Hiking Machu Picchu Peru: the most spectacular walk you’ll ever do
Hiking, Machu Picchu Peru is probably a bucket list activity for so many people and I’m so grateful I got to do it.
I’m actually excited for you because it is literally going to be one of the best trips of your life.
We did the 1 day hike, 2 day tour – you spend 1 day hiking the inca trail, the second day is in Machu Picchu.
I was super worried about going on the hike to Machu Picchu – I thought it was going to be hard.
I thought it was going to be gruelling and extremely difficult but to be honest, it wasn’t like that at all. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be; in fact, it was fairly easy going.
I started to get sick in the days leading up to my Machu Picchu hike and I was terrified thinking that I wouldn’t be able to survive but actually, I was absolutely fine.
We were lucky enough to book with a guide who was not only really informative, but he stopped every 10 to 15 minutes on the hike so I never felt like I couldn’t catch my breath and anyone with a reasonable amount of fitness should be able to do without any prior training.
It is important though to be aware of the altitude as some people get altitude sickness and I didn’t have this because I made sure I acclimatised beforehand so make sure you read this by the everything you expect about this incredible journey.
I’m excited for you ! Hiking Machu Picchu Peru is literally the stuff of dreams!
This blog post may contain affiliate links.
You might be interested in some of my other articles in The Galapagos Islands, on New Zealand, Vietnam or India.
Hiking Machu Picchu Peru
Booking your machu picchu Tour in Advance
First things first. Have you booked your tour?
They have restrictions on how many people can do the one day hike in fact it is 250 people per day that are able to do the day hike to Machu Picchu Peru.
The crowd control is honestly a good thing because it stops overcrowding and it’s probably important to bear in mind that the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is quite a thin, narrow trail.
I would say it’s not dangerous at all but it is a thin, narrow Inca trail so you don’t want huge groups of people trying to pass over two people can pass each other very comfortably on the inch trail, but more than that.
We did the 1 day hike, 2 day tour – you spend 1 day hiking the inca trail, the second day is in Machu Picchu.
I’ve shared the link to the tour that we booked which I honestly honestly can’t recommend enough. It was literally the best decision we ever made.
I’m sharing all this because I was super nervous before going – and I needn’t have been!
Our guide was called Christian and he was extremely informative, extremely knowledgeable, and extremely patient as well.
Whenever we started to get tired or reached part of the hike that was particularly steep he would usually stop after a few minutes and tell us facts or stories about the Incas so we were able to catch our breath so there was not really any point, where I felt like I was particularly out of breath.
But make sure you book to Machu Picchu in advance because during peak season it can get booked fully booked. And it would be such a shame to miss out.
Yes Mike stole my poncho for a few photos.
Things I didn’t realise about the hike to Machu Picchu
First I did not realise that there are a tonne of Inca ruins the entire way along the trail to Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is simply one of the in the area but actually there is probably hundreds or more that litter the landscape. The most memorable one is Wiñay Wayna in the Sacred Valley, pictured below.
The hike itself is not that hard, especially if you have a guide that stops at frequent intervals to show you sites or demonstrates various wildlife, native plants and flowers to you. And if you acclimatise properly (read more on this whole section below).
The tour generally starts super early – expect to be getting up at around 3 am if you’re leaving from Cusco. It involves a two hour drive to the train station at the base of the mountains which will then take you up to Aguas Calientes (that literally translates to hot water because of the hot water springs there).
You want to be the first person on that 5 am train because it can get a bit crowded and you obviously want to be one of the first people on the trail when it starts at 6am or 6:30 am so you don’t have to be bothered by tonnes of crowds.
What to expect from your tour
Most people will start their tour from Cusco, which is the largest nearby city.
It is about a two hour drive away.
You will reach the base of the mountains by arriving at the train station. The train station was built in the 1930s and will take you to Aguas Calientes.
Aguas Calientes is the closest town to Machu Picchu itself and a lot of people stay here but it is a fairly small town usually for passing visitors.
Day 1 – Hiking the Inca Trail
1 day Inca trail (of 2 total days). This is the classic Inca Trail.
On day one of our Tour we basically hiked the one-day inca trail to Machu Picchu. You arrive at Machu Picchu in the afternoon at around 2-4pm depending on how fast your group is at walking.
