There are several ways to reach Machu Picchu on foot, and each route varies considerably depending on how many days you have, your fitness level, and your budget. In this guide, you can compare the 7 best treks to Machu Picchu: duration, distance, maximum altitude, difficulty, and whether a permit is required. Start with the table for a quick comparison.
Comparison of Treks to Machu Picchu
Distances and altitudes are approximate and may vary depending on each agency’s itinerary.
| Route | Duration | Walking distance | Maximum altitude | Difficulty | Limited permit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Inca Trail | 4 days | 42 km | 4,215 m above sea level | Challenging | Yes |
| Short Inca Trail | 2 days | 12 km | 2,750 m above sea level | Moderate | Yes |
| Salkantay | 4 to 5 days | 72 km | 4,600 m above sea level | Challenging | No |
| Lares | 4 days | 33 to 40 km | 4,400 m above sea level | Moderate | No |
| Inca Jungle | 4 days | Variable | 4,316 m above sea level (by bicycle) | Moderate | No |
| Huchuy Qosqo and Machu Picchu | 3 days | 17 km | Over 4,000 m above sea level | Moderate | No |
| Hydroelectric Route | 2 days | 11 km | 2,000 m above sea level (walking section) | Easy | No |
Classic Inca Trail
- Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
- Maximum altitude: 4,215 m above sea level (Warmiwañusca Pass)
- Difficulty: challenging, due to the stairways and elevation gain on the second day
This is the route that reaches Machu Picchu along the original Inca trail. It covers approximately 42 km from km 82 and enters the citadel through Inti Punku. Along the way, you pass Patallacta, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, and Wiñay Wayna; learn about each one in our guide to archaeological sites on the Inca Trail.
Access is limited to 500 people per day, including guides, cooks, and porters, leaving approximately 200 spaces for tourists. You can only hike it with an authorized agency, and since 2026, visitors arriving at Machu Picchu via this route enter through Circuit 3-B. The route closes throughout February for maintenance. Check the itinerary for the 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Short Inca Trail
- Duration: 2 days / 1 night
- Maximum altitude: approximately 2,750 m above sea level
- Difficulty: moderate, with continuous uphill sections during the morning
If you have limited time but want to enter Machu Picchu through Inti Punku, this is the route for you. You begin at km 104 and hike approximately 12 km, passing Wiñay Wayna before reaching the Sun Gate in the afternoon. You spend the night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes rather than camping, and the following day you visit the citadel at a relaxed pace.
Because it is part of the Inca Trail Network, it also requires a permit and closes in February. Compare both versions in Short Inca Trail vs. Classic Inca Trail or check the 2-day Short Inca Trail.
Salkantay Trek
- Duration: 4 or 5 days
- Maximum altitude: approximately 4,600 m above sea level (Salkantay Pass)
- Difficulty: challenging, due to the altitude during the first few days and the cold nights
Salkantay is the most popular alternative to the Inca Trail because it does not require a limited permit and can be booked with less advance notice. The route covers approximately 72 km: it begins in Soraypampa, passes beside Humantay Lake, crosses the pass at the foot of the snow-capped Salkantay Mountain, and descends toward the cloud forest of Santa Teresa before reaching Aguas Calientes.
Within just a few hours, you move from the cold of the high mountains to the warmer climate of the upper jungle, so bring layered clothing. Before deciding, check the guide to Salkantay Mountain or the itinerary for the 4-day Salkantay Trek.
Lares Trek
- Duration: 4 days / 3 nights (including the day at Machu Picchu)
- Maximum altitude: approximately 4,400 m above sea level (Ipsaycocha Pass)
- Difficulty: moderate, with steep slopes at the high mountain passes
Lares is the route that offers the most contact with Andean communities. It covers between 33 and 40 km, depending on the itinerary, through valleys with lakes and villages where families continue raising alpacas and weaving using traditional techniques. Several versions of the trek include a stop at the Lares hot springs.
