There are faster ways to reach Machu Picchu — a train gets you there in under four hours from Ollantaytambo. But arriving on foot, through the Sun Gate at dawn after four days of walking in the footsteps of Inca messengers, changes how the ruins land on you entirely.
The Classic Four-Day Route
The 43 km classic trail climbs over two mountain passes, the highest being Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215m, before descending through cloud forest to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna and finally the Sun Gate.
Book six months ahead
Peru limits Inca Trail permits to 500 people per day, including porters and guides. Popular dates sell out six months in advance.
Day by Day
- Day 1: Km 82 to Wayllabamba — gentle warm-up through the Sacred Valley
- Day 2: Wayllabamba to Pacaymayo — the hardest day, over Dead Woman's Pass
- Day 3: Pacaymayo to Wiñay Wayna — the longest day, past multiple ruin sites
- Day 4: Pre-dawn walk to the Sun Gate for sunrise over Machu Picchu
If the Inca Trail Is Sold Out
The Salkantay and Lares treks offer similarly spectacular scenery without the permit bottleneck, both ending with a train or bus connection into Machu Picchu.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Written by
Liam Hayes
Adventure & Trekking Correspondent
A former mountain guide turned writer, Liam has led treks across the Andes, the Rockies and the Himalayas. He writes Trek Tales Online's adventure and road trip coverage, usually filed from a tent.
