The Short Inca Trail 2 Days is the most direct way to walk into Machu Picchu on foot — exactly as the Incas did. Starting at Kilometer 104, the trail climbs through cloud forest and ancient stone staircases to the perfectly preserved ruins of Wiñaywayna (“Forever Young”), before reaching Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) for your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu spread across the mountain below.
Unlike arriving by train or bus, this is a real entrance — the same ceremonial gateway used by Inca priests and messengers centuries ago. The hike covers 12 km in one day (6–7 hours at a moderate pace), with no high-altitude passes and no camping required. You spend the night in a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes, then return to explore Machu Picchu with your certified bilingual guide on the morning of Day 2.
At Local Trekkers Peru, we run small groups of 2 to 10 people, handle all permits and train logistics, and have been guiding this trail as a 100% Peruvian local operator since our founding in Cusco. All Inca Trail permits and Machu Picchu entrance tickets are included — you just show up, we take care of the rest.
Locations Visited:
Inca Trail & Machu Picchu
Starting Altitude:
2100 masl = 6890 pieds.
Highest Point:
2730 masl = 8957 feet
Group:
Minimum 2 paxs & Maximum 10 paxs
Physical Grading:
3/5
- We have competitive prices
- Fast customer service all the time
- Guaranteed lifetime experience
- We have social responsibility, we do social work
Itinerary
Short Inca Trail 2 Days Itinerary
DAY 01: CUSCO – KILOMETER 104 – WIÑAYWAYNA – AGUAS CALIENTES
Your Short Inca Trail adventure begins early. We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and transfer you to Ollantaytambo train station, where you board the tourist train to Kilometer 104 — the official starting point of the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
From Km 104 (2,100 m / 6,890 ft), the trail enters the cloud forest immediately. Over the first three hours, you climb through lush vegetation, passing waterfalls and mountain streams, until you reach Wiñaywayna (2,650 m / 8,694 ft) — one of the most spectacular Inca ruins on the entire trail. Your bilingual certified guide will walk you through its ceremonial fountains, agricultural terraces, and residential temples, explaining the site’s significance as a sacred waypoint on the road to Machu Picchu.
After lunch at Wiñaywayna, you continue for approximately two more hours along the original Inca road to Inti Punku — the Sun Gate — where your first view of Machu Picchu spread across the mountain below stops you in your tracks. This is the same ceremonial entrance used by Inca priests and messengers centuries ago, and there is no better way to see the citadel for the first time.
From the Sun Gate, you descend to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town), check into your hotel, and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Over dinner, your guide delivers a full briefing for the following morning’s visit to Machu Picchu — entry circuits, best photography spots, and what to expect at the citadel.
BEAR IN MIND
- Walking distance: 10 km = 6.2 miles
- Walking hours: 4 to 5 hours
- Initial Altitude: Km. 104 = 2,100 masl = 6,890 feet
- Highest Point: Inti Punku (Sun Gate) = 2,730 masl = 8,957 feet
- Campsite Altitude: Aguas Calientes = 2,050 masl = 6,726 feet
- Places to Visit: Wiñaywayna, Sun Gate, Aguas Calientes town
- Physical Grading: 3/5
- Weather: Humid and warm
DAY 02: MACHU PICCHU GUIDED TOUR & RETURN TO CUSCO
This is the day Machu Picchu stops being a photograph and becomes a memory you carry for life.
After breakfast at your hotel, you make your way up to the citadel — either on foot (approximately 1 hour 40 minutes along the steep access path) or by bus (optional, not included). Arriving on foot through the main agricultural terraces gives you a sense of arrival that bus passengers simply don’t experience.
Once inside, your certified guide leads a 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu, covering the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana stone, the Sacred Plaza, and the agricultural sectors — with full historical and cultural context in English and Spanish. After the guided portion ends, you have free time to explore the citadel at your own pace.
For those wanting to go further: Huayna Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu Mountain are both available as optional add-ons (additional ticket required, spaces are strictly limited — please inform us at the time of booking if you wish to include either climb).
In the afternoon, you return to Aguas Calientes and board the tourist train back to Ollantaytambo (approximately 2 hours). Your private transfer will be waiting at Ollantaytambo station to take you directly back to your hotel in Cusco. Train departure times range between 2:00 PM and 8:30 PM depending on availability at the time of booking.
