Short Inca Trail 2 Days the most accessible and exciting version of the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. If you are looking to experience walking along ancient ancestral paths without completing the full 4-day route, get ready for an adventure that combines mountain trekking, hidden archaeological sites nestled in the jungle, and the most spectacular arrival to Machu Picchu through Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. Our 2-day Short Inca Trail tour will take you along a trail of approximately 12 kilometers that the very Incas walked over 500 years ago, passing through cloud forests, unknown archaeological ruins, waterfalls, and lush vegetation until reaching the most iconic viewpoint of Machu Picchu. This is, without a doubt, the most memorable way to arrive at one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Walk along authentic sections of the original Inca Trail, stone paths carved by Inca hands over 500 years ago that cross dreamlike landscapes between the Andes and the jungle.
- Discover Wiñay Wayna ("Forever Young"), an impressive Inca archaeological complex of terraces, ceremonial fountains, and temples hidden among the cloud forest vegetation.
- Arrive at Machu Picchu through Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, the most iconic and thrilling viewpoint from which you will see the entire citadel for the first time.
- Enjoy a moderate and accessible trekking experience, ideal for those who wish to combine outdoor adventure with a visit to Machu Picchu without needing prior high-mountain experience.
- Spend a night in the charming town of Aguas Calientes and return the next day for a complete guided tour of the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Itinerary.
We pick you up at your hotel at 4:00 am from hotels, Airbnbs, houses, and apartments in the historic center of Cusco. We will travel for approximately 2 and a half hours to the Ollantaytambo train station, where we will board the train that will take us to Km 104, the starting point of our hike. The train ride lasts approximately 1 hour and is a spectacular experience, crossing landscapes of mountains, deep valleys, and vegetation that gradually changes from puna grassland to cloud forest.
Upon arriving at Km 104 (2,100 m / 6,890 ft), our guide will register at the Inca Trail checkpoint and we will begin our trekking adventure. The trail ascends gradually through a beautiful mountain forest, crossing ravines and streams as the vegetation becomes increasingly lush. After approximately 3 hours of hiking, we will arrive at the archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna (2,700 m / 8,858 ft), an impressively well-preserved Inca complex with agricultural terraces, ceremonial water fountains, towers, and chambers carved into the mountainside. Your guide will explain the history and function of this sacred place while you enjoy panoramic views of the Urubamba valley.
After a well-deserved rest and a picnic-style lunch at Wiñay Wayna, we will continue along the Inca trail for approximately 2 more hours, crossing a stretch of cloud forest filled with orchids, bromeliads, tree ferns, and impressive biodiversity. The trail gradually ascends until reaching the culminating moment of the hike: Inti Punku or the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,924 ft).
As you step through Inti Punku, the citadel of Machu Picchu will reveal itself before your eyes in all its magnificence, stretching between the mountains and bathed in golden light that will take your breath away. It is a truly magical and unrepeatable moment. You will take your photographs and enjoy the views from this legendary viewpoint before descending for 30 minutes to the citadel. From Machu Picchu, we will take the 25-minute bus ride down to Aguas Calientes, where our representative will escort you to the hotel for your overnight stay. Your guide will provide instructions for the following day.
This is the day you will explore Machu Picchu in depth. Early in the morning, after an energizing breakfast at the hotel, we will take the 25-minute bus ride up to the entrance gate of the citadel of Machu Picchu (2,430 m / 7,972 ft). If the weather permits, you will be able to witness the sunrise over the mountains surrounding the citadel, a spectacle of light and nature that perfectly complements the previous day's experience.
Your guide will lead you on a guided tour of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes through the main sectors of the citadel: the Main Plaza, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Intihuatana or Inca sundial, the Temple of the Condor, the agricultural area with its terraces, and the residential and urban sectors. Your guide will explain the history, function, and mysteries surrounding this Inca citadel that remained hidden for centuries among the mountain vegetation until its rediscovery in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. Today you will walk through the corners that yesterday you gazed upon from Inti Punku.
After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore Machu Picchu at your own pace, take photographs, and if you have booked entrance for Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will undertake that additional ascent. When you are ready, you will descend by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you can have lunch and pick up your belongings from the hotel.
