- Trekking permit
- Not required
- Daily quota
- None
- Season
- Open year-round
- Machu Picchu ticket
- Required — included
- Inca Trail, by contrast
- 500 permits/day
The short answer: no permit
The Salkantay Trek does not require a trekking permit. Unlike the classic Inca Trail, there are no access limits on the Salkantay trail and it is open all year round. You can book and walk on the dates that work for you, without racing a daily quota that sells out months ahead.
Why the Inca Trail needs permits and Salkantay does not
The first route most travellers consider is the Inca Trail from Cusco. Because of overcrowding, the Peruvian government limited daily access and imposed strict regulations on that specific trail — 500 permits a day, guides and porters included in the count, and no exceptions.
The Salkantay trail is a separate route over its own pass, and it is not governed by that quota. That is why so many travellers move to Salkantay when Inca Trail permits are gone — and why many others choose it first, for the sense of remoteness a quota-free trail still allows.
What this means for you
- Flexible dates. You are not forced into whatever slot still has a permit attached to it.
- Year-round access. The trail is open all year, so you can choose the season that suits you rather than the season that has availability.
- No months-ahead scramble. We still recommend reserving early so we can handle logistics — but weeks, not months.
Reserve early and we take care of transport, camps, equipment and tickets, leaving you to book flights and get fit for the trail.
The one ticket you do need
The trail needs no permit, but every visit to the citadel requires a Machu Picchu entrance ticket. That ticket is included in all of our Salkantay packages — so the single reservation that genuinely matters is already handled. You do not have to source it separately or watch it sell out independently.
No permit left for the Inca Trail? Trek Salkantay
Plenty of trekkers arrive here for exactly this reason. Salkantay delivers the same destination with a longer stretch of wild country, better food than you expect at 4,000 metres, and a pass higher than anything on the classic route. The side-by-side comparison sets out what you gain and what you give up.
Ready to pick a departure? The classic 5-day trek is the standard route, and the 8-day Cusco and Salkantay package adds acclimatization days before the pass.
Common questions
Do you need a permit for the Salkantay Trek?
No. The Salkantay Trek requires no trekking permit and has no daily quota. You can book on the dates that suit you, year-round.
Do I need a Machu Picchu entrance ticket?
Yes — every visit to the citadel requires an entrance ticket. It is included in all of our Salkantay packages, so you do not need to source it separately.
What if the Inca Trail is sold out for my dates?
Salkantay reaches the same destination without the quota. Many trekkers switch to Salkantay when Inca Trail permits are gone, and it is the reason the route has become the leading alternative.
How far ahead should I book Salkantay?
There is no lottery to beat, but we still recommend reserving early so we can arrange transport, camps and your Machu Picchu ticket — and so you get the departure date you want in high season.