Based in Cusco, Peru, Heather is an expert on travel to Peru and South America. Heather writes on tourism, trekking, and social issues in Peru for publications including BBC Travel, Fodor’s Travel, Matador Network, Thrifty Nomads, World Nomads, Frommer's, Flashpack, and more. Heather co-founded the Covid Relief Project with Henry Quintano Loaiza to assist vulnerable families in the Cusco region.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration: Six to seven hours' hiking
- Distance: 11km
- Max elevation: 2,500
- Start/end point: Km 104 to Machu Picchu
If it’s important for you to arrive at Machu Picchu by foot, consider doing the KM104 hike to Machu Picchu, which I’ve done twice. You get the epic arrival with a less crowded experience.
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.
A little-publicised benefit to the KM104 trek is that you arrive at Machu Picchu in the afternoon, when the light is beautiful and the crowds are beginning to thin out. You are not allowed to enter the ruins, but you have a great view of them from the Sun Gate (Intipunku) and can stop to take photos on some of the upper terraces. Even better, you return the next morning for a full guided tour.
My ultimate pro tip: combine the Lares trek for the multi-day hiking experience, followed by the KM104 hike for the epic Machu Picchu arrival.
Short Inca Trail (KM104)
2 daysFrom $799At a glance
Destinations
Machu Picchu
Activity
Adventure, Hiking & TrekkingPhysical Level
ModerateDuration
2 daysRelated Guides
Trekking in Peru
There’s nothing quite like traversing a remote trail on foot, arriving at a new place by muscle power just like the travellers of old. Trekking in Peru satisfies the human itch to travel by foot for days, to earn a destination after a hearty physical challenge.
Machu Picchu hikes
While there are hundreds of fascinating ruins in Peru, the famed Machu Picchu has captured the hearts and imaginations of travellers around the world.
The Inca Trail Trek: An Expert Guide
The classic Inca Trail, one of the world's most iconic treks, is so famously popular because its final destination is the most spectacular of all: Machu Picchu. Only on this classic route can you actually arrive at the famous ruins on foot.
Hiking the Lares Trek
The Lares Trek is known as the “cultural trek” to Machu Picchu, as it offers opportunities to interact with local communities along the way. It’s one of the shorter treks, which makes it a good option for those who are short on time.
Hiking to Choquequirao
Until recently, relatively unknown and vastly overshadowed by the “sister ruins” of Machu Picchu, the Choquequirao complex is a true hidden gem that receives just a handful of visitors each year.
Hiking the Salkantay Trek
The Salkantay Trek is the most popular alternative to the Inca Trail, described by National Geographic as one of the best treks in the world. While there are no ruins along the way unless you do the lodge-to-lodge version, the opportunity for gorgeous landscapes is even greater than on the
Hiking the Ausangate trek
Because Ausangate Mountain is in the opposite direction to Machu Picchu, this trek is not typically described as an alternative to the Inca Trail.
Hiking the KM 104 route
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 best time to hike in Peru
Choosing the best time to go trekking in Peru requires some trade-offs between ideal conditions, prices, and busyness. Conditions also vary considerably depending on where you're going.
Must-see Peru ruins
Peru is one of the most archaeologically-rich countries on earth, and not just because of its blockbuster site, Machu Picchu.
How to get to Machu Picchu
The 800lb gorilla of Peru's historical sites, most visitors to the country are here primarily to visit Machu Picchu.
Alternatives To Machu Picchu
For most people, Peru is Machu Picchu.