How long is the Hike to Machu Picchu? Tips and Insights

There are many reasons to visit Machu Picchu, and this ancient Inca citadel has long been an alluring quest for many travellers. In fact, it's not hyperbole to say hiking to Machu Picchu is at the top of many people's to-do list when it comes to must-visit experiences in life. And if it's not, then it absolutely should be.

But this isn’t your standard National Park Sunday afternoon hike to walk off lunch.

Understanding how long it takes to hike Machu Picchu is paramount before you start your adventure. Knowing what to expect, what will be required of you, what you need, as well as how long is the hike to Machu Picchu will serve you well when it comes to planning your Peruvian adventure.

This post is going to explore the complexities of reaching Machu Picchu and the challenges you might face when traversing the landscape and basking in the stunning landscapes on your way up to the misty peaks nestled up high in the Andean mountains.

Understanding the Machu Picchu Trail

Before you set off or book anything to get started on your quest, you need to understand the options available to you. If you're looking at how long it takes to hike Machu Picchu, you need to know the best time to hike Machu Picchu, and the hike options to get a realistic timeline for your trek.

Let's get into it.

There exist multiple hiking routes for those wanting to climb one of the most historic locations in the world. Each one requires a different level of ability and skill. These factors will all determine how long the hike to Machu Picchu will take you, and the kind of experience you will get to enjoy.

So, what are the routes to hike Machu Picchu, and what can you expect from each one?

The Inca Trail

The Inca Trail is approximately 26 miles long and takes most people around 4 days to complete. It offers a chance to walk the paths chosen by the Incas themselves. This iconic route is probably the most well-known option and is extremely popular. This route requires good physical fitness as it can be a challenging hike.

This trek cannot be undertaken without a licensed trekking company. Only 500 permits per day are issued, 300 of which are for support staff.

The following treks do not need any permits and can be taken with guides or alone.

The Salkantay Trek

A route that can be completed in around 5-8 days. How long it takes to complete depends on the itinerary you choose. This option is appealing to many people. The difficulty can vary, and so it suits both novice hikers and more experienced adventurers who choose to take the steeper climbs and higher altitude treks.

The Lares Trek

The Lares Trek is around 33km and takes around 4 days. Its highest altitude is 4,450m at Ipsayjasa Pass. A moderately rated trek, it is less strenuous than other routes and is ideal for newbies to altitude hiking or hiking in general, or those who want a less crowded route.

Cachicata Trail

Also known as the Chaski Trail this one is a lesser known, yet great route for those interested in both hiking and history.

Inca Jungle trek

The Inca Jungle trek is ideal for adrenaline junkies as it features activities like mountain biking and ziplining. It is usually completed within 4 days.

Preparing for Your Machu Picchu Adventure

Before you do anything else, you need to understand that this isn't just a normal trek, and your body will be pushed in different ways. Machu Picchu isn't a walk in the park. You'll be covering anywhere from 7 to 10 miles per day, and as you get closer to the highest points, you'll be ascending to higher elevations, which means lesser oxygen and an increased risk of altitude sickness.

You'll be navigating uneven ground, various terrains, and potentially challenging conditions. Note that you'll need to navigate around others, too, in the same adventure. This makes training essential, not a consideration if you feel like it.

Before you embark on your Machu Picchu quest, you need to understand your ability and fitness levels.

Are you a beginner, someone who gets out of breath easily, or has never set foot on a trail? Or do you consider yourself to be more of an intermediate hiker who exercises occasionally, and has some hiking experience but nothing too challenging? Maybe you're an expert who is extremely active and practices frequently, and multi-day hikes are part of your life as standard.

Identifying where you sit will determine the length of time you will need to get Machu Picchu hike ready:

●      Beginner: leave at least 4-6 months prior to departure, to get in the right physical condition for the hike

●      Intermediate: You might only need 3-4 months to get ready, to build on your existing strength and stamina

●      Advanced: If you are already experienced, then it's highly likely that you will only need to ramp up your preparation activity for around 4-6 weeks before the hike.

You need to include the following activities in your Machu Picchu training:

●      Cardiovascular training, including running, brisk walking, cycling, and swimming

●      Strength training, which should include exercises such as squats, lunges, crunches, and leg raises, to prepare your muscles, improve mobility, and build strength to help you climb

●      Flexibility and balance movements to ensure that your muscles are well equipped, that you are flexible, and that you have good balance. Exercises such as downward dog, tree pose, quad stretches, and hamstring stretches can be valuable additions to your fitness regimen

But you don't just need to be physically ready, you need to be mentally and emotionally ready too. While some hike times are relatively short, other trails are considerably more complex, depending on the route you take, your level of experience, and physical capabilities.

Practicing meditation and mindfulness can be valuable when things get tough and you need help to centre yourself and push through challenging times. Positive affirmation can be beneficial to help you break any mental blocks that might arise, so you can talk yourself through them and avoid throwing in the towel.

Best Time to Hike Machu Picchu

Besides understanding how long the hike to Machu Picchu is, you need to understand when the best time is, to hike Machu Picchu.

Timing is everything when hiking Mt. Machu Picchu. You need to not only check weather conditions to get the right season, avoid overcrowding and additional challenges, but you also need to check permit availability, because yes, you might need a permit to hike Machu Picchu - route dependant.

The Dry Season: April to October

Making your journey to the summit during these months is essentially taking advantage of hiking's perfect temperatures. Temperatures will hover around 44 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit (7 to 19 degrees Celsius). The drier weather, clear skies, and generally more favourable weather conditions award some awe-inspiring views, and you get to see the Andean mountains in all their glory.

