The Top 3 Machu Picchu Hikes
Michael continues to travel, searching for new business opportunities and fantastic trip experiences to offer travelers. You can find Michael testing unique tours and hotels around LATAM. He enjoys getting up early and a hot cup of coffee before getting a good workout and starting the day.
Last Updated on December 13, 2023 by James Bustamante
Which Machu Picchu Hike is the best? Among the many fantastic hiking experiences we have in Peru and thus leading to Machu Picchu, some tend to stand out. Therefore, we have compiled a list of what we believe are the Top 3 Hikes to Machu Picchu.
| Machu Picchu Hike | Total Distance Covered | Difficulty Level | Total Number of Days | Maximum Elevation | Minimum elevation |
| The Classic Inca Trail | 26.7 miles (43 km) | Moderate | 4 Days | 15,091.86 feet (4,600 meters) Above Sea Level | 6,890 feet (2,100 meters) Above Sea Level |
| The 2 Day Inca Trail | 5.59 miles (9 km) | Easy | 2 Days | 8,924 feet (2,720 meters) Above Sea Level | 6,693 feet (2,040 meters) Above Sea Level |
| The Salkantay Trek | 46.59 miles (74.97 km) | Moderate + | 5 Days | 15,190 feet (4,630 meters) Above Sea Level | 6,562 feet (2,000 meters) Above Sea Level |
The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The Classic Inca Trail is a 4-day hike leading to Machu Picchu on the fourth day of the highland trek. It is unique among the other hikes to Machu Picchu because it is the only one that allows you to walk into the complex by hiking directly.
The Classic Inca trail is by far the most popular hike in the country and maybe most of the world. To book this hike, you will need to reserve it months in advance; It might sound like an exaggeration. You will need to have this booked in some cases up to a year in advance if you plan to take the classic hike to Machu Picchu in June during the Inti Raymi festival.
The first months of the year to fully book are April, May, and June, so if these are your predicted travel months, make sure to have your permits issued the year before. There is always a need for clarification about the trek.
Most travelers assume the tour operator or the travel agency has run out of space on the 4-day classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu when in reality, the Peruvian government issues the permits. The good news is that when you book the Inca Trail, to automatically make your Machu Picchu reservations.
The limit is 500 spots/day, and as stated before, they go very fast. The trek in itself is beautiful. As you hike through the Andes, you can see the change in topography from highland terrain to a more humid jungle area nearing Machu Picchu.
This is called cloud forest, and it makes for a unique climate. If you are planning to travel in October, November, or December, remember to bring your repellent, as mosquitoes can be a bit of a problem.
The beauty, history, and overall feel of the Inca trail definitely put this trek among the top 3 hikes to Machu Picchu.
Classic Inca Trail Itinerary
Below is a detailed, step-by-step breakdown of the classic 4-day Inca trail itinerary leading to Machu Picchu. It specifies campsite locations, elevations in each trekking area, and what you’ll experience during the trek.
DAY 1: CUSCO – PISKACUCHO – WAYLLABAMBA
We pick you up from your hotel very early to travel by bus until Ollantaytambo, where we stop for a break to buy last-minute gear and personal items. We will then proceed by bus to Piskacucho (Km 82) to start our hike.
DAY 2: HUAYLLABAMBA – WARMIWAÑUSCA – PAQAYMAYU
We start the day with a healthy breakfast and provide the snacks for this Machu Picchu hike; then we trek up the mountain for around 5 hours to the highest point of the Inca Trail, Warmihuañusca Pass at 13,852 feet(4215 m.a.s.l.) above sea level.
DAY 3: PAQAYMAYU – CHAQ´ICOCHA – WIÑAYWAYNA
We walk for about 1 hour until Runkuraqay archaeological site and then 1 hour more until Runruraqay Pass. Afterward, we descend for about 1 hour to visit Sayaqmarka archaeological site, and after 30 minutes, we arrive at Chaquiqocha campsite, where we have lunch.
