Inca Trail FAQS Machu Picchu, Frequently Asked Questions

Inca Trail FAQs

How to see the availability of the Inca Trail 2022?

To see the available spaces of the Inca Trail follow these steps:

Choose the type of Inca Trail route you want to do: Classic Inca Trail (4 days) or Short Inca Trail (2 days).

Choose the date (month and day) you want to do the Inca Trail.

Check the number of spaces available for the date you want: the ’30’ means that there are still thirty spaces available.

If there is still availability, click on the chosen date to start the reservation process.

Inca Trail Faqs - Machu Picchu — Inca Trail Faqs – Machu Picchu

How to book the tour to the Inca Trail?

Did you find Inca Trail availability for the date you want? Now you just have to make the reservation by following these 4 steps:

Complete the basic information of all visitors in the reservation form (names, age, email, nationality, document, document number).
Make the payment using one of the 4 available methods: Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club or PayPal.
Verify the payment receipt that you will receive in your email inbox.

Why book the Inca Trail 2022 – 2023 with Ticket Machu Picchu?

The Inca Trail 4 days is an All-Inclusive Service that offers all the comforts for a safe and well-organized adventure.

The tour includes transportation, entrance to the Inca Trail, to Machu Picchu, tour guide, camping equipment, porters, cooks, return by train, and more.

Classic Inca Trail Faqs - Machu Picchu — Classic Inca Trail Faqs – Machu Picchu

The tour also offers discounts for university students and children up to 11 years old.

What does a tour to the Inca Trail include?

The tour to the Classic Inca Trail (4 days) includes the following:
Entrance to the Inca Trail.
Transportation from Cusco to the starting point of the Inca Trail.
English tour guide service.
Porter service.
Professional Cook service (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners).
Professional Camping equipment (sleeping bag not included).
Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
- Return by bus to Aguas Calientes.
- Return by train to Ollantaytambo.
- Return by minivan to Cusco.
In addition, the tourist can request the following extra services:
Entrance to the Huayna Picchu mountain.
1 extra porter.
1 sleeping bag.
Vegetarian food option at no extra cost.
Inca Trail Discounts
The Inca Trail offers discounts for tourists who are university students as well as minors.
undergraduate studies and be under 25 years of age at the time of the trek. The discount applies only to students with a valid university card (No ISIC card).
Children (under 11 years old) also have access to a special discount. Parents must make the reservation by sending the passport or identity document of the child.

How long before booking the tour to the Inca Trail?

In order to find availability on the Inca Trail, it is necessary to make a reservation in advance.

The Classic Inca Trail (4 days) must be booked 4 months in advance or more. Especially during the high tourist season (from April to October).

The Short Inca Trail (2 days) must be reserved 2 or 3 weeks in advance. Especially, during the high tourist season.

What is the Short Inca Trail (2 days)?

The Short Inca Trail crosses a part of the Classic Inca Trail to reach Machu Picchu after 11 kilometers of walking.

This Inca Hike runs through the archaeological sites of Chachabamba and Wiñayhuayna. It then reaches the Intipunku and finally Machu Picchu.

This short version only takes about half a day to reach the Inca City. The visit to Machu Picchu is the next day after spending the night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.

This short route has a capacity for 250 tourists per day. The tour starts at kilometer 104 of the Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes railway.

Unlike the classic Inca Trail; this short version does not need to be booked months in advance. It is recommended to do it 2 or 3 weeks before.

What to do if there is no availability for the Inca Trail?

Unfortunately, if it is no longer available for a certain date, you can only search for spaces on a different date. It is recommended to make a reservation month in advance.

A good option is to choose the short Inca Trail. This adventure is ideal for people who don’t have enough time or couldn’t book the classic 4-day version.

There are other incredible treks that lead to Machu Picchu such as: the 5-day route through Salkantay, the 4-day tour through Lares and the incredible 5-day route Cusco – Choquequirao – Machu Picchu.

Classic Inca Trail FAQS about the availability of the Inca Trail

Does the Inca Trail remain closed in February?

Yes. Due to the constant rains, the maintenance staff does conservation work on the Inca Trail route. That’s why all February, you can’t make reservations.

Why is it so difficult to find Inca Trail availability?

The Inca Trail has a historical value that is preserved by the authorities of Peru. For this reason, only 500 people are allowed to enter a day (200 tourists and the rest are support staff). The goal is to maintain this tourist attraction for posterity.

Is there an official page to buy spaces for the Inca Trail?

No. Availability for the Inca Trail can only be obtained through an authorized tourism agency. The agencies also offer a complete tour that includes admission to the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and more.

Is it difficult to find availability for the Short Inca Trail?

No. The short version of the Inca Trail (2 days) allows entry to 250 tourists per day. Finding availability is not so difficult compared to the classic version (4 days). It is recommended to book online 2 or 3 weeks in advance.

Can I do the Inca Trail on my own?

No. The Ministry of Culture of Peru established that the Inca Trail can only be done through an authorized tourism agency. No tourist can enter the Inca Trail without the authorization of an agency.

Can children do the Inca Trail?

It depends. Children over 8 years old or who already have a satisfactory experience in similar treks, can do the Inca Trail. On the other hand, it is not recommended for children under 8 years of age who do not have previous similar Sullayky experiences.

Can older adults do the Inca Trail?

It depends. Older adults who are physically well preserved can do the Inca Trail. In the case of older adults with any recurring physical discomfort, they should consult their doctor.