Several days after booking, we were called by Anabella at Traveland.com who informed us that the tour company could not get us on the Inca Trail. We demanded either a discount or a refund. We were promised a refund and received a revised itinerary -- both electronically and on paper. We received documentation of our package and all that it included with our airline tickets -- round trip from New York to Lima.

Upon arriving in Cusco, we met with the tour operator, Peru Classic Tours' manager, Roxanne Melissa, who went over all aspects of the tour and confirmed all elements. When we arrived in Cusco, we began our hike only to discover that the services promised (oxygen tank, lavatory tent,etc.) were not available. On May 15, in Aguas Calientes, Peru, we were informed that we would have to pay for the entrance fee to Machu-Piccu, even though was to be included in our package.

Upon arriving back to Cusco, we were informed that Traveland.com did not pay the tour operator, Peru Classic Tours, and therefore, we would not have our airline tickets from Cusco to Lima, and we would have to pay for our hotel reservations. I have all documentation that these items were included in our package.

We contacted Roxane Melissa that evening. She refused to help us and claimed we would have to pay because Traveland.com did not. We attempted to contact Traveland.com that evening, but the business was closed. We continued to attempt contact in the morning and was finally able to contact Anabella at about 10:15am Central time, who told us she would not help us.

I suspect that these two companies work together to take advantage of travelers. In addition to the dangerous situations we were put into (altitudes of 15,000+ ft. with no oxygen or first aid -- we all got very sick), and the money that was lost on having to buy tickets, I am concerned that other travelers will experience the same or worse situations -- possibly very dangerous. During the end of our travel we feared for our safety. We fear for the future safety of others that will be victims of this sham.

Megan Farrell, farrellme@hotmail.com