I am trying to get together a trip for my husband and I to hike the inca trail from June 18 to the 27...i really want to do the four day hike and the second climb to the mountain top that looks down on the ruins...does anyone have any advice..hotel info or tour companies that you enjoyed? we would need to do a budget friendly trip

I've used Qente, a good mid-range company for the Inca Trail.

www.qente.com

Also, a good guidebook to Peru would serve you well.

The most important piece of advice though is: book very soon. That is one of the two busiest weeks of the year. Don't wait.

I took a tour of Peru including the Inca Trail with GAP Adventures and I enjoyed it very much. GAP is very budget friendly and groups are delightfully small, maybe 10-15 people.

I would be very surprised if you can get a permit for the Inca Trail at this late date. You really must book that further in advance, especially during the busy season.

I apologize for acting as the spelling police, but if you are going to google info it's important to know how to spell this:

Machu Picchu

Enjoy your trip, Peru is both wonderful and quite affordable.

www.andeantravelweb.com excellent trek info

many good providers

www.perutreks.com www.llamapath.com top 2

lots of cancellations this year due to flooding

and the current closure of MP to open 4/1/10

lots of cancellations postponements...

Always pay with Crdit Card never wire money.

Have fun,

qwovadis gives good advice.

Look at Llamapath. Good reputation and they treat their porters well. I had a two day hike to MP scheduled w/them last April and was very impressed w/the guide (who was dispathced to meet w/us two days before the hike was to happen, to meet us and give us instructions and answer questions). He was well informed and spoke perfect English, well educated fella.

I went with Llama Path on the four day hike in March 2008. Highly recommend them. Everything was wonderful from the delicious food to our amazing guide, Casiano. Definitely would use them again.