Inca Trail Elevation gain

Inca Trail elevation gain day by day

When hiking the Inca Trail the elevation gain will change depending on the trail we walk, there are two alternatives for this tour: the Classic Inca Trail 4 days and the other is the short Inca Trail 2 days in addition to an extensive hike that is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu of 7 days.

Day 1:

The first day starts at km 82 with an altitude of 2,680m where we hike for 2 hours to the “Wayllabamba” (3,010 m), campsite.

• Altitude gain (430 m) /1,410 ft.
• Start Km 82 (2,680 m)/9612ft.
• End Wayllabamba (3,010 m)/9,8750 ft.

Day 2

On the second day of the Inca Trail, we depart and begin a hike up to the Paso de la Mujer Muerta (4200 m.s.n.m.), the highest point of our hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, we descend to Pacaymayo (3600 m.s.n.m.) where we have lunch and camp.

• Distance (11 km) | 6.83 miles.
• Average time 7 hours.
• Inca Trail day 2 elevation gain (1,180 m) | 3,871 ft.
• Start Wayllabamba Camping (3.010 m) | 9.8750 ft.
• End of Pacasmayo Camp (3,600 m) | 11,700 ft.

Day 3:

On the third day we will ascend the Runcarakay Pass (3850 m.a.s.l.) second highest place of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and we will also visit other ruins that are around, our camp is in Wiñaywayna, a popular place.

• Distance (16 km) 9.94 miles.
• Time 9 hours
• Inca Trail day 3 elevation gain (453m) | 1.486 ft.
• Start Pacasmayo Camping (3,600 m) | 11,700 ft.
• End Wiñaywayna Campsite (2650m) | 8,530 ft.

Day 4:

Early in the morning, we head to the Inti Punku (“Sun Gate”), beautiful view to contemplate and why not the best of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, we head to the post for a 2 hour guided tour of the citadel.

• Distance (6 km) | 3.72 miles.
• Time 3 hours
• Inca Trail day 4 elevation gain (90m) | 295 ft.
• Start Wiñaywayna Camp Site (2.650m) | 8.530 ft.
• End Machu Picchu (2,450m) | 8,038 ft.