When should you book your trip to Machu Picchu?

Before you start locking down dates, and picking out your best khaki outfits, let's look at the variables and the availability windows for the different reservations, tickets and permits required for a trip to Machu Picchu.

Size of your group. 2 or 3 people is much easier than 6 or more. No matter how big or small your group is, members want to sit together, explore together, sleep in the same hotels and have some flexibility to customize their choices for strenuous vs easy hikes or activities. 
The bottom line: no matter how many people are in your group, things like Machu Picchu tickets and Inca Trail permits should be locked in at least six months ahead. A group of 6 or more needs more lead time than 2 or 3, because everyone still wants the same hotels, the same trains, and a mix of hard and easy days. Smaller groups have more last-minute hotel options.

When do Machu Picchu tickets and Inca Trail hiking permits become available? 
This is why it's not possible to buy tickets and permits 2 or 3 years in advance. Inca Trail hiking permits are typically released in early November for hikes the following year through December. Remember. The Inca Trail is always closed the month of February to allow the trail to recover, which happens to coincide with the peak of the rainy season. (more or less) Permits for 4-day Inca Trail always sell out first. Permits for 2-day Inca Trail trips have more availability later in the game for small groups. Less for groups of 6+, and often selling out 2-3 months in advance for prime-time travel seasons.
Machu Picchu tickets are released in batches over the course of 8-9 days in January every year for entry through the end of December the same year.

The bottom line: it's ideal to plan your itinerary and make your reservation before these annual release dates. Although tour operators can never guarantee availability, buying tickets and permits when they're released is guaranteed to be the optimum time to find availability for your dates. (unless the Peru government changes availability later.)

Choose hike or train to Machu Picchu. Members of your group need to decide in advance. It's expensive to change plans later and if you decide you must change, you could be edged out of the second choice. We're happy to provide details galore to help you choose. Call us in our US office.
The bottom line. Inca Trail hiking permits are not transferable between 4 day hike and 1 day hike. The 4 day hike is hard. The 1 day hike is less hard and shorter. Or take the train.
That's why we created a 3-in-1 itinerary for groups. See our 9-day trip that let's each member of your group decided: 4-day trail / 1-day hike / train. The guided tour of Machu Picchu is always together. See our Short 2-Day Inca Trail with 1 day of hiking and one day to explore Machu Picchu up close. 

Hotels and transportation. Ffor groups of 2-4 there's more choices and more availability in more properties. Groups of 6 or more should book months in advance if they want to increase their choices for hotels, whether it's boutique properties or higher class. For last minute bookings, it's better to get the entry tickets and hiking permits first. Then we find hotels and buy all the train tickets, bus tickets and entry tickets for secondary archaeological sites.
The bottom line. The earlier you book the more choices you have. Even if you book late in the game, as long as Machu Picchu tickets are available, it's certain that hotels can be found.

Most crowded times of year in Machu Picchu. Avoid July 28 to August 15. Late June during Inti-Raymi (Sungod) Festival, Easter week, Christmas and New Years.
The bottom line. Go to Peru March, May, early June, early July, Sept to mid- December. Keep in mind crowds swell during US Thanksgiving and certain local holidays. 

Two seasons in Peru. Choose from wet or dry. Neither one is carved in stone. It rains during the dry season as we found out when the 4 Day Inca Trail was closed for 2 weeks in late August when a critical footbridge got washed out. The mountain climate is cool year round.
The bottom line. Wet season can begin late December and taper off in March or April (ish). Dry season means less rain, not "no rain." Visibility in higher elevations tends to be more clear during the dry season. If you must travel during the wet season, go early before the terrain is saturated. 

Pre-register for free while you make up your mind. This is win-win for everyone. We provide you with information and you end up with your dream trip where all members of your group have an enjoyable experience.