The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is considered to be one of the most popular treks in the world. Because of its growing popularity it is important to plan ahead to make sure you have a place on the Inca Trail reserved specifically for you and your group. Reservations are made many months in advance, and if your Inca Trail reservations aren´t accepted, you will have to make your Inca Trail reservations possibly for the next year.
The government of Peru gives out 500 permits each day for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. About 300 of these permits are reserved for porters, guides and cooks while the remaining 200 permits are reserved specifically for tourists and trekkers. It is important to do research before hand to make sure you know the best time to make your reservations.
If your reservations do not go through, there are plenty of alternative treks to Machu Picchu to choose from. Considered the best alternative hike if you cannot make your Inca Trail reservations is the Salkantay Trek to the beautiful holy Inca citidal of Machu Picchu. If the Inca Trail is the only trek to Machu Picchu that interests you it is important to plan ahead when make your Inca Trail reservations to make sure you have a spot for the desired dates while you are in Peru.
It is important to understand when making your Inca Trail booking, that all permits are non-transferable and changing dates for your Inca Trail trek are not accepted by the government office. Also, there is no Inca Trail reservations that can be made during the month of February due to annual conservation projects on the Inca Trail. Any other time of the year will be allowed to make your Inca Trail reservations.
