Everything You Need to Know About the Permit System

Only 500 people per day. Demand exceeds supply. Plan ahead or you’ll be left without a spot.

The Essentials in 60 Seconds

The Reality You Must Understand

The Inca Trail is one of the most regulated trekking routes in the world. The Peruvian government strictly limits access to protect archaeological heritage and the environment.

This means:

• You can’t “improvise” and buy a last-minute permit
• In high season, permits sell out months ahead
• Without a permit, there’s no way to enter the Inca Trail
• Permits are NOT sold at the starting point

The good news: If you plan ahead and book on time, getting a permit is not a problem.

How the Permit System Works

The 500 People Daily Limit

The Ministry of Culture of Peru established in 2001 a strict daily limit of 500 people who can enter the Inca Trail each day.

Approximate distribution of 500 permits:

Why only 200 tourists if the limit is 500?

Because each tourist needs support staff:

• Each group needs at least 1 guide
• Each tourist generates need for ~1.5 porters (to carry luggage, tents, food)
• Groups need cook(s)

So, for each tourist, there are approximately 1.5 staff people.

Why Does This Limit Exist?

The limit was implemented to:

1. Preserve archaeological heritage — The Inca Trail has 500+ year old archaeological sites that deteriorate with excessive traffic
2. Protect the environment — The cloud forest and puna ecosystem is fragile
3. Guarantee quality experience — Before the limit, there were days with 2,000+ people, congestion and bad conditions
4. Meet UNESCO standards — Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail are World Heritage Sites
5. Sustainable development — Balance tourism with long-term conservation

Personal and Non-Transferable Permits

Each permit is linked to a specific person with the following data:

What CANNOT Be Done Once Permit Is Issued

❌ Name CANNOT be changed — Permit is for that specific person

❌ Date CANNOT be changed — Permit is for that specific day

❌ CANNOT be transferred to another person — Not given, sold, or exchanged

❌ NO refund of permit — Ministry of Culture doesn’t return money

❌ CANNOT be used with another passport — If you renewed passport, number doesn’t match

That’s why it’s CRITICAL to provide correct data from the start.

Why Can I Only Buy Through an Agency?

The Official System

The Ministry of Culture of Peru DOES NOT sell permits directly to individual tourists. It only works with duly authorized and registered tourism agencies.

The official process:

TOURIST → AUTHORIZED AGENCY → MINISTRY OF CULTURE → PERMIT ISSUED

This does NOT exist: TOURIST → MINISTRY OF CULTURE (❌ Doesn’t work that way) TOURIST → GOVERNMENT WEBSITE (❌ Doesn’t exist) TOURIST → BUY AT KM 82 (❌ Not sold there)

Why Is It This Way?

Can I Do the Inca Trail Alone, Without a Group?

1. The Inca Trail is a regulated route where:

• Going with authorized agency is required
• Certified guide is required
• Independent access not allowed
• There’s no legal way to walk alone

This is different from other treks in Peru (like Salkantay or Lares) where you can go independently.

How to Verify an Agency is Legitimate

Authorized agencies are registered with:

• DIRCETUR (Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Cusco)
• Ministry of Culture (List of authorized operators)

Signs of legitimate agency:

• ✅ Physical office in Cusco you can visit
• ✅ RUC (tax identification number) verifiable
• ✅ Visible operator license
• ✅ Formal service contract
• ✅ Clear cancellation policies
• ✅ Verifiable reviews on TripAdvisor, Google, etc.

Warning signs (possible scam):

• ⚠️ Only WhatsApp contact, no office
• ⚠️ Prices too low to be real
• ⚠️ Can’t show licenses
• ⚠️ Ask for payment only in cash or cryptocurrencies
• ⚠️ Don’t give receipt or contract
• ⚠️ Promise “guaranteed permits” when sold out

How Far in Advance Should I Book?

This is the most important question. The answer depends on when you want to go.

Recommended Advance Booking Table

Dates That Sell Out First

These dates have extremely high demand. Book 5-6 months in advance or you won’t get a spot:

Real Example of How Permits Sell Out

Scenario: You want to go July 15, 2026

Moral: If you want to go in high season, book as soon as you decide. Not “when it’s closer”.

Are There Last-Minute Permits?

Sometimes there are last-minute cancellations. But:

• Not reliable — You can’t plan a trip assuming there will be cancellation
• It’s rare — Cancellations are few, demand is high
• High season: Practically impossible
• Low season: Possible but not guaranteed

Our recommendation: DO NOT plan your trip hoping to get last-minute permit. Book in advance.

What If My Date Is Sold Out?

If permits for your desired date are sold out, you have options:

Required Documents

To Book (You Send Us This)

How to Send Passport Data

Option 1: Photo with cell phone

• Clear photo, no reflections, well lit
• All data readable
• JPG or PNG format

Option 2: Scan

• PDF or image
• Legible resolution

What to include:

• Main page with photo and data
• We DON’T need all pages
• We DON’T need visa (unless you’re from country requiring visa for Peru)

CRITICAL: Data Must Match EXACTLY

Name on permit must be IDENTICAL to passport. Common errors that cause problems:

Tip: Copy data directly from passport. Don’t write from memory.

For Trek Day (What You Carry)

⚠️ WITHOUT ORIGINAL PASSPORT = NO ENTRY

This is absolute. Ministry of Culture personnel verify your identity at checkpoint (Km 82 or Km 104).

They DO NOT accept:

• Copy of passport (not printed nor digital)
• Photo of passport on cell phone
• ID card or identity card (except Peruvian citizens)
• Driver’s license
• Birth certificate
• Any document other than registered passport

If you forgot your passport at Cusco hotel:

• Trek starts at 4-5 AM
• There’s no time to go back for it
• You’ll lose the trek and permit
• No refund

SOLUTION: The night before, verify you have passport. Put it in your day backpack.

Special Passport Situations

“My passport expires soon / I’m going to renew it”

Recommendation: If you’re going to renew passport soon, wait to have new one before booking.

“I have dual nationality / two passports”

Choose ONE passport for booking and use THAT SAME one on trek day. Doesn’t matter which you choose, but must be consistent.

“I’m a Peruvian citizen”

You can use DNI or passport. What you use to book is what you must bring on trek day.

How the Process Works with Inca Trail Explorers

Step 1: Availability Inquiry

You contact us with:

• Preferred dates (ideal: 2-3 options)
• Number of people
• Chosen tour (4 days or 2 days)
• Segment (Explorer, Adventure, Summit)

We:

• Verify real-time availability with Ministry
• Confirm in less than 24 hours
• If your date is sold out, propose alternatives

Step 2: Booking and Passport Data

If there’s availability:

Important: Deposit secures your spot. Without deposit, we can’t block permits.

Step 3: Application and Permit Issuance

We do:

• Formal application to Ministry of Culture
• Payment of corresponding fees
• Follow-up until confirmation

Result:

• Ministry issues permits in each passenger’s name
• Each permit has unique number
• We send confirmation with permit numbers

Time: Generally 3-7 business days after deposit payment.

Step 4: Trek Day

At checkpoint (Km 82 or Km 104):

1. Ministry personnel have list of day’s permits
2. You present ORIGINAL passport
3. They verify your name and number match permit
4. If everything’s correct: ✅ ENTRY AUTHORIZED
5. If there’s discrepancy: ❌ ENTRY DENIED

Our guide: Carries group documentation and coordinates with checkpoint personnel.

How Much Does the Permit Cost?

Official Cost Breakdown (2026)

Note: Official prices may vary. Ministry adjusts them periodically.

What’s INCLUDED in Our Tours

When you book with Inca Trail Explorers, the tour price already includes:

• Inca Trail permit
• Machu Picchu entrance
• Entrances to all archaeological sites on route
• Management and procedures with Ministry

You DON’T pay permit separately. It’s all included.

