaytambo at 9,100 ft / 2,870 m) for the first 2 nights. This allows your respiratory and cardiovascular systems to adjust smoothly before climbing to high alpine passes like Palcoyo (16,076 ft / 4,900 m) or Humantay Lake (13,779 ft / 4,200 m).

Yes. Every single departure climbing above 3,500 m (including Rainbow Mountain, Palcoyo, Humantay Lake, and Salkantay) is equipped with a portable emergency medical oxygen tank and digital fingertip pulse oximeters. Our native guides hold Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification and monitor your blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate at checkpoints along the trail to ensure complete peace of mind.

High altitude causes rapid dehydration through increased breathing rates in dry mountain air. We recommend drinking 3 to 4 liters of bottled or filtered water daily, supplemented with traditional hot coca leaf tea (mate de coca) or muña (Andean mint). During your first 48 hours, eat light meals rich in easily digestible carbohydrates (quinoa soup, vegetables, rice) and avoid heavy red meats, greasy foods, and alcohol, as gastric motility slows significantly at 3,400 meters.

Many travelers consult their personal physician at home regarding Acetazolamide (Diamox, typically 125 mg to 250 mg twice daily), which acidifies the blood and stimulates deeper breathing during sleep. In Cusco pharmacies (Inkafarma / Mifarma), local remedies like 'Sorojchi Pills' (a combination of aspirin, caffeine, and acetaminophen) are sold over the counter without prescription. Please notify your tour guide of any pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, asthma, or sulfa allergies before starting a trek.

To confirm your reservation and allow us to legally purchase your non-refundable government permits (Machu Picchu, Inca Trail, train tickets), a 50% deposit is required at booking. The remaining 50% balance is due 48 hours before your first scheduled tour departure. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, and international bank wire transfers. Official digital receipts and travel vouchers are emailed immediately upon payment processing.

No. We believe in total financial transparency. Unlike platforms that add unexpected 5% to 8% credit card transaction surcharges at checkout, the rate you see is the rate you pay. Under Peruvian tax law (Decree Law 919), foreign tourists staying fewer than 60 days in Peru with a valid stamped passport or Andean Migration Card (TAM) are exempt from the 18% General Sales Tax (IGV) on lodging and tour packages.

Because official Machu Picchu entrance permits, Inca Trail quotas, and train tickets are issued with individual passenger passport numbers, the Peruvian government strictly prohibits name changes, transfers, or ticket refunds. The 50% initial deposit covers these direct government disbursements. However, for the balance portion and our private logistical services, we offer flexible date modifications up to 15 days before travel, subject to train and permit availability. We strongly advise all guests to purchase comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation.

The key to Andean comfort is three-layer dressing. You will need: 1) A moisture-wicking base layer; 2) An insulating mid-layer (fleece or lightweight down jacket); 3) A waterproof and windproof outer shell (Gore-Tex or rain jacket). Also bring: broken-in trail running shoes or hiking boots with aggressive tread; high-UV polarized sunglasses; broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen; insect repellent with DEET for Machu Picchu (which is located in the high subtropical jungle); a wide-brim sun hat; a reusable water bottle; and your original physical passport.

The Peruvian Andes have two primary seasons. The Dry Season (May through October) features brilliant sunshine, clear blue skies, and optimal mountain trekking conditions, with cold night temperatures dropping to 0°C–5°C (32°F–41°F). The Green / Rainy Season (November through April, peaking in January and February) brings afternoon showers, dramatically lush emerald mountains, warmer night temperatures, and significantly fewer tourists at major archaeological sites. Note: The Classic Inca Trail closes annually for maintenance during February, but Machu Picchu citadel remains open 365 days a year.

To protect ancient Incan stone stairs and delicate stone floors from degradation, park rangers at Machu Picchu prohibit metal-tipped trekking poles. Only poles fitted with protective rubber tips are allowed, and strictly for elderly travelers or visitors with documented physical mobility needs. For high-altitude treks outside the citadel (such as Palcoyo, Humantay, or Salkantay), standard trekking poles with rubber tips are highly recommended and permitted without restrictions.

While Daspe Travel covers all standard entrance fees, transportation, and guide services, you will need physical cash in Peruvian Soles (PEN) for personal incidental expenses along the road. Restrooms at archaeological sites, gas stations, and trailheads typically charge S/ 1.00 to S/ 2.00 (approx. $0.30 to $0.60 USD) and do not accept cards or foreign currency. Bringing S/ 80 to S/ 150 in small bills (S/ 10, S/ 20) is also useful for buying mineral water, local fruits, handmade alpaca wool textiles, or tipping your driver and guide.

Daily Group Tours depart every morning with guaranteed departures and small groups capped at 10 to 12 travelers. They are perfect for solo travelers, couples, or friends seeking budget-friendly shared logistics with high-level professional execution. Tailor-Made Private Journeys provide an exclusive private Mercedes Sprinter or SUV, your own private certified guide, customized start times to avoid tourist crowds, customized acclimatization routing, and the freedom to pause for photography or exploration whenever you wish.

Yes. All daily departures and private tours include pickup directly from your hotel or Airbnb in Cusco's historic center and surrounding districts (San Blas, Lucrepata, Wanchaq, Santa Ana). If your accommodation is situated on an extremely narrow Incan pedestrian street inaccessible to motor vehicles, our guide and driver will meet you on foot at your hotel lobby and accompany you to the vehicle just steps away.

Yes. Peruvian cuisine is naturally diverse, relying on quinoa, corn, potatoes, fresh vegetables, and Andean grains. On all tours featuring buffet or à la carte lunches (such as the Sacred Valley VIP tour in Urubamba), our partner restaurants provide abundant vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free alternatives. Please specify any severe food allergies (peanuts, shellfish, celiac disease) during your booking confirmation so our operations team can brief the culinary staff in advance.

Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cusco has a single arrival terminal. Your designated driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall holding a personalized Daspe Travel welcome sign bearing your lead passenger name. We track flight numbers in real-time to adjust for any domestic connection delays from Lima. You are assisted with your luggage into a sanitized, private vehicle equipped with chilled bottled water and transferred directly to your hotel.