Table of Contents (11 Sections)
- 1 2027 Inca Trail permits are on sale
- 2 Inca Trail permits at a glance
- 3 How the permit system works
- 4 Official fees in 2026
- 5 Which treks need an Inca Trail permit?
- 6 When should you book for 2027?
- 7 What we need from you to book
- 8 Rules on the trail
- 9 What if permits are sold out for your dates?
- 10 Before you go
- 11 Frequently asked questions
You can only hike the Inca Trail with a permit issued for one date, one route and one person, in your name and passport number. Permits are limited, only travel agencies registered with the Ministry of Culture in Cusco can buy them, and since September 2026 they must be paid in full when they are issued: there are no more reservations. This guide explains the rules for the 2027 season and how we book your permit. Updated November 2026.
2027 Inca Trail permits are on sale#
We are already booking Inca Trail permits for 2027. Send us your start date and group size and we check availability, or see the spaces left for each date in our live availability calendar. For the 2026 season, sales opened on 17 November 2025.
The old system, in which agencies reserved permits from October to December and paid for them in January, was abolished in September 2026. Now a permit exists only once it is paid, so dates are taken by whoever pays first. If you already know your dates, send them to us now: we will book your permit as soon as sales open, once your booking is confirmed.
Inca Trail permits at a glance#
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Who sells them | Peru’s Ministry of Culture, only to travel agencies registered with its office in Cusco |
| Payment | In full when the permit is issued; no reservations |
| Daily limit | 500 people from Km 82 and 250 from Km 104, including guides, porters and cooks |
| Linked to | Your name, passport number, start date and route |
| Changes and refunds | No change of date or refund, except documented force majeure |
| Official fee (2026) | S/ 292 from Km 82, S/ 222 from Km 104 (adults) |
| Machu Picchu entry | Inca Trail hikers enter on route 3-B; included in our tours |
| Closed | Every February |
Rules from the regulation of the Inca road network of Machu Picchu as amended by Ministerial Resolution 000333-2026-MC (11 September 2026), and capacity from Ministerial Resolution 294-2025-MC.
How the permit system works#
- Agencies only. Independent hikers are not allowed on the Inca Trail. Only agencies registered with the Ministry of Culture in Cusco can buy permits, on its TuBoleto platform, with the full list of names, and every group must go with an authorized operator and guide.
- Paid at once. The permit is issued only with full payment at the same moment.
- One date, one route, one person. It is valid only for the date, route and holder written on it. It cannot be refunded or moved to another date, except in documented cases of force majeure.
- Limited places. Up to 500 people a day can start from Km 82, and 250 from Km 104, and those numbers include guides, porters and cooks, so the places for travellers are far fewer.
- Your passport. The original passport is needed both to buy the permit and to enter the trail.
- Machu Picchu. Hikers who arrive on the Inca Trail enter the citadel on route 3-B, through places paid in advance by the agency.
- February. The trail closes every February for maintenance.
Official fees in 2026#
| Route | Adult | Student | Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Km 82 (Classic Inca Trail, 4 or 5 days) | S/ 292 | S/ 147 | S/ 135 |
| From Km 104 (Short Inca Trail, 1 or 2 days) | S/ 222 | S/ 112 | S/ 105 |
Fees in Peruvian soles from the Ministry of Culture’s tariff (Ministerial Resolution 000451-2024-MC), in force in 2026, the same for Peruvians and foreigners. S/ 292 is about USD 85. The fee is included in the price of all our Inca Trail tours; see what else the price covers in our Inca Trail cost guide.
Which treks need an Inca Trail permit?#
Every route that walks the Inca Trail needs a permit. All our Inca Trail tours include it, with the Machu Picchu entrance:
- Classic Inca Trail 4 Days, from Km 82: USD 890
- 5-Day Inca Trail, the same trail at a slower pace: USD 1,230
- Private Inca Trail 4 Days: from USD 1,250 per person
- Short Inca Trail 2 Days with Hotel, from Km 104: USD 580
- Short Inca Trail with Camping: USD 690
- 1-Day Inca Trail: USD 530
- Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek 7 Days: USD 1,450
- Cusco Inca Trail Experience 7 Days: USD 1,250
When should you book for 2027?#
| Travel dates | When to book |
|---|---|
| May to August | 6 to 8 months ahead, or as soon as sales open. June to August usually sell out first. |
| September and October | 4 to 6 months ahead |
| November to January, and March | 2 to 4 months ahead (rainy season) |
| February | Trail closed |
What we need from you to book#
| Information | Notes |
|---|---|
| Full name | Exactly as it appears in your passport |
| Passport number | The permit is issued with it |
| Nationality and date of birth | Required for the permit |
| Student card | Only if you book the student rate |
| Email or WhatsApp | Of the lead traveller |
| Start date and route | For example, the Classic Inca Trail from Km 82 |
Check the name and passport number carefully before you send them: the permit is valid only for its holder. Bring the same passport on the trek, because it is checked at the start of the trail and at Machu Picchu.
Rules on the trail#
- Groups have at most 16 travellers, with two guides when there are more than eight.
- There is no minimum age, but children must be listed on the permit.
- Not allowed: alcohol, glass, music players and musical instruments, drones, pets, and walking poles with metal tips that have no rubber protector.
- No walking on the trail between 6:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
- Porters may carry no more than 20 kg (men) or 15 kg (women), by law.
For what to pack and how to get fit, read our guide to preparing for the Inca Trail.
What if permits are sold out for your dates?#
First try a few days earlier or later: availability changes from one date to the next. If the Inca Trail is full, these treks also end at Machu Picchu and do not need an Inca Trail permit:
- Salkantay Trek: high mountain scenery and Humantay Lake.
- Lares Trek: Andean villages and hot springs.
- Inca Jungle Trek: biking, rafting and a zipline on the way.
Before you go#
- Plan two days in Cusco before the trek to get used to the altitude. Read about altitude sickness in Cusco.
- Get travel insurance that covers medical care and trip cancellation: permits are not refunded.
- For Machu Picchu entry rules, read our guide to Machu Picchu tickets.
Frequently asked questions#
Can I buy an Inca Trail permit myself?
No. Only travel agencies registered with the Ministry of Culture in Cusco can buy permits, and independent hikers are not allowed on the trail.
Can I change the name or the date on my permit?
No. The permit is valid only for its date, route and holder, and it is not refunded or rescheduled except in documented cases of force majeure.
How much does the permit cost?
In 2026, S/ 292 per adult from Km 82 and S/ 222 from Km 104, with lower fees for students and children. It is included in our tour prices.
Do I need a permit for the Short Inca Trail?
Yes. The route from Km 104, in one or two days, has its own permit, limited to 250 people a day including staff.
Written by Joel Cárdenas Gonzales
Founder & CEOFounder and CEO of Southern Peru Explorers since 2009. Born in Cusco and trained as an official tour guide at Instituto Khipu. About the author
