Our top pick595 reviews
4 daysMachu Picchu: 4-Day Inca Trail Hike & Panoramic Train
★ 4.9 · 595 reviews
- Four days, Starts at the Km 82 trailhead
- Three nights in trail campsites
- Likely to sell out
- Free cancellation
$840
Check availability→ The hikes, side by side
Machu Picchu hike: the 4-day and 2-day trails compared
A Machu Picchu hike on this site means one of five listings: two that take four days and three that take two. Here they are side by side, with nights, meals, trains and what each price covers. Hikes start at $585 per person.
Quick answer
The short answer. With four days, book the classic 4-day, our top pick at $840: it starts at Km 82, sleeps three nights in camps and ends at the Sun Gate, rated 4.9 by 595 travellers. With two days, the 2-day overnight at $585 is the lowest hike fare here, rated 4.9 by 227. For trail meals, the 2-day Vistadome at $630. For free cancellation, the 2-day panoramic at $679.
Machu Picchu hike options at a glance
- Hikes on this site
- 5 of 9the other four go by train
- Hike price
- From $585per person, 2 days
- Our top pick
- $840classic 4-day, 595 reviews at 4.9
- Classic trailhead
- Km 824 days, 3 nights in camps
- Short trailhead
- Km 104named on the 2-day panoramic
- Last stretch
- The Sun Gateon all five hikes
- Pickup
- In Cuscoat 4:00 or 5:00 AM where a time is given
- Group size
- Up to 10 or 16by listing
- Guide language
- English and SpanishEnglish only on the 2-day overnight
- Reviews
- 1,165across the five hikes
- Cancellation
- Mostly non-refundablefree cancellation on the 2-day panoramic and alternative 4-day
How long it takes
Machu Picchu hike time: four days or two
Four days with three nights out, or two days with one night in a hotel.
Every Machu Picchu hike here starts with one choice: how many days. The two 4-day hikes spend three nights out and walk most of each day. The three 2-day hikes walk one day, sleep one night in Aguas Calientes, and spend the second morning inside the citadel.
Walking hours are rarely given; the listings give days, nights and pickups. Where hours appear, they are short: a 3-hour uphill stretch to Wiñay Wayna on the alternative 4-day and a 2-hour guided walk in the citadel on the 2-day overnight. Starts are early: 4:00 AM pickup on the 2-day panoramic, 5:00 AM on the alternative 4-day.
Hike by hike
The five hikes, one by one
Every one ends the same way: the Sun Gate Machu Picchu hike finish, then the citadel.
- Classic 4-day, our top pick, $840
Breakfast in Ollantaytambo, then on foot from Km 82. Camps at Ayapata, Chaquicocha and Wiñaywayna; day two crosses Dead Woman's and Runkuraqay Pass; day four starts before dawn for the Sun Gate. Panoramic train back.
- 2-day overnight, $585
Through the rainforest to the terraces of Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate, then a hotel bed. Next morning, an early bus up and a 2-hour guided walk. Train back, then a car to your Cusco hotel. English only.
- 2-day Vistadome, $630
The short trail past Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna and the Sun Gate, with a picnic breakfast and lunch on the way. Hotel breakfast, an in-depth guided visit, then the Vistadome train back.
- 2-day panoramic, $679
Train to Km 104, Chachabamba, cloud forest to Wiñay Wayna and a first view of the citadel from Inti Punku. A 3-star hotel night. Rated 4.9 from 9 reviews.
- Alternative 4-day, $1,290
Not the classic route: from Soqma over Kuychicassa Pass and past an Inca quarry, two camp nights, then Km 104 to the Sun Gate and a hotel. Two citadel visits. Rated 5.0 from one review.
Every hike, current fare
What each Machu Picchu hike costs and covers
Machu Picchu hike latest prices, per person, read off the live listings in October 2026. Separately, day trips by train from Cusco cost $308 to $349.