DAY 4: WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
We wake up very early, and after breakfast, we start our final leg of the trek and arrive in 2 hours at Inti Punku, where we have the first beautiful view of Machupicchu.
Show Me The Full Classic Inca Trail Itinerary
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu has been the go-to hike for travelers who want something a little bit more challenging than the traditional Inca trail. Overall, you will be at a higher altitude than the Inca trail, about 15,000 feet above sea level (4600 meters).
The Salkantay trek is more nature-immersive than other treks. You will definitely see fewer ruins along the route; however, the trade-off is that you will likely see much more wildlife in its natural setting than the Inca Trail.
In recent years, the popularity of this trek has increased, but not to the level of oversaturating the route to Aguas Calientes (the town at the bottom of Machu Picchu).
This route allows you to get a good look at Andean glaciers; it is definitely one of the contenders for a top hike to Machu Picchu and was even named one of the most beautiful hikes in the world by National Geographic magazine.
The Salkantay trek takes you to the town of Aguas Calientes on day four. The following morning, you begin the hike to Machu Picchu to catch the sun rising over the Andes.
The overall amazing landscape plus the local flora and fauna make this a must-do and makes the list of top 3 hikes to Machu Picchu.
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu Itinerary
Below is a detailed, step-by-step breakdown of the 5-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. It specifies campsite locations, elevations in each trekking site, and what you’ll experience during the trek. Remember that there are also tailored 4 and 3-day versions of the hike that are available upon request.
DAY 1 : CUSCO – MOLLEPATA (MARCOCCASA) – SORAYPAMPA
We start hiking within a magnificent valley, surrounded by the most important snow-capped mountains, such as the Humantay (5,217m/17,116 Feet) and the Salkantay (6264m/20551 Feet). Our campsite will be at Soraypampa (3,700m/12,139f).
DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA – SALKANTAY PASS – CHALLWAY
We set off towards the famous Salkantay Pass (4600m/15092f), which offers an exceptional view of the snow-capped Salkantay (6264m). For most travelers, this is the most difficult section of the entire trek due to the high elevation.
DAY 3: CHALLWAY – WIÑAYPOCO – LA PLAYA
The third day of hiking is dedicated to the region’s flora and its plantations. After descending to a dimmed forest and enjoying the diversity of species of various orchids, bromeliads, and many other plants, we will see coffee-, cacao- and fruit plantations.
4TH DAY: LA PLAYA – LLACTAPATA – AGUAS CALIENTES
After a full day of hiking through the highlands, we finally arrive at the small town of Aguas Calientes (2050m/6726f). You will then be guided to your hotel for the night. Take the evening to get to know the small town and visit some of the local restaurants. After 4 days of camping through the Andes, you’ll want to get a good night’s rest before heading to Machu Picchu the following morning.
DAY 5: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
We will leave the hotel after breakfast at 5:30 am and head for Machu Picchu (2400m/7874f) on the tourist bus. tickets for the bus are purchased ahead of time, and we include them in your Salkantay trekking package. After a 20-minute drive up the mountain, we will arrive at the citadel around 6:00 am.
After a few hours of exploring and touring through the Machu Picchu historical site, the group will return to Aguas Calientes in time for lunch. You’ll board the train in the mid-afternoon and return to Cusco by 6:30 pm.
Show me the full Salkantay Trek Itinerary
The 2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The 2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a recently thought-up route, it is also known as the express Inca trail.
This shorter hike to Machu Picchu combines selected portions of the second and third day of the traditional four-day trek. It allows you to experience a full day of hiking while still reaching the iconic destination.
You can’t really count the 2 day Inca trail as a fully-fledged out trek through the Andes, but it is not intended to. This hike is directed towards travelers who want the experience of taking the Inca trail but don’t necessarily want to camp out in the Andes for three nights.
The 2 day Inca trail ends day one of the hike when you arrive in the town Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu pueblo). Take the evening to see the local sights, visit the hot springs or just hang out at one of the restaurants facing the river.
The following morning, you’ll take the tourist bus to the Machu Picchu citadel and have a guided tour. You will head back down in the afternoon and take the train back to Cusco.
