Hiking the 1 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (How Hard Is It REALLY?)

I do not usually describe myself as “a hiker.” Have I *performed* some epic hikes around the globe previously? Sure. However mountaineering shouldn’t be an exercise I regularly interact in only for enjoyable, until there’s some kind of epic payoff on the finish.

So when my pal Ashley and I had been speaking about reserving a visit to Peru, mountaineering the Inca Path truthfully didn’t actually cross my thoughts. A multi-day hike that requires a excessive stage of health and sleeping on the bottom is NOT one thing that sounds enjoyable to me.

However after I discovered there was a shorter, 1-day model of the Inca Path that we might hike as a substitute, I used to be intrigued. Mountaineering via the mountains to Machu Picchu definitely appeared like sufficient of a cool payoff to persuade even this self-professed non-hiker to contemplate breaking out the mountaineering boots.

So we booked it. … After which I spent the following a number of months mildly freaking out about whether or not I might do it as a mid-size, averagely match girl in my mid-30s who would not hike so much.

Spoiler alert: I did it!

The hike was epic and unbelievable, and 100% value it. However the 1-day Inca Path hike shouldn’t be “simply” a day hike. It is an 8-mile-long hike at roughly 8,000 toes of elevation, and is not appropriate for everybody – particularly in case you aren’t ready for it.

So, as a result of I wish to be sure to ARE ready for it, this is the whole lot I feel it’s good to know concerning the 1-day Inca Path hike expertise, from somebody who’s an rare (and even newbie) hiker.

What’s the Inca Path?

First off, what precisely is the Inca Path? There’s really an enormous community of trails and roads remaining all through South America that had been utilized by the Inca individuals to commerce and journey. However the one which we collectively know right now as “the Inca Path” refers to at least one particular mountaineering path within the Andes Mountains in Peru that results in the ruins of Machu Picchu.

The Inca Path – AKA the Camino Inca – is often thought to be essentially the most well-known path in South America (and possibly in the complete world). The “Traditional” model of the trek follows a historic Incan pilgrimage path via the mountains that might have initially been reserved for the emperor and nobles to journey to Machu Picchu.

The Traditional Inca Path is 43 kilometers (26 miles) lengthy, and is often hiked over the course of 4 days, with hikers tenting at primary campsites alongside the way in which. This model of the path is sort of tough – and isn’t what we’ll be speaking about right here!

What’s the 1-day Inca Path hike?

The 1-day model of the Inca Path hike is kind of what it feels like: a shortened model of the Traditional Inca Path route that’s performed in simply at some point. This route covers the final 8-ish miles (12-13 km) of the Traditional Inca Path, with hikers getting into Machu Picchu via the long-lasting Inti Punku, or Solar Gate.

This model of the hike is not fairly as strenuous as the total Traditional Inca Path, however it’s nonetheless fairly demanding, with hundreds of stone steps and most altitude of 8,700 toes.

How lengthy does the 1 day Inca Path take?

The web will inform you that the 1-day Inca Path hike takes anyplace from 4-6 hours, however full disclosure: it took our group nearly precisely 8 hours once you added in breaks for meals, images, and simply catching our breaths. So one thing to remember!

How one can e-book the 1 day Inca Path hike

Whether or not you are doing to Traditional Inca Path or simply the 1-day Inca Path hike (or any of the opposite multi-day hikes within the Machu Picchu area, for that matter), you MUST have each a mountaineering allow and a neighborhood mountaineering information. You CANNOT do that hike by yourself.

And that is one thing it’s good to plan forward for. Solely 750 individuals are allowed on the Inca Path every day (together with hikers, guides, and porters), so it’s good to e-book your hike properly prematurely. Throughout the busiest mountaineering months in Peru (Might-August), Inca Path permits can promote out months prematurely (particularly for the longer 4-day hike). I might not advocate simply displaying up in Aguas Calientes (the city closest to Machu Picchu) and even Cusco and anticipate to have the ability to e-book the hike last-minute.

So step one goes to be to e-book your hike. While you e-book via an organization, they are going to deal with securing a allow and information for you. I booked the 1-day Inca Path hike as an add-on to the Peru tour I did with Intrepid Travel, so Intrepid dealt with securing permits and a mountaineering information for us.

For me, the 1-day Inca Path trek price $360. That included my Inca Path allow, a mountaineering information, and a second guided go to to Machu Picchu the day after our hike. (Notice that it didn’t embrace lodging, since that was already included in my longer Intrepid tour.)

Is there a 2-day Inca Path tour?

