Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
A stone road built by the Inca empire still climbs through cloud forest and high mountain passes to the Sun Gate. Choose the short two-day version or the full four-day classic route, and arrive at Machu Picchu on foot, the way it was meant to be seen.
An Inca road that still leads to a lost city
The Inca Trail is a surviving section of the Qhapaq Ñan, the road network the Inca empire used to connect Cusco with the rest of Tahuantinsuyo. Built to move people, goods, and messages across the Andes, the route was engineered to follow the shortest path between two points while staying close to water sources and gentle grades wherever the mountains allowed it.
Today the same stone steps carry hikers instead of llama caravans. Along the way you pass Inca terracing, mountain passes, cloud forest, and ceremonial sites such as Wiñay Wayna before reaching Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, where Machu Picchu appears below for the first time.
Because access is limited to protect the ruins, every hiker needs a permit booked through a licensed operator — there is no way to walk the trail independently. That single rule is what keeps the Inca Trail feeling far less crowded than the bus route into Machu Picchu.
- Trail network length~60,000 km (Qhapaq Ñan)
- Daily hikers allowed500 (incl. crew)
- Machu Picchu elevation2,430 m / 7,972 ft
- Highest point of the trek4,200 m / 13,780 ft
- Closed for maintenanceEvery February
Inca Trail in 2 Days
Also called the Short Inca Trail, this route starts around Km 104 and covers the final, most photogenic stretch of the classic trek — including Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate — without the high passes. It's the option for hikers short on time, or anyone who wants Machu Picchu's postcard arrival without four days of camping.
| Stage | Route | Altitude | Distance | Walking time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Km 104 → Wiñay Wayna → Inti Punku (Sun Gate) → Machu Picchu Moderate | 2,400 – 2,650 m | 13 km | 6 – 7 hrs |
| Day 2 | Guided Machu Picchu tour & return to Cusco Easy | 2,430 m | — | Half day |
Why hike the 2-day route
- Starts with a train ride to Km 104, then a steady uphill climb through cloud forest.
- Visits the same Sun Gate entrance used by 4-day trekkers, arriving at Machu Picchu on foot.
- Passes the terraces and temples of Wiñay Wayna, one of the best-preserved Inca sites on the trail.
- No high-altitude pass — a gentler acclimatization curve than the classic route.
- Typically includes one night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes rather than camping.
Good to know
- Permits for this route are separate from the 4-day Inca Trail and sell out just as fast in the June–September high season.
- An original passport is required at the Km 104 checkpoint to match your permit.
- Spend at least one full day in Cusco (3,400 m) beforehand to acclimatize before starting.
- The first two to three hours are the steepest part of the day — pace yourself early.
Inca Trail in 4 Days
The Classic Inca Trail is the full 43-kilometer route from Km 82, crossing three mountain passes — including the legendary Dead Woman's Pass at 4,200 m — before descending to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. It is widely regarded as one of the best multi-day treks in South America, and permits are limited to 500 people per day, including guides and porters.
| Stage | Route | Max altitude | Distance | Walking time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Km 82 → Wayllabamba Easy | 3,000 m | 9 km | 5 – 6 hrs |
| Day 2 | Wayllabamba → Dead Woman's Pass → Pacaymayo Hard | 4,200 m | 12 km | 6 – 7 hrs |
| Day 3 | Pacaymayo → Runkurakay Pass → Phuyupatamarca → Wiñay Wayna Moderate | 4,000 m | 16 km | 7 – 8 hrs |
| Day 4 | Wiñay Wayna → Sun Gate → Machu Picchu Easy | 2,650 m | 6 km | 2 hrs |
Why hike the classic route
- Crosses three passes and connects a chain of Inca sites — Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarka, and Wiñay Wayna — that the 2-day route skips entirely.
- Day 2 over Dead Woman's Pass is the hardest day of the trek and the one most hikers remember most.
- Camps are set up and broken down each day by a trekking crew, with meals cooked along the way.
- Arrives at the Sun Gate at sunrise on day 4, for the classic first view over Machu Picchu.
Good to know
- Book 6 to 10 months ahead for the May–September dry season; 2 months is often enough November–April.
- The trail closes throughout February each year for trail maintenance and conservation work.
- Spend two or more days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before departure to acclimatize to the altitude.
- Passport details must match your permit exactly — control checkpoints at Km 82 verify this on-site.
What to pack for the Inca Trail
Days on the trail swing from bright Andean sun to near-freezing nights at camp, so layers matter more than any single "best" jacket. Use this list as a baseline and adjust for the season and which route you're hiking.
Clothing & layers
- Moisture-wicking t-shirts and a long-sleeve base layer
- Fleece or down mid-layer for cold mornings and camp
- Waterproof, breathable rain jacket and rain cover
- Convertible or quick-dry trekking trousers
- Broken-in hiking boots with ankle support
- Warm hat, sun hat, and gloves for the high passes
- Wool or synthetic hiking socks (bring spares)
Health & altitude
- Original passport (checked at trail control points)
- Personal medication and a basic first-aid kit
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+) and lip balm with SPF
- Insect repellent for the cloud-forest sections
- Water purification tablets or a filter bottle
- Coca leaves or candy, commonly used against altitude
- Trekking poles with rubber tips (protects the stone path)
Gear & extras
- Daypack (30–35 L) with rain cover
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Reusable water bottle or hydration bladder
- Cash in soles for tips and snacks in Aguas Calientes
- Camera or phone with a spare battery pack
- Sleeping bag liner (if renting gear on the 4-day route)
- Ziplock bags to keep documents and electronics dry
Recommendations before you hike
Small decisions made weeks before departure make the biggest difference on the trail — especially around altitude, timing, and booking.
Acclimatize in Cusco first
Cusco sits at 3,400 m, higher than most of the trail's first day. Spend at least two nights there or in the Sacred Valley before starting, drink plenty of water, and go easy on alcohol.
Book permits early
Only 500 permits are issued per day for the classic route. For May–September departures, book 6 to 10 months ahead; other months usually need 1–2 months' notice.
Train your legs beforehand
Regular walking, stair training, or hiking in the months before your trip makes Dead Woman's Pass and the daily descents far more manageable.
Pace day two, especially
The climb to 4,200 m is the hardest stretch on the classic route. Walk slowly, breathe deliberately, and let your guide set the rhythm.
Pack layers, not bulk
Temperatures can swing from sunny and warm to below freezing within the same day. Several thin layers beat one heavy jacket.
Travel with a licensed operator
Independent hiking isn't permitted on the Inca Trail. Choosing an authorized agency ensures your permit, crew, and campsites are properly arranged.
What hikers say about the Inca Trail
"Day two over Dead Woman's Pass nearly broke me, but reaching the Sun Gate at sunrise on day four made every step worth it. Our guide paced the group perfectly."
"We only had two days in Cusco, so the short route was perfect — still walked through the Sun Gate on foot and it felt just as special as I'd hoped."
"Spending two extra nights in Cusco before starting made a real difference with the altitude. Wish I'd packed warmer gloves for camp at Pacaymayo."
"Wiñay Wayna alone is worth the hike. Fewer crowds than the bus route into Machu Picchu, and the ruins along the way are incredible."
"Booked eight months ahead for a July departure and it still felt tight — permits really do sell out. Worth the planning though."
"Trekking poles saved my knees on the stone steps down to Machu Picchu. Small thing, made a big difference by day three."
Walk the road the Incas built
Whether you have two days or four, permits move fast — start planning your Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu today.
Start Planning Your Trek