Inca Trail Permit Availability

UPDATE: For the lastest in Inca Trail Permit Availability, click here: Inca Trail Permits. This page was created 4/23/08 and is updated frequently.

Important Notice!

Trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is great adventures that many travelers dream to take-on. While planning your trip, make sure that you can get your Inca Trail permits in time; otherwise you might have to postpone your trip another year! All trekkers on the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu are required to buy a trail permit. You need to do this usually several months in advance and it must be done through a travel provider. We at Detour, the Adventure Travel Marketplace will set up your permits with a local provider so you don't have to worry, but make sure you are looking at dates with permits still available.

Click here to check out all our Inca Trail trip options and begin the planning!

There are no more Inca Trail permits available for any date in June, July, or August; they are currently (as of 6/4 at 12:15 pm) sold out through Sept 5th. Below, you can see the current permit availabilities in September. We always warn folks to be careful not to wait too long; it's common that a date with 100 or fewer permits will sell out in a day or less!

The following dates in September still have permits available:

Date: Number of Permits

Sept 1: 0
Sept 2: 0
Sept 3: 0
Sept 4: 0
Sept 5: 0
Sept 6: 102
Sept 7: 153
Sept 8: 45
Sept 9: 57
Sept 10: 18
Sept 11: 102
Sept 12: 282
Sept 13: 311
Sept 14: 53
Sept 15: 154
Sept 16: 0
Sept 17: 0
Sept 18: 41
Sept 19: 234
Sept 20: 338
Sept 21: 55
Sept 22: 194
Sept 23: 3
Sept 24: 143
Sept 25: 257
Sept 26: 0
Sept 27: 307
Sept 28: 315
Sept 29: 295
Sept 30: 325

Please contact Detour for more up-to-the-minute permit and trek availability.

Biking the World's Highest Active Volcano

If the idea of mountain biking down an active volcano sounds like a great way to get your adrenaline pumping, you should plan a trip to Cotopaxi National Park in Ecuador. The centerpiece of this park is the perfectly shaped volcano, Cotopaxi, daring bikers to take on its amazing height.

The volcano is located just 2 hours south of Quito, making it a great getaway from the city or an addition to a longer biking trip in Volcano Alley.

While Cotopaxi is Ecuador's most visited national park, the area still feels incredibly isolated and rugged. As our group biked over the grasslands, we passed herds of wild horses watched condors swooping overhead; but met very few other people. There is a large protected border around the park where you find quaint farms and the occasional Chagra (an Ecuadorian cowboy).

This is the highest continually active volcano in the world (19,342 ft); but keep in mind that "active" is different than "erupting". The last eruption was about 130 years ago and what you enjoy today are stunning grasslands shaped by lava flows. The volcano itself is a perfect cone, standing apart from the nearby mountains, and topped with bright snow (a rarity in Ecuador).

Biking trips start at a location high up the volcano, 14,760 ft. above sea level. The decent is exciting and only a bit technically challenging as the road is sandy in spots. As the road flattens, it becomes more solid so you can really appreciate the scenery as you ride.

For more on Cotopaxi biking trips offered by Detour, click here.
To learn about other adventures in Ecuador, please contact Detour Destinations, the Sustainable Adventure Travel Marketplace.

Diving in the Galapagos Islands

No traveler to the Galapagos Islands should bypass an oppotunity to explore the stunning world found underwater. In the right season, snorkeling is a very popular activity and the scuba diving is spectacular for experienced divers. Bright coral, playful sea lions, and brilliantly colored schools of fish are the usual fare.

At various locations around the islands, you are also likely to encounter giant marine turtles, Galapagos penguins, golden rays, and even sharks. It´s actually the only place in the world where it is safe to swim with hammerhead sharks, which are found regularly throughout the islands.

Of course, any excursion can be disappointing if you are´t prepared. After an unforgettable tour of the Galapagos Islands, I gathered some new tips that should make your planning a bit easier.

First and foremost, if you have your own equipment, it´s probably worth taking. Most tours offer equipment for rent, but it may be difficult to get the right mask or wet suit size. While this isn´t much of a problem since equipment on board is usually high quality and plentiful, those who have brought their own find it preferrable.

On that note, a wet suit is advisable for most dives; make sure to rent one or bring your own. The ocean there is quite pleasant, but it isn´t the Carribean and the water can be a bit chilly in places.

Also, sunscreen is extremely important when swimming. Bring some that is water and sweat proof, of course 30 SPF or higher. If you are worried about burning your scalp, it`s definitely best to wear your swim cap (or skull caps, as they´re sometimes called).

When you return home, you´ll definitely want to show friends the giant turtles or sea lions you found swimming in their natural environment. An underwater camera is well worth taking in addition to your regular camera, but do buy it beforehand. Cameras are available on Santa Cruz and at the airports, though are fairly expensive.

These tips should help you plan and pack for your unforgettable trip to the Galapagos. When you contact Detour the Adventure Travel Marketplace, we can help answer any other questions you have about this amazing destination.

To find your ideal trip to the Galapagos Islands, please visit the Detour website.