Inca Trail News

The Inca Trail is one of the biggest highlights of your trip to South America and we hope that the following information will help you to make the most of this. An Inca trek is included in most of our South America Overland and Small Group Tours. Availability of Inca Trail permits is limited, particularly during high season when the number of tourists wishing to walk the Inca Trail is greater than the number of permits available. Whilst we will endeavour to organise an Inca Trail permit for you, these are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. In the event that permits for the Inca Trail are unavailable, we will advise you as soon as possible about the two possible alternatives for reaching Machu Picchu 1- The 4 day Lares trek and 2- The 2 day Classic Train trip. Our website tour departure dates are updated frequently to indicate availability or non-availability of Inca Trail permits, however, permit availability can change with little warning: whilst we endeavour to keep this information as current as possible, we cannot guarantee permit availability.

» Pre-payment of Inca Trail deposit

The cost of the Inca Trail deposit must be paid in full at the time of booking. This is in addition to the tour deposit and is non refundable. Inca Trail permits will be applied for ONLY once full payment of deposit, and written confirmation of your full name, passport number and date of birth have been received. These deposits are included in the total tour price, and this amount will be deducted from the tour balance once paid. Inca Trail deposits for 2009:

Please note that if we are unable to secure you an Inca Trail permit and you do not wish to hike the alternative Lares trek or take the Classic Train trip, your deposit will be returned to you.

Late Inca Trail permit applications may occasionally incur an extra charge as we may need to organise an additional guide and pay for their trekking permit in order to secure your permit. We will advise you at the time of booking.

» Confirmation of permits

• Please note that we may be unable to confirm your Inca Trail permit until several months after your permit application. We generally apply for permits 2-6 months prior to departure for the Inca Trail depending on whether your trekking date coincides with high or low season.

» Changes and Amendments - Inca Trail permits

• Passport renewals once permit has been issued – your Inca Trail permit has been issued in accordance with the original details that you provided us with. Should you renew your passport, you must present the original or 2 very clear copies of the original upon entry to the trail otherwise you will be refused entry.
• Loss or theft of passport once the permit has been issued - you must provide 2 very clear photocopies plus a police report upon entry to the trail. In case of loss or theft we advise you to scan copies of the passport which you used to apply for your Inca Trail permit and store these electronically, for example in your Yahoo or Hotmail account..

» Costs for the Following Changes and Amendments:

• Changes to dates – your permit has been issued to allow you to enter the trail on a specific date. Once issued, we cannot amend the date. If you wish to change your trekking date, you will have to pay again for a completely new permit to be re-issued as well as the above admin fee.
• Illness – should you become ill immediately before commencing or during your Kumuka trip and decide that you no longer wish to do the trail, the permit is non refundable. However, we may be able to arrange for you to make an overnight trip to Machu Picchu by train, and meet with your original group for the guided tour of Machu Picchu, as well as spending 2 extra nights in Cusco. Any changes from the Inca Trail to the Classic Train will be subject to the above admin fee.
• Change of mind – if you subsequently decide that you wish to change to do either the Classic Train or the Lares trek, you will have to pay full fees for these alternative trips plus the above admin fee.
• Incorrect passport details – if you provided Kumuka with incorrect passport details, your permit will be invalid for entry to the trail. Kumuka cannot accept any responsibility for this. In the case that you inform us in advance of changes to your passport details and if our operator is able to amend these, this will be subject to the above admin fee.

» Transferring Tours

• If you decide to transfer your tour to an alternative tour which includes the Inca Trail, you agree to pay any fees for obtaining new permits along with the above admin fee.
• If you are booked to do the Inca Trail as part of one of our Overland or Small Group tours, cancel your trip but decide that you wish to use your permit, you can do so by booking our SAMP1 Inca Trail add on. Please note that standard cancellation or transfer fees apply to your original trip.
• Your permit cannot be changed to a friend or to another date. If you have booked a Kumuka tour and your Inca Trail permit has been issued, but you then decide to cancel your Kumuka tour and book with an alternative group operator, we are unable to transfer your Inca Trail permit.

» No Permit Availability

• We can normally arrange the alternative 4 day Lares trek. Lares departures generally coincide with high season. Due to lesser demand and inclement weather, departures on the Lares Trail are limited during the low season.
• If there is no availability for either the Inca Trail or the Lares trek, we can normally arrange for you to spend 2 extra days in Cusco and then take the 2 day Classic Train trip to Machu Picchu, where you will meet with your original group for the guided visit to Machu Picchu.

» High Season/ Low Season Information

• November to March is considered low season. We can often obtain permits at short notice during this time.
• April to October is considered high season. We require your passport details as far in advance as possible during this time.
• The trail is closed during the month of February for maintenance. If your tour coincides with the Inca Trail closure, we can normally offer Lares or the Classic Train.