A friend of mine told me that the Peruvian government is going to close the Inca Trail permanently in 2009 because it has decayed and gotten polluted due to overuse? Can anyone confirm that this is the case? I have read online that the trail is closed a couple of months a year for maintenance, but I haven't been able to find evidence that it will be closed permanently. Thanks in advance for any insight!

Peru is so tourism focused I find it hard to believe.A great deal of their economy depends on the tourist dollar.

We were just there and no one mentioned it being closed. I also find that hard to believe. In recent years, the Peruvian government has put several safeguards in place in order to protect the trail. They do close it down for the month of January every year for maintenance. In addition, they have adopted the strict permit process. Only 500 people total are allowed on the trail a day, that includes trekkers, guides, porters, km 88 starters and km 104. Also, trekkers are no longer allowed to go on the trail solo. You must have a registered and approved guide. That assures that care is taken with the trail and the surrounding environment. It is also why permits are very hard to get during peak tourist season and why people have to book them months in advance.

Taitai

I've been gathering information about tours and excursions while in Peru, and nobody has said anything.

The government does have plans next year to raise the per-person fees it charges to use the trail, and the tour operators will have to pass on those costs to their customers. The exact amount hasn't yet been determined.

Many of the operators are now promoting alternatives to the Inca Trail, since space for permits is so limited.

I was reading that the gov't actually wants to increase the entry fee to mp from US$38. to US$100. for tourist only. It should take place in 2008.

The $100 entry fee for MP is still tentative at this point, but everyone is saying it's likely going to happen.