What is the Inca Trail?
The Inca Trail is one of the most famous and spectacular trekking routes in the world. It is an ancient network of paths built by the Incas over 500 years ago, connecting various archaeological sites until reaching the citadel of Machu Picchu. This sacred route allows you to follow in the footsteps of the ancient Peruvians while traversing breathtaking Andean landscapes.
The traditional Inca Trail hike lasts 4 days and 3 nights, covering approximately 43 kilometers of original cobblestone paths, cloud forests, and unique archaeological sites.
Places you will visit along the way
Day 1: Wayllabamba – The awakening of adventure
The first day of the Inca Trail begins in Ollantaytambo, specifically at kilometer 82 of the railway, where adventurers start their historic journey.
Llactapata (2,650 m)
The first significant archaeological stop is Llactapata, located at 2,650 meters above sea level. This ceremonial complex served as an administrative control center for the Incas and features perfectly preserved agricultural terraces along with residential structures that demonstrate the sophistication of Inca engineering. From this point, hikers can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the Urubamba Valley, where the river winds through lush green Andean mountains.
The landscapes of the first day include traditional Andean valleys where ancestral crops are still cultivated, views of the Urubamba River that has sculpted the valley for millennia, and current farming communities that uphold traditions inherited from their Inca ancestors. The typical flora of this area includes eucalyptus trees introduced during colonial times, yellow broom that blooms with the season, and various species of cacti adapted to the semi-arid climate of the valley.
Wayllabamba Camp (3,000 m)
Wayllabamba Camp is located at an altitude of 3,000 meters, and its name means “grassland” in Quechua. This is the first official camp of the trek, where hikers will begin to experience the effects of altitude. The views from this camp include snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range rising majestically against the Andean sky, creating an atmosphere of anticipation for the days ahead.
Abra Warmihuañusca – Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 m)
The second day represents the greatest physical and mental challenge of the entire hike, culminating at Abra Warmihuañusca at 4,215 meters above sea level. This pass is named “Dead Woman’s Pass” due to the silhouette of a lying woman that the mountain forms when viewed from a certain perspective. The ascent requires determination and physical endurance, as hikers must adapt to the decreasing oxygen levels and changing weather conditions of the high mountains.
The ecosystems traversed during this day showcase a fascinating transition from cloud forest to high puna, where vegetation adapts to extreme temperature and wind conditions. High-altitude wildlife includes vicuñas, wild relatives of llamas, vizcachas which are Andean rodents similar to chinchillas, and occasionally Andean condors soaring on thermal currents. The weather at these altitudes is characterized by strong winds and abrupt temperature changes that can range from intense heat during the day to glacial cold at night.
Unique landscapes include snow-capped mountains of the Vilcabamba Range extending as far as the eye can see, glacial lagoons with crystal-clear waters reflecting the Andean sky, and specialized vegetation such as ichu, yareta, and cushion plants that have evolved to survive in extreme conditions. From the top of the pass, hikers can enjoy 360-degree panoramic views encompassing multiple mountain ranges and valleys.
Pacaymayu Camp (3,600 m)
Pacaymayu Camp, which means “hidden river” in Quechua, is located at 3,600 meters in a wind-protected valley, surrounded by imposing mountains that create a sheltered atmosphere after the day’s challenge.
Day 3: Route of archaeological treasures
The third day of the Inca Trail is characterized by the abundance of archaeological sites that demonstrate the sophistication of Inca civilization.
Runkurakay (3,800 m)
Runkurakay, located at 3,800 meters, is a unique circular fortress within Inca architecture. This structure served as a control point and resting place for the chasquis, the famous Inca messengers who ran throughout the empire carrying vital information. The architecture features perfectly carved and assembled stones without mortar, a technique that has allowed the structure to remain intact for over 500 years. From Runkurakay, panoramic views of the valley and surrounding mountains highlight the strategic location chosen by Inca architects.
Sayacmarca (3,580 m)
Sayacmarca, which means “inaccessible town” in Quechua, is built on a steep slope at 3,580 meters. This complex includes terraces, plazas, and enclosures that formed an important administrative and ceremonial center. The hydraulic engineering of the site is extraordinary, with canal and drainage systems that still function perfectly after centuries, demonstrating the advanced knowledge of the Incas in water management.
Phuyupatamarca (3,680 m)
Phuyupatamarca, the “town above the clouds,” located at 3,680 meters, often appears shrouded in mist, giving it a mystical and spiritual appearance. The architecture includes six finely carved stone ceremonial baths, which served as a ceremonial center dedicated to the worship of water, a sacred element in Inca cosmology. The views from this site include a panoramic perspective of the Urubamba Valley, which lies 1,000 meters below, creating a feeling of being literally among the clouds.
Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m)
Wiñay Wayna, meaning “forever young,” is considered the most spectacular terrace complex along the entire trail. Located at 2,650 meters, it features more than ten stepped agricultural terraces that perfectly adapt to the mountain’s topography. This site functioned as an agricultural and ceremonial center and is one of the best-preserved ruins on the Inca Trail. The area is surrounded by cloud forest where orchids, bromeliads, and an incredible diversity of mountain tropical flora thrive.
Wiñay Wayna Camp (2,650 m)
Wiñay Wayna Camp represents the last rest stop before reaching Machu Picchu, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement among hikers. The biodiversity of the surrounding cloud forest is extraordinary, with sounds of exotic birds and the constant murmur of waterfalls and streams flowing into the valley.
Day 4: Machu Picchu – The lost citadel
Intipunku – The Sun Gate (2,720 m)
The fourth day culminates with the arrival at Intipunku, the “Sun Gate,” located at 2,720 meters above sea level. This ceremonial portal served as an access control point to the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu and is perfectly aligned to capture the first rays of sunlight at dawn. The experience of seeing Machu Picchu for the first time through this stone portal, especially at sunrise, represents the highlight of the entire hike and one of the most thrilling experiences a traveler can have.
Machu Picchu (2,430 m)
Machu Picchu, situated at 2,430 meters above sea level, was brought to the attention of the Western world by Hiram Bingham in 1911, although local populations always knew of its existence. The citadel is divided into three main sectors: the agricultural sector with its famous terraces for Andean crops, the urban sector that includes residences, temples, and palaces, and the religious sector where ceremonial structures like the Temple of the Sun and the Intihuatana are found. The engineering of Machu Picchu includes a sophisticated hydraulic system and earthquake-resistant architecture that has allowed the citadel to remain intact despite centuries of seismic activity in the region.
Specific sites in Machu Picchu
Intihuatana
Among the most important specific sites within Machu Picchu is the Intihuatana, a ceremonial sundial carved from a single piece of granite that served for precise astronomical observations.
Temple of the Sun
The Temple of the Sun is a unique semicircular structure that demonstrates the importance of solar worship in Inca religion.
Room of the Three Windows
The Room of the Three Windows represents the Inca cosmological symbolism related to the three worlds of their cosmogony.
Temple of the Condor
The Temple of the Condor includes a stone-carved representation of this sacred animal that symbolized the celestial world.
Ecosystems and biodiversity of the trail
The Inca Trail crosses multiple life zones that create extraordinary ecological diversity. The dry forest is characterized by cacti and resilient plants adapted to arid conditions, while the wet forest features lush vegetation with high species diversity. The puna corresponds to high-altitude grasslands dominated by grasses like ichu, and the cloud forest is home to orchids, bromeliads, ferns, and an incredible variety of epiphytes that grow on trees.
The wildlife that hikers may observe includes spectacled bears, although they are extremely rare to spot, vicuñas and llamas grazing in the highlands, vizcachas which are Andean rodents similar to chinchillas, Andean condors soaring on thermal currents, giant hummingbirds feeding on nectar from specialized flowers, and more than 400 bird species that make the Inca Trail a paradise for birdwatchers.
How to undertake the hike
The organization of the Inca Trail requires meticulous preparation that begins months before the trip. Hikers should develop their physical condition through a training regimen of two to three months that includes regular hikes, cardiovascular exercises, and leg strengthening. Acclimatization is essential, so it is recommended to arrive in Cusco two to three days before the start of the hike to allow the body to gradually adapt to the altitude.
Proper equipment is essential for a successful experience. Indispensable items include quality thermal clothing that can adapt to extreme temperature changes, comfortable trekking boots that have been broken in to avoid blisters, trekking poles to assist on uneven terrain, and as a mandatory requirement, the original passport that must be presented at all checkpoints.
During the hike, the service is comprehensive and professional. Specialized guides provide professional support throughout the journey, sharing historical, cultural, and natural knowledge that greatly enriches the experience. Certified porters carry the heavy equipment and set up the camps, allowing hikers to focus on enjoying the trek. Meals are fully covered with breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared by specialized high-altitude cooks, while the camps include professional tents set up in officially designated sites.
The services included in the Inca Trail package cover transportation from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, the starting point of the hike, a certified bilingual professional guide from the Ministry of Culture, a specialized cook, and a complete team of porters, all meals during the four days of hiking, camping equipment including tents and mattresses, the official entry to Machu Picchu, and the return train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.