The Short 2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a stunning hike that takes adventurers through the breathtaking landscapes of the Peruvian Andes. This challenging yet rewarding journey offers hikers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the region while experiencing Peru’s rich culture and history.
The Short Inca Trail is a short and accessible version of the famous Classic Inca Trail that leads to Machu Picchu. It is ideal for those who want to experience the Inca Trail without hiking for several days.
This short hiking route is part of the ancient system of roads built by the Incas. Along this approximately 10 to 12-kilometer (6 to 8-mile) trek, travelers can enjoy natural landscapes and archaeological sites and end their hike by entering Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), just like the long version.
Overview
Short Inca Trail (2 Days, 1 Night) – Overview
This is a great alternative to the Classic Inca Trail, offering a shorter but still rewarding trekking experience. It follows a section of the ancient Inca Trail, passing through beautiful landscapes and impressive ruins before arriving at Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).
Key Details
- Total Distance: ~10 km (6.2 miles)
- Maximum Altitude: 2,720 m (8,923 ft)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Best Time to Go: May – September (dry season)
- Permit Required? Yes (book in advance)
- Guide Required? Yes (must go with an official tour operator)
Itinerary – 2 Days, 1 Night
01 Day: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Machu Picchu
- Trek Distance: ~10 km (6.2 miles)
- Altitude: 2,720 m (8,923 ft)
- Highlights:
- Early morning train from Cusco to Km 104 (the trailhead).
- Hike uphill to Wiñay Wayna, an impressive Inca ruin.
- Continue trekking to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) for the first view of Machu Picchu.
- Descend to Aguas Calientes and spend the night in a hotel.
02 Day: Machu Picchu – Cusco
Return to Cusco by train in the afternoon.
Highlights:
Early morning bus to Machu Picchu for a guided tour.
Explore the citadel and optionally hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (if permits are available).
Itinerary
01 DAY: CUSCO – km-104 – WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHU PICCHU
Pick up from your hotel at 4:00 a.m. and transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station. We travel by train on a very scenic route for 2 hours until we reach kilometer 104 (2 hours), where we begin the trail. From here, we hike for approximately 4 hours to the Inca site of Wiñay Wayna (‘Forever Young’) (2,680 m/8,792 ft). It is the most impressive Inca site on the Inca Trail!
Then we will continue to ‘Inti Punku’ (‘Gate of the Sun’) (2,730 m/8,792 ft), from where you will have the first panoramic view of Machu Picchu (2,400 m/7,873 ft). Continuing on the trail, we will take you to the city where we will have a moment to enjoy the view and the magic of the city. The next day, we will continue to the checkpoint to board the bus to the town of Aguas Calientes. Dinner and overnight.
- Meals: Lunch and dinner.
- Accommodation: Hostel
- Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Humantay Lake, snow-capped mountains. Salkantay Pass, Salkantay Glacier, cloud forest transition.
02 DAY: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO TOUR
We will have breakfast at the hotel and then head to the bus station to board the first bus to the city. It takes approximately 25 minutes to reach the Inca citadel and Machu Picchu. The guide will offer a tour (approximately 2 hours), after which you will have free time to explore the city further. If you still have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu (optional) (2720 m / 8923 ft). It takes 45 minutes to reach the summit. To return to the town of Aguas Calientes, there are two options: hiking or taking the bus (optional). Here you will have the option of lunch and receiving your train ticket to return to Ollantaytambo and then take the bus to Cusco.
- Difficulty: Easy.
- Meals: Breakfast.
The train service included for this tour is the bimodal Inca Rail service: bus-train-bus.
*If you wish to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes, please notify us in advance so we can arrange your hotel and modify the return train service.
CONDITIONS FOR THE MOUNTAIN MACHU PICCHU AND HUAYNA PICCHU.
Inclusions
OUR SERVICE INCLUDES:
- Professional, bilingual guide
- Transfer from Cusco to the Ollantaytambo train station
- Tourist train (Voyager Service)
- Admission to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
- 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, and 1 dinner (Vegetarian option available)
- 1 bus ticket from Machu Picchu to the town of Aguas Calientes
- 1 bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- 1 night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Oxygen tank
- First aid kit
NOT INCLUDED:
- Breakfast first day
- Lunch last day
- Personal expenses
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (extra cost)
- Trekking poles (can be rented)
- Tips for guides
** Train included in all tours is (Expedition Ollanta service) will only be confirmed once the full amount of the tour is paid. The earliest train you could take is the 14:30 pm, and being the last train at 18:30. Salkantay Expeditions arranges transportation to Cusco (by taxi or bus).
Note: train schedules are subject to change depending on Peru rail schedule and availability. The train can be changed to Vista dome (bigger than the expedition train windows) with a price increase.
Should Bring
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING:
- Original passport
- Walking boots
- Walking stick (with rubber tip)
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
- T-shirts
- Comfortable walking pants
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen (SPF 90 recommended)
- Reusable plastic or metal container or bags
- Insect repellent
- Water
- Personal hygiene items
OPTIONAL SERVICES:
- Hiking Stick (U$.15)
- Small day backpack (U$.30)
IMPORTANT: Prices depend on the service you hire and the number of people. You have to be flexible with your travel dates (giving alternatives of 1 or 2 days on each side of the preferred date), the availability for specific dates can change quickly, since there are only 500 spaces on the Inca Trail per day.
Acomodation
Price
Prices: Season 2025
Group Service:
- U$. 420 Per Person (Group Service)
Private Service:
- U$: 540 Per Person ( Minimum 02 People)
Group versus Private Treks: What’s the difference?
- Depending on the number of people in your booking, additional people may join the trek to make a full group.
- If you choose “private”, no additional people will be joining your group, no matter the size.
- Minimum booking size is 02 people; one person may book a group trek if Pacha Expeditions Travel Peru, is able to join that person with additional groups.
Discounts
- Student Discount (only with active card): U$:20
- Under 18 years Discount: U$.20
Student Discounts:
Student Discount: To qualify for the discount, you must have a valid student ID and be 25 years old or younger at travel time. You can obtain the discount with your student ID. Please indicate that you are a student on the form when booking.
Student ID valid for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu:
To qualify for the student discount, travelers must have a valid ID with the following:
University ID, with a current date, Full name, photo, and university name. This is the only valid document required to qualify for the discount. According to Peruvian government regulations and Ministry of Culture offices, other documents are not valid.
- Student Discount (only with active card): US$.20
- Under 18 years Discount: US$.20
**visit our secure payment methods
