Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
The Inca Trail (Camino Inca in Spanish), a 50-km (31-mi) sector of the stone path that once extended from Cusco to Machu Picchu, is one of the world´s signature outdoor excursions. Nothing matches the sensation of walking over the ridge that leads to the Lost City of the Inca just as the sun casts its first yellow glow over the ancient stone buildings.
Though the journey by train is the easiest way to get to Machu Picchu, most travelers who arrive via the Inca Trail wouldn´t have done it any other way. There are limits on the number of trail users, but you´ll still see a lot of fellow trekkers along he way. The four-day treks takes you past ruibs and through stunning scenery, starting in the thin air of the highlands and ending in cloud forests. The orchids, hummingbirds, Andean condors, and spectacular mountains aren´t bad either.
Leave the stress of one side that is about to plan your vacation in 2025. Almost nothing is needed to close the computer and feel the maximum pleasure of being on a trip, the 2025 season of the Inca Trail is approaching!
Inca Trail Permits 2025 Real-time Availability
You can check Inca Trail permit availability 2025 with us. Tierras Vivas created "Talk with us" where you can talk with a representative of Tierras Vivas about the availability of the Inca Trail tours. They will give you the information in real time and the next step to booking. 24/7 support during the year.
If you have any doubt about your hiking to Machu Picchu, let us know, we will gladly attend your questions.
Inca Trail Tours 2025
Inca Trail 4 Days: it is the most famous of all, receives visitors from around the world every day. Includes 3 nights of camping in the mountainous heights, almost 50 kilometers of walking in total (which means a daily average of 12.5 km), reaching heights of up to 4,200 meters. You will also have guided tours to impressive Inca archaeological sites. The displacement happens crossing impressive Andean and jungle landscapes, until visiting Machu Picchu. Recommended for those who wish a total immersion in nature and away from urban life.
3-Day Inca Trail Challenge: Tierras Vivas is the first tour operator to hike the Inca Trail in 3 days. This Inca Trail tour is the most popular hike among the trekkers that want to hike the Classic Inca trail in a short time. You will start the hike on km 82 and on the third day, you will be arriving at Machu Picchu through the sun gate (Intipunku). This trail is a moderate and difficult hike, but it is a challenge for you!
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 3 Days 2025
Short Inca Trail: it also has huge daily demand. But unlike the Classic, it can be said that it has a 60/40 ratio of classic and walking tourism, respectively. On the first day there is a walk of about 6 hours and then you will arrive at Aguas Calientes (town at the foot of Machu Picchu), where you will find all the urban amenities: restaurants and bars, spas, museums, hotels, craft markets, the famous baths thermal and more. The second day is the extraordinary tour to Machu Picchu (duration approximately 2 and a half hours), with the afternoon free to continue enjoying Aguas Calientes. Ideal for those who wish to have the experience but in a shorter and more comfortable way. If you want more information, visit: Short Inca Trail.
Short Inca Trail Hike Camping: Machu Picchu camping! Sure, it is possible to spend a night near the mountain of Machu Picchu, 2 day Inca Trail with camping is the most popular hike to Machu Picchu and involves camping near the lost city of Incas. There you will have a professional English tour guide, trekking chef, and porters. During the hike, our chef will prepare the food at the campsites and taste the typical food of Peru near you. Our porters will carry your personal belongings and we will provide all camping equipment. Don´t worry to rent a sleeping bag, hiking poles, or other equipment, we will provide you!
2 Day Inca Trail with camping 2025
Salkantay Trek to Inca Trail: This trail is the most complete trek to Machu Picchu. This trail involves the most beautiful scenic trail to the mountain of Salkantay and the Inca Trail. In Salkantay Trek from the first day to the third day: Hike to Humantay Lake, this lake is most popular among all travelers and also observe the sacred mountain of Salkantay, this mountain is most beautiful and the alternative hike to the Machu Picchu, but this is not your route. You will continue the hike to the Classic Inca Trail. On the fourth day, you will connect Huayllabamba to the Inca Trail.
Salkantay to Inca Trail Trek 2025
Note: if you wish to choose one of these versions in your 2025 holidays, you must book as soon as possible. Why? Officially Inca Trail booking begin in October but most of the tickets have already been booked much earlier. Also, Machu Picchu Tickets sold out faster.
Why is the demand high?
Most travelers do not know the limit of 500 permits / day on the 4 Day Inca Trail. In addition, most travelers do not know that this limit applies not only to hikers who enter the trail every day, but also to all the required support personnel: guides, cooks and porters.
To preserve the integrity of this famous part, which the Incas called Qhapaq Ñan, no pack animals are allowed along most of the Inka Trail 4 Days. Therefore, we must trust people (support staff) to help us carry camping gear, food, sleeping and cooking supplies. Better known as chaskis, in ancient times and recognized by the speed along the roads to transmit messages across the vast expanse of the Inca Empire, the support staff is vital for the operation of hikes on the Inca Trail.
Due to this regulation, the permits required for any group of hikers, require double or even triple the permits (of the number of hikers) only for support staff.
Now that you know the reason behind the great demand of the Inca Trail, you may feel a greater need to reserve your income earlier so that you do not have problems later.
The beginning of the 2025 season of the Inca Trail
As every year, thousands of travelers worldwide are looking forward to the start of the season of this exciting trek. This time, the month of March 2025 marks the beginning of the Inca Trail trekking, ending in January of 2025.
During this season, up to 500 people will be admitted for the 4-day Classic Inca Trail and 250 people in the 2-day short version. It should be noted that the high season runs from May to October. This coincides with the dry season in the Andean zone of Peru.
When is the Best Season to hike the Inca Trail?
The best season is to do it in the dry season, which covers the months April to the end of September. In October the rains begin and you can find Machu Picchu covered by clouds. If you travel in June, we recommend you to book the Inti Raymi 2025 Tour that takes place in June 24th, and also hike the Palcoyo Mountain Tour, which is an incredible Rainbow Mountain located in the Andes.
Inca Trail Tours 2025: High Demand Versions
These packages have greater availability than the previous ones, but it is also recommended to book in advance your Machu Picchu Vacation Package. They are the Inca Jungle trek (4 Days), the Lares Trek (4 Days) and Salkantay Trek (5 Days). Why choose any of them? The first one is very varied, includes a vertiginous mountain biking on day 1 (optional) and mix nature hike with walking tours through Inca ruins and typical towns, nights in basic lodgings.
The second includes the relaxing thermal baths of Lares on day 1 in the morning and then high mountain walking, 2 nights of camping to get close and reach Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu on days 3 and 4. Finally, the Salkantay Trek, the more demanding and challenging of the Andes, a total of approximately 80 kilometers of march, with camping nights in mountainous plains and very varied activities.