BEAR IN MIND
- Machu Picchu Altitude: 2,400 masl = 7,874 feet
- Places to Visit: Machu Picchu citadel, optional Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (1h 15 min to summit — advance booking required)
- Physical Grading: 2/5
- Weather: Humid and warm
- Meal Included: Breakfast at hotel
Map
Short Inca Trail route map
The Short Inca Trail starts at Kilometer 104 (2,100 m / 6,890 ft) on the Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes railway. The trail climbs 12 km northeast through cloud forest, passing Chachabamba (2,150 m) and Wiñaywayna (2,650 m), before reaching Inti Punku / Sun Gate (2,730 m) and descending into Machu Picchu citadel (2,400 m). Total elevation gain: approximately 630 m.
Inclusions
Includes:
- Bilingual and certified Tour Guide
- All Entrances and Permits for the Inca Trail
- A briefing about the trek with your guide the day before
- Pick up from your accommodation in Cusco
- Private transportation to go to the station train at Ollantaytambo
- Bus tickets up and down from Aguas Calientes to MachuPicchu the second day
- Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu
- A Survivor T – shirt, for each member of the group
- Touristic Train from Ollantaytambo to Km. 104
- Touristic train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Private Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
- 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Snack for the trek
- Availability of meals to your preference (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, pesquetarian, etc) for the lunch and dinner in Aguas Calientes
- First Aid Kit, with Oxigen ballon.
Doesn’t includes:
- Extra expense if you want to buy things along the trail
- Entrance fees to Waynapicchu Mountain or Mountain Machu Picchu. (it has an extra cost of 70 dollars per person)
- Walking sticks (you can rent from us which cost 20 dollars for a professional black diamond pair)
- Mineral water (you can buy bottle of mineral water in Ollantaytambo)
- First Breakfast and last lunch and dinner
- Upgrade your Touristic Train to a Luxury Vistadome Train to Ollantaytambo (70 $)
- Tips for the team (Is not obligatory but if you wish to do it, it will be welcome)
packing list
Short Inca Trail packing list
- Porters are not included in this trek, so you will carry your own stuff that is why we recommend taking only the necessary thing for these 2 days
- Original Passport
- A valid student card if you book this trek as student (25 years old as máximum)
- Travel Insurance card (you have to le tus know the name of your Travel Insurance company and you travel Insurance Number)
- Day Pack
- Rain coat or Rain Poncho
- Trekking shirts and trekking pants
- Waterproof hiking shoes
- Bottle of Water
- Toilet Paper
- Sun Block
- Sun Glasses
- Caps or Hats
- Insect Repellent (30% DEET Recommended)
- Walking sticks
- Camera with extra batteries
- Extra money especially in soles to buy thing along the trek
POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE.
Travel Info
Everything you need to know before hiking the Short Inca Trail
How difficult is the Short Inca Trail?
The Short Inca Trail is rated moderate. The first day involves around 6 to 7 hours of hiking covering 12 km, with a sustained uphill section from Km 104 to Wiñaywayna (approximately 550 m of elevation gain). The trail uses original Inca stone staircases, which can be slippery when wet. The second day at Machu Picchu involves light walking on flat terrain.
No technical climbing is required. Most travelers with a reasonable fitness level complete it comfortably, though we always recommend spending at least 2 days in Cusco to acclimatize before the hike.
Do you need a permit for the Short Inca Trail?
Yes. Just like the Classic 4-day Inca Trail, the Short Inca Trail requires an official government permit issued by Peru’s Ministry of Culture. Only 250 permits are available per day on this route. The permit is tied to your passport number and is non-transferable.
At Local Trekkers Peru, we handle the entire permit process as part of your booking — you don’t need to contact any government office directly. During peak season (May to September), permits can sell out weeks in advance, so we recommend booking at least 6–8 weeks ahead.
When is the Short Inca Trail closed? People Also Ask
The Short Inca Trail is closed every February for annual maintenance and conservation work managed by Peru’s Ministry of Culture. The closure typically runs from February 1 to the last day of February, with reopening on March 1. Outside of February, the trail operates year-round.
