What’s Better Than One Visit to Machu Picchu?

Some moments deserve more than one chance to be remembered. At the heart of the Inca Trail is the journey not just the destination - but, then again, few destinations are as iconic as Machu Picchu in Peru.

That’s why many of our Inca Trail treks that end at Machu Picchu include not one, but two visits to the site, giving you more time, more clarity, and more meaning from the moment you arrive. And as any traveller who’s been caught in the mist or cloud will tell you, the weather alone can make two entries worthwhile.

We’re travellers too. We know what it takes to get there; the early mornings, the altitude, the effort. So when the trail opens up and you arrive at the Sun Gate, it should be the start of something memorable, not a rush. With a well-crafted itinerary, you don’t just see it - you absorb it, twice.

Why visit Machu Picchu twice?

Each visit to Machu Picchu offers something different. That first glimpse - arriving on foot through the Sun Gate - is emotional, raw, and powerful. You’ve earned it! But the next day, after a hot shower, and a night in Aguas Calientes, you return with fresh legs and clear eyes.

With your guide at your side and less pressure to capture it all in one go, that second entry lets you explore Machu Picchu deeper, spotting details, understanding the layout, or simply sitting and reflecting on the journey you’ve made to get here. And if the weather wasn't ideal on the first day? You’ve got another chance.

It’s about more than just a photo

Visiting Machu Picchu twice means you don't just tick it off, you truly experience it. There’s something special about seeing it twice, from two mental states: awe-struck after your final steps, and appreciative the next morning as you connect all the dots.

We build our treks this way on purpose. It’s part of what we’ve learned after five decades of operating treks around the world - if you must rush, rush slowly (old Mongolian saying).