Inca Trail Availability 2024 and 2025, Official Permits

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the most famous hiking route in Peru. This trail was built by the Incas themselves hundreds of years ago, so it is protected by the Peruvian State.

If you want to do this hike, you must check availability several months in advance. Below, you’ll find the current and updated availability for this famous hike leading to Machu Picchu.

Inca Trail Permits

Permits for the Inca Trail are important for anyone planning to trek along the ancient Inca Trail, a mountain path that connects the ancient capital of the Inca Empire with the sacred city of Machu Picchu. Your permit gives you access to this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site and allows you to explore its archaeological sites and monuments. Without it, you won’t be able to participate in this incredible journey to Machu Picchu.

Student Discount

Your student ID offers financial benefits when doing the Inca Trail hike. With a university ID, you are entitled to a discount. The discount only applies to students under 25 years old. This can vary from company to company, but it should be around $25! To get this discount, you must send the agency a copy of your student ID and bring the card with you on the trail. If you don’t bring your ID with you, at the checkpoint on the first day, you’ll be forced to pay the full price. ISIC cards are no longer valid for the discount. A valid ID must have an expiration date, a photo of the person, the full name, and the name of the university.

Cost of the Inca Trail Permit

We pay 292 Peruvian soles for a permit for our clients, and 50 soles for the porter permit. Only authorized Inca Trail tourism companies can purchase these permits.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Inca Trail

Is the Inca Trail open all year?

Both the 4-day Inca Trail and the 2-day short version are open every day of the year except for February. That month, the wettest of the year, maintenance and cleaning work is carried out on the route.

How many spaces are available on the Inca Trail?

Since the route is protected by the Peruvian State, only 500 people are allowed each day. Out of this number, 200 are tourists, and the rest are visitor support staff such as cooks, porters, guides, and more.
The 2-day Inca Trail offers 120 spots each day. Since this route is not as popular as the 4-day Inca Trail, it’s possible to get availability with just a few days’ notice.

How long do available spots last?

The two hundred available spots per day get booked far in advance. For this reason, it’s recommended to book a spot for the Inca Trail 6 months or even more ahead of time.
The 2-day Inca Trail, on the other hand, can be booked with two or three days’ notice. You might even be able to get a reservation on the same day.

What to do if there is no availability?

If you can’t find availability for the 4-day Inca Trail, the best option is to take other similar hiking routes, such as the 5-day Salkantay trek.
This hiking route is recognized as the second-best trekking route in Cusco, after the 4-day Inca Trail. The Salkantay trek can be booked 2 or 3 weeks in advance without any problems. The route is a bit more challenging than the Inca Trail.

Other good options are the 4-day Lares trek, the 3-day Huchuy Qosqo trek, or the 4-day Inca Jungle tour.

Is there an age limit?

No, anyone can do the Inca Trail, both the 4-day and 2-day versions. However, neither adventure is recommended for children under 8 years old and adults over 65.

Is the Inca Trail availability shown here the same as on other websites?

Yes. The Inca Trail availability shown here is the same as on other websites. This is the official availability calendar.

Can I find availability for the Inca Trail once I’m in Cusco?

No. The 4-day Inca Trail cannot be purchased in Cusco. However, the 2-day Inca Trail can be purchased once in Cusco, with just a few days’ notice.

Can I only book the Inca Trail online?

Yes. The 4-day Inca Trail, due to the high demand for spots, can only be booked online. The 2-day Inca Trail, on the other hand, can be purchased in person.

Can I get availability for the 4-day Inca Trail for 2025?

Yes. The purchase of the 4-day Inca Trail will be available for 2025. You can make your reservation starting in late 2024.

Why is it so hard to find availability for the 4-day Inca Trail?

This route is considered the best in Cusco. Tourists from all over the world make reservations far in advance. That’s the only way to find availability for the Inca Trail.

What is the high tourism season in Cusco? Why is it harder to find availability for the Inca Trail at that time?

The high tourism season is the time of year when the most visitors come to Cusco. It starts in May and ends in September. During those months, more tourists hike the Inca Trail. To secure a spot for that time, you need to make your reservation 6 or 7 months ahead.

And when is the low season? Can I find availability for those days more easily?

The low tourism season is the time of year when fewer visitors come to Cusco. It starts in October and ends in April. During those months, there are more chances to find availability for the Inca Trail. Reservations should be made 4 or 5 months ahead.

Contact With Machu Picchu Peru Travel