4 & 2 Day Inca Trail Permits Availability

How many Inca Trail permits are issued?

The Peruvian government only delivers for people who hike Inca Trail 4 days 500 Permits per day (meaning 200 permits are allocated for travelers and the rest for cooks, Guides, and porters). Those 500 permits are also used by travelers who hike Inca Trail 5 days and Inca Trail 7 days.

Also, they deliver for people who hike Inca Trail 2 days 250 permits per day. Most companies don’t use the porter for the Short Inca Trail, therefore the majority of the Permits are used by travelers. Those 250 permits are also used by travelers who hike the short Inca Trail with camping,  and Inca Trail 1 day.

How far in advance should I book my permit for the Inca Trail?

• If you are thinking to hike Inca Trail in May, June, July, and August(Dry season), we highly recommend you book at least 8 months in advance or a year in Advance.
• If you are thinking to hike the Inca Trail in December, January, and March(Rainy season), we recommend you book 1 month in advance. The permits don’t run out like in the dry season, you can even find the permits 3 days in advance. But at Christmas and New year, the licenses are sold out 2 months in advance.
• If you are thinking to hike Inca Trail in April, September, October, and November( Shoulder season), we recommend you book 4 months in advance. If the Holy week falls in April, the Inca Trail permits run out like in the dry season. To secure the permits it is better to book in advance.

Can you hike the Inca trail without a guide?

Independent trekking on the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu without a registered tour guide is no longer possible since 2001. Each hiker on the trail must be accompanied by an official tour guide. Therefore, only registered tour companies – like AB EXPEDITIONS can purchase permits and you’ll need to go through a tour operator to buy one.

Updating passport numbers

If you are renewing your passport, go ahead and email your travel agency a copy of your old passport to book your Inca trail permits. If you don’t have your old passport, any government issue ID will be accepted, as long as the name is the same. Once you get your new passport. Please email your Company a copy of your new passport as soon as possible to change the information on your permit.

Is the Inca Trail permit refundable?

The Inca trail permits are non-refundable and non-transferable to another person because the Ministry of culture does not give back the travel companies any money when clients change dates or cancel. The agency must purchase a new permit if a client changes dates.

If any travel company tells you that the permit is refundable, they are for sure not telling the truth and they are not Inca Trail operators.  It is as simple as if a traveler cancels their space is not given to anyone else.

Student Discount

Your student card offers you financial benefits when hiking on the Inca trail. With a valid university card, you are entitled to a discount. The discount only applies to students under 25 years old. This may vary from company to company, but should be around a $25 discount! In order to get this discount, you need to send the agency a copy of your card and travel with the card on the trail. If you do not bring your card with you on the trail you will be forced to pay the full Price at the trailhead. ISIC cards are not valid for the discount anymore.

If you are planning to hike  Inca Trail on your next trip to Peru, we highly recommend you to book your permit at least 8 months in advance, especially in the high season which is from May to September.

Inca Trail permits Cost

We pay for a customer permit 292 Peruvian soles and for the porter permit 50 soles. Only Authorized Inca Trail tour companies are able to buy those Permits. 

What can I do if  Inca Trail permits are already sold out for my desired date?

If you find out the Inca Trail permits sold out for your desired date, no worries there are many alternative hikes that don’t require permits. Check them out:

• Inca Trail 2 days: Inca Trail 2 days is an awesome option for those who don’t have time or desire to trek the full length of the Inca Trail. You will cover a distance of 10km / 6.3 miles. You will enjoy all the best bits of the Inca Trail condensed into a 1-day hike. In addition, you are going to see Machu Picchu 2 times.
• Salkantay trek: The Salkantay hike is an excellent way to arrive at Machu Picchu. Less well-known than the Classical Inca Trail. The Salkantay hike is easy to book and cheap. And on top of that, many travelers say the Salkantay trek is just as pretty! That’s why many travelers looking for a multi-day hike to Machu Picchu choose the Salkantay trail.
• Lares Trek: Lares Trek is the best alternative trek of the Inca Trail if you are thinking to explore lightly trodden trails. This amazing hike will bring you to explore remote villages and schools, and hike along with Chinchillas, llamas, and alpacas while you enjoy unparalleled views of the glacier mountains and lakes.
• Inca Quarry Trail trek: If you are looking for an alternative hike to Inca Trail and you don’t like to hike with crowds, the Inca quarry trek 4 days is best for you, it is one of the newest treks that offer you beautiful sites such as unparalleled views of snowcapped peaks, waterfalls, and archeological sites.
• Huchuy Qosqo Trek: Huchuy Qosqo hike is one of Peru’s most pretty and rewarding treks. This hike will take you by some of the country’s most amazing landscapes, sweeping mountain views, lakes, Sacred valley, and Inca Ruins.
• Ausangate trek: Ausangate trek offers superb alpine scenery, a challenging route, very few people, strong cultural components, and an amazing countryside that exceeds your expectations. For those who really love trekking and mountains, it is an epic hike.