2-Day Inca Trail Itinerary
Below is a detailed, step-by-step breakdown of the 2-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It specifies campsite locations, elevations in each trekking site, and what you’ll experience during the express trek.
DAY 1: CUSCO (3350M) – CHACHABAMBA (2250M) – WIÑAYWAYNA (2700M) – MACHU PICCHU (2400M) – AGUAS CALIENTES (2000M).
The 2-day/1 night Inca Trail to Machu Picchu begins by picking you up at your hotel in Cusco between 4:00 am to 4:15 am. We will drive for around an hour and a half before reaching the to the Ollantaytambo train station just outside of Cusco. We’ll take a quick train ride to the starting point of the 2 day Inca Trail.
The group will then hike for nearly eight hours past the Andean landscape down to the green valleys below. We’ll reach the town of Aguas Calientes by 6:30 pm. The guide will then walk you to your hotel for the night.
DAY 2: AGUAS CALIENTES (2000M) – MACHU PICCHU (2400) – AGUAS CALIENTES (2000M) – CUSCO (3350M)
After an early breakfast, we will board the first bus at 05:30 am from Aguas Calientes to the Incan city of Machu Picchu. After entering the complex, you will begin a two-hour guided tour of the Machu Picchu complex. We’ll return to Aguas Calientes in the afternoon and board the train back to Cusco.
Show me the full 2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Itinerary.
Additional Machu Picchu Hikes
There are additional hikes within the Machu Picchu complex. These additional Machu Picchu trails are the Huayna Picchu Hike and Mount Machu Picchu Hike. Each requires a separate permit that must be purchased ahead of time. These are very popular treks that take anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours to complete.
The Huayna Picchu Hike (Wayna Picchu)
The Huayna Picchu Hike, also spelled “Wayna Picchu,” is a steep climb up a set of cobblestone stains. In some sections of the hike, you will need to use your hands to grip and balance yourself.
During this high-altitude experience, there are sections where you’ll utilize handrail wires for support. Additionally, you may need to navigate around boulders and large rocks as you make your way to the summit.
This exciting additional Machu Picchu tour can seem very scary at times. It has even been dubbed as the stairs of death due to the verticality of the climb. However, it has ample safety measures in place, so there is no need to worry. Having said that, I can confirm that there are definitely sections where you might feel a little bit too exposed.
Once we reach the top of Huayna Picchu, you will notice there isn’t much space, and it can seem cramped. The view is well worth the trouble, in my honest opinion. Brave travelers will be able to look down at Machu Picchu and the surrounding landscapes from the highest point in Huayna Picchu.
Make sure to check on the entrance schedules since there are two different shifts you can hike to the top. The first one ranges from 7:00 am to 9:00 am, and the second schedule is from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Note that these are the times you can begin the hike, but it can take longer to go up the trail. In fact, you will take longer; the hike takes around 1.5 – 2 hours to complete.
There are approximately 200 permits issued for each time slot, making it 400 permits per day. This might sound like a lot, but the Huayna Pichu hike sells out very quickly. In some cases, you will need to book this hike 6 months in advance.
Difficulty: Medium
Permits/day: 400
Time to complete: 1.5 – 2 hoursHighest Point: 9,000 feet above sea level (2,600 meters)
The Mount Machu Picchu Hike
This is a separate hike from the regular guided tour in Machu Picchu; it just has a similar name. The Machu Picchu Montana hike, on most occasions, will have available permits, so you should not have problems reserving a spot as long as it is done in a timely manner. Securing permits two weeks before your official travel dates should suffice.
The hike up Mount Machu Picchu will take around 2 hours to fully complete (roundtrip) and is generally easier than Huayna Picchu. The trek is more like a climb up winding paths around the mountain peak.
Many hikers prefer this hike over something like Huayna Picchu because it is not as vertical. Handrail wires are not necessary at any point during this climb, either. There are some sections where you might feel exposed since there are narrow stone staircases.
