The daily distances on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu will vary depending on your itinerary. Firstly, we highly recommend our classic Inca Trail itinerary.
This itinerary stretches out the time spent on the trail offering you the best experience for trekking into Machu Picchu late in the afternoon. This gives you more time to experience each site along the way and stay in the best campsites. Check out our upcoming trips to Machu Picchu.
Learn from the Experts
I have been trekked the famous trail for over 20 years. The first time I made the journey, it was a disaster and not how we do it today. Here is what I learned from trekking this magical trail. We have designed our itinerary to offer up the best of the region, along with the best way to experience the Inca trail. The daily distances you will trek on a multi-day trek will give you a greater understanding of how you need to train for the adventure!
Once you have reviewed the daily distances on the trail, then you should read about the Elevation gains on the Inca Trail. The information on these two combined blogs should then give you a better idea of how you want to train and prepare. For the majority of the Inca Trail, you will be hiking up and down steep and uneven stairs. If you are not on stairs, then you will be hiking up and down trails on steep and rocky terrain.
Therefore, you have to make sure you have the conditioning in the legs and body to handle the distances and more importantly the steps up and down. You need to focus on strength and endurance training for this type of hiking. We are available to discuss training with you at any stage.
How Long Is The Hike to Machu Picchu?
In total, the Inca Trail covers a total of 44km/ 27 miles over 5 days if you are doing our Classic 5 Day Inca Trail itinerary. If you are doing the Traditional 4 Day trek or the Salkantay Route, then your daily distances will be slightly different. When you think of 44km/ 27 miles in five days, that does not seem like a huge amount! However, the terrain you are covering over those five days is extremely challenging terrain.
We prefer the Classic 5 Day Itinerary for a few reasons. Firstly, it gives you more time to enjoy each site on the trail. Secondly, it breaks down the daily distances on the trail each day, so that you spread the hiking distances out. Finally, it gives you two visits to Machu Picchu, where the other itineraries only have one!
A Typical 5-Day Inca Trail Itinerary
- Day 1: Ollantaytambo to Wayllabamba
- Day 2: Wayllabamba to Pacumayu
- Day 3: Pacumayu to Phuyupatamarca
- Day 4: Phuyupatamarca to Winyawayna to Machu Picchu and stay in Aguas Calientes
- Day 5: Tour Machu Picchu with option to climb Huayna Picchu then back to Cusco
Here’s our calendar for upcoming Inca Trail treks:
Day 1). Wayllabamba
We will pick you up from the hotel at 6am in Ollantaytambo and drive to Piscacucho at 2,700m/ 9,000 feet. This is the famous KM 82 marker, and the starting point of our trek. After checking in and showing passports and permits, the trek will begin!
In the first stretch of the hike we will have beautiful views of the landscape and surrounding peaks, such as Apu Huakay Willka, 5,850m/ 19,193 feet, otherwise known as Veronica. We will begin to see the many plants and trees of the region, which our team will explain as we walk.
After approximately 3/4 hours of walking today, we will reach the Inca City of Llactapata 2,750m/ 9020 feet. From this point, we make a short descent and follow the trail towards Tarayoc. There is a beautiful Incan site right off the trail. We will explore this site before sitting down for a delicious lunch.
After lunch, prepared by our chef and kitchen team, we will keep moving up the trail. We will have a gradual ascent in this semi-tropical valley until we reach our campground at Wayllabamba, at 3,100m/ 10,170 feet. The total time trekking today is approximately 6 hours and you will cover a distance of 10.6km/ 6.6 miles.
Day 2). Pacumayu
We will rise early this morning for breakfast. Today will be one of the toughest and most physically demanding days on the trail. We will be reaching the highest point in the Inca Trail, the high mountain pass of Abra Warmihuañusca, or the Dead Woman Pass, at 4,215m/ 13,776 feet.
Along the climb today, the landscape will change from sierra to puna (a dry and high area with little vegetation). We will also have the chance to spot domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on Ichu, one of the few plants that grow at this altitude.
The trail will cross an area of the Cloud Forest, which is inhabited by many different kinds of birds and animals. You may see hummingbirds and sparrows and if you are lucky, you may even see the Andean Bear, which is also called the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctus Ornatus).
We will have lunch at Llulluchapampa, 3,850m/ 12,589 feet, where we will be treated with beautiful views out over the valley we have just came through. After lunch, we will continue further upwards to the top of the Dead Woman’s Pass. After a strenuous morning and early afternoon of ascending the pass, you will get to the summit to celebrate.
We will spend time enjoying the views and having a rest, before we begin the steep, downhill trek, on uneven stairs, for approximately 700m/ 2,296 feet down to our campsite for the night. Tonight, we will be sleeping in Pacaymayu Camp at 3,500m/ 11,482 feet.