In the afternoon, we will board the return train to Ollantaytambo, where our transport will be waiting to take you back to the city of Cusco, arriving approximately between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm.
What is included
- Pre-departure information service.
- Expert tour guide English – Spanish for both days.
- Tourist transportation Cusco – Ollantaytambo (Day 1).
- Transportation Ollantaytambo – Cusco (Day 2).
- Train ticket Ollantaytambo – Km 104 (Day 1).
- Train ticket Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo (Day 2).
- Inca Trail permit (Short Inca Trail).
- Entrance to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
- Bus ride up and down Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu (Day 2).
- Bus ride down Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes (Day 1).
- 1 night accommodation at a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- 1 Picnic-style lunch during the trek (Day 1).
- 1 Breakfast at the hotel in Aguas Calientes (Day 2).
- First aid kit and emergency oxygen.
- 24/7 customer service
What is not included
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain (optional, subject to availability).
- Lunch in Aguas Calientes (Day 2).
- Dinner in Aguas Calientes (Day 1).
- Hiking poles (available for rent).
- Tips for the guide, porters, and staff.
- Additional snacks and drinks during the trek.
What do I need to bring for the Short Inca Trail?
- The original passport, it is essential for the Inca Trail registration, to board the train, and to enter Machu Picchu. Entry is not permitted without a passport.
- Cash in soles for dinners, lunches, purchases, and tips.
- Comfortable layered clothing for trekking: quick-drying technical shirt, convertible or trekking pants, waterproof jacket, and a warm layer for the night and early morning of Day 2.
- Waterproof trekking footwear with good grip and ankle support, already broken in and adapted to your feet. New shoes are not recommended.
- Rain poncho or waterproof cover for your backpack. Rain can appear at any moment during the trek.
- Items to protect yourself from the sun: high SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat or buff.
- Insect repellent, essential for the trek and Machu Picchu.
- A lightweight 25 to 35 liter backpack for the trek with a reusable water bottle of at least 2 liters and energy snacks.
- Toiletries, a change of clothes, and towels for the overnight stay in Aguas Calientes.
- Headlamp or flashlight, useful for Day 2 in case of very early departure.
- Personal medications, including altitude pills, pain relievers, and anti-inflammatories.
What is the difficulty level of the Short Inca Trail?
The Short Inca Trail has a moderate difficulty. The hike is approximately 12 kilometers with an accumulated elevation gain of about 600 meters. No prior high-mountain trekking experience is required, but good physical fitness and acclimatization to the altitude are necessary. We recommend having spent at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco before doing the trek. The pace will be moderate and guided by our professional team.
What level of hotel is included for the night in Aguas Calientes?
The package includes one night at a tourist-class hotel with breakfast included. If you would prefer a higher-category hotel or one with river views, we can quote an upgrade subject to availability.
Can I climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain?
Yes, both mountains are optional and subject to availability. We recommend booking them well in advance, as spots are very limited. There is an additional cost. If you wish to include either mountain, please indicate this at the time of your reservation.
How long in advance should I make my reservation?
You must book well in advance, ideally between 2 and 4 months before. The Inca Trail permits have a very limited availability of 250 people per day (including guides and porters) and sell out quickly, especially during high season from May to September. Without an available permit, it is not possible to do the trek.
Do I need to make a deposit to guarantee my reservation?
Yes, it will be guaranteed with a deposit payment of the total cost of the tour per person through our 2 forms of payment mentioned in our Book Now form. Important: None of the requested deposits include transaction fees.
What is the best time to do the Short Inca Trail?
The best season is from April to October, during the dry season, when trails are in better condition, skies are clear, and the views from Inti Punku and Machu Picchu are most spectacular. From November to March, the rainy season may make trails slippery, but the vegetation is greener and more lush. The Inca Trail is closed during the month of February for maintenance and cleaning of the trail.
Where will the information session take place?
This meeting will be held the night before the departure of the tour in the lobby of your hotel, apartment, hostel or family home in Cusco. You could also do it at our office located on Calle Portal de Panes, office 201 (second floor). Plaza de Armas de Cusco.
