Questions about preparation, permits, camp life and the five-day trip. Start here, then talk with us about your own plans. For short answers to the questions hikers search for most, see our Inca Trail questions page.
Inca Trek by Destination Peru answers the questions hikers ask most about the private 5-day Inca Trail: 2027 permits, prices, the deposit, how hard it is, altitude, camp life and Machu Picchu the next morning. Last updated 21 Oct 2026.
The Inca Trail is permit-limited. Here is how booking actually works.
For April to October 2027, before the permits go on sale. 2027 Inca Trail permits are not on sale yet (as of 19 Oct 2026); 2026 permits went on sale 17 Nov 2025 and peak months sell out at release. Inca Trek by Destination Peru holds your date on a US$500 per-guest deposit and buys your permits on release day, in deposit order. For January, March, November or December, a few weeks ahead is usually enough. The trail is closed every February.
Inca Trek by Destination Peru's private 5-day Inca Trail costs US$3,395 per guest for parties of 2–3 and US$2,995 per guest for parties of 4–8. That includes the Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu admissions, your own guide, cook and porters, three camping nights with tents, pads and a dining tent, all trail meals and water, the night at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo with a celebration dinner, the guided Machu Picchu visit, the train to Ollantaytambo and private transfers to and from your Cusco hotel. Not included: flights, other hotels, travel insurance, tips, and sleeping-bag or pole rental.
Send your dates and group size and Inca Trek by Destination Peru replies with a proposal within 24 hours; asking costs nothing. When you accept, a US$500 per-guest deposit holds your first-choice date and up to two alternates, and we buy your permits at booking (for 2027, on the day the Ministry releases them). The balance is due 60 days before you start. The deposit is non-refundable if you cancel or change; if we cannot secure any of your dates, you choose the nearest alternatives, a full refund or a credit.
No. The classic Inca Trail can only be hiked with a licensed operator and a licensed guide, and permits are sold only to licensed operators, in each hiker's name. The company that buys your permit is the company you hike with, so choose the operator first. Inca Trek by Destination Peru operates under SERNANP Tourism Services Contract No. 11-2022-SERNANP-DGANP.
Each hiker's full name, passport number, date of birth and nationality, exactly as they will appear at the checkpoint, because the permit is issued in your name. Names cannot be changed once a permit is issued. Inca Trek by Destination Peru asks for these details with your deposit so we can buy on release day.
No. An Inca Trail permit is issued to a named hiker for a specific start date, and the government does not allow changes, transfers or refunds once it is issued. That is why Inca Trek by Destination Peru asks you to commit to dates carefully, offers up to two alternate dates at booking, and requires travel insurance. If your dates cannot be secured at all, you get the nearest alternatives, a full refund or a credit.
The Inca Trail normally closes for annual maintenance in February. That closure is different from access to Machu Picchu itself. We check the official arrangements for the relevant year, as well as any other restrictions that could affect a departure.
It’s a demanding hike, and a rewarding one. Here is what to expect.
Expect a demanding hike with consecutive days on uneven stone, a long climb to Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215 m and substantial descents. Being comfortable on long hilly hikes is a useful starting point. Altitude adds a separate challenge, so tell us about your experience and preparation before booking.
Build up your hiking gradually, including hills, descents and time carrying the daypack you will use. Practice on consecutive days when appropriate for your current fitness. We'll explain the route's demands; a qualified trainer or clinician can help you prepare around injuries or health concerns.
Your guide works with your private party, so you are not trying to match an unrelated group's pace. We allow for breaks and discuss different abilities before the trek. Each day still has a route and campsite to reach, so we will be honest about the preparation and fitness needed.
Our trip gives the hike and the final Machu Picchu visit separate days. You finish the trail on day four, stay at Inkaterra that night and return with your guide the next morning. You still hike the classic route over four days; the extra day changes the finish, not the altitude or all of the daily distances.
Many hikers appreciate poles on the climbs and descents. Bring your own or ask about our rentals. We'll provide the current equipment requirements for the trail and explain what can and cannot be taken into Machu Picchu; those rules should not be treated as identical.
Near the Sun Gate there is a short, steep stone staircase, sometimes referred to by hikers as the Gringo Killer. Take it carefully and follow your guide's instructions. It is one reason to prepare for steps and uneven footing rather than only level-distance hiking.
