Ever since Summer wrote about Machu Picchu, some friends have already started asking about trekking options to get there.
No worries — let’s break it down!
The most classic and popular choice: The Inca Trail
- Duration: 4 days
- Best for:
- Adults with a decent fitness level
- Kids who are old enough and up for a challenge
- Anyone who dreams of entering Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate
- Travelers fascinated by Incan engineering — especially the incredible stonework along the way
- Do you need to book in advance?
Absolutely — because it’s iconic, it’s also in high demand.
If you want to do the full 4-day Inca Trail, you must book 4 to 6 months in advance.
Say it with us: Book early, book early, book early! - Distance: 43 km (about 27 miles) in total
- Highest altitude: 4,200 meters (13,780 feet)
- Highlights: On the final day, you’ll arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate — giving you that breathtaking first glimpse before the main crowds roll in.
Fun fact: Summer herself hiked the full 4-day Inca Trail — yes, the iconic one — thanks to a classic case of “fear of missing out” (and paid a premium for it too).
Day one? They hadn’t even started hiking yet, and after meeting up with the support team, they were greeted with a huge breakfast spread.
Summer ate so much she almost couldn’t walk afterward — rookie mistake, but a memorable start to the journey!
Day 2 is hands-down the most challenging of the entire trek — this is the day you conquer the infamous Warmihuañusca Pass, which sits at a dizzying 4,200 meters (13,780 feet).
Going up? Yeah, it’s a bit of a breathless climb. But once you’re over the top, it’s all downhill from there — literally!
Oh, and something Summer forgot to mention:
Starting from Day 1, you’ll already be seeing scattered Inca ruins tucked away in the mountains — hidden gems that appear out of nowhere.
There are ancient sites on Day 2, even more on Day 3, and each one is more awe-inspiring than the last — until the grand finale on Day 4: the king of all Inca cities, Machu Picchu itself!
Day 3 also has a special moment — a small thank-you celebration in the evening.
As hikers, it’s tradition to express appreciation to the amazing team of porters, chefs, and guides who make the trek possible.
And here’s the wildest part:
As a surprise, the porters and chef actually bake a cake in the middle of the mountains — with no electricity.
That’s right. Summer still remembers watching the chef carefully holding the cake base while a porter stood nearby manually fanning it to cool. She was stunned.
And believe it or not — the cake was delicious!
Some friends have asked:
“I want to take my kids to see Machu Picchu — are there any family-friendly options? My child is still young and might not be able to handle a full 4-day trek.”
Absolutely! The perfect option is the Short Inca Trail (2-day trek).
- Duration: 2 days
- Best for:
- Families with younger children
- Anyone who isn’t up for the full 4-day hike but still wants a taste of the Inca Trail
- Those who dream of entering Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate
- Distance: 11 km (about 7 miles)
- Highest altitude: 2,720 meters (8,924 feet)
- Do you need to book in advance?
While the 2-day trek isn’t as competitive as the classic 4-day one, Summer still recommends booking early.
The earlier you book, the better your chances — and hey, you might even have a bit of room to negotiate the price!
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast like Summer, then this route comes highly recommended:
The Inca Jungle Trail — a wild, action-packed alternative to the classic treks.
- Duration: 4 days
- Best for:
- Adventurers who love the outdoors
- Cycling enthusiasts
- White-water rafting fans
- Zipline thrill-seekers
- Travelers who want to unwind in a hot spring on the way to Machu Picchu
- Total hiking distance: Around 30 km (about 19 miles)
- Highest altitude: 4,350 meters (14,270 feet) — reached by vehicle
This route is definitely the road less traveled — a fun, offbeat twist on the traditional Machu Picchu trek.
You’ll start by driving up to 4,350 meters, then hop on a mountain bike and zoom downhill to around 1,400 meters — an exhilarating descent!
In the afternoon? Time for some adrenaline-pumping white-water rafting.
Day 2 includes a stretch of classic Inca Trail hiking, followed by a relaxing soak in natural hot springs.
Day 3 brings more adventure with ziplining through the cloud forest.
And on Day 4 — the big finale — you finally reach Machu Picchu.
Just thinking about it gets the heart racing!
If Summer could choose all over again, she probably wouldn’t go for the classic 4-day Inca Trail — she’d pick the Inca Jungle Trail instead!
Price comparison:
4-day Classic Inca Trail > 2-day Short Inca Trail > Inca Jungle Trail
Back then, Summer was a bit too innocent — thinking that the most expensive option had to be the best.
But here’s the catch: the Inca Trail isn’t just pricey — it also has strict daily permit limits (don’t ask how Summer learned that the hard way 
).
The result? It ended up being expensive on top of expensive.
There’s no such thing as “the most expensive” — only “even more expensive”!
Wondering what other options there are for trekking to Machu Picchu?
No worries — that’s coming up next!
If you’re looking for more info on trekking routes or group bookings, feel free to DM Summer directly.
I’m Summer, an adventure-loving backpacker.
I only share the most unforgettable journeys — the kind that stay with you.
Follow me, and let’s talk travel, South America, and all the amazing places that are waiting for us out there. 
