Inca Trail Permits: What You Need to Know
Quick stats: 500 permits/day · ~200 reserved for trekkers · booked only through a licensed operator · non-refundable, tied to your passport · trail closed every February
What to expect
Permits are the first thing that decides whether your Inca Trail trip happens on the dates you want — before flights, hotels, or anything else, check permit availability. You can’t buy a permit directly from the Peruvian government; a licensed tour operator purchases it on your behalf using your passport information, and once it’s booked it’s locked to that passport, with no date or name changes. Only 500 total permits are issued per day, and only about 200 of those go to trekkers themselves — the rest are reserved for the guides, porters, and cooks who support each group.
Facts & logistics
Only 500 total permits are issued per day, with about 200 going to trekkers — the rest are reserved for guides, porters, and cooks
Permits can’t be purchased directly; a licensed tour operator buys yours using your passport information, so expect to send a passport copy when you book
Permits are non-refundable and tied to your passport number — no date changes, no name changes
The trail closes entirely every February for maintenance and conservation, with no permits issued that month
Huayna Picchu requires a separate permit with its own daily cap that sells out even faster than the main trail — book both at once if you want to add it
How far ahead to book
Lead time depends heavily on season. If your first-choice date is sold out, most operators will ask for two or three backup dates — worth having those ready before you start booking, since flexibility is often the difference between getting a permit and not.
Peak (dry season), May–August: book 4–8 months ahead, sometimes up to a year for July or August
Shoulder season — April, September, October, November: 4–12 weeks ahead
Low season (rainy), December–March excluding February: a few weeks, sometimes just days — except around Christmas/New Year, which books up two months out
February: the trail is closed, no permits issued
If your dates are sold out
Salkantay Trek — no permit cap, runs year-round including February, with a higher pass (Salkantay Pass, ~15,190 ft) than Dead Woman’s Pass
Short Inca Trail (1–2 days) — enters at KM104, still finishes through the Sun Gate, with its own separate and often more available permit pool
Shift your dates into shoulder or low season, where availability opens up dramatically
FAQ
How far ahead should I book Inca Trail permits?
It depends on season — 4 to 8 months ahead for peak season (May–August), 4 to 12 weeks for shoulder season, and as little as a few weeks for low season. Have two or three backup dates ready in case your first choice is sold out.
Can I book Inca Trail permits myself?
No. Permits can only be purchased by a licensed tour operator on your behalf, using your passport information, and they’re non-refundable once booked.
Read the story: The Inca Trail: Four Days to Machu Picchu (journal)
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