The Inca Trail trek, South America’s most famous trek, is an unforgettable way to reach the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu. This hike will immerse all your senses in a Peruvian cultural experience like no other.
Looking to book the Classic Inca Trail for the upcoming season? Find out everything you need to know right here from how to hire a licensed guide to when to book your Inca Trail permits for 2023.
The Inca trail is one of the oldest pilgrimages in the world and one of the 10 most iconic hikes. The 4-day trek takes hikers past three Andean mountain passes, beautiful Inca ruins, and jaw-dropping views of Andean snow-capped summits.
You’ll also get the chance to see over 450 species of birds and 200 species of orchids along the trail, which culminates in a stunning sunrise over Machu Picchu.
The best time to hike the iconic Inca Trail is between April and September, Peru’s official dry season. The rainfall dips and the skies tend to be much clearer during this season, paving the way for pristine views along the trail and an unblemished jaunt through the ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu.
The downside? Permits for the Inca Trail are much harder to come by in the dry season.
The Inca Trail is closed in February for the annual maintenance and conservation efforts.
Permits for the Inca Trail tour sell out like hotcakes so if you’re planning on taking the 4-day excursion to Machu Picchu, make sure you plan your trip and book your permits as early as possible!
A general rule to follow is to book permits for the Inca Trail at least 6 to 8 months in advance.
The only way to buy your Inca Trail permit is through an authorized Inca Trail tour company. Each company has a booking form where you must fill out all the required information.
You must provide the agency with details from the passport you’ll be using on your journey to Peru. There are 2 checkpoints along the trail, one is at the beginning of Km 82 and the other is at the entrance to the Machu Picchu citadel.
If a new passport doesn’t match the document listed on the permit, you will not be allowed to start your trek!
If you’re renewing your passport, all you need to do is send a copy of your old passport and the new passport to the travel company so they can change it for you. Once the company has the requisite information, they’ll handle all the nitty gritty to secure your Inca Trail permits on your behalf.
The Inca Trail tour is a 4-day hike through ancient Inca ruins speckled along the path to Machu Picchu. You’ll be accompanied by a tour guide during the entire journey with everything from hiking to camping done under his/her watchful eyes.
Guides are authorized by the DIRECETUR (Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism). The most reliable and convenient way to hire a guide for the Inca Trail is to book the tour with a tourism agency like MACHU PICCHU EXCURSIONS.
As it can be a difficult and dangerous trek to do solo, you are required to hire a guide to accompany you to ensure your safe travels along the trail.
Since 2001, independent trekking on the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu without a registered tour guide is no longer allowed.
Each hiker on the trail must be accompanied by an official tour guide. Therefore, only registered tour companies – like MACHU PICCHU EXCURSIONS can purchase permits. You’ll need to go through a tour operator to buy one.
As of July 2017, the Peruvian government passed regulations making it mandatory to be accompanied by official guides on your tour of Machu Picchu to ensure the conservation of the ancient citadel.
If you book a tour through a tourism agency, you’ll also receive guided service within Machu Picchu.
While the duration of the Machu Picchu tour depends on which circuit out of the 4 circuits are chosen for your tour, the guided tour offered by MACHU PICCHU EXCURSIONS of the Inca city usually lasts 2 hours.
Circuit 3 includes a visit to the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inka, the Temple of the Condor and the agricultural terraces that cascade along the slopes of the mountain.
Book your Classic Inca Trail tour here, and consider your permits purchased and licensed tour guide hired for your next hiking trip to Machu Picchu!
