![Inca Trail Machu Picchu](https://cdn.slatesource.com/a/5/0/a5031fa2-93cd-4068-9496-790288a0faaf.webp)

# Inca Trail Machu Picchu

- [Made in Slatesource](https://slatesource.com/u/steph/inca-trail-machu-picchu)
- By [Steph](https://slatesource.com/u/Steph)
- Travel & Exploration
- Created on May 17, 2026

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Duration

~16.1 hours

Distance

51.4 km

Elevation gain

1974 m

Difficulty

T3 — strenuous

High point

3953 m

## Classic Inca Trail

The four day Classic Inca Trail follows original Inca stonework over the 4215 m Dead Woman's Pass and through cloud forest ruins before arriving at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate at dawn. It is the only trek in the world that delivers you to the citadel on foot the way the Incas intended, which is why permits sell out months in advance.

Only 500 permits are released per day, including guides and porters, and the popular May to September dry season slots typically vanish four to six months ahead, so book through a licensed operator the moment dates open. The trail closes every February for maintenance, plan two to three days in Cusco first to acclimatise to 3400 m.

[More info](es:Camino Inca a Machu Picchu?utm_source=slatesource)