The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a highlight hiking trail in Peru and has been the most visited trekking route in Peru for many years.
Hardly any other destination in Peru can compete with a visit to Machu Picchu. The 4-day Inca Trail is starting on Km 82 (Qorihuarachina) or 2 day Inca Trail starts from Km 104 and both trails are finished at Inca city. This trail is also known as Inka Trail or Camino Inca.
Peru has different mountain ranges with beautiful scenery, Rainforest forest, history, and cultural traditions and Peru itself is richly blessed in this respect with many other areas for hiking & trekking. However, the scenery is only one of the elements responsible for the magic of the Inca Trail.
The classic Inca Trail involves walking with a combination of natural beauty, history, and sheer mystery, and with such an awe-inspiring destination. The Inca ruins, tunnels, and Inca paths along the trail amaze visitors and make this walk the best travel experience to Machu Picchu.
It is starting on km 82 or Qoriwayrachina. It consists 4-day hike to the classic route before crossing Warmiwañusqa ("dead woman"). Located in the Andes mountain range, the trail passes through several types of Andean environments including cloud forests and alpine tundra. Settlements, tunnels, and many Incan ruins are located along the trail before ending at the terminus at the Sun Gate on Machu Picchu mountain.
Long stretches of the path are roughly paved with granite and mostly only between 60 and 80 cm wide. Steps have been worked out on steep sections. Sturdy shoes are essential for the Inca Trail Peru!
Day 01: Km 82 - Wayllabamba - Llulluchapampa
Day 02: Llulluchapampa - Chaquicocha
Day 03: Chaquicocacha - Wiñaywayna
Day 04: Wiñaywayna - Machu Picchu
The classic Inca Trail involves the 4-day hike to Machu Picchu. But according to the new trails discovered over the years, this trail had modifications. All Inca Trail tour operators added or decreased days for this classic itinerary. Today exist three Inca trail tours, which are popular among all travelers:
This itinerary is a very compressed version of the classic trek, designed only for hikers with excellent physical condition and limited time. The first day covers the standard section to the Llulluchapampa camp. The second day is extremely demanding, as it combines what are normally Day 2 and Day 3 (crossing the two main passes, Warmiwañusca and Runkurakay, and descending to Wiñaywayna) in a single day. The third day is dedicated to the final arrival at Machu Picchu through the Inti Punku.
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More information about the 3 day Inca Trail: Machu Picchu hike
This itinerary follows the same hiking route and the same campsites as the Classic 4 day Inca Trail (Day 1 to Llulluchapampa, Day 2 to Chaquicocha, Day 3 to Wiñaywayna). The key difference is logistics: Day 4 is dedicated only to the arrival at Machu Picchu through the Inti Punku, after which you descend to Aguas Calientes to spend the night in a hotel. Day 5 is then used as a full and dedicated day to return to the citadel (with a new ticket) and explore it thoroughly, without the tiredness from the hike.
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More information about the 5 day Inca Trail: Machu Picchu Trek
This is a high-mountain expedition that combines two famous routes: Salkantay and Inca Trail. The trek begins in Soraypampa (the base of Salkantay) and crosses high-altitude pampas, connecting with the Classic Inca Trail around the fourth day at Wayllabamba. From that point on, the route follows the traditional Inca path, crossing the Warmiwañusca pass and visiting the archaeological sites until reaching Machu Picchu on the seventh day.
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More information about the 7 day Inca Trail: Salkantay Inca Trail
The camps may differ from the descriptions. The camps are determined by the Ministry of Culture, which controls the Inca Trail organizers. The porters only carry general camping equipment, sleeping bags, and madras, you have to carry your own clothing and other luggage. If you want a personal porter, we can provide it, but its an extra cost. Please let us know when booking if you would like an extra porter. An extra porter can be shared by two people, but the maximum weight is always 15 kg.
If you bring your own trekking poles, you must not have any sharp edges, otherwise, they could damage the paths and ruins.
The information on your booking must match that on your passport. If you book with an old passport and arrive with a new one, you will not be allowed access to the Inca Trail. Please ensure that the information you send us is up to dat.
It is starting on the Km 104 or Patacancha, you wil need to take the train from Ollantaytambo to the head trail, this hike is short trail of the Classic Inca Trail, you will visit the Patacancha and Winay Wayna archeological site, Inti Punko (sun door), and it is cloud forest.
The Short Inca trail is starting from Cusco by driving to Ollantaytambo train station (1 hr 30 min), from there, take the train to the km 104 (1hr 45 min).
This shortened version of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is suitable for those who have less time but still don't want to miss this special Camino Inca. You start at km. 104 and walk to the ruins of Wiñahuayna. After visiting the ruins, continue walking to the Inti punku, the Sun Gate, from where you have a beautiful view of the lost city of the Incas. Bus down to the village of Aguas Calientes and stay overnight. The next day, leave very early on the first bus to visit Machu Picchu, 2,450 meters above sea level. At around 14:30 take the train back to Cusco.
If you want to spend a night in campsite near to Machu Picchu, we recommend you the Inca Trail with camping
Day 01: Km 104 - Wiñaywayna - Machu Picchu
Day 02: Machu Picchu
The Short Inca trail is the most popular alternative hike to the 4 day Inca Trail. Usually, the Classic Inca Trail is sold out in advance. The short Inca trail is part of the inca trail and it is not the hardest. Every year, tour operators added an extra alternative hike to this trail.
