Depending on the time of year you want to travel to Peru, permits for the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail Hike and the easy 1-Day Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu may, or may not, be available. The busiest time of year tends to be in the dry season from April to October. The Inca Trail is closed every year in Febuary for trail maintenance and to avoid hiking during the peak of the rainy season.

Tips to find permits to hike the 4 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

• Flexibility for your travel dates is key. There's minor flex in being able to shift your travel dates one or two dayes. But you'll increase your chances of getting permits if you can flex your travel dates by weeks if not months.
• If you're limited to a particular window of time, try to have first choice dates and second choice dates. 
• have your passport ready. If permits are available get them. Expired passports can be used to get the permit as long as you bring THAT passport with you to the trail. It's impossible for foreigners to get a permit without an expired or valid passport. Period. End of sentence. 

Inca Trail Permits.

Permits for both the 1-day Inca Trail and the 4-day Inca Trail are usually released in October each year for entry beginning March 1 through December 31 the following year. There is a 5-day Inca Trail hike which is nothing more than the Classic 4-day Inca Trail hike with an extra day added to sleep in a hotel 1 night and return to Machu Picchu on Day 5 for the guided tour. Everything I write about the 4-day Inca Trail also applies to the 5-day Inca Trail hike. (this is my personal preference when hiking to Machu Picchu. I like to rest before touring Machu Picchu citadel). 

It was interesting in June when permits were first released because none of us had any idea how quickly they would sell out. We have nightmare stories of our guides jostling for permits on opening day. There have been times when a guide would be texting dates to us here in the US, while standing at the counter. Meanwhile we're texting our groups to get approval for new dates. When the Inca Trail office opened in June 2021, we had several groups on standby waiting to buy flights and book hotels after we secured their permits. It went rather easy, which was good for us, but also not a good sign for the tourism industry in Peru.

Since June, we have been able to book Inca Trail hikes in August and September, with 3-4 weeks advance notice. Before covid, booking Inca Trail hikes last minute was unheard of. I've been saying all along, that current travel trends favor people who have the flexibility to travel last lminute. And this includes hikes in Peru. Tour guides, porters, cooks and wranglers are ready and available to work. 

If you have been following our blog, you might have seen information about Peru arrival protocols and updates about traveling in Peru. We are doing our best to provide accurate, up to date info about covid tests, masking requirements and other information that people need to know about traveling to Peru after covid. If you contact us by email, we have several resources to share. 

What is needed to book a last minute Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu?

• Exact dates to begin and end Inca Trail hike
• Let us know if you choose easy 1-day Inca Trail, strenuous 4-day Inca Trail or extended 5-day Inca Trail hike. (View Link to see all our Hikes)
• There is a "fast" 3-day Inca Trail hike for super fit hikers. This is the 4-day hike done in 3 days. The cost is the same whether it's 3 or 4 days.
• Valid passport for each hiker. Must not expire within 6 months of your arrival dates in Peru.
• Full non-refundable payment. (the cost is posted on webpage for each hike. When you send us an email we will provide exact cost. Groups may qualify for a discount)
• At least 5 days advance notice for the 1-day Inca Trail hike and 7 days advance notice for the 4 day Inca Trail hike (which also applies to the 5 day Inca Trail hike)

Here's what you need to know about booking Inca Trail hikes last minute:

• Because the 1-Day Inca Trail hike doesn't require porter service and handling food and camping gear, permits for the 1-day Inca Trail are usually always available
• Permits are first come, first serve.
• We need at least 5 business days advance notice to book this hike last minute. 
• You need a valid passport and full non-refundable payment to confirm your hike.
• Valid passports are required to obtain permits. Your passport should not expire within 6 months of your arrival dates in Peru. Anyone who is renewing their passport should check with the operator at the time you make your reservations. 
• Expired passports can be used to buy permits, as long as you are able to travel with both your old passport and your new passport. 
• Hikers must go through a licensed tour operator to check Inca Trail permit availability and make their reservations. 
• Permits cannot be cancelled, transferred, refunded or altered. This is the one time in your life where buying comprehensive travel insurance that covers all your ground expenses makes perfect sense. For your convenience, I am providing a link to SquareMouth Travel insurance for free online quote and real agents available to talk by phone. 
• This hike is open to all ages but everyone needs to understand that once they begin the hike, there is no turning back and their is no way to send a car or even a chopper for pickup.  Here's a link to read more about the 1-day Inca Trail hike. It's usually sold as a 2-day package trip to Machu Picchu. We can customize a true 1-day Inca Trail hike, beginning and ending in Cusco, on request. 
• Most of our hikes are private. There may be a few occasions where overlapping hikes or activities allow us to combine small groups.

Permits for the Classic 4-day Inca Trail Hike:

• We need at least 7 days advance notice to reserve this hike if permits are available. This gives us time to contact porters, cooks, drivers and tour guides.
• If you call or email with your dates and the number of people in your group, we can usually check availability on the same day.
• To make a reservation for a 4-day Inca Trail hike (or 5-day Inca Trail hike) we need valid passport and full non-refundable payment before we can buy your permits.
• Once we buy permits we cannot make any changes and they are non-refundable, nor can they be transferred to someone else. This is the year to buy full coverage travel insurance.
• Most hikes are private. The minimum number of people is 2 because the cost of setting up a hike for 1 person is expensive. (However it can be done)

If you have questions about Inca Trail hikes just ask. We have multi-day treks and day hikes all over the Cusco and Sacred Valley region. Not to mention various 2-day mini hiking adventures. If you can describe the interests, abilities and time contraints for your group, we can find a hike to fit!