Inca trail permits: official availability

Buy your official Inca trail Machu Picchu permit. You have the option to look up for the availability of permits before you make your reservation. Simply choose the date you want to start your Inca trail to Machu Picchu visit. You have three options for the Inca Trail: a 1-day inca trail, 2-day inca trail and a 4-day inca trail. Your will receive authentic Inca trail permits issued by the Peruvian government upon making a reservation. You will also be given a briefing pre-trekking to answer all of your questions.

Types of Inca trail permits to Machu Picchu

• Inca trail to Machu Picchu 4D/3N
• Inca trail to Machu Picchu 2D/1N
• Inca trail to Machu Picchu in 1 day

Inca trail permit availability search

The Peruvian government restricts the number of visitors to the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. Therefore, the first step in planning your Inca trail trek to Machu Picchu is to check the availability of Inca trail permits in real time and make sure you can actually purchase your permit to enter the Inca trail and visit Machu Picchu on the date(s) you want. Our website offers real time Inca trail permit availability allowing you to purchase with confidence.

What is the Inca trail to Machu Picchu

National Geographic rates the Inca Trail as the top 5 hikes in the world. And, according to Time magazine, Peru's Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is perhaps the world's greatest hike because it combines the best of both types of travel. The classic 4-day Inca trail is a trek into the spectacular lost city of Machu Picchu that goes through snowcapped Andes Mountains and then the Amazon jungle; creating some of the world's most dramatic and beautiful scenery and terrain. Many experts believe that the Incas, the advanced South American civilization trekked this 27-mile trail five centuries ago as a holy pilgrimage that prepared visitors to enter the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu. After trekking the Inca Trail, you will also feel the same mystic experience. Machu Picchu tickets are included in all of our Inca Trail trek tours.

Inca trail packing list

The key to packing for the Inca tral is to pack for a variety of conditions while keeping the weight to a minimum. Easier said than done when you have to deal with the intense heat of the equatorial sun and the cold mountain nights spent camping on the Inca Trail. The best way to deal with these extremes is to dress using several layers rather than one thick jacket or pants. If you forget something, don't despair since most things can be bought in most Peruvian cities frequently visited by tourists including excellent and cheap alpaca clothing.
Suggested 4-day Inca trail packing list:

• Backpack (65 litres should be quite sufficient)
• Comfortable hiking shoes with good ankle support
• Sleeping bag (can be rented)
• 2 pairs long trousers (lightweight)
• 1 short-sleeved shirt
• 1 long-sleeved shirt
• 1 pair shorts
• Underwear and socks (thermal underwear is highly recommended, being light, warm and makes good nightwear on cold nights)
• Fleece jacket
• Rain jacket or poncho
• Hat or cap to protect from the sun
• Toiletries: soap, toothbrush, toothpaste & toilet paper etc.
• Sun cream, lip salve, sun glasses
• Flashlight
• Basic first aid kit (although your tour operator must bring one, you should bring your own)
• Insect repellent
• Plastic ziplock bag to protect your money + passport, etc)
• Camera + cell phone
• Water bottle or canteen
• Water purification tablets (Micropur tablets can be bought in Cusco and are very efficient)

Inca trail weather conditions month by month

Inca trail weather conditions vary depending on the month you will participate. Below is a list of month by month conditions so you can prepare ahead of time and know what to expect during your Inca trail trek to Machu Picchu.

January is wet and the first week of January is one of the most popular Inca trail weeks of the year despite the rain. This is because many people around the world have holiday vacations during this time. After the first week of January, demand eases up again to normal levels. Also, many people want to spend the new year in Machu Picchu.

February is the wettest month in the Andes. The Inca trail is closed through out the month of February for maintenance. However, Machu Picchu remains open the entire year.

March and April. The Inca trail re-opens in March, though it will still rain until early April, but do not let this stop you from participating in the Inca trail. It usually does not rain the entire day, there is usually plenty of sun for most of the trek.

May is one of the best months to trek the Inca trail. The weather is dry most of the month with occasional rain. It is also one of the best months because it is not during the peak months of June, July and August.

June, July, August are the most crowded because the Festival of the Sun (Inti Raymi) takes place in June attracting thousands of visitors from all around the world. Additionally, Peru's national vacation is at the end of July where Peruvians flock to Machu Picchu until the fist week of August. Additionally, the dryer conditions of August prove popular with vacationers.

September and October are also the best times to trek the Inca Trail because it is less crowded. However, because these months are at the end of the dry season, many of the green vegetation seen in the pictures will look very yellow. But these are still good months to trek the Inca trail and visit Machu Picchu.

November is the start of the rainy season. However, you still will might get some solid trekking conditions and avoid the summer crowds. And you do not need to secure your Inca trail permits so far in advance.

December is wet and yet it attracts crowds as many people from around the world take vacation during this month, specially the last week of December. Despite high accommodation and flight prices, the last week of December is the most visited. You must book your Inca trail permit far in advance.