Every Inca Trail company says it is “the best,” and almost every “best companies” list online is written by one of those companies. So instead of another ranking, here is a way to check any operator yourself — ours included — in about ten minutes: what to verify, which questions to ask and what a good answer sounds like, and the red flags that should stop you from paying a deposit.
- Authorized onlyInca Trail permits can only be bought by authorized operators. You cannot buy one yourself.
- 20 kgis the maximum load for a male porter under Peru’s porter law (15 kg for women).
- Your namegoes on the permit with your passport number — and from 2027 it cannot be changed.
Step 1: check that the company is real — three different things
Many guides mix these up. A legitimate Inca Trail operator should be able to show you all three:
- A tax ID (RUC). Every Peruvian company has one. It proves the company exists, nothing more. You can look it up on the website of SUNAT, Peru’s tax authority.
- A tourism agency registration. Travel agencies are registered with Peru’s tourism authorities (MINCETUR and the regional office in Cusco). It shows they are a registered travel business.
- Authorization to operate the Inca Trail. This is the one that matters: only authorized operators can buy permits on the Ministry of Culture’s platform. Ask directly: “Are you authorized to operate the Inca Trail, and will your company be the operator on my permit?”
A tax number on a website footer is not proof of Inca Trail authorization. If a company is vague about the third point, it is probably reselling another operator’s trek.
Step 2: find out who actually runs your trek
There are three kinds of sellers: local operators who run the trek with their own guides, cooks and porters; resellers (agencies in Cusco or abroad) who sell someone else’s trek; and marketplaces that list many companies. Resellers and marketplaces are not bad in themselves, but the most common complaint in traveler reviews is paying one company and meeting another at the briefing. Ask for the name of the company that will operate on the ground, and get it in writing.
Step 3: ask these questions before paying a deposit
| Ask | A good answer sounds like… |
|---|---|
| Who holds the permit and operates the trek? | “We do. Our company name appears as the operator, and our own guide leads your group.” |
| What do you need from me to buy the permit? | “Your full name and passport number exactly as printed, before sales open.” Under the 2027 rule, permits must be paid in full within minutes with every name. |
| How many hikers per group, and how many guides? | A clear number, and a second guide for larger groups. |
| How are your porters paid, insured and equipped? | A direct answer referring to Peru’s porter law (Law 31614): loads within the legal limit, insurance, proper pay, food and gear. |
| What exactly is included and what costs extra? | A written list: permit, Machu Picchu entrance, transport, trains, meals, tents, and the price of each extra. |
| What happens if my date sells out after I pay the deposit? | A clear policy: other dates, another route, or what happens to your deposit — in writing. |
| What happens if I cancel? | An honest explanation that permits are non-refundable and non-transferable, and what the rest of the price covers. |
| What safety equipment do you carry? | First-aid kit, emergency oxygen and a plan for evacuations. |
Red flags: when to walk away
| Red flag | Why it matters | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| A 4-day group price far below the market | Established operators charge around US$750–900. Much less usually means porters or safety pay the difference. | Ask how porters are paid and who operates. |
| “We can put your name on another permit” | Permits carry the hiker’s name and passport and cannot be transferred. | Don’t pay. It is not legal. |
| No passport details requested | A real operator needs them to buy your permit. | Ask how they plan to buy it. |
| Pressure to pay everything today | “Last spaces, pay now” is a sales tactic, not a permit rule. | Ask for the offer in writing and take a day. |
| Bank transfer or cash only | You lose the protection of your card or PayPal. | Pay the deposit by card or PayPal. |
| No written confirmation | You have nothing to claim against. | Get a confirmation with the operator’s name, date, route and inclusions. |
| Reviews only on their own website | Easy to curate. | Check independent platforms and read recent, detailed reviews. |
Protect your payment
- Pay a deposit, not the full price, up front. Many operators ask for a deposit to secure the permit and the balance later. With us it is 30%.
- Use a card or PayPal so you have buyer protection.
- Keep everything in writing: the quote, inclusions, cancellation policy and the operator’s name.
- Ask for your permit details once it is issued, with your name as registered.
Check us with the same list
We are a fully licensed local operator in Cusco: our team has guided travelers since 2012, and we have held our Inca Trail license since 2018. You can see our DIRCETUR registration and municipal operating license on our certifications page. Our office is on Calle Garcilaso 210, where we hold the pre-departure briefing. Once a year our team also travels to the trail to take part in its maintenance — read how we care for the Inca Trail. Ask us any question on this page — including our company details and registrations — and we will answer in writing. You can also read what travelers say about us on independent review platforms.
Related reading: what the Inca Trail really costs in 2027, our 2027 permit release tracker and live Inca Trail availability.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if an Inca Trail company is legitimate?
Can I hike the Inca Trail without a company?
Is it safe to book the Inca Trail through a marketplace?
How much should a legitimate 4-day Inca Trail cost?
What is Peru’s porter law?
About the author
Raquel Sánchez co-founded Terra Quechua Peru in Cusco in 2012 together with Edwin Medina, both with extensive trekking experience. She writes our Inca Trail guides from the day-to-day work of securing permits and organizing every departure with our guides, cooks and porters.