Overview
The Inca Trail network is capped at 500 spaces a day on each of routes 1, 2 and 3, and 250 a day on route 5 (Chachabamba), according to the Ministry of Culture’s Cusco office. The official note does not say whether guides and porters count within those numbers.
Missed the window? Book a guided visit with entry included
Licensed operators hold their own allocation of tickets. A guided visit is the realistic way in when the official release is gone — and you skip the queue.
Exact tour we link to:Hiking the Inca Trail & Sun Gate
This tour runs with at least 2 participants. Check the conditions on the booking page before you pay.
See guided visits & pricesBooking partner: Civitatis. Free cancellation on most tours.
You can’t buy a permit directly. Licensed operators secure them in your name using your passport, so choosing a good operator early is the whole game. For 2026 the sale opened on November 17, 2025, first for agencies; the 2027 date has not been announced.
At a glance
| Do you need a permit or reservation? | Trek permit (operator-only) |
|---|---|
| Cost | Check the price on the official site |
| How to get it | Pick your trek dates and contact an operator before the yearly sale opens. |
| When it opens | Hard to get · Yearly sale · 2027 date not published |
| All-inclusive alternative | Hiking the Inca Trail & Sun Gate |
| Official rules | machupicchu.gob.pe 2026 ticket sale: 500 spaces a day on routes 1–3 (Dirección Desconcentrada de Cultura Cusco) |
How the permit works
- 1Pick your trek dates and contact an operator before the yearly sale opens.
- 2Choose a licensed operator and send passport details to lock permits.
- 3Permits are issued in your name and are non-transferable.
- 4Travel with the same passport used to book.
- 5Check the official site for maintenance closures before you fix dates.
Required documents
- Passport (permit is tied to its number)
- Operator booking confirmation
- Travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking
Insider tips
- Settle on an operator before the yearly sale opens, so they can request your dates as soon as it does.
- If the classic route is full, ask operators about other treks, and check whether the one they offer is inside the Inca Trail quota or not.
- Acclimatize in Cusco for two days before you start walking.
Sold-out alternatives
If your dates are gone, these get you a comparable experience.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hike the Inca Trail without a guide?
No. Independent trekking isn’t allowed; you must go with a licensed operator and their permits.
How far ahead do permits sell out?
There is no official figure. What is on record: the 2026 sale opened on November 17, 2025, first for agencies, so book with your operator before the sale for your year opens.
Is the trail ever closed?
We could not confirm the closure calendar on the official pages. Ask your operator and check machupicchu.gob.pe before you fix dates.