Our Cusco airport currently is only for domestic flights, so all international travelers by plane must disembark first in Lima and go through Customs. Even if your flight to Cusco is the same day by the same airline carrier, you must grab your bags in Lima and then check them back in.
The best way to get to Cusco is by air and there are several options in airlines. LATAM tends to be expensive, but has the most options and flights.

Any extra luggage you have with you can be left safely in Cusco at either your hotel or with us at Inca Soul Luggage Deposit while you are touring or on a trek. We request that your bags have some kind of identification on them so they are easy to locate.

• People begin to worry about altitude sickness as soon as they make travel plans to our nation, and more especially, Cusco. Your body must work harder to get the oxygen it needs because the air at high altitudes has less oxygen than it does at sea level.

The reduced oxygen content of the air causes your body to acclimate over several days at altitude. This is why we always recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before beginning the Inca Trail Trek, an alternative is to go into the Sacred Valley so you can acclimate easier and you can still tour around with our amazing Day Peru Tours.
You might initially think you have the flu or a hangover when you have altitude sickness. Headache, fatigue, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty breathing during exercise are possible symptoms. Please get in touch with our office if any of these side effects worsen, and we will assist you in seeing a physician.
As always, we advise gradually increasing your level of activity so that your body can adapt. Consume a lot of liquids, such as coca tea or water.

Recall that there is no competition for tours or hikes to Machu Picchu. Rushing to the top of the mountain too soon can cause altitude sickness in even the fittest people. Take it slow; your body will have time to acclimate to the mountain.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicines, such as acetazolamide and dexamethasone, to help prevent altitude sickness. Start the medicine two days before you get to a high altitude. Continue to take it while you are at high altitude.
You must remember that this is your holiday, and you do not want to stress out about the possibility of getting sick from the mountains. Do everything slowly. Drink lots of water. And enjoy the coca tea. If anything does happen and you unfortunately get sick, let your guide know right away – all INCA SOUL guides are trained in how to help you get through it.

Welcome to Peru; of course, the weather is unpredictable. Typically, the dry season in Cusco is from April through October, but this does not stop rain from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December; just be prepared. No matter which month you are doing a tour or trek, please make sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, and waterproof gloves. Many people forget about gloves, but being cold and wet makes hiking very unpleasant.
Also, prepare for four seasons. Many of the tours and treks through the Andes involve many microclimates, and you will need to be prepared for all seasons. Layers are always key, as they are easy to adjust to the different temperatures. And evenings will always be cold, so please be prepared with a warm winter-weight jacket.

Every Inca Soul Guide has received training in first aid from a physician. We conduct mandatory training every year in February; every single guide attends. When guiding you, they will have with them a first aid kit for basic medical problems (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) and oxygen. They know how to make you feel better.
In case something unexpected happens and you feel you can no longer complete the trek, they will figure out the safest and quickest way off the course and to a clinic. You will never be left alone; you will have a member of the team escort you every step of the way until you are safely with a doctor. When you are feeling up to it, we will make sure that you still have the chance to visit the highlights (Machu Picchu) and reconnect with your family and group, traveling by train comfortably.

To protect your travel investment, we definitely recommend the purchase of travel insurance. Obtaining travel insurance before you leave home is strongly encouraged and very easy.

All of our trash is transported back to Cusco by Inca Soul, who uses biodegradable soap. Our employees, guides, cooks, and, if you are hiking the Inca Trail with us, porters are trained to maintain the trail and remove any trash left by other parties. We also use environmentally-friendly chemical portable toilets that allow us to pack waste out. We believe in leaving no footprint behind.

Inca Soul is really proud of the work we do for our small community. This is a main focus for our company. We have worked with villages directly to help supply them with the needs their families were missing. We have supported local schools by giving them computers and books; actually, we had the chance to build a small school with the support of our clients. We currently sponsor a teacher at the village most of our porters come from to ensure their children are offered the best education.
We believe that most importantly, we provide ORGANIC. We buy all our food from local farmers and markets and serve it with the freshest ingredients. We provide English classes for all our team members: guides, porters, chefs, and drivers.

We are always looking to do more for our partners. Please let us know your ideas, and we will work to help.

Hiking with us is the Inca Trail Trek or a different trek. All of our treks include porters, who are responsible for carrying and setting up all equipment. They will also carry your personal (belongings) duffel, which you will receive at your briefing the night before your trek. The duffel that we provide cannot exceed 7 kg (14 lbs) and must include your sleeping bag and an air mattress.
Each Inca Soul porter receives a proper uniform, salary, and insurance. They are the backbone of our company.

We are completely respectful of our family members. We understand that dressing our people nice looks nice, but we are very careful to respect them. Our team won’t be used as a marketing object or as merchandising.

At Inca Soul, we cover all expenses for our members; their salary is according to Peruvian law, and they get an extra bonus yearly if they are recognized in our reviews or feedback. We highly recommend tipping them according to your satisfaction and level of service. We really treat you well; it would be better to have some extra money for them. If you want more information about it, read our blog about tipping.