Hiking to Machu Picchu

While there are hundreds of fascinating Inca ruins in Peru, Machu Picchu has captured the hearts and imaginations of travellers around the world. For many, a trip to Peru isn’t complete without seeing the mystical Machu Picchu.

Your options for trekking and hiking to, or around, Machu Picchu are fairly straightforward:

If you want to trek to Machu Picchu, and arrive at the ruins by foot, the only way to do this is via the Inca Trail, either the full four-day route or the KM 140 ('two-day' route).

Once you're in the Machu Picchu site itself, there are a number of optional day hikes, all of which must be booked in advance.

Read on for my essential guide to the best Machu Picchu hikes and treks.

All of the following Machu Picchu hikes must be booked in advance – sometimes well in advance, depending on your time of travel.

The classic Inca Trail, one of the world's most iconic treks, is so famously popular because it is the only trek that arrives directly to Machu Picchu. Only on this classic route can you actually arrive at the famous ruins on foot. For any of the so-called alternative treks, the route will finish at a different point, and you’ll arrive in Machu Picchu via train to Aguas Calientes.

Although tour operators typically refer to this as the "Two Day Inca Trail", it actually only involves one day of hiking. The second day you visit Machu Picchu after spending the night in a hotel Aguas Calientes. The advantage of this two day itinerary is that you see Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate on the day that you hike, with the afternoon light and return to the ruins the next morning with the sunrise.

Some tour operators sell this as a one day itinerary, which means you need to walk quickly in the morning to be able to visit Machu Picchu in the afternoon of the same day. If you want a lot of time at Machu Picchu, choose the one day itinerary so you visit the ruins in the afternoon, and then stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes and buy a second Machu Picchu ticket to visit again the next morning. This is best if you want to do an extra hike like Huayna Picchu, which is only available in the morning. If you visit Machu Picchu in the afternoon then you cannot hike Huayna Picchu or any of the other extra hikes.

The two-day trip will include a night’s lodging in Aguas Calientes to rest and relax after a full day of hiking. It’s a good idea to enquire about the class of hotel that is included, as you may want to upgrade. The following morning you will go up to Machu Picchu to have your citadel tour, beginning with the first morning light just as the main entrance opens. A return train to Cusco will also be included.

Besides arrival through the Sun Gate, another advantage to this trail is that it is relatively easy, so it’s a nice way to get the feel of hiking to Machu Picchu without needing to be in tip-top physical shape. Think of it as a bite-sized sample of the more rigorous classic Inca Trail experience. You start out at a lower altitude than other hikes and treks, and there is no huge change in elevation.

The trail begins at KM 104, hence the name for this hike. You will take the train towards Aguas Calientes but stop about half an hour before the train reaches town. There is no train station and you will just hop off the train when it stops at KM 104. Train attendants know who has tickets to KM 104 and will make sure you get off the train at the right spot. The walk takes you into the high jungle which surrounds Machu Picchu.

In addition to the beautiful scenery, you’ll also get the opportunity to visit a couple of Inca sites, Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna, before getting to Machu Picchu itself. Wiñay Wayna is one of the most spectacular Inca cities because it’s perched high on a steep canyon wall. It seems to float in space even more than Machu Picchu.

You’ll have lunch at Wiñay Wayna before walking the last hour to the Sun Gate for your first view of Machu Picchu. Hiking down from the Sun Gate, called Inti Punku in Quechua, you’ll visit the citadel on circuit five. This is the same route that people who hike the full Inca Trail take. You can download the map of each circuit here.

The distance covered is 11 km and will take six to seven hours. The hike is considered to be of easy to moderate difficulty, as it’s an uphill route and involves a couple spots with steep steps.

Note that, as with the longer Inca Trail, this hike is permit-based and can only be booked through a travel agency and with a licensed guide. Not all tour agencies in Cusco are licensed to sell the Inca Trail, so make sure you book directly with a tour operator to get the most accurate information.

There is a separate booking system for the Two Day/KM 104 hike, with just 150 permits available per day. Although that does help with availability (as they are no longer part of the Classic Inca Trail permit system), it may still sell out months ahead of time.

Unlike the multi-day Classic Inca Trail trek, there’s no way to view permit availability online, so you’ll need to check with your tour provider. In order to secure your permit, your passport information will be necessary. Permits are taken in your name and with your passport number, and it is not possible to transfer the permit to someone else once purchased.

Huayna Picchu is best known as the perfectly triangular peak that towers behind Machu Picchu in all the classic photos. Many of the breathtaking photos you’ve seen that are taken from a vantage point far above the ruins were shot from this peak. Huayna means young in Quechua, as opposed to “machu” which means old. Huayna Picchu is the smaller of the two peaks that bookend the main archeological site and Machu Picchu Mountain is the larger one.

Before committing to this hike, it’s important to know that it is definitely not for people who have a fear of heights. While this can be an issue anywhere in the Andes, climbing Huayna Picchu involves plenty of narrow paths with exposure to sheer drop-offs. There are handrails in the worst spots, but not everywhere you may want them.

Although there are some ruins toward the top, the main reason people do this hike is for the great perspective it gives you, looking down on Machu Picchu. If you are more adventurous, you can also go over the top and around the other side. This will allow you to visit the Temple of the Moon and the Great Cavern.