| Hike | Price | Days and nights | What the price covers | Where it starts | Cancellation | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-day overnight | $585 | 2 days, 1 hotel night | Pickup, hotel bed, 2-hour guided walk, train to Ollantaytambo, car to your Cusco hotel | Cusco pickup; first day not detailed | Non-refundable | 4.9 · 227 |
| 2-day Vistadome | $630 | 2 days, 1 hotel night | Pickup, picnic breakfast and lunch, hotel breakfast, guided visit, Vistadome back, bus to Cusco | Cusco pickup; trailhead not named | Non-refundable | 4.8 · 333 |
| 2-day panoramic | $679 | 2 days, 1 night in a 3-star hotel | 4:00 AM pickup, train to Km 104, hotel, guided visit, Vistadome back, bus to Cusco | Km 104, at 2,200 m | Free cancellation | 4.9 · 9 |
| Classic 4-day, our top pick | $840 | 4 days, 3 nights in camps | Hotel pickup, camp meals, guided visit, panoramic train to Ollantaytambo, van to your hotel | Km 82, after breakfast in Ollantaytambo | Non-refundable | 4.9 · 595 |
| Alternative 4-day | $1,290 | 4 days, 2 camp nights and 1 hotel night | 5:00 AM pickup, Inca Trail named in the programme, hotel night, two citadel visits, train back | Soqma, at 3,205 m | Free cancellation | 5.0 · 1 |
Nights and food
Camps or a hotel bed, and what you eat
Three nights in tents on the classic route; one hotel night on the short one.
The classic 4-day sleeps in camps: Ayapata, Chaquicocha and Wiñaywayna, in tents with dining and toilet set-ups. Meals run from breakfast in Ollantaytambo to a farewell dinner on the third night, with options for vegetarians, vegans and those avoiding gluten. Rhian from the United Kingdom: «The 2nd day is very hard! The porters do an amazing job.»
The 2-day hikes swap the camp for a hotel in Aguas Calientes. The 2-day Vistadome serves a picnic breakfast and lunch on the trail; the 2-day panoramic ends day one with dinner in town. The 2-day overnight listing says nothing about meals, so ask before you book.
On the trail
Steps, tents and the town below the cliffs
Three scenes from the days on foot.
Stone steps
Uneven granite steps climb between grassy old walls, with terraces higher up.
A trail camp
Five teal tents in a line under the trees, with poles, boots and wash bowls in front.
Aguas Calientes
White hotel blocks fill a narrow valley floor under steep, forested rock walls.
Tickets, permits and the bus
Machu Picchu hike tickets, permits and the bus
One listing names the permit; two name the entry ticket.
Only the alternative 4-day says the official Inca Trail is included in its programme; it adds that entrance tickets are limited and asks you to contact the operator before booking. The other four hike listings do not mention a permit.
Entry to the citadel is named outright on two hikes: the 2-day panoramic lets you in at your designated time according to your ticket, and the alternative 4-day mentions entrance tickets. The classic 4-day, the 2-day Vistadome and the 2-day overnight describe a guided visit inside Machu Picchu without naming the ticket. The mountains above the citadel need a separate ticket that no hike here includes.
Nobody here has to hike up Machu Picchu from the valley floor: the trail brings you in from above through the Sun Gate, and the programmes use the bus on the road between the town and the citadel. No listing says the bus fare is in the price.
How hard
Heights, climbs and fitness, from the listings
Machu Picchu hike elevation figures appear on two listings only; the others give none.
- The 2-day panoramic
Km 104 sits at 2,200 m, Wiñay Wayna at 2,650 m, Inti Punku at 2,720 m and the citadel at 2,430 m. That is a Machu Picchu hike elevation gain of about 520 m to the Sun Gate.
- The alternative 4-day
Soqma at 3,205 m, Kuychicassa Pass at 4,450 m after a 3-hour climb, the quarry at 3,600 m, a camp near Ollantaytambo at 2,940 m. For Machu Picchu hike altitude, that pass is the highest figure on any listing here.
- The classic 4-day
No heights given. The listing asks for at least a moderate level of physical fitness and calls day two over Dead Woman's and Runkuraqay Pass the most challenging part.
- The 2-day hikes
Shorter, but not a stroll. Andrew from the United Kingdom on the 2-day Vistadome: «the short Inca trek is quite challenging in parts and day 1 is not an easy stroll».
- Labels
No listing sells a Machu Picchu hike for beginners or sets a minimum age, so judge by the days, the passes and your own legs.
Who picks what
Which hike suits which traveller
Match the hike to your days and budget.
- Four days and the whole trail
The classic 4-day at $840: three camps, two passes and the Machu Picchu sunrise hike start, before dawn, for the Sun Gate.
- Two days and the lowest hike fare
The 2-day overnight at $585, rated 4.9 by 227.
- Two days with trail meals
The 2-day Vistadome at $630, rated 4.8 by 333.
