HOW INCA TRAIL PERMITS WORK AND WHY YOU NEED THEM

So you’ve decided to hike the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The next step is to pick your dates and start the process of booking your Inca Trail permits. But before you do, there are a few important factors you need to consider, such as the best time to trek, weather conditions, and how far in advance to book.

Every year thousands of people are attracted to the City of Cusco by the energy of the Andes Mountains, but only a few can experience the magic of feeling this energy, traveling one of the most amazing walks in the world, an Inca Trail of 500 years of antiquity. Machu Picchu is a center of beauty, mysticism, spirituality, challenge and history, built by the legendary Inca civilization. Unlike other walks in Peru and the world, the Inca Trail is a protected area. We are experts in trips to Machu Picchu so we will indicate the way to obtain the Inca Trail permits to Machu Picchu.

The fact that the availability is released 3 months before, makes the most adventurous people, have entered a kind of competition to get one of the 200 daily incomes to Machu Picchu Inca Trail tour. Keep in mind that of the 500 tickets available, 300 belong to the trekking support team, so only 200 people will end up entering Machu Picchu & Inca trail every day.

HOW DOES THE SALE OF TICKETS WORK FOR THE INCA TRAIL?

The Inca Trail Permit System was created by the Peruvian government to help prevent serious overcrowding, overuse, and erosion on the historic Inca Trail. A limited number of total permits are available each day to hike the Inca Trail. Permits are required for all hikers – including porters, guides, and trekking customers. The Inca Trail is the classic trail created in the 15th century by the Incas to get to Machu Picchu. The 51-55 mile trail enters Machu Picchu through the famous Sun Gate. The tightly controlled number of daily hiking permits is why it’s essential to book your Inca Trail Trek early, as permits sell out 3 to 6 months in advance, for popular May through August trekking dates. Andean Great Treks has a 99% success rate at helping customers get the permit dates they want, with advance planning.

INCA TRAIL PERMITS RELEASED OCT 10, 2023

We are very excited to announce that the Peruvian government is going to release the 2024 Inca trail permits (for all treks in 2024) from October 1st on. The Inca Trail is very regulated, and the Peruvian government requires that every trekker has a permit to enter the park. Due to this, these permits can sell out quickly. So, we need to secure the permits as soon as possible for every single trekker. Our booking team is ready to provide assistance for the whole process so we can make your trip a reality. Remember, the busy Inca Trail trekking season starts in May and ends in August, so permits for those months run out quickly.

HOW MANY INCA TRAIL PERMITS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE 2024 TREKKING SEASON?

For the 2024, we are pleased to report that the number of available daily permits to hike the Inca Trail is back up to the pre-pandemic full amount.

The Details on Inca Trail Permit Government Regulations for 2024 Season:

Only 500 total permits are available per day for trekking.
This limit includes 300 permits total for guides, porters, and other staff, and 200 permits for all customer trekkers
You can only hike the Inca Trail with a licensed tour operator (like Andean Great Treks)
Entry points and camping spots were pre-determined on your permit and at ranger-protected checkpoints.
Permits are non-refundable and non-transferrable. Dates and names can not be moved.
All Inca Trail Permit regulations are controlled by the Peruvian government, not by individual trekking companies.

HOW DO YOU GET A PERMIT FOR THE INCA TRAIL?

Reserve 3 to 6 Months Early due to Limited Permits
Inca Trail permits always sell out fast for the most popular trekking months every year in Peru. In 2023, we anticipate that they will sell out even faster, due to approximately 50% fewer permits being available for 2022 than in pre-covid years. Only licensed Inca Trail Tour Operators, such as Andean Great Treks, can obtain these permits from the Peruvian government. The limit is strictly followed and the total number of daily permits includes everyone – trekkers, porters, and guides, alike. Since tickets sell out fast, you will want to start the process three to six months in advance in order to get your preferred dates. Spring and Fall dates do not sell out as fast, so you could get permits more easily for March – April and September – December dates.
It is possible to book your permit with an old passport or even a license, but we would need to know the new passport number and have a copy sent to us as soon as it arrives to update with the passport office.

FOR WHICH INCA TRAIL TREKS DO YOU NEED PERMITS?

All trekkers on the classic Inca Trail, which travels through the Sun Gate directly into Machu Picchu, must have an Inca trail permit. These tours require specific Inca trail permits:

WHAT TO DO IF YOU DON’T GET YOUR FIRST CHOICE PERMIT DATE FOR THE INCA TRAIL

If you don’t get a permit for your preferred date, the good news is that you have a few other options.

First, when booking with Andean Great Treks, you not only choose your first preferred date, but we also ask for your two alternative dates right up front. This gives you the best shot of getting a permit on the very first time we submit your request in the permit system. Be sure to have three possible dates for hiking the Inca Trail in mind when you start your booking process.

CHOOSE ONE OF OUR AMAZING ALTERNATIVE TREKS

Your other option is to do one of many Alternative Treks. Alternative Treks are literally “alternative” hiking trips to hiking on the actual classic Inca Trail. They take many other incredibly scenic trails through the Andes mountains, and you still get to go to Machu Picchu! Alternative Treks end at the town before Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – and you will take a bus up to Machu Picchu the next morning. You can’t go wrong with any of these amazing trek choices:

Each of these treks still highlights the lush and historic beauty of the ancient paths of the Incas in the Andes. They don’t require a permit because you are not traveling on the specific trail known as the classic Inca Trail. Huge plus, you’ll avoid the more crowded Inca Trail!

If you really only want to hike the Inca Trail and can’t get your 2024 preferred dates, then you can plan ahead for 2025 and get to be first in line. The Peruvian government releases permits on a rolling basis, typically in the fall prior to the year you want to trek (for example, permits for 2024 were released in October of 2023). Mark it on your calendar, and prioritize booking your trip as soon as you can for a better second chance.

WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF SUCCESS OF THE INCA TRAIL RESERVATIONS WITH ANDEAN GREAT TREKS

Andean Great Treks has a 99% permit securement rate, compared to less than 75% for other companies. We are so successful for our customers because we help them understand how the permit system works so that they reserve as early as possible to get their dates. Popular dates sell out 3 to 6 months in advance!

Along with the Inca Trail permit to hike the Inca Trail, you will also need a separate ticket to visit Machu Picchu itself. All Inca Trail tickets included automatically the tickets for Machu Picchu. Andean Great Treks takes care of securing these tickets as well, so you don’t have to deal with it! Machu Picchu is a World UNESCO Heritage Site, and also has a (much higher) limit of daily entrance tickets in order to protect this historic site from overuse, erosion, overcrowding, and degradation.

The challenges of overcrowding, erosion concerns and over tourism over the last several decades have required protection for the Inca Trail. Thankfully, these protections of limiting daily trekkers and visitors preserve the ancient Inca Trail itself and historic Machu Picchu. They do also make it more competitive to get the dates you want for your trip. With advance preparation and planning, you can experience this unforgettable trip of a lifetime in the magical Andes!