There are three ways to get to Machu Picchu: by the classic train trip, by the alternative route via Hidroeléctrica and by the Inca Trail. This last route is considered the most incredible, the most surprising of all. In 4 days of hiking and 3 nights of camping, you will travel 39 kilometers of trails that the Incas built hundreds of years ago. The goal is the Intipunku, the gateway to Machu Picchu used by the Incas and which can only be seen by tourists who do the Inca Trail. In ‘Camino Inca Machupicchu’ you can find all the advice you need on this route.
The Inca Trail is the best hiking route in Peru. It is also considered number one in the world and one of the best on the entire planet. The reason? The roads were built by the Incas hundreds of years ago. It crosses simply stunning landscapes, with high mountains, snow-capped peaks and jungles full of flora and fauna. And, as the icing on the cake, it includes a visit to Machu Picchu. For all these reasons, the Inca Trail is a route that is difficult to match on the planet.
How to do the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
Availability
Only 500 spaces are allowed per day, of which 200 correspond to tourists and the rest to the support team: guides, cooks, porters and more.
Because of this, it is recommended to buy the tour 6 or 7 months in advance.
The historic Inca route
The Inca Trail runs along part of the historic qhapac ñan route (royal roads of the Incas). Today these roads are considered Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
On the hike you can see archaeological sites such as Llactapata, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Wiñayhuayna and, of course, Machu Picchu.
Are there spaces available for the Inca Trail?
The Inca Trail offers daily admission to 500 people. Of that number, 300 belong to the trekking support team. Therefore, only 200 tourists will end up entering Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail each day.
The low number of available spaces makes it necessary to purchase the Inca Trail entrance in advance. It is recommended to go online and reserve the Inca Trail entrance 6 months in advance.
Visitors who wish to purchase their Inca Trail entrance for the following year must make the purchase from October (on that date the sale of Inca Trail entrances begins).
Check the availability calendar to see if there are any free spaces:
Choose the type of Inca Trail you prefer: the ‘Classic 4-day’ version or the ‘Short 2-day’ version.
Choose the month and day you wish to start the Inca Trail route.
Check that there is current availability of the Inca Trail on the date you chose. If you did not find availability, look for a different date than the one you chose (it is recommended to make the purchase 6 months in advance).
How many versions are there of the Inca Trail?
There are 2 versions of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: the ‘Classic’ 4-day trek and the ‘Short’ 2-day trek. Both cover ancient Inca trails built hundreds of years ago as well as the entrance to the Inca City of Machu Picchu.
The ‘Classic 4-day’ Inca Trail is the preferred one by tourists. This is mainly due to the adventure it represents and the landscapes it covers. The ‘2-day Inca Trail’, on the other hand, is preferred by tourists who do not have much vacation time or who did not get a tour to the ‘Classic Inca Trail’ in time.
| Original Inca Trail 4 days | Short Inca Trail 2 days | |
| What will I see? |
Original Inca trails (the qhapac ñan). Flora and fauna of the mountains and jungle of Cusco. Incredible landscapes of mountains and tropical forests. |
Original Inca roads (the qhapac ñan). Flora and fauna of the Cusco jungle. Incredible landscapes of Cusco's high jungle forests. |
| Inca sites |
Llactapata, Runkurakay and Sayacmarca. Phuyupatamarca and Wiñayhuayna. Machu Picchu |
Chachabamba archaeological site. Wiñayhuayna archaeological site. Machu Picchu. |
| Distance and difficulty | 39 kilometers of Inca royal roads. | 12 kilometers of Inca royal roads. |
| Moderate-high difficulty hike. | Recommended for people who like hiking. | Recommended for the whole family, even children who like hiking. |
How to get Inca Trail permits?
There is no way to enter the Inca Trail without an authorized travel agency. Agencies offer entry to the trek as well as: full transportation, cooks, porters, camping equipment, tour guide, Machu Picchu entrance and more.
And what is the Inca Trail like?
The journey along the historic Inca Trail is commonly known as one of the best hikes the world has to offer. The route does not require previous experience, just a pair of comfortable hiking boots and the desire to reach the goal.
Each tourist will travel 43 kilometers in 3 days (the last day is Machu Picchu and the return trip to Cusco is made by train). The highest point of the trek is at ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ at 4,125 meters above sea level (13,533 ft).
From the highest point begins the descent to the Peruvian jungle eyebrow where Machu Picchu is located. Please note that this is the only trek that will take you directly to Intipunku, just as the Incas did centuries ago.
After 3 days of hiking and camping, tourists will visit Machu Picchu on the morning of day 4. Then the return trip is made by train from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) to Ollantaytambo and, from there, to the city of Cusco.
Questions and answers about the availability of the Inca Trail 2025
1) How many kilometers is the Inca Trail?
The Inca Trail is a 39-kilometer tourist route. This distance is covered in 4 days of hiking and 3 nights of rest in camps.
2) Is the Inca Trail closed in 2025?
The Inca Trail remains open throughout 2025, except for February due to heavy rains.
3) Where does the Inca Trail start and where does it end?
The Inca Trail begins at kilometer 82 of the railway line that connects Ollantaytambo with Aguas Calientes. The end is in Machu Picchu, after 39 kilometers of walking.
4) Is the Inca Trail available to all ages?
Yes. However, it is recommended that tourists enjoy this type of hiking. For this reason, it is recommended that visitors be over 8 years old and under 65 years old.
5) How much does the Inca Trail tour cost?
The 4-day Inca Trail tour to Machu Picchu costs approximately between 500 and 700 dollars per tourist. This price varies depending on the tourism agency you choose for your tour.
6) Is the Inca Trail dangerous?
No, the Inca Trail is a safe hike if you follow all the instructions of the tour guide who accompanies you. You should not take a detour off the route or approach the cliffs.
7) Did the Incas build the Inca Trail?
Yes, the Inca Trail is a route that is part of the qhapac ñan, or royal Inca roads built during the time of Emperor Pachacutec (1418 – 1471).
8) How long in advance should I purchase the Inca Trail tour?
The 4-day Inca Trail tour is in high demand by tourists from all over the world. Therefore, it is recommended to make the purchase online 6 or 7 months in advance.
9) Do Peruvians have discounts on the Inca Trail?
Yes, Peruvians have a special discount on the 4-day Inca Trail tour to Machu Picchu. Check the prices according to each tourist agency in Cusco.
10) With which tourist agency should I do the Inca Trail?
In Cusco there are dozens of tourist agencies that offer the Inca Trail tour to Machu Picchu. Choose the one that fully complies with all the services offered. An excellent idea is to check out other tourists' comments on online tourism forums.