However, the rainy season runs from November to March, which means wetter conditions, muddier paths, and more cloud cover at Machu Picchu. The dry season (April to October) offers clearer skies, better views from the Sun Gate, and more stable trail conditions.
What ruins do you visit on the Short Inca Trail?
The Short Inca Trail passes through three major archaeological sites. Chachabamba (2,150 m) is the first stop near Km 104 — a ceremonial water complex believed to have been a purification site for pilgrims entering the sacred Inca road.
Wiñaywayna (2,650 m), meaning “Forever Young” in Quechua, is the most impressive site on the route: a terraced complex with ceremonial fountains, agricultural platforms, and residential structures built directly into the mountainside.
Finally, Inti Punku (the Sun Gate, 2,730 m) is the ceremonial entrance to Machu Picchu, aligned with the sunrise during the June solstice. Your guide explains each site in English and Spanish.
Is the Short Inca Trail suitable for beginners?
Yes, the Short Inca Trail is one of the most accessible ways to reach Machu Picchu on foot. It does not cross any high-altitude passes (the maximum elevation is 2,730 m at the Sun Gate), and there is no camping — you sleep in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
We recommend that beginners do at least 2–3 days of gentle walking in Cusco before the hike to adjust to the altitude, stay well hydrated, and avoid alcohol the night before. Anyone in reasonable health who can walk for 6–7 hours continuously can complete this trail. Our guides set the pace for the group and carry a first aid kit and emergency oxygen at all times.
Short Inca Trail vs Classic Inca Trail — which should you choose?
The Classic Inca Trail (4 days) covers 43 km from Km 82, crosses Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 m, includes 3 nights of camping, and visits 30+ archaeological sites along the way. It requires significantly more fitness, time, and physical preparation.
The Short Inca Trail (2 days) covers the final 12 km from Km 104, stays below 2,730 m, includes 1 night in a hotel, and visits the 3 most scenic sites: Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna, and the Sun Gate. Choose the Classic if you have 4 full days, are in good shape, and want the full archaeological immersion.
Choose the Short Trail if you have limited time, prefer hotel accommodation over camping, or want the authentic Sun Gate entrance to Machu Picchu without the 4-day commitment.
What is the altitude on the Short Inca Trail?
The trail starts at Km 104 at 2,100 m (6,890 ft), climbs to Wiñaywayna at 2,650 m (8,694 ft), reaches its highest point at Inti Punku (Sun Gate) at 2,730 m (8,957 ft), and descends to Machu Picchu at 2,400 m (7,874 ft). Compared to the Classic Inca Trail (which reaches 4,215 m), the altitude on the Short Trail is considerably lower.
However, if you are arriving from sea level, spending 2 full days in Cusco (3,400 m) before the hike is strongly recommended. Altitude sickness symptoms — headache, fatigue, and nausea — are less common on this route but not impossible, especially on the first uphill section.
What is the best time of year to hike the Short Inca Trail?
The best months are May to September (dry season), when rainfall is minimal, trails are dry, and views from the Sun Gate are typically clear. June, July, and August offer the most stable conditions but also the highest demand for permits. April and October are excellent shoulder months — fewer crowds, mostly dry weather, and lush green landscapes just after or before the rains.
November to March is the rainy season: trails can be muddy and Machu Picchu is frequently covered in mist in the mornings. That said, many travelers find the misty atmosphere of the rainy season adds a magical quality to the experience, and permits are far easier to obtain. The trail is completely closed only in February.
Price
Short Inca Trail prices 2026–2027
Our Short Inca Trail 2 days starts from $550 USD per person for group service (2–10 people). The price includes all Inca Trail permits, Machu Picchu entrance tickets, bilingual certified guide, tourist train both ways, hotel in Aguas Calientes, and meals on Day 1. There are no hidden fees — everything you need to complete the trek is covered.
| Number of People for group: | ||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5-6 | 7-10 |
| Price USD$ (per person): | ||||
| 550 USD$ | 550 USD$ | 550 USD$ | 550 USD$ | 550 USD$ |
| Number of People for private: | ||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5-6 | 7-10 |
| Price USD$ (per person): | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 800 USD$ | 750 USD$ | 700 USD$ | 650 USD$ | 600 USD$ |
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About the Short Inca Trail 2 Days
Resolvemos todas tus dudas antes de reservar tu viaje.
