Hello! Click on one of our members below to chat on Whatsapp
*** On May 27, 2025, the Ministry of Culture announced a significant regulatory change that affects all visitors completing any of the Inca Trail routes. This includes the 1-day, 2-day, 4-day, 5-day, and 7-day Inca Trail hikes. According to the new policy, hikers who complete any of these Inca Trail options will now be granted access only to Circuit 1 of Machu Picchu.
Circuit #1; encompasses the upper section of the archaeological site, offering panoramic views and the opportunity to take the iconic postcard photo. However, it does not include access to the main archaeological complex located in the lower section, which is typically part of the traditional guided tour through Circuit 3, so, NOW, The Inca Trail hikers will need to BUY an extra ticket to explore the citadel of Machu Picchu.
The Inca Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the world. Welcoming tens of thousands of visitors every year. Due to its popularity and need for preservation, the Peruvian government closely monitors and regulates its use. Therefore, it is mandatory to obtain a permit before embarking on this trail. There are various factors that determine the availability of permits.
Act quickly — spots sell out fast!
Orange Nation Peru has Guaranteed and Flexible Departure Dates, we only need a minimum of 2 trekkers and a maximum of 8 for all of our listed tours.
Permits: All visitors who wish to hike the Inca Trail must have a permit. These permits are limited, and it is recommended to book in advance, especially during peak season (May to September).
How to obtain a permit: Permits for the Inca Trail can only be obtained through a licensed tour operator. You cannot obtain a permit directly from the Peruvian government. Tour operators will purchase permits on your behalf, and you must provide your passport information when booking.
IMPORTANT
If your date is sold out it is sold out for all travel agencies, there are not more permits!
We need Inca Trail availability ONLY for the starting date of your trek!
******The maximum number of Inca Trail permits is 500. Support staff is included within the five hundred, meaning that about 200 pemits are allocated for tourists and about 300 for cooks, porters and guides each day. Inca trail permit availability shown herein is directly provided by the Peruvian Government.
Peak season: The peak season for the Inca Trail is from May to October.
Off-peak season: The off-peak season for the Inca Trail is from October to April. Permits are easier to obtain. However, this is Peru´s rainy season, so the weather is unpredictable. On the other hand, this is the perfect time to book, if the rain doesn´t bother you much and you would like to trek and visit the citadel with fewer crowds.
The ClassicInca Trail permits for the entire year of 2027 will be released during the first week of October 2025. A total of 500 permits will be available, with 200 allocated for tourists and 300 reserved for staff, including guides, cooks, and porters. Historically, May is the first month to sell out, followed by April and June. SO, it is essential to secure your permit well in advance to ensure availability.
Price: You can book at the 2027 rate, allowing you to save money. Each year, the cost of Inca Trail permits and porter salaries increases, leading to an adjustment in our package prices. Booking now ensures you secure the current rate before any future price increases.
Campsites (Most Important): When you book in advance, you will secure a good campsite because those who book early occupy the best spots. For example, the last campsite on the third night, Wiñay Wayna, often reaches full capacity. If it is fully booked, the next available campsite is Phuyupatamarca, which is approximately seven hours away from Machu Picchu. As a result, those who book late are assigned to Phuyupatamarca, meaning they will arrive at Machu Picchu around 11 AM—already exhausted after a long hike. This can diminish the experience, as fatigue may prevent you from fully enjoying Machu Picchu.
Once we purchase the Inca Trail permits, they become non-refundable and non-transferable. The deposit you paid to secure the permits will be forfeited. This is in accordance with Peruvian law regarding the Inca Trail.
Discover why thousands of people around the world trust us to explore the best of Peru.
