The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu stands as an extraordinary trekking experience, consistently ranked as the premier trek in Peru and esteemed among the world’s top trails. This renowned route winds through breathtaking Peruvian Andean landscapes, offering unparalleled natural beauty. What sets it apart is its ultimate destination: Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. We did the one day hike which starts at marker 104. There are also many longer multi-day hikes.
We did hike Mount Machu Picchu also the 2nd day.
Mount Machu Picchu, often simply referred to as Machu Picchu, is the iconic mountain peak that overlooks the famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru. Here are some key points about Mount Machu Picchu:
- Location: Mount Machu Picchu is part of the Vilcabamba mountain range in the Andes Mountains of Peru. It stands at an elevation of approximately 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above sea level.
- Scenic Viewpoint: The mountain provides a stunning panoramic viewpoint overlooking the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu. The most famous view of Machu Picchu is often captured from the neighboring peak of Huayna Picchu, which stands opposite Mount Machu Picchu across the valley.
- Hiking Opportunities: While Huayna Picchu is more commonly hiked due to its challenging ascent and limited permits, Mount Machu Picchu itself offers less frequented hiking trails. These trails provide alternative views of Machu Picchu and its surroundings, albeit without the same level of infrastructure and popularity as Huayna Picchu.
We came in from the Sun Gate after hiking the Inca trail. It was so fogged in, we couldn’t see much of anything. The next day we opted to trek back to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). This route follows a portion of the classic Inca Trail and offers panoramic views of Machu Picchu from a distance. The Sun Gate was historically the entrance to Machu Picchu for travelers arriving on the Inca Trail, making it a historically significant and scenic hike.
Here is the view from the top of Huayna Picchu which we did not hike and I am glad we didn’t.
We stayed in Aguas Calientes which is a cute town at the bottom of Machu Picchu and the gateway to the ruins.