Your daypack only: 20–30 litres with a hip belt, holding water, layers, rain jacket, snacks and passport. Everything else goes in your personal duffel, up to 7 kg per guest including your sleeping bag, and the porters carry it. Inca Trek by Destination Peru gives you the duffel at the pre-trek briefing.
Altitude is the thing most people worry about. Give it time and take it seriously.
The high point is Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215 m. People respond differently to altitude, and good physical fitness does not protect against altitude illness. Allow time to adjust before the trek, discuss your plans with a clinician and tell your guide promptly about symptoms. We explain the team's response procedures in your pre-trek information.
Plan time in the region before the hike rather than flying in just before departure. Two or three pre-trek nights are a common planning starting point, but the right schedule depends on your previous altitude exposure, arrival route and health. We'll help arrange a sensible itinerary; your clinician can advise on personal considerations. Pre-trek accommodation is additional unless your proposal includes it.
Ask your clinician whether medication is appropriate for you. We do not prescribe it or recommend a dose. Medication advice does not replace planning time to adjust to altitude or responding appropriately to symptoms.
Tell your guide immediately if you feel unwell. The team follows its response procedures, which can include changing the day's plan, descending or arranging evacuation and medical care. Safety takes priority over completing the itinerary. We explain the remote nature of the trek and the emergency arrangements before you travel.
Consult a travel-health clinician in advance and share your full Peru itinerary, including any Amazon extension. Recommendations depend on where you travel, your health and your vaccination history. Check any current entry requirements separately.
Coca tea is a traditional drink, but it should not be relied on to prevent or treat altitude illness. Ask your clinician about appropriate prevention and tell your guide about symptoms rather than trying to manage them with tea.
Three nights at camp, with a crew looking after the details.
We provide separate private restroom tents for women and men at camp for your group. These are portable camp facilities, not hotel bathrooms. Your joining information explains the setup and hygiene arrangements.
Do not plan on reliable hot showers during the camping nights. We provide washing water at camp, and your included night at Inkaterra gives you a hot shower after finishing the hike.
The trek includes three camping nights followed by one night at Inkaterra. Our standard tent arrangement is two guests in a three-person tent with sleeping pads. Tell us about your party's rooming needs when you inquire. We'll advise on a suitable sleeping bag for the expected conditions and explain the rental options.
Your cook prepares the meals listed for the trek, with snacks along the way. Tell us about dietary needs and allergies before booking so we can confirm what the camp kitchen can safely accommodate. Vegetarian requests are welcome; severe allergies require an individual discussion and should not be treated as automatically manageable.
We provide the drinking-water service described in your joining instructions. Bring refillable bottles, and we'll explain how much to carry at the start and when refills are available. Do not drink untreated water from streams.
Do not rely on having mobile service or internet throughout the trail. Tell family that you may be out of contact while hiking. Before departure, we will explain how to reach our office and what communication arrangements the team uses for the trek.
There is no single perfect month. Here are the trade-offs.
The generally drier months are a popular choice, while the transition and wetter months bring different conditions and planning considerations. Tell us your travel window and we will discuss expected weather, current permits and the suitability of the departure. No month guarantees clear views or an empty trail. Our 2027 permits page has a short seasonal guide.
Conditions change with elevation and weather, and the higher camps can be cold, including temperatures around or below freezing. Bring the layers and sleeping equipment specified in your preparation notes. We will review the expected conditions with you before departure.
Rain is possible at any time, so waterproof clothing and protection for your gear are important. Wet steps and reduced visibility can change the pace and plan. Your guide will make decisions based on the conditions and the operating procedures for the route.
A 20–30 litre daypack with a hip belt. You carry it every day; the porters carry everything else in your 7 kg duffel. Inca Trek by Destination Peru guests carry a rain jacket, warm layer, water, snacks and passport. Pack about 2 L of water, sunscreen, a headlamp, your camera and some cash; your passport is checked at the Km 82 checkpoint. From November to March add a pack rain cover or liner. Tents, sleeping pads and the dining tent are camp equipment, carried separately and not counted in your 7 kg.
