¿Is the Inca trail open year-round?

No! The Inca trail is closed in February for upkeep procedures and constant rainfall. The rest of the year, sure you can book the permits.

¿How many people can get in the Inca trail per day?

Before the pandemic of COVID-19, the normal ticket availability on the Inca trail was 500 members, including guides, cooks, and porters. Now that Covid-19 stoped tourism and is little by little coming back to normal, only 250 members are allowed to enter per day as to in September 2021. This being for the Inca trail 4-day hike.

As for the 2-day Inca Trail hike, the availability is less as much as 120 members.

¿How much time in advance should I book the Inca trail package?

As a famed hiking trail to  Machu Picchu; therefore, to the world’s wonder, the Inca trail permits run out quickly. Our advice would be to book at least 06 months in advance for the 4-day Inca Trail.

And as for the 2  day Inca trail hike, it is a bit easier to find permits as much as 2 weeks in advance.

¿What to do if getting too late to book Inca Trail permits? 

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to fix it; this may be disappointing for many travelers. Only planning long in advance is the solution.  But still, you have some other hiking options such as Lares trek to Machu Picchu or the Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu; these are not the Inca trail neither can´t be compared but see what other people are saying about it on trip advisor. 

Can I book the Inca trail ticket by myself?

There is no way of booking by yourself. It is strictly controlled by the government and every angle visitor has to get the permit through a travel agent.  For more Authorized travel companies in Cusco, check this out. Inca trail tour companies.

The theme is that when tourism in Cusco is at its peak, it is difficult to find a space for hiking the Inca trail. The peak season usually is from May to July, so if you know you will be coming to Peru and want to do the Inca trail, take into consideration what the high season entails.