The Peruvian government regulations designed to protect the 32,592 hectare Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, through which the network of Inca Trails passes, mean that the days when individual travellers could hire a tent and a sleeping bag and walk the route independently, are over.
In 1999 a series of academic studies established the carrying capacity of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and the resulting regulations regarding visitor numbers and prices were designed to protect this unique experience for future generations. In addition, guidelines were established to protect the rights of the indigenous porters used by travel companies on the Inca Trail, including a minimum wage and limits on the amount that a single porter is permitted to carry.
As a company, we are committed to the regulations governing the Inca Trail and the protection of the rights of porters, and we are one of the travel companies authorised to operate in this World Heritage Site.
Under the new regulations, trekking permits for the Inca Trail are issued by Peru’s National Institute of Culture on a first come, first serve basis, commencing in January of each year. This means that spaces fill up months in advance and last-minute booking is virtually impossible.
Advance booking is essential and in order to avoid disappointment we recommend that you book the Inca Trail FOUR MONTHS IN ADVANCE.
In order to guarantee your place on the Inca Trail we will require AT TIME OF BOOKING the full name, nationality, passport details and date of birth of each participant.
In the event of there being no space available on the Inca Trail at the time you wish to travel (remember that the Trail is closed in February and that the high season is from May to September), or if you are simply looking for a less well-travelled alternative, then you can choose from many of the other Andean trekking options that we offer, which include spectacular scenery, traditional communities, Inca ruins and a wealth of flora and fauna, with some of the routes combining with the train service to Machu Picchu itself.