It's important to note that nighttime temperatures can drop considerably, so prepare for chillier nights with thermals and warm socks.

The Wet Season: November to March

If you experience a bit of rain, want to take on the hike with fewer others around, and want a warmer environment, taking your trip in the wet months can be exactly what you need.

Warmer days also bring warmer nights, and the wetter days attract less crowds making it perfect for those not wanting to share their adventure and bask in quieter trails.

Tourist Season: June, July, and August

These months fall in the dry season, which means that they are generally busier as standard anyway, but these three months are when the circuit is at its busiest. With the great weather and low rainfall, it's the optimal time for both beginner and experienced hikers and anyone in between. Visiting during these months means you're expecting busier trails, more crowds, and longer waits at popular spots.

However, June sees the Inti Raymi or Festival of the Sun in the Cusco Valley. The annual festival is a reenactment of ancient Inca traditions and is an experience that can really deliver something extra to your trip.

Safety Tips for Machu Picchu Hikers

Safety should be paramount for all visitors. While the destination is relatively safe to visit, the location, environment and the landscape are challenging. You need to be aware of the dangers of undertaking an expedition of this nature, to ensure nothing spoils your time at Machu Picchu.

Safety tips include:

●      Listening to guides and locals and paying attention to the rules and regulations

●      Staying in the outlined paths with safety ropes

●      Don't lean on stone structures

●      Use sunscreen

●      Stay hydrated

●      Follow the correct directions, especially in tourist season

●      Don't skip queues

●      Wear appropriate clothing and footwear

●      Understand the risk of altitude sickness and be prepared

●      Do not drink tap water anywhere in Peru, nor ask for ice

●      Wear bug spray

What to Bring on Your Hike

What to pack for Machu Picchu will depend on when you are visiting i.e. dry or wet season, and your hiking ability. Less experienced hikers might need additional supplies, and a higher amount of planned time to spend in the area.

However, hiking Machu Picchu is subject to some very strict rules, meaning you need to abide by them rigorously. Most of your luggage will be left behind at your hotel, and you are only allowed to take the bare minimum with you as you hike Machu Picchu.

Backpack rules for the hike:

●      Your backpack needs to weigh under 8kg or 17.64 lbs and measure no more than 62 linear inches (157 linear cm). This is defined as height + length + width for Peru Rail and 46 linear inches (118 linear cm) for Inca Rail

●      For Machu Picchu itself, bags must be under 16x14x8 inches or 40x35x20cm

●      Sleeping bag

●      Day pack

●      Water bottle or water reservoir

●      High-energy snacks

●      Sunscreen

●      Lip balm

●      Polarised Sunglasses for active wear

●      Hats - thermal and sun hats

●      Packable waterproof jacket

●      Your smartphone or camera

●      Cash

●      Passport

●      Travel first aid kit

You'll also need the following:

●      Hiking boots

●      Thermal base layers, including thermal sleepwear

●      Headband

●      Hiking clothes, including fleece pants, shirts, gloves, and hiking socks

●      Scarf

●      Flip flops

●      Swimsuit

●      Underwear

Navigating Altitude Sickness

Machu Picchu sits at an elevation of nearly 8,000 feet (2,438m). And most people start to experience altitude sickness at an altitude of 6561 ft or 2,000m. So, it's safe to say that many people will find themselves battling symptoms of altitude sickness, including nausea, fatigue, and headaches.

The reason you experience altitude sickness is that the higher an elevation you are at, the more the air pressure decreases, and the oxygen levels drop. This causes your body to work harder to supply the oxygen required to support your body, and this exertion is what causes the sickness symptoms to arise.

To avoid the buzzkill that can derail your entire trip and impact your quest to the top, there are some tips and tricks you can utilise to help you ward off signs of altitude sickness.

One of the best tips for minimising the risk of altitude sickness or minimising the symptoms is to stay hydrated and avoid alcohol. The simple act of drinking water can help your body adjust better to lower oxygen levels.

Taking it easy in the beginning at lower elevations can also help you to preserve energy levels and avoid pushing your body too hard too soon, so you're in a much better position to tackle the more challenging aspects of your hike. This is something to bear in mind when you reach notable locations such as the Machu Picchu Stairs of Death.

Some people prefer to take medication with them, and you can ask your Physician to prescribe you a medicine for altitude sickness.

Alternatively, taking local remedies for altitude sickness for Machu Picchu can be worthwhile, too:

●      Coca tea - made from the leaves of the coca plant, it is a traditional Andean remedy that can help to improve oxygenation and reduce altitude sickness symptoms

●      Oxishot - Oxishot is a canned oxygen supplement and is readily available in tourist areas. Just a few puffs can relieve symptoms, allowing you to adjust to higher altitudes more easily

It's important that you don't push yourself too hard too soon, and you listen to your body.

If you're experiencing more severe symptoms of later-stage sickness, you need to seek medical assistance. There are hotels in high-altitude areas such as Cusco and the Sacred Valley that have supplies to help with acclimatising to the altitude, such as oxygen-enriched rooms and oxygen canisters. But medical intervention is essential if your symptoms become too much to handle, or you're experiencing anything outside of normal expectations.

Final Words: How Long does it take to Hike Machu Picchu?

How long is a piece of string? There is some flexibility built into your adventure in the Andean mountains. While there are guidelines for average hike times and how many days each trail will take, ultimately, how long you take to hike Machu Picchu depends on your ability, skill level, if you self-trek or join a guided trek, and which route you take.