Limited Inca Trail 2027 permits. Check availability →
+51 984 496 050
Southern Peru Explorers
Southern Peru Explorers group and porters at the Km 82 sign, start of the Classic Inca Trail
2027 Early Bird Bookings Open

Inca Trail Tours to Machu Picchu

Hike the Classic or Short Inca Trail with our local team from Cusco and reach Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).
Inca Trail permits are limited and sell out months ahead. Book early to secure your 2027 date.
  • Expert guides with oxygen; satellite phone & private toilets on remote treks
  • Prime campsites + sunrise arrival at Intipunku
  • Fresh buffet meals prepared by wilderness chefs
See Inca Trail Tours Inquire on WhatsApp

None of these fits your plans?

We can adapt an itinerary to your dates

Tell us your travel dates, how many people are coming and what you want to see. We will suggest how to adapt one of our treks or packages and reply within 24 hours.

Plan it on WhatsApp Send us your dates

Live availability

Inca Trail Permits 2027

Every Inca Trail hike needs an official permit, and the number of permits per day is fixed by law. See how many spaces are left for each start date and pick yours. 2027 permits are not on sale yet: tell us your dates and we will let you know when sales open.

Ask about 2027 dates Inca Trail permits guide →
Machu Picchu tickets and walk-in availability →

October 2026

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 28Full
  • 50+ spaces
  • 10–49
  • Last 1–9
  • Sold out

Choose a date to see the spaces left and book it with us.

  • January – September 2027: not on sale yet Peru's Ministry of Culture has not opened these dates. Tell us your date and we will let you know when sales open. Tell me when it opens
  • February 2027: closed · The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance.

Updated from Peru's official ticket system. Spaces change constantly; we confirm them before you pay.

  • Limited daily permits

    The Ministry of Culture caps the Classic Inca Trail at 500 people per day, including guides, cooks and porters.

  • Only through licensed operators

    Permits cannot be bought individually: a licensed Inca Trail operator must book them for you.

  • Issued with your passport

    Each permit carries the hiker’s name and passport number and cannot be transferred to another person.

  • Closed every February

    The trail closes each February for maintenance. Dry-season dates (May to September) usually sell out first.

Plaza de Armas y centro histórico de Cusco, Perú
Aguas turquesas de Laguna en los Andes peruanos
Excursionista de Southern Peru Explorers contemplando Machu Picchu al amanecer
100% Certified Guides Inca Trail Specialists
Southern Peru Explorers

A Local Tour Operator Based in Cusco

At Southern Peru Explorers, traveling is more than just going somewhere. It is about making your travels memorable and unique. At Southern Peru Explorers, we give you a chance to make your trips unique through the expert services of our local tour guides. We care about safety and the environment and we always ensure that each and every one of our adventures is authentic and fulfilling.

Safety & High Standards

Certified mountain equipment and emergency first-aid protocols.

Environmental Care

Leave No Trace principles. Porters carry no more than 20 kg and have full equipment, fair pay and insurance.

Expert Local Guides

Native bilingual storytellers with deep Andean roots.

Memorable Adventures

Intimate group expeditions crafted for lifetime memories.
Meet Our Team Ask Our Guides

Our people

Meet the Team Behind Your Trek

Southern Peru Explorers is run from Cusco by its founder, Joel Cárdenas Gonzales, together with the local guides, cooks and porters who walk the trail with you. These are our own photos from the Inca Trail.

Joel Cárdenas Gonzales, Founder & CEO of Southern Peru Explorers

Joel Cárdenas Gonzales

Founder & CEO

  • Born in Cusco, Peru
  • Founded Southern Peru Explorers in 2009
  • Trained as an official tour guide at Instituto Khipu
Read Joel's story →
Southern Peru Explorers porters and cooks lined up to welcome trekkers on the Inca Trail
Porters and cooks
Southern Peru Explorers guide briefing a group of hikers on the Inca Trail
Guide briefing on the trail
Southern Peru Explorers trekking team holding the company banner
Our trekking team
Southern Peru Explorers guide pointing out the route to hikers on the Inca Trail
Local guides on every trek
More about us →
Socially conscious travel

Who Benefits From Your Trip

Tourism is one of the main sources of work in Cusco. As a company from Cusco, we want the money you spend to reach the people who make each trip possible.

How we work with local communities
  • 1

    Work for people from the region

    Our guides, cooks, porters, horsemen and drivers are from the Cusco region, and we buy food and services from local businesses whenever we can.

