TripAdvisor
The Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu is the best adventure destination in the world
The Inca Train Trek to Machu Picchu offers short treks up to 2 days, medium treks up to 4 days and long treks for up to 7 days or more.
Inca Trail Trek is known globally for its picturesque mountains and its mysterious Inca archaeological sites. Especially known to most is the Iconic Machu Picchu, known as the wonder of the world.
Every people who has walked the four days Inca Trail to Machu Picchu said that it’s amazing the views of the surrounding mountain, the flora and fauna are incredible and the history of the Inca ruins are just wonderful. In general the experience of the Inca Trail is unforgettable especially when you reach to Machu Picchu though the “INTI PUNKU” or the sun gate.
What is really the Inca Trail Trek?
- The Inca Trail Trek is an adventure trip through the ancient route that links the city of Cusco with Machu Picchu.
- The trail was built during the Inca emperor of “Pachukutec” during the Inca Imperial time (XV – XVI century).
- The Inca trail trek offers unique adventure experience walking through an outstanding mountain scenery and beautiful cloud forest region.
- For several years the Inca Trail Trek becomes the favorite destination for adventure and nature lovers.
- The Trek takes you to walk on a well maintained stone paved trail, from the beginning until the end the trail was built with white granite stone blocks.
- To trek the Inca Trail is very important to be well acclimatized to high altitudes, because the route runes over three high passes, the higest of which arrive up to 4,200m / 13779 fts.
Is it worth to do it the Inca Trail Trek?
- Many people from all over the world dream to hike the Inca trail Trek and explore the Iconic Machu Picchu at least one time in their life.
- The walk through the Inca Trail makes visiting this inaccessible places a difficult but memorable adventure.
- Once in the Inca Trail, the tourist will be practically alone with the wonderful nature and mysterious archaeological site.
- All of tourists in the world who walked the Inca Trail agree that it was worth it to do the Inca Trail Trek.
Where is the Inca Trail Trek?
- It is located in the southeast of the Peruvian Andes; it runs through the national park of Machu Picchu, at 100 km from the city of Cusco in Peru.
- The Inca Trail Trek fluctuates in between the altitudes of 2000masl to 4200masl.
- The Inca Trail Trek begins in the Andes at an altitude of 2,750masl and ends where the Amazon Jungle begins at an altitude of 2,400amsl.
How is the architecture of the Inca Trail Trek?
- The architecture of the Inca trail Trek is paved with white granite stone blocks. There are many tunnels and stairways ups and downs.
- There are several Inca ruins like small towns, terraces, temples, lodges, astronomical observatories, palaces and aqueducts; all of them where built with white granite stones.
- Some of the buildings offer simple architecture but other ones offers top quality architecture where the stone block where set up without any type of mortars.
What to see when one walks the Inca Trail Trek?
- The Trip takes normally four days and every day one can see different types of Mountain scenery; from Andes to high Andean valleys and the cloud forest where the biodiversity are very variable.
- Along the Inca Trail Trek exists several Inca sites which ones you can visit and learn the history from your tour Guide.
- The Trail offers great quantity of flowers, orchids, birds, hummingbirds and several species of animals.
- At the end you’ll explore the Iconic Machu Picchu in all its majesty.
What is the walk really like of the Inca Trail Trek?
The walking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu is like walk in the park; it offers every day different type of landscapes. From high Andean valley to mountains and from Andes to tropical zones; the trekking with a tour guide is normally slowly stopping several times for photo opportunities and for seeing the flowers and birds. Along the Inca Trail there are many Inca archaeological sites where you’ll stop and explore with your guide.
Every day you’ll walk for about 6 -7 hours except the last day you’ll walk only two hours; the porters normally will load most of the camping equipment you’ll walk with your small backpack and your camera taking pictures. At the time that you arrive to the camp your tent will be waiting already setup and half hour after you’ll have a hot drink (coffee, tea, etc.). Your dinner normally is served at 7:00pm after that you’ll go to sleep until 6:00am when the porters will give you the wakeup call.
Most popular points on the Inca Trail Trek
The most popular points of the Inca Trail are described doe to the important or the mandatory stops for trekkers.
- The KM82.- This is the beginning point of the Inca Trail where every traveller need to show the Inca trail permits en the entrance to Machu Picchu. It is located at 2750masl.
- Mesqhay.- very interesting viewpoint from where you can visualize one of the higest mountina of the region name “La Veronica” at 5750masl.
- Llactapata.- It is the first big Inca town located at 2680masl; it is surrounded by several Inca terraces, control points and religious sites.
- Uncahuayco.- A beautiful valley with the presence of Qeuña native trip which give to travellers the opportunity to see great variety of birds and hummingbirds.
- Abra Warmiwañusqha.- It is the highest pass located at 4,200masl; from where you’ll be rewarded by splendid views. Most of the trekkers say that to get this point is the most difficult part of the Inca Trail.
- Runkuraqhay.- A beautiful round shaped built situated on the site of the Mountain on the way to the second pass. It is located at 3,800masl.
- Sayacmarka.- Great Inca site located exactly in the limit of the Andes and the Amazon jungle, from this point one can visualize the both regions.
- Phuyupatamarka.- A wonderful Inca religious site and a great viewpoint from where you can see the Urubamba canyon, and the mountains of Machu Picchu and Huaynapicchu.
- Machu Picchu.- The best highlight of the Inca trail. You’ll walk four days dreaming to see Machu Picchu known as the lost city of The Incas.
How much does it really cost to go to Inca Trail Trek?
There are different prices for the Inca Trail Trek; it is very important to see what is included and is Not included in the program. You should know that only authorized travel agencies like “Sunrise Peru Trek” can take tourist to the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
The cost varies from US$ 500 per person up to over US$1000 per person in the price normally are Included the trekking permits, entrance fees, food, camping equipment, porters and guides.
Can I do the Inca Trail Trek without a tour?
No, nobody can walk the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu without authorized travel company. In the pass it was allowed but now it is controlled strictly because the free walkers generate destruction and damages of the ecology. Since the year 2000 the control over the Inca trail is managed by the Government. It is allowed only 500 trekkers per day; from this only 200 are tourist and the 300 are helpers like porters and guides. So that it is very important to reserve in advance.
Inca Trail Tours
The Inca Trail offers several options since 2 days up to7 or 8 days; chose the one is better for you. Bellow you have a list of trips.
- SHORT INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU 2 DAYS
- INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU 4 DAYS
- INCA TRAIL HIKE PRIVATE SERVICE 4 DAYS
- INCA TRAIL MACHUPICCHU 5 DAYS
- INCA TRAIL EXPLORE & HUAYNAPICCHU 5D
- CLASSIC INCA TRAIL & SACRED VALLEY TOUR 5 DAYS
- INCA TRAIL TREKKING & SALKANTAY TREK 7 DAYS
- INCA TRAIL PACKAGE 7 DAYS
