![Stones of Inca Trail path with lush vegetation crowding in on side, Peru](https://images.followalice.com/1ad0tKY7RMnCu8GwDiemFA/951e9f95ea0ff0308c40af0b2642e0bf/Stones_of_Inca_Trail_path_with_lush_vegetation_crowding_in_on_side__Peru_2.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=1200&h=1200)
The Classic Inca Trail – a day-by-day itinerary
The Inca Trail is a high-altitude trek that's usually completed over four days and ends with a visit to the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu. Here's what to expect each day on the trek, as well as seasonal differences and what the actual path looks like.
Route overview
![Llama looking into camera with Machu Picchu in background](https://images.followalice.com/6NjdFEQkxqbFxuhpowtCUU/782b2cf0bbf7573bd97e2153cab27fc6/llama-g0414394c9_1280.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
The Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage site for both culture and nature!
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Inca trail elevation
![Follow Alice Inca-trail-elevation-map](https://images.followalice.com/1wqOe6k3jsHS3gDloWILeb/038e4bc0b0edc3bb27f93178fdc9a9f7/inca-trail-elevation-map.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=570)
![Three porters walking up to Dead Woman-s Pass on Inca Trail](https://images.followalice.com/3ngfLnS0bmER61PrsTqhmW/bd655bcdd1fa36f00ebd9fc99d8cf006/Ours._Three_porters_walking_up_to_Dead_Woman-s_Pass_on_Inca_Trail__1_.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=720)
The trail's two climate zones
![Overgrown and tangled forest vegetation on Inca Trail, Peru](https://images.followalice.com/1uS2OZ7Zb523uV1rluQ7w7/326163b962aee9ccf898a9d7e967b1ea/Ours._Overgrown_and_tangled_forest_vegetation_on_Inca_Trail_Peru.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
The Inca Trail's cloud forest is – as its name suggests – often shrouded in mist.
![Trekkers on contour path of Inca Trail with river far below, Peru](https://images.followalice.com/4F2Mo41x9EGT44BXpd9wT2/b0cdec047b4631cbb4ec6abb62d5d88c/Ours._Trekkers_on_contour_path_of_Inca_Trail_with_river_far_below__Peru__1_.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
The trail in the rainy and drier seasons
November to March is the wet season on the Inca Trail, and April to October is the drier season.
![Indigo lupin flowers along the Inca Trail, Peru](https://images.followalice.com/6lsmpDxWdfDi5AFPw3ZJ3S/2c7c82b3eeac81f4ebc933c8454c5a42/Ours._Indigo_lupin_flowers_along_the_Inca_Trail__Peru-2.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
![Trekkers with umbrellas and rain jackets in misty and rainy Machu Picchu ruins, Peru](https://images.followalice.com/5jXx5l1jOQ3q5DJqNBaA8y/fd2bd97d329c9f04832955db25b15ec0/Trekkers_with_umbrellas_and_rain_hackets_in_misty_and_rainy_Machu_Picchu_ruins__Peru.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
The footpath
Dirt paths. Pathways that are paved with uneven stones. Stone steps (some now have wooden handrails in place). Narrow contour paths with very steep drop-offs. A handful of bridges.
