Of all the experiences we had in Machu Picchu - and we walked every circuit and hiked the two major mountains - it was the Inca Bridge Trail that gave us one of our most memorable experiences. A little bit of Machu Picchu to ourselves.
It was magical and not something I thought would still be possible given that 5,000 people visit the site on any given day.
But the Inca Bridge Trail offers more than simply the chance for solitude, it also offers a fun and easy walk as well as access to the best Machu Picchu circuit to boot. It doesn’t even cost more than a general entry ticket, which is pretty mind boggling. In short, if you are only planning on buying one entry ticket for the Machu Picchu, make it this one.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Inca Bridge, starting with the walk details and followed by all the logistics.
The Inca Bridge Trail
The stats
Distance: 1.2km return to Inca Bridge (not including the rest of the Machu Picchu circuit)
Elevation gain: 100m to reach the trailhead, but almost flat for the actual Inca Bridge Trail itself
Difficulty: Easy - moderate
Summary: The above stats relate to the Inca Bridge Trail alone, you will walk additional distance both to reach the trailhead from the Machu Picchu entry gate (750m) and afterwards, when you complete either circuit one or two (depending on how much of the main Machu Picchu site you want to explore).
The Inca Bridge Trail itself is almost entirely flat, but you will have to climb quite a few stairs to reach the trailhead.
There are some narrow sections close to steep drops along the Inca Bridge Trail, but the path is extremely well maintained and not in the least bit slippery when dry.
If you suffer from vertigo, it would be unnerving, but for most people I don’t think it would be a problem.
Reaching the Inca Bridge Trail - the start of circuit 2
You’ll need to walk approximately 750m from the main Machu Picchu entry gate to reach the registration hut for the Inca Bridge track. There’s a short 80m flat section before you begin climbing up a series of stone steps and though Inca Bridge will not be signposted, you follow the sign for circuits 1 and 2.
It’s quite steep, but this is the route that almost every visitor to Machu Picchu will take as it forms the beginning of circuits 1 and 2, the most popular routes as they visit the upper portion of the ruins and include that classic postcard view.
After 250m you will reach a junction and making the correct turn here is crucial. The Inca Bridge is not signposted, instead you will see a sign for ‘inferior platform’ and ‘superior platform’.
You must follow for the superior platform or you will miss the Inca Bridge altogether.
You’ll continue uphill for a further 150m before reaching another junction and head left, following the signs for circuit 2. You now follow signs for circuit 2 until you see the Inca Bridge sign ‘Puente Inca’.
You will start to get wonderful views of Machu Picchu along the way. You could detour slightly to get ‘the’ premier shot of Machu Picchu before doing the Inca Bridge Trail, as it’s only 100m away (this would be our recommend if you’re here for sunrise to catch this viewpoint before the masses turn up) Otherwise follow for Inca Bridge and you will pass those classic views after you’ve been to the bridge.
To reach the registration hut for the Inca Bridge, you have a few more stairs to climb and then you’ll show your ticket and sign in.
It’s best to have your passport with you. We were not asked for it, but it’s hit and miss according to who is checking tickets on the day.
The Inca Bridge walk
From the registration hut you’ll follow the flat dirt/gravel path around the side of the mountain. It’s narrow, but it doesn’t feel precarious and you’ll start to get some good mountain views.
More importantly the crowds melt away, instead of tourist chatter, you can hear birdsong and branches swaying in the breeze.
The flat path continues around the mountain, sometimes there is a stone wall covering the steep drop to your right and sometimes it’s exposed.
However, the big cliff wall to your left stops it feeling sketchy in the way it would if the drop were on both sides.
I loved the narrow nature of the track, which felt exciting but safe. There are various points along the way where the views open up and you can see steep jagged mountains and even down into Hidroelectrica.
The quiet nature of the trail meant it was the only area we actually saw wildlife inside the site, and we were lucky enough to see hummingbirds, butterflies, lizards and even a bright green snake.
There are a few stairs up and down before you reach the Inca Bridge lookout, which is 600m after leaving the registration hut.
The Inca Bridge
You can’t actually walk over the Inca Bridge, you’ll know why when you see it - it’s about as precarious a section of track as you can get! An extremely narrow bridge on the side of the cliff, with an almighty drop down into the valley below.
It was an old Incan escape route, designed so that they could flee the citadel if necessary - the wooden planks forming the bridge could be removed behind them which would completely cut off this route. It’s incredible to think anyone would think of crossing it when you see it!
It looks like you used to be able to get closer to the bridge than you can today, as there are rails leading up to it, but now a small wooden gate keeps you further back.
Despite this it’s amazing to see, and I loved just sitting in this quiet spot and taking it all in. I think if you were expecting to be able to cross or get very close to it, then you might be disappointed, but otherwise consider that you’re getting to walk a very quiet trail in Machu Picchu for no more than a standard entry ticket!
When you’re ready to leave the bridge, you retrace your steps to the hut and then we recommend following circuit 2 through the main site.
Circuit 2
This is the best circuit in the whole of Machu Picchu, offering those classic views from up high, as well as the chance to walk through the lower levels of the ruins too.
Circuit 1 is merely an abbreviated version of circuit 2, so unless you don’t want to see as much of Machu Picchu due to time constraints or difficulty walking too far, it would be a shame to walk circuit 1.
The Inca Bridge ticket details
You need to buy tickets for the Inca Bridge Trail ahead of time. There are eight time slots you can buy tickets for and 40 tickets are sold per slot. Your Inca Bridge ticket comes with access to circuits 1 or 2.
Both include the coveted upper levels of Machu Picchu, which give access to the epic views that you associate with a visit here. Neither include the Guardian House, but the views you can get are very close to those from the Guardian House, where access is heavily restricted - it’s now only for multi day walkers and Machu Picchu Mountain ticket holders.
Previously they allowed access to Inca Bridge an hour before your ticket time, so when you bought the 7am tickets, you could access the main Machu Picchu site at 6am. This allowed you to watch sunrise from the classic viewpoint. This has since changed, therefore if you buy the earliest ticket for Inca Bridge you will miss sunrise, so you may prefer to buy a later ticket and a separate general entry ticket for sunrise if it’s important for you to see it. This is what we did.
Alternatively there are ticket slots for every hour until 3pm.
At time of writing the cost for the Inca Bridge Trail for adults is 152 soles (approx USD $40), the same price as general entry. For me that makes it a no brainer, you get to see more of Machu Picchu for ‘free’!
Getting to the Inca Bridge trailhead
From Aguas Calientes you can take the steep hiking track or the 20-25 minute bus ride up to the Machu Picchu entry gate. You use the top entry gate, to the left of the toilets.
Bring your passport just in case they check, they only checked ours once, but don’t risk not having it with you. Once inside the site follow signs for circuits 1 and 2, then follow for circuit 2 until you see the Inca Bridge signposted. Remember to follow the path saying ‘superior platform’.
The walk to the trailhead is roughly 750m from the entry gate.
Facilities at Machu Picchu
There are no toilets inside the site. You can only use the bathroom at the entry gates and the cost is 2 soles. You’ll also find a cloakroom here where you can store luggage if necessary.
No food is allowed inside the site. There is a cafe at the entry gate and also a buffet restaurant, which served lunch for around USD $40. The cafe is not cheap by Peruvian standards, but it’s cheaper than the restaurant at least! Expect a can of fizzy drink to be around USD $2.50.
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