Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Inca Trail Machu Picchu

INCA TRAIL 2021
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There are three ways to get to Machu Picchu: with the classic train trip, with the alternative route by Hydroelectric and with 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, cross 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 that only tourists who do the Inca Trail can see. In ‘Icaminoinca’ you can find all the advice you need on this route.

The number 1 hike in South America!

The Inca Trail is the best hiking route in Peru. It is also considered the number one in the world and one of the best in the entire planet. The reason? The roads were built by the Incas hundreds of years ago. Go through simply stunning landscapes, with high mountains, snow-capped mountains and jungles full of flora and fauna. And, as the cherry on the cake, it includes a visit to Machu Picchu. For all these ingredients the Inca Trail is a difficult route to match on the planet.

How to do the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?

Availability

Only 500 available spaces are allowed per day, of which 200 correspond to tourists and the rest to the support team: guides, cooks, porters and more.

Due to this, it is recommended to buy the tour between 6 or 7 months before.

Most popular treks

Although the Classic Inca Trail (4 days) to Machu Picchu is the most popular route, in Cusco there are also other incredible treks.

Undoubtedly one of them is the Salkantay trek, the 5-day route that ends in Machu Picchu after 70 kilometers of walking. Another popular route is the Short Inca Trail (2 days) to Machupicchu that runs only 11 kilometers.

Complete information

Are you interested in doing the Inca Trail but you are not sure what this hiking route consists of?

Learn about each of the details related to this walk, considered one of the best on the planet.

Check the updated Inca Trail availability calendar

Check the availability calendar of the Inca Trail permanently updated. The ’50’ means there are fifty spaces available . The ‘0’ that there are no longer free spaces for the Inca Trail. Choose the month and day of your preference and check the availability of the route of your choice.

 

Most popular treks to Machu Picchu

Cusco has a mountainous geography ideal for incredible walks. The most famous treks are those that end in the Inca city of Machu Picchu. There are almost ten routes that end there. However, there are three most popular routes: Inca Trail 4 days, Inca Trail 2 days and Salkantay trek 5 days.

Learn more about the entrance to Machu Picchu Solo

Inca Trail 4 days

What is it about?

The most famous trek in Peru. Travel 39 kilometers along the Inca roads, the qhapac ñan. The tour lasts 4 days. It crosses high Andean roads and the Cusco jungle.

What to see?

    On this route you can enjoy landscapes of the mountains and the Cusco jungle. Of course you will also appreciate Machu Picchu as well as the Inca sites of Llactapata, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñayhuayna.

Learn more about the entrance to Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu

Inca Trail 2 days

What is it about?

Route that only covers the last section of the Inca Trail for 4 days. It crosses 11 kilometers. It includes the Inca site of Wiñayhuayna and the Intipunku (the Puerta del Sol of Machu Picchu).

What to see?

    On this route you can enjoy the green landscapes of the jungle of Cusco. You will also be able to appreciate the archaeological sites of Chachabamba and Wiñayhuayna. Of course, in the end you will enter Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the world.

Conoce más acerca de la entrada Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu

Salkantay trek 5 days

What is it about?

Route that crosses the slopes of the imposing Salkantay mountain range. Travel 70 kilometers along high Andean roads and the Cusco jungle. It is more intense than the Inca Trail.

What to see?

    On this route you will be able to see the imposing Andean landscapes near the Salkantay mountain range. On the way you will appreciate the beautiful Humantay lagoon and the green landscapes of the Cusco jungle. At the end you will enter Machu Picchu through the town of Aguas Calientes.

Classic Inca Trail Machu Picchu Tour
Rutas del Camino Inca a Machu Picchu Inca Trail routes to Machu Picchu

Other incredible treks to Machu Picchu

The Inca Trail is not the only hiking route with the final destination of Machu Picchu. There are also other hikes that are just as incredible. The most famous are the Salkantay trek, the Inca Jungle, the Lares trek and Choquequirao trek. These and other routes are perfect in case there is no availability to do the Inca Trail, the most famous trek in Peru.

Salkantay trek

Salkantay trek

The Salkantay trek is a hiking route to Machu Picchu that lasts 5 days and travels 70 kilometers along Andean and jungle roads.

 
Rutas del Camino Inca a Machu Picchu

Inca Jungle

The Inca Jungle is a 4-day adventure route to Machu Picchu that includes cycling, hiking, and canoeing (optional).

 
Rutas del Camino Inca a Machu Picchu

Lares trek

The Lares trek is a 4-day trekking route to Machu Picchu that runs 32 kilometers along Andean roads and traditional villages.

 
Rutas del Camino Inca a Machu Picchu

Choquequirao trek

The Choquequirao trek is a 4-day trekking route to Choquequirao that covers 50 kilometers (round trip) along incredible Andean roads.

