The Inca Trail is the classic way to reach Machu Picchu on foot: four days and roughly 42 to 43 kilometres along stone paths the Incas themselves laid, over a 4,215-metre pass, past half a dozen ruined waystations, and finally through the Sun Gate for the first view of the citadel. It is one of the most regulated treks in the world, which makes planning straightforward once you know the rules: you cannot walk it independently, permits sell out months ahead, and altitude does most of the talking on the trail.
This guide covers the route day by day, how to get there, when to go, what it costs, and the practical details that make or break the trek.
The route, day by day
Day one starts at kilometre 82 near Piscacucho and walks about 12 kilometres of gentle riverside trail to the Wayllabamba campsite — an easy warm-up day that finishes early. Day two is the crux: the climb to Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwañusqa), at 4,215 to 4,217 metres the highest point of the trek, followed by a long knee-pounding descent to the Pacaymayo camp. Expect roughly 16 kilometres and the hardest day of your trip.
Day three is the most beautiful and the longest in terms of interest: a gentler day over two smaller passes, threading through the ruins of Runkurakay, Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca before descending to the Wiñay Wayna camp. Day four starts before dawn for the climb to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, timed for sunrise over Machu Picchu — then a guided tour of the citadel, the bus down to Aguas Calientes, the train to Ollantaytambo and the van back to Cusco.
Total elevation gain is around 3,000 metres of climbing and descending on steep stone steps, which is why the trek’s difficulty comes from altitude and steps rather than distance.
Getting there and acclimatising
Nearly every trekker flies into Cusco (3,400 metres) and stays a few nights first. Plan at least two to three full days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before day one — this acclimatisation time is the single most useful preparation you can do, and operators consistently advise against starting the trail the day after you land.
Your operator collects you in Cusco on the morning of day one and drives you to the trailhead at kilometre 82. The return — bus to Aguas Calientes, train to Ollantaytambo, road transfer to Cusco — is bundled into the trek price, so you don’t need to book any of it separately.
Permits: book months ahead
The Peruvian authorities cap the trail at 500 people per day, and that number includes guides, porters and cooks — so only around 180 to 200 trekker permits exist for any given date. Independent hiking is not allowed; you must book through a licensed operator, and your permit is issued for a specific date and tied to your passport number. It cannot be transferred or changed.
In the dry season, May to September dates typically sell out five to seven months ahead, with the most popular weeks going within days of release. For a May-to-September trek, book about six months out; three months is usually enough in the shoulder months of April and October. If your dates are gone, the Salkantay and Lares treks are the standard alternatives and end at Machu Picchu too.
Best time to go
The trail closes every February for maintenance. The classic window is May to September: the dry season, with the clearest views and the biggest crowds. April and October are the shoulder months — fewer people on the trail, generally pleasant weather, and a slightly easier time finding permits.
November to January brings the rains: the landscape turns lush and green, but expect muddy trail, wet camps and a higher chance of cloud over the ruins. Some trekkers love it for the emptiness; most prefer the dry months.
What it costs
A standard four-day group trek with a reputable operator typically runs about US$700 to US$950 per person, all-inclusive: the trek permit, the Machu Picchu entry ticket, guides, porters, cooks, all meals on the trail, camping equipment and all transport. Budget operators run roughly $500 to $800 in larger groups with simpler setups; premium and luxury outfits start around $1,000 and climb from there. Prices move year to year, so treat these as a planning range and confirm with operators before you commit.
Be wary of very cheap quotes: consistently bargain-priced treks are the ones most often flagged for underpaying porters. Ask any operator how their porters are treated before you book — the porters carry the tents, the kitchen and your duffel, and their working conditions are part of what you’re buying.
Practical tips for the trail
Altitude is the main challenge, not distance. Spend those two to three days in Cusco first, drink more water than feels necessary, and consider coca tea — offered everywhere and the standard local remedy. Diamox is an option some trekkers use; discuss it with your doctor at home rather than deciding on the trail.
Nights at the 3,000 to 3,600-metre camps are near freezing even in the dry season, so pack warm layers for evenings regardless of the month. Knee strength matters more than cardio for the long stone descents — trekking poles help enormously and most operators can lend them.
Tipping is customary and expected: the guide, the cook and the porters are usually tipped as a group at the end of the trek, and your operator can advise on typical amounts. Bring a headlamp for the pre-dawn day-four start, and a small daypack for water, layers and snacks — everything else goes in the duffel the porters carry.
Arjun Mehta is the pen name behind Mountains Bliss — practical mountain-travel guides with routes, costs, seasons and safety notes, researched from real trekker discussions and cross-checked before publishing. No sponsored posts, ever.
More about Mountains Bliss →