After the wardens hut, the trail follows a fairly even ascent of about 30 — 35 degrees in angle for about 1 hour. Gradually and steadily gaining altitude, the views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains become ever-more impressive.
There are several views and rest points along the way. As the trail gets closer to the base of Machu Picchu Mountain, the steps become steeper, narrower and more challenging. Winding on for another 30 minutes or so, the trail passes through a stone gateway, before following a narrow mountain ridge to the summit. A small round hut provides shelter and seating, whilst the view point a few more yards on offers awe-inspiring views of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu and Putucusi Mountains.
The decent follows the same route, but takes about 20 — 30 minutes less. The Machu Picchu Mountain trek is considered to be a moderate to challenging trek. Following an original stone Inca Trail and continuously ascending to the summit, a good level of fitness is required. During the wet season, the trail can become more slippery making it more challenging to traverse.
It is not for people with a fear of heights. In places the trail is very steep and often follows the mountain edge with sheer drop offs. Make sure you visit Paracas, home of the Peruvian Galapagos and Huacachina, the only desert oasis in South America as well as other hidden gems.
Find out how to discover all this on the way to Machu Picchu here! Time needed: ascent — 1h30 minutes accent, descent — 1 hour, 30 minutes at the summit. Altitude of summit: 3, meters 10, feet above sea level. Height to climb from Machu Picchu: meters 2, feet. Recommended footwear: Training shoes, light weight walking boots.
You are far too experienced to gain anything from a trip like this. Stay home. Stay strong. I did the trail when I was 70 yrs, Greatest experience of my life, Shared it with my son and grandaughter and my daughter-in-law. Great article. I just got back from Machu Picchu myself. I wish I knew or read your article before hand. A lot of good information. Never leave home unprepared… Especially if your destination is on the top of a mountain….
Most people doing this hike are on a tourist tour. Fun article! Went to MP last year in March. And your travel tips are great. It was amazing!
But I was happy I did it, got some great shots of the figures! When did you go? Hi Jen, Literally just flew back from Lima this morning. Just hiked the Salkantay Trek. Unbelievable experience!! More like a blizzard! Loved your post and so true. Take extra days or layers of clothing, socks too. Yes you can! It seemed like a one way your when I went.
You hike up, train back. The Inca Trail is a 1-way km hike. You typically take a bus down the hill to Aguas Calientes and either spend the night there or take the train to Cusco.
Aguascalientes Calientes best place to stay since you will be arriving earlier to MP avoiding the crowd coming from far..
Walking sticks! Was never one to use walking sticks until I learned the benefits on the trail!! My guide kindly gave new his. Clothes will never dry so if you sweat profusely or it rains… and it will… make sure you have 4 changes of clothes. Thanks for the info, trip planned in late September and I will take all the advice I can get! Cant wait!! Hike distance? Elevation gain? Nice article. Jim, People older than you were on the trail when I was. And bring at least one walking stick to protect your knees and hips on the the downhill bits.
Elevation varies — Cuzco is higher than MP, but there are some pretty high passes in between. And if you decide the hike is too much work, you can always take a train up!
Happy Travels! You can do it! I think the elevation increase that day was 1. Lots of uneven stairs. Take a walking stick and take your time and it should be fine. I saw young children when I went. The second day is brutal m ascent in 4 hr, with rests but if you regularly hike up and down hills without a problem, you should be fine regardless of age.
Never too old.. Best bit of advice I can give having done it is to take walking poles. The most important thing to know is that your porters can only carry a very small weight for you — take travel size toothpaste, soap etc and pack leggings rather than walking trousers. Wonderful advice. I know I really missed an awesome experience. Not too old June. There was an 80 year old couple walking the Inca trail when I went.
They had a lovely guide that was allowing them to do it at their own pace. Also you can always take the train and bus to Machu Picchu……. Another hint. We went when I was only Nothing bothered me, except the very high steps at another site, but I made it, just more slowly than at Main hint: get a little bottle of the mint oil, a specific variety, a couple of drops in palms rubbed together, breathed in from cupped hands.
Great to relieve shortness of breath from elevation hiking. Thank you Jim! At 48 with some mild atheletic asthma I think this is a brilliant idea!!
