If You Want to Hike to Machu Picchu You Need to Read This

Machu Picchu is one of the most famous sights in the world and thousands flock to Peru to see it. Here is your guide to hike to Machu Picchu and everything you need to know before you go.

It would be hard to find anybody who hasn’t heard of Machu Picchu. One of the 7 new wonders of the world, Machu Picchu attracts attention. While just about anyone can take the train to Machu Picchu and snap a shot for the gram, less people have decided to embark on the multiple day trek to hike to Machu Picchu. 

While I struggle to write this because I don’t want this place to become even more popular, I will say that if you’re going, and you’re physically and mentally able- you need to hike to Machu Picchu.

The hike to Machu Picchu will be the most rewarding part of your experience. The actual landmark paled in comparison to the experience and adventure to get there.

How to Get to Machu Picchu

Alright, so if you’re interested in going to Machu Picchu and you’ve done about zero research before reading this- this is for you. There are multiple ways to get to Machu Picchu. Remember this, because they are certainly not all accessible ways. 

You’ll need to first fly to Cusco, Peru. While this small airport is international, flights would probably be exorbitant if you’re coming from any country outside of South America. Your best bet is to fly to Lima, spend a night or weekend, there loading up on ceviche. Then take the less than two hour flight from Lima to Cusco. It’s usually around $20-$50 USD. 

Once you’re in Cusco, you can get to Machu Picchu several ways. You can take the train, you can take a bus, with or without an organized tour, or you could hike. 

The train is only a few hours, takes you directly to Aguas Calientes (the town built around Machu Picchu). From there, you can just take a bus up to the top and back. You can also hike up the top and back, it will take less than two hours one way, but it’s quite steep. 

You could also embark on a multiple day hiking trek to Machu Picchu. If you’re physically able and interested in nature and hiking, I can’t imagine going to Machu Picchu any other way.

How to Hike to Machu Picchu

So you’re considering hiking, and curious about the challenge. Great! You have numerous tour companies to choose from, but the two main routes to get to Machu Picchu are the Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trek. 

These are both fantastic options, so it just depends on what you’re most interested in. The most famous trek is the Inca Trail. Because of this, it is almost double the price of the Salkantay Trek. It is also usually booked up far in advance and much more crowded. It is the famous, official route to the Machu Picchu that the Inca’s took, so that could cancel out the cons for you.

The second option, the Salkantay Trek, is the one I did. So I’ll definitely be recommending that. We chose this option because it is cost effective and extremely high quality. It’s a more diverse hike, so it’s a true treat for serious and interested hikers. You still get to hike some of the Inca Trail, and you get a much less crowded experience.  

What Does The Salkantay Trek Entail?

While there are hundreds of tour operators, I cannot recommend enough Salkantay Trekkers. They so exceeded expectations, even though they came highly recommended already. We did the classic 5 day Salkantay Trek and it was a dream. I would tell anyone to do this that wants to hike to Machu Picchu, but they do have options ranging from 1-8 days.

I am going to focus on the Salkantay Classic 5 day Trek, but much of the advice I’m giving below can be applied to any trek you do. 

This trek involves 4 nights, and 5 days. Each day involves a lot of hiking, in various terrain. We averaged about 7-15 miles a day, depending on the day. 

Day One:

On day one you are picked up before dawn at your Cusco accommodation. You drive several hours to the start of the trail in Mollepata. This is the shortest day of hiking.

You’ll hike to your main camp site by mid day, and then you have the option to hike up to the snow covered lake beside you. I highly recommend this additional hike, as the lake is absolutely stunning. It is quite challenging though.

Day Two:

You’ll hike the famous Salkantay Pass. While we went in July, which is winter in Peru, this pass is typically snow covered year round. It is cold and getting up to the top felt like ice was stabbing me in the throat. Not to mention, the altitude really kicks in here.

Getting to the top of the pass is only the beginning. You still have hours of hiking after, but through a lush and tropical region. The terrain changes drastically this day, and it was a really long and challenging day. We ended up making it to our huts just before dark, covered in mud.

