Day 1 elevation
- Start (Km 82)2,750 m
- Patallacta viewpoint2,840 m
- Lunch stop2,950 m
- Camp (Wayllabamba)3,000 m
- Net ascent+250 m
Inca Trail Map & Elevation Profile
Visualize the route before you walk it. Distances between every landmark, elevation gains and losses by section, and the exact location of every campsite, ranger station and major archaeological site.
Key route data
- Total distance: 43 km / 26 miles
- Total cumulative ascent: ~2,400 m
- Total cumulative descent: ~2,400 m
- Highest point: Dead Woman's Pass, 4,215 m (Day 2)
- Lowest point: Aguas Calientes, 2,040 m (after Day 4)
- 4 ranger checkpoints: Km 82 (start), Wayllabamba, Phuyupatamarca, Wiñay Wayna (final)
- 3 official campsites used: Wayllabamba/Ayapata, Pacaymayo/Chaquicocha, Wiñay Wayna
Route overview
The Classic Inca Trail begins at Km 82 of the Cusco–Aguas Calientes railway, a remote stop with no road access at the eastern end of the Sacred Valley. From there it climbs through three valleys, crosses three passes, and descends through cloud forest to Machu Picchu. The route follows the original 16th-century Inca road for approximately 60–70% of its length; the remaining sections have been reinforced with modern stonework that follows the same alignment.
Ranger checkpoints
Four official SERNANP ranger stations check passports and permits along the route:
- Km 82 (Piscacucho): Initial check at trail start. ~2,750 m.
- Wayllabamba: Mid-Day 1 check. ~3,000 m.
- Phuyupatamarca: Mid-Day 3 check. ~3,680 m.
- Wiñay Wayna (Inti Punku approach): Final check before the Sun Gate. ~2,650 m. This gate opens at exactly 5:30 a.m. on Day 4.
Distances between named landmarks
| From | To | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Km 82 (start) | Patallacta | 4 km | 4 km |
| Patallacta | Wayllabamba | 10 km | 14 km |
| Wayllabamba | Llulluchapampa | 4 km | 18 km |
| Llulluchapampa | Dead Woman's Pass | 2.5 km | 20.5 km |
| Dead Woman's Pass | Pacaymayo | 3.5 km | 24 km |
| Pacaymayo | Runkurakay | 2 km | 26 km |
| Runkurakay | Sayacmarca | 3 km | 29 km |
| Sayacmarca | Phuyupatamarca | 3 km | 32 km |
| Phuyupatamarca | Intipata / Wiñay Wayna | 5 km | 37 km |
| Wiñay Wayna | Sun Gate (Inti Punku) | 4 km | 41 km |
| Sun Gate | Machu Picchu | 2 km | 43 km |
Elevation profile by day
Day 2 elevation
- Start (Wayllabamba)3,000 m
- Llulluchapampa3,800 m
- Dead Woman's Pass4,215 m
- Pacaymayo camp3,600 m
- Net change+1,215 m / –600 m
Day 3 elevation
- Start (Pacaymayo)3,600 m
- Sayacmarca3,580 m
- Phuyupatamarca3,680 m
- Wiñay Wayna camp2,650 m
- Net change+150 m / –1,030 m
Day 4 elevation
- Start (Wiñay Wayna)2,650 m
- Sun Gate2,720 m
- Machu Picchu citadel2,430 m
- Aguas Calientes2,040 m
- Net change+150 m / –250 m
Campsite locations
The trail has nine official campsite locations but only six are commonly used. Operators are assigned campsites by SERNANP based on permit submission order. The earlier the operator booked, the better the campsite assignment.
- Wayllabamba (3,000 m): Day 1 night, ~14 km in. Standard Day 1 camp.
- Ayapata (3,300 m): Day 1 night alternative, ~16 km in. Slightly higher; reduces Day 2 length.
- Llulluchapampa (3,800 m): Sometimes used as Day 1 night by aggressive itineraries; very rare.
- Pacaymayo (3,600 m): Day 2 night, most common.
- Chaquicocha (3,600 m): Day 2 night alternative, slightly past Runkurakay.
- Phuyupatamarca (3,680 m): Day 3 night for late-booking operators. High and exposed.
- Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m): Day 3 night, the gold-standard final camp.
Downloadable maps
SERNANP and the Ministry of Culture publish official trail maps in PDF format that update annually. Your operator will provide a printed map at the pre-trek briefing. Topographic maps of the area (IGN Peru, 1:100,000 scale, sheets 27-r and 27-s) cover the entire corridor and are available through the Instituto Geográfico Nacional in Lima.
For digital reference during the trek itself, GPS apps that work offline (Gaia GPS, Maps.me, AllTrails) have decent coverage of the corridor. Note that there is no cellular signal on most of the trail — download maps for offline use before leaving Cusco.