  • 2

    Fair conditions for porters

    Each porter carries no more than 20 kg, with full equipment, fair pay and insurance.

  • 3

    Respectful visits to Andean communities

    On the Lares Trek you walk past farming communities, and on the Inca Jungle Trek you have dinner with a local family in Pispitayoc.

Treks & Tours

Choose Your Trek to Machu Picchu

Find your ideal travel style: from ancestral hiking routes and multi-sport adventures to comprehensive cultural packages and Amazon expeditions.
View full catalog

Popular Searches

What travelers look for most before booking their trek to Machu Picchu.

Traveler Reviews

What Travelers Say About Our Treks

Read independent reviews from travelers who explored Peru with our local team.
4.9 out of 5 on TripAdvisor 256 reviews · Read the latest ones 4.6 out of 5 on Google 18 reviews · Read the latest ones
Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know Before Traveling to Peru

Find quick and verified answers about permits, acclimatization, packing, and trek planning from our licensed guides.
1How far in advance should I book the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu tours?
For the Classic Inca Trail (4D/3N and 2D/1N), we strongly recommend reserving 4 to 6 months in advance, as Peruvian government regulations strictly cap permits to 500 per day (including guides, porters, and cooks). For alternative treks like Salkantay, Inca Jungle, or day tours, booking 3 to 4 weeks prior is usually sufficient, though peak season (May through September) fills up quickly.
2How do I prevent and manage altitude sickness (soroche) in Cusco?
Cusco sits at 3,400 meters (11,150 ft) above sea level. We recommend arriving in Cusco at least 2 full days before starting any strenuous trek. Stay well hydrated, avoid heavy alcohol and greasy foods on your first day, drink traditional coca leaf or muña tea, and rest. All our mountain guides carry emergency medical oxygen tanks and first-aid kits on every trek.
3What is the best time of year to visit Cusco and trek in the Andes?
The dry season runs from April through October, offering clear blue skies, sunny daytime temperatures (18°C to 22°C), and optimal trail conditions. The rainy season spans from November through March, with warmer days and lush green landscapes. Note that the Inca Trail is closed every year during the entire month of February for environmental maintenance and conservation.
4What passport documents are required to enter Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail?
You must travel with the exact physical passport used at the time of booking. It must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel date. If you renew your passport between booking and traveling, you must bring both your old and new physical passports to validate your government-issued permits at checkpoints.
5Are transfers and airport pickups included in the tour packages?
Yes. All our multi-day packages and multi-day treks include door-to-door private transfers from Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (CUZ) in Cusco or your designated hotel in Cusco and the Sacred Valley to the starting trailheads and back upon conclusion.
6What level of physical fitness is required for trekking expeditions?
Most multi-day treks (such as Salkantay or Classic Inca Trail) involve 5 to 7 hours of daily hiking across uneven mountain terrain with steep ascents and descents. Moderate cardiovascular fitness, prior hill walking, and aerobic training will ensure an enjoyable experience. For non-hikers, we offer panoramic train tours directly to Machu Picchu.
7Can you accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or special dietary needs?
Yes. Vegetarian meals are always available. For vegan or gluten-free meals, tell us when you book so our cooks can prepare them. There is no extra charge.
8What essential gear and clothing should I pack for trekking in Peru?
We recommend dressing in breathable layers: moisture-wicking base layers, a warm fleece or down jacket for cold Andean nights, a waterproof and windproof outer shell, broken-in trekking boots with ankle support, a 25-30L daypack, UV sunglasses, sunhat, trekking poles with rubber tips, and personal toiletries.
9Can solo travelers join your small group departures?
Yes, solo travelers are welcome on our group departures. You share a tent with another traveler of the same gender, or you can book a single tent for about USD 80.
10What is your cancellation, rescheduling, and refund policy?
Inca Trail permits and Machu Picchu entrance tickets are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another person. For the rest of your trip: if you cancel more than 30 days before departure we refund 90%; between 15 and 30 days before, 50%; less than 15 days before departure there is no refund.

Have a specific question about your trip?

Our local expedition specialists in Cusco are online 24/7 to assist you.
Chat with an Expert
TRAVEL GUIDES & INSIGHTS

Stories, Guides & Tips from the Andes

Expert advice from our licensed local guides on trek preparation, Inca history, culture, and travel planning in Peru.
View all blog posts