Ausangate Trek And Short Inca Trail To Machu Picchu 6 Days

Inca Trail Permits

Inca Trail Permits and  Availability, Machu Picchu Permits on 2024

The availability of the Inca Trail is controlled by the Ministry of Culture in Peru, this is the only entity authorized to control access to the Inca Trail to Machu

Permits to the Inca Trail are limited to 500 entries per day, which means that only 500 people are authorized to enter each day, including tourists and staff (guides, porters, assistants), approximately only 40% of the permits are granted to visitors and 60% to guides, porters, and assistants.

Permit availability for the Inca Trail is booking up quickly and many tend to run out of permits. If you are considering venturing out and making the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, book your Inca Trail ticket as soon as possible so you can avoid the disappointment of not finding available spaces for the Inca Trail in Cusco – Peru.

Note: Please note that the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is not available throughout the month of February due to maintenance and preservation work.

If you want to travel every step of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, this is the official page that offers you the possibility of checking the availability of the Inca Trail.

Inca Trail Closed in February

The Inca Trail is closed during the month of February for maintenance work, so it is not available at that time of year.

Details About the Inca Trail

What is the Inca Trail and what is its history

The Inca Trail is one of the oldest pilgrimages and one of the 10 most beautiful hikes in the world. To date, scientists do not agree on the role of Machu Picchu. Some say that it was a defense fortress of the Inca Empire, while other scientists assume that it was a refuge for the kings. What we do know for sure is that the Inca Trail leads to the city of Machu Picchu, built around 1440. Today, the Inca Trail is one of the most popular treks in the world, at least the most popular in Peru. Every year Machu Picchu attracts about 400,000 tourists. A maximum of 2,500 people can enter Machu Picchu each day, of which a total of 500 are authorized to walk the classic Inca Trail. These 500 are divided into 200 tourists who walk the Inca Trail with the support of 300 porters.

WHAT TO DO IF THE PERMITS ARE EXHAUSTED?

If the permits for the Classic Inca Trail are sold out on your preferred date, unfortunately there are no waiting lists, but we can offer you other options that will allow you to hike and enjoy the Andes on the way to MACHU PICCHU. Alternative hikes are just as beautiful as the Inca Trail. They are less crowded and off the beaten path in the Andes and we make sure you get the most out of an amazing hike on the way to MACHU PICCHU.

Go Treks Peru Requires only a minimum of 2 participants for our departures! You can choose any day that is best for you as long as we have a minimum of 2 hikers.

If you are traveling alone and are flexible with your travel date, we will make sure you have a group to travel with and you won’t miss out on this great experience.

ALTERNATIVE TREK OPTIONS:

The difficulty of the hike on the Inca Trail.

Is the Inca Trail difficult? That’s not an easy question. Each person is different and the difficulty of the Inca Trail depends on many factors. There are more difficult hikes in the world, like Mount Kilimanjaro.

If you want to make your Inca Trail experience less difficult, you should properly prepare for your Inca Trail tour in Peru by doing proper training. Going for a long day walk in a mountainous area can give you an idea of what it’s like to spend a few days hiking.

The difficulty of the Inca Trail also depends on the weather. In the rainy season, it can be more difficult than on other days. But in general, anyone with moderate physical condition should be able to do the Inca Trail.

Camping on the Inca Trail

On the Inca Trail, you will camp. Don’t worry, it’s not the type of camping where you have to bring everything yourself. The porters will carry most of the equipment and you can be sure that they will also help you set up and break down camp. The only thing you really need to bring is a sleeping bag and an inflatable mattress.

Even that can be rented from your trekking company, no matter which one you are trekking with. Campsites are basic, but your hiking company will do everything possible to make camping along the Inca Trail more comfortable. There is a dining tent where the most delicious local foods are served. For that, there is even a kitchen tent. Each camp is equipped with bathrooms, mostly latrine style. There are also showers at some campsites.

Altitude sickness on the Inca Trail – Peru

Altitude sickness can occur while hiking the Inca Trail. From your home country, you land in Peru at an altitude of 2500 m. The body has not had time to acclimatize and you plan to go to an even higher altitude. Altitude sickness is determined by a lack of oxygen in the body. A series of symptoms that you may experience due to altitude sickness in Peru are headaches, lack of appetite, dizziness, insomnia, vomiting and a greater likelihood of fatigue. Altitude sickness is mainly caused by a rapid increase in altitude.

For example, if you climb more than 750 m during the day and stay at that altitude, the body may have difficulty adjusting. As a general rule, the faster you ascend, the greater the risk of altitude sickness. It takes 6 to 12 hours before you can feel symptoms of altitude sickness. This means that, for example, you can climb more than 1000 m in one day, but if you also descend on the same day, the probability of suffering from altitude sickness is lower. Ascending and descending makes the body acclimatize and makes it much easier to stay at a higher altitude the next day. Crossing the Dead Woman’s Pass during the Inca Trail and the Salkantay trek will provide you with better acclimatization during the trek.

HOW TO CHECK INCA TRAIL AVAILABILITY?

To verify availability, you must contact to Go Treks Peru, remember that only authorized agencies have access to said tool. A large number have a personal system that shows availability.

Note: This availability varies constantly and is the same for all companies. If availability is sold out on a certain date of the year, no one will have the option to obtain a space.

Important recommendations to take into account

We recommend you make a reservation for the Inca Trail at least 4 to 5 months in advance due to the high demand for this tour, the most famous in South America.

Avoid last-minute inconveniences and don’t be left wanting to enjoy one of the best adventure tours in the world.

The availability of the Inca Trail that is seen on this website is the same as other agencies, which is why if you do not find availability here.

