How far in advance do I need to book the Inca Trail?
Usually, all adventure travelers ask this question. How long in advance do you need to book? – 6, 5 or 3 months or 1 year in advance?. The Inca Trail is the most popular hike to Machu Picchu and the most famous in the world. In 2021, the Ministry of Culture and Sernanp created new regulations and policies for this route, and all Inca Trail tour operator companies have to obey. Between October to November, all tour operators can book the Inca Trail for the next year (2022 & 2023).
Adventurers from all over the world have been put on alert, because the spaces available to enter Machu Picchu by the Inca Trail, will be put on sale in October, 3 months before 2023. The permits are sold out months before. Normally we recommend booking Inca Trail in advance, 8 months before. However, the availability is released months before, makes the people who want to reserve a space on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for any time in 2023, must reserve the permits as soon as possible.
The Inca trail reservations each day is limited to 500. However, keep in mind that this figure includes people who are part of the trekking support teams, which usually amounts to 300. This means that only 200 people end up entering Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail, every day.
RELATED: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE TO HIKE
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The 4-day Inca Trail trek reaches its highest point at 4125 masl (13,500 ft.), In the place known as the pass of the dead woman in the central mountain range of the Andes, then it will descend to 2,500 masl, in the Inca city of Machu Picchu. If there is something more spectacular than getting to Machu Picchu by train after touring the Sacred Valley of the Incas, it is to approach it by watching it from above. With a little luck, you will see how the fog dissipates to show you the Inca city of Machu Picchu, from the door of the sun. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the best trek in the world; while descending from the Andes to the Amazon jungle where Machu Picchu is located, you will see amazing Inca and pre – Inca constructions.
In case the 4 day Inca Trail is sold out, we recommend you the Short Inca Trail. this trail is part of the Classic Inca Trail and you will view the 3 Inca sites such as Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna, Intipata, and Machu Picchu.
How long before you have to book the Inca Trail reservations?
To secure a permit to enter the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you must book many months before. 8 months is the early booking time we recommend. The complete release is scheduled for October 5, 2021, and the main concern is that 80% of the Inca trail reservations are sold before Christmas.
Obtain the Inca Trail permits for the 2023, now, contact us now. The key weeks (from May to August) can be sold in just a few hours.
August 10th: Book the Inca Trail for January, March, April
August 12th: Book the Inca Trail for May, June, July, August
August 13th: Book the Inca Trail for September, October, November
August 14th: Book the Inca Trail for December
How long the Inca Trail was sold out for 2023? | |
Inca Trail Departure | Sold Out |
Inca Trail on January 2023 | December 2022 |
Inca Trail on March 2023 | January |
Inca Trail on April 2023 | January and February |
Inca Trail on May 2023 | January |
Inca Trail on June 2023 | February and March |
Inca Trail on July 2023 | March and April |
Inca Trail on August 2023 | June |
Inca Trail on September 2023 | July |
Inca Trail on October 2023 | July |
Inca Trail on November 2023 | August |
Inca Trail on December 2023 | August |
Inca Trail on Janauary 2024 | September |
Do you need to book Machu Picchu in advance?
Yes, it is very important to book in advance your Machu Picchu tickets. In 2022, there were no tickets available in June, July, and August. The Peruvian government increased the capacity of the Inca citadel to 4250 tickets including the mountains and Puente Inka tickets. But it was not enough. Many travellers could not visit Machu Picchu.
RELATED: HOW TO BOOK THE MACHU PICCHU TICKETS IN ADVANCE
How can I book the Inca Trail permits?
Best Time to Book the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
It should be noted that in the month of February, it is impossible to reserve the Inca Trail, given that the Ministry of Culture closes the road during this month, to maintain and improve the route.
The climate varies according to the months some with the presence of rains, sunny days, cloudy days, cold nights; then we detail the Inca Trail Climate per month:
- In the months of January and March the rains are persistent mostly at night, the days are cloudy but there are nice and sunny days if we have good luck. In the month of April, the rainy season ends little by little, and the days become warmer and more pleasant, with sporadic rains.
- Between May and October, the climate is warm and cool, with little rain, sunny days, and quite bright.
- The months of June, July, August, and September are undoubtedly the best months to complete the Inca Trail, during the day it is clear and you can clearly observe the landscapes, the days are fresher, however, the nights are cold in the high areas.
- During November and December, it is the time when the rainy season begins, the days are sunny, but at any moment it can rain, as well as, there are cloudy days without rain.
Now it is only your decision, to decide in which month to carry out the Inca Trail, and to enjoy your adventure, among the ancestral mountains, which were witnesses of the greatness of the Inca Empire.
The Best Alternatives to the Inca Trail
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
- Salkantay Trekto Machu Picchu 5 days
- 5 day Inca Trail hike
- Inca Quarry Trail4 Days
- Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
- 2 Day Inca Trail with Camping
- 3 Day Inca Trail
- Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu 9 days
If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your Vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.
When is the best time to hike to Inca Trail?
The best time to visit Machu Picchu tours, it is during the dry season, which covers the months April to the end of September. In October the rains begin and you can find Machu Picchu covered by clouds. If you travel in June, we recommend you to book the Inti Raymi 2023 Tour that takes place in June 24th, and also hike the Palcoyo Mountain Tour, which is an incredible Rainbow Mountain located in the Andes.
Interesting Info:
- Peru Hike & Amazon
- Manu Extreme Biodiversity
- Peru Rainforest Tour
- Peru Amazon and Lares Trek
- Inca Jungle trek to Machu Picchu
- Amazon Rainforest to Inca Trail
- Machu Picchu to Amazon
