This 4-day trail to Machu Picchu is the most famous hike in South America, with thousands of trekkers walking it every year. Although it is only 42 kilometers long, trekkers often refer to this Machu Picchu trek as the "Survival Trail." The ancient Inca Trail winds up, down, and around the mountains, crossing three high passes along the way.
The views of snowy peaks and cloud forests are breathtaking, and walking from one cliff-hugging ruin to the next is a mystical and unforgettable experience. However, you’ll rarely have a moment of solitude to fully enjoy these views.
Why Book the Inca Trail 2026 in Advance?
It is very important to book your Inca Trail 2026 tour in advance, especially this year. According to the new Machu Picchu regulations, you must secure both the Inca Trail permit and an additional Machu Picchu entrance ticket.
The most recommended route to visit Machu Picchu is Circuit 2, which offers the best views of the Inca Citadel.
You cannot hike the Inca Trail independently. All trekkers must go with a guide as part of an organized group through a licensed tour operator. The tour operator must have official authorization to operate on the Inca Trail and other Inca routes, as well as alternative treks to Machu Picchu. You must carry your original passport (not a photocopy) and, if you are a student, your ISIC card to present at checkpoints.
Do not litter, defecate in the ruins, or pick plants in the national park. Graffitiing trees or stones along the route is illegal.
Although some operators do not include camping gear, specialized companies like Salkantay Trek Machu provide everything needed. Since temperatures drop quickly when the sun goes down, make sure your sleeping bag is for high mountains. In your backpack, you must have:
The Inca Trail receives visitors all year, except in February, the month when the path closes for full maintenance. If you plan to travel between December and April, keep in mind that rain can make the paths slippery and clouds might limit the panoramic views. On the other hand, the dry season (from May to September) offers clear skies, making it the most popular and crowded time of the season.
2026 is already here! If you have plans to hiking the Inca Trail during this year, you are at the key moment. The official system for 2026 Inca Trail booking was enabled at the end of October last year, and due to the huge interest, many of the dates for the high season (May, June, and July) already show limited availability.
Remember that the strict limit of 500 daily permits stays the same, of which only about 200 are for tourists, while the rest is for the support team (guides, cooks, and porters).
According to the newest rules, it is vital to keep in mind that the Inca Trail permit must now be managed together with the specific visit circuit in Machu Picchu. Make sure your tour operator manages both the route permit and your Machu Picchu entrance ticket at the same time to avoid problems at the entry control.
The government has strengthened the measures to protect the trail and the working conditions. When choosing your agency, consider that tour costs reflect the annual fees and taxes that operators must pay to keep their license. Choosing agencies with extremely low prices usually means compromises in the quality of the camping equipment or in the fair treatment of porters.
Most Tour Operator run minibuses to the start of the trail past the village of Chilca at Piscacucho (km 82). After crossing the Río Urubamba and taking care of trail fees and registration formalities, the trail climbs gently along side the river to the first archaeological site of Llactapata before heading south down a side valley of the Río Kusichaca. The trail south leads 7km to the hamlet of Wayllabamba (3100 m), where you can take a breather to appreciate views of snowy, Veronica (5750 m). You'll cross the rio Llullucha, the climb steeply up along the river. This area is known as Tres Piedras (Three Wihile Stones), and from here it is a long, very steep 3km climb. At some points, the trail and stream bed become one, but stonestairs keep hikers above the water. The trail eventually emerges on the high, bare mountainside of Llulluchapampa, where the flats are dotted with campsite. From Llulluchapampa, a good path upthe left-hand side of the two-hour ascent to Warmiwañusca (4198m), colorfully known as Dead Woman's Pass.This is the highest point to the trek, which leaves many a backpacker gasping. From Warmiwañusca, the trail continues down a jong. Knee-jarringly steep descent to the river, where there are large campsites at Pacaymayu (3500m) The trail crosses the river over a small footbridge and climbs right toward Runkurakay, a round ruin with superb views about an hou's walk above the river.
