Is it necessary to book the
Inca Trail in advance?
Yes, it certainly is. To prevent erosion
and over-usage, the Peruvian government has placed a
limit on the number of people that can hike the Inca
Trail at any given time. A maximum of 500 hikers, including
both tourists and trekking staff, can start the trail
each day (let's say staff accounts for 50%). Thus, with
only 250 permits issued daily, the Inca Trail to Machu
Picchu frequently books out -and in high season, this
is a certainty.
You can book the Inca Trail through
your Travel Agent. Our advise is to make it at least
5 months in advance. The current entrance fee for the
classic 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is about US$
80 (students with a valid ID have a 50% discount).
In PromPerú's
website (Peru's Tourism Authority), you find the
complete rates and booking conditions (Spanish only).