The Short Inca Trail with José was a once-in-a-lifetime, unforgettable experience. In the days leading up to our trek, he was highly communicative and provided all the details we needed (packing lists, expectations, timing) so everything…
Hace 3 meses
After researching extensively, I chose a Peruvian travel company to guide our Sacred Valley adventure for my husband and I. We booked a full day beginning with Maras and Moray, Ollantaytambo, lunch and Pisac.…
Hace 2 meses
We did the Lares Trek with Orange Nation/ Sam's travel and would highly recommend it. Lares has far less tourists than the inca trail (we saw about 4 groups over the two days initial hike up to the 4800m high point). The views are…
Hace 3 semanas
I had extremely high expectations and they were blown away! Our guide Rolando was an absolute legend. You can tell he is looked up to by all the other guides in the industry. He speaks multiple languages, connects deeply with each hiker,…
Hace 5 meses
Two of us did the 2 days Lares trek + 1 day Inca Trail, with a tour of Machu Picchu. We were blown away by the friendliness, knowledge, and kindness showed by both of our guides - Jorge and Carlos. We booked a group tour, but this ended up…
Hace 3 meses
Me and my friend did the 4 day Inca trail with Sam travel Peru, our tour guide was Juan Carlos, he has been doing tours to matchu pichu for over 20 years and his knowledge and expertise was amazing. I would recommend to anyone to as for him…
Hace 5 meses
We did the 2 day Inca trail to Machu Picchu. Our guide was Ray and Michael. It was really great - Ray was amazing and was really passionate about the place and told us loads of amazing stories. We had the perfect weather and even the packed…
Hace 3 meses
Amazing trip across 3 days with Jose! A massive thanks and shout out to our guide, he enriched the entire experience with his massive background of history of the culture and the land…
Hace 5 meses
Me and my Wife did the 5 day Inca trail with Sam Travel in April 2026. Our guide Henry and the incredible team of Porters and our Chef made the trip one of a lifetime. I cannot say enough good things about this group as they went over and…
Hace 3 meses
We were short on time during our trip to Peru, so we decided to do the 1-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Everything was very well organised. We were collected from our hotel and taken to the train, where our journey to the trail began. The first part of the hike was a bit challenging, but it was absolutely worth it. The views of the mountains and the surrounding nature were breathtaking. Reaching the Sun Gate and seeing Machu Picchu for the first time was incredible. After the tour, we were taken back by train and dropped off at our hotel. I would highly recommend this hike to anyone visiting Peru, especially if you're short on time but still want to experience the Inca Trail. I also highly recommend our guide, Antonio. He was brilliant, incredibly knowledgeable, and shared so much interesting information about Machu Picchu, its history, and the local flora throughout the trek. He also allowed us to take breaks whenever we needed them.
Written August 6, 2026
I did the Rainbow Mountain tour, and I was the only one in the group who walked up the mountain. My guide Henry stayed with me the whole way, encouraging me and taking lots of photos along the trail. A truly great experience.
Written July 31, 2026
We had an amazing time with Henry our guide on our trek to Rainbow Mountian. With an early pick we left Cusco for the long car ride to Rainbow mountain with a quick stop for breakfast. When we got there Henry helped us reserve horses (highly recommend) and we started towards the mountain. The terrain, snow capped mountains and sediment settlement are a treat to see but it is worth the 10 extra minutes to the top. Because we had the horses we were able to take a long time at the top to take in all of the beautiful wonders. Henry allowed us time to explore and gave us wonderful information about how this beautiful wonder was formed. We definitely got more than our money's worth out of this gem!
Written July 29, 2026
Carlos Estrada was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable and organized! Made our trip easy.
Written July 19, 2026
I had an amazing experience touring Sacred Valley and Machu Pichu with our tour guide, Carlos Estrada. He was quite helpful and knew a lot about everything. I recommend him and this tour!
Written July 19, 2026
Had an awesome day out to Rainbow Mountain with our guide Cesar Siccos! He was full of encouragement and positive energy and we made it to the top! Thank you, Cesar!
Written July 16, 2026
Following a great 2-day Inca Trail experience with SAM Travel, I signed up for the one-day Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley trek. Once again our group was small, just 4 people. Junior was our guide - he was friendly and knowledgeable. He seamlessly adjusted to our request for an earlier start time to beat the crowds, and also managed varying group member speeds / fitness levels well. Another positive experience with SAM Travel - highly recommend booking with them, especially if you are a solo traveler.
Written July 16, 2026
Rainbow mountain hike provided for gorgeous views, bunch of alpaca. At up to 5000 meters it provided for a healthy challenge even if the profile does not look that impressive…. Our guide - Cesar Siccos - was with us the whole way and provided the necessary support to get over the challenge. Great day out.
Written July 15, 2026
My trip to the rainbow mountain with my tour guide Siccos was incredible. Siccos was very energetic and kept our spirits high. I would highly recommend this hike to anyone.
Written July 15, 2026
