How Fit Do I Need To Be For Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu is one of the world’s most iconic travel destinations, drawing thousands of adventurers to Peru every year to experience its incredible scenery, fascinating history and unforgettable trekking routes.

But how fit do you actually need to be to trek to Machu Picchu with EverTrek?

The good news is, you don’t need to be an elite athlete or experienced mountaineer. With the right preparation and a bit of consistent training, Machu Picchu is an achievable challenge for people with a wide range of fitness levels.

Yes! You don’t need to be an experienced trekker or an elite athlete to take on a Machu Picchu trek. At EverTrek, we rate both our Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu via the Tomacaya Route as moderate.

That said, you’ll want a good basic level of fitness. You should be comfortable walking for several hours, tackling hills and steps, and walking on uneven terrain.

If you’re new to trekking, don’t let that put you off. Start training well before your trip, gradually build up your walking distance and get used to being on your feet for several hours at a time.

With the right preparation, Machu Picchu can be an achievable and incredibly rewarding challenge for first-time trekkers.

The best way to train for Machu Picchu is surprisingly simple: walk, walk some more, and gradually make those walks longer and hillier.

You don’t need to become a marathon runner or spend every evening in the gym. What you need is the stamina to keep moving for several hours, the leg strength to deal with climbs and descents, and the confidence to walk on uneven terrain. The classic Inca Trail can involve around 5–8 hours of walking per day, with steep climbs, stone steps and consecutive days on the trail.

If you’re not currently doing much exercise, start wherever you are and build from there.

Try to get out for regular walks during the week, gradually increasing the amount of time you spend on your feet. Once a 30–60 minute walk feels comfortable, start introducing longer walks at the weekend.

Don’t worry about speed. Time on your feet is more important than how quickly you cover the distance.

As your trek gets closer, aim to build towards longer walks of several hours. This will give your legs, feet and cardiovascular system a chance to get used to the demands of trekking.

Machu Picchu isn’t a flat walk through the park!

Depending on your route, you’ll encounter plenty of climbing, descending and stone steps. The Inca Trail in particular is famous for its steep Inca staircases, with the route reaching 4,215m at Dead Woman’s Pass.

If you have hills nearby, use them. If you don’t, stairs, steep local paths or an incline treadmill can all be useful.

Try to include both uphill and downhill training. Climbing builds the strength and fitness you’ll need for the ascents, while descending helps prepare your legs for the impact and control required on the way down.

Don’t wait until Peru to find out that your trekking boots and daypack are uncomfortable.

As your training progresses, wear your trekking boots and carry your daypack on some of your walks. This gives you time to break in your boots, adjust your backpack and make sure everything feels comfortable before you head to Peru.

You don’t need to load your daypack with an enormous amount of weight – practise with the sort of kit you’ll realistically be carrying on your trek.

It’s much better to discover a rubbing heel or uncomfortable backpack strap on a training walk than halfway along the Inca Trail!

One of the best things you can do before a multi-day trek is practise walking on tired legs.

If you’ve got a free weekend, try a longer walk on Saturday followed by another walk on Sunday. You don’t need to go all-out on both days. The aim is to get your body used to being active again before you’ve fully recovered from the previous day’s effort.

As you get fitter, you can gradually increase the duration or difficulty of these back-to-back walks.

This is particularly useful preparation because trekking fitness isn’t just about completing one big hike. It’s about being able to get up the next morning and do it all again.

For most people, 8–12 weeks of consistent training is a good starting point for a Machu Picchu trek. If you already walk regularly and have a good level of fitness, you may need less preparation. If you’re new to exercise or trekking, give yourself longer to build up gradually.

The key isn’t simply how many weeks you train for – it’s how consistently you train and how gradually you build your fitness.

8–12 Weeks Before Your Trek

Start by making regular walking part of your routine. Aim for a few walks during the week, plus a longer walk at the weekend.

At this stage, focus on building a good base of fitness rather than pushing yourself too hard.

4–8 Weeks Before Your Trek

This is where you can start making your training more specific to trekking.

Gradually increase the length of your longer walks and introduce more hills, stairs and uneven terrain. Start practising with your trekking boots and daypack too.

If you can, introduce some back-to-back walking days at the weekend. This helps prepare your body for the reality of a multi-day trek, where you’ll need to get up and walk again even when your legs are feeling tired.

The Final 2 Weeks

Don’t try to cram months of training into the final fortnight!

Keep yourself active, but start reducing the amount of intense or very long training. Your goal is to arrive in Peru feeling fit, fresh and ready to trek, rather than exhausted from trying to squeeze in one last massive hike.

Continue with shorter walks and normal activity, and give your body plenty of time to recover before you travel.

Want to swap the sofa for the mountains and get some proper trekking practice under your belt?

Our UK trek training weekends are a great way to build confidence, meet fellow EverTrekkers and get valuable time on the trails before your Machu Picchu adventure.

Head to Snowdonia for three days of guided activities, practical workshops and, most importantly, plenty of time walking in the mountains.

You’ll get the chance to practise tackling hills, uneven terrain and longer days on your feet – all while learning useful trekking tips and spending time with like-minded adventurers.

Your legs get some mountain miles, you get some valuable experience, and you might even have a laugh along the way.

It’s the perfect way to build your confidence before you take on Machu Picchu.

Adventures like our Machu Picchu trek are challenges. They are there to test us, but they're certainly not just for the elite fitness people. At EverTrek, we have seen all kinds of people on this adventure, and we welcome everyone.

A comforting thought to keep in mind is that you will have experienced guides there to help you along, and you’ll have fellow EverTrekkers at your side at different fitness levels and backgrounds. You’ll have someone to give you a friendly nudge if you need it, that extra push!

So don't let fitness deter you from embarking on this once-in-a-lifetime journey to Machu Picchu. The physical challenge is part of what makes the experience so special. Plus, when you finally reach the final goal and see the stunning views, all your hard work will be well worth it!