Travel Advice: NOT Doing the Inca Trail and STILL Hiking at Machu Picchu

Many travelers to Machu Picchu love hiking but perhaps do not have the time, money or permit to do the Inca Trail while visiting Machu Picchu. Hiking lovers, fear not! Here are four hikes that you can do right from the Machu Picchu citadel:

Machu Picchu Trail Head Map

1) Huayna Picchu Mountain: more strenuous and steep, affording excellent areal views of the Machu Picchu Citadel.

Huayna Picchu: 1.2 miles (elevation gain: 1,180 ft)

ADDITIONAL PERMIT REQUIRED

Huayna Picchu

2) Machu Picchu Mountain: less crowded but longer and more vertical gain with great views of surrounding valleys and Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu Mountain: 1.5 miles (elevation gain: 2,139 ft)

ADDITIONAL PERMIT REQUIRED

Machu Picchu Mountain

3) The Inka Bridge: A short and free to enter trek suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The trek follows an Inca Trail where you can observe an original Inca draw bridge used to protect the western entrance to Machu Picchu.

The Inka Bridge: roughly .7 miles and no elevation gain

NO additional permit required

Inca Bridge

4) Intipunku/Sungate: A moderately challenging trek to the Sun Gate (Intipunku) that was once the main entrance to Machu Picchu and now the finishing point of the traditional Inca Trail Hike. The hike to the Sun Gate follows an original Inca Trail that steadily climbs though Machu Picchu’s agricultural terraces high in to the mountains directly south of the citadel.

Intipunku/Sungate: roughly 1 mile from Machu Picchu and 951 feet of elevation gain

NO additional permit required

Sun Gate/ Intipunku

Want to book your permits for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain? Have additional questions about these hikes? Feel free to contact us.

Your friendly South America expert,

Gretchen

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