Inca Trail 2025

Inca Trail permits are generally released in October for the following year. If you plan to do the Inca Trail in 2025, permits are usually available from October 2024. We recommend you to be attentive and contact us as soon as possible to secure your place in this trek, one of the most demanded in South America.

The availability of daily permits for the Inca Trail is 500 slots. Of these 500 slots, only between 180 and 200 are for the tourists, while the remaining 300 are slots that will be reserved for porters, chefs and tour guides. Given the limited number of spaces for hikers, it is essential that you reserve in advance to ensure your place on this historic Inca route.

We recommend that you reserve your permit at least 6 months in advance if you want to do your trek in high season (April - October), due to the fact that spaces sell out quickly. In low season (November - March), it is advisable to book at least 3 months in advance to secure your place.

No, you can not do the Inca Trail on your own. Since it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2014, the Inca Trail is subject to strict regulations. It is for this reason that, in order to do this trek, it is mandatory to book through an authorized tourism agency, which will manage the permits, guides, porters and comply with all the conservation and safety requirements of the trek.

In order to reserve a permit, you only need your valid passport with at least 6 months of validity before its expiration date. The information you must provide is:

• Name and last name
• Passport number
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Sex and gender

Remember that this information provided must coincide exactly with the information in your passport, as the permits are not transferable and are not refundable.

The Inca Trail is a very popular trek, and the permits sell out quickly, as it is considered “one of the treks you must do at least once in your life”. However, if permits are no longer available, we offer you other options that you cannot miss: • Short Inca Trail: A short version of the Classic Trail that will take you through archaeological sites such as Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna and culminating in Machu Picchu.

• Salkantay Trek: One of the most challenging Inca Trail routes in Peru, it takes you through high mountain snowy landscapes until you reach Machu Picchu.
• Lares Trek: A route that combines nature and culture, passing through traditional Andean communities.
• Inka Jungle: An option that mixes adventure, biking, trekking and rafting, ending in Machu Picchu.
• Choquequirao: A less crowded trek, but equally exciting, it is considered “Machu Picchu's sister”.

The Inca Trail is closed every year during the month of February for maintenance and conservation work. During this time, access is restricted to ensure the preservation of the trail. If you plan to visit Peru in February, we recommend other routes of the same spectacular trekking that will also take you to the citadel of Machu Picchu, such as the Salkantay Trek, the Lares Trek, or the Inka Jungle.

This is one of the questions that we are frequently asked and the answer is no. Once the Inca Trail permit reservation is made with the information provided, it is not possible to change the date or cancel the reservation.Inca Trail permits are non-refundable and do not allow modifications of any kind. Therefore, we recommend that you make sure of the dates before confirming the reservation.

The Inca Trail is considered one of the most popular routes in South America. In terms of difficulty it is categorized between Moderate to Challenging, obtaining a 4 on a scale of 5. It has this category due to the irregular terrain and the altitude where it develops. It should be noted that the Inca Trail route is not the most difficult in the city of Cusco (the most difficult is Salkantay) but it is not the easiest either.

To do the Inca Trail, you do not need to be an expert in trekking, but you should be in good physical condition. During the Inca Trail, you will walk through steep and uneven terrain, in addition to the altitude, which can be a bit challenging. To prepare yourself, it is recommendable to do previous treks in mountainous terrain, practice hiking and endurance and balance exercises, such as walking long distances and climbing stairs.

We recommend that you contact our sales staff to specify the type of disability and the level of support you need. For certain disabilities, such as visual or hearing impairments, we can adapt the tour with specialized guides to provide a safe and personalized experience. However, it is important that you consult with your doctor before joining the trek to ensure that it is a good option for you, considering the physical demands of the Inca Trail.

During the 4-day, 3-night Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you will travel approximately 26 miles (42 kilometers).