The hike itself will take around 6 to 8 hours depending on your group however bear in mind this includes stopping for lunch, all the different talks, the stops at each Inca sites along the way, the demonstrations that the tour guide gives you so you’re very unlikely to be walking for more than 10 minutes at a time.
I found this to be super handy and always gave me a chance to catch my breath, so it was absolutely fine and I would recommend doing this tour if you feel able.
Pictured above is how to make grass rope – it’s strung together and makes 50 meter bridges that lots of cattle can cross! It’s super strong!
How long is the Inca Trail?
It is a full day hike, and the Peru Inca trail length is around 7.5 miles.
If you were to walk non stop it might take around 3-4 hours, but it’ll take 6-8 hours depending on how long you rest at lunch for, the talks & demonstrations etc.
Lunch
Also, I have to point out that the lunch was possibly the best food I’ve ever had in my life and I’m really not exaggerating, but it’s entirely possible that hiking at altitude means you’ve really worked for your lunch. Our travel guide Christian told us that the brownie is one of the best things to look forward to on your trip and I can confirm it is literally the best brownie I’ve ever had. Think, thick, stodgy, rich, chunks of chocolate… I’ll stop going on about it now.
They give you quite a lot of healthy food and snacks in your lunch pack: nuts and seeds (obviously the brownie is probably not that healthy), you’ve got different types of wraps, a pesto chicken sandwich and fruit. If I’m honest there was too much food but it was all so good and I kept some of it for later.
The Inca Trail
I was also surprised to realise that the hike itself is not like a sheer difficult climb. It’s fairly undulating with a lot of the trail being pretty flat to be honest with a very very gentle incline most of the time, it’s almost unnoticeable and before you know it you’re a few hundred metres higher in the air then you were at the very beginning.
There are some bits of stairs throughout the trail, there are a few which get you out of breath but most are fairly short for the most part, and there are a few beautiful sights along the way including a stunning waterfall.
‘The killer‘ – the last set of stairs at the very end of the trail before you reach the Sungate. The nickname ‘the killer’ or ‘the gr!ngo killer’ comes because a lot of people struggle on this last set of stairs at the end of a long day – but to be honest I didn’t find it super tough, it’s about 500-800 steps, they aren’t particularly steep. It’s just a bit long.
When you finally hit the Sun gate at the end of the long day hiking it’s literally the best thing in the world. The sunlight hits Machu Picchu, the clouds part, and it’s literally the best feeling you could ever hope for… and it was just such a vibe won’t regret it.
After you reach the Sun Gate, you walk down towards special viewing platforms at Machu Picchu that you would not get to access if you don’t do the 1 day hike to Machu Picchu this is exclusively for the 200 150 Hiking Tours and our guide christian said it was one of his favourite Spots to Machu Picchu and I can confirm it was a great view.
You don’t actually end up going to the actual city of Machu Picchu on day 1. You simply admire it from the viewing platform and to be honest at the end of a very long day trek, it’s really satisfying and you know that you’ll be coming back the next day, but there’s no hiking involved and you can learn it all about Machu Picchu itself.
You can stay in Aguas Calientes where you stay overnight at the hotel. There are different options you can choose to stay. We opted for the slightly nicer version that’s available with the tour and it had the most insane view of the surrounding mountains from breakfast but to be honest, I can imagine a lot of hotels would have really nice view, but it depends where Hotel is.
You won’t need a sleeping bag or anything; that’s only for the four day trail.
Day 2 – Exploring Machu Picchu
You go to Machu Picchu again and this time you travel up by bus so there is very limited walking and trekking and it is divine .
Your Guide will be able to tell you everything about Machu Picchu here are some of my favourite facts that I didn’t realise
You will have plenty of opportunities to take pictures. There is a viewing platform at every corner of Machu Picchu so you’ll be able to get tons of pics and Your Guide is usually pretty good at taking pictures too.
The second day is much more chilled and relaxed, specially if you’re a little bit sore from walking the day before you can just listen to the incredible stories and enjoy the sites of Machu Picchu.
Your guide will show you around all the different types of buildings including the king home where you’ll discover that he was the only person to have a running toilet in the city – the first working toilet. Everybody else had to walk 15 minutes to go to the bathroom so as not to contaminate the city with, waste.
You’ll probably spend around two-three hours at Machu Picchu maybe a little bit more depending on how much your guide tells you and how many questions you ask and then you will get the bus back down to Aguas Calientes and then get the train back to the base of the mountain.
Your driver will take you back to Cusco.
What do I need to bring to Machu Picchu?
The night before your tour, Your Guide will come and visit and tell you everything that you need to bring, but here is a very quick summary of your packing list:
- Water
- Walking shoes or hiking boots
- Suncream
- Insect repellant – I didn’t need this but just in case it’s a time of year with lots of bugs!
- A rain poncho or a waterproof jacket – no matter the time of year the weather is very changeable in the mountains and it can change from very sunny to rainy pretty quickly. This being said the rain was fairly light and it often lasted for 10 minutes at a time. Sometimes I just didn’t even bother to put my rain poncho on because it was not very heavy. This happens several times throughout the day where you’d get light rain showers so just be aware.
- Hiking clothes that are aerated or quick dry
- A slim jacket – if you’re going in the winter time I found that nice bit at the time I was too hot anyway from Hiking, but there were points where I did put it on.
- Backpack (if not waterproof bring waterproof backpack cover or a poncho that will cover your backpack)
- Original passport
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Toiletries / small towel
- Bathing suit for the hot springs at Aguas Calientes (optional)
Altitude – how to acclimatise
Okay, let’s talk about the altitude.
Cusco altitude: 3400 meters / 11,152 feet
Machu Picchu altitude: 2430 meters / 7972 feet
You can make your hike Machu Picchu five times harder yourself if you don’t acclimatise properly. And it’s pretty easy to do.
I made sure that we acclimatised in Cusco, which is around 3400m / 11,152 feet for 3 to 4 days before doing the Machu Picchu hike.
I strongly recommend that you DO NOT book your Machu Picchu hike the first day you arrive particularly if you’re coming from sea level.
You need to spend the first couple of days doing very low intensity activities in the area so you don’t have to feel exhausted .
I’ve heard some people who book their Machu Picchu tour on the very first day of their trip really struggle because they haven’t properly acclimatised.
Here is the list of some of the symptoms altitude sickness, I personally suffered with a bit of dehydration and mild headaches.
I’m going to preface this by saying THIS IS QUITE RARE! You’re most likely to be a bit tired and dehydrated.
- Headache: Often the first and most common symptom.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Feeling sick to the stomach or throwing up.
- Dizziness: A sense of spinning or lightheadedness.
- Fatigue: Unusual tiredness or weakness.
- Loss of Appetite: Decreased desire to eat.
- Difficulty Sleeping: Insomnia or disturbed sleep patterns.
- Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing, especially with exertion.
- Rapid Heart Rate: Increased heart rate even at rest.
- Swelling: Swelling of the hands, feet, or face (edema).
- Confusion: Mental confusion or difficulty thinking clearly.
These symptoms can range from mild to severe and usually occur at altitudes above 2,500 meters (8,200 feet).
The best way to combat altitude sicknesses literally to acclimatise so that means spend a couple of days exploring the area. The massages in Cusco cost around five pounds or six US dollars and honestly it’s so worth it, spend a few days getting massages and going out for nice meals.
It obviously helps the local community. It supports the local masseuses and is generally great for the economy in the tourism sector as well.
We tried out a bunch of cafes in Cusco and I was pleasantly surprised. Lots of cafés have Peruvian fusion healthy food with fresh fruits and vegetables and I honestly recommend you try them out.
Things to be aware of when you’re at altitude:
- Drink more water – you have to breathe more to get the same amount of oxygen and by breathing more you lose more water through breathing and it makes you more dehydrated. So basically take more water than you think you’ll need.
- Take it easy on yourself. It’s harder than normal
- Altitude sickness can affect anybody of any fitness level – it doesn’t matter how fit you are. It’s all to do with the altitude that you’re coming from and the altitude that you land in so if you come at sea level and then arrive at Cusco you’re going from 0 m above sea level to 3400 m above sea level and it can just affect anyone.