Above Runkurakay, the trail climbs to a false summit before continuing past two small lakes to the top of the second pass at (3900 m), which has views of the snowcapped Cordillera Vilcabamba. The trail descends to the ruin of Sayaqmarka, a tightly constructed complex perched ona small mountain spur with in credible views, then continues downward crossing a tributary of the Río Aobamba. The trail leads on across an Inca causeway and up again through cloud fores and an Inca tunnel carved into the rock to the third pass (3670 m). Soon afterward, you'll reach the beautiful, well-restored ruinof Phuyupatamarca (3600 m), above sea level). The site contains a beautiful series ofceremonial baths water running through them. From Puyupatamarca, the trail takes a dizzying dive into the could forest below, following an incredibly well-engineeredflight of mani hundreds of Inca steps.
After passing through a tunnel, the trail eventually zigzags its way down to Wiñay Wayna, where atrekker's lodge sells hot showers,hot meals and cold, for those who want to pay a bit extra.
From the Wiñay Wayna guard post, the trail contours around through cliff-hanging cloud forest for about two hours to reach Intipinku (Sun Gate), where you may get lucky enough to catch your first glimpse of magestic Machu Picchu as you wait for the sun rise over the mountain tops.
The final triumphant descent takes almost an hour. Backpacks are not allowed into the ruins, and guards will pounce upon you to check your pack and to stamp your trail morning trainloads of tourists, so you can enjoy the exhilarated exhaustion of reachong your goal without having to push through as many crushing crowds.
The best travel time for trekking around Machu Picchu is dry season from May to September is the best travel time for this trekking experience. However, the months of June to August are quite cold at night. March, April, October and November are warmer and rainy. The Inca Trail tours are completely closed in February for maintenance work.
If the Inca Trail was not booked early enough to reserve a place in time, there are alternative trekking routes that offer a similar experience.
The Salkantay Trek tours, Lares Trek, Inca Quarry Trail and Inca Jungle Trek are recommended. All these tours end with a visit to Machu Picchu. Even last-minute hikers can find their tour on old Inca trails such as Choquequirao to Machu Picchu.
Both trails close in February
Whether you are doing the Inca Trail in 2026, it is recommended to reserve/secure permits as soon as possible. It is important not to wait! – BOOK NOW to avoid disappointments!
The Inca Trail is CLOSED every year in FEBRUARY for maintenance, allowing conservation projects, and because of the rain, so both the Short 2-Day and the Classic 4-Day aren’t available anytime this month.
Cancelled tickets are not transferable No travel agency or tour operator will be able to offer you a space for the Inca Trail, unless there are available permits shown on the calendar for the date you want to start the trek. Also it is important to say that NO matter how many clients cancel their Inca Trail reservations, NOBODY else can use these spaces. Trek dates and previously selected routes aren’t transferable in any case either.
This trail is a part of the Inca Trail 4 days and you will visit the following Inca sites:
Here some information you should take into account to book your Short Inca Trail:
We strongly recommend that:
Salkantay Trek Machu is Tour Operator and our trip is 100% guaranteed departure,This meaning that spaces are available on the Inca Trail for the requested information at the moment of the booking. The full passenger data have been provided and the required deposit has been paid for
Before your book, it is very important you know the Inca Trail policy.
If it is fully booked. If not, no worries as you can still hike one of so called Alternative Treks!
When the Inca Trail is fully booked, it means no travel agency can booked it. This is because the booking system of the Inca Trail is managed by the Ministry of Culture of Peru! You can do the follow Inca Trail alternatives treks during your Machu Picchu Vacation:
The best season is to do it in the dry season, which covers the months April to the end of September. In October the rains begin and you can find Machu Picchu covered by clouds. If you travel in June, we recommend you to book the Inti Raymi 2026 Tour that takes place in June 24th, and also hike the Rainbow Mountain, which is an incredible Rainbow Mountain located in the Andes.
+51 84 226 547
+51 912 891 560
Av Tupac Amaru PP-10B, Santiago, Cusco, Peru 
info@salkantaytrekmachu.com
www.salkantaytrekmachu.com