Buying myself some mint oil for my hike! I agree with Anonymous, June there is no such thing as too old! Thanks for the encouragement Jen. Thanks Jen , really good info in here … ans yes socks … I have a thing about bringing extra socks and my mates always moan … until they borrow a pair. Nobody hadda hold my hand for a minute. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Be ready for all four seasons As you gain altitude, temperatures become more extreme. Feeling inspired? Inca Trail Express from Lima. View trip. Inca Trail Express. Happy hikers. The heights are pretty epic! Intrepid leaders are there to help you out. Highlights of Patagonia. Jen Welch I've dragged my backpack across six continents, but for now it rests in the bottom of my wardrobe in Melbourne. You might also like.
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Be together: a celebration of family travel memories. Thank you letters between two Moroccan women changing An open letter from travel photographer, Lola Akinmade Carl Gutierrez October 27, - pm thanks for this. Two Cusco hotels that our guests have enjoyed in the past are:. A Cusco city tour when you arrive is a great way to start, to help get a sense of the sites that you might want to explore further.
The Plaza de Armas, which also happens to be a central meeting point and gathering place, is a great place to start. To the northeast stands one of the most iconic buildings of Cusco — its cathedral. Cusco Cathedral was built by the Spanish over the course of a century, starting in , and is imposing in the Gothic-Renaissance style. The cathedral is framed on the left by the Jesus Maria Church, and on the right by El Triunfo, which was the first church established in Cusco.
A short walk away from the Plaza de Armas is the San Blas neighborhood. Reserved for artists and craftspeople for centuries, strolling through the narrow and sometimes very steep streets is like taking a step back in time.
Moving onto historical sites, one must see is Coricancha, the Temple of the Sun. A short walk from the Plaza de Armas, this was an important location for Inca worshippers of sun and moon deities.
At the time, it would have been majestic, covered with sheets of gold and filled with silver and gold statues. Shortly after the Spanish colonization, all the valuable metals from Corincancha were removed and melted down — irreplaceable treasures lost forever. The Incas established this site as a fortress and temple, using large stones to construct impressive walls that still stand proudly to this day.
When it comes to dining out, Cusco has numerous options for the adventurous eater looking for authentic Peruvian flavors. Many local eateries provide a reasonably priced set menu, which may feature the famous cuy guinea pig , choclo con queso corn with cheese , or lomo saltado steak with pepper and onions amongst its offerings. For those who prefer more familiar cuisine, the city also has an array of non-Peruvian options, including hamburger restaurants, vegetarian takeaways, and kebab shops.
For excellent Peruvian food, two popular Cusco restaurants that guests have enjoyed include Inti Raymi restaurant , which is part of the 5-star Palacio del Inka hotel. It specializes in both Peruvian and world cuisine in a luxurious and romantic fine dining setting. Keen shoppers will enjoy the San Pedro market.
The market has become slightly more tourist-oriented over recent years, with a growing number of stalls offering clothing, jewelry, and other souvenirs. However, the market is where city residents also come to buy fresh foods and is ideal for anyone who wants to try local ingredients.
As night falls, the atmosphere in Cusco shifts to a more upbeat party mode, with tourists of all ages letting their hair down and having fun. Those who want to dance the night away will find discos playing a wide variety of contemporary music and clubs hosting live music. An unforgettable option is to take in a folkloric dance and music show at the Qosqo Native Art Center.
To hike this route to Machu Picchu, you are required by the government of Peru to hire a licensed guide service or tour company with the required permits to take trekkers on the journey. The company you choose will often arrange road transportation from Cusco to the start of the trek, with pickups that generally occur early in the day around AM local time.
The most popular place to start the hike is known as Kilometer 82, which is the start of the Classic Inca Trail route discussed below. Once you reach this location, you will generally conduct a gear check, fill up your water containers, and make sure everyone is fully prepared to start the journey. How long does it take to hike the Inca Trail? There are several route options to take, which allows you to choose your preferred experience.
Outlined below are three hiking choices, followed by more detailed information on the Classic Inca Trail hike. Varying from one to fourteen days in duration, each of these routes caters to different audiences based on their length, popularity, and availability of accommodations en route. All four of them are one-way treks. Depending on the tour operator that you make your trip reservations with, you will typically use a mixture of public and private transportation to return to Cusco from Aguas Calientes.
If you are short on time, you can trek to Machu Picchu in one day with an early start, of course! To achieve this, you will take the train from Cusco to a location on the trail known as Kilometer This is a great choice if you want to view Machu Picchu and experience a short section of the Inca Trail trek, all in the same day.
