Where Does The Inca Trail Start?
Measuring over 42 km in distance, the Inca Trail has many important ruins and sites to see along the way. However you may be wondering where the actual route begins, and it can vary depending on the tour you choose.
In this guide we’ll answer where the Inca Trail begins, and also look at the different routes you can choose from. We’ll also answer any other questions you may have in our FAQ section.
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Where Does The Inca Trail Start?
Quick Answer: The official start of the Inca Trail is on Km 82, where you’ll need to enter through a security gate that will permit your entrance to the route. From here you’ll then begin your 4 or 5 day trek until you reach Machu Picchu.
Interestingly, however, the complete Inca Trail that was once used by this ancient civilization was much larger. It encompassed a total distance of 25,000 Km, with this massive area known as Tahuantinsuyo. You can learn more about the history of the Inca Trail here.
The Other Inca Trail Starting Points
As you may already know, the Inca Trail actually has another starting point. Whilst the classic 4 Day Tour and 5 Day Tour follow the same route, the 2 Day Hike starts much closer to the Sun Gate (which makes sense given it’s only 2 Days).
The shorter 2 Day Inca Trail begins on Km 104, which overall means you’ll be hiking around 12 Km (which is under half of the total distance of the original).
You can learn more about the other advantages of the 2 Day Inca Trail here.
The Inca Trail Starting Point FAQ
Using our extensive hiking experience along the Inca Trail, we’ll now answer some of the most frequent questions we get about the starting point (and ending point) of the Inca Trail.
How Long Is The Inca Trail?
The answer depends on which Inca Trail route you are looking to take on. The classic 4 day Inca Trail has a total length of 42 Km. The extended 5 Day trail actually has the same distance, however is simply split up more evenly with the extra day. The two day Inca Trail has a much shorter distance of 12 Km.
Where Does The Inca Trail End?
Regardless of which Inca Trail trek you choose, the official ending point is the same for all – The Sun Gate. Also known as Intipunku (in the native Quechua language), here you’ll get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu before walking another 20 minutes until you reach the ancient citadel.
How Long Does It Take To Complete The Inca Trail?
It’s important to first mention that everyone is different and will take different times to compare the routes. However on average, the 2 Day hike takes between 5-7 hours to complete, whilst the 4 Day hike will take between 19-23 hours.
Of course people have hiked it much quicker, however we strongly recommend sticking to a comfortable pace for you that you can keep maintaining (even if it means you’re behind your group). This is another reason why it’s vital to prepare properly before taking on the Inca Trail.
Where Does The Inca Trail Start?
And that’s all for this guide on where the Inca Trail starts.
Whilst the classic Inca Trail route has the same starting point at Km 82 for both the 4 and 5 Day Treks, those who decide to take on the shorter 2 day trek will actually begin at a different marker much closer to the Sun Gate.
Still deciding which Inca Trail route is best for you? Then make sure you read this Inca Trail comparison guide where we take a look at all the different treks as well as the advantages of each one.