Tour Guide, Cusco, Peru
| 4 mins read
Inca trail availability 2023
Make your reservation in advance for the inca trail! Ensure your adventure to Machu Picchu!
The famous classic Inca trail hike to Machu Picchu 4D – 3N is one the most popular hike in Cusco – Perú and Sudamerica; it is a journey into the past.
Where you can understand about Inca civilization, culture, and society. Hiking through Andean Valleys, breathtaking Inca ruins, and cloud forest.
Finally, finish the journey in the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu, and, Only on this trek, after all, you can arrive at Machu Picchu by foot through the Sun Gate (inti punku).
Many hikers have complained about the Inca trail availability because they could not get on this hike. Because the Permits were sold out for the demand months, April, May, June, and July.
There is a maximum limit of 500 trekkers per day that’s included tour guides, professional cooks, and indigenous porters. Meaning that only 200 permits are allocated for tourists and about 300 for cooks, porters, and guides each day.
Why booking early the Inca trail?
Hike the Inca Trail is a bucket list-worthy event, but it involves a lot of advance planning. In order to hike this amazing trail, you must book through a licensed operator, like Cusco Andean Hike, to secure permits for your trek. Permits are extremely limited and sell out almost immediately. Here are some answers to the most common questions about this process.
What do I need to hike the Inca Trail?
You NEED a permit from the government in order to hike the Inca Trail for 4 days or 2 days.
How many permits does the government give out?
500 permits per day for the Inca Trail. EVERYONE needs a permit, including your crew, which means that only about 200 – 300 visitors will be able to start this hike every day.
Once I book a permit, can I change my start date?
No. The government does not allow us to change any dates for permits. If you need to change your date, you will need to purchase a new permit, and your new date is likely going to be sold out.
Shouldn’t I wait until October to book then?
Definitely not! If you know that you want to do this hike, booking soon will ensure you get a permit. The government is changing the rules all the time about when they will release permits, and you want all your details in our system so we are ready for the moment we are notified. Plus, booking now ensures you get our current prices for next year's trek.
Am I guaranteed to get my start date?
Unfortunately, no, but by booking with a trusted company, you are in the best hands to make this happen. For the last three years, we have been 98% successful in getting everyone’s first choice for a start date. But giving us a backup or two for possible starts does help us make sure that you get to do this hike. We will always work to get your top choice and notify you if this doesn’t happen (which will not be the case). If we weren’t successful at all, which has NEVER happened, we would refund your money entirely – 100%.
WHY SUCH HIGH DEMAND?
Travellers are not aware of the 500 permits/day limit on the Inca Trail. In addition, most travellers do not know that this limit applies not only to trekkers entering the trail each day but also to all support staff required – guides, cooks, and porters.
To preserve the integrity of this famous part of what the Inca called the Qhapaq Ñan, no hooved pack animals are allowed along the majority of the Inca Trail.
Therefore, have to rely on people (support staff) to help us carry camping gear, food, and sleeping and cooking supplies. Better known as ¨chaskis¨ in ancient times and well renowned for their lightning-running speed along the paths to relay messages across the vast expanse of the Inca Empire, support staff is vital to the operating of treks on the Inca Trail.
Due to such regulation, the permits required for any one group of trekkers require double if not triple the permits (of that of the number of trekkers) just for the support staff.
Now that you know the reason behind the Inca Trail´s high demand, you will perhaps feel a bigger need to book your permits sooner than later!