Inca Trail Hiking Tours

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a moderate hike. It's not too tough but there quite a few Inca staircases to hike up and down, and the high altitude may affect some people. You can rent a hiking pole from us or in the main square of Cusco, as it will help with your balance and take the weight on your knees. Metal-tipped walking sticks are not allowed on the trail as they can damage the fragile surroundings.It also depends on if you have experience trekking, your physical condition and your stamina.

The magnificent route of the Inca Trail is one of the best adventure alternatives you can choose to reach the enigmatic citadel of Machu Picchu. Because it is one of the best and recognized routes in Latin America to make the amazing walk along the emblematic ancient route of the Inca civilization.This famous Inca Trail has two traditional versions of 4 days and the short version of this, which consists of 2 days, now we will explain the degree of difficulty for both routes, so you are prepared before starting your walk:

Option 01: Classic Inca Trail 4 days

• DAY 1: The Traditional Inca Trail begins in the city of Cusco, from where they move by bus to km 82 or Piscacucho, from the point of control begin the adventurers to load the backpacks to start their adventure to Machupicchu at a height of 2650 masl, the ascent of the first day will be gradual and simple, they will climb only up to 3000 masl passing through Miskay (2800) and finally Huayllabamba (3000). Degree of difficulty: easy
• DAY 2: The second day will pass through narrow and steep trails (9 km) uphill to reach the top of the Warmihuañuska mountain, then begin to descend to Pacaymayo 3600 meters above sea level, the walking time will be 6 hours. Degree of difficulty: difficult
• DAY 3: This day the hike begins with a slight ascent to Pacaymayo, from where a walk through a more difficult stretch begins for 1 hour until you reach the archaeological complex Runkuracay 3,750 masl, then a descent to a lagoon called Yanacocha and another ascent to Phuyupatamarca and finally an excursion through flat ecosystems to Wiñayhuayna. Degree of difficulty: difficult
• DAY 4: The last day of adventure will be calm, with a slight ascent until inti punku and a descent towards the citadel of Machupicchu. Degree of difficulty: moderate.

Option 02: Short Inca Trail 2 days

• The Short Inca Trail starts at km 104 of the railway, the degree of difficulty is the same as day 4 of the traditional Inca trail, with a slight rise to inti punku, to see the sunset passing through Wiñayhuayna, and descending to the citadel of Machu Picchu, from where you can descend to hot waters by bus, or walking (degree of difficulty: difficult, due to the small bleachers of the route). Degree of difficulty: moderate.

The entire route to the wonderful Inca road citadel requires moderate and difficult physical effort because the entire route is not easily accessible, due to the height of the route (2600 masl to 4000 masl) and the constant ascents and descents in the journey. In addition to this effort is worth the unique and unforgettable experience that will live in this great route of pure indescribable adventure only with words, to necessarily know you have to live them.The age to realize this Inca path does not play a primordial role, but its willpower and the desire to live a unique and unforgettable experience.

Let´s see the Traditional Inca Trail and its most interesting details:

Inca Trail Altitude and Walking Time

Cusco - KM-82 - Wayllabamba

• Difficulty level: Easy
• Maximum altitude: 3000m
• Minimum altitude: 2600m
• Distance traveled: 9 km
• Approximate walking time: 5-6 hours

Wayllabamba - Paso Warmiwañusca - Paccaymayu

• Level of difficulty: Difficult
• Maximum altitude: 4600m
• Minimum altitude: 3000m
• Distance covered: 12KM
• Approximate walking time: 6-7 hours

Paccaymayu - Runkuraqhay Pass - Phuyupatamarka - Wiñayhuayna

• Difficulty level: moderate
• Maximum altitude: 4000m
• Minimum altitude: 2650m
• Distance covered: 16 km
• Approximate walking time: 8 hours

Wiñayhuayna - Inti Punku (Sun Gate) - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

• Difficulty level: Easy
• Maximum altitude: 2650m
• Minimum altitude: 2100m
• Distance covered: 6 km
• Approximate walking time: 2 hours

The height and the constant ascents and descents constitute the biggest difficulty in the walk. To reach the first step, the walk ascends from 2,000 meters. up to 4,000 meters. Followed by a descent of approximately 1,500 meters. After crossing the second step located at 3, 500 meters. the degree of difficulty of the walk will be reduced but please practice months before your trek.You can go and walk around your city.