The food during the Inca Trail is buffet style, and our chefs are in charge of preparing dishes with fresh products to offer the best of Peruvian gastronomy. Throughout the trip, you will enjoy full breakfasts with options such as scrambled eggs, omelets, fruit salads, quinoa porridge and fresh juices. For lunch and dinner, you will taste dishes such as beef, chicken, fish, pasta salads, quinoa soups, and others accompanied by appetizers and desserts. Additionally, you will have afternoon tea with hot beverages such as chocolate, coffee and teas. Don't forget to specify your dietary preference when booking your Inca Trail permit with an agency (vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free).

Absolutely, it is worth it!The Classic Inca Trail allows you to walk the same routes that the ancient Incas traveled, reliving the history of one of the most powerful empires in South America. During the trek, you will pass by different archaeological sites, enjoy the flora and fauna of the Andes and learn more about the Inca's past at every step.

The Classic Inca Trail is a 4-day and 3-night trek, while the Short Inca Trail only lasts 2 days. During the Classic Inca Trail, you will visit several archaeological sites such as Patallacta, Runkuraqay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Intipata, Wiñaywayna, the Sun Gate (Intipunku) and Machu Picchu. In the short Inca Trail you will only visit the sites of Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu entering through the Sun Gate, this being a more compact route.

To avoid altitude sickness during the trek to Machu Picchu, it is recommended to arrive in Cusco 1 to 3 days before the trek so that your body can acclimatize to the altitude of the Andes. Avoid consuming alcohol and heavy meals before the trek to facilitate your adaptation. During the trek, it is essential to keep drinking water frequently and chewing coca leaves or drinking coca tea, which are traditional natural remedies. It is also advisable to walk at a moderate pace. If at any time during the tour you experience shortness of breath, tiredness or headache, let your guide know immediately.

The difference between these trails lies basically in the level of comfort and services offered. The Luxury Inca Trailis a way to reach Machu Picchu in style, meaning that during this trek you will enjoy high-quality equipment (personalized service, additional porters, delicious gourmet food, high-end tents). In addition, all the equipment used is top quality, providing greater comfort during the trek. On the other hand, the Classic Inca Trailoffers a more standard service, with basic comforts and without the additional luxuries that characterize the luxury experience.

We are TreXperience, a Cusco trekking specialist agency, committed to providing you with a high-quality experience every step of the way. We offer the best prices, first class equipment and delicious meals prepared by our expert chefs. In addition, you will enjoy the comfort of a personal porter who will carry part of your equipment, and at the end of your adventure, you will return in panoramic trains, such as the Vistadome or the 360°, to make your trip unforgettable from start to finish. With us, you can be sure that your reservation will be in the hands of experts dedicated to making your adventure a unique and responsible experience.

Of course it is! If you need equipment for your trip, you can rent it with us. We offer a variety of equipment for you to enjoy your trekking most comfortably:
- Sleeping bag: $25
- Inflatable mattress: $20
- Trekking poles: $20
You can reserve the equipment in advance to make sure everything is ready for the day of your adventure.
 

The agency with which you booked your Inca Trail permit will provide you with a Duffel, where you can pack a total of 7 kilos (15 pounds) of your travel items. This bag will be carried by a porter during the trek, allowing you to take only the essentials in your personal backpack, while the porter will carry the rest of your items (sleeping bag, trekking clothes, layers for cold weather, rain poncho, light footwear, personal hygiene items, etc.), ensuring that you enjoy the trek in greater comfort.

If you are ready to book your Inca Trail permits with us, follow these simple steps:
1. Visit our booking page and click on any of the BOOK NOW buttons.
2. Select the number of participants that will be joining the adventure.
3. Choose the start date of the tour.
4. Fill in the requested information, such as name, passport number, date of birth, nationality and gender. Be very careful when entering this information, as tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable in case of errors in names or passport numbers.
5. Wait for the final manual confirmation from our team.
With these steps, you will be ready to live an unforgettable experience on the short Inca Trail.