When you’re trying to find firms to e-book the 1-day Inca Path trek via, be aware that some firms promote this as a 2-day tour. If it is offered that means, know that you will nonetheless solely spend at some point mountaineering the Inca Path, however that you will additionally return to Machu Picchu the day after your hike to get a tour of the ruins.

These 2-day excursions are often dearer, but in addition embrace some meals and in a single day lodging, often in a resort. That is the choice I might advocate to get the total Machu Picchu expertise!

Prepping for the 1 day Inca Path hike

The explanation I obtained so anxious earlier than my very own journey to Peru was as a result of I had a tough time discovering data on simply how arduous the 1-day portion of the Inca Path actually was. I might learn accounts of the Traditional Inca Path that made it sound very arduous, however I had no idea of what the 1-day portion was like.

To me, 8 miles at round 8,000 toes sounds fairly strenuous, however I used to be discovering 1-day Inca Path mountaineering excursions with descriptions saying it solely took a number of hours, and that it was “ideally suited for households, newbie hikers, and guests brief on time.” Which was it?! How arduous is the 1-day Inca Path hike actually?

(Reply: When you’re not a frequent hiker and are not in wonderful form to start with, this can be a difficult hike!)

Do you have to prepare for the Inca Path? (Sure.)

So now that I’ve performed it, let me lay it out for you. I’m a lady in her mid-30s. I am a US measurement 14(ish). At residence I work out a pair days per week (I’m going to cross-training-style lessons 2-3 days per week, and often slot in at the very least a stroll or two, too). I would not name myself an entire sofa potato, however I am additionally not precisely operating marathons.

Beginning about 6 weeks earlier than my journey to Peru, I really *educated* for this Inca Path hike. It was the center of winter for me, so doing precise coaching hikes wasn’t actually potential. I due to this fact did my coaching within the fitness center.

I used to be nonetheless going to my exercise class 2-3 occasions per week, after which I used to be hitting the fitness center 2 further occasions per week. On the fitness center, I centered on cardio. I began out with the elliptical at a reasonably quick tempo, after which added in strolling on a treadmill for 30-45 minutes at a time at varied inclines (I attempted to maintain it at 6-8% as a lot as potential, pushing it as much as 10% for a couple of minutes every exercise).

After which I ultimately added in time on the StairMaster, too. I began out barely having the ability to survive 5 minutes on this machine on the slowest tempo it will go, however by the tip of the 6 weeks I might climb stairs for 20-25 minutes at a time (nonetheless at a reasonably sluggish tempo, however that is effective because the Inca Path is not a race).

I’ll say that I feel this stair climber ingredient was important for me! I DID nonetheless discover the Inca Path to be a difficult hike, however by no means at any level did I really feel like I couldn’t do it. (I solely discovered myself actually gasping for breath possibly 3 occasions, all on the highest elevation potion of the hike.)

(But when I had gone into this hike with none additional coaching in any respect? I do know I for positive would have struggled A LOT. Please be sincere with your self about your health stage earlier than signing up for this hike – even the “brief,” “straightforward” 1-day one!)

Notes on excessive altitude in Peru

One other factor to remember is that the Inca Path is greater than a mile above sea stage. On the 1-day mountaineering route, the elevation begins at round 2150 meters (7054 toes), goes as much as 2750 meters (9022 toes), and ends at Machu Picchu at 2040 meters (6693 toes). That is all excessive altitude, and all people (and each physique) offers with excessive altitude in another way.

It is advisable to issue on this altitude when prepping to your journey. My Peru tour was 15 days lengthy, and by the point we obtained to Machu Picchu, we had already spent a full week at a lot increased altitude whereas visiting locations like Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, and Cusco. Our our bodies had been well-adjusted already (due to taking issues straightforward and hydrating like loopy), so the altitude of the hike felt principally okay.

DO NOT plan your Inca Path trek firstly of your Peru journey. Certainly not do you have to fly into Cusco and anticipate to do any kind of mountaineering the following day. Your physique wants at the very least 2-3 days to regulate to working on much less oxygen at excessive altitude.

1 Day Inca Path Hike: What It is Actually Like

Okay, and now let’s speak particulars of the hike itself! I took images of (and later wrote myself notes about) all of the phases of the hike so I might share all of it with you.

Once more, I might contemplate myself a totally common hiker. Common measurement, common health stage, common expertise. This was a difficult hike, however not overwhelming. The path is well-maintained (they really shut it down for a month yearly for upkeep), and the surroundings is gorgeous. You will additionally get to go to an Inca wreck alongside the way in which that could be much more spectacular than Machu Picchu!

