Inca Trail permits are already sold out for many dates in May and June! Permits for July and August just went on sale, but they always sell the fastest.
To get a permit for the Inca Trail, the national park service requires the hiker’s passport information and a non-refundable deposit. The permits are issued for a specific person on a specific date at a specific point on the Inca Trail. Once purchased, these permits are not transferable or changeable in any way.
There are a number of alternative treks in the Cusco area that are not as famous as the Inca Trail, but are in many ways much more interesting and beautiful.
The Quechua Villages and Inca Ruins Trek takes you through the rural countryside from Cusco to Ollantaytambo through the villages of Parpishu, Chilipahua, and Peroniyoc. You will not see other tourists on this trek, but you will have the opportunity to interact with the local people as well as magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. This trek is finished off with two days at Machu Picchu including tour and overnight in Aguas Calientes — either with a day hike on the Inca Trail through the Sun Gate or via the train.
If you are planning on hiking the Inca Trail this summer, contact us as soon as possible to reserve your preferred dates! We have some set departures available, if you want to join a group. These also require permits, but are more reasonably priced for the single traveler or two people traveling together.