The Inca Trail is widely regarded as one of the top ten treks of the world, for its combination of Inca ruins, high passes, snow-capped mountains and ever changing ecosystems. As we hike you will learn about its history, flora and fauna with the help of our expert guides. Four days later, having walked 28 miles (40 km) and crossed passes up to 4200m you will reach the climax of this sacred pilgrimage, the wonderful of Machu Picchu.
Importance of regulations in the Inca trail to Machupicchu
For a proper use of the Inca trail, it has been regulated by representative and entities of the Peruvian Governement DIRCETUR, Ministry of Culture and SERNANP with the main objective of conserving and sustaining natural heritage and culture in a sustainable manner.
Regulations for Inca trail operators
In Article n°3. Of the regulations, sustainable tourist use is mandatory for tour operators in the Inca Trail, who are dedicated to work in tourism activities on routes 1,2,3 and 5 of the Inka Trail:
Tourist Regulations for tour operators and visitors in the Inca Trail.
In article 31 and 32 of the regulation of sustainable tourist use of the Inca Trail, it establishes articles that are not permitted for use in the Inca Trail for tour operators and visitors:
Time to spend on the Inca trail
Each tourist can stay for a different time depending on the route they are going to follow. The Inca Trail has the possibility of doing it in 4 days and 3 nights (classic Inca Trail), also a short Inca Trail of 2 days and 1 night. If you have more time, you can do the Inca Trail of 5 days and 4 nights and the tourist guides are in charge of ensuring that the time allowed by the Ministry of Culture of Peru.
Documents that must be presented to enter the Inca Trail:
– Inca Trail entrance tickets obtained in advance
– Updated original passport (if it has expired by the entry date, bring the old and new passport).
– Original DNI in case of Peruvian passengers
– Information of regulations and prohibitions for the use of the Inca trail.
How can I obtain permits for the Inca Trail.
The only way is to book it with an official operator travel agency. The Agency is the one that processes the permits together with the “Ministry”. Upon entering each campground, park rangers will ask for identification to confirm that all visitors are staying with their respective groups. The Inca Trail refers to two routes: the 4-day Classic Inca Trail and the 2-day Short Inca Trail. Both cover part of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu known as the “qhapacñan”.
Why choose a tourism agency?
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the routes with the highest demand in Peru, therefore the Peruvian government only accredits tourism agencies that comply with all the permits and requirements for its operation.
Operators agencies are responsible for acquiring permits for the Inca Trail from the Ministry of Culture of Peru through the web platform.
Agencies are also responsible for hiring support staff (guides, assistants, cooks and porters) and registering them in the records of the Peruvian Ministry of Culture.
Tourism agencies must comply with some duties with the visitor, such as:
