Inca Trail Regulations

Important Information – Regulations for the Inca Trail Network

To help preserve the Inca Trail Network and the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, all visitors must comply with the regulations established by the Peruvian authorities. Before starting your trek, please read the following important restrictions:

Prohibited Activities

During your visit, the following activities are strictly prohibited:

• Entering the Inca Trail without a valid permit or authorization.
• Leaving the designated trail or using unauthorized routes.
• Damaging archaeological sites, signs, campsites, or tourist infrastructure.
• Writing, carving, or painting on archaeological structures or natural features.
• Disturbing, feeding, collecting, or harming wildlife and native plants.
• Camping outside the designated campsites.
• Lighting campfires anywhere along the Inca Trail.
• Flying drones without official authorization.
• Consuming food inside archaeological monuments.
• Carrying or consuming alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs during the trek.
• Displaying commercial or political banners or advertisements.
• Engaging in behavior that may affect other visitors, local communities, or the conservation of the protected area.

Items Not Allowed

For safety and conservation reasons, the following items are not permitted on the Inca Trail:

• Firearms or weapons of any kind.
• Hunting or fishing equipment.
• Fuel such as gasoline, diesel, or petroleum.
• Alcoholic beverages and illegal substances.
• Glass bottles or glass containers.
• Loudspeakers, portable speakers, or musical instruments that generate excessive noise.
• Domestic or exotic animals.
• Trekking poles with metal tips that do not have rubber protectors.
• Bicycles or other unauthorized vehicles.
• Any item prohibited by the regulations of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu 2027.

Our Commitment

At Uros Expeditions E.I.R.L., we are committed to responsible tourism and the protection of Peru’s cultural and natural heritage. Before every departure, our guides provide a mandatory briefing covering safety procedures, environmental practices, visitor responsibilities, and the official regulations governing the Inca Trail Network.

By participating in our tours, all travelers agree to respect these regulations and to follow the instructions provided by our guides and the authorized personnel of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

Guardians of the Inca Trail: Your Eco-Guide to Qhapaq Ñan

Get ready for your journey! The Inca Trail is more than ancient stone it is a thriving sanctuary. Before you lace up your boots, discover the rare wildlife and vibrant flora that guard the path, and learn how your visit can help preserve this living ancestral legacy.

Our Commitment to Inca Trail Porters

At Uros Expeditions, we recognize that porters are an essential part of the Inca Trail experience. Their knowledge of the mountains, physical effort, and experience make it possible for travelers to complete this historic route to Machu Picchu. For this reason, our commitment begins with providing fair, safe, and responsible working conditions.

We respect the labor rights established under Peruvian Law No. 31614, the New Porter Workers Law, which protects the health, safety, and rights of porters working along the Inca Trail. We comply with the applicable regulations regarding working conditions, load limits, safety measures, and the overall well-being of our team during each expedition.

Many of the porters who work with us come from high-Andean communities located in Lares and Ollantaytambo, where they live with their families and continue to preserve their traditions, customs, and strong connection with the Andes.

Our commitment goes beyond providing employment. We also work closely with these communities and support initiatives that benefit porter families, especially their children. Through different forms of assistance, we aim to contribute to the well-being of families living in remote high-Andean areas and to support children in their local communities.

In this way, our relationship with our porters is not limited to the days spent on the Inca Trail. We seek to build long-term relationships based on respect, responsibility, and cooperation with the communities they come from.

For Uros Expeditions, responsible tourism means recognizing the people behind every journey. We believe tourism should create fair employment opportunities, protect workers’ rights, and generate a positive impact for local families and communities.

When travelers hike the Inca Trail with Uros Expeditions, they are not only discovering one of Peru’s most important historical routes. They are also supporting a tourism model that values porters, their families, and the high-Andean communities of Lares and Ollantaytambo.