Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Camino Inca a Machu Picchu
The classic Inca road trek over the Andes to Machu Picchu, a four-day walk that finishes at the Sun Gate and the ruins.
At a glance
- Starts in
- Km 82, Piscacucho
- Ends in
- Machu Picchu (Sun Gate to the citadel)
- Length
- 38 km
- On foot
- 4 days
- Countries
- Peru
About the trail
The trail follows Inca paths and stone stairways from the Urubamba valley at Km 82, through cloud forest and past ruins such as Runkurakay, Sayacmarca and Wiñay Wayna, to Machu Picchu. The hardest day crosses Warmiwañusca, Dead Woman's Pass, at about 4,200 m. On the last morning walkers reach Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, with the first view down onto the citadel.
Entry is limited by a daily permit quota, hikers must go with a licensed operator, and the trail closes every February for maintenance. Peru's Ministry of Culture manages the route.