Day Three:

This is a breeze compared to the day before. You may be struggling though after two days of nonstop hiking. They offer an option to opt out for this entire day, and you might want to take that. I wouldn’t though, as this was such an nice albeit long hike.

This was our sunniest day, with lush terrain, less hills and no drastic change in elevation. We crossed a lot of rivers and waterfalls. You finish the day quite early, at a local coffee plantation. Here you make and drink coffee, then head to my favorite accommodation- the Jungle Domes.

You then get the option to head to the hot springs of Cocalmayo. These beautiful thermal pools are at the base of the Amazon and it was such an incredible respite for out aching muscles. Not to mention- showers. We drank a pisco sour, watching the sunset and it was a highlight of the trip.

Day Four:

Day four was a personal nightmare for us purely do to the weather. We were soaking, unexpectedly. On this day, you hike part of the Inca Trail and get to stand at the very spot that Machu Picchu was first spotted. This day was long and we were sore. It was both a mental and physical challenge.

You have the option to finish the day by taking the train into the main town, Aguas Caliente, and I would recommend just doing it. If you don’t, you’re literally just hiking about three hours along the same train tracks. Honestly, that part was not worth it. I could’ve saved my knees if I took the train.

That night we spent in a little hotel, finally got a hot shower and a real bed which was glorious. You eat dinner together in a restaurant, all included, and prepare for the morning at Machu Picchu.

Day Five:

The night before, you get your tickets to Machu Picchu and the time you can arrive. The bus runs all day, but the lines are pretty crazy, and your voucher is only good for a certain set of time. I would recommend going very early if you’re taking the bus, to prepare to for the lines.

You can also hike to the top if you still have it in you but be warned- this hike is straight up and down and it is not for those afraid of heights. You are hiking the Inca built stairs. These are extremely narrow and tall, with no railing. Make an informed decision.

Once there, you get a tour guide provided and explore Machu Picchu together.

What Does It Include? 

The reason I love the Salkantay trek is because it is SO well organized and an incredible bargain. For $460 USD, you are getting so much. The company provides all of your food, and let me tell you- the food is divine. They have fully cooked and catered breakfast, lunches and dinners. They also have tea time which was our personal favorite. The popcorn and cocoa…enough said.

If that’s not enough, they also supply snacks and water for each day’s journey. While the food is healthy and hearty, the snacks are loaded with sugar. Keep in mind, this is on purpose. You are trekking through the elements every day. Your body needs that sugar and those carbs to sustain itself. If you have any real allergies though, you should plan to bring your own snacks. These are essential.

They also carry everything for you. All you have to carry each day is your snacks and water as well as any supplies you want on the trail.  Everything else, they take to your camp each day and set up for you. This makes the trek as pain free as possible. 

The trek includes incredible campsites and accommodations. From the Sky Lodge, to the Andean Huts, to the Jungle Domes to the lovely hotel in Aguas Caliente- you are taken care of. They will provide a sleeping bag and pillow so you do not have to. They also typically supply a blanket. You are sleeping on a makeshift bed or mattress, so it’s pretty comfortable. If you require more, you’ll need to bring that. 

You have a personal guide for your group. They stagger the departures of each group so you have the trail pretty much to yourself most of the time, depending on your pace.

There are opt out options for those who need a break or are injured. They have an option to opt out of a portion or all of the hike, almost everyday. They’ll bus you, provide a horse, or send you by train to the next campsite. You do need to pay for this, but the fee is minimal. If you’re getting too sore or risking an injury, it’s worth it to take an opt out and save your body so you can complete the trek in fighting form.

They also provide transportation to and from Cusco. On the way there, you are picked up by bus. On the way back, you are given a train ticket, and then driven the rest of the way by a bus to their office. They provide storage, so this is where you pick up any belongings you left in their care. I left my laptop and got it back safely.

