WHERE DOES THE INCA TRAIL START?
Are you wondering where does the Inca Trail start? The Inca Trail has many versión, from 1 day until 7 days, so below we will explain where each Inca Trail start.
Classic Inca Trail 4 days
The Classic Inca Trail 4 days start at kilimeter 82 or Piscacucho at an altitude of 2,800 m/ 9186 ft, in Ollantaytambo district, Uubamba Provice, Cusco región. As the name suggests, This Trailhead is located at km 82 from Cusco along the railway on the way to Aguas Calientes town. Travelers who hike the Inca Trail get there by van and start hiking. The road gets only until km 82, if you want to get further, you need to take the train or walk. If you want to get trailhead by yourself, there are colectivos in Ollantaytambo that leave every 10 minutes. The porters of the Inca Trail use those colectivos to get to the trailhead.
Short Inca Trail 2 days or Inca Trail 1 day
The Inca Trail 2 days or Inca Trail 1 day starts at Km 104 at an altitude 2171 m/ 7,122 ft in Aguas Calientes district, Urubamba Province. The only way to get is by train and only some Schedule stop at km 104. For example, the train that leaves from Ollantaytambo at 05:05 am doesn’t stop so you need to come back from Aguas Calientes for about 1 hour to the trailhead.
Inca Trail 5 days
The Inca Trail 5 days start at Km 88 at an altitude of 2750 m/8891 ft. This trailhead is close to the 4-day Inca Trail trailhead. If order to get there, you need to hike from km 82 which is the last stop for the van. Some travel companies start their 5-day tour from km 82.
Inca Trail 7 days
The Inca Trail 7-day trek starts from Soraypampa town, at an altitude of 3,900 m/ 12,795 ft. District Mollepata, province Anta. Also, it depends on the companies, some travel companies start in Marcocosa town. This place is located right after the Mollepata district.
Where does the Inca Trail end?
All the Inca Trail options, since Inca Trail 1 day until 7 days end in Machu Picchu. All the hikers enter Machu Picchu through the sun gate as the Incas did years ago.