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Inca Trail Permits 2023

Inca Trail Permits 2023 for the Inca Hike are very limited (500 spaces only, travelers with staff), and they are sold out very easily, happily, we provide updated spaces availability and permits for the Inca Trail 2023 & 2023; if you want to do this amazing Inca Trails we invite you to contact us in our contact page.

Inca Trail Oficial Permits 2023

In this Inca Trail Permits 2023 guide, you will find everything you need to know about Inca Trail permits 2023. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu hardly needs any introduction. One of the most known routes worldwide that is within the Sacred Valley, both the option of 2 Day Short Inca Trail or the 4 Day Classic Inca Trail, over trails built by ancient civilizations, through huge mountain passes and lush cloud forests, is the kind of thing that tops any hiker’s bucket list. And that’s before you even consider where it ends: Machu Picchu, the mighty Inca citadel nestled in the Andes.

Every year thousands of travelers attempt to complete this once-in-a-lifetime odyssey along the mountain trails above the Urubamba River. So many that the Peruvian government decided to limit Inca Trail hiking permits for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 2023. This decision is to protect natural habitats and historic excavation sites along the route, something that required a drastic cut in numbers. Thus, the Inca Trail permits were born…

This specially designed Inca Trail guide by our local guides from Sullpayky Experiences explains all the details of obtaining a permit for the Inca Trail. We will show you the whole process of doing this impressive trek.

Why book the Inca Trail with Sullpayky Experience?

Why do the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?

Inca Trail Permits 2023

The Inca Trail is one of the oldest paths in the world for hiking. It starts at km 82, in Ollantaytambo Cusco, and follows the ancient Inca trail to Machu Picchu park. Here is our easy-to-use Inca trail availability calendar to see how many spaces are left for each day.

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Frequently Asked Questions Inca Trail

ON THE ROAD

What is the Machu Picchu Inca Trail?

The Machu Picchu Inca Trail is a trekking route built by the Inca Empire more than 500 years ago that ends at the famous citadel of Machu Picchu. Along the route, you can find innumerable Inca archaeological remains, such as towers, water sources, platforms, observatories, temples, houses, and the Inca Trail itself, whose roads or paths are built with stone.

It is considered one of the best walks or short treks in the world.

How many kilometers does the Inca Trail have?

The total distance of the Inca Trail is 43 kilometers. This hike has many stretches where you have to climb long ascents, as well as descend steep hills, so the route is not linear or straight at almost any point.

How many hours do you walk per day?

The total time to hike the Inca Trail depends on the distance between the camping sites assigned by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture and the physical condition of the traveler. Normally it is considered between five and eight hours of walking during the first three days and between two and three hours of walking on the fourth day.

Do the porters carry our luggage throughout the Inca Trail?

The porters are in charge of carrying all the implements necessary to make this Inca Trek: that is, they carry the tents, warm blankets, food, stoves, utensils, and other items that are necessary for our trekkers.

«Sullpayky Experiences» recommends that each traveler should carry their own backpack with essential items for their trek, water, sunblock, ample hats, walking sticks, ponchos or rain caps, etc., up to a maximum of five kilos.

The list of items to be carried will be carefully chosen at the beginning of the trek (backpacks will be weighed to check that they do not exceed five kilos).

Is it dangerous to do the Inca Trail 2023?

Most of the hike is done on the road made by the Incas, which is a road or path from 1.5 to 15 meters wide, so there are no great dangers if you are careful; however, you should not go off the beaten path because there are also deep abysses that are very probably deadly.

If you have heart problems or illnesses that could require immediate medical help, you should consult your doctor because one of the main characteristics of the route is its inaccessibility.

Are there bathrooms on the Inca Trail?

Toilets have been installed along the route and many of them have water facilities, however most of them are ‘silo’ type toilets which is basically a hole in the ground over which a small room for the bathroom.

Where do you sleep on the Inca Trail?

The Peruvian Ministry of Culture has assigned areas where tourist companies can set up their campsites. The traveler only has to worry about their belongings.

Do I need to be in shape to walk the Inca Trail?

The Inca Trail does not require that you have a specific condition to do this hike, no climbing knowledge is required, and you only need good shoes and basic equipment, on the first day of the Inca Trail, you walk from 2,000 meters above sea level to 4,000 meters above sea level, this section is considered moderate level, and requires a regular to good physical condition.

Does the Inca Trail include a visit to Machu Picchu?

After four days of hiking through impressive and beautiful mountain ranges, valleys and plains, the Inca Trail end at the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, the perfect closure for an unforgettable experience.

