Starts at
Starts at
Trip Overview
The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is made for travelers who want to walk part of the original Inca Trail but do not have four full days for the classic route.
In only two days, you take the train to KM 104, enter the official trail, walk through Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna, reach the Sun Gate, and see Machu Picchu from above before spending the night in Aguas Calientes. The next morning, you return to the citadel for a guided tour through the assigned official circuit.
This route is shorter than the Classic Inca Trail, but it still has altitude, stone steps, humid forest sections, and a steady uphill walk. It asks for effort, but it gives a direct connection with the old path and the feeling of arriving at Machu Picchu on foot.
With Machu Picchu Gol Travel, the tour is arranged with official permits, train tickets, guide support, hotel in Aguas Calientes, meals as listed, safety support, and full return logistics to Cusco.
The Short Inca Trail requires permits issued under your name and travel date. Booking early is strongly recommended because spaces are limited and cannot be changed once confirmed.
Tour at a Glance
Ends at
Ends at
Duration
Duration
From
US$ 100
Deposit
6%
Travel staff
Local Guide
Transport
by Bus
Accommodation
Accomodation
Departures
Daily Departures
Season
All year
Meals
1B, 1L, 1D
Physical level
Easy
Max altitude
15,090 feet (4,600 meters)
Sites to visit
Cusco, Soraypampa
Day by Day Schedule
Day highlight: Reaching the Sun Gate and seeing Machu Picchu from above after walking the original Inca Trail.
The day starts very early with pickup from your hotel in Cusco. The road goes through the Sacred Valley toward Ollantaytambo train station. From there, the group boards the train toward KM 104, the starting point of the Short Inca Trail.
Before walking, your guide gives a short briefing, checks documents, and helps the group prepare for the route. You must carry your original passport because Inca Trail permits are issued under your personal details.
The first Inca site is Chachabamba, located near the start of the route. This place worked as a control point for people entering this section of the trail. Your guide explains its role before the main ascent begins.
From Chachabamba, the trail climbs for several hours toward Wiñay Wayna. The path includes stone steps, narrow sections, humid forest, exposed mountain slopes, and views over the Urubamba Valley. The air is warmer and more humid than in higher Andean treks, and the trail can become slippery after rain.
Wiñay Wayna is one of the most important places on this route. Its terraces, water channels, and stone buildings show how the Incas adapted construction to steep mountain land. After time at the site, the group continues along the trail and takes a break for the included box lunch.
Later, the path continues toward Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. This is the first point where Machu Picchu appears from the trail. The moment feels quiet and strong because the view comes after several hours of walking.
On Day 1, you do not take the full guided tour inside the citadel. You pass through the upper access area according to the assigned ticket and then take the bus down to Aguas Calientes.
In the evening, dinner is served in town, and you spend the night in a hotel.
Technical details
- Meals: Box lunch and dinner
- Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Starting point: KM 104
- Highest altitude: Sun Gate, approx. 2,720 m / 8,924 ft
- Aguas Calientes altitude: Approx. 2,040 m / 6,693 ft
- Walking distance: Approx. 12 km / 7.5 mi
- Walking time: Approx. 5 to 6 hours, depending on pace and conditions
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail type: Original Inca stone trail, humid forest, uphill sections, stone steps, narrow paths
- Transport: Tourist transport to Ollantaytambo, train to KM 104, bus from Machu Picchu area to Aguas Calientes
Day highlight: Guided tour of Machu Picchu through the assigned official circuit.
The second day begins early in Aguas Calientes. After breakfast, the group takes the bus up to Machu Picchu. The bus ride takes around 25 minutes, depending on the line and operation.
Inside Machu Picchu, your guide leads the visit through the circuit assigned on your ticket. The current official system has 3 circuits and 10 routes, in effect since June 1, 2024.
For the Short Inca Trail, the itinerary may include Circuit 1, Route 1-C for the Sun Gate panoramic access on Day 1 and Circuit 3, Route 3-B for the lower sacred sector on Day 2, depending on official ticket assignment and availability.
The Day 2 guided tour usually focuses on the lower Inca city, where you may see terraces, temples, stone walls, ceremonial areas, and water channels. The route is controlled, so visitors must follow the path assigned on the ticket.
After the guided tour, you return to Aguas Calientes. Lunch is not included. Later, you board the train to Ollantaytambo. From there, tourist transport returns to Cusco.