Two bags. A 20–30 litre daypack with a hip belt that you carry: rain jacket, warm layer, about 2 L of water, snacks, sunscreen, headlamp, camera, passport and some cash. A duffel the porters carry: everything else, up to 7 kg per guest including your sleeping bag (ours, rented or your own). From November to March add a pack rain cover or liner. Inca Trek by Destination Peru sends the full list after booking.
You reach the Sun Gate on day four and return with your guide on day five.
On day four, the planned route approaches Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate before you continue to your hotel in Aguas Calientes. On day five, you return by bus with your guide for the included visit. We arrange the admissions needed for both parts of the confirmed itinerary.
Your visit follows the circuit and entry time booked for your trip. We allow for the guided visit described in the itinerary, subject to the site's rules for that admission. Your guide helps you understand the places included on your route; not every area is accessible with every ticket.
Ask during planning. These are additional hikes with their own ticket and scheduling requirements, and they may not fit every guest or departure. We'll discuss the effort involved, check availability and quote the additional arrangements before you decide.
Follow the booked circuit, your guide's instructions and the site's visitor rules. We'll send current guidance on bags, equipment, restricted items and the documents to bring before your visit. Rules for the hiking trail and the archaeological site can differ.
The people who run the trek, and how we look after them.
A licensed guide assigned to your private party, supported by our trekking crew. We will confirm your guide and explain the team's experience and preparation before departure. The guide's role is to help you navigate the route, understand the sites and make appropriate decisions along the way.
Ask us about load limits, equipment, meals, sleeping arrangements, pay and the way tips are distributed. These are part of running the trek properly. Our crew-care information sets out the standards we use and what the team is provided with on each departure.
Tips are optional and are separate from the published price for new bookings described on this site. Our pre-trek information explains the customary approach and how any tips are distributed. The decision and amount are yours.
The crew size depends on your party and the operating requirements of the trek. Your proposal identifies the guide arrangement and the cook and porter support included. We will explain any additional guide or support arrangements needed for the group.
Booking, payment and getting yourself to Cusco.
Yes. Check with your insurer that the policy covers the activities and altitude in your itinerary, appropriate medical care and evacuation, and the cancellation protection you need. Coverage and exclusions vary. We can provide the trip details for your insurer, but cannot decide whether a policy covers your individual circumstances.
Payment instructions follow the accepted proposal and booking terms. We use U.S.-dollar pricing and send the appropriate payment link or approved bank instructions. We will acknowledge payments and confirm what is reserved separately from what is still pending.
Many international itineraries connect through Lima before continuing to Cusco. Plan enough time before the trek for your arrival, briefing and adjustment to altitude. We can help arrange additional transfers and hotels; do not assume they are part of the base trek unless your proposal includes them.
Yes. Destination Peru can help with travel before or after the trek, from Cusco and the Sacred Valley to other parts of the country. We will discuss what you want to add and quote those arrangements separately.
Allow for optional tips, personal purchases and any food or drinks outside your meal plan. Our joining instructions explain the practical cash arrangements for the route. Check the exclusions in your proposal rather than assuming the trek price covers every purchase.
Hikers who want the real trail, with support along the way.
Tell us the children's ages, hiking experience and how the family normally handles long days outdoors. We will discuss the route and whether the full trek is appropriate. A private party allows us to focus on your family, but the distance, terrain and altitude still apply to everyone.
Age alone does not answer that question. Hiking experience, health, preparation and how you respond to altitude all matter. Tell us about the hikes you do now, and discuss the proposed itinerary with your clinician before booking. We will help you make an informed decision.
Yes, by individual proposal. You will have a private departure with your own guide and trekking support. We do not place solo inquiries into a shared group.
Discuss the route, high point and remote setting with your clinician before booking. Let us know that you need a private conversation about the practical arrangements; we will explain how to share relevant information appropriately. We cannot determine medical suitability through a website form.
Absolutely. Tell us what you're celebrating and who is coming. The Inkaterra dinner is already part of the five-day experience. We can discuss additional touches and confirm what is possible, including any extra cost, while planning the trip.
Last updated: October 21, 2026
Still wondering whether the Inca Trail is right for you? Tell us about your plans and the questions that matter most. We’ll help you work through them before you book.