The available spaces usually vary a lot in a matter of hours, so it is recommended to make the reservation as soon as possible, 4 to 5 months in advance. The available spaces are governed by both the Short Inca Trail of 2 days / 1 night and the Classic Inca Trail of 4 days/3 nights.

The availability of the Inca Trail is governed solely by the Ministry of Culture of Peru, only they are authorized to control and authorize access to the Inca Trail.

CAN I CANCEL AND/OR MODIFY MY INCA TRAIL RESERVATION?

Currently, according to the provisions of the Inca Trail authorities, reservations are non-refundable and non-transferable. So you will have to pay penalties if you decide to cancel it.

NOTE: IF THERE IS CANCELLATION THE SPACES WILL NOT BE RELEASED.

If you liked this information, do not forget to share it, in the same way, we put Inkayni Peru Tours at your disposal as an alternative to make your Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu, we are an authorized agency, we have more than 1000 excellent comments on TripAdvisor that guarantee the quality of our service.

Why is there high passenger demand for the Inca Trail?

Travelers are unaware of the limit of 500 permits per day on the Inca Trail. Additionally, most travelers are unaware that this limit applies not only to hikers entering the trail each day, but also to all required support staff: guides, cooks, and porters.

To preserve the integrity of this famous part of what the Inca called the Qhapaq Ñan, pack animals are not allowed on the road.

Therefore, we have to rely on people (support staff) to help us carry camping equipment, food, sleeping supplies, and cooking. Better known as ¨chaskis¨ in ancient times and well known for their lightning speed along the roads to transmit messages across the vast expanse of the Inca Empire, the support staff is vital to the operation of the treks in the Inca Trail.

Due to such regulation, the permits required for any group of hikers require double or even triple the permits (of the number of hikers) for support staff alone.

Now that you know the reason behind the high demand for the Inca Trail, you may feel the need to book your permits sooner rather than later.

When are Inca Trail permits released?

Classic Inca Trail permits will be released in the first days of October of the previous year, and some dates sell out very quickly. Book your Inca Trail tour in advance to choose your preferred dates. For example, if you plan to do the Inca Trail next year, you should book before October to choose your preferred date.

How many Inca Trail permits are available per day?

There are 500 permits available per day for the long Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, including tourists, guides and support staff such as porters and cooks. Between 180 and 200 travelers will be able to hike each day; the rest are work personnel.

When should I reserve my Inca Trail permits?

Permits can sell out months in advance, especially during peak season (April to September). It is essential to book your trip as soon as possible. Permits are normally granted in October for the following year.

Can I acquire an Inca Trail permit individually?

Inca Trail permits can only be obtained through an authorized tour operator such as Go Treks Peru, who will organize your trek and take care of the necessary documentation.

What personal information should I provide when booking a permit?

You will need to provide accurate personal information, including:

This information must match your passport, as permits are non-transferable and non-refundable.

What happens if the permits are sold out for the desired dates?

If permits for the classic Inca Trail are sold out, you can consider alternative treks to Machu Picchu, such as Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek, or Inca Jungle Trek. These hikes do not have the same permit limitations and offer unique experiences and routes to the famous citadel.

Is the Inca Trail closed at any time of the year?

Yes, the Inca Trail is closed every year in February for maintenance and conservation work. During this time, alternative hikes to Machu Picchu will continue to be available.

Can I change or cancel my Inca Trail permit?

No, Inca Trail permits are not transferable or refundable. It is essential to ensure that the information you provide when booking your permit is accurate, as changes or cancellations are not permitted. The only information that can be updated is the passport number in case of renewal.

Why book the Inca Trail with Go treks Peru?

Is it possible to add more travelers once permits are sold out?

A question asked a thousand times. Unfortunately, the answer is no.” There is no waiting list for Inca Trail permits, and even in the event of cancellation, spaces will not be released as they are paid and non-refundable. Once the Inca Trail is sold, we will not add more travelers on that specific date.

Why do I have to get Inca Trail permits in advance?

The Inca Trail permits are the most famous hike in South America and number 1 in Peru. However, there are only 500 permits available each day, and this number includes guests, porters, chefs, and tour guides. Only around 200 travelers will make this fantastic trek to Machu Picchu daily.

Book your tour early to secure your preferred date and get our deeply discounted early bird benefits.

Can I change the tour departure date?

Inca Trail permits have a strict policy; most tour operators will not allow you to change departure dates and you will lose your deposit

Is the personal doorman included?

During the Inca Trail, you should travel with a backpack to hold all the essentials such as water, snacks, rain gear, sun protection, passports, money, and other equipment you may need for hiking.

The Company will also provide you with a canvas bag to hold clothes, sleeping bags, extra shoes and all the equipment you will carry during the 4 days of the Inca Trail. These canvas bags must have a maximum weight of 7 kilos per person and be maintained by Ina Trail porters.

Duffel bags are only available at campsites. So if you need something during the day and it’s in the duffel bag, you won’t be able to access them.

Check the Permit and Availability of the Inca Trail 2023 – 2024

The first step in checking the 2023 Inca Trail Permits is to decide when you want to start the trek to Machu Picchu, since once booked you cannot change the date or cancel your permits.

Go Treks Peru ion has created “Chat with us” to provide information on permits and availability of the 2023 Inca Trail in real time. A representative will give you the information on WhatsApp or you can talk and ask about the Inca Trail 2023 and you can book the Inca Trail tours online.

4-day Inca Trail permits sell out quickly for November. Below you will find the dates that are still available.

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Inca Trail availability updated February 2023. Book your Inca Trail permits below with the best and direct local tour operator based in Cusco; GO TREKS PERU