- Duration
- 2 days
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Max altitude
- 2,730 m
- From
- $489 pp
Quick answer
The Short Inca Trail is a 2-day hike on the last 12 km of the Inca Trail. You start at Km 104, pass the Chachabamba and Winay Wayna ruins and reach Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. Ours costs from $489 with permit, trains, hotel night and a guided tour the next morning.
| Duration | 2 days / 1 night |
|---|---|
| Price | From $489 per person |
| Hiking distance | About 12 km (7.5 miles), 6 to 7 hours |
| Highest point | Sun Gate area, about 2,730 m (8,960 ft) |
| Sleep | Hotel in Aguas Calientes, no camping |
| Permit | Required, included and arranged by us |
| Deposit | 10% to book |
Short Inca Trail Price and What Is Included
Our Short Inca Trail costs from $489 per person in a small group. The price covers Cusco hotel pickup, the train to Km 104, your Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu entry, a professional guide, box lunch on day 1, one hotel night in Aguas Calientes with breakfast, the bus down and up the mountain, and the train back.
Not included are dinner on day 1, a Huayna Picchu ticket, tips and travel insurance. A private version, with your own guide and flexible pace, is quoted on request.
Permits for the 2 day Inca Trail are limited and named to each hiker, so send your passport details early. Our Inca Trail permits guide explains how the quota works.
| Item | Included? |
|---|---|
| Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu entry | Yes |
| Train to Km 104 and back to Cusco | Yes |
| Hotel night in Aguas Calientes | Yes, with breakfast |
| Bus down on day 1 and up on day 2 | Yes |
| Dinner day 1 and Huayna Picchu | No |
2 Day Inca Trail Itinerary, Hour by Hour
This 2 day Inca Trail itinerary puts all the hiking on day 1, so day 2 is a relaxed guided visit.
Day 1: Km 104 to the Sun Gate and Aguas Calientes
Pickup in Cusco around 4:00 am and transfer to Ollantaytambo for the train to Km 104, about 2,100 m. After the permit check you visit Chachabamba, then climb for about 3 to 4 hours through cloud forest to Winay Wayna, where you stop for lunch. A final 1.5 hours along the ridge brings you to the [Sun Gate](/guides/sun-gate-machu-picchu) and your first view of Machu Picchu. You walk down to the citadel and take the bus to your hotel.
Day 2: Guided Machu Picchu tour and train to Cusco
An early bus takes you up for a guided tour of about 2 hours on your ticketed circuit. Afterwards you return to Aguas Calientes for the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo and a transfer to Cusco, arriving in the evening.
How Hard Is the Short Inca Trail?
The Short Inca Trail is moderate. You climb about 600 m from Km 104 to Winay Wayna on uneven stone steps, then walk a gentler ridge to the Sun Gate. Most healthy travelers who walk regularly finish it in 6 to 7 hours.
There is no high pass, unlike the 4-day route, and the highest point is below Cusco's altitude. Spend at least one night in Cusco or the Sacred Valley first. For training advice see our Inca Trail difficulty guide.
Short Inca Trail vs Classic 4-Day Inca Trail
The Short Inca Trail suits travelers with little time or who prefer a hotel to camping. The classic route covers about 42 km over 4 days, crosses Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215 m and visits more ruins.
Both arrive at the Sun Gate on original Inca paving, and both need a permit. If you have the time and fitness, see our Classic Inca Trail 4 days tour.
| Short Inca Trail | Classic Inca Trail | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 2 | 4 |
| Distance | About 12 km | About 42 km |
| Highest point | About 2,730 m | 4,215 m |
| Nights | Hotel | Camping |
| Permit | Required | Required |
When Can You Hike the Short Inca Trail?
You can hike the Short Inca Trail most of the year. The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance, which includes the Km 104 section. May to September is the dry season and the busiest time, so permits sell out first then.
In the rainy months, from November to March, the stone steps can be slippery and views at the Sun Gate are often cloudy. Read our best time to visit Machu Picchu guide for month by month detail.
What to Pack for the 2 Day Inca Trail
Pack light, because you carry your own daypack and trains limit luggage.
- Original passport, the same one used for the permit
- Broken-in hiking shoes and a light rain jacket
- Sunscreen, insect repellent and a hat
- Water bottle, snacks and a change of clothes for the hotel
How to Book Your Short Inca Trail
Booking the Short Inca Trail starts with a free quote. Send your date, group size and passport details. We check permit availability for that day and reply with a written quote.
A 50% deposit holds your place once you accept. Payment, change and cancellation terms are in our booking and cancellation policy. Use the form on this page, and see our packing list guide to prepare.
Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, 2 Days Reviews
“Machu Picchu was already high on our Peru wish list, but arriving there after hiking the Short Inca Trail made it much more special. The 2-day itinerary was perfect for us because we wanted the Inca Trail experience without committing to a four-day trek.”
Verified Traveler
“If you only have a couple of days available, I would definitely recommend this 2 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu tour. The hike had beautiful mountain views and fascinating Inca ruins, while the schedule still felt manageable and well organized.”
