Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a dream for travelers from all over the world. But many discover too late that permits sell out months in advance. At TrueAndes we have been organizing this trek for almost 30 years, and here we explain how it really works.
When Do Inca Trail Permits for 2027 Go on Sale?
Permits are released in early January, but not all on the same day. One month opens per day: first January, then March, and so on. February is closed, because the Inca Trail shuts down that month for maintenance.
Authorized agencies log into the system very early on the day each month opens. That same day we register our travelers, pay and lock in the spaces. That is why it is so important to have your booking with us before the sale opens.
Why Do Permits Sell Out So Fast?
The Inca Trail has a limit of 500 people per day, and that number also includes porters and guides. This rule from Peru’s Ministry of Culture and SERNANP protects the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu and the trail itself.
A single group can take about ten spaces between travelers, porters and guide, so the real number of spots for visitors is much smaller than it looks.
And it is not only high season. There are hikers all year round, even in the rainy season: right now, there are no spaces left for next month.
How Far in Advance Should You Book?
- High season (May to August): book up to a year in advance. It is the most popular time and the first to sell out.
- Rest of the year: we still recommend booking several months ahead.
At TrueAndes we start taking bookings from July, or earlier, for the following year. So when the sale opens, we already have every group’s information ready.
What Do We Need to Buy Your Permit?
- Your passport details, exactly as they appear on the document.
- The exact start date of your Inca Trail.
Important: once purchased, the permit cannot be changed to another date or name. That is why the booking cannot be undone, and the 50% deposit is non-refundable. From that moment we set the whole operation in motion: we hire the porters, who know months ahead when they will travel, and we prepare the equipment, food and logistics.
Huayna Picchu: Book It Together with Your Inca Trail
If you love hiking, we recommend adding the climb to Huayna Picchu. After more than 40 kilometers on the trail, you will see Machu Picchu from above, like from a VIP balcony: the whole sanctuary, the Andes, and even the path you walked to get there.
The climb takes about 45 minutes and is almost vertical. It is not recommended if you suffer from vertigo, and you should always go carefully. Spaces are limited too, so you must book it at the same time as the Inca Trail, not later.
What Weather to Expect
From May to August is the dry season: everything is green and rain is very unusual. On the trail you will climb to Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwañusca), at about 4,200 m, and then descend to Machu Picchu, at about 2,400 m. Machu Picchu is in a tropical zone and it can rain at any time of year, so always bring a rain poncho.
The TrueAndes Luxury Experience
You only carry your daypack with your personal items and water. We carry everything else. Our Luxury Inca Trail includes:
- A specialized therapist, with massages and stretching before and after each day.
- Nutritionist chefs who adapt to vegetarian, vegan or special diets.
- A health questionnaire before the trip to take care of every traveler.
- Lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge, right next to Machu Picchu.
- Return on the Vistadome Observatory train, with an open-air car, live show and snacks.
- Private transfer from Poroy station to your hotel in Cusco.
- 24/7 support, from the moment you land until you say goodbye.
Before your trip we keep you informed about everything: weather, possible strikes or any situation that could affect your journey. The day before the trek, your guide holds a briefing.
Who We Are
Our grandparents were already working in tourism when there were no universities or guidebooks, only knowledge passed down from generation to generation. Today I run operations and logistics, and my brother guides the groups in the field. Our guides are university-licensed professionals, and some are anthropologists.
Our porters come from Andean communities that we support with school supplies for their children. Many of our travelers have visited their families, joined in planting or harvesting potatoes, and shared a traditional meal with them.
We have served embassies and high-profile travelers, always with discretion and professional ethics. We do not look for quantity, we look for quality.
Book Your 2027 Inca Trail
Permits for 2027 open in January, and high season sells out first. Write to us today and we will secure your place before the sale opens.
Alexis Raime González, Manager of TrueAndes