Technical details
- Meals: Breakfast
- Machu Picchu altitude: Approx. 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Guided tour: Approx. 2 hours, depending on circuit and site rules
- Optional hikes: Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, or Huchuy Picchu, only when booked in advance
- Transport: Bus to Machu Picchu, train to Ollantaytambo, tourist transport to Cusco
Inclusions
What’s Included
Permits and Entrance Tickets
- Official Short Inca Trail permit
- Machu Picchu entry on Day 1 through the assigned Inca Trail route
- Machu Picchu entry on Day 2 through the assigned circuit
- Circuit 1, Route 1-C, when assigned for the Sun Gate panoramic access
- Circuit 3, Route 3-B, when assigned for the lower sacred sector
- Permit processing after complete traveler information and deposit
- Route coordination before departure
Inca Trail permits are issued for a specific date and traveler. They cannot be changed under normal conditions. Passport number changes may only be reviewed for passport renewal, and both old and new passports may be required.
Guide and Safety
- Professional English and Spanish-speaking guide
- Pre-departure briefing in Cusco
- First aid kit
- Emergency oxygen
- Basic altitude and trail support
- Route management according to weather and safety conditions
- 24/7 customer support before the tour
Accommodation
- 1 night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Twin, double, or triple room, depending on booking
- Private bathroom
- Hot shower
- Wi-Fi, depending on hotel operation
- Breakfast included
- Luggage storage while visiting Machu Picchu
Meals
- Box lunch on Day 1
- Dinner on Day 1
- Breakfast on Day 2
- Snacks and water on Day 1
- Cloth snack bag to reduce plastic waste
- Vegetarian, vegan, and special meal requests with advance notice
Transport
- Tourist transport from Cusco to Ollantaytambo train station
- Train from Ollantaytambo to KM 104
- Bus from Machu Picchu area to Aguas Calientes on Day 1, when included according to ticket arrangement
- Round-trip bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu on Day 2
- Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Tourist transport from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco
What’s Not Included
- Breakfast on Day 1
- Lunch on Day 2
- Dinner in Cusco on Day 2
- Return bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes on Day 1, when not included in the confirmed package
- Huayna Picchu Mountain ticket
- Machu Picchu Mountain ticket
- Huchuy Picchu Mountain ticket
- Trekking poles
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guide, drivers, hotel staff, and support team
- Extra drinks or personal purchases
- Extra costs caused by weather, strikes, landslides, illness, train delays, government decisions, or force majeure
Recommendations
Months before the tour
- Book early because Short Inca Trail permits are limited and issued under your name.
- Send correct passport details at the time of booking.
- Train with uphill walks, stairs, and moderate hikes.
- Break in your hiking shoes before arriving in Peru.
- Buy travel insurance that covers hiking and travel delays.
- Tell our reservations team about allergies, food restrictions, medical conditions, or special needs.
- Consider private service if you are traveling with children, older travelers, photographers, or anyone who may need a slower pace.
A few days before the tour
- Arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before the tour.
- Keep your first days in Cusco light so your body can adjust to altitude.
- Drink water often.
- Avoid heavy alcohol before the route.
- Attend the briefing and ask practical questions.
- Pack light. You only need a daypack for the hike and a small overnight bag for Aguas Calientes.
- Keep passport, money, medication, and valuables in your daypack.
During the tour
- Carry your original passport at all times.
- Walk at your own safe rhythm.
- Do not rush on stone steps or wet sections.
- Use trekking poles if your knees need support.
- Keep rain gear close, especially from November to March.
- Respect Inca sites, trail rules, local staff, and protected areas.
- Do not leave trash on the route.
- Avoid single-use plastic when possible.
- Carry small soles for drinks, snacks, bathrooms, or personal purchases.
- Tell your guide immediately if you feel dizzy, weak, short of breath, or unwell.
- Stay mentally ready for humidity, stone steps, narrow paths, and a steady uphill trail.
More Tour Information
- Tour name: Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Duration: 2 days and 1 night
- Starting point: Cusco
- Ending point: Cusco
- Main route: Cusco, Ollantaytambo, KM 104, Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, Sun Gate, Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, Ollantaytambo, Cusco
- Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Maximum altitude: Sun Gate, approx. 2,720 m / 8,924 ft
- Machu Picchu altitude: Approx. 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
- Total walking distance: Approx. 12 km / 7.5 mi
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Group size: Up to 12 travelers
- Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 box lunch, and 1 dinner
- Guide: Professional English and Spanish-speaking guide
- Train included: Ollantaytambo to KM 104 and Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Bus included: Round-trip bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu on Day 2
- Permit rule: Subject to official Short Inca Trail availability
- Recommended booking time: 3 to 6 months in advance
- Best for: Travelers who want the Inca Trail arrival to Machu Picchu in a shorter format
- Walk the shorter official Inca Trail route from KM 104 to Machu Picchu.
- Enter through Chachabamba, an Inca-era checkpoint near the Urubamba River.
- Reach Wiñay Wayna, one of the most impressive Inca sites on the trail.
