Cusco · INCA TRAIL TREKS

Inca Trail Treks: The 15 Best Ways to Walk to Machu Picchu

34 tours  ·  from $290 a head

The classic trail takes four days and ends at the Sun Gate; the short version takes two. These 15 are compared on group size, porter allowance, campsites and how far ahead their permits run.

Cusco: 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with Accommodation - Day 1: Abra Málaga to coffee country
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Cusco: 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with Accommodation

1.4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with Accommodation

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 432 reviews · 4 days · from $470Our pick

From a 50-kilometer downhill bike ride at Abra Málaga to coffee roasting in a forest eco-house, this four-day route mixes hiking, local culture and optional adventure activities before a guided visit to Machu Picchu. Groups are capped at nine, and guides on recent departures have included Francis, Gerson, Luis and Amaru.

“The trek was amazing and all the activities were great! The mountain biking was a particular highlight. All the food and accommodation is great! Our guide Francis was brilliant, he was so fun and knowledgeable and really made us feel comfortable. Cannot recommend this experience enough it is incredible!”

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Cusco: Machu Picchu 2-Day Inca Trail with Panoramic Train - Train views and the Km 104 trailhead
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Cusco: Machu Picchu 2-Day Inca Trail with Panoramic Train

2.Machu Picchu 2-Day Inca Trail with Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 260 reviews · 2 days · from $582

This two-day trip pairs the Inca Trail from Km 104 with visits to Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna, and Machu Picchu at sunset and again the next morning. A small group of up to 16 travels with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide, enjoys chef-prepared trail meals, sleeps in Aguas Calientes, and returns by Vistadome train.

“Our guides were literally the best! We couldn’t have asked for better! The only thing we would recommend to improve on. My husband and I train tickets were not seats next to eachother and the whole group was on different trains on the ride back. The bag drop off and transportation back to our hotels process could improve. There was a lot of waiting around and extra steps that seems could be done more streamlined and organized especially when participants are tired and ready to go back to their hotels. Thank you!!”

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From Cusco: 2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - The Hydroelectric walk to Aguas Calientes
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From Cusco: 2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

3.2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 244 reviews · 2 days · from $290Best value

Travel from Cusco to the Hydroelectric Station, walk about 2.5 hours to Aguas Calientes, and spend the night in a hostel. On day two, reach Machu Picchu on foot or by bus, then take a guided circuit visit and explore independently. At $290 per person, check carefully which train and guide options your chosen fare includes.

“Comfortable enough for a non-seasoned hiker, but still with enough challenge to feel like an achievement. Waking up in Aguas Calientes and entering the ruins early was one of the most powerful travel moments I’ve had.”

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Machu Picchu: Inca Trail 2-Day Overnight Guided Tour - From Cusco to KM 104 by train
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Machu Picchu: Inca Trail 2-Day Overnight Guided Tour

4.Inca Trail 2-Day Overnight Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 203 reviews · 2 days · from $585

This two-day trip pairs a guided hike from KM 104 with a night in a three-star Aguas Calientes hotel and an early visit to Machu Picchu. You pass Wiñay Wayna, reach the Sun Gate, and return for a two-hour tour on circuit 3. Guides such as Walter, Victor, Isao, and Alex have led departures, but names vary.

“The Inca trail hike was one of the highlights of our Peru trip - such a peaceful foresty hike with a great view on Machu Picchu at the end, and interesting facts shared by our guide Victor. The second day was spent only within Machu Picchu and offered plenty of time for more interesting stories about Incas as well as photos. The communication by Alcapa Expedition was amazing too, and they were always available if you needed something. Only thing I can think of to improve is that on the second day we got 4hrs in Aguas Caliente which is a bit long, would have been great to cut this…”

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Short Inca trail to MachuPicchu || 2days - 1nigth || - Day two: an early bus and a guided citadel visit
2-Day Experiences, Inca Trail Treks, Machu Picchu Tours, Tour Reviews

Short Inca trail to MachuPicchu || 2days – 1nigth ||

5.Short Inca trail to MachuPicchu || 2days – 1nigth ||

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 103 reviews · from $670Top rated

This private two-day trip combines a roughly seven-hour hike from Inca Trail km 104 with a guided visit to Machu Picchu the next morning. You pass Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate, then travel by train and bus between Cusco, the trail and Aguas Calientes. A guide, transport, trail and site tickets, and some meals are included. You must arrange your own Aguas Calientes hotel.

