On the way to Machu Picchu? What to do if your luggage gets lost

Finally, you're on the way to Machu Picchu.  You board your international flight and arrive in Lima, but your checked luggage does not show up. What can you do?  Adios Adventure Travel offers strategies to help prevent your luggage from being lost, and instructions on what to do if it happens.  

For travelers going by train to Machu Picchu

• pack light and carry everything on board your flight to avoid checking a bag.
• if you must check luggage, carry essentials in your carryon bags (medications, warm clothing, rain gear).
• have the name, address and phone of your hotel in Cusco (or hotel in other destinations). It's even better if you have name & cellphone of your tour guide or someone at the hotel.
• schedule at least 3-4 hours before your next flight out of Lima to allow time to file a claim.
• use your smart phone to take a separate photo of each packed & tagged piece of luggage before you checkin for your flight.
• if you are spending the first night in Cusco then continuing on your tour, it is likely that your lost luggage will arrive after you have departed for the day.  You'll need to ask the hotel (or tour guide if you have one) to send someone to pick up your luggage at the Cusco airport.  THIS PERSON MUST PRESENT YOUR CLAIM TICKET TO TAKE POSSESSION OF YOUR BAG and will be asked to fill out customs documents.  This is why it's important to have a photo of your bag.  You can email that photo to the person picking up your bag.  And they may need a photo of your passport.
• if your hotel is outside the Cusco city center, in the Sacred Valley, you will need to arrange a transfer back to the Cusco airport the next day to pick up your luggage.  The cost of transfers varies from $30 - $40 each way.  

For hikers going to the Inca Trail or other treks:

• follow the steps above for travelers going by train.
• wear your hiking shoes/boots on your flight  (you can buy boots, and other gear in Cusco, but it might cause you pain to hand over big bucks where the quality may be questionable.  Brands are unregulated and fakes are common.  "North Face" products are sometimes known as "North Fake.")
• schedule at least 2 days in Cusco prior to your hike or other activity to allow time for you to get your luggage if it does get lost

You might need more than a change of underwear and a toothbrush for this kind of travel. With a little preparation and planning, it's possible to work around issues that come up with lost luggage.  With or without your luggage, you're still on an amazing trip-of-a-lifetime.  Enjoy every minute!

Ready to get more details about how you can travel to Machu Picchu?  Contact our US Office anytime.