At 65 miles long, this is considered to be one of the most challenging ways to hike to Machu Picchu. Though it still requires reasonably fit participants, the Salkantay Trek sometimes known as The Lodge Trek runs along the Salkantay Trail through the Cordillera Vilcabamba mountain range, but allows for nightly rests at fully serviced lodges spaced along the route.
The trail reaches 15, feet in elevation before arriving in Machu Picchu. The Classic Inca Trail Hike is the most popular trek of the four options which we presented in this post. It begins at a location along the trail known as Kilometer 82, at the village of Piscacucho.
During the hike, adventurers travel 26 miles in total and reach a maximum altitude of 13, feet above sea level. Depending on your preference and the trekking itinerary, hiking this route can take between three and five days. The trek covers 26 miles and begins at the village of Piscacucho. On this journey, trekkers cross the Urubamba River and pass through many small villages and incredible landscapes. Contact us to find out more or get a copy of the complete detailed itinerary. It is wise to spend a few days in Cusco before your Inca Trail tour begins in order to acclimate to the higher altitude.
This extra time will increase your chances of success on your adventure. In the evening, enjoy some of the best food in the world, sample the local fare of this agricultural region, and perhaps taste one of the 3, varieties of potato cultivated here! The hike starts relatively flat, and is a great way to warm up your body for the adventure. You will camp near the Inca ruins of Llaqtapata, overlooking a spectacular backdrop of terraces and mystical mountains. Keep your eyes open for the smooth flight patterns of Andean Condors soaring overhead.
It eventually opens to a cloud forest of Polylepis trees and, ultimately, a large Pampa plain. Here, you will rest for the evening at the idyllic campsite of Llulluchapampa, nestled at 3, meters 12, feet above sea level. On the third day of the Inca Trail tour, you will wake up and head into the heart of the Andean mountains.
Take a minute to capture some photos before descending to the Pacaymayo River before beginning another climb to the ruins of Runkuraqay. From here, the trail passes through a high cloud forest while the scenery grows more and more dramatic. You can also take a leisurely walk through the grand structures before continuing along the ridge under the watchful summits of Mt.
Salkantay to the west and Mt. Pumasillo to the north. Follow the rolling stone trail, eventually arriving at Phuyupatamarka, your campsite for the evening, and spend the remainder of the day exploring the five fountains and an altar that might have been used by the Inca for ritual purposes. This morning, you will descend nearly 3, feet on a combination of trail and irregular staircase composed of 1, steps carved into the granite. The Willkanota River comes into view, and the lush jungle grows back around you as the songs of birds and butterfly wings fill the air, eventually joined by the sound of the river and train as you near the railroad tracks below which lead to Aguas Calientes.
Finally, you will reach a series of steep stairs that ascend to the Sun Gate, or Inti Punku. As you pass through the Sun Gate, the mighty citadel of Machu Picchu comes into view. Typically, after hikers finish this Inca Trail trek, they are tired and hungry and wish to head to their hotel in Aguas Calientes for a fresh shower and meal. Most hikers elect to do their full tour of the citadel the next day.
If you opt for this, you will walk through the outskirts of the Machu Picchu citadel, getting a glimpse of the ruins as you head down the mountain to the entrance area. Here, you will take a short ten-minute bus ride to the downtown area of Aguas Calientes, where you can then walk to your hotel and relax for the evening. When you finally complete the four-day Inca Trail hike, the real adventure begins!
However, some visitors elect to skip the hikes at Machu Picchu altogether and instead spend all their time exploring the ruins of the Machu Picchu citadel. This video highlights many of the most striking highlights of the Inca Trail tour and Machu Picchu, and it is truly one of the best visual summaries of this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Two hotels in Aguas Calientes that guests have enjoyed in the past are:. For memorable dining experiences in Aguas Calientes, guests on previous trips have enjoyed the restaurant at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, featuring traditional Peruvian cuisine with contemporary twists, and unmatched views of the Vilcanota River.
There is also the Indio Feliz , a Franco-Peruvian fusion place full of character that is also vegetarian-friendly. These two options offer two very different but equally enjoyable culinary experiences in Aguas Calientes! For adventure lovers, Inca Trail tours are just the beginning.
If you are looking to do more hiking once you reach Machu Picchu, there are two popular short but stunningly beautiful hike options: Huayna Picchu and Cerro Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Mountain. Both require permits and early morning wake-ups to ascend, so make sure you work with your tour operator in securing those before your arrival in Peru.
