Machu Picchu is an archaeological site in Cusco, Peru, where you walk a lot. The Inca city was built in an abrupt geographical environment with hundreds of stairways, ascending paths, terraces and mountain slopes. It is estimated that in total there are more than one hundred and fifty stone constructions. To see them all it is necessary to walk all day, climb high mountains and walk the royal paths or qhapac ñan. This requires the purchase of more than one entrance ticket (there are ten entrance tickets in total) and more than one of the three circuits available. Know the trekking time in each of the circuits and tickets in Machu Picchu.

• Machu Picchu and its trails
• How long does it take to walk?
• How long does it take to walk in Machu Picchu: summary
• Questions and answers

Tourists walking around the archaeological site of Machu Picchu

The six available trekking routes in Machu Picchu
In Machu Picchu there are six trekking routes available in six different types of tickets. These are: a) Machu Picchu ticket with Huayna Picchu, b) Machu Picchu ticket with Mountain, c) Machu Picchu ticket with Huchuy Picchu, d) Machu Picchu ticket with Inca Bridge, e) Machu Picchu ticket with Intipunku and f) Machu Picchu ticket with Temple of the Moon (Great Cavern). The route to Huayna Picchu is the most famous one because the route is challenging by staircase trails with challenging views. The route to Machu Picchu mountain is the longest, at 3,082 meters above sea level. The route to Huchuy Picchu is the shortest at less than 1 kilometer. The same for the ticket that leads to the Inca Bridge, in one of the limits of the Inca citadel. The route to Intipunku is through the qhapac ñan to the Sun Gate or entrance gate to Machu Picchu in Inca times. Finally there is the hike to the Temple of the Moon, also known as the Great Cavern at the lower bases of the Huayna Picchu mountain. This route is also one of the most challenging in the Inca city. Hiking routes can last from 30 minutes to a maximum of 3 hours. Only the route to Intipunku is suitable for children under 18 years old.

Machu Picchu and its trails

Machu Picchu is connected to other Inca citadels through the qhapac ñan, an extensive road network that, during the Inca empire, covered more than 30 thousand kilometers. These roads of stone, logs, deserts and bridges connected vast regions of present-day Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador and Colombia.

The qhapac ñan route connecting Cusco with Machu Picchu was more than 100 kilometers long. After Machupicchu, it continued along the jungle roads to urban sites such as Choquequirao or Vilcabamba.

The same Inca roads crossed Machu Picchu from Intipunku to the Inca Bridge. In addition, the urban and religious sectors were connected by stone paths on solid terraces that prevented erosion in a highly humid and rocky area.

The network of Inca roads linked the main temples and stone enclosures, such as the Tempo del Sol, the Sacred Plaza, the Intihuatana, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Royal Tomb, the agricultural zone and more. Terraces, paths and, above all, stone stairways were used for this purpose.

Likewise, to connect Machu Picchu with the high mountains, the Incas built roads and stairways to the peaks of Huayna Picchu, the Machu Picchu mountain and its slopes, such as the routes to Huchuy Picchu or the Great Cavern. Today these roads continue to take tourists to these remote areas of the archaeological site.

But in Machu Picchu there are still paths and stairways to be discovered. These extend at the top and bottom, in areas not yet explored by archaeologists. What other mysteries do the Inca roads lead to?

Panoramic view from Machupicchu Mountain

How long does it take to walk?

It is estimated that walking all of Machu Picchu would take more than 1 day, a route of about 15 kilometers on foot.

These are the main routes and their walking distance within Machu Picchu:

• The tour of the urban and religious area of Machu Picchu – The tour of the urban and religious area of Machu Picchu takes 2 hours on average. This walk through the core area of the archaeological site includes buildings such as the House of the Guardian (Casa del Guardián), the Main Plaza, the Intihuatana, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Sacred Fountains and the agricultural area. The tour is approximately 2 kilometers long. Flat roads, ascending and descending stairways.
• The hike up Huayna Picchu mountain – The hike to the top of Huayna Picchu mountain takes 1 hour 45 minutes on average. This hike is mostly on stone steps built on the rocky edges of the ‘young mountain’. It is a challenging trek through some famous sections such as the ‘stairs of death’ or the ‘cavern’. From the top the Incas worshipped the mountains. There is a privileged view of the archaeological site. The distance of this route is 2 kilometers on average.
• The hike up Machu Picchu mountain – The hike to the top of Machu Picchu mountain takes 2 hours 20 minutes on average. This hike is by ascending paths, trails and stone staircases on the slopes of the highest mountain. At its summit, at 3,082 meters above sea level, you have a total view of the geography surrounding the Inca city. From there the Incas performed ceremonies to the mountains and their other gods. The way back is by the same route. The total distance is approximately 2.5 kilometers.
• The hike to Intipunku, the Sun Gate – The hike to Intipunku takes 1 hour 30 minutes on average. This hike is through a small section of the qhapac ñan or royal Inca roads. These paths are ascending but wide and safe with stones on solid terraces. The Intipunku (2,745 meters above sea level) was the gateway to Machu Picchu during Inca times. From there you have a privileged view of the archaeological site. It is believed that sun worship ceremonies were held here because the first rays of sunlight fall on its stone walls. The trail is almost 2 kilometers from Machu Picchu.
• The Inca Bridge Trek – The Inca Bridge Trek takes only 30 minutes on average. The route begins in the sector of the House of the Guardian, also called the House of the Watchman of Machu Picchu. From there you walk a short stretch of stone steps and then continue along flat trails surrounded by cliffs. When arriving at the Inca Bridge there is a viewpoint to contemplate its construction of wooden trunk on a solid base of stones. In Inca times, the bridge connected with more Inca roads to the east. It is presumed that the Incas could remove the bridge in case of invasions. The road to the Inca Bridge is approximately 1 kilometer long.
• The tour to the Temple of the Moon – The tour to the Temple of the Moon, also called the Great Cavern, takes an average of 2 hours. The route starts at the entrance gate to Huayna Picchu. Then you take a winding detour that leads, after paths and stone stairways, close to ravines, to the Temple of the Moon. This building is located inside a natural cave. Here the Incas probably embalmed their mummies in the transition from life to death. This is one of the most challenging hikes in Machu Picchu. The trail is about 2 kilometers long.
• The route to Huchuy Picchu – The tour to Huchuy Picchu takes only 30 minutes. The route starts from the entrance gate to Huayna Picchu, in the northern sector of Machu Picchu. The hike is simple but ascending by stone steps and rocks along the way. Once at the top at 2,497 meters above sea level, you have a privileged view of the archaeological site. Probably the Incas had there a watch point of Machu Picchu. The way back is by the same path. In total there is a route of a little less than 1 kilometer.

All the available tours in Machu Picchu

How long does it take to walk in Machu Picchu: summary

Questions and answers

• 1) How long does it take to walk in Machu Picchu in total?

  Walking around the entire archaeological site of Machu Picchu takes almost 1 full day. In total you walk about 15 kilometers, through its urban and religious site and its mountains.

• 2) How long does it take to walk Machu Picchu Circuit 2?

  Circuit 2 of Machu Picchu is completed in 2 hours and 30 minutes on average. It is a route through the main temples and constructions of the archaeological site.

• 3) How long does it take to walk Circuit 1 in Machu Picchu?

  Circuit 1 of Machu Picchu is completed in 1 hour on average. It is an easy hike to its main viewpoint, the Casa del Guardián or Casa del Vigilante.

• 4) How long does it take to walk circuit 3 in Machu Picchu?

  Circuit 3 of Machu Picchu is completed in 2 hours on average. It is a route through the royal temples in the lower part of the archaeological site.

• 5) How long does the hike to the top of Huayna Picchu mountain take?

  The hike to the top of Huayna Picchu mountain takes 2 hours on average. It is the most popular route on the trek to Machu Picchu.

• 6) How long does the hike to the top of Machu Picchu mountain take?

  The hike to the top of Machu Picchu mountain takes 2 hours on average. It is the longest and most demanding route in Machu Picchu.

• 7) How long does the hike to the top of Huchuy Picchu mountain take?

  The hike to the top of the small mountain Huchuy Picchu takes 1 hour on average. It is an easy hike but suitable for people over 18 years old.

• 8) How long does the hike to the top of Machu Picchu Intipunku take?

  The hike to Intipunku (Sun Gate) takes 1 hour 30 minutes on average. It is a route suitable for visitors of all ages.

• 9) How long does the trekking route to the Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu take?

  The hike to the Inca Bridge takes 1 hour on average. It is a route to the eastern limits of Machu Picchu.

• 10) How long does the hike to the Great Cavern of Machu Picchu take?

  The hike to the Great Cavern takes 2 hours on average. It is, along with the route to Machu Picchu Mountain, the most difficult hikes in Machu Picchu.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Sofía B.

“Magnificent place“

“A place that is not erased from memory. Simply spectacular, the wonder of the Incas and the world.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, October 16, 2024