After the hike, you descend to Ollantaytambo and take the train to Aguas Calientes. It is a good option if you are more interested in living culture than archaeological sites. Find more details in our Lares Trek guide and in the Salkantay vs. Lares comparison.
Inca Jungle
- Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
- Maximum altitude: approximately 4,316 m above sea level (Abra Málaga, by bicycle)
- Difficulty: moderate
Inca Jungle combines several activities: on the first day, you descend by bicycle from Abra Málaga, and over the following days you hike through the upper jungle of Santa María and Santa Teresa, among coffee, cacao, and fruit plantations. Depending on the operator, you can also add rafting on the Urubamba River and zip-lining.
The final section follows the railway tracks from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes. It is the most active option on the list and involves less time hiking at high altitude. Discover the day-by-day route in our Inca Jungle guide.
Huchuy Qosqo and Machu Picchu Trek
- Duration: 3 days / 2 nights (2 days of hiking and 1 day at Machu Picchu)
- Maximum altitude: over 4,000 m above sea level
- Difficulty: moderate, with a steep climb on the first day and a long descent toward the valley
Huchuy Qosqo, “Little Cusco” in Quechua, is an Inca complex located above the Sacred Valley, opposite the village of Lamay. The hike covers approximately 17 km through high-altitude lakes and a section of Inca trail before reaching the site, where camping is common. On the second day, you descend to the Sacred Valley and continue to Ollantaytambo to take the train to Aguas Calientes.
It is a short route with very few hikers and also works well for acclimatization. Find more information in Huchuy Qosqo: everything you need to know.
Hydroelectric Route to Aguas Calientes
- Duration: 2 days / 1 night
- Walking section: approximately 11 km, between 2.5 and 3 hours
- Difficulty: easy, flat path alongside the railway tracks
It is the most affordable way to reach Machu Picchu. You travel by bus or minivan from Cusco to the Hidroeléctrica station, a journey of approximately 6 or 7 hours via Abra Málaga, Santa María, and Santa Teresa. From there, you walk along the railway tracks to Aguas Calientes, spend the night, and visit the citadel the following day.
The road section has many curves and some unpaved areas, so keep this in mind if you are prone to motion sickness. It is a good alternative when trains from Ollantaytambo are sold out or if you are traveling on a limited budget.
How to Choose Your Trek to Machu Picchu
If you want to enter Machu Picchu through Inti Punku, choose the Classic Inca Trail or, if you have limited time, the Short Inca Trail; in both cases, book several months in advance. If you could not get a permit, Salkantay is the most complete alternative. If you are interested in life in local communities, choose Lares. If you prefer a variety of activities, choose Inca Jungle. If you are looking for a short and peaceful route, choose Huchuy Qosqo. And if your priority is budget, choose the Hydroelectric Route.
In any case, spend at least two days in Cusco before starting. Check how many days you need to acclimatize in Cusco.
Frequently Asked Questions About Treks to Machu Picchu
Which Treks to Machu Picchu Do Not Require a Permit?
Salkantay, Lares, Inca Jungle, Huchuy Qosqo, and the Hydroelectric Route do not have limited daily quotas. The Classic and Short Inca Trails do require a permit from the Ministry of Culture, arranged through an authorized agency.
What Is the Easiest Route to Reach Machu Picchu on Foot?
The Hydroelectric Route, because the walking section is flat and takes approximately 3 hours. If you want a trek with archaeological sites and less elevation gain, the Short Inca Trail is the next option.
What Is the Most Affordable Route to Machu Picchu?
The Hydroelectric Route, because it replaces the train with a bus and a short walk. Among multi-day treks, Salkantay and Inca Jungle usually cost less than the Inca Trail.
How Far in Advance Should I Book?
For the Classic or Short Inca Trail, book several months in advance, especially if you are traveling between April and September. For the other routes, a few weeks is usually enough, although during high season you should secure your Machu Picchu entrance ticket well in advance.
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