The permit system
Inca Trail permits and when to book
Capped daily numbers, passport-tied permits and a February closure — plan around them.
How the permits work
The classic Inca Trail runs on a strict daily permit cap of around 500 people — and crucially that figure includes the guides and porters, so the number of trekker spots is much smaller than it sounds. Permits are issued in your name, tied to your passport, non-transferable and non-refundable, and can only be secured through a licensed operator, not bought directly at the gate.
When they sell out
For the dry-season peak (roughly May to September) the classic trail permits sell out many months ahead — booking five or six months in advance is normal, and popular dates can go even earlier. Once a given day is full there is no waitlist and no last-minute release, so the only reliable strategy is to book early with your passport details ready.
The February closure
Every February the classic Inca Trail closes completely for maintenance and conservation. Machu Picchu itself stays open, reachable by train and day tour, and alternative treks like Salkantay keep running, but if your heart is set on the classic trail specifically, February is simply not an option — plan for another month.
Getting your details right
Because the permit is passport-linked, the name and passport number you give at booking must exactly match the document you'll travel on. If you renew your passport between booking and travelling, that needs handling in advance with your operator. These details feel fiddly, but a mismatch can mean being turned away at the checkpoint, so they genuinely matter.
Booking through an operator
Since only licensed operators can obtain permits, booking your trek is how you secure your permit — the two are inseparable. Reserve as early as you can for your target dates, have your passport information ready, and treat the permit as the fixed point everything else (flights, Cusco acclimatisation nights) is planned around, rather than the other way round.
Still deciding which route or which month?
Leave your email and your target month — we'll send you the permit-timing and route rundown for that specific window.