An affordable tour from Gap Travel: Inca Discovery tour

Who isn't looking for bargains these days?

Well, Gap Travel, has quite a few.

Here's their latest tour to Peru to visit the archeological sites of the Inca.

Inca Discovery - book now as it leaves April 13, 2010!

Trip Style: Active
Service Level: Standard
Physical Demands Rating: 4
Next Available Departure: Tue, Apr. 13, 2010
Highlights
Cuzco, Sacred Valley, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu.

Follow in the steps of the Incas on this trip to the "must-see" highlight of Peru - the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu! The 4-day trek from Cuzco is spectacular and the first glimpse of Machu Picchu will leave memories to last a lifetime.

Machu Picchu was recently the site of tremendous thunderstorms that made travel difficult for many weeks. Here's the latest update:

In an effort to preserve and protect the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the Peruvian governing bodies have taken drastic measures in the past few years to limit the amount of people hiking the Trail. As of March 2004, no more than 500 people (including support staff) per day are allowed on the Inca Trail and this number is strictly adhered to. As Sustainable Tourism is constantly at the forefront of our business philosophy, Gap Adventures is happy to work within the framework of these regulations in order to properly protect the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. Our company policies regarding the Inca Trail are put in place in order to guarantee an excellent passenger experience and also as a way to directly address these issues and make sure that this information is clear and understood.

The rules and regulations controlling the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are continually changing and it is important to be aware of the issues detailed in this document before embarking on your adventure to Peru.

Current Inca Trail Regulations
As stated above, no more than 500 people per day are allowed to start the Inca Trail trek at km. 82. This number includes all support staff (ie. porters, cooks and guides) and is very tightly controlled. Once this limit of 500 people is reached, the Trail is effectively closed off for the day and no further bookings can be made. Reservations are not held on the Trail and all permits to trek must be bought as far as possible in advance with complete and correct passport information, to which no modifications can be made. Any attempts at modifications result in a loss of the permit and any money paid.

Booking policies
Inca Trail permit availability will be reflected on our website under individual trip departure dates.

With immediate effect, the Gap Adventures policy for all Inca Trail bookings is:

Bookings made 65 days or more before the Inca Trail portion* of any Gap Adventure should proceed without any issue if we receive the following pieces of information:
Full name (exactly as it appears on the passport)
Date of birth
Passport number
Nationality
Date of passport expiry
Bookings between 64 and 31 days before the Inca Trail portion* of any tour will be taken on a request basis.

Please Note: The passport number and name that is submitted to Gap Adventures, at time of confirmation, will be used to purchase the Inca Trail permit. This passport number and name will be used to identify yourself as you enter the check point at the start of the trail and throughout the hike. If this information does not match the information you have submitted at time of confirmation, then you will be subject to delay, fine, and/or cancellation of admission to the Inca Trail.

Should any requests made within 64 days before the Inca Trail portion* of any tour be denied, the following three alternatives will be offered:

In the unlikely event that we are unable to secure permits, the following options will be offered:
Hike the Lares Trek route through the Sacred Valley, a fascinating and challenging 4-day, 3-night trip ending in Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. This trek takes in much of the Inca's most sacred and important countryside and many monuments. All transportation, accommodation, guide services etc. will be included.
Spend two nights in Cuzco, travel by train for a night in Aguas Calientes, and join the hikers for the tour of Machu Picchu.
Cancel or change the trip without penalty

If changes to the current government policy affect our ability to provide access to the advertised itinerary including the Inca Trail, we will endeavor to provide clients with the best options and customer service available. Please also see clause 17 in our terms and conditions concerning our responsibilities.

*When booking any trip involving the Inca Trail, please book as far in advance as possible in order to increase the possibility of securing space on the Trail during the peak periods of the year.

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for your understanding.