“Great tour for Machu Picchu. Excellent tour guide Baleria. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and very helpful. Highly recommended”

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2 Day - Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Day 2: Early buses and a guided citadel visit
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2-Day Inca Trail To Machu Picchu

6.2-Day Inca Trail To Machu Picchu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 78 reviews · from $550

This two-day trip pairs a 16 km hike from Km 104 through cloud forest and Inca sites with a guided visit to Machu Picchu. You travel by train and bus from Cusco, with pickup offered. Guides on past departures have included Ruben, Wilbur, Mauro, and Marko, though your guide may differ.

“Amazing 2 day Inca trail experience! Marko was very organized and and clear with instructions before we started our adventure. He was an amazing guide and very knowledgeable about the history of Machu Picchu as well as various flora Read more”

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4 Day Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu Multi day tour - Day two: The long climb to Dead Woman’s Pass
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4 Day Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu Multi day tour

7.4 Day Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu Multi day tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · from $930

You hike the classic four-day Inca Trail from Km 82 to Machu Picchu, camping three nights and visiting ancient sites along the way. A guide leads the group, porters carry your duffel and camp supplies, and a chef prepares trail meals. Guides named on past trips include Nico Raul, César and Plinio, but your guide may differ.

“Amazing trip. We had the best guide Nico. The food along the trip was fantastic despite the fact we were camping. The porters, chef, guide and company that ran this tour were second to none. No question went unanswered.”

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Classic Inca Trail 4 days to Machu Picchu - Day 1: From your Cusco hotel to km 82
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Classic Inca Trail 4 Days to Machu Picchu

8.Classic Inca Trail 4 Days to Machu Picchu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $820

Walk 42 kilometers from Km 82 to Machu Picchu with a bilingual guide, cook, and porter team. This four-day trek reaches a 4,216-meter pass, includes three nights of camping and a guided Machu Picchu visit, and finishes with a train to Ollantaytambo and a bus to Cusco. Vidal Expeditions limits groups to eight.

“If the Inca Trail is on your bucket list then don't hesitate to book with Vidal Expeditions. Great communication and planning before we arrived in Peru and throughout the entire trek.”

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2 Days Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with hotel - Day one: Cusco to Km 104 before breakfast
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2 Days Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with hotel

9.2 Days Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with hotel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $750

Start in Cusco before dawn, take the train to Km 104, and hike the final section of the Inca Trail past Wiñaywayna to the Sun Gate. Spend the night in a three-star Aguas Calientes hotel, then visit Machu Picchu with a private English-speaking guide. Guides named by past participants include Juan Carlos, Domingo, and Dominic.

“I recently traveled to Peru with Macha Picchu Viajes and had an amazing experience! They provided excellent service, and although we encountered a couple of issues, their team was responsive and resolved them promptly. Highly recommend for their professionalism and attention to detail.”

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4 Day Inca Trail To Machu Picchu - Private Service - Day 1: Patallacta and the camp at Wayllabamba
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4 Day Inca Trail To Machu Picchu – Private Service

10.4 Day Inca Trail To Machu Picchu – Private Service

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · from $1,395

From a 4:00 a.m. start near Cusco, this private four-day trek follows the Inca Trail through high mountain passes, cloud forest and archaeological sites to Machu Picchu. A bilingual guide leads your group, while cooks and porters handle camp and meals. Named guides include Victor, Guido and Guillermo, though your assigned guide may differ.

