How many Inca Trail permits are issued per day?

There are now 250 Inca Trail permits are available each day, around 50 of those are allocated to porters and guides, so in reality there are really only 200 permits a day for hikers.

These 250 permits were recently added by the Peruvian government for sole use on the Short Trail to Machu Picchu.

The two and one night Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is essentially the final day of the Classic Inca Trail route with some variations in the beginning of the hike.

Note: Once the permit has been issued, you can not alter or change any details, so be sure you get them correct from the start.

Does the Inca Trail trip include your Machu Picchu entrance ticket?

Yep, the cost of Machu Picchu entry is included in the trip price and it’s the responsibility of us to take care of all that and provide you with the ticket on the day you’re entering the site.

Is there a waiting list for sold out trekking dates?

No, there is no waiting list for permits. Permits are only available for purchase through the Peruvian government. Once a permit is purchased for one person, the permit cannot be refundable or transferred to another individual.

Is it possible to do without a tour company or guide?

Since June 2002 trekking independently on the Inca Trail has been prohibited. Access to the Inca Trail is strictly controlled by the Peruvian government and your trek must be organized through a tour operator.

Only specific licensed companies like Eco Andes Trekking are permitted to lead groups on the 5-day Inca Trail, 4-day Inca Trail and 2-day Inca Trail routes.

Companies must meet certain basic requirements proving that they have professional guides and good camping equipment, radio communications and emergency first aid including oxygen. Their license is renewed each year.

Is it possible to enter with different name?

No, you need to carry your valid ID (passport) to enter the trek park.

What is the 2 day Short Inca Trail Difficulty?

It’s a lot of hiking to cover in a day, and at high altitude, but it is achievable if you have a good level of fitness.

There will always be slower and faster hikers in your group but your guide will adjust his or her walking pace to make sure that everyone in your group is happy. The toughest part of the day is the three-hour walk uphill at the start, climbing rapidly from the Urubamba River to the Wiñay Wayna ruins. The Short Inca Trail may not be suitable for those who suffer from vertigo.

Before you start your trip, we recommend you arrive to Cusco at least two days in advance to help your body acclimate to the high altitude.

What do I need to carry on this Inca Trail to Machu Picchu trek?

Travelers should carry only a small daypack with the items that they will need while hiking such as water, snacks, camera and film.

Our team will ship 6 kg of each of your personal extra gear to your Aguas Calientes hotel during the trip for free.

We generally ask clients to bring only the necessary items that you will need for the 2-day trip and leave any unneeded luggage at the hotel in Cusco or at our office in Cusco.

How big are the groups?

Our groups are usually small. Average is 3 to 5 people and maximum 16 people plus the trekking team.

Is there an age limit to hiking the Inca Trail?

Nope! we trust that you will gauge your own fitness levels when it comes to taking a trek of this nature. We have clients who are in their 80s that are fitter than many 30-year-olds.

Age is just a number if you are fit enough to do the trip, go for it! Children under 6 years old should not attempt to hike as they would likely find the trek too difficult.

What is the best time of year to hike the Inca Trail?

From April to October, it is usually warm and humid during the day (around 20-25ºC) and night time temperatures are around 15ºC.

The dry season lasts from May to September, when the weather is more changeable.

During the wet season, from October to April, it can rain heavily, although it can also rain year-round.

Is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu always open?

The Inca Trail is open 11 months of the year (March through January). It is closed every February for maintenance.

See the trek availability in real time here.

Are there toilets along the two day Inca Trail route?

Yes, there is one toilet at the start of the hike, halfway and at the end of the hike (Machu Picchu).

What altitude does it reach?

The Short Inca Trail starts at 2,170 m / 7,170 ft and ascends to 2,720 m / 8,920 ft the Sun Gate, before descending to Machu Picchu which sits at an altitude of 2,040 m/6,691 ft.

The guides carry basic medical supplies, but as you will be in remote mountain areas, more advanced medical facilities are not available.

The first two toilets are free and the one by Machu Picchu has a cost of 2 soles.

What is the food like on the 2 day Inca Trail?

A packed lunch is provided by us for the hike and this must be carried by yourself during the hike.

If you want other snacks during the trail, these can be bought in Cusco.Breakfast on the second day is included at the hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Breakfast on day one and lunch on day two are not included in this trip. For breakfast on day one, you will need to request a box breakfast from your Cusco hotel.

Lunch on the second day can be bought in a restaurant in Aguas Calientes before taking the return train to Cusco.

Vegetarian and vegan meals are also available upon request.

Other special dietary requests can usually be accommodated as well with sufficient notice.

Is drinking water supplied along the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?

