Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary
Classic Inca Trail
Ollantaytambo → Machu Picchu, Cusco Region
Distance
43 km
Duration
4 days 3 nights
Elevation gain
2,400 m
Difficulty
HardAdvance booking required
Approximately USD $600–900 all-inclusive (permit + licensed guide mandatory + campsite fees). Independent walking is not permitted.
Book nowBest season
May–September (dry season). February: trail closed for maintenance.
Check current trail conditions
Track closures, snow conditions, hut availability, and safety alerts update daily. Always check before departing.
About this trail
One of the world's most iconic multi-day treks, following the original Inca road through cloud forest, high passes, and ruined Inca settlements to arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate at sunrise. The Peruvian government strictly limits permits to 500 people per day (including guides and porters) — permits sell out up to 12 months in advance. The trail must be walked with a licensed agency — independent walking is prohibited. Day 2 is the hardest: Dead Woman's Pass (4,215m) is the highest point and altitude is a genuine factor.
Highlights
- ✓Dead Woman's Pass (4,215m) — highest point; views across the Andes on clear days
- ✓Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca — ruined Inca waystation sites along the trail
- ✓Wiñay Wayna — the most complete ruin on the trail, dramatically terraced into the cloud forest
- ✓Inti Punku (Sun Gate) — the traditional arrival point overlooking Machu Picchu at sunrise
- ✓Machu Picchu itself — the culmination of the trek
🚌 Getting there
Fly to Cusco (CUZ) from Lima. Spend 2–3 days acclimatising in Cusco (3,400m) before the trek. Agency transport takes walkers to km 82 (Piscacucho) — the trailhead. Exit at Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes) by bus and then train back to Ollantaytambo/Cusco.
🎒 What to bring
- ·Layers for altitude: warm down jacket for evenings and cold camps (4,200m camp is very cold)
- ·Full waterproofs — afternoon rain even in dry season
- ·Trekking poles — essential for Dead Woman's Pass descent
- ·Sleeping bag rated to -5°C (agency provides tent and mat)
- ·Altitude sickness medication (Diamox/acetazolamide): consult a doctor before departure
- ·Breaking in hiking boots before the trek — blisters at altitude make a miserable experience
Hazards & safety
- ·Altitude sickness is the primary risk. Cusco (3,400m) requires 2–3 days of acclimatisation before attempting the trail. Dead Woman's Pass (4,215m) on Day 2 is high enough for serious AMS.
- ·Permits sell out up to 12 months in advance — this is not an exaggeration. The February closure reduces availability further.
- ·Permits are non-transferable (passport details required) — only the named person on the permit can walk.
📋 Know before you go
- 1.PERMITS SELL OUT: Begin looking 6–12 months in advance for May–September dates. February is closed. Contact multiple licensed agencies simultaneously.
- 2.Only licensed agencies can operate on the trail — all food, camping equipment, and a qualified guide are included.
- 3.Porters: treat porters well — they work extremely hard. Tipping is expected and important to the local economy (USD $30–50 per porter per trek).
- 4.Alternative: the Salkantay Trek (5 days) reaches Machu Picchu via a different high-altitude route and has no permit limit — worth considering if Inca Trail permits are sold out.
🚨 Emergency contacts
Peru Emergency
105
Tourist Police Cusco
+51 84-235 123
Before you go
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Adventure insurance
Covers helicopter evacuation, search & rescue, and medical costs. Check your policy covers this trail's altitude or multi-day duration.
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Official sources
Trail information here covers stable facts — distances, difficulty, gear, and what to expect. Current conditions (closures, snow levels, hut availability, permit quota) change regularly and must be checked at the official source before you depart.
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