Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: permits, when to book, the 4-day route and the short version

The classic Inca Trail is South America's most famous hike: around 42 km of original stone paths and stairways over mountain passes, through cloud forest and past a string of archaeological sites before reaching Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. But you can't do it independently or on a whim: access is regulated by limited daily permits that sell out months ahead. This guide explains how the system works and how to plan for it.

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How permits work

• Access to the Inca Trail network in the Machu Picchu Sanctuary is regulated by Peru's Ministry of Culture, with a limited daily quota of people that includes porters, cooks and guides, not just trekkers.
• Permits are only issued through licensed tour operators with an official guide. There are no independent permits to hike without an agency.
• Each permit is in your name with your passport number and can't be transferred or easily changed. Travel with the same passport you booked with.
• The Inca Trail permit includes Machu Picchu entry on arrival day. Climbing Huayna Picchu or another mountain usually needs an extra booking, subject to availability.

When to book

Permits for each year usually go on sale at the start of the year or late in the previous one. High-season dates (May to September, especially June to August) sell out fast, often 4–6 months ahead or more. In the rainy season (November to March) there's more availability but more mud and cloud.

• Fix your Inca Trail dates first and build the rest of the trip around them.
• Allow at least 2 days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before starting to acclimatise.
• Ask the agency to confirm the permit in your name once issued.

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The classic 4-day route

The classic route starts at Kilometre 82 (Piskacucho) on the Urubamba River, about 2–3 hours from Cusco by road. Broadly:

1. Day 1: a fairly gentle stretch along the river, with the Llactapata (Patallacta) site in view. First night camping.
2. Day 2: the hardest day. Climb to Warmiwañusca ("Dead Woman's Pass") at about 4,215 m, then a steep descent to camp.
3. Day 3: the longest and perhaps most beautiful day, with two more passes and the sites of Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñay Wayna.
4. Day 4: a pre-dawn start to reach Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) and see Machu Picchu from above; guided visit and bus down to Aguas Calientes.

• Machu Picchu circuits explained: which to choose (1, 2 or 3) and what you see
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The short Inca Trail (2 days)

If you can't get a classic permit or don't want to camp, there's the short Inca Trail: it starts at Kilometre 104, climbs to Wiñay Wayna and reaches the Sun Gate in about 6–7 hours of hiking; you sleep in a hotel in Aguas Calientes and visit Machu Picchu the next day. It also needs a permit and a licensed agency, but usually has a bit more availability.

• Short Inca Trail (2 days): the route from km 104, permits and what to expect

Difficulty and preparation

• It's demanding but doable for reasonably fit people: the hard parts are the altitude and the stairs, not technique.
• Train with long walks and stairs in the weeks before.
• Acclimatise first: don't start the day after arriving in Cusco.
• Porters carry the camping gear; you carry a daypack. Many agencies offer an extra porter for personal gear.

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What to pack

• Original passport (checked at control points).
• Broken-in hiking boots, poles (with rubber tips), warm layers and a waterproof jacket.
• A sleeping bag rated for sub-zero nights at high camps (can be rented).
• Sunscreen, insect repellent, head torch, personal first-aid kit and some cash for tips.

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Choosing an agency

The price includes permits, guide, porters, meals, camping and the return train; it varies with group size and service. Cheaper isn't always better: ask about porter welfare, group size, included equipment and the cancellation policy.

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Notice: This guide shares advice and recommendations based on research and local experience. Prices, opening hours and rules may change: always check with official sources and operators. Cusco Tips is not responsible for third-party services, bookings or decisions made using these guides; some links are affiliate links (see our affiliate policy).