Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2 Days: Wiñay Wayna, the Sun Gate and the Citadel
A day on the original Inca road from Km 104 to the Sun Gate, a hotel night in Aguas Calientes and a guided visit of Machu Picchu — from $585 per person.
The Short Inca Trail is the best way to walk into Machu Picchu without camping. We pick you up very early and take the train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104, where you cross the river and start a steady climb of about three hours on Inca stone steps, from 2,000 to 2,700 m, to the curved terraces of Wiñay Wayna. After lunch, a gentle path leads to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, and your first view of the citadel.
You descend to Aguas Calientes for a hotel night. On day two one of the first buses takes you up for a guided visit of Machu Picchu of about 2.5 hours, with optional Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, before the afternoon train back. The permit, Machu Picchu entrance, trains, buses, hotel and guide are included for US $585. Read our Short Inca Trail guide.
Arrive at Machu Picchu on foot, as the Incas did, with your first view from Inti Punku.
Wiñay Wayna
One of the most beautiful Inca sites, with curved terraces and fountains on the mountainside.
No camping
A comfortable hotel night in Aguas Calientes instead of a tent.
Two visits in one
The view from the Sun Gate on day one and a full guided tour on day two.
Lower altitude
The trail stays between 2,000 and 2,700 m, lower than Cusco.
Its own permit quota
Often available when the four-day trek is sold out.
Day-by-day itinerary
The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu packs the magic of the classic route into two unforgettable days — a scenic train to Km 104, a climb to the terraces of Wiñay Wayna, the Sun Gate, and a full guided tour of the citadel. Here is your day-by-day plan.
DAY 1
Cusco to Km 104 and hike to the Sun Gate
Early pickup from your Cusco hotel between 3:45 and 4:15 am (or from the Sacred Valley), followed by a scenic 1h 45min drive to the Ollantaytambo train station as the sun rises over the Andes.
Around 6:40 am you board the train to Km 104, the starting point of the Short Inca Trail. After meeting your local guide and checking in at the control point, you begin a steady three-hour climb from 2,000 m to 2,700 m to the beautiful archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna.
After exploring the Wiñay Wayna ruins and enjoying lunch, you continue along a mostly flat trail to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) for your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu, then descend to Aguas Calientes for the night.
Distance
10 km / 6.2 mi
Duration
6–7 hours
Altitude
2,000–2,700 m / 6,562–8,858 ft
Difficulty
Moderate — steady climb
Terrain
Andean highlands and cloud forest
Meals
Lunch
Accommodation
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Weather
Warm by day, cooler at altitude
DAY 2
Machu Picchu guided tour and return to Cusco
Wake at 4:30 am with breakfast at 5:00 am, then head to the bus station in Aguas Calientes to catch one of the first buses at 5:30 am for the 30-minute ride up to the citadel.
Arriving at Machu Picchu around 6:00 am, you enjoy a complete 2.5-hour guided tour covering all the major sites, followed by free time to explore. Optionally, hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (ticket in advance, one mountain only).
You then take the bus back to Aguas Calientes with free time for lunch, board the train around 2:30 or 2:55 pm to Ollantaytambo, and transfer back to Cusco, arriving in the late afternoon.
Altitude
Machu Picchu 2,430 m / 7,970 ft
Huayna Picchu
2,720 m / 8,923 ft (optional)
Difficulty
Moderate to challenging
Terrain
Stone paths and Inca steps
Train
2:30 or 2:55 pm (included)
Meals
Breakfast
Weather
Cool early, warming later
Good to know: A permit issued under your passport is required for the Short Inca Trail and dates sell out fast in high season (April–October). Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain tickets are limited and must be booked well in advance. Permits follow the live availability shown in the calendar.
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Inca Trail 2D/1N tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Train Cusco → Km 104 (Chachabamba).
Inca Trail & Machu Picchu entrance.
Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Professional guide (assistant guide for 9+).
Bus up & down (Aguas Calientes ↔ Machu Picchu).
Return train & transfer to your Cusco hotel.
Day-2 breakfast & lunch, first aid kit, oxygen & walking stick.
Not Included
Tips for guide and staff (optional).
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Inca Trail 2D/1N day the most rewarding possible.
Acclimatize & bring your passport
The Short Inca Trail needs a permit issued under your passport — book ahead. Acclimatize in Cusco for a day or two, bring broken-in shoes and a light rain jacket. Oxygen and a walking stick are provided.
Physical fitness
Moderate. Day 1 is about 12 km, with roughly three hours of steady climbing on Inca steps from Km 104 to Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate (about 2,720 m). Day 2 is the guided visit of Machu Picchu. You carry only a daypack.
Best time to go
Dry season: May to September, with the clearest views from the passes and the Sun Gate; April and October are excellent shoulder months. The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance, and permits for the dry season sell out months ahead.
Sun & weather
The sun is strong even when it is cloudy. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a hat and sunglasses, plus insect repellent and a rain jacket or poncho for the humid cloud forest near Machu Picchu.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $585 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Private Group ★ Best experience
2 – 6 travelers
US $1075 / pp
Your group only · personalized pace
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $556 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $526 / pp
Automatic group discount at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
Moderate: about 12 km on day one, with roughly three hours of steady climbing on stone steps. Anyone who walks regularly can do it.
Yes, issued in your passport name. It is limited, so book early; the trail closes every February. See Inca Trail permits.
Train to Km 104 and back, the permit and Machu Picchu entrance, a hotel night in Aguas Calientes, buses, a professional guide, breakfast and lunch on day two, first aid, oxygen and a walking stick.
The short trail suits travellers with less time who prefer a hotel to camping. Compare them in short vs classic Inca Trail.
This trek needs TWO bookings: the government Inca Trail permit (capped at 500 per day and sold out months ahead) and the Machu Picchu entrance ticket. Check both calendars before you book.
