The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the greatest treks in the Andes, trekking through beautiful Andean mountain landscapes in the footsteps of the Inca and arriving at the stunning site of Machu Picchu on the final day. Both Machu Picchu itself and the Inca road (known as Chapaq Nan) are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites and with the Inca Trail being such a popular activity the Peruvian government have set up a permit system for access to the trail to control numbers and help preserve this beautiful activity for future generations.
Inca Trail Permit Information
Everyone who wishes to enter the Inca Trail must have a permit, this includes tourists but also guides, porters, cooks and chefs. The Peruvian government limits the number of permits to 500 per day (so a maximum of 500 people can enter the Inca Trail on any given day).
Permits are issued on a first-come-first-served basis and once they are all issued no more will be released.
Permits are required for any access to the official Camino Inca Trail, including for the full 4-day Inca Trail and the short 2-day Inca Trail trek.
Inca Trail permits are issued by the Peruvian authorities against personal passport details (including name, date of birth and passport number). Full passport details of each individual are required when reserving a permit and Inca Trail permits are not transferable, this means that permit date changes, changes to passport details etc are not possible. Passports are checked by the authorities at the access point to the Inca Trail so it is important you travel on the same passport you used to book your holiday. As permits are issued against passport details it is impossible to reserve or pre-book Inca Trail permits in advance so be wary of any company that claims to have Inca Trail permits when they have sold out, as it is impossible to do so.
How To Guarantee an Inca Trail Permit
Unfortunately it is not possible to "guarantee" an Inca Trail permit as permits are issued by the Peruvian authorities on a first-come-first-served basis.
To give you the best possible chance of getting a permit to trek the Inca Trail we recommend you book as far in advance as possible before permits have sold out.
The busiest time of year for the Inca Trail is during Peru's peak-season, from May to October, and during this time we would recommend you try and reserve your holiday or trek at least 6 months in advance to give you a very high probability of being able to secure a permit.
During the off-season from November to January and March to April (the Inca Trail is closed every February) 4 months in advance would usually be sufficient.
Inca Trail Permit Availability 2019
Inca Trail permits and availability are exclusively managed by the Peruvian Ministerio de Cultura.
We work with the Peruvian authorities to reserve Inca Trail permits for you. Inca Trail permits are issued against the date you start the Inca Trail, not your holiday start date, so if you are checking availability with us make sure you are checking the correct date.
Inca Trail permits are now available for 2019. To check availability simply contact us with your holiday or trek dates and we can confirm availability for you.
If there is no longer Inca Trail permits available for the date you wanted to complete the trek, then you can consider one of the alternative treks to Machu Picchu, including the Lares Trek or the Salkantay Trek.
Inca Trail Permit Availability 2020
Permits for the Inca Trail in 2020 have not yet been released by the Peruvian authorities, however you can still book the Inca Trail or a holiday including the Inca Trail with us for 2020 as we can place advanced reservations on the permit for you, ensuring that a permit will be issued immediately when they become available.
If you would like to book the Inca Trail in 2020 just contact us for further information.
Reserve Your Inca Trail Permit With Us
We work with the Peruvian authorities via our team based in Cusco to reserve Inca Trail permits for you.
The advantage of booking your Inca Trail permit through Go Andes is that we are a UK-based company and provide 100% financial protection, which local operators in Peru may not be able to provide.
How to book your Inca Trail permit with Go Andes:
- Contact Us and confirm if you wish to book the trek by itself, or the trek as part of a larger holiday itinerary in Peru. We will send you our booking documentation.
- Pay your deposit. Note that holidays that include the Inca Trail will include an additional deposit payment to cover the cost of the Inca Trail as we must pay a non-refundable fee to reserve the permits for you.
- Complete our Booking Form. The booking form must be completed in full with legible and correct passport information and you must complete the Booking Form with the passport details of the passport you will be using when you travel. Inca Trail permits are issued against your passport details and your permit will be checked against your passport by the authorities at the start of the Inca Trail. If there are any discrepancies found between your Inca Trail permit and your passport you will not be allowed to start the trek, so it is VERY important that the Booking Form is completed correctly with accurate information. If you need to renew your passport before travelling you must also carry your old passport with you, or you will not be allowed to start the trek.
- Book as far in advance as possible. Ideally try and book your Inca Trail trek or holiday around 6 months in advance.
- If there is permit availability and we are able to reserve a permit for your booking we will issue you with your Booking Confirmation - this confirms that we have reserved an Inca Trail permit for you. If we are not able to reserve a permit for you, e.g. due to lack of availability, we will contact you to discuss options such as cancelling your booking, amending the date of your Inca Trail to a date where there is availability, or amending to an alternative trek such as the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu.
- Once we confirm your permit to you, you will not be able to cancel, amend or transfer the Inca Trail permit.
Contact Us To Check Availability
More Information
Inca Trail 4-Day Trek Itinerary
The Inca Trail is one of the most fabulous treks on the planet, and the itinerary takes you through stunning scenery, past Inca ruins, and in the footsteps of the Inca. Read all about the itinerary here.
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Inca Trail Frequently Asked Questions
We regularly get asked questions about the Inca Trail, and this is perfectly understandable as it can be a daunting challenge. Read our FAQ's here, or contact us if needed.
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Inca Trail Suggested Packing List
Want to know what items we suggest you take with you on your Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? Look no further than our suggest packing list.
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