The Inca Trail is one of the oldest pilgrimages and one of the 10 most beautiful walks in the world. To date, scientists do not agree on the role of Machu Picchu. Some say it was a defense fortress of the Inca Empire, while other scientists assume it was a refuge for kings. What we do know for sure is that the Inca Trail leads to the city of Machu Picchu, built around 1440.


The Inca Trail, Peru 

At present, the Inca Trail is one of the most popular treks in the world, at least the most popular in Peru. Every year Machu Picchu attracts about 400,000 tourists. A maximum of 2,500 Machu Picchu people can enter each day, of which a total of 500 are authorized to walk along the classic Inca Trail. These 500 are divided into 200 tourists who walk the Inca Trail with the support of 300 porters.
 
Availability for Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail in 2020
Permits for the Inca Trail 2020 will be available in October. However, trekking companies are already making reservations. If you want to do the Inca Trail in 2020, you can book a date of your choice and inform your trekking company about a second option. Trekking companies will always try to obtain permits for the preferred date, but since there are only a limited number of permits available, it is good to have a second option in mind.
 
There are 500 permits available per day for the four-day Inca Trail. Because this number is divided between tourists and staff (guides, porters and cooks), there are only 200 permits available for tourists, since the other 300 are for staff. There is a shortage of permits especially in the months of May to September. As summer approaches in the northern hemisphere, thousands of people prepare to travel the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Are you one of them or do you prefer the short Inca Trail?
 
For the short Inca Trail (two days), there are 250 permits available per day. In general, they are available for much longer, but they also sell out quickly. In this case, we also advise you to make the reservation as soon as possible. And if none is available? Do not be sad because there are alternatives such as Salkantay and trekking through the Inca jungle. As you can read in this blog post, the alternatives are often even better than the classic Inca Trail.


Classic Inca Trail in 2020
 
The classic Inca Trail is the one that connects Machu Picchu with the rest of the Inca Empire. The route is 45 km long and takes three to five days. The trail winds through the dense forest over high mountain ranges and reaches the ruins of Machu Picchu. While Machu Picchu is located at an altitude of 2340 m, the highest point during the classic Inca Trail is 4200 m, it is the so-called "passage of the dead woman". During the tour of the Inca Trail we will pass through the ruins of the Puyupatamarca and Huiñay Huayna villages.
 
The Inca Trail trail is in good condition. Every year, in February, it is closed for maintenance.
Classic Inca Trail itinerary for 2020


Classic Inca Trail 

The following itinerary is the most classic thing that can be done on the Inca Trail. In 4 days and 3 nights, you can reach Machu Picchu, following the most beautiful path that exists, crossing the dead woman's path and passing through Inti Punku, known as the door of the sun. The itinerary is based on the 4-day Inca Trail that Trexperience offers.