Inca Trail Permits 2027: When They Go on Sale and How to Book
Inca Trail permits are limited to 500 people per day, and only about 200 of those go to trekkers (the rest are for guides, cooks and porters). Only a licensed operator can buy them, in your name and with your passport number. As of 20 October 2026 Peru's Ministry of Culture has not announced the sale date for 2027; the last two seasons opened on 4 November 2024 (for 2025) and 17 November 2025 (for 2026), so expect November 2026. For May to September you should have your booking confirmed with us before sales open.
When do the 2027 Inca Trail permits go on sale?
The Ministry of Culture (Ministerio de Cultura) sells the permits for the whole year in one go, through its official platform Tu Boleto. Licensed operators buy them for their clients; there is no public window where you can buy one yourself.
The ministry announces the date only a few weeks before. For the 2025 season, sales opened on 4 November 2024. For 2026 they opened on 17 November 2025 and were released month by month over the following week (January first, then March, April, May and so on). The date had first been announced for late October and was then moved, which is why you will find conflicting dates on other websites.
For 2027, nothing has been published yet. Based on the last four seasons, we expect sales to open in November 2026. We will update this article the day the ministry confirms it, and every client with a confirmed booking is on our list for the opening day.
How many permits are there per day?
The classic 4-day Inca Trail from KM 82 has a cap of 500 permits per day. That number includes everyone who enters the route: trekkers, guides, cooks and porters. In practice about about 200 trekkers can start each day.
The short 2-day Inca Trail from KM 104 has its own quota of 250 per day. The trail is closed every February for maintenance, so no permits are issued for that month.
Because the cap is counted per start date, a popular date sells out and the next one may still be open. If you are flexible by one or two days, tell us: it is often the difference between getting your first choice and waiting for the following week.
How far in advance should I book?
| Travel month | What usually happens | Book with us by |
|---|---|---|
| May to September (dry season, high demand) | The most popular dates sell out within days of the release, and the rest within a few weeks | Before the November release, ideally 4 to 6 months ahead |
| March, April, October, November | Permits last several weeks to a couple of months after release | 3 to 4 months ahead |
| December and January (rainy season) | Usually available until a few weeks before departure | 1 to 2 months ahead |
| February | Trail closed for maintenance; no permits | Choose Salkantay, Choquequirao or another alternative trek |
What changed in 2026: the new booking rules
Two ministerial resolutions have changed how the permits work, and they matter for your 2027 booking.
Resolution 000333-2026-MC (11 September 2026) modifies the Inca Trail Network regulations to introduce a direct-sale system with full payment at the moment of reservation, nominal identification and quota control. In practice: an operator no longer holds a reservation for hours while it collects your details; it must pay in full and register the full names and passport numbers of every hiker and every staff member at the moment of purchase. Names cannot be changed afterwards; only a typing error in the document number can be corrected, and only in exceptional cases. The ministry has run the new system as a trial period before it becomes mandatory.
Resolution 000306-2025-MC created a special entry for trekkers arriving from the Inca Trail: you enter the Machu Picchu citadel the same day through Circuit 3-B (Temple of the Sun, House of the Inca, Ceremonial Fountains, Temple of the Condor and the classic views), within a limited number of daily slots reserved for the trail. Your Classic Inca Trail booking with us includes this ticket.
What this means for you: the permit is tied to your passport from the first minute, so the details you give us have to be exactly as printed on the passport you will travel with. If your passport expires within six months of the trip, renew it before you book.
What you need to send us to book
- Full name exactly as it appears on your passport (all given names and surnames).
- Passport number, nationality and date of birth.
- Your preferred start date and, if you can, an alternative date one or two days before or after.
- Number of trekkers. Groups run from 2 to 16 people; the minimum age is 8.
- Payment. We buy your permit as soon as your booking is confirmed; the permit cost is paid to the Peruvian government and is non-refundable in all cases.
What happens after you book
Once the ministry opens sales, we purchase the permits for all confirmed clients in order of booking and send you a confirmation with your permit reference. From then on your date is secured.
On the trail, you show your original passport at the KM 82 checkpoint and again at the entrance to Machu Picchu. A photocopy or a photo on your phone is not accepted, and the name on the permit must match the document you carry.
If you renew your passport between booking and travelling, write to us straight away. Under the current rules a change can only be requested in exceptional cases, so the sooner we know, the better.
Sold out? Your alternatives to reach Machu Picchu on foot
If your dates are gone, or you decide late, you still have excellent options that need no permit and can be booked a few weeks ahead.
The Salkantay Trek 5 days and the Salkantay Trek 4 days cross a 4,600 m pass below the Salkantay glacier, visit Humantay Lake and reach Machu Picchu via Llactapata. See our Salkantay vs Inca Trail comparison to decide.
The Choquequirao Trek 4 days takes you to the "sister city" of Machu Picchu, a citadel you will almost certainly explore with nobody else around.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy an Inca Trail permit myself?
No. Permits are sold only to licensed tour operators through the Ministry of Culture's platform, and every trekker must be accompanied by a licensed guide. You book a tour and the operator buys the permit in your name.
Are 2027 Inca Trail permits on sale yet?
Not as of 20 October 2026. The Ministry of Culture has not published the date. The 2026 permits went on sale on 17 November 2025, so we expect a similar timing. We update this page as soon as it is confirmed.
Can I transfer my permit to someone else or change the date?
No. Permits are personal, non-transferable and non-refundable, and since September 2026 names cannot be changed after purchase. A date change is only possible in proven cases of force majeure and depends on availability.
Is the Inca Trail closed in February?
Yes. The trail closes every February for maintenance and conservation. Machu Picchu itself stays open, and treks such as Salkantay run all year.
Do I need my passport on the trail?
Yes, the original passport you booked with. It is checked at KM 82 and at the Machu Picchu entrance, and it must match the name and number on your permit.
How much does the Inca Trail cost with ViajaXmundo?
The Classic Inca Trail 4 days starts at US$810 per person and the Inca Trail 4 days 3 nights at US$699, both including the permit, the Machu Picchu entrance, a bilingual guide, porters, camping, meals and the return train.
Official sources: Tu Boleto, the Ministry of Culture's official ticket platform for Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail · Ministerial Resolution 000333-2026-MC on the Inca Trail Network regulations (El Peruano, 11 September 2026) · Ministry of Culture of Peru: official Machu Picchu and Inca Trail tickets · Ministry of Culture of Peru
