The Inca Trail is considered the best hike in South America. The 43-kilometer route follows ancient Inca trails to Machu Picchu. The tour lasts 4 days and 3 nights. Tourists have the opportunity to take in the scenic beauty and visit Inca archaeological sites, including one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
The Inca Trails (Qhapac Ñan)
The Incas covered a large part of South America. In order to maintain communication across such a vast territory, they built a network of Andean roads. Thus, the Incas ordered the construction of an extensive road system called the Qhapaq Ñan, or Inca Trail.
Often referred to as the Andean Road System, the Qhapaq Ñan is a remarkable network of ancient roads that once converged on the Inca capital of Cusco. It covered up to 30,000 kilometers across present-day Peru, Ecuador, and parts of Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, and Colombia. The popular Inca Trail hiking route to Machu Picchu represents only a small section of this vast system.
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Inca Trail or Qhapaq Nan |
Spanning a wide range of ecological zones—from the Andean plateau and high sierra to coastal lowlands and snow-capped mountain ranges—the Qhapaq Ñan facilitated communication, trade, and cultural exchange across one of the most extreme and varied landscapes on Earth. Reaching altitudes of up to 6,700 meters (22,000 feet) above sea level, it extended to the coast, traversing hot rainforests, fertile valleys, and arid deserts.
The Incas demonstrated remarkable engineering mastery, using advanced techniques to overcome the challenges posed by the diverse terrain of the Andes. They built roads using methods suited to local conditions, including bridges, stairways, ditches, and cobblestone paving.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The Inca Trail was revealed to the world in 1915 while excavations were being carried out in the Inca City. Three decades later, the route was traced by the Viking expedition in 1942. Today, thousands of visitors decide to walk the 43 kilometers to the ‘Sun Gate’ in Machu Picchu.
However, Machu Picchu is not the only archaeological site you will see on the Inca Trail. On the tour you will also see the ruins of Llactapata, the archaeological site of Runkurakay, Saycamarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñaywayna.
Versions of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Not everyone has the necessary days to walk the Inca Trail (4 days and 3 nights). That is why there are 2 versions depending on the time available:
Classic Inca Trail: 4 days and 3 nights (43 kilometers of walking).
Short Inca Trail: 2 days and 1 night (12 kilometers of walking).
Distance of the Inca Trail
The Inca Trail is a 43-kilometer route along ancient Inca trails to Machu Picchu.
What is the distance of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
The Inca Trail shows rugged geography with ascents and descents next to cliffs. The mountains reach great heights with rugged sections. In the jungle areas you will see the variety of shades of green of the tropical forests.
Day 1: Cusco – Wayllabamba (13 kilometers)
The Inca Trail begins at kilometer 82 of the railway line that leads to Machu Picchu (2 hours and 30 minutes by bus from the city of Cusco). Then you will begin the ascent towards the valley of Cusichaca. The visitor will walk through the ruins of Llactapata (2,840 m.a.s.l.) until reaching the town of Huayllabamba (3,057 m.a.s.l.).
Day 2: Wayllabamba – Pacaymayo (11 kilometers)
The second day is the most difficult due to the physical demands. The tourist will ascend towards Warmiwañuska (‘Dead Woman’s Pass’). This is the highest point of the route (4,215 m.a.s.l.). From this point it is possible to see the archaeological site of Runkurakay (3,760 m.a.s.l.).
Day 3: Pacaymayo – Wiñay Huayna (16 kilometers)
On the third day, the descent will be vertiginous to the valley of the Pacaymayo River. The section descends along a stepped slope of almost 1,600 meters to the Sayaqmarca enclosure (3,625 m.a.s.l.). Here the view is extraordinary.
Day 4: Wiñay Huayna – Machu Picchu (3 kilometers)
The last day hides some of the best Inca samples: Phuyupatamarka, Wiñaywayna. Upon leaving these ruins, a gradual descent will begin that will become more complicated at the end. Finally, you arrive at Intipunku or Puerta del Sol. From there you will walk for another 30 minutes to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu.
After visiting Machu Picchu, the visitor returns to Cusco via a train and bus service. The duration of the trip is approximately 3 hours. These services are included in the Inca Trail tours.
And what is the distance of the Short Inca Trail (2 days)?
The short Inca Trail is easy. The route is only approximately 11 kilometers long. The first part is uphill, which is the most difficult. Once you reach the Wiñay Huayna archaeological site, the path becomes easier. The entrance to Machu Picchu, like the Classic Inca Trail, is through the Puerta del Sol.
Day 1: Cusco – Km. 104 – Aguas Calientes (11 kilometers)
The Short Inca Trail begins at kilometer 104 of the Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu railway (2 hours 45 minutes from the city of Cusco by car). From there you ascend through tropical landscapes (11 kilometers) until you reach the Wiñay Huayna archaeological site, from where you continue until you reach Machu Picchu.
Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
Tourists will not visit Machu Picchu until day 2 when they depart by bus from their hotel in Aguas Calientes to the entrance gate to Machu Picchu. Finally, you will visit the Inca City with your tour guide. The return trip is by train and bus to the city of Cusco.
