Machu Picchu Booking Nightmare
I wish I had seen related posts before my trip to Machu Picchu.
I thought I was already late to book my tickets in early June, even though my trip was in mid-July. I especially wanted Circuit 2 and an early entrance time, so instead of paying the regular general admission price of around $35–45 per ticket, I purchased two $200 tickets for July 10 at 7:00am
Only one week before my trip to Peru, I received a message from @Treppidtravels via GetYourGuide telling me that there had been an error in their system and that Circuit 2 was sold out. However, they were “kind enough” to offer me Circuit 1 instead or suggested that I wait until the day of my trip to see if there was any chance of finding a last-minute ticket.
I had been planning this trip for so long and had every single detail organized, and now you are telling me that I would not be able to get the tickets that I paid five times the regular admission price for, just one week before my trip?
After several back-and-forth emails, it sounded like they had solved the problem.
Then, one day, ONE DAY before my trip, in the afternoon, I received a text message telling me that my ticket did not include transportation from the town center to the entrance of Machu Picchu. I sent them a picture of my ticket, which clearly stated that it included transportation and a tour guide. That is when I realized they had highlighted “Ticket + Tour Guide + Bus Transfer,” but elsewhere on the page they stated that my ticket did not include bus transportation.
It was such a scam and extremely misleading.
At that point, I did not care anymore and paid an extra $24 per person for the bus tickets.
But guess what happened next?
When I woke up at 5:00am for my 7:00am hike, I received tickets for Circuit 1 instead of Circuit 2.
There was nobody available to speak with at 5:00 in the morning. I was furious and extremely anxious.
This was supposed to be a fun and exciting experience for me, but instead I was stressed and trying to figure out how to fix the problem at that hour of the morning.
Later, our guide showed up and acted as if everything was fine and that he would help me. His attitude was very much, “I’ve got this,” “I will take care of it,” and “I will do you a favor.”
I paid around $450 for two tickets to visit Machu Picchu, and now you are telling me that you will do your best to get me into Circuit 2?
I also noticed that the tickets I was sent were worth $150 each, while I had paid $200 each.
My advice is: book your tickets through the official Machu Picchu ticket website. Even while waiting in line for the bus, you will see dozens of tour guides who can accompany you during your visit if you want one.
I would not buy anything from @TreppidTravels
