Heart of Travel is thrilled to offer small group tours to Peru in 2025. Over the years we have fallen in love with Peru and look forward to sharing our passion for this fascinating country with you. 

For additional information about this trip please visit our website here. Continue scrolling to review the most common FAQ along with details regarding registration, payments, and cancellations. 

What does double occupancy mean?

Double occupancy spots are for people traveling with a companion or roommate OR for someone traveling solo who is open to being paired with another solo traveler of the same gender to share a room. When you sign up for a double occupancy spot, please indicate if you are traveling with someone and if so, who, and how many beds are needed in the room (1 or 2). In the event, there is an uneven # of double occupancy sign-ups, a trip participant may end up rooming with a Tour Leader for parts of the trip or will be given the option to upgrade to a single supplement if desired.

What does single occupancy mean?

Single occupancy spots are for travelers who want their own room and bathroom. This applies to solo travelers who are not traveling with a roommate and do not wish to be paired with another traveler. To secure a single occupancy spot, please select the "single supplement add-on" at the time of registration. If you have any special requests for your room please let us know. 

What are "additional nights"?

Often times travelers desire to add on an extra night of accommodation at the beginning or end of the trip. You can book additional nights through us by adding them to your cart at the time of registration. Likewise, they can be added later if you are unsure of your plans at the time of enrollment. Note the price is per room.

Will Heart of Travel help me book my international airfare?

Heart of Travel does not book international airfare for trip participants nor are we responsible for changes or delays in your reservation or flight. However, we will be more than happy to research and provide information on suggested flights. Simply provide us with the airport code for any airports that work for you to fly in/out of and we will be glad to take a look! 

I have special dietary restrictions and/or medical needs or concerns. Can you accommodate me?

Yes! Heart of Travel has years of experience accommodating a range of dietary restrictions and preferences, even in some remote locations. Just let us know what you need and we've got your back. As for medical needs or concerns, Heart of Travel does its absolute best to accommodate all trip participants' preferences, needs, and abilities to ensure everyone stays safe and healthy and has a good time. If you have a medical condition or concern that needs to be discussed in greater detail please let us know as soon as possible so we can set up a time to chat and make sure we fully understand your needs and can prepare accordingly. 

 1. What documents do I need for The Inca Trail checkpoint?

Original passport, a copy will not be accepted, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months to enter and exit Peru.

2. What type of shoes should I bring?

Light and comfortable hiking boots or shoes. Make sure they fit not too tight or loose. They should provide enough room for your toes. For the campsite we suggest bringing resting shoes or sandals.

3. What should I bring in my daypack?

You'll be carrying a small daypack with the personal items you will need during each day (due to local regulations, this backpack should not exceed 25 liters) and you should bring:

- Hat and sunglasses; at high elevation the sun can be rather intense and you'll need to shield your eyes and face from UV rays.

- Rain gear; although we will be visiting during the dry season it is always better to be ready in case it rains. Look for gear that keeps you dry while allowing your skin to breathe such as Gore-Tex or eVent waterproof technology. 

- Warm layers; Fleece or long-sleeved tops, layering system, consisting of a base-layer, mid-layer and waterproof layer.

- Sunscreen; a high factor sunscreen and generously apply it before heading out on the trail. Additionally, protect your lips using lip balm with SPF protection.

- Bug spray; when selecting your bug spray, choose one containing DEET or picaridin to keep bugs at bay and allow you to enjoy your hike without being bitten by insects. 

- Quick-dry towel or small towel; it's a must-have for anyone hiking the Inca Trail. It will help you stay dry and comfortable during your hike and speed up your drying time when sweating it out on the trail.

- Hand sanitizer; carrying a small bottle with you throughout the day would be ideal.

- Toilet paper and wet wipes; there are plenty of restrooms along the Inca Trail, take toilet paper inside a plastic bag.

- Personal medication; although we will bring a first-aid kit for the group, please bring personal medicine that works for you; prescription and over-the-counter medicines for common issues such as headaches, stomach aches, allergies or others you may need. 

- Camera, extra batteries/powerbank; Pack a pair of spare batteries for your camera, phone and other devices you may carry since battery life of electronic devices will be used faster at high altitude. Also, pack a power bank to keep your devices powered up along the way.

- Toothbrush and paste; make sure the brush and paste are small , compact and suitable for camping.

- Headlamp; it is vital for anyone embarking the Inca Trail. Not only will light the way in the dark but it will allow you to keep you hands free. 

- Snacks; energy-packed granola bars, chocolates or nuts mix that provide you of fuel without making you sluggish during the hike.

- Extra cash for souvenirs, drinks and tips. Small change helps pay for using toilets on the first day).

- You will already be able to rent walking sticks for the duration of the trek for $16 USD

4. What should I put in the Duffle Bag?

We will provide you with a duffle bag to pack items you don't need to carry during the day. Our porters on the Inca Trail will carry this bag for you throughout the trek. Please note that this bag should weigh a maximum of 7 kg including the sleeping bag and mat or air mattress. These 2 items weigh about 3 kg. During the trail, you will pass on zones of different temperatures as you climb and descend.

