INCA BRIDGE AT MACHU PICCHU

Inca Bridge Machu Picchu Details

• Age Restrictions: There is no age limit.
• Height : 2,450 m / 8,038 ft.
• Location: It is located in the western part of Machu Picchu Inca citadel.
• What to see: It offers great views of the river and forest down below, hydro electric plant below and also of Machu Picchu from a different angle.
• Walking Time: It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to reach and come back.
• Difficulty: Easy.
• Walking distance: 2 km/ 1.24 miles (round trip).
• Cost: S/152($40)

Inca Bridge Schedules

The alternative route to Inca Bridge will have 400 spaces per day, distributed in 8 hours, the first hour being from 07:00 to 08:00 hours, the second hour being from 08:00 to 09:00 hours, the third hour being from 09:00 to 10:00 hours, the fourth hour being from 10:00 to 11:00, the fith hour being from 11:00 to 12:00am, the sixth hour being from 12:00 to 13:00, the seventh hour being from 13:00 to 14:00, and the last hour being from 14:00 to 15:00. Visitors who access this alternate route must complete circuit 1 or 2 and will not be able to re-enter the monument.

The Trail

The trail to the bridge is relatively flat (compared to Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain) and runs along an Inca-built trail. There are areas where the drop is very sheer and the path is quite narrow without railings (about 1.5m in most parts).  It’s safe to hike as long as you are paying attention. The hike is easy. But watch out of upcoming folks.

How to get the Inca Bridge

Once you enter the main Machu Picchu gated entrance, you walk 2 minutes straight, then turn left in the direction of the Caretaker’s Hut. Near here, you should be able to see a wooden sign pointing the way to the Inca Bridge at Machu Picchu. If not, ask one of the numerous site wardens to point the way.

Inca Bridge History

This Inca Bridge was the Inca´s escape route. The path and bridge were built along a cliff on a very narrow path. The bridge itself is just several logs placed across a wide gap in the path. After crossing the bridge, they could pull the logs off and no one could get across to reach them. Interesting construction and history to see.

Best time to hike the Inca Bridge?

If you plan to hike the Inca Bridge in rainy season(December – March), try to get there after 10:00 am because early in the morning this place stays misty so you wont enjoy the beatiful lanscape it offers.

On dry season(from April to November), you can hike there any time because even in sunny days the Trail stay in the shade.

What ticket do I need to hike to the Inca Bridge?

You don’t need any tickets. You can hike to the Inca Bridge with your regular Machu Picchu permit as long as you go there before your guided tour at Machu Picchu Citadel.

If you decide to do your guided tour first and then hike to Inca Bridge, you have to buy an additional MAPI ticket. Once you finish the guided tour at Machu Picchu, you have to leave the citadel and with only those ticket mention above, you enter again to the citadel then hike to the Inca Bridge.

Is it worth to visit the wooden bridge?

Without a doubt, the hike to Inca Bridge is worth because, you get an amazing view of the Hidroelectric valley and the last portion of Salkantay trek.

Useful Information

• You must do this short walk before continuing into Machu Picchu itself because there is a”one-way” system in operation and if you go past, you can´t go back as the route takes you to the exit, there is no link back into the site.
• There’s a locked gate on the trail just before the bridge so you can t actually walk directly up to the bridge but when you look it, you probably would only be crawling on all fours even if you could cross it.
• A lot of people visit Machu Picchu Llaqta, but don’t see the Inca Bridge because it is on the far end of the site.
• You should be careful, especially if you are walking with children.
• The trail that leads from Machu Picchu to the bridge is part of the original Inca Trail.
• When entering to the Inca Bridge. It is mandatory to show ID or Passports and register your full name, nationality and age. This for the safety reasons. The Inca bridge can be visited every day of the year, from 06:00 am until 02:00 pm.

  Keep in mind that the access to Inca bridge is inside the Inca Ruins of Machu Picchu.

What to Bring for Inca Bridge Machu Picchu?

• Water
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Rain Poncho
• Passport 
• Machu Picchu Entrance