Inca Trail Permits: when and how to book

The Inca Trail permit is the very first thing that needs to be arranged when planning a trip to Machu Picchu via this route. Before looking for flights, before booking a hotel in Cusco, and before deciding what to pack in your backpack. Without a permit, there is no access to the trail, no matter how much has been spent getting to Peru or how far in advance you arrive in Aguas Calientes.

Why permits sell out so fast

The Peruvian government limits access to the Inca Trail to a total of 500 people per day. That number sounds generous until you understand how it is distributed: it includes guides, porters, cooks, and all support staff accompanying each group. The actual number of spots available for tourists is reduced to between 160 and 200 people per day. With that figure and the global demand for the Inca Trail, permits for the most popular months sell out within hours or days after sales open.

When sales open each year

Permits for the following year are released once a year between October and November, in accordance with the regulations of Peru’s Ministry of Culture. For 2026, sales opened on October 27, 2025, following a month-by-month schedule. Each year, the process is repeated around similar dates, although the Ministry may adjust the calendar, so it is best to stay informed through the agency you book with.

How far in advance to book depending on the season

Not every month of the year has the same level of demand. Permits for the most requested months sell out within the first hours after sales open. The less requested months may still have availability weeks or even months later.

For high season between May and October, especially May, June, and July, which are the most in-demand months of the year, booking should be made at least 6 months in advance. In peak months like May, permits can sell out the very same day sales open. Booking as soon as the system opens for the following year is the only way to secure your preferred date.

For low season between November and April, excluding February, which is closed for maintenance, booking 3 to 5 months in advance is usually enough. Demand is lower and there is more time margin, although it is still not wise to leave it to chance because availability can vary depending on the year.

Who can buy the permit and how

Since 2001, the Peruvian government has established that the Inca Trail can only be hiked with a tour operator authorized by SERNANP and the Ministry of Culture. It is not possible to buy the permit independently or do the hike without an official guide. Authorized agencies are the only ones allowed to purchase permits through the government system, and they manage the entire process on behalf of the traveler.

From the traveler’s side, the process is simple: contact the agency with your desired date, provide your passport information, and make a reservation payment. With that information, the agency purchases the permit through the official system as soon as spaces are released for the requested date.

What information is needed for the permit

The permit is personal and non-transferable. It is issued with the full name, passport number, sex, and date of birth of each traveler exactly as they appear on the document. Any discrepancy between the permit and the physical passport presented at the checkpoint at kilometer 82 will prevent entry to the trail, with no possibility of a refund or later correction.

That is why there are two things that should never be done once the permit has been issued: renewing the passport with a different number or changing the travel dates. The permit also cannot be transferred to another person or refunded under any circumstances. The agency has no room to modify an already issued permit because the system is centralized and directly controlled by the government.

It is best to have an alternative date

A practical recommendation, especially for those planning to travel in high-demand months, is to always have a second date available at the time of booking. The government system can become overloaded in the first minutes after spaces open for the most popular months, and permits for the first-choice date may sell out before the agency completes the purchase. With a backup date available, the agency can secure the permit immediately for the second option instead of losing out altogether.

The permit also applies to the Short Inca Trail

The 2-day Short Inca Trail that begins at kilometer 104 also requires an official permit. The booking process is the same as for the 4-day Classic Inca Trail and is also handled exclusively through authorized operators. The daily quota for the Short Inca Trail is 300 people in total, including support staff, leaving fewer than 200 actual spots for tourists.

What to do if permits are sold out

If your chosen date no longer has availability, not everything is lost. The Short Inca Trail usually has more open spots than the Classic Trail during the same months. Alternative routes such as the Salkantay Trek and the Lares Trek do not require limited permits and can be booked with much less advance notice. If your goal is to reach Machu Picchu on foot, there are real options that do not depend on this permit system.

Peru Sites manages your Inca Trail permit

At Peru Sites, we process your Inca Trail permit as soon as spaces open for the date you need, and we coordinate everything else in the same package: transportation from Cusco, official bilingual guide, camping equipment, meals during the trek, and entry to Machu Picchu. To secure your spot during the months of highest demand, we need your passport details and preferred date as far in advance as possible. Write to us today and we will confirm availability.