The Inca Trail closes in February
Every February, Peru closes the classic Inca Trail for maintenance. Machu Picchu stays open, and the train still runs. Here is how to plan around it.
Why February
February is the heart of the rainy season in the southern Andes. Peru’s protected areas service, SERNANP, uses the month for conservation, maintenance and repairs, and closes the Inca Trail network. In 2026 the closure covered the whole of February, with the trails reopening on 1 March.
Machu Picchu itself stays open all year, and visitors can reach it by train from the Sacred Valley or Cusco throughout the closure.
Permits sell out
Trekking permits for the classic trail are limited each day and must be booked through a licensed operator. In the dry months they can sell out well ahead. If walking the trail matters to you, tell us early and we will plan the rest of the journey around the permit.
The Sacred Valley
Between Cusco and Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba holds Inca terraces, weaving villages and market towns. It is lower and warmer than Cusco, so it is a gentle place to begin. Walking days here can be as easy or as hard as you like.
Sources
- SERNANP: Inca Trail network temporary closure for annual conservation and maintenance
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
Seasons, fees and park dates are set by the authorities named above and can change. We check them again for every journey.
