From Piscacucho to Machu Picchu
The Classic route runs approximately 39 km / 24 mi from Km 82 to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, before its final descent toward Machu Picchu.
The route crosses river valleys, high Andean passes, archaeological complexes and cloud forest before reaching Machu Picchu from above.
The map below shows the common Classic four-day geography. It is a planning reference, not an independent-navigation map; campsite assignments and operational sections can vary.
View the complete route mapClassic route overview
The route generally moves east through the sanctuary: away from the Urubamba valley, over the high passes and back down through cloud forest toward the Sun Gate.
Where it starts
“Km 82” identifies the trailhead’s position along the railway corridor from Cusco toward Machu Picchu. It is the conventional start associated with the multi-day Classic Inca Trail.
Travelers normally reach this controlled entrance by road from the Sacred Valley side. It should not be confused with Km 104, which is reached by train for the Short Inca Trail.
Where it ends
The historic mountain approach reaches Inti Punku—the Sun Gate—before continuing downhill toward Machu Picchu. This is why some maps end the trail at Inti Punku while others label Machu Picchu as the endpoint.
Both describe the same sequence: Inti Punku is the defining gateway; Machu Picchu is the final destination.
Getting to the trailhead
Classic-route groups continue by road toward Km 82. Short-route travelers normally use the railway to reach Km 104.
Km 82 vs Km 104
The routes join near Wiñay Wayna, but their distance, elevation and earlier archaeological sequence are not the same.
| Feature | Km 82 | Km 104 |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Classic Inca Trail | Short Inca Trail |
| Starting point | Km 82 · Piscacucho | Km 104 · near Chachabamba |
| Approx. hiking distance | 39 km / 24 mi to Inti Punku | 12–13 km / 7.5–8 mi |
| Typical format | Multi-day trek | One hiking day, often packaged over two days |
| Highest section | Dead Woman’s Pass · 4,215 m | Climb toward Wiñay Wayna |
| Principal sites | Llactapata through Wiñay Wayna | Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna |
| Final approach | Through Inti Punku | Through Inti Punku |
It includes the principal mountain passes, long stone stairways and the fullest archaeological sequence. This is the geography most travelers mean by the traditional four-day Inca Trail.
Explore the Classic routeThe trail climbs from Chachabamba toward Wiñay Wayna before continuing to Inti Punku. It does not cross Dead Woman’s Pass or the earlier mountain stages from Km 82.
Explore the Short routeHow long is the Inca Trail?
For consistent geographic comparison, this guide uses approximately 39 km / 24 mi from Km 82 to Inti Punku.
Figures of 42–43 km / about 26 mi can include the final approach into Machu Picchu, campsite deviations or a different GPS track. The figures are not necessarily contradictory; they may describe different endpoints.
Elevation profile
The moderate distance becomes physically serious because the route rises above 4,200 meters and repeatedly gains and loses elevation.
Warmiwañusca, or Dead Woman’s Pass, reaches approximately 4,215 m / 13,829 ft and represents the largest sustained ascent.
Dead Woman’s Pass guide →The route does not remain at maximum elevation. High mountain terrain gives way to long descents, cloud forest and the warmer landscape around Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu.
Follow the wildlife habitats →Sites in trail order
The Inca Trail is not simply a path to Machu Picchu. Its geography links settlements, terraces, water systems, ceremonial spaces and the final gateway.
Explore every siteAlso written Llaqtapata or Patallacta, this is one of the first major sites visible after Km 82. Terraces and structures spread across the valley below the trail.
A compact semicircular structure beside the trail in the high mountain section, often interpreted as a checkpoint, lookout or stopping place.
An elevated complex of narrow passages, stairways, stone enclosures and water channels overlooking the surrounding valleys.
The “Town Above the Clouds” contains terraces, buildings and water features near the point where the route begins its long cloud-forest descent.
Extensive agricultural terraces built into a steep mountainside, demonstrating how the Incas adapted slopes for cultivation and land management.
The final major complex before Inti Punku, with steep terraces, stone buildings and a sophisticated water-channel system.
The Sun Gate forms the historic approach to Machu Picchu and the defining transition from the mountain route to the final descent.
Geography by day
These are route summaries rather than a booking itinerary. Campsites and stopping points depend on allocation and operator planning.
The trail begins at Piscacucho and follows comparatively open lower-valley terrain. This section introduces the original stone road and offers views toward Llactapata before elevation becomes more pronounced.
Km 82 · valley terrain · LlactapataThe route climbs through increasingly high terrain to Dead Woman’s Pass, the highest point on the map, then descends sharply into the Pacaymayo valley.
Sustained ascent · 4,215 m · steep descentA dense archaeological sequence accompanies additional elevated sections before the route loses height through long stone stairways and greener cloud forest toward Wiñay Wayna.
Runkurakay · Sayacmarca · Phuyupatamarca · IntipataThe final mountain section reaches Inti Punku and then follows the descending approach toward Machu Picchu. This completes the route’s defining geographic sequence.
Wiñay Wayna · Inti Punku · Machu PicchuThe final approach
The precise geographic answer separates the two: Inti Punku is the mountain route’s ceremonial gateway, while Machu Picchu is reached after the descending approach.
Current visitor circuits, access points and re-entry conditions can change. Confirm the actual Machu Picchu admission and route included in a booking rather than interpreting this planning diagram as a current ticket instruction.
Understand permits and entry
Map versus terrain
Distance alone cannot communicate stone stairways, altitude or the effort of repeating ascents and descents. Use the map for geography and the difficulty guide for physical preparation.
Read the difficulty guideQuick answers
Distances remain approximate because endpoints, camps and measurement methods vary.
The Classic Inca Trail starts at Km 82, known as Piscacucho, along the railway corridor between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu. The Short Inca Trail starts farther along the railway at Km 104.
The route reaches Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, before descending toward Machu Picchu. Inti Punku is the historic gateway; Machu Picchu is the final destination.
It is approximately 39 km or 24 miles from Km 82 to Inti Punku. Measurements of 42–43 km normally include additional approach sections, campsite variations or the final descent into Machu Picchu.
A useful planning map shows the route, trailhead, high passes, archaeological sites, approximate camps, elevation changes, Inti Punku and Machu Picchu.
Km 82 begins the multi-day Classic route. Km 104 begins the Short route, which joins the final section near Wiñay Wayna and does not cross Dead Woman’s Pass.
The hiking route from Km 104 is commonly measured at approximately 12–13 km, or 7.5–8 miles, including Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna and the approach through Inti Punku.
Warmiwañusca, or Dead Woman’s Pass, is the highest point of the Classic route at approximately 4,215 meters or 13,829 feet.
No. The graphics are simplified planning references. Access is regulated and route operation, campsites and visitor flow can change.
Our maps combine common route profiles, field imagery and official sanctuary context. They are designed to explain the route to travelers and tourism businesses, not to replace regulated access, a guide or current operating instructions.
Publishers and travel companies may cite the approximate figures when linking to this guide and preserving the endpoint and review-date context.
Reviewed August 5, 2026 · Corrections: contact our editorial team
From geography to planning
A map shows where the trail goes. The live calendar shows whether permits remain for your intended route and date.