“The Inca trail can be quite daunting but Valencia Travel's guide, Victor and his team of porters made the experience amazing! My husband and I had great food cooked onsite 3 times a day by the chef. Our gude, Victor ensured we were sRead more”

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2 Day Hiking Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes gives you a night between the hikes
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2 Day Hiking Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

11.2 Day Hiking Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $761

Start from Cusco at 5:00 am, ride the train to kilometer 104, then hike past waterfalls and the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate. Spend the night in Aguas Calientes and return to Machu Picchu with a guide the next morning. José and Carlos are among the guides named by past participants, but your guide is not guaranteed.

“We did the 2 day trek to Machu Picchu and had a great time!”

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Classic Inca Trail 4 days to Machu Picchu - Day 1: From your Cusco hotel to km 82
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Classic Inca Trail 4 days to Machu Picchu

12.Classic Inca Trail 4 days to Machu Picchu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,050

Hike the four-day Classic Inca Trail from Cusco’s km 82 trailhead to Machu Picchu, with a guide, porters, camping gear, most meals, permits and return transport included. You camp along the route and arrive at the citadel by the Sun Gate. The group is capped at 16, and the strenuous trek calls for strong fitness.

“Our guide, Freddy, was excellent and had great knowledge of Quechuan history and culture. The cook, Armando, was also excellent and prepared meals, worthy of a fine restaurant using camp cooking equipment. Finally, our porters were extremely capable, helpful, and kind. On the other hand, the company, Quechuas Expeditions, was disorganized and did not seem very interested in our trip. For example, unlike other companies, whose clients were hiking around us, they did not provide a clean portable toilet, but instead left us to use the atrocious bathroom facilities along the Inca Trail. Also, the guide was not scheduled to accompany us all the way from Machu Picchu to our…”

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2 Day - Short Inca trail to Machu Picchu - Private Services - Day two: An early return to Machu Picchu
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2 Day – Short Inca trail to Machu Picchu – Private Services

13.2 Day – Short Inca trail to Machu Picchu – Private Services

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $796

This private two-day trip pairs a roughly four-hour hike from Km 104 with an overnight in Aguas Calientes and a guided Machu Picchu visit the next morning. Your bilingual guide sets the pace, with time for breaks and photos. Train travel, a three-star hotel, meals and transfers are included; Huayna Picchu entry is not.

“We did the one day hike and the tour of machupicchu the following day, the tour we had was Henry and I genuinely can not praise him enough, very knowledgeable and during the hike made sure everyone was ok and stayed with the people that needed the most help, we had a cusco tour with him the next day and that was extremely good as well, spent the night in the machupicchu village, what an amazing place and had the private tour the next day, what an amazing experience!!”

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4 Day Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu by 360° Train - Day three: cloud-country views and Wiñay Wayna
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4 Day Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu by 360° Train

14.4 Day Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu by 360° Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $820

This four-day trek from Cusco follows the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, with a group capped at nine, private tents, meals, and a guide-led route past Llactapata, Dead Woman’s Pass, Sayacmarca, and Wiñay Wayna. Expect long hiking days, a high-altitude summit, and a final train ride from Ollantaytambo back toward Cusco.

“The Inca trail is amazing but this tour operator will do all to destroy fun of it for you - 1) no pick up even though it’s promised 2) you need to carry your rented sleeping bag plus linen or you pay 150 soles / 40 USD/EUR per day 3) the guide doesn’t even intruduce himself , drinks alcohol to the point of loosing consciousness and is also touching / kissing participants without permission 4) you don’t know the plan - you will need to ask for everything and solve your problems 5) and if you provide the feedback they will tell you that they could not accept you to…”

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2 Day - Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Day 2: Early buses and a guided citadel visit
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2 Day – Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

15.2 Day – Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $699

Travel from Cusco by private transfer and train, then hike the Short Inca Trail from Km 104 through cloud forest to Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate. You spend the night in Aguas Calientes and return early for a guided Machu Picchu visit. Groups are capped at 10; guides on past departures include Alfredo, Stiven, and Jhimmy.

“The tour was well organized and professional tour guide Stiven was super nice and generous guide. He share all his knowledge about Inca including history and nature and connection with history.”

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