Machu Picchu: trekking inside the Inca city
Machu Picchu offers an experience full of history and amazing landscapes. In addition, visitors can take short hiking trails inside the Inca city. The most famous routes are those that lead to the peaks of its mountains, such as Huayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. In addition, there are short walks to mysterious constructions such as the Inca Bridge, the Temple of the Moon (the Great Cavern) or the Intipunku (the Gate of the Sun). What do each of these routes offer? Learn more about hiking inside the Inca city.
Content
- The walk inside the archaeological site of Machu Picchu
- Circuits 1, 2 and 3
- The hike to Huayna Picchu mountain
- The hike to Huchuy Picchu mountain
- The hike to Machu Picchu mountain
- The hike to the Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu
- The hike to the Temple of the Moon in Machu Picchu
- The hike to Intipunku, the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu
- Questions and answers about hiking inside the Inca city
The Inca Trail, the best multi-kilometer trek to Machu Picchu
The Inca Trail is the best hiking route to Machu Picchu. It covers 39 kilometers over four days and three nights of camping. As its name suggests, it crosses part of the great network of Inca roads, the historic qhapac ñan. During the hike, visitors will appreciate mountainous landscapes but also tropical forests of the high jungle of Cusco. The highest point is the Warmiwañusca pass at 4,200 meters above sea level. The lowest point is Machu Picchu at 2,430 meters above sea level. Before arriving at Machu Picchu, visitors will appreciate other Inca sites such as Llactapata, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Runkurakay or Wiñayhuayna. The Incas also made this hike to reach the Inca city more than 500 years ago.
The walk inside the archaeological site of Machu Picchu
When visiting Machu Picchu, you must walk. The tour of the archaeological site alone is a circuit that can last between 1 to 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Machu Picchu was a large city with a capacity for a thousand people on average. To explore it, you must cross its enclosures, plazas, agricultural terraces, temples and roads. There are even trails in its high mountains.
During the visit to Machu Picchu, the tourist must choose the route he will take. In total there are 10 types of tickets, of which six include additional walks to routes such as:
- Huayna Picchu mountain.
- Huchuy Picchu mountain.
- Machu Picchu mountain.
- The Inca Bridge.
- The Intipunku.
- The Temple of the Moon or Great Cavern.
Likewise, each ticket offers one of three circuits around the archaeological site: circuit 1 (upper terrace), circuit 2 (classic tour) or circuit 3 (route through the royal temples).
Circuits 1, 2 and 3
These are the three circuits or hikes that you must choose on each of the ten tickets to Machu Picchu:
- Circuit 1 – Route to the upper terrace, also known as the Guardian’s House. From there you can get the classic postcard photo. It is a short tour, lasting only 1 hour on average. It includes an ascent and descent by stone steps.
- Circuit 2 – Classic route, as it includes a visit to the main temples and stone enclosures, such as the viewing platform of the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Hall of Mirrors and more. The circuit also includes the classic photo from the Guardian’s House.
- Circuit 3 – Route through the lower part of Machu Picchu that includes the royal temples, such as: the House of the Inca, the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb, the Tres Portadas enclosure, the Temple of the Condor and more. Includes a classic photo from the agricultural sector.
These are the ticket prices that include only circuits 1, 2 and 3:
| Entrance only circuit 1, circuit 2 and circuit 3 – 2024 Official | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults | 152 S/. | 64 S/. |
| Student | 77 S/. | 32 S/. |
| Minors (from 3 to 17 years old) | 70 S/. | 32 S/. |
The hike to Huayna Picchu mountain
A 2-kilometer uphill hiking route to the top of Huayna Picchu Mountain, at 2,693 meters above sea level. The hike takes 1 hour 30 minutes uphill and 1 hour downhill. It is one of the most famous routes for its steep paths and threatening views. It includes challenging sections such as the Stairs of Death or a cave on the way back. From the top of Huayna Picchu you have a panoramic view of the archaeological site. The hike is suitable for visitors over 18 years old. It is available throughout the year. To visit it you must buy the ticket ‘Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu’, which includes circuit 3 of the Inca city.
| Machu Picchu Entrance with Huayna Picchu 2024 Official | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults | 200 S/. | 112 S/. |
| Student | 125 S/. | 80 S/. |
The hike to Huchuy Picchu mountain
Hiking route of less than 1 kilometer uphill to the top of the Huchuy Picchu mountain, at 2,497 meters above sea level. The hike is 30 or 40 minutes uphill and 30 minutes downhill. It is a short route with privileged views of the Inca archaeological site. It is easier compared to the routes to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain. The hike is suitable for visitors over 18 years old. It is available only during the high tourist season: from June 1 to October 15. To visit it, you must buy the ticket ‘Machu Picchu with Huchuy Picchu’, which includes circuit 3 of the Inca city.
