Machu Picchu is one of the most popular archaeological ruins in the world. According to a news report by Peru Telegraph, a staggering 1,578,030 visitors made their way in the country’s most famous tourist attraction in 2018. Travelers looking to reach the ruins can take the classic Inca trail trek.
This trek takes hikers on an amazing path that the Incas built over 900 years ago to connect the capital city of Cusco to Machu Picchu. Travelers can expect to be amazed by the stunning combination of magnificent mountains, Incan ruins and exotic vegetation.
We offer the standard four-day Inca trail to Machu Picchu to all travelers. On top of that, we have one-, two-, and five-day options. You can choose a long or short hike to Machu Picchu. Take note that short Inca treks (one- and two-day options) consist of the last third of the trail and enter the ancient citadel via the Sun Gate.
We encourage you to book with us as soon as possible. The Peruvian government has taken measures to manage the number of tourists entering the site. Only 500 permits are available per day — 200 are for trekking travelers and 300 for porters, chefs and guides. These permits quickly sell out, especially during the peak months.
Don’t delay. Book today.
The Inca Trail Trek is known as one of the world’s ten best hikes. The trail was built by the Incas over 900 years ago to connect their capital city of Cusco to the Sacred Citadel of Machu Picchu. This hike offers trekkers incredible vistas of Andean glacial peaks to tropical forests as they walk this historical trail of 45Km/26 miles through the Sun Gate to the legendary Machu Picchu Citadel. Besides the Classic Inca Trail of 4 days there are additional options of 1, 2, or 5-day treks to allow all travelers the option to experience this incredible trek. The 1 and 2 day treks are the last one third of the Inca Trail and enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
It depends on your chosen tour option. If you’re booking the short Inca Trail to the ancient citadel, we advise you to book two to four months in advance. On the other hand, if you’re aiming for the classic four-day Inca trek or the extended five-day option, you’ll need to schedule even earlier to get the date you want. Depending on your preferred month, you may need to book six months (or more) in advance. The permits for Inca tours are expected to come out in October 2020 (for 2021 treks). Plus, many of the dates are booked up within minutes.
As your tour provider, we do our best to obtain the permits for your chosen date. We are able to secure the preferred dates for our customers most of the time. Just to be on the safe side, we recommend that you provide us with at least two alternative dates in the event that we’re unable to get permits for the date you want. This allows us to secure permits for you and make sure you get the opportunity to experience an incredible Inca trail journey.
We make sure that our hikers’ information is ready to use and up to date to secure the Inca Trail permit on their preferred dates. Peak months, such as May and June, sell out within minutes. Any delays in booking could prevent us from obtaining your Inca Trail permit, especially for the four-day Inca Trail.
You can make adjustments on the starting date for the 2021 Inca Trails before the permits go on sale in October 2019.
Once we buy the permits, however, you may no longer move the start date, transfer the permit to another hiker, or obtain a refund. If you want to change the date, a new permit purchase is required.
It may be possible to book at the last minute with the 2 day or 1 day Inca Trail and perhaps the Classic Inca Trail (4 or 5 day) if you are looking to trek in a month of the year where demand is lower. However, it is not recommended! The permits are not the only item that can book out, trains and hotels can also book out. Please do not wait until the last minute, book now if you have set dates!
We need the personal information appearing on your passport. This includes your complete name, date of birth, passport number, gender and nationality. After booking, please provide us with a copy of your passport.
You may also book using the personal details on your driver’s license. Just make sure that the information on your license matches the details on your passport.
If you’ve applied for your passport but haven’t received it, use your driver’s license to book with us. Once you have your new passport, email us a picture of it along with your driver’s license. We’ll update the information that will go on the permit. Please bring both forms of identification when you visit Peru.
You can use your passport to book your hike if it is expiring. Once you get your new passport, take a photo of that along with your old passport. Then email us the pictures and bring both passports when you come to Peru.
No. The Peruvian government has strictly regulated the Inca Trail. Only fully licensed tour operators can book this hike. We take pride in the fact that we’re one of the few fully licensed Inca Trail tour operators in Peru. You won’t regret putting your trust in us.
We specialize in small groups of two to eight people. We want all our hikers to have the best journey possible. Keeping the groups small allows you to get to know your fellow travelers better and helps you have a great trekking experience.
You have the option to book a private hike at an additional cost. The fee varies, depending on the private group size. If you go on a private tour, you’ll have your own chef, porters, personal guide, toilet tent and dining tent. Take note, though, that you won’t be hiking or camping alone on the trail, as there may be other groups who are camping and hiking on the same path.
The process is easy. Just click the BOOK NOW link and follow the instructions. If you have further questions, you can either give us a call or chat with us online.
When booking, get your passport details ready and email us a copy of your passport. Once we get your completed booking form and the deposit fee, we’ll send you an email confirmation. Once the government releases the permits, our staff will send another confirmation stating that we’ve secured the permits for your desired date.
An incredible journey awaits you. Book with us today.
SAM Travel Peru is a socially responsible tour operator concerned about the environment. Our Plant A Tree campaign creates awareness to local communities and the citizens of the city of Cusco that deforestation issue in the Andes Mountains is a serious one. As each year, many mountain slopes are void of trees and that causes a huge decline in the wildlife.
December of 2017, SAM Travel Peru fulfilled the dreams of 36 children and their parents from the indigenous community of Pampamarca way up in the Andean mountains in the south of Cusco. They got to tour Cusco City, Sacred Valley and the Citadel of Machu Picchu all paid for by SAM Travel Peru. These are children do not have the resources nor ability for many reasons to be able to experience the historical sites of their Inca heritage. Sam Travel Peru wants to give them a once in a lifetime experience up close and in person of their heritage and restore their pride in their culture, history and Inca heritage.
We kick off our annual Christmas social project focused on helping communities surrounding the imperial city of Cusco and the Sacred Valley. We journeyed towards the community of Pacchanta, located within the district of Ocongate (home to Ausangate Mountain). This quaint and isolated community is home to about 400 people or so. SAM Travel Peru was able to complete this project successfully with the help of its dedicated team members!
We are ISO 9001 certified, which ensures that all our customers get consistent, good quality services and products. Sam Travel honors and is committed to these principles.
ISO 14001 sets an internationally agreed upon standard for Environmental sustainability. They encourage organizations to protect the environment through the efficient use of resources and reduction of waste. Sam travel adopts a holistic approach to environmental sustainability and management.
We are honored to have been chosen by our travelers as their travelers’ choice of 2022. Trust us to plan your travel, for an unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience. We are humbled and proud to provide the best tours to Machu Picchu, trekking the Inca trail and other tours and treks throughout the Cusco region and beyond.
Sam Travel is committed to a greener earth. We make direct contributions to counter the carbon emissions created by our website and its foot traffic. We play our part in reducing the impact on our environment by neutralizing our carbon emissions.
