The Inca Jungle trek is a popular and adventurous alternative route to reach Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca citadel located in the Peruvian Andes. This trek involves a combination of hiking, biking, and optional activities like ziplining and hot springs, making it a unique and exciting experience for adventurous travelers.
Choquequirao is an Incan archaeological site located in the Vilcabamba mountain range of Peru, near the city of Cusco. Often referred to as the “sister city” of Machu Picchu, Choquequirao is believed to have been built during the reign of the Inca emperor Pachacuti in the 15th century.
Official Permits for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
One of the most common inquiries we receive from hikers is whether a permit is required for trekking to Machu Picchu. When it comes to organizing your travel arrangements, obtaining permits to hike the Classic Inca Trail is not only important but also often overlooked despite its significance.
To preserve the natural and historical value of this iconic trail, the Peruvian government restricts access to only 500 individuals per day from KM 82, the starting point of the Classic Inca Trail. Out of these, approximately 300 are porters, guides, and other staff, leaving space for 200 trekkers to join the trail each day.
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Due to the immense popularity of this trek, permits must be obtained well in advance, sometimes several months before your trip. Typically, permits for Inca Trail reservations go on sale in October, one year before the upcoming trekking season. For instance, permits for the 2023 season were available in early October 2022, and you can expect permits for the 2024 season to go on sale in October 2023. It’s important to note that in previous years, permits for certain months like April and May sold out within a few days of their release. Additionally, permits for June, July, and August have sold out as early as mid-February. This underscores the critical need to plan and select your dates at least six to nine months in advance. Once you have decided on your preferred trekking dates (which will be discussed in the final section of this guide), your tour operator can assist you in securing the Inca Trail permits.
If you are traveling as a group, it is crucial that your entire group reserves permits together in a contiguous block. We have witnessed cases where groups or families failed to do so despite warnings, resulting in them being unable to hike the trail together. Even a small time difference can make a significant impact!
Please be aware that the permitting system is designed to prevent misuse. Travel companies and tour operators are not allowed to purchase Inca Trail permits in bulk for later resale. To obtain a permit, you will need to provide full names, dates of birth, passport details (including passport number, country of issue, date of issue, and expiration date), and the desired trekking dates. Once the permit application is submitted, it usually takes 24 to 72 hours to receive a response from the Peruvian permit authority (through the Peruvian Ministry of Culture). Therefore, it is advisable not to book flights or accommodations in Peru until you have received a successful confirmation. Additionally, a security deposit is required when initially booking the permit, which can be refunded if the permit is not secured for any reason. However, once the permit is successfully obtained and paid for, the deposit becomes non-refundable.
Another important point to note is that once a permit is secured, changing the travel dates is not permitted. If, for any reason, you are unable to embark on the trek as scheduled, you will forfeit your deposit, and the permit will go unused. Unfortunately, it is not possible to transfer your Inca Trail permit to another individual.
If you obtain a new passport after securing a permit, it is essential to inform your tour operator so that they can resubmit the updated identification information to the Peruvian permitting authority. It is crucial that the passport you bring to Peru matches the details on the permit; otherwise, you will not be allowed to commence your Inca Trail journey. If you have changed your passport, it is advisable to bring both the old and new passports with you to Peru. Multiple permit checks are conducted along the trail, and the authorities are thorough in their inspections.