This 5 day itinerary merges the cultural immersion of the Lares Trek with the Short Inca Trail route. The first three days are dedicated to the Lares trek, passing through remote Andean communities like Huacawasi and Patacancha. The fourth day is logistically intense: the Lares trek is finished, you travel to Ollantaytambo, take the train to Km 104, and start the Short Inca Trail hike, entering Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) that same afternoon before spending the night in Aguas Calientes. The fifth day is dedicated to the complete guided visit of the citadel.
Quick itinerary
This is a 5 day expedition that combines two complete routes. The first four days are dedicated to the Salkantay Trek, starting in Soraypampa, crossing the Salkantay Pass, descending through Chaullay and Lucmabamba, and arriving in Aguas Calientes at the end of the fourth day. On the fifth day, instead of taking the bus, the traveler takes the train from Aguas Calientes to Km 104 to do the Short Inca Trail hike, entering Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate for the final visit.
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More information about the Salkantay Inca Trail combo
This 5 day itinerary combines the Inca Quarry route with the Short Inca Trail. The first three days focus on the Quarry trek, exploring less-visited archaeological sites like Corimarca and the Cachicata quarry, ending in Ollantaytambo. On the fourth day, the traveler takes the train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104 to start the Short Inca Trail hike, arriving at Machu Picchu through the Inti Punku before spending the night in Aguas Calientes. The fifth day is dedicated to the guided visit of the citadel.
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More information about the Inca Quarry Trek to Inca Trail
This 3 day itinerary combines two of the most popular excursions in the region, but it is not a continuous hike. The first day is dedicated to the full-day tour to the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), returning to Cusco. On the second day, the traveler moves to Km 104 to do the Short Inca Trail hike, arriving at the Sun Gate in the afternoon and spending the night in Aguas Calientes. The third day is dedicated to the guided visit of the Machu Picchu citadel.
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More information about the Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain
This 3 day itinerary is an efficient logistical option that combines the Sacred Valley with the Short Inca Trail, ideal for acclimatization. The first day is dedicated to exploring the Sacred Valley sites (like Pisac or Chinchero), ending with an overnight stay in Ollantaytambo (which is at a lower altitude than Cusco). On the second day, the traveler takes the train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104 to do the Short Inca Trail hike, entering through the Sun Gate and sleeping in Aguas Calientes. The third day is dedicated to the guided visit of Machu Picchu.
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More information about the Sacred Valley Inca Trail
The almost 46 km long Inca Trail, which leads to the Inca city of Machu Picchu on a 4 day hike through the Peruvian Andes, is particularly popular because of its spectacular views of the country and the interesting Inca ruins along the way. Even the Incas used this path to deliver messages and to cross the country. Since the hike leads to altitudes of over 4000 m and is otherwise very demanding, hikers should be in excellent physical condition. The hike is easier if a 5 stage training program is completed before the Peru trip.
We recommend endurance training. If you don't train your endurance regularly anyway, then start as early as possible before the Inca Trail. All sports are good that accelerate your heartbeat over a longer period of time - e.g. jogging, step aerobics, or swimming. Of course, it would be perfect if you did your training 4 to 5 days a week. The longer in advance and the more frequently you train for the hike to Machu Picchu, the better and more efficiently your heart and lungs will work.
In addition to endurance training, strength training is particularly recommended. Of course, you primarily need leg muscles, but you shouldn’t neglect your trunk muscles either. Since the Inca Trail is often very uneven, you should be able to compensate for all impassability with your body. Strength training that trains all muscle groups in the body is best. we recommend the "Body Results regimen for hiking, trekking and backpacking".
Practice walking with a daypack before trekking to Machu Picchu. You will be accompanied on the Inca Trail by porters who carry the camping gear. But you have to carry your daypack yourself. So find a mountain near you (a mountain for downhill skiing should be perfect) and hike it with a fully packed daypack. Also, don't forget to break in your hiking shoes before your Peru tour. Nothing is worse than a day hike with blisters on your feet!
In preparation for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, go on multi-day hikes where you will also spend the night in a tent. This is how you get to know the feeling of being “cut off from civilization” for 2 or more days. There are no computers, cell phones, or televisions on the Inca Trail on Day 2 and Day 3 of the trek. You will hike the whole day and only have your tent as a retreat in the evening.
If you have hiked under similar conditions before, the Inca Trail is not such a big "shock" for your psyche and your body.
Get used to the unusual height on site in Peru. During the Inca Trail, you hike in the Peruvian Andes at altitudes between 2500 m and over 4000 m. Of course, the air is much thinner here and breathing is difficult at first.
You should stay in Cusco (approx. 3350 m) or in the Sacred Valley for at least 2 days before the Inca Trail and slowly acclimatize. Perhaps your program includes short day hikes in the Sacred Valley. Be sure to walk a little and see how your body reacts to the altitude.
So those are USA TODAY's 5 tips, that they advise to traveler who want to do the Inca Trail.
PS: Its sold out the Inca Trail tours. Then maybe the Salkantay Trek or a multi-day hike to Choquequirao? We recommend you take a hikes from Cusco.
Concern about overuse leading to erosion has led the Peruvian government to place a limit on the number of people who may hike this trail per season, and to sharply limit the companies that can provide guides. As a result, advance booking is mandatory. A maximum of 500 people are allowed on the trail each day, of which only 200 are trekkers, the rest being guides and porters.[citation needed] As a result, the high season books out very quickly.
The trail is closed every February for cleaning. This was originally done informally by organizations such as South American Explorers but is now managed officially.
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