The distance today will cover 12 km/ 7.46 miles and will take approximately 8 hours of hiking.
Day 3). Phuyupatamarca
We start the day with a steep hike up to the second pass, the Abra Runkurakay at 3,970m/ 13,022 feet. Halfway up the pass, we will stop to visit the archaeological complex with the same name. This site, located at 3,800m/ 12,464 feet, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower.
After lunch, we will continue on the trail towards the third pass, the Abra Phuyupatamarca, at 3,700m/ 12,136 feet, where we spend the night. This section of the trail takes us through lush landscapes, with great views off the trail towards Mount Salkantay and the Amazon Forest.
We will go through the first of the Incan Tunnels before reaching our camp site at Abra Phuyupatamarca, which means ‘town over the clouds’. Tonight, we sleep high above Macchu Picchu, and will have stunning sunsets and views of the surrounding mountains. Today you will cover a total of 10.5 km/ 6.5 miles and it will take approximately 6/7 hours of hiking today.
Day 4). Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
After our delicious breakfast accompanied by the “Apus” sacred mountains we will descend for about three hours on steep steps. This part of the famous Inca Trail was only found in the 1980’s after a large fire.
After the long 1,000m/ 3,280 feet descent we will arrive at Intipata for some rest. We will have an amazing view of the Urubamba valley from Intipata. We will continue the descent for half an hour to our lunch spot.
Just past the lunch spot, we will visit one of the most impressive sites on route to Machu Picchu, Wiñayhuayna. We will hike back the same way, where will have our last lunch on the Inca trail. Here, we will have the opportunity to thank and tip our porter team and cooks for the great experience we had in this Inca Trail.
The Final Hike into Machu Picchu
After lunch, the trail follows a narrow path that leads us around Machu Picchu mountain, all the way to the Sun Gate (Intipunku). Look out for the Inca face carved beautifully into the rock face.
After enjoying our first stunning view of Machu Picchu, we keep descending taking breaks at key points on the Inca Trail into Machu Picchu. There will be plenty of time to take pictures and savor this final hike along the Inca Trail.
It is important to take our time to truly take in this magical place. From the sun gate, it takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to reach the city of Machu Picchu, arriving at that post card view of Machu Picchu.
We will take photographs and enjoy the beauty of the city and surrounding mountains before we take the bus from the Inca city of Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
Tonight, we will spend the night here in a hotel in Aguas Calientes. After a nice shower and rest, we will have a great dinner out at the famous Indio Feliz restaurant.
The total distance walked today is 11km/ 7 miles and will take approximately 6 hours of hiking.
Day 5). Machu Picchu – Cusco
Today is the highlight of the trek as we visit the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu. If you have chosen to hike or scramble up Huayna Picchu, you will begin about one hour earlier than the rest of the group in order to reach the entrance at the correct time.
Please note that Huayna Picchu permits are limited and must be reserved and paid for at the time of booking. They can only be booked in advance and only available on arrival in Machu Picchu.
Huayna Picchu rewards hikers with some of the most spectacular panoramic views over Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains. You can also learn more about Inca Trail and Machu Picchu permit requirements here.
Arrive into Machu Picchu Early Today
Sorry, but we will wake up early and board the bus for the short scenic ride back up to Machu Picchu. We like to arrive in time to enjoy the site in the peaceful morning hours.
Once inside the citadel, we begin a fully guided tour of this extraordinary Inca sanctuary. Over the course of approximately two hours, our guide will bring the ancient city to life. The guide will explain its history, architecture, and the remarkable engineering achievements of the Incas.
After the tour of Machu Picchu, you will have a small amount of free time to take photographs and soak in the atmosphere. Enjoy that final personal moment at one of the world’s most iconic places before we get back on the bus.
Later in the morning, we travel back down to Aguas Calientes, where we stop for lunch.
In the early afternoon, we board the train for the 1 hour 50 minute journey to Ollantaytambo. From there, our private transport will be waiting to take us back through the Sacred Valley and onward to Cusco. We expect to arrive back in Cusco at approximately 7:00pm.
Today is a relaxed day, with walking only within the town of Machu Picchu and the citadel itself.
Get in Touch Today
We hope this information on the daily distances on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu was helpful for your planning. Our Classic 5 Day Inca Trail itinerary is the best way to experience the beautiful trail to Machu Picchu!
The classic Inca Trail itinerary offers you more time to enjoy each of the Inca sites along the Inca Trail. It also includes two visits to Machu Picchu! READ MORE about why this is the best itinerary!
If you want to make the journey to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail, then GET IN TOUCH today! Let us help you make this incredible journey with the Incas!