Inkapfad, Salkantay oder Zug: dein Weg nach Machu Picchu

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You can reach Machu Picchu on a classic permit-only trek, on a higher and wilder alternative route, or in comfort by train. Here is how they compare.

Classic Inca Trail

• Usually 4 days and 3 nights, on original Inca paving past several ruins, ending at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).
• Permits are mandatory, numbers are capped, and you must go with a licensed operator. Permits for peak months often sell out months ahead.
• The highest point is Dead Woman's Pass, at about 4,200 m.
• The trail normally closes for maintenance during February.
• A short 1-day Inca Trail variant also exists for people with less time.

Salkantay trek

• Usually 4–5 days, past the glaciated Salkantay peak and down into cloud forest. It ends near Aguas Calientes rather than at the Sun Gate.
• No government trail permit is needed, so it is easier to book at short notice. You still need a separate Machu Picchu entry ticket.
• The pass is higher than on the Inca Trail (around 4,600 m), and nights near the pass are cold.

Train

• PeruRail and Inca Rail run from Cusco (Poroy/San Pedro) and Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, with several service classes.
• This is the best option for limited time, mixed-fitness groups or anyone who prefers not to hike at altitude.

How to choose

• Want the historic route and can book early? Take the Inca Trail.
• Booking late but want a multi-day trek? Salkantay, or other alternatives such as Lares.
• Short on time? Take the train and spend the saved days acclimatising in the Sacred Valley.

What a trek day looks like

On both multi-day treks you usually wake early, walk a few hours, stop for a cooked lunch and reach camp or a lodge by mid-afternoon. Porters or pack animals carry the camping gear. On the Inca Trail, porters carry the loads, because pack animals are not allowed on the trail itself. Operators set weight limits for your personal bag, so ask what you can bring.

Fitness and acclimatisation

• Spend at least two or three days around Cusco or the Sacred Valley before starting any trek.
• The hardest day on the Inca Trail is usually the climb to Dead Woman's Pass, followed by a long, steep descent on stone steps. It's tough on the knees, so walking poles with rubber tips help.
• On Salkantay, the pass day is long and high. Weather can turn quickly, so carry layers and rain gear.

Packing essentials

• Broken-in hiking boots and blister care.
• A warm sleeping bag, which can usually be rented from operators, plus a warm hat and gloves.
• A rain jacket and pack cover.
• A headtorch, water purification or a bottle refill plan, and sun protection.
• Your passport, which is checked at trail and site entrances.

Other alternatives

• Lares trek: shorter on high passes, and goes through weaving villages. You finish by train to Aguas Calientes.
• The hydroelectric route: road transport to Hidroeléctrica, then a walk along the railway to Aguas Calientes. It's a budget option and takes much of a day.

Tipping and porters

Tipping guides, cooks and porters is customary on Peruvian treks. Ask your operator how they recommend handling it, and how they treat their porters: fair loads, proper gear and pay.

Booking timelines and what to confirm

The Classic Inca Trail runs on a limited number of permits issued through licensed operators, so popular dates in the dry season can fill months ahead. Salkantay doesn't use the same permit system, which makes it the more flexible choice for late planners. Train seats to Aguas Calientes are easier to find, but the morning departures on busy dates still sell out. Whichever route you choose, ask your operator for the exact names on the permit, the Machu Picchu circuit included, the return train time and class, and what happens if a landslide or a strike disrupts the route. Read the cancellation terms carefully, as permits are usually non-transferable, and leave a spare day in Cusco before you start, for acclimatisation and as a buffer if a flight or bus runs late.

Checklist

• Pick a route that matches your fitness and how flexible your dates are.
• Book Inca Trail permits early through a licensed operator, using your passport details.
• Confirm the Machu Picchu circuit and train times in writing.
• Avoid February for the Inca Trail and check SERNANP notices for closures.
• Get travel insurance that covers trekking at altitude.

FAQ

Can I do the Inca Trail without a guide?

No. Inca Trail permits are only issued through licensed operators, and visitors must be accompanied.

Whatever you pick, confirm in writing what your operator includes: permits, entry ticket, circuit, train and bus. Compare guided treks and packages on Klook (partner). Multi-day trekking at altitude is a good reason to read your insurance cover carefully: EKTA (partner). Flights to Cusco via Lima: Search flights (partner).