- Two days, flexible plans
The 2-day panoramic at $679: free cancellation and groups of up to 10.
- A different four days
The alternative 4-day at $1,290: a high pass and two citadel visits, rated 5.0 from one review.
Before you book
Five things to check before you pay
Check these on the listing.
- Cancellation
Our top pick, the 2-day overnight and the 2-day Vistadome are non-refundable. Book them once your dates are fixed.
- How far ahead
The 2-day overnight asks for booking two weeks before the date; the alternative 4-day asks you to check availability with the operator first.
- February
One listing notes the Inca Trail closes in February for maintenance. Check the calendar for your month.
- Your passport
Several listings ask for passport details at booking; carry it on the day.
- What to pack
The 2-day Vistadome lists light hiking boots, a daypack with 2 litres of water, hiking pants, a change of clothes, rain gear and a warm layer.
Our verdict
Our verdict on the five hikes
Book the classic 4-day at $840 if you have four days: the full trail from Km 82, three camps, meals and the Sun Gate at dawn, rated 4.9 by 595 travellers. Short on time, take the 2-day overnight at $585. For trail meals, the 2-day Vistadome. For plans that may change, the 2-day panoramic.
Book direct
Four hikes to book
Our top pick, the lowest hike fare, the 2-day with trail meals and the 2-day panoramic. All are priced per person.
Rated 4.9227 reviews
2 daysMachu Picchu: Inca Trail 2-Day Overnight Guided Tour
★ 4.9 · 227 reviews
- Two days, Hotel night before Machu Picchu
- Wiñay Wayna and Sun Gate
- 2-hour guided walk in citadel
- Free cancellation
$585
Check availability→ 
Likely to sell out333 reviews
2 daysCusco: Machu Picchu 2-Day Inca Trail with Vistadome Train
★ 4.8 · 333 reviews
- Two days, Picnic breakfast and lunch on trail
- Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna and Sun Gate
- Likely to sell out
- Free cancellation
$630
Check availability→ 
2 days9 reviews
2 days2-Day Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu & Panoramic Train
★ 4.9 · 9 reviews
- Two days, Trek starts at Km 104
- 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Hotel pickup at 4:00 AM
- Free cancellation
$679
Check availability→ Common questions
Machu Picchu hike questions, answered
Is the 2-day or the 4-day Inca Trail better for me?
It depends on your days and budget. The classic 4-day starts at Km 82, sleeps three nights in camps and crosses Dead Woman's Pass, for $840. The 2-day hikes take the short trail past Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate and sleep one night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, for $585 to $679.
Do you sleep in a hotel on the 2-day Inca Trail?
Yes. The 2-day panoramic books a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes, the 2-day overnight promises «a pleasant hotel bed», and the 2-day Vistadome serves breakfast at your hotel on the second morning.
Is the Inca Trail permit part of the tour price?
Only one listing says so in writing: the alternative 4-day states that the official Inca Trail is included in its programme and asks you to check availability before booking. The other four hike listings do not mention a permit at all, so ask the operator before you pay.
Which day is the hardest on the Inca Trail?
On the classic 4-day, day two: the listing calls it the most challenging part of the trail, over Dead Woman's and Runkuraqay Pass. It also asks for at least a moderate level of physical fitness. On the alternative 4-day, the hard part is the 3-hour climb to Kuychicassa Pass.
Is the Inca Trail closed in February?
One listing says so: the 2-day panoramic runs year-round except in February, when the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance. The other hike listings do not mention February.
Can I cancel a hike and get my money back?
Three of the five hikes are non-refundable, including our top pick and the $585 2-day overnight. Two offer free cancellation: the 2-day panoramic and the alternative 4-day. Read the cancellation line on the listing before you pay.
Your options
Hikes or the train
Of the nine tours on this site, five are Peru Machu Picchu hike tours; the other four reach the citadel by train in a long day or over two days. If you can walk, walk: on every Machu Picchu hike here, you reach the citadel the old way, on foot through the Sun Gate.
Go deeper
More guides to Machu Picchu
Four days
Four days
The full trail with three nights in camp.
Two daysTwo days
The short trail: one walking day, one night, the citadel next morning.
What it costsWhat it costs
What each price includes — permit, train, entry, meals, nights — and what it leaves out.
How hardHow hard
The climbs, the altitude and the fitness the listings ask for.
All toursAll tours
Nine ways to reach the citadel, from a long day by train to four days on foot.