Where does the Inca Trail 2023 end?

The final stretch of the Inca Trail ends at the archaeological site known as ‘Inti Punku’ or Sun Gate in Quechua, which is also part of the Machu Picchu Archaeological Park.

What size are the groups on the Inca Trail 2023?

The maximum number of tourists or travelers allowed per group is sixteen people, while the minimum group size allowed is four people.

Are there alternatives to the Inca Trail 2023?

When there are no tickets or places available to do the Inca Trail, several alternatives can be chosen, among others:

The Salkantay Trek. – This tour begins at the foot of the impressive snow-capped Salkantay, over 6,000 meters high, and continues through valleys and innumerable ravines until reaching the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu after five days.

The Choquequirao Treks. – This tour introduces you to the Inca citadel of Choquequirao, discovered a little over 10 years ago, and which is located in a geographical area adjacent to Machu Picchu. The tour lasts eight to nine days.

There is also the possibility of doing the short version of the Inca Trail, and it lasts two days.

Is it necessary to have travel insurance to do the Inca Trail?

The Ministry of Culture does not require the hiring of insurance to be able to make the Inca Trail, however, it would be a very important option if you want to reduce risks.

Is it possible to do the Inca Trail without the company of a tour guide?

Since 2001 it is not possible to do the Inca Trail without the company of an official tour guide.

Is it possible to do the Inca Trail without a travel agency?

It is compulsory to do the Inca Trail in the company of a group of travelers in charge of an official tour guide, who in turn is controlled by the tourism agency or operator.

Can I do the Inca Trail Trek with children?

There are no restrictions regarding the minimum age to do the Inca Trail; If the child is used to walking, they can do this trekking route, however, it would be prudent to communicate and coordinate their entry with the tourism agency.

What if I walk too slowly and my group leaves me behind?

It is recommended that walkers generally set their own pace, there will usually be groups that complete the route before others, as well as groups that go ahead of others and then fall behind, so there is no reason to get extremely agitated.

Can I give up finishing the Inca Trail and go back?

Sullpayky Experiences tour guides are trained to handle all kinds of situations, from discomfort due to altitude, and natural fatigue of passengers, to falls, bumps, and sprains. They will do their best to make sure you can complete your trip without any problems, but if this is the case, they will coordinate your return.

What water is drunk during the Inca Trail?

For the Inca Trail, it is advisable to drink at least 2 liters of water per person per day, our travel agency is responsible for providing travelers with the necessary water; however, we will also carry water purification tablets, to supply the canteens with water in one of the many fountains along the Inca Trail.

How many kilos are allowed to carry on the Inca Trail?

You can carry up to five kilos of luggage and a small backpack to carry your camera and other items for personal use.

Can I climb the Huayna Picchu mountain at the end of the Inca Trail?

Yes, you can climb to the top of Huayna Picchu mountain at the end of the Inca Trail, but you must take into account that tickets or entrance tickets to this mountain must be reserved three or four months in advance.

Are all meals included on the Inca Trail tour?

ABOUT FOOD ON INCA TRAIL

All meals are included (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), as well as the transfer of pots, ingredients and other elements necessary for their preparation, our travel agency will be responsible for carrying all these implements.

Is it possible to request vegetarian food during the Inca Trail?

Yes, it is possible to request that a vegetarian option be included during the tour.

About payment and reservation

How long in advance should I book the Inca Trail?

The popular Inca Trail is one of the most recognized trekking routes around the world, therefore tickets are sold out very quickly, and there are only 500 tickets available per day (of which 200 are for travelers and 300 are for the staff that will accompany you on the route).It is recommended to make your reservation as far in advance as possible, normally this time should be more than six months.

Do I have to make a deposit to reserve the Inca Trail?

To make the reservation of the Inca Trail ticket effective, it is necessary to make the deposit of 60% of the cost.

Once the reservation is made, can I request a refund?

The entrance tickets to the Inca Trail are administered by the INC, so there is no possibility of returning the money once the deposit has been made.

ABOUT THE WEATHER AND THE SEASONS

Is the Inca Trail open all year?

No, in February the Inca Trail is closed due to maintenance and prevention work, in addition to being the rainy season.

Should I fear altitude sickness on the Inca Trail?

During the first two days of the route, you cross plains and climb to very high peaks, so you can suffer from altitude sickness. It is advisable to take pills to counteract its effects

What seasons exist on the Inca Trail?

April to November is the summer season or dry season, during which no significant rainfall is recorded. December to March is the rainy season, accompanied by landslides, road closures and many other unforeseen events.