- Some people are absolutely fine they don’t notice a lot of people will feel more tired simply because there’s less oxygen in the air at this altitude.
- Don’t be afraid I was ready about having severe problems with altitude sickness but it’s generally speaking pretty mild. You just need to make sure that you take it easy and don’t book any strenuous activities on the first day that you arrive.
Tour Itinerary
This is a copy of the tour our guide sent us, if you want exact details.
Day 1: Cusco to Aguas Calientes
Leave the Hotel: The tour starts at 4:00 am with a pickup from your Cusco hotel. You’ll be transferred in one of their comfy mini-vans to the Ollantaytambo train station for a scenic two-hour train ride.
Explore the Chachabamba Ruins: The adventure begins at Kilometer 104, the trailhead of the Inca Trail. The first stop is the magnificent Chachabamba ruins. This ancient site served as a spiritual and agricultural center for the Incas, featuring terraces, temples, and ritual structures. The guide will share fascinating stories and facts about this place.
Hike the Inca Stone Steps: Get ready for a three-hour ascent on the original Inca stone steps. Along the way, you’ll discover and appreciate the unique ecosystems of the area. The guide will help you identify the different types of flora and fauna.
Lunch at the Ruins of Wiñay Wayna: After a refreshing walk past a beautiful cascading waterfall, you’ll reach the Wiñay Wayna ruins. Named after an orchid meaning “Forever Young,” this site features well-preserved terraces, religious structures, and ceremonial baths. It’s the perfect spot to rest and enjoy your lunch with breathtaking views all around.
Visit a Temple: During the lunch break, you’ll visit a nearby temple with seven windows representing the colors of the rainbow. You’ll get to see the impressive engineering of the water channels still functioning today. After the temple tour, the hike continues for another 1 to 2 hours on a relatively flat section of the trail.
Reach the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu: By 3:00 pm, you’ll arrive at the Sun Gate, or “Intipunku” in Quechua. This is the entrance to the Sacred City, offering stunning panoramic views of the landscape. Make sure your camera is ready for this!
Take a Bus to Aguas Calientes: You’ll have time to soak in the views, take lots of photos, and enjoy this unforgettable moment. After a short walk to the main entrance of the ruins, you’ll take a bus down to Aguas Calientes.
Check-In at Hotel and Have Dinner: Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes, you’ll check into your hotel (Hatun Inti Classic Machu Picchu hotel). This charming town is surrounded by lush greenery and has hot springs where you can take a quick dip before dinner. Dinner will be arranged at one of the best restaurants in town (Indio Feliz), where you can share food, drinks, and stories with your group.
Meals: Box Lunch / Dinner Accommodations: Hotel Maximum altitude: 2,720 m/8,920 ft Minimum altitude: 2,040 m/6,691 ft Distance to walk: 13 km/8 miles Approximate walking time: 5-6 hours
Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Eat Breakfast: The day starts with an early breakfast at the hotel before taking a bus ride to Machu Picchu to catch the magnificent sunrise over the Andes.
Site Tour: During the two-hour tour, the expert guides will share interesting facts, history, and legends of Machu Picchu. You’ll have plenty of time for photos and videos.
Climb Huayna Picchu Mountain (Optional): If you’re up for it, you can climb Huayna Picchu Mountain starting at 10:00 am (note: this hike is not included in the trek price). If you’re not climbing, you’ll have more time to explore Machu Picchu on your own before heading back to Aguas Calientes by bus.
Departure: You’ll return to Aguas Calientes and board the expedition train to either Poroy or Ollantaytambo. From there, a minivan will take you back to your hotel in Cusco, arriving around 8:00 or 9:00 pm.
That’s it! A short but incredibly memorable Inca Trail tour that you’ll never forget.
