Most “how to book the Inca Trail” guides stop at “fill in the form and pay a deposit.” The questions that actually decide whether you hike on your date come after that. When is your permit bought? What happens if your day sells out on release day? What can you change once your passport number is on a government permit? This guide walks through the whole 2027 booking process the way it works with us, a licensed operator in Cusco, from the first message to the briefing the night before you start.
Before you book: three decisions
Make these three decisions first; everything else follows from them.
- The route. The Classic Inca Trail in 4 days (from Km 82, three nights camping, minimum age 12), the Short Inca Trail in 2 days (from Km 104, one night in a hotel, minimum age 8) or the 1-Day Inca Trail. The Classic route has a quota of 500 people per day, including guides, cooks and porters; the short route has its own quota of 250. Not sure? Read our 2-day vs 4-day comparison.
- The date, plus two backups. Permits are sold by start date. A day or two of flexibility is often the difference between getting a permit and not, especially from May to September. Our month-by-month book-by calendar shows how early each month sells.
- Group or private. In a group departure you join other hikers (there is a minimum of 2 people per departure, and solo travelers join a group already confirmed for their date with no supplement). A private departure moves at your pace; its price per person depends on the size of your group.
2027 prices and the 31 December deadline
These are our group prices per person for 2027. All three routes have a US$30 discount for travelers under 18 and for university students aged 18–25.
| Route | 2027 price per person | What decides the price |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Inca Trail, 4 days | US$795 if you book by 31 December 2026 · US$820 for bookings from 1 January 2027 | The date you book |
| Short Inca Trail, 2 days | US$560 for 2027 departures (US$520 for departures in 2026) | The date you travel |
| 1-Day Inca Trail | US$490 for 2027 departures (US$435 for departures in 2026) | The date you travel |
The difference matters: on the Classic route, a 2027 trek booked in December 2026 still costs US$795, but on the 2-day and 1-day routes every 2027 departure pays the 2027 price, whenever you book. Our booking calendar and checkout apply the right price for the date you choose.
For a full budget with extras, tips and meals, see what the Inca Trail really costs in 2027.
Step by step: how booking works
- Choose your date in the calendarThe calendar on this page shows real spaces for the dates the Ministry has already released and “Early booking” for 2027 days that are not on sale yet. Pick your start date, the number of travelers and group or private service.
- Enter every traveler’s passport detailsFull name, passport number, nationality, date of birth and gender, exactly as they appear in each passport. The permit is issued with these details, so a typo is the most expensive mistake you can make.
- Pay the 30% deposit onlineBy card (Izipay) or PayPal; a processing fee is added and shown before you pay. The deposit is what allows us to buy your permit the moment your date is available.
- We buy your permitFor dates already on sale, we request it right away. For 2027 dates, we request it as soon as your month opens. We email you the confirmation the same day permits open, or within 2 days at the latest.
- Pay the balance in CuscoThe remaining 70% is paid at our office (Calle Garcilaso 210) on your first day in Cusco, in cash (US dollars or soles) or by card with a 6% fee.
- Briefing the evening beforeAt 6:00 p.m. the night before your trek we meet at our office, check passports and go through the itinerary and what to pack.
What happens on permit release day
This is the part most guides skip. When the Ministry of Culture opens a month, licensed operators buy permits on the official platform for the clients already on their lists. From 2027, under Ministerial Resolution 000333-2026-MC, each reservation must be paid in full within about 15 minutes, with every hiker’s name and passport number, and the name cannot be changed later. That is why we need your details and your deposit before the month opens: there is no time to collect them on the day.
There is no official release date for 2027 yet. In recent years permits went on sale in October or November: the 2025 permits on 4 November 2024 and the 2026 permits between 17 and 25 November 2025. The 28–31 December 2026 dates were sold separately on 15 July 2026. We update the news in our 2027 permit release tracker.
If your date sells out
It happens, especially for July and August. If we cannot get a permit for your date, we contact you with the closest alternatives: another day, the other Inca Trail route, or a trek that needs no Inca Trail permit (see our 2027 alternatives). If you prefer none of them, we refund your deposit by PayPal within 15 business days; only the PayPal fee is deducted. That is why we recommend keeping flights and hotels flexible until your permit is confirmed.
What you can and can’t change after booking
| Change | Possible? | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Passport number (renewed passport) | Yes | Send us the new number and we update it in the system. Bring that passport on the trek. |
| Traveler’s name | No | Permits are personal and cannot be transferred to another person. |
| Trek date | Only with a new booking | The permit is tied to its date. If you change it, the deposit is lost and a new booking, with a new deposit, is needed for the new date or for any other tour. |
| Add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain | Yes, subject to availability | US$80 each. Ask when you book, as these tickets sell out too. |
| Train upgrade or extra night in Aguas Calientes | Yes | Vistadome US$50, Vistadome Observatory US$70; extra night US$65, subject to availability. |
Documents you need
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from the day you enter Peru. Your full name must match the passport exactly, without nicknames or shortened names.
- Under 18: a copy of the passport when you book, for the US$30 discount. Minors must travel with their parents or a duly accredited guardian.
- University students aged 18–25: a copy of a valid university card showing your full name, your university and the current year. International student cards (ISIC) are not accepted; if the card is not valid, the adult price applies.
- Travel insurance with medical and evacuation cover. It is not included in any Inca Trail price.
Your 2027 booking checklist
- Route chosen, and every traveler meets its minimum age (12 for the Classic 4-day, 8 for the 2-day).
- Main date and two backups, checked against the live availability calendar.
- Passports valid 6 months after arrival; renewals done or planned (tell us the new number).
- Names and passport numbers copied from the passport itself, not from memory.
- Student cards or passport copies ready for discounts.
- Flights and hotels flexible until the permit is confirmed, with at least two nights in Cusco before the trek. Flying from the US? See planning the Inca Trail from the USA.
- Travel insurance bought.
- Our terms and conditions read, including the deposit and change rules.
Where to go from here
Pick your date in the calendar below, or ask us anything first on WhatsApp. Then get ready with our Inca Trail packing list and the Classic Inca Trail day by day. If you want to check us before booking, our guide to choosing a reputable operator lists what to ask any company.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book the Inca Trail for 2027?
When do the 2027 Inca Trail permits go on sale?
How much is the deposit?
What happens if I don’t get a permit?
Can I change my Inca Trail date after booking?
Is it cheaper to book the Classic Inca Trail before 2027?
Is there a minimum age for the Inca Trail?
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.