The amazing Inca Trail to Machu Picchu surely is one of the top-ranked in the world, a claim which is backed by a huge demand for tickets and high popularity among hikers. However, there are also more treks which end in Machu Picchu and are just as wonderful as the Inca Trail. We are bringing this up here because next February 2024, the Inca Trail (more precisely, the 4-Day Classic and the Short 2-Day versions) closes the entire month, to comply with Peruvian tourism regulations.
So, know that if your only scheduled available time for visiting Peru is in February, you can still go to Machu Picchu by hiking (and also by other options).
As we will show next, there are several reasons the Inca Trail closes every February but also several ways you can still get hiking to Machu Picchu, and finally, other types of tours which you can do to visit the wonderful hilltop citadel of Inca royalty, in the middle of a paradisiac spot, the Urubamba Valley, on the border of the Amazonian jungle.
- The Inca Trail closes every February for integral maintenance works. Also, because this month is when the rain season peaks here in the Cusco region, so it becomes much harder and even pointless to hike the long paths opened by the Incas
- Please be aware that no permits are sold for February. Any offer in this sense is an indubitable scam
- These integral maintenance works when the Inca Trail closes include:
- Picking up of all kinds of residues found along the way (for example, plastic bottles, plastic bags, etc. Indeed, all the waste that is left by a minority of hikers, which isn’t massive, but needs to be taken away)
- Repairs of the paths hikers use for the Inca Trail, fixing holes, erosion, cleaning them from vegetation and similars
- Putting safety nets on hillsides where needed, to prevent landslides which could block the paths
- Cleaning and repairs of all camping sites
- Maintenance of toilet services along the way
- TOUR IN PERU supports and takes part every February in this maintenance works. We send a crew to help in the picking up of waste from the trek paths
- However, the selling of permits for the Inca Trail does not close in February. You can still make a reservation for other months. Also, remember to start booking contacts around 6 months prior
- As we have said, even though the Inca Trail closes every February, there are other amazing treks available to Machu Picchu, which you can do with TOUR IN PERU:
- The 5-Day Salkantay Trek: this one is also famous worldwide; its difficulty level is challenging
- The 4-Day Lares Trek: a somewhat different experience, it includes more cultural experiences and the quite enjoyable stop at the Lares hot springs!
- Last but not least, every February when the Inca Trail closes, there are several other ways TOUR IN PERU can take you to the magical religious and leisure retreat of Inca nobility, for example:
- Vistadome train to Machu Picchu (1 day): begins with an unforgettable ride on this amazing, panoramic view train, correctly called Vistadome!
- Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu (2 days): also starting with a fantastic train ride, this package includes (optionally) the amazing hike to the top of the Huayna Picchu, the highest mountain inside the citadel!
So, please keep in mind when both the 4-Day Classic Inca Trail closes and so does the Short 2-Day Inca Trail, in February, you still can book permits for other months. Also, there are other great treks to Machu Picchu and finally, regular packages to the fascinating Inca tropical retreat.
February 2024 when the Inca Trail closes is not a tragedy! Our professional staff is always ready to help you have a dream vacation doing one of the available packages mentioned before!
