The Short Inca Trail in 2 days: day-by-day guide
The Short Inca Trail packs the magic of the classic route into two days: a scenic train to Km 104, a climb to the terraces of Wiñay Wayna, the first view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, a hotel night in Aguas Calientes and a full guided tour of the citadel the next morning. No camping and no high passes.
The trek at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 days, 1 night in a hotel |
| Walking | About 3 hours of steady climbing from Km 104, then the Sun Gate |
| Altitude | From about 2,000 m to about 2,700 m |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Permit | Required and personal; trail closed in February |
| Price with us | US $585 |
Day 1: Km 104, Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate
Pickup from your Cusco hotel between 3:45 and 4:15 am and a drive of about 1 hour 45 minutes to Ollantaytambo station. Around 6:40 am you take the train to Km 104, meet your guide and pass the checkpoint. A steady climb of about three hours, from 2,000 m to 2,700 m, leads through cloud forest to Wiñay Wayna, one of the most beautiful sites of the whole Inca Trail. You continue to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, for your first view of Machu Picchu, then descend to Aguas Calientes for the night.
Walk the Short Inca Trail with us
Permit, trains, hotel in Aguas Calientes, guide, bus and Machu Picchu entrance — US $585.
Day 2: Machu Picchu
Breakfast at 5:00 am and one of the first buses up to the citadel at around 5:30 am. You arrive at about 6:00 am for a complete guided tour of around two and a half hours, followed by free time. If you booked it in advance, you can also climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Then bus back to Aguas Calientes, lunch, and the train and transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
What is included
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
| Train to Km 104 and return train with transfer to Cusco | Tips for the guide and staff (optional) |
| Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu entrance | Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (optional, book ahead) |
| Hotel in Aguas Calientes | — |
| Professional guide; bus up and down | — |
| Day-2 breakfast and lunch, first-aid kit, oxygen and walking stick | — |
Who it suits
The Short Inca Trail is ideal if you want to arrive at Machu Picchu on foot through the Sun Gate but do not have four days or do not want to camp. It is less demanding than the classic route, but still involves hours of stone steps. If you only have one day, see the 1-day Inca Trail; to compare with the full route, read Short vs Classic Inca Trail.
Tips
- Book early: it needs a personal permit issued under your passport.
- Spend a day or two acclimatizing in Cusco or the Sacred Valley first.
- Bring your original passport, water, snacks, a rain jacket and sun protection.
- Pack light: you carry your own daypack on the trail.
Frequently asked questions
Moderate: about three hours of steady climbing on stone steps from 2,000 m to 2,700 m, with no high passes.
Yes. You walk through Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, and see Machu Picchu from above on the first day.
In a hotel in Aguas Calientes, included in our tour.
Yes, a personal permit issued under your passport. Book early, especially in the dry season.
Yes, if you book the ticket in advance; only one mountain can be added.
