Inca Trail Permit Information and Availability - Updated February 26, 2010

Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail are Closed until April 1, 2010, due to flood damage to the train tracks to Machu Picchu. See details here: Machu Picchu Travel News

To view Inca Trail Trips, click here

Who Needs a Permit?

In order to trek any portion of the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, you will need a permit issued by the Government of Peru. There are only 500 permits available for any trek departure date. Of these, about 300 are allocated to guides, porters, and cooks; this leaves 200 available for travelers. The permit is issued for the day you start your trek, and is valid for your entire trek. Due to the popularity of the trek, these permits sell out extremely quickly (4 or more months in advance), especially in the busiest months of June, July, August, and September.

How Are Inca Trail Permits Issued?

Inca Trail permits must be purchased in person in Cusco, and are issued on a first come-first served basis. When a permit is issued a passenger's passport number must be attached to the permit, so that only that person can use the permit, and a non-refundable permit fee must be paid. The permit is not transferable to another passenger, and the permit fee is non-refundable.

Trekkers cannot buy these permits independently because they must travel with an official trek operator (non-guided trips are no longer allowed). Thus, travelers need to book their Inca Trail trek with a provider several weeks, if not months, in advance!

It's worth noting that you only need a permit for your trek departure date. Dates with fewer than 100 permits remaining often sell out within a day.

Treks That Don't Require Permits

Inca Trail Permits sold out on your dates? Don't despair, there are a number of fantastic treks on non-permitted Inca Trails that offer solitude, Andean scenery, culture, and Inca and pre-Inca ruins that don't require Inca Trail permits, and are available all summer long. Some of these treks end at or near Machu Picchu, and all can be combined with a visit to Machu Picchu, so don't postpone your Peru trip just because Inca Trail permits are sold out. Local trekking guides and well-traveled trekkers often feel these other trails are actually more interesting than the famous "Inca Trail." Check out these treks here:
http://www.detourdestinations.com/categories/Inca_Trail_Non_Permitted_Treks_350/index.html

Permit Availability (As of February 26, 2010)

The Inca Trail is closed indefintely until the train tracks to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) are repaired. The estimated date for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu to reopen is April 1, 2010.

Permit Availability

Date: Permits Remaining
Very limited availabilty in April and May
Permit Availability is still quite good in June onward.
*Please note: If there are fewer than 150 permits available for a date, there is a decent chance those could all sell in one day.

To learn more about the Inca Trail, view our Inca Trail Frequently Asked Questions here: Inca Trail FAQ's