4.7 4 Days Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Challenging
- 4,215 m · 13,830 ft
Official permits 2026 – 2027
From
US$795
per person
Inca Trail Treks
Inca Trail Tours to Machu Picchu: 1, 2 and 4-Day Treks
The best treks to Machu Picchu
The Inca Trail is the ancient stone road that reaches Machu Picchu on foot through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). With us you can walk it in three ways: the Classic route, about 42 km in 4 days from Km 82 over Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 m); the Short Inca Trail, about 11.5 km from Km 104 with a hotel night in Aguas Calientes; and the same final section in a single day. Every route needs an official permit in your name, bought by an authorized operator, and the trail closes every February.
The Classic costs US$795 per person for 2026 departures and US$820 for 2027, and the Short Inca Trail US$520 and US$560. Check live Inca Trail permit availability and compare the routes below.
4.7 4 Days 
4.7 2 Days Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Moderate
- 2,720 m · 8,920 ft
Official permits 2026 – 2027
From
US$520
per person
4.7 1 Day 1-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Moderate to challenging
- 2,720 m · 8,920 ft
Official permits 2026 – 2027
From
US$435
per person
4.7 4 Days / 3 Nights Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Moderate to challenging
- 4,215 m · 13,830 ft
Official permits 2026 – 2027
From
US$1,559
per person
4.7 5 Days Inca Trail To Machu Picchu
- Challenging
- 4,215 m · 13,830 ft
Official permits 2026 – 2027
From
US$940
per person
4.7 7 Days / 6 Nights Inca Trail Express
- Challenging
- 4,215 m · 13,830 ft
Official permits 2026 – 2027
From
US$1,160
per person
4.7 5 Days / 4 Nights Inca Quarry Trek To Machu Picchu
- Challenging
- 3,900 m · 12,800 ft
Official permits 2026 – 2027
From
US$550
per person
Inca Trail tours compared
Every route needs an official permit in your name, is led by a licensed guide and ends at Machu Picchu. What changes is how much of the Inca road you walk, the altitude you reach, where you sleep and the price.
| Route | Walking | Highest point | Nights | Minimum age | Price per person (group) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Inca Trail 4D/3N | ≈42 km / 26 mi from Km 82 | 4,215 m / 13,828 ft (Warmiwañusca) | 3 nights camping | 12 | US$795 for 2026 departures · US$820 for 2027 |
| Short Inca Trail 2D/1N | ≈11.5 km / 7 mi from Km 104 | ≈2,720 m / 8,924 ft (Sun Gate) | 1 night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes | 8 | US$520 for 2026 departures · US$560 for 2027 departures |
| 1-Day Inca Trail | ≈11.5 km / 7 mi from Km 104 | ≈2,720 m / 8,924 ft (Sun Gate) | None: back to Cusco the same night | Ask us | US$435 for 2026 departures · US$490 for 2027 departures |
| Luxury Inca Trail 4D/3N | The Classic route, ≈42 km | 4,215 m / 13,828 ft | 3 nights of luxury camping | Ask us | From US$1,559, private service |
Under 18 and university students aged 18–25 pay US$30 less on the Classic, Short and 1-Day routes. Longer versions: Inca Trail 5 days and Inca Trail Express 7 days, with Cusco tours. No permit left for your date? The Inca Quarry (Cachicata) trek needs no Inca Trail permit and also ends at Machu Picchu.
Which route is right for you?
- Classic Inca Trail, 4 days: for reasonably fit hikers who want the whole Inca road, the mountain passes and the arrival through the Sun Gate at dawn on day 4. Day 2 climbs to 4,215 m, so plan two or three days in Cusco first to acclimatize. Minimum age 12. Porters carry the camp and up to 5 kg of your gear. See it day by day.
- Short Inca Trail, 2 days: for first treks, families and travelers over 60. One day of moderate hiking (6–7 hours, about 650 m of climbing) to the Sun Gate, a hotel night in Aguas Calientes and a full guided visit the next morning. Minimum age 8. There are no porters on this route, so you carry a light daypack.
- 1-Day Inca Trail: for good walkers short on time who prefer their own bed. It is a long day: pickup in Cusco at 4:00 a.m. and about 16 hours in total, with the same final section past Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate.
- Luxury Inca Trail, 4 days: the Classic route with walk-in tents, hot showers, a personal porter for up to 10 kg and a private team. It can run with a single traveler.
When to go: May to September is the dry season and the busiest time; April and October are the shoulder months. The rainy season runs from November to April, with the heaviest rain from January to March, and the trail closes every February for maintenance. Read the best time to hike the Inca Trail, month by month.
