Hiking routes to Machu Picchu
Cusco has an Andean region perfect for hiking trails along impressive paths surrounded by snow-capped mountains, fields and even tropical jungles. The most spectacular routes are those that end in nothing less than the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Find out what they are, their prices, attractions and more.
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The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The Classic Inca Trail is considered the best hiking route in Peru. During this adventure each tourist will walk 39 kilometers during 4 days and 3 nights of camping. The route begins at kilometer 82 of the railway to Aguas Calientes. It ends at the Intipunku, the entrance gate to Machupicchu used by the Incas.
During the walk, visitors will appreciate Andean landscapes as high as the Warmiwañusca Pass (4,200 meters above sea level). Also tropical forests of the jungle of Cusco. On the route you will also be able to observe the archaeological sites of: Llactapata, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñayhuayna.
- Tour price: 600 USD.
- Includes: Transportation, permits, tour guide, camping equipment, cooks, porters, entrance to Machu Picchu and return by train to Cusco.
- Advance purchase: Online 6 or 7 months in advance.
The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The Short Inca Trail is a reduced version of the classic route to Machu Picchu. This adventure lasts only 2 days. However, the trek takes place only on the first day with 11 kilometers of route. The second day is dedicated to visiting the Inca city of Machupicchu. The Short Inca Trail is an excellent option if there is no availability for the classic 4-day route.
During the route you can appreciate the beautiful jungle landscapes near Machu Picchu. The route begins at kilometer 104 of the railway to Aguas Calientes. Nearby, you can visit the archaeological site of Chachabamba. The walk ends at the Intipunku, the door of the sun. Before you can see the archaeological site of Wiñayhuayna. That day he spends the night in a hostel in the town. The next day Machu Picchu is visited and returns to Cusco.
- Price of the tour: 500 USD.
- Includes: Transportation, permits, tour guide, lodging in Aguas Calientes, lunch, dinner, entrance to Machu Picchu, return by train to Cusco.
- Advance purchase: Online 2 or 3 weeks in advance.
The Salkantay trek
On this hiking route, tourists will travel 70 kilometers in 5 days of hiking and 4 nights of camping. It owes its name to the fact that it crosses the cold places near the immense snow-capped Salkantay. It also covers other incredible landscapes such as the Humantay lagoon or the town of Santa Teresa in the jungle of Cusco. Finally the last day up to Machu Picchu from the town of Aguas Calientes. It is considered the most demanding route of all those that connect with the Inca citadel.
The route begins with a trip in tourist transport to the town of Mollepata. There begins the arduous trek of several days along mountain roads such as the Salkantay Pass (4,650 meters above sea level), the highest point of the route. The Salkantay trek can be done with a tour or on your own. However, it is best to choose a tourism agency.
- Price of the tour: 500 USD.
- Includes: Transportation, tour guide, camp, lodging in Aguas Calientes, cooks, porters, entrance to Machu Picchu and return by train to Cusco.
- Advance purchase: Online or in Cusco 1 or 2 weeks in advance.
The Lares trek
The Lares trek is a 32-kilometer hiking route that crosses Andean landscapes and towns until arriving at Machu Picchu with the train trip to Aguas Calientes. It is known as the cultural route to Machupicchu since on the way towns such as the town of Wacahuasi, Yanahuara, Ollantaytambo and more are visited. It lasts 4 days and 3 nights.
The name of the route is due to the fact that it begins in the town of Lares where the thermal waters of the place are visited. The first two nights are spent in a camp through Andean landscapes of intense cold. The last night you arrive by train to Aguas Calientes where you spend the night in a tourist lodging. The last day Machu Picchu is visited and returns by train to Cusco.
- Tour price: 600 USD.
- Includes: Transportation, tour guide, camp, lodging in Aguas Calientes, cooks, porters, entrance to Machu Picchu, train to and from Cusco.
- Advance purchase: Online or in Cusco 1 or 2 weeks in advance.
The Huchuy Qosqo trek
This hiking route covers only 17 kilometers through beautiful Andean landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It owes its name to the fact that the archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo is visited on the route. It is considered the easiest route to Machu Picchu. It is possible to do it together with children or older adults. At the end, Machu Picchu is visited via the town of Aguas Calientes, where it is reached by train.
The first part of the walk is the one that connects the city of Cusco with the archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo. The first night is spent there. The second day you walk a few kilometers until you meet the transport that will take visitors to Ollantaytambo. There you travel by train to Aguas Calientes where you spend the night in a tourist lodge. The last day is destined to get to know Machupicchu and return by train to the city of Cusco.
- Tour price: 450 USD.
- Includes: Transportation, tour guide, camp, lodging in Aguas Calientes, food, porters, entrance to Machu Picchu, train to and from Cusco.
- Advance purchase: Online or in Cusco 1 or 2 weeks in advance.
The Inca Jungle
The Inca Jungle is an adventure route of 4 days and 3 nights that ends in Machu Picchu via the town of Aguas Calientes. It owes its name to the fact that it runs through the tropical forests of the Cusco jungle. During the route, cycling, trekking, canoeing (optional) and zipline (optional) are practiced. For this reason, it is recognized as the adventurous route to Machupicchu preferred by young people.
The first day the tourist will cycle from the Abra Málaga in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. On the second day, after the walk, visitors can relax in the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes. The third day you walk until you reach the town of Aguas Calientes. The last day is destined to visit Machu Picchu and return by train to Cusco. The only way to do this route is through an all-inclusive tour.
- Tour price: 400 USD.
- Includes: Transportation, bicycles, tour guide, lodging, food, entrance to Machu Picchu, rafting (optional) and zipline (optional).
- Advance purchase: Online or in Cusco 1 or 2 weeks in advance.