Terms and Conditions 2023

For any tour leaving from 1st March 2023 to 31st January 2024

Dear tourists,

Thanks very much for choosing us! Please read the following carefully (before booking):

The Peruvian system of services and products sometimes differs to that in your home country. We strongly suggest you read the following carefully:

Travel in Peru: Best Andes Travel operates in regions where standards of accommodation, transport and services might not be those you would normally expect. However we strive, with all due care and skill, to provide the best services for our tourists. Travelling in Peru requires flexibility, patience, broad-mindedness, good humour and understanding that changes may be made without notice due to circumstances beyond our control (Force Majeure – see below). By booking any of our tours you agree to Best Andes Travel making necessary changes without liability.

FORCE MAJEURE: This is any event that Best Andes Travel could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. This covers events such as war or threat, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, disease, disaster or adverse weather conditions, fire or all similar events beyond our control. In this case, Best Andes Travel will not accept liability and reserves the right to change, postpone or even cancel the trip (this is the last option of course!)

Increments in Case of Protests, Strikes (FORCE MAJEURE):

In the event of a protest / strike, which is not uncommon in Cusco, it may be necessary to leave a day or even 2 days earlier than scheduled so that we are able to comply with other services. In this case, an increment will be charged to cover costs incurred.

Risks: By booking any of our adventure trips (Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Salkantay, Ausangate, Choquekirao, Lares, Vilcabamba trek etc.) you assume the risks associated with them. For these Best Andes Travel accepts no responsibility.

Travel Insurance: We strongly advise you to take out travel insurance that covers accidents, medical expenses and emergency repatriation, including rescue and air ambulance. We also recommend that it covers cancellations and loss of luggage. Please forward a copy/ company name and policy number by email or bring the information when you come to our office.

Group Discounts or fee Sacred valley Tour: If there are at least 6 people in your group, you will automatically get either: A $20 per person group discount or a free Sacred Valley tour (a Must Do in Cusco). This discount or free tour is valid for the following adventure trips: Inca Trail 4/3 group service, Lares 4/3 and Salkantay 5/4. Please note that this discount does not apply to private treks or any other trek not mentioned here.

Note: discount does not apply if less than 4 people undertake the trek (if a group member cancels).

Holiday or Election Increments:

An increment of *$35 per person is applicable for all treks (regardless of group / private option / size of group) leaving during these holidays: Christmas (Dec 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th) New Year (Dec 29th, 30th, 31st, Jan 1st).

An increment is also applicable in order to leave during election days (people are fined in Peru if they do not vote).

We use the increments to pay staff a bonus for leaving on their holiday or it is used to pay the fines.

Sending your main Departure date and back up date :

By providing us with a main date and a back up date for your trek (classic Inca Trail, Lares, Salkantay, etc) you automatically authorize Best Andes Travel to use either of these dates for your reservation. Best Andes Travel within the next 48 hours (after you have sent us your booking form and confirm deposit was made) will send you an electronic receipt confirming your trek has been officially booked and also to confirm the exact departure date of your trek.

Sending your Personal Details for Booking:

Your passport number and other information must be valid. Please advise if you change your passport number after booking the tour (especially for booking the classic Inca Trail as if we do not make a change in your official details, you may not be permitted to do the trek). Please Note changing passports’ numbers requires an extra fee (we are able to change passports numbers easily on our receipt but its also extremely important that we make the changes with the Inca Trail authorities)

Student rate, The Ministry of Culture has changed its regulations regarding student discounts for entrances to Machu Picchu and Inca Trail permits. For anyone wishing to obtain a student discount, the following requirements must be met: ( 1.- Must be under 25 years of age 2.- Must have a valid institutional student card with A.- Photopgraph B.- Student´s full name C.- Expiry date in 2018 that includes the date of reservation and the date of visit to Machu Picchu ). We will require a scanned copy of any student card at the time of booking. Please note ISIC cards or any alternative documents proving student status will not be accepted. Unfortunately if you fail to meet any of the above criteria we will not be able to offer the discount.

Making a Reservation and payment of deposit:

1)  For the classic Inca Trails: 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 or 7 days (Group or Private Service)

We request a $250 non-refundable deposit per person along with your personal details (full name, passport number, gender, nationality, DOB)

The deposit amount is:

US$250 per person for Inca Trail only or

US$300 per person for Inca Trail + Wayna Picchu.