What every Inca Trail tour includes
On all our Inca Trail routes: the Inca Trail permit with your Machu Picchu entrance, a licensed guide, the bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes, the train to Ollantaytambo with the transfer to your hotel in Cusco, and a first-aid kit with emergency oxygen.
| Route | Also included | Not included |
|---|---|---|
| Classic 4D/3N | Briefing at our office in Cusco, transport to Km 82, porters, 2-person tents, mattress, dining and toilet tents, chef, 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners, filtered boiled water from lunch on day 1. Two guides for groups of more than 8. | Breakfast on day 1, lunch and dinner on day 4, sleeping bag (US$20 rental), trekking poles (US$20) |
| Short 2D/1N | Train to Km 104, hotel night in Aguas Calientes, box lunch, dinner and breakfast, bus up on day 2 and a two-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu. | Bus down on day 2 (or a walk of about 1 h 30 min), porters |
| 1-Day | Transport from your hotel to the station, train to Km 104, box lunch and a guided tour of Machu Picchu. | Breakfast and dinner |
On every route: Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain cost US$80 each, subject to availability, and tips are optional (as a reference, US$20–30 per traveler on the Classic). See what the Inca Trail really costs in 2027.
Your Machu Picchu entrance
On the Classic and Short routes your permit includes two entrances: Circuit 1 (route 1-B) as you arrive through the Sun Gate, and Circuit 3 (route 3-B, “Realeza diseñada”) for the guided visit. On the Classic it starts at 10:00 a.m. on day 4; on the Short Inca Trail it is on day 2, usually between 6:00 and 11:00 a.m. Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are separate tickets: ask for them when you book. More in our guide to Machu Picchu circuits.
Permits and availability for 2027
The Classic route allows 500 people per day, including guides, cooks and porters, and the short route from Km 104 has its own quota of 250. The 2027 permits are expected in November 2026; Peru’s Ministry of Culture has not announced the exact date yet. We already take early bookings. Under Ministerial Resolution 000333-2026-MC, every permit must be paid in full within about 15 minutes with the hiker’s name, and names cannot be changed later. Check live dates on our Inca Trail permits and availability page and follow the 2027 permit release tracker.
Live Inca Trail availability
Pick a start date on the Classic (4 days) or Short (2 days) Inca Trail and book it online with a 30% deposit. Dates in 2027 show as early booking until the official permits go on sale.
Loading availability…
- Available
- Few spaces left
- Sold out
- Contact us
- Closed (February)
Inca Trail permits are limited and sell out fast. Availability can change within minutes and is guaranteed once your booking is confirmed.
How far in advance to book
- May to September 2027: reserve before the 2027 permits go on sale.
- April and October: 4–6 months ahead.
- January, March, November and December: 2–3 months is usually enough, except Easter and Christmas weeks.
The Short Inca Trail can usually be booked a little later, but May to August still fills early. Month by month: how far in advance to book the Inca Trail in 2027.
Inca Trail or Salkantay?
Choose the Inca Trail for history: original Inca paving, ruins along the way and the arrival on foot through the Sun Gate. Choose Salkantay for big mountain scenery and easier dates: it needs no Inca Trail permit, but its pass is higher, at about 4,650 m. The full side-by-side is in Inca Trail vs Salkantay Trek, and our Salkantay treks are listed separately.
How to book and pay
- A 30% deposit online, by card or PayPal, secures your place; we request your permit with it.
- You pay the 70% balance at our office in Cusco (Calle Garcilaso 210) on your first day in Cusco, in cash or by card (6% card fee).
- Send your full name, nationality and passport number exactly as in your passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you enter Peru.
- If we cannot confirm your booking due to lack of availability, you can choose an alternative date at no additional cost or receive a full refund. Cancellations: 70% refund 30 days or more before departure, 50% from 8 to 29 days before, and no refund with less than 8 days’ notice, no-shows or cancellations during the trip. Once confirmed, dates and participants cannot be changed. See the Inca Trail booking conditions below.
Inca Trail booking conditions
These are the questions we are asked most often before booking the Inca Trail. Here are the short answers; the full text is in our Inca Trail terms and conditions.
If I cancel, how much is refunded?
Cancellation requests must be submitted through Terra Quechua Perú’s official channels:
- 30 days or more before departure: 70% refund.
- 8 to 29 days before departure: 50% refund.
- Less than 8 days before departure, no-shows or cancellations during the trip: no refund.
What if my booking has not been submitted to the authorities yet?
A refund may be issued less an 8% administrative and banking fee, with a minimum charge of USD 35.
Can I change my date, the participants or the tour?
Bookings are personal and subject to availability and the regulations of the relevant authorities. Once confirmed, travel dates, participants and tour types cannot be changed. A date change may require a new booking and additional fees. Complimentary options may be changed up to 48 hours before departure, subject to confirmation.