As with so many hikes in Peru, the hard part isn’t the distance as such, it’s the vertical gain over a very short distance that makes the route so challenging. Be prepared for over 300m (1,000 ft) of ascent, with steep rock stairways all the way up. It takes most people between one and two hours. If you choose to do the hike around to the back as well, you should give yourself a good four hours to complete the circuit and have time to explore the cave.

New in 2023, entrance tickets to Huayna Picchu are limited to just 300 per day; 75 people may enter each hour between 7am and 10am. All are expected to exit by 2pm. The entrance tickets must be purchased as an add-on to the ticket for Machu Picchu itself; availability will generally sell out a couple of months ahead of time. If you buy Huayna Picchu tickets, you will do circuit four through the citadel.

A great alternative to Huayna Picchu, and one which does not sell out so quickly, is Machu Picchu Mountain. Higher than Huayna Picchu but a more up-and-down sort of climb, the hike to the top is longer and more gradual, although it will take longer. While Huayna Picchu is the one most known for its photo opportunities of Machu Picchu, many feel that Machu Picchu Mountain actually offers some more impressive vistas.

Between Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain, it’s hard to say which is more difficult. Some feel that the up-and-down nature of the trail up Machu Picchu Mountain, combined with the longer distance, makes it more difficult. Machu Picchu Mountain also reaches a higher altitude–3,082m (10,112 ft) vs. Huayna Picchu’s 2,720m (8,924 ft). Others prefer Machu Picchu Mountain for its lighter traffic, wider path with less crumbling stairs, and less exposure to sheer drop offs than Huayna Picchu–although there are a few dicey spots.

There are no ruins on this mountain. The climb is purely for the adventure of it, plus the fantastic views that you will get of Machu Picchu below. Another plus is that it is not as popular as Huayna Picchu so the path tends to be less crowded.

To reach the top of the mountain, you will gain a little over 610m (2,000 ft) in altitude. You’ll need up to two hours to reach the top, and about an hour to hike back down. From there, it’ll take you some time to make your way back to the front gate, so be sure to allow for that when considering your return train.

As of 2023, entrance tickets to Machu Picchu Mountain are limited to 100 per day; 50 people may enter between 7 and 8 am, and 50 more between 8 and 9 am. This is a significant reduction compared to previous years, so be sure to check current regulations in case this changes again. If you buy Machu Picchu Mountain tickets, you will do circuit three through the citadel.

While Huayna means young in Quechua, Huchuy means little. It’s an apt name for this small hill next to Huayna Picchu. New in 2022, this short hike is for people who want something extra, but bought tickets too late to get Huayna or Machu Picchu Mountain. In fact, it’s so little that some consider it a waste of time. On the plus side, there is no extra cost.

What you’ll see

You’ll get a view over the Machu Picchu citadel similar to Huayna Picchu, though not from nearly as high. It’s still a lovely spot to take photos.

Length of the hike

This is more of a short walk than a hike. Most people take a half hour, even if they stop to take lots of photos. If you want to stretch it out, you could take an hour on Huchuy Picchu.

How to book

There are 30 tickets to Huchuy Picchu available each hour starting at 7 am. At 11am and 12pm there are 40 tickets per hour, for a total of 200 tickets per day. Even though it does not cost any more than the regular Machu Picchu ticket, you must select this add-on when you purchase the ticket. If you buy tickets with Huchuy Picchu, you will do circuit four through the citadel.

A little known part of Machu Picchu is an Inca bridge around the back of the ruins. It was like a secret back door to Machu Picchu and may have been designed as an escape route. The bridge itself is wooden, unlike Q'eswachaka, an Inca rope bridge that is rebuilt every year.

What you’ll see

You’ll have a fantastic view west, up the Urubamba River valley behind Machu Picchu. The trail is narrow but you don’t have to cross the precarious bridge to enjoy it. Many visitors hike up to the bridge for the view but don’t try to walk across.

Length of the hike

This is an easy 20-30 minute walk on a relatively level dirt and stone pathway. It’s great if you want to see something extra without a demanding hike or extra cost.

How to book

There are 30 tickets for the Inca Bridge available each hour from 7 am to 10am. From 11am to 2pm there are 40 tickets per hour, for a total of 280 people per day. Even though it does not cost any more than the regular Machu Picchu ticket, you must select this add-on when you purchase the ticket. If you buy tickets with the Inca Bridge, you will do circuit one or two through the citadel.

As you would expect with such popularity, tourism at the site is heavily regulated and tickets should be purchased well in advance. As of 2023, only 190 tickets are sold per hour from 6am to 1pm, with 194 available at 2pm to bring the total to 1,714 people per day. It seems that every year new restrictions are imposed or modified, so be sure you check the current regulations on the official government website.

In 2022 the government introduced five one-way circuits through the citadel to reduce the congestion in the most popular parts of the ruins. On the website above you can download maps for each of the different circuits. If you visit only the citadel, the main part of the ruins, you can choose circuits 1-4. When you buy Machu Picchu tickets, this is called “Llaqta de Machupicchu.” The Quechua word “llaqta” means town. Circuit 5 is for those who hike all or part of the Inca Trail. If you choose to add on any of the extra hikes described below, the circuit will be chosen for you.