What It Does Not Include: 

• Free showers, so bring tokens for this. 
• Reliable internet coverage. Why you would need internet on an incredible journey through the wilderness is beyond me, but if you do, bring a sky roam. They have internet at the campsites but it’s pretty spotty and sometimes it costs money.
• Alcohol. They have it for sale at every camp site, if you must imbibe, so no need to pack it.
• Food on the last day. On your last day to Machu Picchu, everything is on you. 
• Bathrooms throughout the trek. Be prepared to pee outside, in the bushes. You are genuinely hiking through nature- there are not bathrooms often. There are a few stops on the way that have a “bathroom” and you’ll need to pay to use these.

How to Prepare

There are some things you need to know though before you sign up to hike to Machu Picchu. I may be a weird person to ask because my level of preparation was zip. I was on Remote Year, and we booked two months in advance and didn’t think about it again. We didn’t train at all, but I work out regularly and walk a lot. 

If you can train, I’d hike as much as possible leading up to the trek. Get your lower body used to moving- a lot. Make sure your knees are doing well, and if not, definitely opt in for the hiking poles that they provide. You should also bring those knee braces. 

You have to prepare for the altitude. If you can’t handle the altitude or get altitude sickness, you can’t do the trek. There’s really no way to train for this, but if you’ve been to a high altitude place before and know how your body reacts, thats a great start.

Otherwise, I would recommend spending a few days, if not a week, in Cusco beforehand. The altitude in Cusco is higher than Machu Picchu. You’ll need this time to get used to it, and walking around the mountain city with all it’s hills and cobblestone is a good way to train. You can stock up on coca leaves in town and coca candies. This helps with altitude sickness.

Fun fact: this is where cocaine comes from. Coca leaves are the natural plant, unprocessed, and very much legal, however. Peruvians have been chewing on this plant for centuries for increased energy and to help with the altitude.

What to Pack

Salkantay Trekking will supply a packing list to you, and it’s very comprehensive. This would be my go to packing list of essentials:

• Poncho. It will pour throughout the trek. You will get soaked without a poncho.
• Water proof everything and anything if you can. A jacket is essential though.
• A pair of extremely good quality, long distance hiking boots. 
• Supplies for blisters.
• Tiger balm or another cream to help soothe sore muscles.
• Advil or tylenol. For your muscles and for altitude head aches.
• Healthy snacks if you need them/have dietary restrictions.
• A comfortable, lightweight hiking pack. Size matters: you only need it to be as big as the stuff you’re actually carrying. The smaller, the better.
• A reusable water bottle. 
• Travel towel.
• Basic toiletries. Wet wipes, and face wipes and anything disposable is easiest.
• Layers. The weather changes throughout the day and you need to be prepared for all extremes. Cold is the biggest constant though. 
• Warm hat, gloves, scarf, and thermals. There are cold moments and nights, I cannot stress enough.
• Enough dry clothes. Plan to get soaked at least half of the trek. The second half of the hike is in a jungle environment, so your soiled clothes might not dry in time.
• Dirty clothes bag. I just used a plastic bag. 
• Sunscreen. The UV index is high out there.
• Moisturizer- these elements are not a joke.

Why It’s Worth It…and Not For The Faint of Heart

Im not going to sugar coat the experience- it was brutal and challenging. I rarely felt cold that cold, not to mention hiking through it. I’ve never been so covered in mud or soaked to the bone repeatedly. My knee is still a little tweaked from going downhill for hours and hours, not to mention slipping in the mud down hill. My skin and hair were a mess, so dry, and flaky.

All of that aside, I can look at this experience, both while doing it and looking back, as one of the best experiences of my life. There are few times in todays world we get to experience that sort of physicality and immersion into nature. The views are breath taking, and so much more rewarding when we have to earn them.

Going off the grid was incredible, and we met fellow hikers from all over the world. Learning the history of your surroundings, while hiking it, was so cool, for lack of a better word. I felt so alive, and present during this experience. I also felt immense appreciation and empowerment for my body.

Machu Picchu itself was a let down, compared to the rest of the experience. To hike to Machu Picchu, is the real treat. Its a bit shocking after four days in the jungle to get to Machu Picchu, surrounded by selfie sticks and thousands of people, showered and made up. It felt like we had had our own special, spiritual experience that those who just drove there could never understand.

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