What is the best time to do the Inca Trail?

From May to August.

What clothes should I wear to do the Inca Trail?

You should wear clothes for both the cold and the heat, because as we have already mentioned, the first section of the route is done in cold climates and at high altitudes, while at the end of the route we will find ourselves in the middle of a hot sub-tropical jungle. , full of vegetation, humidity and a lot of heat.

What equipment do I need to do the Inca Trail?

You must bring a sleeping bag also called a sleeping bag, a tent, a raincoat, a towel, a flashlight, a hat, and toilet paper, among others. Most of the logistics of the trip is in the charge of the tour agency or operator.

What shoes should I wear to do the Inca Trail?

It is recommended to wear used hiking shoes or boots, there is the drawback that, if the chosen footwear is new or recently purchased, this usually generates wounds or calluses on the foot after one or two days of walking.

Inca Trail Hikes 2023

The Inca Trail routes always reach Machu Picchu, from the classic Inca Trail of 4 days, the short Inca Trail of 2 days, are the perfect hikes, full of beautiful landscapes and a totally active natural life, Machu Picchu is the final goal of this trek, but enjoying the Inca Trails is the greatest satisfaction, the experience that we offer complements this classic route, with the exclusive activities that we do on the trail, something that other companies operating the Inca Trail do not perform and that you will only have exclusively, call us to our phones to learn more and one of our specialists will be happy to talk to you, discover this Inca Trail with our local expert guides.

Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with Camping 2 Days
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A once-in-a-lifetime experience!

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most famous trekking routes in the world, built by the Incas more than 500 years ago. The Classic Inca Trail tour starts in the Sacred Valley and ends in the rainforest region where Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, is located.

The 43 km hike, which normally takes four days, is not long in itself, but it is certainly a challenge. This winding ancient Inca trail is full of stunning scenery along its entire length; high passes (above 4,220 meters – 13,780 feet), snow-capped peaks on the horizon, impressive cloud forests and towering cliffs that give you goosebumps. Along the route are scattered archaeological sites, which are quite mystical. The feeling of having found a lost world lingers all along the way.

Adventurers, backpackers, and hikers come from all over the world to the Inca Trail. This route to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World is coveted and permits for access are limited (500 per day). For this reason, it is necessary to book the trip well in advance, at least four months before departure. Guided tours normally last throughout the year (with the exception of February, when the road is closed for maintenance). Also, expect to encounter a slippery, muddy and difficult trail during the rainy season (December to April). However this can make the experience more rewarding, and your accomplishment greater.

The hike is not easy and you must be physically prepared for it.

At Perú InsideOut, we ask all hikers not to litter on the trail, and not to leave graffiti on rocks or trees. Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail are unique, legendary, and stunningly beautiful destinations; not to mention a testament to a lost civilization that we must protect.

Many people travel to Peru from all over the world, not only to visit Machu Picchu but also to hike the Inca Trail, the most popular trek in South America. They participate to see the beautiful ruins along this four-day hike and enjoy the incredible scenery that makes the Inca Trail so famous.

The hike to Machu Picchu allows you to explore the beautiful Andean mountains, cloud forest, and Peruvian jungle, following the original route that the Incas used 500 years ago. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a spectacular and once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Known as one of the top ten treks in the world, the Inca Trail is unique for its ecological diversity and wealth of archaeological treasures.

Sites to Visit on the Inca Trail

Ollantaytambo – Wayllabamba (Km 82)

In the first place, you leave from Cuzco in a private vehicle to Chicla, 75 km away, following the course of the Urubamba River, through a landscape of Puna and forests.

The Camino runs along the right side of the valley, and passes through a series of Quechua villages that are home to the various trekking camps . This part of the park has nothing special, behind us we have the Veronica Peak, beautiful and imposing, we also find the ruins of Patallaqta until we reach the village of Wayllabamba, where we camp.

Stage Profile: Ollantaytambo (0 km; 2,700 m) – (5 km; 2,500 m) – Wallabamba (12 km; 3,000 m).

Wayllabamba – Pacaymayu

This is the hardest day of the trek , since you have to pass the Collado e Warmiwañusca, at 4200m . of altitude, and with a positive slope of 1200m. which becomes expensive.

Initially, the road goes up the bank of the Llullucha River and climbs steeply towards Llulluchapampa at 3650m. of altitude. Continue ascending a steep climb to the Abrada de Waurumahuasca or the pass of the dead woman, at 4200m, so called because when you have already descended it and from a considerable distance, you can clearly see the face and silhouette of a woman stretched out, dead, or imagination to power. This step is really expensive, very steep, and where you can see the remains of old steps that reached the head of the hill.