- Sleeping bag; it can be rented for $20 USD for the entire trek (let us know if you need one in advance) or you can bring your own, it should be a sleeping bag that fits your height and size and remember to pack it in a waterproof bag. We suggest sleeping bags suitable at -10°C.

- Air mattress; we will provide you an air matress, having an extra layer to sleep will make your hike more comfy and enjoyable. 

- Shoes for campsite; after a long day walking with your hiking boots or shoes you may want to have something lighter to wear at the campsite.

- Warm jacket; temperatures can drop sharply at night so it is ideal to have a few warm layers you can wear on during the nights. A good base layer will help to regulate your body temperature, while an insulating layer will keep your warm even when gets cold. And do not forget to pack a hat and gloves.

- 4 to 5 t-shirts; A synthetic fabric like polyester or nylon is a good option, as it will wick away sweat and dry quickly. Avoid cotton shirts, as they will hold onto moisture and can cause chafing.

- 2-3 hiking pants/trousers; there are two main types of hiking pants, cargo and convertible pants. Leggings work as well!

- 4 sets of undergarments; wearing sport bra and compression shorts will help keep you comfortable and prevent chafing. Also, pack enough pair of socks.

- Extra batteries or powerbanks; essential to charge your devices at night.

- Plastic bags; to keep wet or muddy clothers separate. 

- Any other personal items you won't need during the day.

In the case of our multi-day group tours our cancellation policy is as follows:

TRIP CANCELLED BY CLIENT:

• Cancellation up to 24 hours after booking a trip: Fully refundable.
• Cancellation 181 days or more before the trip start date: Loss of deposit, the rest of the trip payment is fully refundable. 100% of the trip deposit can be transferred over to a different trip.
• Cancellation 121 - 180 days before the trip start date: 50% refund, minus the deposit. Deposit can be transferred over to a different trip.
• Cancellation 120 days before the trip’s start date: No refunds are guaranteed. Credit for a future Heart of Travel trip will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

*If you can’t make it on a trip but you find someone else who can go in your place we are happy to transfer over your dues paid to this person’s account. However, in some instances, there may be a domestic flight or another type of reservation with a third-party supplier that can only be transferred to a new person with a transfer fee.  In this case, you would be responsible for the transfer or cancellation fee.

TRIP POSTPONED OR CANCELED by Heart of Travel due to Unforeseen Circumstances

In the event, a Heart of Travel trip is not possible due to border closures, political unrest, or because we’ve determined the trip is not in the best interest of travelers and/or employees safety or health, we will notify participants immediately of the cancellation or postponement of the trip.

• If the trip is canceled with 181 days of notice or more, travelers will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the loss of the deposit, which can be used in HOT credit for another trip), join the trip on the postponed dates, or transfer the amount paid to an alternative trip.
• In the event, the trip is impacted less than 180 days before the start date the trip, it will not be canceled but rather postponed. This means there is no refund, however, you can receive a full 100% credit for the amount paid, good towards any other Heart of Travel trip to any destination at any time, or wait to go on your original trip at the new dates.

TRIP CANCELLED BY HEART OF TRAVEL due to Low Enrollment

• This will be decided officially 61 days before departure. The client(s) signed up have the option to transfer 100% of funds paid over to another HOT trip of their choosing at any time. Or, if the client prefers to continue with the trip on the original dates, the itinerary is subject to small changes and there will be an additional 15-20% surcharge based on the original trip price for a private tour which can be customized further if desired.

While adventure and connection through cross-cultural experience is our passion, we understand that there are inherent risks when it comes to international travel. Here at Heart of Travel, we believe in leaving places better than you found them, and part of making an impact is partnering with companies that share our values. That’s why we recommend purchasing Insured Nomads Travel Insurance before your upcoming travels. Insured Nomads Travel Insurance believes in safe, ethical travel that minimizes harm and leaves a positive impact on local communities. 

Travel insurance is a sustainable practice because when you purchase a plan, this ensures you have the financial means to care for yourself should you get sick or hurt while traveling. This lessens the burden you may impose on a local community’s medical resources and guarantees that each worker gets paid for their services. Travel insurance also allows you to rest easy, knowing you’ve got someone in your corner should you get sick or experience travel disruptions. Visit Insured Nomads Travel Insurance and shop their available policies here. Have any questions? Insured Nomads offers incredible customer service and will make sure to find the perfect plan for you.

Disclaimer: Heart of Travel is a partner of Insured Nomads Travel Insurance. We offer their travel insurance plans and earn a commission for each plan sold. This does not impact your pricing in any way. Here at Heart of Travel, we are not insurance experts. Please contact Insured Nomads Travel Insurance for any questions regarding coverage, your plan, and filing a claim. Be sure to visit Insured Nomad’s website for complete coverage information.