Practice from Ollantaytambo

Irrespective of how you have booked your mountaineering tour, you are going to begin your journey on a prepare. The prepare that runs from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu city) is the way in which that everyone will get to the positioning. There are a pair completely different prepare choices, together with a extra “native” prepare, after which the flowery vacationer prepare with panoramic home windows.

The prepare journey as a hiker lasts about 1 hour and 20 minutes. The prepare stops at Kilometer 104, seemingly in the midst of the forest, and all of the 1-day Inca Path hikers disembark (my small group of 4 ladies was the one one getting off the prepare on the day I did this hike!).

In my case, we met our mountaineering information at KM 104 (however we had been with our common Intrepid Journey tour chief on the prepare). In different circumstances, your mountaineering information would possibly already be on the prepare with you. Both means, that is the place the journey actually begins!

Beginning the hike at KM 104

You will get off the prepare and stroll a number of steps right down to the Urubamba RIver, which you will cross utilizing a wood bridge (after stopping for some start-of-the-hike images, after all!).

You will then hike barely uphill via the forest for a really brief distance to the KM 104 path checkpoint. Right here, our information needed to present our passports and Inca Path mountaineering permits on the checkpoint, and gave us a bit introduction to the path and what to anticipate. We began on the path at nearly precisely 9 a.m.

Chachabamba ruins

Virtually instantly beginning the hike, you will hit your first Inca website of the day. The small wreck of Chachabamba is simply above the Urubamba River, and we stopped right here briefly to see among the stays of buildings earlier than persevering with up into the cloud forest.

Cloud forest + mountainside

The subsequent portion of the 1-day Inca Path is essentially the most tough – but in addition presumably essentially the most stunning. You climb up via the forest first, utilizing a collection of stone steps and slender trails.

The Inca Path is in an fascinating location, within the Andes Mountains, but in addition simply on the sting of the Amazon rainforest. A lot of the hike is inside a excessive altitude cloud forest, the place it is lush and inexperienced year-round (and in addition moist and humid year-round!).

Finally, you allow the tree cowl of forest and the path begins skirting alongside the facet of the mountains. This was my favourite half, personally, as there was a cool breeze and loads of epic surroundings to get pleasure from.

It was loopy to look again down in direction of the river far beneath us, realizing we would simply hiked up from there within the area of about an hour.

There’s a bit hut earlier than you begin the extra uncovered a part of the hike the place your group will possible take a break for meals/water, and maybe to take off a layer of clothes. It was raining once we began our hike, however by the point we obtained to this hut the solar was out and we had been all feeling toasty.

The path continues climbing regularly till you get your first glimpse of Wiñay Wayna, the second Inca wreck you will go to as a part of this hike. The ruins are perched up on the facet of a mountain, and barely even look actual.

Visiting Wiñay Wayna

Earlier than you get to Wiñay Wayna, you will go downhill for a bit (sure I grumbled at this bit as a result of I knew we would have to simply go straight again up once more!), after which cross a surprisingly massive and delightful waterfall. The spray felt SO NICE after mountaineering in humidity for a number of hours.

You will hike as much as the “entrance” on the backside of the ruins subsequent, and doubtless cease briefly for images and a water break. After which it is time to climb.

Wiñay Wayna interprets to “without end younger,” and I personally assume possibly it is referred to as that as a result of it’s good to have younger knees to get round this website. There are at the very least 400 massive stone steps at this website alone, and once you’ve already hiked a number of hours and have not but stopped for lunch, it is positively a problem!

We stopped a pair occasions on the way in which as much as study a bit concerning the historical past of the ruins and benefit from the views. It is actually a surprising website, and ONLY individuals who hike the Inca Path have the possibility to see it.

It felt very particular to be there, for positive.

Lunch break

After a while at Wiñay Wayna, it is a very brief distance to the campsite that the 4-day Inca Path hikers use on their closing evening on the path. You will cease right here (or someplace close by) for a lunch break, as there are primary services like a pair pavilions and bathrooms.

With our group’s mountaineering tempo on the tougher entrance half of the hike, we reached our lunch cease simply earlier than 1:30 p.m. (4.5 hours into our hike).

We had packed lunches with us, and took a break for roughly half-hour to take a seat, eat, and rehydrate.

Inca Flat to the Monkey Steps

The subsequent part of path our information known as “Inca Flat.” Which signifies that it is probably not flat in any respect, however moderately a collection of gradual inclines and downhill sections, nonetheless skirting alongside the edges of the mountains. You would possibly discover the bottom extra slippery right here, however the path can also be as soon as once more extra lined by timber.

