Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

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Taking the exciting walk all the way to Machu Picchu

It is a hard, yet very interesting experience for those who choose to take the hike in order to get to Machu Picchu.

Takes usually 4 days, requires very strong preparation of the organism, both physically and mentally.

About the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The Inca Trail road system is a very long network of trails running in the western part of South America, in the Andes mountains. What we call "the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu" is a shorter portion of the long network. This was never discovered by the Spaniards, because if they would have come across it, they'd have travelled along it until they reached Machu Picchu.

The trail that leads to the ruins starts at Km 88 of the railway line, near a train station between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes.

Here's our map of the region. You can see the yellow Inca Trail on it:

How can one take a hike on the Inca Trail?

Exclusively by travelling with an agency, the access to the Inca Trail leading to Machu Picchu is restricted to a maximum of 500 persons a day. Travel agencies organize guided trips for groups. You can only travel with an agency.

You need to book at least 2-3 months in advance to get a place.

Why hike the Inca Trail and not get there by train & bus?   

Because...

You'd get to the ruins of Machu Picchu before other tourists arrive there with the bus. You avoid the crowd and can admire Machu Picchu's beauty, will be able to take photographs in which no large crowds of coloured-dressed tourists can be seen.

The hike itself is an adventurous, exciting experience.

You can see many Inca ruins, beautiful views, can "get a taste" of the wilderness: you will climb mountains, get across bridges, see fast flowing rivers, will pass through a jungle.

Many people do it, if you're strong, you can do it too!

When is the best time to go?

The high season is June - August. That's when the "mainstream of tourists" arrives.

In order to avoid the rainy season, be sore to bet there in the period of April - October. Outside that is very rainy. In February the trail is closed for maintenance (like garbage cleaning) and collecting the dead bodies of lost tourists (just kidding!).

What are the costs?

You should consider spending at least 300 $, maybe 400 $ or more, if all services are included. Sometimes the price is around 250 $, but those trips don't include all services.

Which services must be included in the hiking package?

Never buy a package that doesn't contain all these services: entrance ticket to the Inca Trail, entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, transportation tickets to the starting point of the hike and then back to Cuzco.

Getting prepared

Prior to departure, you must accumulate information and obtain maps of Peru and the area.

Find out about the health-related risks of trips to Peru in our dedicated section. Of course, those risks do not include detailed information about what risks there are when hiking at high altitude on the Inca Trail. For this, read below.

Careful preparation of the organism for the hike on the Inca Trail:

Get an overall exam at your doctor in order to see if your organism is all right, take regular exercises at home, after then, when arriving to Cuzco (Cusco), stay at least 7-10 days in order to get used to the high altitude atmospherical conditions. But, for best acclimatization, we'd recommend spending about 2 weeks at least and prior training at high altitudes (Europe, USA), wherever you come from and had the opportunity to pre-train yourself.

The altitude sickness is a serious problem! Get well documented and prepared, don't forget the checkup at your doctor prior to departure!

Don't drink alcohol, don't smoke, don't drink coffee. Avoid consuming foods containing many artificial ingredients, such as certain soft drinks, jellies, etc.

When you reach the Warmiwañusca, the "Dead Woman's Pass", you'll be at 4.200 m. A very difficult thing to do. This usually happens on day 2, after you pass the first high jungle.

How to pack:

Pack smart, you don't need to take the "whole house" with you.

10 kgs should be enough, but many hikers reach 15-20 kgs. That's very heavy. Keep in mind: you'll have to take it on your back for 4 days, at altitudes often exceeding 4.000 m!

Only take what you must!

If you have too much luggage, it's good if someone can take care of it back in Cuzco or some other place. Under no circumstance should you leave your surplus luggage at the hotel!

What to take:

"Must take" elements:

Identification documents

Travel documents, such as passport

Maps, schemes

Hat/cap: to cover your head from the Son's stinging rays and protect your head from rain. Should not be a thick hat, normal summer hat is advised, because your head also needs ventilation. Don't "boil it"!

Raincoat: rains, myst, clouds are frequent "up there".

Long trousers: don't wear short pants on hikes, you could get harmed by insects and even more often by the plants and the terrain.

Long sleeved shirts: same as in the case of pants.

Multiple pairs of socks

Good, comfortable hiking boots/shoes: but not new shoes, because new ones always need time to get used to and could destroy your foot and ruin your trip. Take shoes that you've been walking in for at least 2-3 months and are comfortable, soft inside. Boots are preferred over shoes, because they provide more resistance, they protect your ankles. In shoes, your ankles do much of the work, while in boots, the upper part assists. In other words: in shoes you can destroy your ankles, while boots are stronger and protect you.

Warm clothes for the evening

Something to cover your neck with (like a light scarf, but no thick winter scarf!).

Flashlight

Pocket knife: out here in the wilderness, it is perhaps the most important tool.

A large backpack

Bottled water

Camera

Medicine: have the most important things there for headache, things to put on your wounds, in case you get hurt (cut, bruised by a fall).

Personal hygiene items: toilet paper, towel (are most important) and other items

Insect repellant spray or crème

Sun block crème to protect from the strong rays at high altitudes.

"Should & could take" elements:

Tea: good warm tea can replace warm soup, necessary for the stomach.

Energy bars or chocolate to give you energy. But: it's always impolite to eat alone and not give to others. You might be given an unfriendly stare by other hikes while biting on your Snickers bar without giving them...

Nuts and seeds: especially sunflower seeds are full of energy.

Water purifying tablets, if you have some (in some countries you cannot find such accessories).

Light backpack: but always put it on or into the large one in order to have your hands free.

Gloves

Don't take these:

Any sort of music-playing device: usually regarded as annoying by other hikers, even if they cannot hear the sound (if you use headphones). It can be bad, because you also need to hear others, for example in dangerous situations. You'd also better enjoy the nature, leave these hi-tech objects at home!

Cigarettes, alcohol

Machetes, axes, large cutting tools: you don't need it and you could harm someone with it. Some crazy tourists think they "need it", no they don't! You won't get into deep wild jungle, that's for sure! And if such tools would be needed (on very rare occasions), then the tour guides will surely have them.

Too many unsuitable clothes: you don't need a whole wardrobe here, but good hiking shoes, adequate clothing.

Hand luggage: a horrible thing to get one of your hands occupied with it. Always have both hands free! The maximum you can have in one hand is a small object, such as a flashlight. Because, in case you fall, you can this way defend yourself.

What you can see along the trail (ruins, mountains)

You will be able to see many rare plants, birds. There are over 250 types of orchids living here.

The landscape is beautiful too.

You will pass through areas only covered by grass and ones covered by jungle.

You will see the following Inca ruins: Q'ente, Llactapata (also called Patallacta), Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, Conchamarca, Puyupatamarca, Huinay Huayna (Wiñay Wayna), Choquesuysuy, Intipata, Intipuncu or Intipunku (the Sun Gate), through which you will rapidly reach the ruins of the "Old Peak".  

Some hikers also visit Corihuayrachina at the beginning of the trek, but your agency might not offer this opportunity.