| Machu Picchu Entrance with Huchuy Picchu 2024 Official | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults | 152 S/. | 64 S/. |
| Student | 77 S/. | 32 S/. |
The hike to Machu Picchu mountain
Hiking route of 2.5 kilometers uphill to the top of Machu Picchu mountain, at 3,082 meters above sea level, that is, the highest peak surrounding the archaeological site. The hike takes 2 hours 30 minutes uphill and 2 hours downhill. It is an arduous walk along paths and stone steps. From the top of this mountain you have a panoramic view of the archaeological site. The hike is suitable for visitors over 18 years old. It is available throughout the year. To visit it you must buy the ticket ‘Machu Picchu with Mountain’, which includes circuit 1 through the Inca city.
| Machu Picchu Ticket with Mountain 2024 Official | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults | 200 S/. | 112 S/. |
| Student | 125 S/. | 80 S/. |
The hike to the Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu
Hiking route of almost 1 kilometer on flat paths to the Inca Bridge on the eastern edge of the Inca city. The Inca Bridge is made of a wooden trunk on a stone base. The hike takes 30 minutes one way and 30 minutes back. It is an easy route for everyone, although with some sections with frightening views. The hike is suitable for visitors over 18 years old. It is available only in the high tourist season, from June 1 to October 15. To visit it, you must buy the ticket ‘Machu Picchu with Inca Bridge’, which includes circuit 1 through the Inca city.
| Inca bridge of Machu Picchu built on a cliff | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults | 152 S/. | 64 S/. |
| Student | 77 S/. | 32 S/. |
The hike to the Temple of the Moon in Machu Picchu
Hiking route of 2.5 kilometers along ascending, flat and descending paths until reaching the mysterious Temple of the Moon, also known as the Great Cavern. The hike takes 2 hours to go and another 2 hours to return. It is one of the most difficult routes in Machu Picchu because this temple is at the base of the Huayna Picchu mountain. The temple is carved inside a cave because the Incas believed that it was a place of communication with the world of the dead. The hike is suitable for visitors over 18 years old. It is available from June 1 to October 15. To visit it, you must buy the ticket ‘Machu Picchu with Great Cavern’, which includes circuit 3 through the Inca city.
| Machu Picchu Ticket with Great Cavern 2024 Official | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults | 200 S/. | 112 S/. |
| Student | 125 S/. | 80 S/. |
The hike to Intipunku, the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu
Hiking route of 2 kilometers uphill along the Inca trails, the ‘qhapac ñan’ until reaching Intipunku, the Sun Gate, at 2,745 meters above sea level. The walk takes 1 hour 30 minutes uphill and 1 hour downhill. It is a historic route as part of the qhapac ñan is traversed. Intipunku was the entrance gate to Machu Picchu in Inca times. From there you have a panoramic view of the archaeological site. The hike is suitable for visitors of all ages. However, it is only available from June 1 to October 15. To visit it you must buy the ‘Machu Picchu with Intipunku’ ticket, which includes circuit 1 through the Inca city.
| Machu Picchu Entrance with Intipunku 2024 Official | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults | 152 S/. | 64 S/. |
| Student | 77 S/. | 32 S/. |
| Under 18 years of age | 70 S/. | 32 S/. |
Questions and answers about hiking inside the Inca city
How many hikes can I do inside Machu Picchu?
In total there are six alternative routes for hiking in Machu Picchu: route to Huayna Picchu, route to Machu Picchu mountain, route to Huchuy Picchu, route to the Inca Bridge, route to Intipunku and the route to the Temple of the Moon.
How much walking is there on Machu Picchu Circuit 1?
This circuit is the shortest as you walk only 1 kilometer for 1 hour on average.
How much walking is there on Circuit 2 of Machu Picchu?
This circuit is the most classic route as it includes most of the Inca temples. The walk is 1.5 kilometers on average for 2 hours and 30 minutes in total.
How much walking is there on Circuit 3 of Machu Picchu?
This circuit is the route through the royal temples. It covers an average of 1.5 kilometers for 2 hours in total.
How much walking is required on the route to Huayna Picchu?
This hiking route, the most popular in Machu Picchu, covers 2 kilometers of ascent and another 2 kilometers of descent. Both sections take 3 hours on average.
How much walking is there on the Machu Picchu mountain hiking route?
This route, the most demanding in Machu Picchu, covers 2.5 kilometers uphill and another 2.5 kilometers downhill. Both sections take 4 hours on average.
How much walking is required on the route to Intipunku?
This route to the Puerta del Sol is along the qhapac ñan or Inca trails and covers 2 kilometers uphill and another 2 kilometers downhill. Both sections take 3 hours on average.
How far is the walk to the Temple of the Moon?
This route to the Great Cave is one of the most arduous in Machu Picchu. It covers 2.5 kilometers one way and another 2.5 kilometers back. In total it takes 4 hours on average.
How much walking is required on the route to Huchuy Picchu?
This route to the small mountain of Machu Picchu is one of the easiest, as it is only 1 kilometer there and 1 kilometer back. It takes an average person 2 hours.
How much walking is required on the route to the Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu?
This route is the easiest in Machu Picchu as it is only 1 kilometer round trip. It takes an average person 1 hour.