Short Inca Trail Permits Explained: KM 104 Quotas, Rules and When to Book
The Short Inca Trail (2 days, starting at Km 104) requires its own government permit. It runs on a separate quota of 250 people per day, including trekking staff, compared with about 500 per day for the 4-day Classic Inca Trail. Permits are tied to your passport, cannot be transferred, and must be booked through a licensed operator. The 2-day route often has openings when the classic trek is sold out, but it can still sell out months ahead in peak season, so book as soon as your dates are open.
This guide explains how the KM 104 quota works, the rules that apply, and a practical way to decide when to book. It also notes where published numbers disagree.
How the Short Inca Trail Permit System Works
The Short Inca Trail joins the classic route on its final stretch. It starts at Km 104 on the railway line, passes the Chachabamba checkpoint, and climbs to Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate. Because it enters the same protected area, it needs the same type of official permit as the classic trek.
| Short Inca Trail (Km 104) | Classic Inca Trail (Km 82) | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily quota | 250 people, including staff | About 500 people, including staff |
| Spots for travelers | Not published separately | About 200 |
| Duration | 2 days / 1 night | 4 days / 3 nights |
| Starting point | Km 104, about 2,100 m (6,890 ft) on our itinerary | Km 82, about 2,720 m |
| Independent hiking | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Closed in February | Yes | Yes |
The 250 figure comes from our own tour and permits pages, and another operator’s FAQ also states that short-trail permits are limited to 250 people per day, including hikers and staff. Other pages quote the 500-person figure without clarifying which trail it applies to, so check the quota with your operator. For the classic route, see Inca Trail availability.
Rules You Need to Know
These rules apply to the Short Inca Trail permit:
- Licensed operators only. You cannot hike independently. Our guide to official certifications and permits explains what to look for.
- The permit is tied to your passport. It is issued in the name and passport number you provide, for one specific date.
- No changes, transfers or refunds. Once issued, permits cannot be changed, transferred or refunded.
- Original passport required. You must show your original passport at the Km 104 checkpoint. Photos and copies are not accepted.
- Typos can invalidate a permit. A mistake in your passport number or date of birth can cause problems at a checkpoint.
- February closure. The trail is closed every February for maintenance. See Inca Trail in February.
- Machu Picchu entry is separate. The Machu Picchu ticket and circuit are arranged alongside the permit. On our tour, both are included in the price, with the Sun Gate view on Day 1 and a guided tour on Day 2. Confirm this with any operator. See the new Machu Picchu circuits guide.
In 2026, Peru’s Ministry of Culture also changed how Inca Trail Network permits are sold, with direct purchase, immediate payment and complete name lists. Ask your operator how the new process applies to your booking, and see our Inca Trail permits 2027 guide for the release schedule.
When Should You Book?
No source we checked gives a lead time specific to the Short Inca Trail. Here is what the published guidance says, and how to use it.
| Source | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Our availability guide (classic route) | May-August: 6-8 months ahead; April, September, October: 4-5 months; low season: at least 3 months |
| Our availability guide (short trail) | Runs on a separate quota and “often has openings even when the 4-day trek is completely booked” |
| Another operator’s FAQ | Short Inca Trail permits “often sell out several months ahead” |
| Another operator’s general advice | Book 3-5 months ahead; some travelers book up to a year ahead |
A practical way to plan:
- Traveling May to August? Treat the classic timeline as your upper bound and book as soon as 2027 permits open.
- Traveling in April, September or October? Aim for at least 4-5 months ahead.
- Traveling in the low season? Three months is a reasonable minimum, but earlier is safer.
- Your dates are fixed (honeymoon, school break)? Book at the first release, because availability can drop from 50 to 0 in a single afternoon, according to our availability guide.
The “openings when the classic is full” advantage is real but not a guarantee. It is a fallback, not a plan.
When Do 2027 Permits Open?
Permits for the next year are normally released in the first weeks of October or November. As of our latest check, we could not confirm the exact 2027 release date for the Short Inca Trail. One operator’s page says permits are “normally released during the first week of October” but does not confirm that 2027 sales have opened, and another source noted in late September 2026 that the Ministry had not yet announced the date. Ask your operator for current availability, and see our Inca Trail permits 2027 guide for updates.
What the Permit Costs
Government fees are built into the package price rather than bought separately. Our Short Inca Trail starts at $500 per person for a shared group of up to 12 travelers, with private rates from $500 to $650 depending on group size. The price includes the permit, Machu Picchu entry, a hotel night in Aguas Calientes, train tickets, a dinner on Day 1 and breakfast on Day 2. Trekking poles ($10 per pair) and lunch on Day 2 are extra. A deposit is often required to hold dates, so ask about the payment schedule and cancellation terms before booking.
What If Your Dates Are Sold Out?
- Try nearby dates. Shifting by a day or two can open a spot.
- Choose another route. The Ancascocha Trek with the Short Inca Trail and the Salkantay Trek with the Short Inca Trail combine longer treks with the final stretch, though you should confirm permit availability for those too.
- Consider the Classic. If the 4-day trek has space, see the Classic Inca Trail.
- Upgrade the comfort. Our Luxury Short Inca Trail uses the same permit system, so it faces the same quota.
Before You Go
Once the permit is booked, prepare for the trek itself. Read our Short Inca Trail packing list and the 2-day Inca Trail difficulty guide, and compare options in our Short Inca Trail vs. Classic Inca Trail guide. If you are booking directly, see the Short Inca Trail page for itinerary and prices.
FAQ: Short Inca Trail Permit
The Short Inca Trail uses a separate quota of 250 people per day, including trekking staff.
Yes. You need an official permit and must book through a licensed operator. Independent hiking is not allowed.
No. Permits are issued for a specific date and passport, and they cannot be changed, transferred or refunded once issued.
No official lead time is published for the 2-day route. For May to August, book as soon as permits are released. For other months, plan on at least 3-5 months.
Yes. The trail closes every February for maintenance.