Huayna Picchu is the more popular trek, but if permits are all sold out, Machu Picchu Mountain is also a great option. We go into further detail on each hike below. Known as Wayna Picchu or Huayna Picchu, this is the mountain that surrounds the Urubamba River and rises prominently over the Machu Picchu citadel and provides the backdrop against which the rest of the mysterious city is set.
The Incas built an original trail up the side of Huayna Picchu, and built temples and terraces at its peak — which is about 8, feet above sea level. Every morning before sunrise, it is said that a high priest would walk to Machu Picchu with a small group to signal the coming of the new day.
The Temple of the Moon, one of the three major temples in the Machu Picchu area, is nestled on the mountainside and is situated lower in elevation than Machu Picchu.
Adjacent to the Temple of the Moon is the Great Cavern, another sacred temple with fine masonry. This incredible excursion takes approximately 4 hours round trip, starting at the Machu Picchu citadel, hiking through the Inca Trail hidden under the forest, and arriving at the top of this striking mountain. Along the trail, you will find yourself surrounded by a wide variety of flowers and wildlife, including orchids, begonias, ferns, and beautiful hummingbirds, while enjoying the outstanding view of the Machu Picchu citadel, the Urubamba River that runs below, and all the sacred mountains that surround Machu Picchu.
This area is very interesting because it is located in the high-cloud forest, where the highland joins the rainforest, thus creating many micro-ecosystems within the area. Machu Picchu Mountain has a special meaning for the Incas. Below this mountain, two rivers from the two most sacred Inca mountains join together into one confluence.
From the south runs the Urubamba River that originates in the Ausangate area, and from the west comes the Aobamba River that originates from Salkantay Mountain. For this reason, Machu Picchu Mountain becomes a monument of worship to the sacred waters. At the top, hikers will be welcomed by the Tawantinsuyo flag and a little shelter, providing respite from the sun and the wind. Reaching the top of this mountain requires a moderate ability to climb, as there are parts where it is very steep, but not considered to be dangerous.
The hiking trail is well maintained; it is a paved road with many steps, though it does zigzag in places.
Experiencing this trek for yourself offers an insight into why the Incas selected this mountain as the place to build the Machu Picchu citadel. It can get fairly crowded, as 2, people per day are permitted to visit the citadel. However, there are several sites that you can not access, as the Peruvian government has restricted them for conservation purposes.
Walking amongst the ancient walls, doorways, paths, and stairs imparts a unique feel to this archeological site — one that transports you many centuries back in time. Your guide may have a particular order in which you will visit these sites. Watching the sunrise from Intipunku is one of the most spectacular views you will experience on your trip, and it serves as the first point during your approach on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu from which you will be able to view the whole sanctuary.
A polished and carved monolith, this stone is situated in one of the three windows of the temple in Machu Picchu. Many who have visited the Intihuatana have reported experiencing a strange aura or energy when in the presence of the stone. Cloaked in thick atmospheric mist and cloud during the rainy season, this site is a must-see when you visit Machu Picchu due to its breathtaking views over the rest of the mountains. This beautiful area contains terraces, baths, and fountains with circulating fresh water.
Sacred Plaza: arguably the most famous landmark in Machu Picchu. The Sacred Plaza also clearly illustrates the skillful and magnificent engineering and architectural feats undertaken by the Inca. The building is also the most beautiful man-made site in Machu Picchu. With vast amounts of stone used to create the three magnificent walls, the Inca also engraved the internal space and entrance stones with intricate carvings. Principal Temple: this is the main temple to see in Machu Picchu, located at the highest point and position in the city.
Centered in the Sacred Plaza, the location of this temple holds great historical significance to the Inca, as the plaza square also includes two of the great temples in the city. The temple itself has a magnificent structural design, in keeping with the architectural styles of the time.
Ceremonial Baths: often located at the front of a temple site, there are several clear areas reserved for the ceremonial baths located throughout the city. Using the mountainous terrain to channel fresh water over walls and into the bathing areas, these baths were and continue to be an area of socializing and community. Royal Tomb and the Temple of Three Windows: the Royal Tomb and the three windows located within are a symbolic reference to the Inca emperors who ruled the city.
Though there are many competing theories and research papers that have tried to shed light on the reasoning behind the three windows located in the tomb, many scholars cannot agree as to the reason for their significance. On a darker note, at the lowest point of the plaza resides the Prison Group, a series of passages and cells burrowing under the stone and upwards into different areas of the city.
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