Inca Trail · permit required
Classic Inca Trail
Hike the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with a local Cusco operator. Permit, Machu Picchu ticket, porters, meals and Vistadome return included.
Permit-based guided treks
Inca Trail Tours to Machu Picchu
The Inca Trail is the only way to reach Machu Picchu on foot through the Sun Gate, and permits are limited every day. We are a licensed tour operator based in Cusco. We check permit availability before payment and arrange it in your name after the payment stated in your quote. Choose the classic 4-day trek, the 1-day hike, or a slower or more private version. If your date is sold out, we tell you right away and offer the best alternative.
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Compare Inca Trail tours
Published starting prices are per adult. Private prices are per person for two travelers and get lower for larger groups.
| Tour | Duration | Difficulty | Group from | Private from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Inca Trail | 4 days | Challenging | US$ 789 | US$ 1,490 |
| Private Inca Trail | 4 days | Challenging | Private only | US$ 1,490 |
| Short Inca Trail | 2 days | Moderate | US$ 559 | US$ 799 |
| Private Short Inca Trail | 2 days | Moderate | Private only | US$ 799 |
| One Day Inca Trail | 1 day | Moderate-challenging | US$ 469 | US$ 690 |
| Inca Trail 5 Days | 5 days | Moderate | US$ 929 | US$ 1,690 |
| Sacred Valley & Inca Trail | 6 days | Challenging | US$ 1,090 | US$ 1,790 |
| Salkantay & Short Inca Trail | 5 days | Challenging | US$ 949 | US$ 1,390 |
| Lares & Short Inca Trail | 5 days | Moderate | US$ 849 | US$ 1,290 |
All prices are referential; your quote confirms availability, services and final price.
Inca Trail · permit required
Private Inca Trail
Hike the Classic Inca Trail as a private group: your own guide, chef and porters, at your pace. Permits and Machu Picchu ticket included.
Inca Trail · permit required
Short Inca Trail
Hike the last stretch of the Inca Trail, enter through the Sun Gate and sleep in Aguas Calientes. Permit, train, hotel and Machu Picchu ticket included.
Inca Trail · permit required
Private Short Inca Trail
A private 2-day Inca Trail with your own guide. Hike to the Sun Gate, sleep in Aguas Calientes and visit Machu Picchu at your pace.
Inca Trail · permit required
One Day Inca Trail
Hike from Km 104 to the Sun Gate and return to Cusco the same day. Permit, train, bus and guide included. A full-day route for fit hikers.
Inca Trail · permit required
Inca Trail 5 Days
The Classic Inca Trail over 5 days: shorter hiking days, quieter camps and a second Machu Picchu visit. Permits and tickets included.
Inca Trail · permit required
Sacred Valley & Inca Trail
Adjust to the altitude in the Sacred Valley, then hike the Classic Inca Trail. Hotels, permits, Machu Picchu and all entrance fees included.
Andean trek
Salkantay & Short Inca Trail
Combine the Salkantay Pass with the last section of the Inca Trail and enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. Permits and tickets included.
Andean trek
Lares & Short Inca Trail
Andean communities on the Lares Trek, then the Short Inca Trail to the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu. Permits, camping and tickets included.
Choose your route
Classic, Short or 1-day Inca Trail: what's the difference?
All three routes use the Inca Trail from Km 104 or Km 82 and require a permit. The right choice depends on how many days you have, whether you want camping and how much of the historic route you want to walk. The One Day option is especially long because it returns to Cusco the same evening.
| Route | Classic Inca Trail | Short Inca Trail | One Day Inca Trail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | Km 82 | Km 104 | Km 104 |
| Duration | About 40 km over 4 days | About 12 km, 6–7 hours hiking | About 18 hours door to door |
| Highest point | 4,215 m (Dead Woman's Pass) | 2,720 m (Wiñay Wayna) | Route reaches about 2,720 m |
| Overnight | 3 nights camping | 1 hotel night in Aguas Calientes | Returns to Cusco the same day |
| What you see | Several Inca sites, including Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñay Wayna | Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate | Km 104 section, Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate |
| Machu Picchu visit | Sun Gate arrival and guided citadel visit | Guided citadel visit the next morning | Extra ticket needed for a full guided citadel visit |
| Group price from | US$ 789 | US$ 559 | US$ 469 |
The Classic Inca Trail: the full route
The Classic Inca Trail is the original four-day trek, with high passes, cloud forest and archaeological sites that are reached on foot. On the final morning, hikers approach Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. Groups have a maximum of 10 hikers; the service includes a personal porter for 7 kg of gear, according to the tour details.
Prefer shorter walking stages? The Inca Trail 5 Days spreads the route over an extra day, with a hotel night and different daily pacing. If you arrive straight from the airport, the Sacred Valley & Inca Trail 6 Days builds in two nights in the valley before the trek; review its itinerary and arrival timing before choosing it.
Short Inca Trail: one day on the path
The Short Inca Trail walks the final section from Km 104 to Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate, then stays overnight in Aguas Calientes for the guided citadel visit the next morning. It suits travelers with fewer days who still want to arrive on foot. The route includes a steady climb on stone steps and is not a walk without effort.
