How Long Is The Inca Trail?
How long does it take to walk the Inca Trail?
This is often one of the biggest questions we get asked from travelers who want to embark on an Inca Trail trek. And given the variety of options available, it’s important to learn how they differ in both length and budget as you plan your own trip to Cusco (and around Peru).
In this guide we’ll look at how long the Inca Trail is, including the different tour options available today. We’ll also take a look at our official Inca Trail map, where you can get a better idea of the routes and what you will see on each tour.
How Long Is The Inca Trail?
Quick Answer: The full length of the classic Inca Trail is 42 km long. It begins at the infamous trailhead of Kilometer 82 (which is located 82 km away from Cusco), and ends at Inti Punku which is also known as the Sun Gate.
During this route you will pass along all kinds of scenery, including high Amazon jungle, archaeological ruins and stunning Andean peaks.
It’s important to mention that whilst other Inca Trail lengths follow the same route (such as the 2 Day or 5 Day options), they can start at different points along the route, and may differ in terms of what you will see. Later in this guide we’ll explore the lengths of these other alternatives.
The Alternative Inca Trail Lengths
By looking at this Inca Trail map we can get a much better idea of the different tour lengths, and what we can expect.
Starting off we have the 2 Day Inca Trail option, which has a total distance of 12km. The first day is spent hiking from the start of the trailhead (Kilometer 104) until the Sun Gate, whilst the second is more relaxed with time spent between Aguascalientes and Machu Picchu.
Next we have the classic 4 Day Inca Trail route, which has a total distance of 42km. The first three days are the most challenging, where you’ll be hiking between 5-9 hours each day along indigenous villages, archaeological ruins and between spiraling Andean peaks. The fourth and final day is more relaxed, where you’ll hike for around 3 hours.
The 5 Day Inca Trail also has a total distance of 42 km (like the 4 day trek), where you’ll follow a similar route to the for the first 3 days. Standard hiking hours are slightly less each day which range between 3-8 hours, although you will see extra highlights here such as Llactapata. The other difference here is that you will spend an extra day at Machu Picchu, visiting the archaeological complex a total of two times.
The Inca Trail Length FAQ
Using our extensive hiking experience along the Inca Trail, we’ll now answer some of the most frequent questions we get about this route.
How Long Does It Take To Walk The Inca Trail?
This depends on which hike you choose. On the shorter 2 Day Hike you’ll be walking for around 6 hours, which makes it a less daunting experience compared to the other hikes.
Alternatively on the 4 Day Hike (which is the most demanding) you’ll walk for a total of 26 hours (6 on the first day, 8 on the second, 9 on the third and 3 on the last day).
What Is The Shortest Hike To Machu Picchu?
If you’re really strapped for time, then the quickest way of getting to Machu Picchu from Cusco (and back) can be done in just a single day. Here you would take buses to the start of the hidroeléctrica track (where the train departs), and hike for a total of 3 hours until you reach Machu Picchu. It’s important to mention that you will not be seeing the Inca Trail on this route.
Can A Beginner Hike The Inca Trail?
Given the different tour lengths available, this means it’s definitely possible for a beginner to hike the Inca Trail! Of course it depends on your fitness level and how well you are with high altitudes, however the 2 Day Inca Trail Trek can be completed by virtually anyone and still offers a surreal experience.
How Long Is The Inca Trail?
And that’s all for this guide on how long the Inca Trail is.
One of the most incredible hikes you can experience in Peru, the Inca Trail is full of outstanding scenery and ancient culture. Thankfully, there’s also a variety of different tour lengths that you can embark on which vary from 12-42 km long.
Every tour is different, so again it’s important to first know what you want to experience before booking your tour. Here at ABExpeditions we offer all kinds of Inca Trail routes and experiences, and recommend you to get in touch with us so we can help choose the very best experience for you.