The Inca Trail is a 4-day, 3-night hiking tour to reach Machu Picchu. The route was built by the Incas hundreds of years ago, which is why it is considered a World Heritage Site. To better preserve it, the authorities decided to restrict its entry to 200 tourists per day.
How to check Inca Trail availability?
To see available spaces on the Inca Trail, follow these steps:
Once you have made your choice and have chosen an Inca Trail operator, check if there is availability
Also, have your passport and a valid payment option, you are ready to book the Inca Trail!
How to book the Inca Trail tour?
The only way to obtain your Inca Trail permit is through an Authorized Inca Trail Travel Agency. Each Company has a reservation form in which you must fill out all the required data. You must provide the agency with the same data as the passport with which you will come to Peru.
What does an Inca Trail tour include?
The Classic Inca Trail tour (4 days) includes the following:
Entrance to the Inca Trail.
Transportation from Cusco to the starting point of the Inca Trail.
Bilingual tour guide service.
Porter service.
Cook service (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners).
Camping equipment (sleeping bag not included).
Machu Picchu entrance only.
Return by bus to Aguas Calientes.
Return by train to Ollantaytambo.
Return by minivan to Cusco.
In addition, the tourist can request the following extra services:
Entrance to the Huayna Picchu mountain.
1 extra porter.
1 sleeping bag.
Vegetarian meal option at no extra cost.
Inca Trail Discounts
The Inca Trail offers discounts for tourists who are university students as well as minors.
University students must be pursuing undergraduate studies and be under 25 years old at the time of the hike. The discount applies only to students with a valid university ID (not an ISIC card).
Children (under 11 years old) also have access to a special discount. Parents must make the reservation by sending the child's passport or ID.
How far in advance should I book the Inca Trail?
A general rule to follow is to book permits for the Inca Trail at least six to eight months in advance to ensure availability of trails for hiking on the Classic Inca Trail route.
What to do if there is no availability for the Inca Trail?
Unfortunately, if there is no availability for a certain date, you can only search for spaces on a different date. It is recommended to make the reservation months in advance.
A good option is to choose the short Inca Trail. This adventure is ideal for people who do not have enough time or were unable to book the classic 4-day version.
There are other amazing treks that lead to Machu Picchu such as: the 5-day Salkantay route, the 4-day Lares tour and the incredible 8-day Cusco – Choquequirao – Machu Picchu route.
Questions and answers about Inca Trail availability
1. Is the Inca Trail closed in February?
Yes. Due to constant rain, the maintenance staff does conservation work on the Inca Trail route. That is why reservations cannot be made throughout February.
2. Why is it so difficult to find availability?
The Inca Trail has a historical value that is preserved by the Peruvian authorities. For this reason, only 500 people are allowed to enter per day (200 tourists and the rest are support staff). The goal is to maintain this tourist attraction for posterity.
3. Is there an official website to buy spaces on the Inca Trail?
No. Availability for the Inca Trail can only be obtained through an authorized travel agency. The agencies also offer a complete tour that includes admission to the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, and more.
4. Is it difficult to find availability for the Short Inca Trail?
No. The short version of the Inca Trail (2 days) allows entry to 250 tourists per day. Finding availability is not as difficult compared to the classic version (4 days). It is recommended to book online 2 or 3 weeks in advance.
5. Can I do the Inca Trail on my own?
No. The Ministry of Culture of Peru has established that the Inca Trail can only be done through an authorized tourism agency. No tourist can enter the Inca Trail without the authorization of an agency.
6. Can children do the Inca Trail?
It depends. Children over 8 years old or who already have satisfactory experience in similar hikes can do the Inca Trail. However, it is not recommended for children under 8 years old who do not have previous similar experience.