Verified Traveler
“We wanted to hike to Machu Picchu but the Classic Inca Trail was too long for our itinerary. This Short Inca Trail 2-day trek turned out to be exactly what we needed. Great scenery, an excellent guide and an unforgettable arrival at Machu Picchu.”
Verified Traveler
“Everything about our trip from Cusco to the Short Inca Trail was organized smoothly. The guide explained the archaeological sites along the route, helped us throughout the hike and made our first visit to Machu Picchu much more meaningful.”
Verified Traveler
“For anyone searching for a shorter Machu Picchu hiking tour, this is a fantastic option. We got the adventure and history of the Inca Trail without spending four days camping. The two-day format worked perfectly with the rest of our Peru vacation.”
Verified Traveler
“My partner and I booked the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu as part of our anniversary trip. Hiking together through the mountains and finally seeing Machu Picchu was incredible. It was challenging enough to feel rewarding without being overwhelming.”
Verified Traveler
“What impressed us most was how much we experienced in only two days. Our guided Short Inca Trail tour included beautiful landscapes, ancient ruins and plenty of time to learn about Inca history before reaching Machu Picchu.”
Verified Traveler
“I was a little worried about doing a long trek at altitude, so the 2 day Machu Picchu trek was a much better choice for me. The pace was comfortable, our guide was patient, and the scenery along the Short Inca Trail was spectacular.”
Verified Traveler
“This was easily one of the highlights of our Peru trip. Instead of simply taking transportation directly to Machu Picchu, we chose to hike the Short Inca Trail and loved every minute of the experience. The final views made all the walking worthwhile.”
Verified Traveler
“Our Short Inca Trail tour from Cusco was professionally organized from pickup onward. We always knew what was happening next, and our guide took excellent care of the group. I would recommend this route to travelers wanting an active Machu Picchu experience.”
Verified Traveler
“Two days was the ideal amount of time for us. The Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu offered incredible scenery and archaeological sites without requiring a long camping expedition. It is a great alternative to the traditional four-day Inca Trail.”
Verified Traveler
“We were comparing different Machu Picchu trekking options and finally selected the Short Inca Trail. It gave us exactly the combination we wanted: hiking, history, mountain views and a guided Machu Picchu visit within a manageable 2-day itinerary.”
Verified Traveler
Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, 2 Days: FAQs
What luggage should I bring on the Short Inca Trail?
Bring only a small daypack on the Short Inca Trail with water, rain gear, snacks, sunscreen and your passport. Pack a light overnight bag for the Aguas Calientes hotel and leave the rest of your luggage at your Cusco hotel, since most Cusco hotels store bags for guests at no cost.
What time do you enter Machu Picchu on the Short Inca Trail?
On the Short Inca Trail you first see Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate in the afternoon of day 1. The guided visit is on day 2, with a timed morning entry ticket assigned by availability when you book. Your exact hour is printed on the ticket and confirmed before travel.
How long is the Short Inca Trail?
The Short Inca Trail is about 12 km (7.5 miles) from Km 104 to the Sun Gate and down to Machu Picchu. Hiking takes 6 to 7 hours on day 1, with a lunch stop at Winay Wayna. Day 2 is a guided tour of about 2 hours.
Is the Short Inca Trail worth it?
The Short Inca Trail is worth it if you want to enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate but lack time or prefer a hotel to camping. You still walk original Inca paving and see Winay Wayna, one of the finest ruins on the trail.
Do you need a permit for the Short Inca Trail?
Yes, you need a permit for the Short Inca Trail. It is part of the Inca Trail network, so daily permits are limited and named to each hiker. Our tour includes the permit, and we book it with your passport details once you pay the deposit.
How much does the Short Inca Trail cost?
Our Short Inca Trail costs from $489 per person in a small group. That includes the permit, Machu Picchu entry, trains, bus, guide, box lunch and one hotel night with breakfast. Dinner on day 1, tips and Huayna Picchu are extra.
Can beginners do the 2 day Inca Trail?
Beginners can do the 2 day Inca Trail if they can walk 6 to 7 hours with steep stone steps. Walking a few times a week before the trip helps. Spend a night in Cusco or the Sacred Valley first to adjust to the altitude.
Is there a one day Inca Trail?
The one day Inca Trail is the same Km 104 hike, but you take the train back to Cusco the same night and do not tour Machu Picchu the next morning. Our 2-day version adds a hotel night and a full guided visit, which most travelers prefer.
Is the Short Inca Trail open in February?
No, the Short Inca Trail is closed in February with the rest of the Inca Trail for yearly maintenance. Machu Picchu stays open, so in February you can visit by train instead with our day trip from Cusco.
Plan your trip
- Inca Trail Permits: How to Get One, Daily Limits and Availability
- Aguas Calientes Peru Guide: The Town Below Machu Picchu
- Inca Trail Difficulty: How Hard Is the Inca Trail, Really?
- Sun Gate Machu Picchu: How to Hike to Inti Punku and What You Will See
- Machu Picchu Circuits Explained: Circuit 1, 2 and 3 and All 10 Routes