- Walk through warm Andean forest, stone paths, terraces, waterfalls, and mountain slopes.
- Arrive at Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, and see Machu Picchu from above on Day 1.
- Spend the night in Aguas Calientes, close to the Machu Picchu entrance route.
- Enter Machu Picchu again on Day 2 for a guided tour through the assigned circuit.
- Travel by train from Ollantaytambo to KM 104 and return from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
- Travel with Machu Picchu Gol Travel, a Cusco-based team focused on clear logistics, local guides, safe timing, and careful service.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is usually from hotels located in Cusco city. Some streets in the historic center are narrow, steep, or closed to vehicles. If your hotel or Airbnb has difficult access, we may coordinate a nearby meeting point.
The exact pickup time is confirmed during the briefing. Traffic and access conditions in Cusco can cause small variations.
Luggage storage
You can leave your main luggage at your hotel or at our office while you take the tour. Bring only what you need for the trail and one hotel night in Aguas Calientes.
Do not leave valuables inside stored luggage. Passport, money, cards, cameras, medication, and electronics should stay with you.
Payment conditions
A deposit is required to secure the Short Inca Trail permit, Machu Picchu tickets, trains, hotel, transport, guide, and meals.
The remaining balance should be paid before the tour according to the instructions from our reservations team. Cash payments in Cusco may avoid online transaction fees. Card or online payments may include gateway fees.
These conditions exist because Inca Trail permits, Machu Picchu tickets, trains, hotel rooms, guide service, transport, and meals must be arranged before departure.
Return from Machu Picchu to Cusco
After the Machu Picchu guided tour on Day 2, you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. The bus ride usually takes around 25 minutes.
In Aguas Calientes, you board the train to Ollantaytambo. You should be at the station at least 30 minutes before departure. The train ride to Ollantaytambo takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
At Ollantaytambo station, our representative will meet you for the transfer back to Cusco. The drive usually takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic.
Availability
The Short Inca Trail requires an official permit and Machu Picchu ticket. Spaces are limited and must be checked before booking.
The permit is issued under the traveler’s name, passport number, nationality, and travel date. Once confirmed, it cannot be changed under normal conditions.
Booking 3 to 6 months in advance is recommended, especially for high season. Last-minute booking may be possible only if permits, trains, hotel, and Machu Picchu tickets are still available, but it should not be assumed.
If no Short Inca Trail permits are available for your date, our reservations team can offer alternative Machu Picchu tours, depending on ticket and train availability.
Machu Picchu Circuits
Machu Picchu entrance is organized by official circuits and routes. The current system has 3 circuits and 10 routes, in effect since June 1, 2024.
For the Short Inca Trail, the included entrance may involve:
- Circuit 1, Route 1-C: Sun Gate panoramic route, linked to Inti Punku access.
- Circuit 3, Route 3-B: Lower sacred sector, including important architectural and ceremonial areas.
The exact route depends on official regulations and ticket assignment. Travelers must follow the route printed on the ticket and cannot change circuits once inside the site.
Trains to Machu Picchu
This tour includes train travel from Ollantaytambo to KM 104 on Day 1 and from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo on Day 2.
Train schedules are subject to availability, season, and railway operation. The return train is usually a standard tourist train, with Vistadome upgrade available for an extra cost when spaces are available.
Large luggage should stay in Cusco. Bring only what you need for the trail and one night in Aguas Calientes.
Accommodation
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
This tour includes 1 night in a standard hotel in Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu.
Rooms are usually twin, double, or triple, depending on booking. The hotel includes private bathroom, hot shower, Wi-Fi when available, breakfast, and luggage storage while you visit Machu Picchu.
Single room or hotel upgrades may be arranged for an extra cost.
Transport Included
- Tourist transport from Cusco to Ollantaytambo
- Train from Ollantaytambo to KM 104
- Bus service between Machu Picchu area and Aguas Calientes according to the confirmed package
- Round-trip bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu on Day 2
- Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Tourist transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
Transport times may vary due to traffic, weather, road conditions, strikes, landslides, or train operation changes.
Altitude and Acclimatization
The highest point of the Short Inca Trail is around 2,720 m / 8,924 ft at the Sun Gate. This is lower than many Cusco treks, but travelers still need to be prepared for uphill walking, humidity, and sun exposure.
Spending at least 2 days in Cusco before the tour helps your body adjust. Drink water, avoid alcohol, eat light, and rest well before departure.
Possible altitude symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, unusual tiredness, shortness of breath, or loss of appetite. If symptoms appear during the tour, inform your guide right away.
Terrain During the Route
The route combines several types of terrain:
- Original Inca stone trail
- Stone stairways
- Narrow paths
- Humid forest sections
- Exposed slopes
- Wet ground in rainy months
- Uphill trail to Wiñay Wayna and Sun Gate
Trekking poles are recommended for travelers who need knee support or extra balance.
Flora and Fauna on the Route
The Short Inca Trail crosses warm Andean forest and cloud forest sections. Depending on season, travelers may see orchids, ferns, mosses, bromeliads, native trees, and thick vegetation near the trail.
Birds may appear along the route, especially near forested sections and river areas. The trail also passes landscapes shaped by the Urubamba River and the slopes leading toward Machu Picchu.
Travel Restrictions
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru and may interrupt some tours. Roads can be blocked, and train services may be affected. When this happens, we will try to keep your trip as close as possible to the original plan, even if this means leaving earlier than scheduled.
In some cases, tours may be changed or canceled. Any change will be coordinated by our operations team. Safety comes first, and decisions will be made to protect travelers and staff.
Lost objects
Please check your belongings whenever leaving transport, hotels, restaurants, trains, buses, or rest areas. You are responsible for your personal items during the tour.
Keep passport, money, cards, medication, electronics, and cameras with you at all times.
Health and physical condition
The Short Inca Trail is a moderate hike. It includes several hours of walking, stone steps, uphill sections, humid weather, sun exposure, and possible slippery ground in rainy season.
Travelers should be in good physical condition. Older travelers, people with heart conditions, respiratory issues, recent injuries, pregnancy, or other medical concerns should speak with their doctor before booking.
Although this route is lower than the Classic Inca Trail, fatigue, heat, dehydration, or altitude discomfort can still affect travelers. Arriving in Cusco at least 2 days before the tour helps reduce risk.
Enquire Now
Ready to book the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2 Days with Machu Picchu Gol Travel?
Send us your travel date, number of travelers, passport details, and any special request. Our reservations team will check Short Inca Trail permit availability, Machu Picchu ticket assignment, train schedules, hotel options, guide service, and full return logistics.
Essential documents and money
- Original valid passport
- Student card, if applying for a discount
- Travel insurance information
- Cash in Peruvian soles
- Credit or debit card
- Copy of passport saved offline
- Emergency contact information
Clothing
- Waterproof hiking boots or hiking shoes
- Light shoes or sandals for Aguas Calientes
- Trekking pants
- Shorts
- Long-sleeve shirts
- Warm jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- Rain poncho
- Sun hat
- Neck gaiter or buff
- Trekking socks
- Sunglasses with UV protection
Personal gear
- Medium daypack, 15 to 25 liters
- Trekking poles, if not renting
- Water bottle or CamelBak
- Power bank
- Camera and charger
- Small dry bag or plastic bags for wet clothes
- Snacks such as energy bars, chocolate, dried fruit, or candies
- Towel
- Bathing suit, if you plan to use the hot springs in Aguas Calientes
Health and personal care
- Personal medication
- Altitude medication, only if approved by your doctor
- Sunblock, SPF 50 or higher
- Insect repellent
- Lip balm with sun protection
- Personal hygiene items
- Hand sanitizer
- Blister care
- Small personal first aid items
- Electrolytes or hydration salts
Special requirements
Travelers with special requirements must inform our reservations team in advance. This includes mobility aids, medical equipment, professional photo or video equipment, service animals, special diet tools, or any condition that may affect the route.
Machu Picchu Gol Travel is a Cusco-based travel agency operating treks and tours in Cusco and across Peru. Our service focuses on quality, safe logistics, trained local guides, and responsible work with the people who support each route.
The Short Inca Trail passes through areas linked to Ollantaytambo, KM 104, Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, Inti Punku, Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, and Ollantaytambo station. These points involve official permits, railway timing, protected trail access, Machu Picchu ticket rules, and careful return planning.
Our commitment is to run this route with clear organization from the first pickup to the final return. The timing matters: road transfer, train departure, trail entry, hiking pace, bus to Aguas Calientes, hotel check-in, Day 2 entrance time, return train, and transport back to Cusco all need to work together.
For this route, equipment and preparation are practical rather than heavy. You do not camp, but you still need proper hiking shoes, rain gear, water, sun protection, and a light daypack. The trail can be wet, narrow, and slippery in some sections, especially near cloud forest areas.
Food is also part of the service. The box lunch on Day 1 gives energy for the trail, and dinner in Aguas Calientes helps you recover before the Machu Picchu visit. Vegetarian, vegan, and special meal requests can be arranged with advance notice.
Traveling with Machu Picchu Gol Travel means walking with a local team that understands the permits, train coordination, trail timing, Machu Picchu circuits, and details that help the short route feel smooth and well-managed.
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