Inca Trail Permit New Regulations 2021

Home / Travel Blog / Inca Trail Permit New Regulations 2021

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 4-day Inca Trails as well as 7-day Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek. We estimate that about 200 trekkers per day start the 4-day trail, and the remaining 100 people start the 7-day Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek. For the 2-day Inca Trail, there are 200 spaces available every day.

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.

Inca Trail 2021

Once the Coronavirus pandemic was over, daily travel permits began to be issued in June 25 2021 (reopened the system booking). It is strongly recommended to purchase permits as soon as possible! Otherwise, you will not find an available spot!

Note important: It is possible to get the Inca Trail permits from July 15th 2021.

There are only 250 spaces available for the Classic Inca Trail 4 Days, Inca Trail 3 Days Challenge and Salkantay to Inca Trail 7 days (Route 01, 02, and 03).

For the Short Inca Trail (Route 05) is only 150 spots available.

Inca Trail permits 2021

Inca Trail New Regulations 2021

New regulations 2021 for Inca Trail permits to establish that permission to enter the Inca Inca Trail Network to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu must be documented and paid (in total) at least 48 hours before its starting date.
Users of the Inca Trail must identify themselves with their original documents and register their entry in the corresponding security checkpoints of the Ministry of Culture.
After having entered (visible on security verification), the user will not be able to extend his stay over the amount of time indicated on the entry ticket within the established route, excepting from special proven cases.
Travel agencies, guides and support staff are required to collect organic and inorganic solid waste generated during their stay on the Inca Trail and to remove it from the Sanctuary. For protection and maintenance reasons, there might be periods of restriction and termination of use of the Inca Trail Network. Stakeholders will be notified by a 30-day notice.
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.

Elements Not Allowed on the Inca Trail Network:

Firearms or compressed air weapons, bows and arrows, hunting and fishing instruments, axes, machetes, knives, spikes, shovels or other tools.
Any type of trap to capture wildlife specimens.
Fossil fuels such as kerosene, diesel oil, gasoline.
Stimulants, psychotropic substances, narcotics, or illegal drugs are not allowed by national legislation.
Sound systems or other noise generators.
Domestic animals and exotic species.
Poles with metal tips that do not have rubber protectors or wooden sticks made of native species.
Bottles, plastic containers and disposable cups.
Through rubbish.
Cutting or damaging trees.
Breaking, or ruining the ruins or the path.
Kicking/destroying plants, killing animals.
Camping with open fires or camping within Inca remains (camping is only allowed at authorized areas).

Inca Trail Permits 2022

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 2021 will be re-enabled as of July 15th 2021.

Here is some information you should keep in mind about Inca Trail Permits Availability:

The only way to do the Inca Trail is to hire the services of a travel agency/tour operator authorized by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture.
The Inca Trail is CLOSED every year in FEBRUARY for due to maintenance and heavy rains. For this reason, neither the Short Inca Trail 2 Days or the Classic Inca Trail 4 Days are available during the month.
We process the Inca Trail Permits Availability in the same as any other agency.
The number of spots varies greatly. Agencies usually book up to 30 spots at a time, so do not be surprised if the Inca Trail permit availability is sold out immediately. There is no way to get a spot if permits are exhausted. No travel agency or tour operator can offer you a spot for the Inca Trail!
This is given by the fact that the Inca Trail permits availability is exclusively managed by the Ministry of Culture. The only entity having control of the access to the Inca Trail.
The Inca Trail has only 250 permits enabled per day which includes personnel.
Canceled tickets are not transferable. It is also important to say that it does NOT matter how many customers cancel their Inca Trail booking, NO ONE else can use these spots!

Is There an Official Site to Buy Inca Trail Permits?

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.

When Are the permits on the Inca Trail Going on Sale?

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.

How Long Beforehand to Book an Inca Trail Permit?

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.

Overview of When to Book Month after Month:

January, March – April: The rainy season takes place in these months so the Inca Trail is not crowded as usual. If you want to book for these months, you should make so 1-2 months in advance.

May – June: This is the high tourist season for the Inca Trail. Usually, its spots sold out in hours or so. If you are planning on traveling between these months, we advise you to book as soon as spots are available!

July – August: The dry season. Tourist tents to travel in this season the most owing to a holiday season of the Northern hemisphere and sunny weather in Peru. In case, you prefer to hike the trail in these months, make a booking 5 months in advance!

September – December: In September and October, you can still enjoy the dry season, but November and December are rainy. People, who have not had a chance to take a holiday in previous months, travel during this time. We recommend booking it 4 to 3 months beforehand.

February: The Inca Trail is close due to its maintenance and heavy rains occurrence.

How Much Is the Inca Trail permit?

4 Day Classic Inca Trail Permit Price

Travel companies, which offer the Inca Trail Tours 2021, 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.

Do the Inca Trail Prices Include a Guide, Train and Machu Picchu Tickets?

The above prices include Machu Picchu tickets 2021, transportation by bus and train, meals, services of a professional Guide, Cook and Porters as well as camping equipment.
If you prefer additional equipment (e.g. mats, sleeping bag, hiking poles), a better quality of train or an extra Porter, you need to pay an additional price.
In case you like to climb up either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain after the Inca Trai, there is an extra fee of approximately US$ 65 per person. You need to specify it during the booking process.

2 Day Short Inca Trail Permit Price

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.

What Does the Prices of the Short Inca Trail Include?

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.

Inca Trail Tours Prices 2021

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

Tours to Complement Your Inca Trail

Palccoyo Mountain Tour, full day

Inti Raymi 2022, a full day tour

How to Book the Inca Trail Permits?

It is not possible to enter the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu unless it is through an authorized travel agency. We have many years of experience in operating this fantastic Inca road to Machu Picchu! If you want to book a place, please contact us.
To obtain an Inca Trail permit, you will need complete details of your passport. Permits are non-transferable and do not allow changes to the date. Before you are allowed to enter the Inca Trail, your passport will be verified with the details in your booking so that no error can occur.
You must bring the passport with which you made your reservation. If you have changed your passport after booking, you must bring both passports with you. Contact us and confirm the date when you want to travel on the Inca Trail, or if you want this trek to be part of your trip to Cusco and Machu Picchu.
If the details in your passport and permit do not match, you will not be allowed to start the trek! Therefore, please make sure during the booking process that you did not make a mistake. Once we confirm your permit, you cannot revoke, change or transfer the Inca Trail permit to anybody else!

Inca Trail Permit Purchase Step-by-Step

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).

1. Search for an Authorized Travel Agency Online

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!!

2. Find Free Spots

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.

3. Complete the Data and Special Requirements

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.

4. Make a Payment

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.