Over the last decades, Peru has become one of the most popular travel destinations. There are many great sights and treks throughout the country, but the Inca Trail remains the most popular.
The Inca Trail is considered among the 5 best hiking trails in the world! In total, it extends for 43 kilometres which are hiked in 4 days and 3 nights following an ancient network of paths made by the Incas hundreds of years ago! It leads through mountain passages and cloud forests, to the edge of the Amazon jungle where Machu Picchu is located. In addition to exuberant landscapes, the hike allows you to see Inca and pre-Inca sites that can not be accessed otherwise, just by walking. In the end, you get to Inti Punku, the gateway to the sacred city of the Incas - Machu Picchu, where people entered 550 years ago.
Machu Picchu was built during the 15th century and has had more than 150 structures, among which are some of the most amazing in the world. Its guided route is a unique experience that will remain in your heart forever.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a protected route so only a limited number of visitors access it each day. During the peak season of 2000, many campsites were crowded and the trail got polluted with rubbish. In early 2001, the Peruvian government proposed reducing the number of trekkers on the trail to 500 per day. In 2002 and 2003, the government tried to enforce a limit of 500 persons; however, it came under pressure from local operators, so another 200 people were allowed during the busy months of July and August. The daily limit of 500 persons includes Guides, Porters, and Cooks resulting in around 200 tourists only. These are trekkers of 2-day and 4-day Inca Trails as well as 7-day Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek. We estimate that about 160 trekkers per day start the 4-day trail, 25 tourists the 2-day trail, and the remaining 15 people start the 7-day Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek.
During 2003 and 2004, the Peruvian government introduced a number of changes to the Inca Trail in an effort to protect its fragile ecological structure from overuse. Most of these changes were aimed at reducing the number of tourists on the trail, improving the quality of tour operators and offering a reservation system where tourists have to book many weeks (or even months) in advance. The changes came into force as regulations in 2005. Other regulations aimed at improving the Porters welfare introduced in early 2006. An important regulation (among other things) is that every trekking company operating the Inca Trail must have an operating licence that is issued (or renewed) every March.
Once the coronavirus pandemic was over, daily travel permits began to be issued in October 2020. It is strongly recommended to purchase permits as soon as possible! Otherwise, you will not find an available spot!
Exceptionally, in situations of risk due to unforeseeable circumstances or force majeure, closure or restriction may be used without prior notice.
It is forbidden to use the Inca Trail Network from 7:00 pm to 5:30 am, except in exceptional cases.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu will be closed in February by the provision of the Ministry of Culture because maintenance, conservation and cleaning work will be carried out. The Permits for Inca Trail 2020 will be re-enabled as of March 1.
Here is some information you should keep in mind about Inca Trail Permits Availability:
No, there is not an Inca Trail Permit Official Site. You can only check availability for the Inca Trail Permits by means of an authorized travel agency. Agencies also offer a complete tour that includes Inca Trail 2021 permits, Machu Picchu tickets, transport, and much more.
Permits for the Inca Trail are released approximately on 5 October each year. However, the date when are the Inca Trail permits going on sale may vary by a few days or weeks depending on the Peruvian Ministry of Culture.
Entrance tickets (permits) to the Inca Trail must be reserved at least 5 or 6 months beforehand. However, if you plan to visit it during May, June or July; you must get your ticket 7 or 8 months in advance.
Tickets for the Short Inca Trail of 2 days are not that hard to get. However, it is advised to book them at least weeks in advance. In the months of May, June or July; try to book a month beforehand.
Travel companies, which offer the Inca Trail Tours 2020, organize and provide their services in different qualities. For this reason, the cost of Inca Trail permit varies from agency to agency.
Classic Inca Trail Permit Prices
Inca Trail Prices |
Price in U.S. dollars |
Adult prices |
680 |
University student prices |
650 |
Children under 18 years |
650 |
Rates are approximate. Each travel agency has its own prices.
Are four days of hiking on the Inca Trail too much? No worries, there is the option of the Inca Trail 2 days for people with a little time. This route starts in the middle of the classic route. Prices vary by travel agency.
Short Inca Trail Permit Prices
Inca Trail Prices |
Price in U.S. dollars |
Adult prices |
450 |
University student prices |
420 |
Children under 18 years |
420 |
Each travel agency manages its own rate. These rates are approximate.
The above prices involves Machu Picchu tickets, equipment to spend the night in the camp, transportation (a train round trip), a professional Guide and a Porter.
The entrance fee to Huayna Picchu/Machu Picchu Mountain is not included. You can request it and pay an extra fee for that.
If you want an extra Porter or another extra service during the Short Inca Trail, you must request it from your travel agent as these services require additional costs.
2 Day Inca Trail with Camping US$ 550
Machu Picchu 3 Day Hike US$ 750
2 Day Inca Trail Tour US$ 450
Inca Quarry Trail 4 Days US$ 600
Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 Days
Inca Trail Cheap 4 Days US$ 550
Salkantay to Inca Trail 6 Days US$ 750
Salkantay Trek to Inca Trail 7 Days US$ 800
Condor Sight Salkantay Inca Trail 7 Days US$ 850
Palccoyo Mountain Tour, full day
Inti Raymi 2021, a full day tour
Booking an entrance to the Inca Trail is easy and secure. You should only look for availability online via a travel agency. Payments are done by credit or debit cards (Visa, MasterCard).
There are several agencies in the network dealing with Inca Trail permits. Choose the one that seems most reliable, have the best reviews, etc. Its website must have an Internet security system that protects your personal information (a locker in front of the name of the website). Please note that agencies operating the trail must be authorized by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture!!
After selecting the website (travel agency), go to the availability section. Please note that bookings should be made approximately 6 months in advance. Find the day and month in which you wish to take part in the Inca Trail. If you have found availability, click on Book.
In order to buy tickets for the Inca Trail, you must provide, among other things, personal data such as names, identity card number (passport number), email. In addition, you must specify some special requirements, such as Extra Porter, vegetarian food, hiking poles, climbing Huyna Picchu/Machu Picchu Mountain, etc.
Payment can be made in various ways. Currently, PayPal is the most used because it accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Some agencies require an advance payment and then the transaction is completed upon the arrival of the clients in Cusco. At the end of this process, you the clients get a permit to do the Inca Trail.
If there is no longer spot available for the Inca Trail on the desired day, you can still trek to Machu Picchu! Just check the below popular options: