Short Inca Trail 2D/1N
- 2 Days
- Hiking, adventure, history and culture
Overview
The Short Inca Trail is a two-day alternative to the classic route, with no long, tiring stages. You do not need to be an expert trekker: a moderate level of fitness is enough to enjoy cloud forest, Inca ruins and your first view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate.
Permits are limited, just like on the classic trail, so we recommend booking well in advance. If you can, spend a day or two in Cusco beforehand to get used to the altitude.
- Distance
- 16 km / 9.94 mi
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate
- Tour type
- Hiking, adventure, history and culture
Inclusions
What's included
- Bus Cusco – Ollantaytambo round trip
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Cusco
- Train to Km 104
- Return train to Ollantaytambo
- Inca Trail entry permit
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket
- Professional bilingual guide
- 1 night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
- 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner
- Bus Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes (day 2 return)
- First aid kit
- Oxygen balloon
- Bus Ollantaytambo – Cusco
Not included
- Breakfast on day 1; lunch and dinner on day 2
- Tips (optional)
- Extra expenses such as souvenirs and additional food
- Trekking poles (available for rent)
- Transport outside the itinerary
- Personal equipment
Itinerary
Day 1Cusco – Aguas Calientes
We pick you up at 4:30 am and drive to Ollantaytambo, about 2 hours, to take the train to Km 104. After the identity check we start at Chachabamba with a guided visit, then walk through cloud forest rich in orchids to Wiñay Wayna, "forever young" in Quechua. After lunch we enjoy views of the Urubamba River and, in about an hour, reach Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, for the first sight of Machu Picchu at sunset. We go down through the almost empty citadel and walk to Aguas Calientes for the hotel and dinner.
Day 2Machu Picchu – Cusco
After breakfast at the hotel we meet our guide at 4:30 am and climb for about 90 minutes to see the sunrise. Your entry is validated with your passport and you enjoy a guided tour of about 2 hours, followed by 1 hour of free time. Around midday we take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, have lunch on our own and catch the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo. A private vehicle takes you to Cusco and your hotel.
Recommendations
- Medium backpack with rain cover
- Light clothing (one change)
- Trekking shoes
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Warm layers
- Reusable water bottle
- High-factor sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Cap or hat
- UV sunglasses
- Energy snacks (buy them in Cusco)
- Camera or phone with spare batteries
- Toiletries
- Personal medicines and first aid items
- Original passport and student ID card
- Cash in soles
Prices
Optional extras
- Machu Picchu Mountain (+20 USD entry, subject to availability)USD 65
- Huayna Picchu (+20 USD entry, subject to availability)USD 65
- Vistadome train on the way backUSD 30
- Extra bus to Machu PicchuUSD 12
Student discount
Students aged 25 or under get a 20 USD discount. Show your student card, both sides visible, at the entrance control.