Nope, you must bring your own dirking water for hiking our short Inca Trail 1 day hike and we recommend you bring at least 2 liters per person which will cover the hike of day one.

You can buy water in Aguas Calientes for your Machu Picchu visit on day two of the trip.

Note: there aren’t places to buy water along the hike so you must purchase your drinking water in Ollantaytambo or in Cusco before taking the train to the start of the hike.

What are the guides like?

Our team are among the very best and most experienced guides anywhere.

They are from the surrounding Cusco and the Sacred Valley areas and speak fluent English, in addition to Spanish and the Inca indigenous language of Quechua. Most have 8-10 years of experience leading Inca trail hikes and other alternative treks and all have training in the history, spirituality, culture, and ecology of the area.

How can I prepare for the Inca Trail?

The more training you do beforehand, the more you will enjoy your trek.

We recommend 30 minutes of cardio activities 3-4 times a week in the 2-3 months leading up to your departure. Take every opportunity to walk up and down stairs or hills for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness.

Are there any ATMs?

There are no ATMs along the Inca Trail. You should bring enough money with you from Cusco for any last-minute purchases before starting the hike or tips.

There are some ATMs in Aguas Calientes if you need to withdraw additional cash.

What if I have a medical emergency while hiking the Inca Trail?

Guides carry a first aid kit for basic medical problems (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts/scrapes, etc.).

They receive Red Cross First Aid and other emergency training every year. Our guides lead over 1000 travelers along the Inca trail each year and we have rarely had a traveler unable to complete the hike.

In these rare instances when someone has not felt well enough to finish the hike, he/ she has been escorted back to the start of the hike and generally felt well enough to re-join the group in Aguas Calientes via train later in the day.

Aguas Calientes has the nearest modern medical facilities so travelers with a serious medical emergency would need to be evacuated there. Guides and porters have pre-established evacuation strategies in place should this need occur.

Is there internet access on the Inca Trail?

Nope, your last chance to use the internet or have a reliable phone signal will be in Ollantaytambo train station and your first opportunity will be at Machu Picchu or in Aguas Calientes.

How much money should you bring on the Inca Trail trek?

The vast majority of costs will be covered in the up-front price of your trip, but there are a few costs along the trip for which you’ll need to bring cash:

• Snacks and drinks from stallholders in the train station of Ollantaytambo
• Toilet entry fees (usually 2 soles at Machu Picchu)
• Tips for your guides
• Breakfast on day 1 and Lunch on day 2 at Aguas Calientes.

It’s sensible to take this money in the form of smaller notes and coins.

We’d say at least 250 soles per person for the Trail-specific section.

Will I get altitude sickness on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?

Many of the most popular places in Peru, such as Cusco and Huaraz, are at high altitude; this means that for anyone planning a trip to Peru understanding altitude sickness (and how to avoid it) is incredibly important.

In fact, not approaching altitude correctly is one of the biggest mistakes of travelers in South America.

The best way to minimize the likelihood and impact of altitude sickness is factoring in enough time into your Peru itinerary to acclimatize to the conditions.

This means that it is incredibly foolish to arrive in Cusco, which is at 3,339m (11,151 feet) above sea-level, and leave the next day to do a strenuous hike or even start the Inca Trail. Your body needs the time to adjust to the altitude!

A good rule of thumb is to give yourself and your body two easy days at altitude to acclimatize to the change, and to keep yourself well hydrated throughout.

What about medication?

Obviously, medical attention and facilities along the Inca Trail are pretty much non-existent so you need to bring any of your own required medication with you and keep it on your own person or in the daypack.

What climates can I expect on the Short Inca Trail?

Variance in latitude, elevation and local winds all factor into the wide range of climates experienced in the central Sierra/Andean Mountain region. Average temperatures in the Sierra vary little between seasons, but there is dramatic daily variance.

While the average daily temperature may only vary a few degrees Celsius between January and July, the diurnal (daily) temperature range is often huge.

You can expect daytime temperatures in the highlands to be in the range of 15-25°C (60 – 77 °F), falling as low as 10 °C (50°F) at night.

See the Inca Trail weather here.

How much time can I spend at the Machu Picchu sanctuary?

There are three time slots in which patrons can enter Machu Picchu for a maximum of four hours and must follow one of three predetermined routes. Admission is not allowed after 4pm.

Additionally, all visitors must always be accompanied by a guide.

The early morning is one of the best times to savour the views and atmosphere of Machu Picchu.

The mystical morning light over the enigmatic sites is spectacular. Try and catch the sunrise at the sanctuary, you won’t regret the early wakeup call!

Still Not Convinced to Hike This Trek?

Read here why you should hike this trek to Machu Picchu with us.