 

The most complete information about the Inca Trail

The Inca Trail generates many questions for visitors who plan to do this incredible hiking route. Find out how to do the walk, when is the best time to go, when is the worst time to go, what are its rules, its prohibitions and much more. Go ahead and take one of the best walks in the world!

  • Dry season

    From April to October the days are sunnier and with little chance of rain. For many it is the best time to hike. Sunny days favor getting the best photos on the route. May, June and July are the driest months but with the coldest temperatures at night.

  • Rainy season

    From November to March it usually rains more frequently. Some tourists are uncomfortable. Others enjoy the beautiful landscapes that the rain brings. The rains can cause slipping on the road so you must walk carefully. January, February and March are the rainiest months so the necessary precautions should be taken.

  • Closing in February

    February is the rainiest month so the authorities decide to close the Inca Trail for safety and to carry out maintenance work on the route. During that month tourists can be encouraged to do other alternative hiking routes such as the Lares trek, the Huchuy Qosqo trek or the Choquequirao trek.

  • Camps

    The camps for each night are those of Huayllabamba, Pacaymayo and Wiñayhuayna (or Phuyupatamarca). All are well equipped for tourists. The authorities have chosen these places for the security they offer. Tourism agencies include all the necessary comfort to spend the night.

  • Prohibitions

    During the Inca Trail it is forbidden to damage the Inca buildings. Tourists should not carry knives, fuel, drones, firearms, and more. Remember that damaging the heritage of the Incas is considered a serious crime by the Peruvian authorities. Let’s take care of the historic Inca Trail and preserve it for the future!

  • The Intipunku

    On the last day of hiking, tourists arrive at Machu Picchu through the Intipunku (Puerta del Sol). This first panoramic view is an incredible experience difficult to forget. The Intipunku was a construction of walls, windows and enclosures where the rays of the sun reached each summer solstice.

  • The reserve

    The Inca Trail is considered one of the best hiking trails on the planet. However, it only has about 500 spaces available per day. Due to this, the reservation of the tour must be made online through a tourism agency 6 or 7 months in advance. Otherwise you will not find free spaces.

  • Backpack

    During the route along the Inca Trail, it is recommended to carry a large backpack with a maximum weight of 5 kilos. Inside should be the most necessary utensils such as: cell phone batteries, camera, clothing, water, snacks, hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, personal hygiene accessories and medicines.

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  • Inca trail information

     

  • Nature

     

  • Reservation and services

     

  • Routes

     

  • Archaeological sites

     

Learn more about the Inca Trail and its news

Frequently asked questions about the Inca Trail and other routes in Cusco

Do you have questions about the Inca Trail and the other hiking routes in Cusco? Learn about the ten most frequent questions that tourists ask themselves before taking these walks.

  • 1) Is the Inca Trail open all year round?

    Yes, the Inca Trail is open all year round except for February which is the rainiest month of the year. On those days, cleaning and conditioning work is carried out on the route.

  • 2) Is it essential to book the Inca Trail online?

    Yes, the Inca Trail is a highly requested route by tourists. Therefore, it is necessary to make the reservation in advance. The only way to get availability is buying online .

  • 3) How long before should I make the reservation?

    The 4-day Inca Trail reservation must be made 6 or 7 months in advance.

  • 4) What to do if I don’t get availability?

    If you do not get availability for the 4-day Inca Trail, the best option is to do another hiking route such as the Salkantay trek, the Lares trek, the Huchuy Qosqo trek, the Inca Jungle or even the short 2-day Inca Trail.

  • 5) What is the best hiking route besides the Inca Trail?

    For most tourists and tour guides, the Salkantay trek is the second best hiking route in Cusco .

  • 6) When is the best time to go hiking in Cusco?

    The dry season (from May to September) offers the best months for hiking trails in Cusco. On those days the rains are not frequent so the climate is the best for walks.

  • 7) What does this adventure to the Inca Trail include?

    The 4-day classic Inca Trail includes: transportation to the starting point of the trek, cook equipment (food), porters equipment (luggage load), camping utensils, entrance to Machu Picchu and all the sites as well as return in train and bus to Cusco.

  • 8) Can I do the Inca Trail on my own?

    No, the classic 4-day Inca Trail is a route protected by the Peruvian State so it can only be traveled by people with authorizations. Tourism agencies offer such authorizations. People cannot do this route on their own.

  • 9) Is there an age limit to do the Inca Trail?

    No. Although there is no age limit to do the 4-day Inca Trail, it is best to be between 8 and 65 years old . It is good to be in good physical condition and, if applicable, have the approval of your doctor.

  • 10) What to take to the Inca Trail?

    The trip to the Inca Trail already includes the main thing so the tourist should only worry about bringing personal items: good shoes, a poncho in case of rain, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, comfortable sportswear, rehydrating water, personal hygiene items. , some cash and a camera to capture the beautiful landscapes.