For me, this was the least gratifying a part of the hike. The surroundings wasn’t as viewable, and with out fairly issues to take a look at, I positively centered extra on the truth that I used to be feeling drained.

The “Inca Flat” culminates in a staircase that native guides confer with because the “Gringo Killer” or the “Monkey Steps,” because it’s principally a vertical stone staircase that most individuals must climb up utilizing each palms and toes. Fortunately it is solely about 50 steps up.

The final uphill part of the path (15ish minutes from the Monkey Steps) is a little bit of a slog, however it results in the long-lasting Inti Punku, or Solar Gate.

Arriving on the Solar Gate

Inti Punku, or the Solar Gate, is the unique entrance gate into Machu Picchu. It sits roughly 300 meters (984 toes) above Machu Picchu, with a sweeping view down over the entire metropolis.

For many who hike the Traditional Inca Path over 4 days, they arrive on the Solar Gate round dawn on the final morning, with the hopes of seeing Machu Picchu within the first gentle of day. (This does not at all times occur, after all, since this can be a cloud forest!)

For 1-day Inca Path hikers, nevertheless, you will arrive right here within the afternoon (we arrived round 3:30 p.m., and had been one of many final teams to get there that day).

Strolling via the gate and seeing Machu Picchu far beneath for the primary time is a goosebump-inducing reminiscence for me.

Hike down into Machu Picchu

You will have time to take some images and have a good time making it to the Solar Gate earlier than it is time to begin the lengthy downhill hike into Machu Picchu itself.

Anybody who hikes will know that mountaineering downhill is more durable on the joints than going uphill, so I used to be particularly blissful to have my mountaineering poles with me for this portion of the hike.

It took us roughly 45 minutes to hike from the Solar Gate down into Machu Picchu.

Particular viewing space for hikers

One other privilege Inca Path hikers get at Machu Picchu is a devoted viewing space above the ruins. You solely share this viewpoint with different Inca Path hikers (and within the afternoon, it is solely going to be hikers who did the 1-day Inca Path hike).

We stopped right here for 15-20 minutes to take a lot of images and have a good time our accomplishment.

Do not miss the bus

Whereas there’s not precisely a time restrict on the path, you do want to complete your hike at Machu Picchu earlier than the final shuttle bus leaves for the day (5:30 p.m.). When you miss the buses, you will must stroll one other couple miles into Aguas Calientes city, which I promise you will not wish to do.

From the point of view, you continue to must hike down via Machu Picchu to the bus cease (it took us 15-20 minutes). Your mountaineering information must be keeping track of the time in case you are prone to lacking the bus.

Even with our slower mountaineering tempo, we fortunately didn’t must rush to make the bus with time to spare.

Visiting Machu Picchu on Day 2

The good thing about reserving a 2-day Inca Path tour is that your mountaineering allow additionally comes with a ticket to go to the ruins of Machu Picchu the day after your hike. That is nice, as a result of I can inform you that I might have had completely zero curiosity in a slow-moving historic tour of Machu Picchu after mountaineering for 8 hours that first day.

On the finish of the hike, I used to be so sweaty and drained and hungry that the one factor on my thoughts was attending to our resort and consuming a cheeseburger.

The second morning, we met again up with our mountaineering information to catch the bus again as much as Machu Picchu. As of 2024, the positioning has applied a brand new ticket system the place you need to e-book a timed ticket for a selected tour circuit and go to with a licensed information. They’ve applied this as a technique to management the crowds and higher protect the ruins.

The tour route assigned to Inca Path hikers contains the decrease portion of town. Our tour lasted about 1.5 hours, and we noticed ruins of issues like temples, fountains, and homes. Notice that you just do NOT climb again up into the terraces to see that “iconic” Machu Picchu view once more – your probability for that’s on the finish of your hike!

Our second go to to Machu Picchu was solely within the fog and rain. Actually, once we arrived we could not see something in any respect!

Fortunately, clouds do not stick round right here very lengthy within the mountains, and the fog parted a number of occasions and made the entire scene very dramatic. It rained the entire time, although, which made me additional grateful that we might had such nice climate on our hike.

Packing necessities for the 1-day Inca Path

And now that you understand what the hike is like, you could be questioning what to put on and what it’s good to carry on this trek.

You needn’t fear about tenting gear or porters on the 1-day Inca Path hike; you simply have to carry a day pack crammed with all of the necessities for the path.

