Standing at 2,400 meters, Machu Picchu is one of the lowest Inca Trail altitude points. The highest point on the Inca Trail is Abra Warmihuañusca or 'Dead Woman's Pass which is located at 4,200 meters.
Most of the Machu Picchu hiking tours begin in Cusco, which, at 3,400 meters, is already considerably higher than Machu Picchu. By staying there before your walk, you will give your body time to acclimate to the altitude of the Inca Trail.
The Inca Trail altitude varies greatly throughout the walk and your body will notice the differences, especially at the highest points.
The 4-Day Inca Trail begins at a place called Km 82 at 2,600 meters and descends slowly downwards during the morning before ascending in the afternoon to Yuncachimpa at 3,152 meters. Although this is an altitude high enough to cause altitude sickness, if you have spent several days in Cusco beforehand, you will be fine at this time.
The second day is the most difficult on the Inca Trail, as it is spent ascending over the Dead Woman Pass at 4,200 meters. It is almost certain that your body feels the effects of altitude here since the air provides less oxygen than your body is used to. You do not spend much time at this altitude and for the rest of the day, you pass by descending to 3,600 meters where you will camp in Chaquiccocha.
From Chaquiccocha it is generally easy to go as you descend to the Sun Gate and then to Machu Picchu, where the Inca Trail comes to an end.
Difficulty level: Easy
Maximum altitude: 3000m
Minimum altitude: 2600m
Distance traveled: 9 km
Approximate walking time: 5-6 hours
Level of difficulty: Difficult
Maximum altitude: 4600m
Minimum altitude: 3000m
Distance traveled: 12KM
Approximate walking time: 6-7 hours
Difficulty level: moderate
Maximum altitude: 4000m
Minimum altitude: 2650m
Distance traveled: 16 km
Approximate walking time: 8 hours
Difficulty level: Easy
Maximum altitude: 2650m
Minimum altitude: 2100m
Distance traveled: 6 km
Approximate walking time: 2 hours
If you do not have enough time to do the 4-day Inca Trail, or you could not make your Inca trail Book 2023 on time, the Short Inca Trail is a good option, it is a stretch of the Inca Trail. The 2 day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu starts at Km 104 of the Cusco - Aguas Calientes railway line.
Level of difficulty: The first hours of walking is a constant climb, then the trail becomes easier, although with sections of some difficulty.
Maximum Altitude: 2,650 m / 8,694 ft
Minimum altitude: 2,400 m / 7,874 ft
Distance traveled: 13 km / 8,08 miles
Approximate walking time: 6 - 7 hours
Also called, as acute altitude sickness, means that the onset is sudden, begins as something light, moderate and gradually, the symptoms are taxed, the same ones that if they are not treated, they get bigger and can become an acute illness.
In general, to be affected by altitude sickness, it must be above 2,500 meters. Therefore, while Machu Picchu is below this point, Dead Woman's Pass is high enough to cause symptoms of altitude sickness.
The demand of the muscles depends on the level of activity, but the brain needs a large amount of oxygen (15% of the total). If the brain lacks oxygen for the speed with which it was promoted and made a great effort, it will have the following symptoms:
To anticipate the MAM, it is recommended:
