Booking things after getting to Peru?

Question

How much difference does it make cost wise to book your stay, macchu picchu hike, flights/trains internally v/s booking it online from the states?

Is it a smart thing to do this considering the availability of these things?

We plan to be there in september-october this year

Answer 1

Hi there,

Actually, for something that most people always do or some popular thing like Inca-Trial - it always booked out for a month or 2 before so if you plan to do that just book it now and ask for the availability first! That's condition occurs because the peruvian government tries to control the number of the hikers on that routes due to the environmental problem!

But if you can't join the inca trial, Train is another good choice! It's much cheaper than the trial - there're 3 trains left Cuzco to Machu Picchu a day. For the ticket, you can get it at Cuzco train station(old station closed to Cruz del sur terminal) 2 or 3 days before. But I got it only 1days before I went there - there're lots of package about visiting the site so you can get there just only a day before you go there!

For the flight, it's possible to get the local flight just on a date that you travel but the price is higher than booking before. More tips, if you need to stay in a good place like cuzco, just book it ahead because it's always full in the high season! But if you are a backpacker, you can find the accommodation ahead...just check out some hostel around Plaza de Arma or on Tinga street, you can get the place for your head and cheap anytime!

About the tours, it's cheaper to find some available cheap tours right away there! For example, Colca canon tours or climbing up some peaks, those are cheaper than booking through the website!

Answer 2

Due to the amount of people who go to Cuzco and Machu Picchu during sep/oct I would strongly recommned you book everything in the states. You may come here and find that everything is already booked and you dont have a place to stay. You can also check www.limatours.com.pe which is one of the best agencies in Peru aqnd they do offer packages via online for people in the US. Check their web page, Lima Tours is great.

The cost is more or less the same as booking it here. Cuzco and Machu Picchu are quite expensive for the peruvians too. However, let me tell you in October (6 to 16) most schools in Lima are on holidays and the children usually go to Machu Picchu with their families. Book it as quick as you can, now that it's a new wonder, there are people flooding the place! Better safe than sorry and come here with everything booked and confirmed.

Answer 3

if you´re coming in a group it can be easier,  macchu pichu hike is cheaper to book it in Cuzco city, flights, trains and buses also

i recommend you to book everything in Peru except for the round trip to Lima and the first hotel night. At the hotel where you´re goping to stay for the first nte, ask nformation to the clerk and they wll help you to find and book everything

Answer 4

It is not possible to book the trek to Machu Picchu after you arrive in Peru.  Space is limited and tightly regulated.  Permits must be purchased months in advance.

All of September and most of October is already booked full. Here is the governemnt website for trek availability http://www.inc-cusco.gob.pe/

Please follow these steps:

1) Click in “Sistema de reservas RCI”.

2) Click in “Disponibilidad Camino Inca (2007)”.

3) There is the page where you can check the availability for the Inca trail with the year and the month and then press “DISPONIBILIDAD”.

This will give you the amount of permits still available for each date.

Likewise flights are hard to book at the last minute and are typically very expensive.  Booking LanPeru more than 30 days in advance of travel one can get a promotional rate which is about 50%.

The train to Machu Picchu also often fills up weeks in advance.

Here is a website to book in advance http://www.peruandes.com