Reasons to book the Inca Trail Now!

Ticket sales for the Inca Trail begin in October each year and are limited to 200 people per day. If you want to buy a ticket you should do so at least six months in advance, as tickets are sold out months in advance.

The Inca Trail is one of the best hikes in the world and is also an unforgettable experience. This trail combines and intermingles beautiful archaeological remains scattered along the length and breadth of the trail with breathtaking scenery and unparalleled flora and fauna, making this route one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world.

If you want to book the Inca Trail for the months of June and July, you should do so at least eight or nine months in advance, since this is the best season to do the trek and coincides with the festivities of the city of Cusco.

The Inca Trail, as well as the citadel of Machu Picchu and the other Inca archaeological remains are under the responsibility of the Peruvian National Institute of Culture or INC, who determines the maximum number of visitors per day. As we mentioned before, there are two hundred tickets available for sale in addition to the three hundred tickets for cooks, porters and other members of the team accompanying the traveler, which makes a total of 500 tickets per day. 

The point that connects the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu with the Inca Trail is known as the Sun Gate or 'Inti Punku' and the only way to enter Machu Picchu through this place is by the Inca Trail route. 

Imagine waking up one day in the middle of the mist-covered mountains of the Andes. The sun has just risen, revealing the silhouette of the peaks and projecting the first rays of light over the place. You can also see many wild birds and other species starting their day, just like you. No sounds of vehicles or pollution. Just you and the other travelers who have the same anxiety to explore and discover this beautiful route. Live this experience now and book as soon as possible your entrance to the Inca Trail.

AVAILABILITY OF THE INCA TRAIL 2022

As of May 2019, tickets for the Inca Trail are sold out until November, that is, more than six months in advance are required to make a reservation.

Cost of the Inca Trail

In order to explore the Inca Trail it is mandatory to hire a tour operator or agency, it is not allowed to do the tour on your own. The cost of the Inca Trail tour includes the entrance ticket, payment of the porters, the logistics of the entire route, tents and food. This cost varies depending on the level of luxury that the traveler desires, the type of agency and the extras that are contracted. It is usually between USD600 and USD 750.

ALTERNATIVES TO THE INCA TRAIL

If for various reasons you could not get a ticket available to do the Inca Trail, but you are eager to discover the Inca citadel through a hike or trekking you can opt for the following alternatives:

• Machu Picchu can be reached by the Salkantay snowy route (6,271 m.a.s.l.), it is a tour that normally lasts five days, ending in the town of Aguas Calientes. Many of the travelers who have already experienced this trek comment that the experience was even superior to what they expected with the Inca Trail.
• You can also reach Machu Picchu by the route of the Choquequirao complex, which was discovered approximately ten years ago. This tour has an average duration of nine to ten days, in which the Choquequirao citadel is explored and ends in the town of Aguas Calientes, and then climb to the Inca citadel.

Another alternative is to do the route from the Lares Valley to Machu Picchu, this tour has an average duration of four to five days. This route is not very well known and it is likely that there are few tour operators available.

Let's be responsible with the care of the Inca Trail

In mid-2017, the archaeological park of Machu Picchu was on the verge of being considered on UNESCO's list of endangered heritage. The main reason for this measure was due to the signs of deterioration that were beginning to be seen in the archaeological remains and the environment.

The deterioration of the Inca Trail and the citadel of Machu Picchu due to the increase of visitors generated new restrictions and regulations by the Peruvian government, with the intention of preserving this treasure for the rest of the world. Among other measures, the maximum time spent in the citadel was limited to four hours, nine different entrance hours were introduced, and the presence of a guide was made mandatory during the tour of the citadel.

Help us take care of this natural wonder so that other generations can have the pleasure of exploring its charms. In the area that comprises the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (within which is the Inca Trail) you can find up to 500 different species of orchids, many of them as small as a button while others are vines and can reach a height of 4 meters.