Meals: Breakfast Minimum altitude: 2,040 m/6,691 ft Maximum altitude: 2,440 m/8,052 ft
INCLUDED:
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Additional guide for groups over 8 people
- Pre-trek briefing with a Short Inca Trail map
- Transportation from your hotel to Ollantaytambo
- Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to KM 104
- Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes on day 1 and round trip bus ticket on day 2
- Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Poroy or Ollantaytambo
- Private car transport from Ollantaytambo or Poroy train station to Cusco
- Admission Ticket to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu Archaeological site
- One-night accommodation at Hatun Inti Classic Machu Picchu hotel in Aguas Calientes (double occupancy)
- 1 Box lunch, 1 dinner at Indio Feliz restaurant, 1 breakfast at Hatun Inti Classic Machu Picchu hotel
- Private guided walking tour of Machu Picchu
NOT INCLUDED:
- Hiking poles (can be rented)
- Breakfast on day 1 and lunch on day 2
- Huayna Picchu Mountain permit (extra USD $75 per person)
- Tip for your guide
- Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
Machu Picchu Weather
The weather is very changeable in the mountains, and it’s all over the place.
When is the best time to Hike Machu Picchu?
The best time to visit Machu Picchu depends on what you want to experience:
- Dry season (April–October) – This is the most popular time to visit, with the best weather from June–August. However, the trails can be busy and queues can be long.
- Shoulder season (April–November) – It’s warmer than the peak dry season, but sunnier and with less rain than the rainy season. This is when I went, and I really enjoyed it! The weather wasn’t too hot or too cold, either.
- Wet season (November–March) – There are fewer crowds, but more rain. The increased rainfall can make the landscapes look lush and vibrant, and the climate can be more temperate.
Machu Picchu Weather in January
- Average temperature: 16°C (61°F)
- Average rainy days: 20
- Average daylight hours: 12.5
- Average sunrise time: 5:35 AM
- Average sunset time: 6:05 PM
Machu Picchu Weather in February
- Average temperature: 16°C (61°F)
- Average rainy days: 19
- Average daylight hours: 12.5
- Average sunrise time: 5:45 AM
- Average sunset time: 6:15 PM
Machu Picchu Weather in March
- Average temperature: 16°C (61°F)
- Average rainy days: 16
- Average daylight hours: 12.1
- Average sunrise time: 5:50 AM
- Average sunset time: 5:55 PM
Machu Picchu Weather in April
- Average temperature: 17°C (63°F)
- Average rainy days: 8
- Average daylight hours: 11.8
- Average sunrise time: 6:00 AM
- Average sunset time: 5:45 PM
Machu Picchu Weather in May
- Average temperature: 17°C (63°F)
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average daylight hours: 11.6
- Average sunrise time: 6:10 AM
- Average sunset time: 5:35 PM
Machu Picchu Weather in June
- Average temperature: 16°C (61°F)
- Average rainy days: 2
- Average daylight hours: 11.5
- Average sunrise time: 6:20 AM
- Average sunset time: 5:30 PM
Machu Picchu Weather in July
- Average temperature: 16°C (61°F)
- Average rainy days: 2
- Average daylight hours: 11.5
- Average sunrise time: 6:25 AM
- Average sunset time: 5:35 PM
Machu Picchu Weather in August
- Average temperature: 17°C (63°F)
- Average rainy days: 3
- Average daylight hours: 11.6
- Average sunrise time: 6:15 AM
- Average sunset time: 5:45 PM
Machu Picchu Weather in September
- Average temperature: 18°C (64°F)
- Average rainy days: 6
- Average daylight hours: 11.9
- Average sunrise time: 5:55 AM
- Average sunset time: 6:00 PM
Machu Picchu Weather in October
- Average temperature: 18°C (64°F)
- Average rainy days: 12
- Average daylight hours: 12.3
- Average sunrise time: 5:40 AM
- Average sunset time: 6:10 PM
Machu Picchu Weather in November
- Average temperature: 17°C (63°F)
- Average rainy days: 14
- Average daylight hours: 12.4
- Average sunrise time: 5:30 AM
- Average sunset time: 6:15 PM
Machu Picchu Weather in December
- Average temperature: 17°C (63°F)
- Average rainy days: 18
- Average daylight hours: 12.5
- Average sunrise time: 5:35 AM
- Average sunset time: 6:15 PM
You might be interested in some of my other articles in The Galapagos Islands, on New Zealand, Vietnam or India.
Full disclosure! Some of the links here are affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission from every booking made. This is at no extra cost to you. It helps keep me writing and sharing my travel guides free of charge to you 🙂 Thank you for your support! Read our policy for more information.