Please confirm if you want to climb Wayna Picchu (the 45 minute climb near Machu Picchu site) as it needs to be booked well in advance too; this is US$65.00 per person there are 2 time sessions: 7 – 8am or 10 – 11am – this also needs to be specified although you need to be flexible to either time. Please note, if you get the permits for the 7am start you will probably have to miss the Machu Picchu guided tour.

Payment of the deposit can be made through any of the 2 following options:

  1. a) PayPal. Balance can also be paid by this method (PayPal + 6% transaction fee) up to 15 days prior to departure date (we cannot accept paypal payments once you are in Cusco as paypal often refuses these for security reasons because you are away from home).
  2. b) Western Union: Balance can also be paid by this method (Western Union).

2) For Alternative treks to Machu Picchu (Lares trek, Salkantay trek, Choquekirao, Vilcabamba, Ausangate, Huchuy Qosqo, etc)

We request a $200 non-refundable deposit per person along with your personal details.

The deposit amount is:

US$200 per person for Alternative trek only or

US$250 per person for Alternative trek + Wayna Picchu.

Please confirm if you want to climb Wayna Picchu (the 45 minute climb near Machu Picchu site) as it needs to be booked well in advance too; this is US$60.00 per person there are 2 time sessions: 7 – 8am or 10 – 11am – this also needs to be specified although you need to be flexible to either time. Please note, if you get the permits for the 7am start you will probably have to miss the Machu Picchu guided tour.

Payment of the deposit can be made through either of these 3 options.

  1. a) PayPal. Balance can also be paid by this method (PayPal + 6% transaction fee) up to 15 days prior to departure date (we cannot accept paypal payments once you are in Cusco as paypal often refuses these for security reasons because you are away from home).
  2. b) Western Union. Balance can also be paid by this method (Western Union).
  3. c) Bank account

BANCO INTERBANK

Beneficiary: BEST ANDES TRAVEL

Bank: Interbank Peru

Currency: US$ Dollares (dollar current account)

Bank account number: 420-3003663149

– Please note that all money transfer costs are at your own expense, not at Best Andes Travel´s.

3) For Peru itineraries of 1 to 3 weeks (The Best of Peru, Peru My Way, Diverse Peru etc)

To secure a reservation of a tour package, it is necessary to make a pre-payment of: 50% of TOTAL package cost, the last payment you’ll make it upon arrival to Cusco ,we accept CASH(dollars / soles) only.

About the Briefing:

The night before your trek there will be a pre-trek talk (briefing) in our office at either 6.30pm or 7.30pm (exact time will be confirmed on your arrival or by email). Your duffle bag will be provided at this time if you have paid for an extra porter for your Inca Trail or if you are doing an alternative trek.

Payment of Final Balance:

We require you to pay your final balance in our offices at least 48 hours prior to trek departure (please advise if you have any delays on arrival).

You can pay your balance in cash and in US dollars.

Cancellations:

(1) Deposit sent for booking is non-refundable nor transferable to any other date, person or tour.

(2) Best Andes Travel must be notified of any changes or cancellations to your trip as soon as you are aware of them, via e-mail so that we do not incur expenses not covered by deposit.

(3) Once final balance has been paid, we will not be able to refund your trek payment in the case of cancellations. There will, however, be parts of your trip that you are able to use (Machu Picchu entrance fee, 1 train ticket, 1 bus ticket).

(4) A claim letter for your insurance company can also be provided by us upon request.

(5) Porter service hired can Not be cancelled (a fee is paid for booking this service).

VERY IMPORTANT (1): We strongly suggest staying at high altitude (above 3000 metres – in Cusco or another high altitude city) for 3 to 4 days (minimum) before undertaking the trip. This is in order to minimize the effects of possible altitude sickness. Also, you can help your body acclimatize by drinking plenty of liquids, adding a bit more sugar to your drinks, eating food rich in carbohydrates, avoiding cigarettes and alcohol and drinking coca (ancient traditional leaf) tea. Diamox can also be helpful – please ask your doctor about this.

VERY IMPORTANT (2): We recommend you arrive in Cusco 48 hours or more before trek departure as we may need to leave earlier than scheduled in case of strikes or other events  out of our control (see Force Majeure above).

Thanks again for choosing us and have a wonderful trip!