![Footpath on the Classic Inca Trail March 2019, Peru](https://images.followalice.com/1XSvH853DOdvjjO1vtnySr/cf9125aef832c134e6e4356f76bbe6dc/Ours._S._Classic_Inca_Trail_March_2019__Peru.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
![A hanging wire bridge spans the Urubamba river near Machu Picchu, Peru](https://images.followalice.com/4qlC3G4WdpXS8phRvmOoCb/31038af65157f6d32aba16ba844d2e42/Ours._A_hanging_wire_bridge_spans_the_Urubamba_river_near_Machu_Picchu__Peru.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=530)
A day-by-day itinerary
![Map of the Classic Inca Trail in Peru](https://images.followalice.com/TNbkC6TfQ2FM4cSsQefBb/dcfae2d34331dac4eb1abb0e36d13570/Inca-Trail-Map.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=442)
Day 1: Inca ruins of Urubamba Valley
Start point: Km 82 train station (2,600 m / 8,530 ft) End point: Huayllabamba (2,750 m / 9,022 ft) Distance: 11 km Duration: Around 5 hours Highlight: Ruins of Llactapata
![Willkaraqay or Huillca Raccay Inca Trail fortress ruin](https://images.followalice.com/5pPw0LgAHhrs2hMbDXvxMv/1b092eea0254d1083053e3e326d0670c/Ours._Willkaraqay_or_Huillca_Raccay_Inca_Trail_fortress_ruin__1_.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
![Aerial distant view of Llactapata ruins on Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu archaeological site from the Inca civilisation in Peru](https://images.followalice.com/74G4CCfk0jPWLGU6EByXW0/cea3c43239e4534bb91f26ac1e1a3ce1/Ours._Aerial_distant_view_of_Llactapata_ruins_on_inca_trail_to_Machu_Picchu_archaeological_site_from_the_Inca-s_ancient_civi.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=530)
Day 2: Climb Dead Woman's Pass
Start point: Huayllabamba (2,750 m / 9,022 ft) End point: Pacaymayo (3,000 m / 9,843 ft) Distance: 7.5 km Duration: Around 6 hours Highlight: Crossing Dead Woman's Pass (4,215 m / 13,829 ft)
![Trekkers on approach to Dead Woman's Pass on Inca Trail in Peru](https://images.followalice.com/1D5mAryfLiI9MPhjpsuh4b/38dc0982616ff5cbcda8b8598b79f0b2/shutterstock_1192195699__1_.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
![Alpaca on the Inca Trail on the way up Dead Woman's Pass, Peru](https://images.followalice.com/6LN9d7TWAlbaNM6mtA6gGN/18f8077666ca6a5118897c3265ae7cc2/Ours._Alpaca_on_the_Inka_Trail_on_the_way_up_Dead_Woman-s_Pass__Peru__1_.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=449)
For most of us, encountering a llama on the Inca Trail is a real bucket-list moment!
Day 3: Trek in beautiful cloud forest
Start point: Pacaymayo (3,000 m / 9,843 ft) End point: Wiñaywayna (2,670 m / 8,760 ft) Distance: 16 km Duration: Around 9 hours Highlight: The ruins of Sayac Marca
![Inca Trail in Peru. Trekkers climbing up stone steps in forest](https://images.followalice.com/2RGd6DFQkx0uB8mBtpUW5e/80db674a01df248a3223e3738bc4f35c/Ours._Inca_Trail_in_Peru._Trekkers_climbing_up_stone_steps_in_forest.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=800)
For many, Day 3 of the Inca Trail is their favourite day of the trek, as the scenery and ruins are staggeringly impressive.
![Wiñay Wayna ruins on Inca Trail, Peru](https://images.followalice.com/3k8T5H2xlBxiqRrvDfxTcZ/e37f280d01832d062e3735d6f720d6fc/Ours._Win__ay_Wayna_ruins_on_Inca_Trail__Peru__1_.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=450)
The terraces at Wiñaywayna showcase the Incas' amazing ability to grow crops in even the most challenging mountain environments.
![Campsite on the Last Night of the Inca Trail overlooking the Urubama River Valley](https://images.followalice.com/2r5VMPcM5e5cprk12VfVyP/5c9c1eec57198b789af651549a961c29/Ours._Camping_on_the_Last_Night_of_the_Inca_Trail_puts_you_on_top_of_a_mountain_range_overlooking_the_Urubama_River_Valley.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=362)
Day 4: Sunrise hike to Sun Gate and Machu Picchu
Start point: Wiñaywayna (2,670 m / 8,760 ft) End point: Machu Picchu (2,430 m / 7,972 ft) Distance: 5.5 km Duration: 2 hours Highlight: First view of Machu Picchu from Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,924 ft)
![Female trekker overlooking Machu Picchu on Inca Trail, Peru](https://images.followalice.com/7iVZa4o9YG22du99jGT73j/af796a252353322728c4b2c1f180362e/Female_trekker_overlooking_Machu_Picchu_on_Inca_Trail__Peru.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
The Inca people of the Andes had a special relationship with rock. Stone informed their entire culture, and was key to their empire-building success.
![Rainbow over Aguas Calientes also known Machu Picchu Pueblo](https://images.followalice.com/1CGuSOYfDOAohxxhCOUngV/d835ce58b43e29f895ba1609a6d081c0/OUrs._Rainbow_over_Aguas_Calientes_also_known_Machu_Picchu_Pueblo__1_.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)