Can You Hike From Cusco To Machu Picchu?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If you are short on time,

you can trek to Machu Picchu in one day (with an early start, of course!)

. To achieve this, you will take the train from Cusco to a location on the trail known as Kilometer 104. From there, you will hike ~15 km (9 miles) through the Sun Gate to the Machu Picchu sanctuary.

Is hiking the Inca trail worth it?

The Classic Inca Trail Route to Machu Picchu is

definitely worth it

, it is considered one of the greatest adventure experiences on the planet. There are very few trails where you pass 500 year old archeological treasures while also hiking among some of the most beautiful mountains on earth.

Can you do Machu Picchu in a day from Cusco?

Can you visit both mountains in a single day?

Yes you can

. The ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu is designed so that the visitor has enough time to tour the ‘Machu’ and the ‘Wayna’ in 1 day. The ticket has 3 shifts that give the tourist time to enjoy the Wonder of the World to the fullest.

How difficult is the hike to Machu Picchu?

The difficulty of the Classic Inca Trail is considered to be a

moderate level hike

. The classic Inca Trail Route is 43 km (26 mi) long and often steep, you will hike over four days at an elevation nearing 13,828 feet (4,215 meters). Although rated moderate, the relentless uphill (and downhill) hiking is tough.

How many days do I need in Cusco?

When planning your visit, we think

2 to 3 days

in Cusco is ideal, and then a further 2 days in the Sacred Valley. However, not everyone has that luxury so read on for our recommendations for stays of one, two, three days or more.

Is Cusco Peru safe?


Cusco is a safe city

, but like any other city, it is necessary to take precautions when it is nighttime and after 6:00 pm it is dark. Taking a taxi is affordable since most rides in Cusco cost around 4-6 soles. However, there are, different types of taxis in Cusco and some are not registered official taxis.

How do I get from Cusco to Machu Picchu?

Getting from Cusco to Machu Picchu

The easiest way to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu is to

take the train to Aguas Calientes

. It’s a scenic 3.5-hour trip each way along tracks that run right along the Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley, with dramatic canyon walls on either side.

How long is the drive from Cusco to Machu Picchu?

Yes, the driving distance between Cusco to Machu Picchu is 210 km. It takes approximately

4h 20m

to drive from Cusco to Machu Picchu.

Can you spend the night at Machu Picchu?


You can only visit the Machu Picchu Pueblo gardens and take the tours if you are staying in the hotel itself

. If you would like to spend a night at Machu Picchu and further explore the area, Llama Travel offers several good hotel options, including the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel mentioned above.

Do you have to be fit to climb Machu Picchu?

Treks to Machu Picchu vary in difficulty and length, but

all require a basic level of fitness

. In general you will be trekking anywhere between 10-15km a day, for up to six days on the longer routes (i.e. Choquequirao or Salkantay / Inca Trail Combo).

Can I hike the Inca Trail without a guide?

It’s Official:

You Can’t Hike the Classic Inca Trail Without a Guide

. The official Inca Trail regulations, as laid down by Peru’s Ministry of Tourism (MINCETUR), state that anyone walking the trail must be accompanied by an officially registered tour guide in an organized group.

How much does it cost to trek Machu Picchu?

Average budget for a foreign adult Price in dollars Total cost:

$ 202

What is the best month to go to Machu Picchu?

Contrary to popular belief, the best time to visit Machu Picchu or hike the Inca Trail is before and after the rainy season, that is

late March, April, May, and September, October, and early November

, the dry season months, that is June July and August, are great too but beware of the crowds.

What is the cheapest way to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu?

The cheapest way to get to Machu Picchu is

through the route Hidroelectica

. The ascent to the Wonder of the World can be by bus or on foot. If you want to save as much as possible, the great option is to camp in Aguas Calientes and eat at the food market.

Is Machu Picchu worth?

And yet, my response:

It’s absolutely worth it, provided you’re prepared to do a bit of planning

. Below, I’ve outlined how to make your visit to Machu Picchu a day trip from Cuzco. It requires a little extra forethought, but you can do it, unrushed, in a day — saving you both time and money.

Will I get altitude sickness in Cusco?

Cusco is located at an altitude of 3,400 metres (11,200ft) and

it is common for many visitors to experience some mild symptoms of altitude sickness in Cusco

, or ‘soroche’ as it is known locally.

Is Cusco higher than Machu Picchu?

Many people are surprised when they learn that

the altitude at Machu Picchu is lower than Cusco

. The elevation at Machu Picchu is *only* 2,430 meters (7,972 feet) above sea level, so markedly lower than Cusco, even though it is still pretty high.

Should I spend more time in Lima or Cusco?


If you are not spending any time in Lima at all, I would say to do so

. If you are already spending some days in Lima, I would add extra days in Cusco.

What is considered rude in Peru?

Peruvians will stand much closer than you will probably like when in conversation. But it will be considered rude

if you start backing away

. And there is a fair amount of touching between men and men, men and women, and women and women while conversing. This includes hand on shoulders, hand on arms, and hand on hands.

Is it safe to walk in Cusco at night?

As far as large Latin American cities go,

we found Cusco to be and feel incredibly safe

, and even wandering around the streets relatively late at night with all our camera equipment, we didn’t feel unsafe.

What language do they speak in Cusco Peru?

The Inca rulers made

Quechua

the official language of Cusco when the city became their administrative and religious capital early in the 1400s.

What is the easiest way to get to Machu Picchu?

The easiest approach is

by train from Cusco along the floor of the Urubamba Valley, then by bus up to the entrance of the ruins

. Alternatively, from the station at Aguas Calientes you can opt to take a strenuous walk up to Machu Picchu – expect it to take 90 minutes to two hours.

How long is the bus from Cusco to Puno?

Avg. Bus Duration :

8 hrs 40 mins
Earliest Bus : 00:45 Last Bus : 22:30 Daily Bus Services : 14 Bus Companies : Transzela, Turismo Mer, Turismo San Luis

Is Machu Picchu Open 2021?

Peru has announced that

Machu Picchu will be open from March 15th / 2021

to the public in general. Having limited permits per day is the first step towards returning to the great days we used to have.

How many days do I need in Machu Picchu?

I’d suggest you need

at least 9 days

in Peru to take in Machu Picchu and the surrounding Incan ruins, with time to explore Cuzco before or after. With a little extra traveling time you can extend your journey to cover time in the Peruvian Amazon, Lake Titicaca or the Colca Valley.

How much time do you need at Machu Picchu?

The best way to visit Inca streets, squares, temples and buildings is in the company of a tour guide. The guided tour in Machu Picchu lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes on average. In total, an ideal visit to Machu Picchu can last

3 hours and 30 minutes

. Each tourist has up to 4 hours to visit.

Is it safe to drive to Machu Picchu?


you can’t drive to Machu Picchu – no one can

. You can hike on the Inca Trail or take the train to Aguas Calientes. The closest you can get by car is the village of Ollantaytambo where you board the train to continue to the Inca Trail to hike.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.