Sendero de piedra del Camino Inca entre montañas con las terrazas de Wiñay Wayna

Trekking to Machu Picchu

Inca Trail Tours to Machu Picchu

Hike to Machu Picchu on the original route and enter through the Sun Gate. Choose between 1 day from Km 104, the 2-day Short Inca Trail or the Classic Inca Trail. Permits are limited.

4trips

1–4days

US$ 532from, per person

4 trips

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TrekMachu Picchu

Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Inca Trail · Ollantaytambo · Aguas Calientes · Cusco +1

1 dayFromUS$ 532per person

TrekMachu Picchu

Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Inca Trail · Sacred Valley · Ollantaytambo · Aguas Calientes +2

2 days / 1 nightFromUS$ 644per person

TrekMachu Picchu

Short Inca Trail: Hike and Camping

Inca Trail · Sacred Valley · Ollantaytambo · Aguas Calientes +2

2 days / 1 nightFromUS$ 700per person

TrekMachu Picchu

Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Inca Trail · Ollantaytambo · Aguas Calientes · Cusco +1

4 days / 3 nightsFromUS$ 868per person

Inca Trail travel guide

Inca terraces of Wiñay Wayna on the Inca Trail at sunset

What the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is

The Inca Trail is part of the road network built by the Incas, and its best-known section ends at Machu Picchu. Unlike other treks, you reach the citadel on foot and enter through Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, with the whole sanctuary in front of you. Along the way you pass archaeological sites such as Wiñay Wayna that can only be seen on foot.

Access is regulated: you need a permit, there is a limited daily quota and the trail is always hiked with a licensed guide. That is why we book your permits with your passport details as soon as you confirm.

Which version to choose

If you want more comfort, the Machu Picchu section also has a 4-day luxury version.

1-Day Inca Trail
About 11 km from Km 104, passing Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna to Machu Picchu. Includes train, guide, ticket and box lunch. For those who want the trail experience without sleeping on the route.
2-Day Short Inca Trail
The same hike as the first day, with a night in Aguas Calientes and a guided visit to Machu Picchu the next morning. Available with a hotel or with camping.
4-Day Classic Inca Trail
The full route through the Andes, with nights at campsites, meals, camping gear and a porter for your personal gear. It is the most demanding version and the one whose permits sell out fastest.
6-Day Inca Trail
Adds nights in Cusco before the hike, with airport transfers and the return train.

Trail of the Inca Trail between vegetation-covered mountains

When to book and when to hike

Permits for May to September usually sell out months in advance, especially for the classic route. If you already have dates, message us as soon as possible. The Inca Trail usually closes in February for maintenance. The dry season, from May to October, offers the best hiking conditions; between November and April it rains often and the trail can be slippery.

Stone path of the Inca Trail between mountains

Difficulty and preparation

The classic version crosses mountain passes above 4,000 m and has many stone steps, so you need good fitness and a few days to acclimatize in Cusco first. The 1- and 2-day versions are more accessible, although they still involve several hours of hiking with climbs.

Bring broken-in hiking boots, layered clothing, a rain jacket, sunscreen and insect repellent. Your passport is required to enter the trail and Machu Picchu, and it must match the one we used to issue the permit.

Before you book

Inca Trail permits and Machu Picchu tickets are issued in your name, have a fixed date and are non-refundable once issued. Double-check your dates and details before paying. We guide you through the whole process and send you the recommended packing list.

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Frequently asked questions

Before you book

Don’t see your question? Message us and we’ll answer on WhatsApp.

How far in advance should I book the Inca Trail?+

As soon as possible. Permits have a limited daily quota and for May to September they usually sell out months in advance, especially for the 4-day route.

What is the difference between the Short Inca Trail and the Classic Inca Trail?+

The Short Inca Trail starts at Km 104 and reaches Machu Picchu in one day of hiking, with the option to sleep in Aguas Calientes. The Classic lasts 4 days, with nights at campsites and higher mountain passes.

Do I need previous trekking experience?+

For the 1- or 2-day version, reasonable fitness is enough. For the 4-day version we recommend training beforehand and arriving in Cusco with a few days to acclimatize.

Is the Inca Trail open all year?+

It usually closes in February for maintenance. The rest of the year you can hike it, although there is more rain between November and April.

Can I cancel or change the date of my permit?+

No. Inca Trail permits and Machu Picchu tickets are issued in your name, have a fixed date and are non-refundable once issued. That is why we confirm your dates and details with you before buying them.

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