Sacred Valley and Short Inca Trail in 3 days: the complete guide
This tour combines the three faces of the Inca heartland: the market towns and terraces of the Sacred Valley, a day walking the original Inca Trail to the Sun Gate, and a full guided visit to Machu Picchu. It is the ideal choice if you want to arrive at Machu Picchu on foot without camping for four days.
The tour at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 days: 1 night in Ollantaytambo, 1 night in Aguas Calientes |
| Hike | Short Inca Trail from Km 104 via Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate |
| Machu Picchu | First view from the Sun Gate on day 2, full guided tour on day 3 |
| Permits | Inca Trail permit in your passport name; limited dates |
| Price | From US $625 per person, shared group of 2–14 |
Day 1: Pisac and Ollantaytambo
A 7:30 am pickup takes you into the Sacred Valley to explore the market and Inca terraces of Pisac, then on to Ollantaytambo, with its temple-fortress and Inca streets. You have free time in town and spend the night there, right next to the railway station for the next morning.
Sacred Valley, Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
Three days with hotels, permits, all entrances, private guide and train — from US $625 per person.
Day 2: the Inca Trail to the Sun Gate
The train drops you at Km 104, where you cross the river and start walking on the original Inca road. The path climbs through cloud forest to Wiñay Wayna, a beautiful terraced site, and continues to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, where Machu Picchu appears below you. From there you descend to Aguas Calientes for the night. Our Short Inca Trail guide describes the route in detail.
Day 3: Machu Picchu and back to Cusco
An early bus brings you back to Machu Picchu for a full guided tour of the citadel, this time from inside: temples, plazas, terraces and the Intihuatana. After lunch in Aguas Calientes, the train and a transfer take you back to Cusco.
What is included
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
| All transport: transfers, train and Machu Picchu buses | Tips |
| All entrances: Sacred Valley, Inca Trail and Machu Picchu | — |
| Hotels in Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes | — |
| Private guide, refreshments and lunch in Aguas Calientes | — |
| Emergency medical supplies and final transfer to Cusco | — |
Permits and booking
The Inca Trail section requires a permit issued in your name with your passport number, and permits are limited for every date. Book as early as you can — especially for May to September — and bring the same original passport on the trip. The trail closes every February for maintenance. Our permits guide explains how it works.
Who it suits and how to prepare
- Fitness: a full day of walking with steady climbs and stone steps; anyone used to day hikes will manage. See our training tips.
- Pack light for day 2: water, snacks, rain jacket, sun protection and your passport.
- Short or classic? Compare this route with the four-day trek in short vs classic Inca Trail.
Frequently asked questions
Transport, train, Machu Picchu buses, all entrances and permits, hotels in Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, a private guide and lunch in Aguas Calientes.
Moderate: a full day of walking from Km 104 to the Sun Gate with climbs and stone steps, without camping.
Yes. An Inca Trail permit is issued in your passport name, and dates are limited, so book early.
From US $625 per person in a shared group.
Yes: first from the Sun Gate at the end of the hike, then on a full guided tour the next morning.
