How far in advance do I need to Book the Inca Trail? Usually all adventure travellers ask this question. How long in advance you need to book? – 6, 5 or 3 month or 1 year in advance?. The Inca Trail is the most popular hike to Machu Picchu and the most famous of the world. On 2019, the Ministry of Culture and Sernanp created the new regulations and policies for this route and all Inca Trail tour operator companies have to obey. Between August to September, the Inca Trail tour operator can reserve permits for trek to Machu Picchu the next year.
Adventurers from all over the world have been put on alert, because the spaces available to Inca Trail to Machu Picchu gonna be put on sale in October, 3 months before 2019. The permits usually sold out months before. Normally we recommend booking Inca Trail in advance, 8 months before. However, that the availability be released months before, makes the people who want to reserve a space on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for any time in 2019, must reserve the permits as soon as possible.
There are only 500 Inca trail reservations available for each day, however this is a bit far from the truth. To explain it in a better way; only 200 people (and 300 porters, guides and cooks) can enter Machu Picchu every day
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The 4-day Inca Trail trek reaches its highest point at the “Dead women pass” (4125 masl / 13,500 ft.), located in the central mountain range of the Andes, then we descend to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu (2,500 masl). If there is something more spectacular than getting to Machu Picchu by train after touring the Sacred Valley of the Incas, it is to approach it by watching it from above. With a little luck, you will see how the fog dissipates to show you the Inca city of Machu Picchu, from the “Sun Gate”. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the best treks in the world; while descending from the Andes to the Amazon jungle, you will see amazing Inca and pre – Inca constructions.
How long before you have to book the Inca Trail reservations?
To secure a permit for Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you must book many months before. 8 months is the early booking time we recommend. The complete release is scheduled for October 5, 2019, and the main concern is that 80% of the Inca trail reservations are sold before Christmas.
Obtain the permits for the 2019 Inca Trail now, contact us. The permits during “highest season” (from May to August) can be sold in just a few hours.
August 10th: Book the Inca Trail for January, March, April
August 12th: Book the Inca Trail for May, June, July, August
August 13th: Book the Inca Trail for September, October, November
August 14th: Book the Inca Trail for December
Best time to Book the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Remember that in February, it is impossible to reserve the Inca Trail, given that the Ministry of Culture closes the road to maintain and improve the route.
The climate varies according to the months, some with presence of rains, sunny days, cloudy days, cold nights; then we detail the Inca Trail Climate per month:
- In the months of January and March the rains are persistent mostly at night, the days are cloudy but there are nice and sunny days, if we have good luck.
- In the month of April, the rainy season ends little by little, and the days become warmer and more pleasant, with sporadic rains.
- Between May and October, the climate is warm and cool, with little rain, sunny days and quite bright.
- The months of June, July, August and September are undoubtedly the best months to complete the Inca Trail, clear days permit us to observe the landscapes; also, it´s more fresher, however, the nights are cold in the high areas.
- During November and December, it is the time when the rainy season begins, the days are sunny, but at any moment can rain, as well as, there are cloudy days without rain.
Now it is only your decision, to decide in which month to carry out the Inca Trail, and to enjoy your adventure, among the ancestral mountains, which were witnesses of the greatness of the Inca Empire.
Alternatives to the Inca Trail
There are many walks that can be excellent alternatives, if you did not manage to reserve the permits to travel the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Salkantay, Lares and Ausangate are some of them, and although they do not end directly in Machu Picchu, they will give you the opportunity to see it. However, if your main objective is to achieve Machu Picchu, we reccomend you booking Inca Trail in advance.
- Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Short Salkantay to Machu Picchu
- Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek
- Lares Trek to Machu Picchu