What if you cannot get my date?
If we cannot confirm your booking due to lack of availability, you can choose an alternative date at no additional cost or receive a full refund.
If incorrect information or failure to meet booking requirements prevents us from securing the reservation, we will make reasonable efforts to resolve it; if the booking cannot be completed, the applicable refund policy applies, subject to current law.
What documents do I need?
Accurate personal information and the original passport or identification document used for the booking, as required by the authorities. Travelers receiving student discounts must present valid supporting documentation. Incorrect information, invalid documents or failure to meet official requirements may result in denied entry without a refund when the issue is the customer’s responsibility.
How do prices and payment work?
All prices are in US dollars (USD) and may change without prior notice before payment. Once payment is confirmed, the agreed price remains unchanged. Services are paid in advance using the payment methods available on our booking platform.
Are extra porters or equipment rental included?
No. Additional services, such as extra porters or equipment rental, are charged separately and are subject to availability. Prices and conditions are given at the time of booking.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes. Itineraries are a guide and may be adjusted due to operational requirements, weather, safety, official restrictions or other circumstances beyond our control. Interruptions caused by force majeure are handled according to the specific circumstances and applicable law.
How long do I have to make a complaint?
Within 90 days of the service completion date, through our official channels. Each complaint is reviewed in accordance with the agreed terms and applicable law.
Our team on the trail
We are a registered tour operator in Cusco (GERCETUR certificate No. 012-2026) with our own guides, cooks and porters, who are paid, insured and equipped under Peru’s porter law (Law 31614). That law caps a porter’s load at 20 kg for men and 15 kg for women. On our treks every hiker gets a cloth snack bag instead of plastic, we use biodegradable soap, and a portable toilet tent is part of the service. Peru’s protected-areas service, SERNANP, recognized us as an “Ally for Conservation”, and we take part in the cleanup of the trail: see how we care for the Inca Trail. Our company received the ASPEM Innova award in 2023 and took part again in the 2024 edition. Learn more about us, see our certifications and how to check any Inca Trail operator.
Useful guides before you book
- 2-day vs 4-day Inca Trail
- How hard is the Inca Trail?
- Hiking the Inca Trail at 60, 70 or 80
- Inca Trail packing list 2027, with a printable checklist
- 12-week Inca Trail training plan, with a printable PDF
- Inca Trail tipping guide
- Getting back from Machu Picchu: bus, train and Cusco
- Leave No Trace on the Inca Trail
- Is the Inca Trail safe?
- The Inca Trail with kids
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Inca Trail route?
The Classic 4-day trail is the complete experience, with mountain passes and a sunrise arrival at the Sun Gate. The 2-day route is best if you have little time or prefer a hotel to camping.
Do I need a permit for every Inca Trail route?
Yes. The 1-day, 2-day and 4-day routes all need an official permit bought by an authorized operator in your name.
Can I hike the Inca Trail without a tour?
No. Inca Trail permits can only be bought by authorized operators, and every group walks with a licensed guide. You cannot buy a permit yourself.
How much does an Inca Trail tour cost?
With us, the Classic 4-day trek costs US$795 per person for 2026 departures and US$820 for 2027 departures. The Short Inca Trail costs US$520 for 2026 departures and US$560 for 2027, and the 1-Day Inca Trail US$435 for 2026 and US$490 for 2027. The Luxury Inca Trail starts at US$1,559 as a private service.
How far in advance should I book for 2027?
For May to September, before the 2027 permits go on sale (expected November 2026; no official date yet). For April and October, 4–6 months ahead; for January, March, November and December, usually 2–3 months.
When is the Inca Trail closed?
Every February, for maintenance. No departures are sold for that month.
How fit do I need to be?
For the Classic route, reasonably fit and acclimatized for two or three days in Cusco; its high point is 4,215 m. The 2-day route stays below about 2,720 m and is moderate: 6–7 hours of hiking on day 1.
Is there a minimum age?
12 years on the Classic 4-day trek and 8 years on the Short Inca Trail. For other routes, ask us.
Can I join if I travel solo?
Yes. On the Classic and Short routes you join a group already confirmed for your date, with no supplement.
Can I add Huayna Picchu?
Yes, as a separate ticket for US$80, subject to availability. Ask for it when you book, because these tickets sell out too.
What if the Inca Trail is sold out for my date?
The Inca Quarry (Cachicata) trek needs no Inca Trail permit and also ends at Machu Picchu, and Salkantay and Lares are good alternatives. See Inca Trail sold out? 2027 alternatives.
How do I pay?
A 30% deposit online secures your place and your permit request; the 70% balance is paid at our office in Cusco on your first day, in cash or by card (6% card fee).