inca trail - recommended agency
Replies: 12 - Last Post: Jan 31, 2012 10:44 PM Last Post By: wornjandals
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inca trail - recommended agency
hi everyone, I'm looking for a cheap agency to do the inca trail 4 days/ 3 nighs next March. I can't afford Llamapath, Perutreks, SAS, etc.thanks.
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Like #1 said, do Salkantay instead and book it after you arrive to Cuzco. It will be affordable and you'll find several tour operators who will be happy to sell you their services.Edited by: emd_four on Mar 31, 2013 1:19 AM
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Does anyone used Mythical Trails Peru before, a friend of mine went to Peru in March to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu and she told me to try with them. Mythical Trails Peru4
The owners of this company are tour guides offering tours to Machu Picchu , sounds nice because as a tour guides I think they know better than other people.Edited by: sebastianza
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because as a tour guides I think they know better than other people
Hm...
I think, I don't subscribe to that way of reasoning. Tour guides want your money and they want to sell you their tours, in first place.
On the other hand, independent travellers who post here, provide unbiased, first hand information. All they can get in exchange is "thank you", and a piece of advice from other fellow travellers, if they need one some time later..
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I have not done the Inca Trail yet, i'm doing it this year, but i have been researching it and from what i have read there is something you should keep in mind; The tour companies all pay the same for park entry, bus fares, train tickets etc, so if the price they are offering is cheaper then it is because they pay their guides and porters less, don't feed them well, won't provide them with proper sleeping areas, no insurance etc. I understand that you have a limited budget, you should just be aware that by using some of these less scrupulous agencies you are supporting in some cases poor and unethical treatment of their staff and and the environment. Perhaps if you can't afford a company that treats it staff, and possibly you as well, in a properly decent manner then maybe you should be considering other options.Just my opinion..
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Dear wornjandals, it's not because one pays more for the Inca Trail or any other trek that guides and/or porters are better paid or taken care of.A good friend of mine has been a free lance guide for over two decades and always tells me that some of the more expensive companies are the more greedy ones.
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IncaKola,I don't mean to suggest that simply paying more ensures better treatment of the staff. Its just that from what i have read, mainly on this forum, it is more likely the cheapest operators who will not look after their staff as well. You only have to do a few searches on here and you find that the most highly recommended agencies are often the more expensive ones. And usually the more unpleasant stories are about small, cheap operators. The important thing i think is just to do a little research on the people you are planning to go with, and be aware that sometimes you get what you pay for.
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wornjandals,If you are concerned about staff, the only way you can be sure of is your own tip to the staff, hand to hand, and no middle hand (read: tour operator).
There's no research that you can do to guarantee that trekking companies you're looking at will be better in that respect than others.