The One Day Inca Trail uses the same section but skips the hotel night and returns to Cusco that evening. The complete day is about 18 hours. The permit and listed Machu Picchu entry are included; a separate ticket is needed for the additional guided citadel visit.
Private Inca Trail tours
A Private Inca Trail has a dedicated guide, cook and porter team for your group of 2–10 hikers, with the listed private transport and dining setup. This can suit families, couples or groups who want their own pace and rest stops. The Private Short Inca Trail offers a dedicated guide and transfers for the two-day route; an early train and hotel upgrades can be requested, subject to availability. Private prices are shown per person for two travelers, and your quote confirms the price for your group size.
Inca Trail sold out? Combine an Andean trek with the Short Inca Trail
The Short Inca Trail has a separate permit allocation, so it may still have space when the Classic route is full; availability must be checked for your date. The Salkantay & Short Inca Trail combines the 4,630 m Salkantay Pass and Humantay Lake with the final Inca Trail section. The Lares & Short Inca Trail combines Andean villages and hot springs with that same permitted finish. Both combinations still need a Short Inca Trail permit and do not operate in February.
If no Inca Trail permits suit your dates, compare the Salkantay Trek or Lares Trek, which do not need an Inca Trail permit, or browse the full range of Machu Picchu hikes.
Inca Trail permits 2026–2027: how and when to book
About 500 permits are issued per day, including guides, cooks and porters, so fewer are available to hikers. The route closes every February for maintenance. Permits are personal and are issued with your full name, passport number, nationality and age. Once issued, they are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another traveler or date; a renewed passport number may be updated according to the permit rules.
- May to August: request your dates 6–8 months ahead.
- April and September to November: about 4 months ahead.
- December, January and March: about 2 months ahead.
- February: the route is closed for maintenance.
Availability is checked before payment. After the payment stated in your quote, the permit is requested in your name and confirmed once issued; there is no waiting list for cancelled permits. Reduced permit prices may apply to hikers under 18 and eligible university students under 25 with a valid physical student ID. Read the full Inca Trail permits guide.
Which Inca Trail is right for you?
Which Inca Trail tour is right for you?
These are starting points. Tell us your dates and preferred pace for a more precise recommendation.
Want the full experience and are reasonably fitClassic Inca Trail, 4 days
Have little time, or are traveling with teensShort Inca Trail, 2 days
Prefer shorter hiking days and quieter campsInca Trail, 5 days
Are arriving straight from the airportSacred Valley & Inca Trail, 6 days
Want your own guide, chef and pacePrivate Inca Trail
Found no 4-day permits for your dateSalkantay or Lares + Short Inca Trail
Why book with us
Why book your Inca Trail with us
- Permits arranged in your name after the payment stated in your quote
- Local Cusco operator with experienced guides, chefs and porters
- Small groups: max 10 hikers on the Classic Inca Trail, with two guides for groups of 10
- Fairly paid, well-equipped porters, and a personal porter for 7 kg of your gear
- Support on WhatsApp before, during and after your trek
Planning guides
Read before choosing your route
Use these guides to understand tickets, altitude, timing and route options before sending your enquiry.
Frequently asked questions
Before you go
How hard is the Inca Trail?
The 4-day trek covers about 40 km and crosses Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 m. It requires good basic fitness, and allowing time in Cusco to acclimatize is recommended. See our Inca Trail difficulty guide.
Can I hike the Inca Trail without a tour?
No. The regulated trail requires a licensed operator, an official guide and an assigned permit.
What is the difference between the Classic and the Short Inca Trail?
The Classic starts at Km 82 and takes four days with three camping nights. The Short route starts at Km 104, has one hiking day and includes a hotel night before a guided Machu Picchu visit.
What if the Inca Trail is sold out?
We can check other dates or routes. Salkantay and Lares do not need the Inca Trail permit; the Short Inca Trail has a separate permit allocation, subject to availability. Review options and prices before deciding.
How far in advance should I book the Inca Trail?
For May–August, request permits 6–8 months ahead; for April and September–November, about 4 months; and for December, January and March, about 2 months. The trail is closed in February. Availability is not confirmed until the permit is secured.
Will I see the sunrise from the Sun Gate?
No. The Wiñay Wayna checkpoint opens at 5:30 am and groups typically reach the Sun Gate around 7:00 am, after sunrise. Be wary of any operator who promises a sunrise arrival.
What is the minimum age for the Inca Trail?
The minimum age on our Classic Inca Trail is 10. Reduced permit rates may apply to travelers under 18 and eligible university students under 25 with a valid physical student ID; check the current requirements when booking.
What happens if I get sick before the trek?
The permit cannot be refunded or moved to another date. If you cannot start, our team can help arrange travel to Machu Picchu by train using the ticket you already have; the additional transport is charged separately.
Talk to a local specialist
Plan your Inca Trail Tours to Machu Picchu
Tell our Cusco team your dates and travel style. We will check available services and send a clear quote.