The principle belongings you NEED for the 1-day hike are:

• day pack – A small backpack with hip straps is vital. It would not must be a elaborate mountaineering backpack – I took my Flash 22 pack from REI, which is reasonably priced and tremendous light-weight however nonetheless has hip and chest straps. It was the proper measurement to hold the whole lot I wanted. (I would not go a lot smaller, as you need room to stuff additional layers into as you shed them.)
• Water, and many it – You want at the very least 2 liters for this hike, and extra if it is actually sizzling. I’ve a 2-liter water bladder that matches in my day pack, and drank nearly each final drop. I like to recommend a water bladder with a straw versus water bottles you will have to carry or regularly get out of your pack.
• Mountaineering poles – These are extremely, extremely beneficial on the Inca Path. Not solely can they assist you climb all these steps, however they’re additionally helpful for preserving your stability and never slipping on the lengthy downhill portion on the finish. You possibly can both carry your individual (I have these, which fold down to slot in a suitcase), or hire some earlier than your hike.
• Mountaineering sneakers – Good sneakers (and socks) are important! I wore my waterproof Oboz low hiking shoes, however in case you want ankle assist on uneven floor, I like to recommend full boots. Folks do do that hike in path runners, however I might ensure that they’ve good grip and are waterproof. I like merino mountaineering socks, too.
• Rain layers – You will be mountaineering via a cloud forest, and the possibility of it raining is excessive! I packed my Columbia raincoat and rain pants. A raincover for your backpack can also be a good suggestion.

• Solar safety – You may additionally end up in full solar on this hike, so be ready for that, too! Sunscreen, sun shades, and a hat are all value packing, in addition to a long-sleeved shirt (I wore this Columbia one).
• Bug repellant – It is a tropical cloud forest, which means there could be bugs – particularly if the solar comes out! We bumped into some mosquitos, and had been blissful we had packed some bug spray.
• Your passport – You could present your passport on the path checkpoint alongside together with your Inca Path mountaineering allow, so remember to carry it!
• A dry bag – Since you are going to have your passport on you (and doubtless your pockets), a small dry bag is value packing, simply in case you end up in a downpour.
• Electrolytes – You are most likely going to sweat fairly a bit, and could be on the path as much as 8 hours. Packing electrolytes shouldn’t be a foul thought to switch what you will be sweating out! I would not advocate filling your water bladder with electrolytes or Gatorade, however I discovered these chewable electrolytes earlier than my hike they usually had been tasty and ideal for mountaineering.
• Snacks – Protein bars, nuts, and different small snacks are straightforward to throw into your bag in case you want an power enhance. I additionally introduced these energy beans for a caffeine enhance.
• Tissues + a plastic bag – Simply in case you gotta *go* on the path. (Make sure to pack out ALL your trash.)

And remember to go away room in your pack for lunch! A boxed lunch was supplied for us, and we wanted to hold these ourselves.

What NOT to pack for the Inca Path

You actually do not wish to carry greater than you want on at the present time hike. Just a few issues I do not advocate carrying:

• A giant digital camera – Initially I used to be planning to carry my huge, DSLR-sized digital camera to seize all the gorgeous surroundings. I ended up leaving it behind due to all of the rain within the forecast. And I am SO GLAD I did. It could have added a pair kilos to my day pack, and that fairly truthfully would have sucked. The images I took with my iPhone had been simply effective!
• “Simply in case” gadgets – You would possibly wish to throw an additional pair of socks into your bag in case your toes get moist, however I would not trouble with a full change of garments or something like that. When you do not actually *want* an merchandise, I would depart it behind.

When to hike the Inca Path

What’s the perfect time of yr to hike the Inca Path? Nicely, the preferred time of yr to hike it’s Might-August, throughout Peru’s dry season. It is drier, but in addition hotter and busier throughout these months. (When you plan to hike throughout this era, you will wish to e-book your tour/mountaineering permits months prematurely!)

March-Might and September-late November are additionally first rate occasions. These are shoulder seasons at Machu Picchu, once you would possibly run into some moist climate, however you will usually face much less crowds.

The one time you CAN’T hike the Inca Path is in February, when the Inca Path is closed for each security (February is the rainiest month on this a part of Peru) and conservation/path upkeep. You possibly can nonetheless go to Machu Picchu in February, however you possibly can’t hike there.

Different mountaineering posts you would possibly like:

Is the 1-day Inca Path hike one you’d love to do?

Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 nations on 6 continents from her residence base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey via the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares suggestions primarily based on her private experiences and locations she’s really traveled!