Once you reach the top of this hike, the view of Machu Picchu is quite spectacular. In fact, the summit is several feet higher than Huayna Picchu. The panoramic sights are worthy of being on a postcard.
Travelers can enter Mount Machu Picchu anytime between 7:00 am and 11:00 am. You can start the hike at any point during the schedule but do not feel compelled to finish it immediately.
Difficulty: Medium
Permits/day: 400
Time to Complete: 2 hours
Highest Point: 10,000 feet above sea level (3,082 meters)
When Is The Best Time to Hike Machu Picchu?
In terms of weather, we recommend that the best time to hike Machu Picchu is during the dry season, which extends from April to August. There are also prime months within the dry season, like April, June, and July, to hike Machu Picchu. This is, in general terms, the shortest answer, but there are other factors that might make you want to take your Machu Picchu hike at a completely different time of the year. Below are temperatures and precipitation for each month of the year.
| Month | Hi Temperature | Low Temperature | Average Precipitation |
| January | 65.3° F (18.5° C) | 42.4° F (5.8° C) | 6 Inches (154 mm) |
| February | 64.4° F (18.5° C) | 42.6° F (5.9° C) | 4.7 Inches (119 mm) |
| March | 65.1° F (18.4° C) | 42.3° F (5.7° C) | 3.98 Inches (101 mm) |
| April | 66° F (18.9° C) | 39.6° F (4.2° C) | 1.58 Inches (40 mm) |
| May | 65.7° F (18.7° C) | 35.6° F (2° C) | 0.24 Inches (6 mm) |
| June | 65.3° F (18.5° C) | 31.6° F (-.2° C) | 0.12 Inches (3 mm) |
| July | 64.6° F (18.1° C) | 31.5° F (-.3° C) | 0.12 Inches (3 mm) |
| August | 66.7° F (19.3° C) | 33.1° F (.6° C) | 0.31 Inches (8 mm) |
| September | 66.6° F (19.2° C) | 38.1° F (3.4° C) | 0.98 Inches (25 mm) |
| October | 68.5° F (20.3° C) | 40.5° F (4.7° C) | 1.85 Inches (47 mm) |
| November | 68° F (20° C) | 41.4° F (5.2° C) | 2.95 Inches (75 mm) |
| December | 65.8° F (18.8° C) | 42.1° F (5.6° C) | 4.4 Inches (112 mm) |
Conclusion
There are three major Machu Picchu hikes: The Classic 4-day Inca Trail, The 5 Salkantay Trek, and the 2-day Inca Trail. There are also two additional hikes within Machu Picchu that you can trek if you want an additional challenge: The Huayna Picchu Hike and the Mount Machu Picchu Hike. You can take any of the hikes to Machu Picchu and include any of the additional treks to make your trip extra adventurous. Remember that it is always important to book your treks and any other activities at least a few months ahead of your official travel dates.
Do you know your travel dates?
If you know which dates you would like to begin any of our hikes, please feel free to go ahead and reserve your spots.
Frequently Asked Questions About Machu Picchu Hikes
There are various difficulty levels among the hikes, but neither of the three is considered difficult. The 2 day Inca Trail is the least taxing of the three. The following hike in the difficulty level would be the classic 4-day Inca Trail. Lastly, the Salkantay Trek has a moderate difficulty level, presenting the biggest challenge of the 3.
Yes. Each hike includes a permit to enter Machu Picchu and a 2-hour guided tour of the entire complex.
Yes. Meals are included in some way for all 3 hikes to Machu Picchu. The only meals not included would be breakfast on day 1 of all 3 and lunch on the last day of each hike.
Yes. Every multi-day hike has an emergency route in case anything out of the ordinary happens. You trail with guides, porters, and even a cook for your meals.
Yes. A first aid kit is provided to the guides as well as an oxygen tank in case anyone is suffering from any sort of elevation sickness. They are rarely ever needed, though, since we make everyone go through the high-altitude adaption protocol before even leaving Cusco.
It may rain depending on the season. Usually, the rainy season extends from December – March.
A comprehensive packing list will be provided by your travel specialist at Journey Machu Picchu.