What’s NOT Included (Optional)

These additional entrances have limited quota and extra cost:

These entrances are booked together with Inca Trail permit. If you want them, let us know when booking.

Permit Discounts

Student Discount

Important about ISIC card:

• Must be international ISIC card (your local university card doesn’t work)
• Must be valid on trek date
• Present it at checkpoint with passport
• If you don’t have it on trek day, pay the difference

Discount for Minors

Peruvian Citizens and Andean Community

Student Discount Does NOT Apply to Summit Segment

Due to Summit segment characteristics (minimum groups, VIP services), student discount is not available for this segment.

Frequently Asked Questions about Permits

Can I buy the permit directly from the Ministry of Culture?

No. The Ministry only sells permits to authorized tourism agencies. There’s no direct sale to individual tourists, neither in person nor online.

What happens if permits for my date are sold out?

You have several options:

1. Choose nearby alternative date
2. Consider the 2-day Inca Trail
3. Get on waiting list for cancellations
4. Choose an alternative trek (Salkantay, Lares, Choquequirao)
5. Change your travel dates if possible

Are there last-minute permits?

Sometimes there are cancellations, but it’s not reliable for planning. In high season it’s practically impossible to get last-minute permits. We don’t recommend traveling without confirmed reservation.

Does February have permits?

No. The Inca Trail is CLOSED all of February for annual maintenance. No permits available. This is non-negotiable.

Does the permit include Huayna Picchu?

No. The Inca Trail permit includes:

• Access to the complete Inca Trail
• One entrance to Machu Picchu

It does NOT include:

• Huayna Picchu ($75 USD extra)
• Machu Picchu Mountain ($75 USD extra)

If you want these additional mountains, you must book them together with the Inca Trail permit.

What happens if I wrote my name or passport number wrong?

Tip: Verify your data 3 times before confirming.

What happens if my flight is cancelled and I don’t arrive on time?

Unfortunately, if you don’t arrive at the starting point on time, you lose the permit and trek. The permit is for a specific date, cannot be postponed.

That’s why we recommend:

• Arrive in Cusco minimum 2-3 days before trek
• Don’t schedule flights same day as trek start
• Have travel insurance covering cancellations

Can I do only part of the Inca Trail?

No. The permit is for the complete route. You cannot:

• Start at an intermediate point
• Finish before Machu Picchu
• Skip sections

If you want a shorter version, the 2-day Inca Trail starts at Km 104 and is a different route (official and with its own permit).

What happens if I get sick during the trek and can’t continue?

If for health reasons you can’t continue:

• We help you evacuate to nearest point with access
• Permit was already used (your entry is registered at Km 82/104)
• No refund of permit by Ministry
• Your travel insurance may cover related expenses

Can I change my trek date after booking?

If you need to change date after permit is issued, technically you need a new permit (if available), and our cancellation policy applies to original booking.

How long before do they give me my permit number?

Generally 3-7 business days after completing deposit payment and sending all passport data correctly.

How do I know if my agency really has my permit reserved?

With us:

• You receive email confirmation with permit number
• You can request verification
• We have transparent policies
• Physical office in Cusco where you can verify

Warning signs with other agencies:

• Don’t give you permit number
• Tell you “you’ll see it on trek day”
• Don’t have written confirmation

Do children need permits?

Yes. Every person entering the Inca Trail needs a permit, regardless of age. Minors under 18 have reduced rate.

How Do I Check Availability?

Option 1: Contact Us Directly

It’s the fastest and most reliable way:

📧 Email: reservas@inca-trail.pe

📱 WhatsApp: +51 921 333 639

🌐 Web form: /reservar-camino-inca/

Response time: Less than 24 hours (usually 2-4 hours during business hours)

What We Need to Verify

Don’t Let Permits Sell Out

The Inca Trail has worldwide demand and only 200 tourists can enter each day.

The difference between getting a permit and being left out is simple: planning ahead.

Your Next Step