The road, from the pass, begins to descend decisively until it reaches the Pacamayo River, a camping site, especially wet, not only because of the vegetation but also because the rain followed us throughout the day at times and sometimes not.

From this day things will begin to animate. It must be said that until today, the trekking It’s fine, but it’s just an approach to the third day, where you can really see more remains of the Incas, entire roads, and splendid ruins.

Stage Profile: Wallabamba (0 km; 3,000 m) – (2 km; 3,650 m) – (6 km; 4,200 m) – Pacaymayu (12 km; 3,650 m).

Pacaymayu – Wiñaywayna

The path crosses the river and ascends sharply, by stone steps, until reaching Runturakay , 5 km. From the Pacamayo river, where there are some ruins. We leave behind the beautiful views of the river and the sunken forest at the bottom of the valley, to approach the first pass of the day, the Runkuraqay pass, at 3900m., with excellent views of the Vilacabamba mountain range . The path is clear and direct towards the pass.

After the pass, the lower pass follows the cobbled Inca, taking us to a spur where the ruins of the Saymarka fortification are located , at 3800m. of altitude. The ruins are accessed by a steep path that goes up and up some steps that seem suspended on the precipice. When you get to the ruins, it has really been worth it. They are without a doubt spectacular, as well as the paths we have traveled, paths of steps, made more than 500 years ago, stone by stone, and without any technology. The most amazing thing is the famous assembly of the stones, stones of tons, with many sides, and with an inclination of 4 degrees, and assembled without any type of mortar, and in the highest part of the mountains, with a view of the very set of warrior peoples and controllers of their land.

From these ruins, you can see the next camp, where we will have lunch. After the ruins, the path descends to the bottom of the valley and to the Aobamba river to gradually climb again. Through a very humid forest. At this point, the path is made up of superb white granite slabs, some 2m high. wide, it ascends to the final pass, with views over the Urubamba valley.

Then follows an elevated route and a system of Inca tunnels of up to 20 meters in length before reaching the beautiful ruins of Phuyupatamarca, or city above the clouds, at 3650m., and the last step of this stage, and of everything. the trekking, from now on, everything will be down and more down, by the Inca stairs. But this will be the next day.

Stage Profile: Pacaymayu (0 km; 3,650 m) – (6 km; 3,900 m) – (9 km; 3,640 m) – Wiñayywayna (13 km; 2,700 m).

Wiñaywayna – Intipunku – Machu Picchu – Huayna Picchu

Today a short journey is presented, today is the arrival at Macchu Picchu and climb to Huayna Picchu, which in case you do not know, means old mountain and young mountain or forever young, respectively.

Today we got up before any other day, we usually get up at 5:30 am, to walk out at 6:30 am, today we got up at 3:30 am, to get to the entrance of Machu Picchu at 5 am in the morning. The road descends in a brutal way down some steep stairs, which step by step, the Incas were building, becomes endless. The trail then circles the hillside through a humid forest, a narrow and risky area, to reach the steep staircase that leads to the Puerta del Sol or Intipunku ruins, from where the views of Machu Picchu and the high peaks are impressive. You descend to Machu Picchu along a cobblestone path.

The worst thing is that when you think you have already entered Macchu Picchu through the Sun Gate, the government forces you to go down to the only entrance to the Ruins, 200 meters below, where the buses from Aguas Calientes arrive, and where is the bar, services, etc., and the famous hotel. That is, you have to keep going down, and then go back up, and sign up to be able to go up, and they give you an entry time to Huana Picchu. Inside Macchu Picchu you have to follow the marked route, you cannot do it the other way around.

At the time that they marked us, I think that entry from 11:00 to 11:30, we entered to ascend some terribly steep stairs to Huayna Picchu and Temple of the Moon

Huana Picchu is an impressive granite peak that overlooks Machu Picchu. A very, very steep trail, originally Inca, leads to the temple of the moon. During the ascent, the road passes through old terraces that fulfilled the ornamental function. The Temple of the Moon is located halfway up the north wall. There is an Inca trail that reaches the, this is part of the main path, almost a third of the climb to Huayna Picchu. We only got to the beginning of the temple, the beginning of the terraces. The views of Machu Picchu are the best.

Stage Profile: Wiñayywayna (0 km; 2,700 m) – Machu Picchu (6 km; 2,040 m) – Huayna Picchu (11 km; 2,700 m).