The Short Inca Trail 2 days costs between $500 and $650 USD per person for a group service with hotel accommodation. At Local Trekkers Peru, our price starts from $550 USD and includes everything: Inca Trail permit, Machu Picchu entrance ticket, bilingual certified guide, tourist train both ways, hotel in Aguas Calientes, and meals on Day 1.
Private service and luxury options range higher. There are no hidden fees — the price you see covers all logistics from Cusco and back.
During peak season (May to August), Short Inca Trail permits sell out 6 to 9 months in advance. For shoulder months (April, September, October), booking 3 to 4 months ahead is strongly recommended. Only 250 permits are issued per day on this route, including guides and support staff, which means available spaces for travelers are limited.
The permit is tied to your passport number and is non-transferable. At Local Trekkers Peru, we handle the entire permit process as part of your booking — book early to guarantee your preferred date in 2026 or 2027.
No. It has been mandatory since 2001 to hike the Inca Trail — including the Short Trail — with a licensed guide and an authorized tour operator. You cannot purchase permits independently or walk the route on your own. All bookings must be made through a registered agency, which handles the government permit process on your behalf.
At Local Trekkers Peru, our guides are bilingual (English and Spanish), certified by Peru’s Ministry of Culture, and lead small groups of 2 to 10 people for a personal and unhurried experience.
Our Short Inca Trail 2 days includes: official government permit for Km 104, Machu Picchu entrance ticket (Circuit 1), bilingual certified guide for both days, tourist-class train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and return, bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and back, 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes, lunch and dinner on Day 1, guided visit to Machu Picchu on Day 2, and first aid kit with emergency oxygen throughout the hike. Transfers from and to your hotel in Cusco are also included. There are no hidden charges.
Yes, for travelers who want to arrive at Machu Picchu the way the Incas did — on foot through the Sun Gate — the Short Inca Trail offers something no train journey can. You visit two major archaeological sites (Chachabamba and Wiñaywayna) along the original Inca road, and you enter Machu Picchu through Inti Punku with the citadel spread below you.
Taking the train and bus is faster and cheaper, but you arrive through the back entrance with all other visitors. The Short Trail costs more because it includes permits, guided heritage sites, and a full guided visit on Day 2 — but the experience is incomparably different.
For the Short Inca Trail you will need: a daypack (20–30 L), broken-in hiking boots with good ankle support, trekking poles (highly recommended for the stone staircases), rain jacket or poncho, 2 liters of water or a hydration bladder, sunscreen and sunglasses, insect repellent, light layers (it is warm at the start and cooler at the Sun Gate), your original passport (required at trail checkpoints), snacks for the trail, and any personal medications including altitude pills if prescribed.
Your guide carries a first aid kit. For Day 2 at Machu Picchu, bring only a small bag as large backpacks are not allowed inside the citadel.
Yes, many travelers in their 60s and 70s complete the Short Inca Trail successfully. The key factors are general fitness, prior acclimatization in Cusco (at least 2 full days), and the absence of high-altitude passes — the maximum elevation is 2,730 m at the Sun Gate, far lower than the Classic Trail’s 4,215 m. The trail does involve sustained uphill walking on stone steps for 3 to 4 hours, so it helps to do some walking preparation in the weeks before your trip. Our guides set a pace that works for the whole group and always carry emergency oxygen. We recommend consulting your doctor before booking if you have any cardiovascular or respiratory conditions.
The day starts early. Pickup from your hotel in Cusco is typically at 5:00 to 5:30 AM to reach Ollantaytambo train station in time for the morning train to Km 104.
The train journey takes approximately 1.5 hours. Hiking begins around 9:00 to 9:30 AM at Km 104 and the group arrives at Wiñaywayna by early afternoon and at the Sun Gate by late afternoon (approximately 4:00–5:00 PM), before descending to Machu Picchu and taking the bus down to Aguas Calientes for dinner and overnight. Your exact pickup time will be confirmed by your guide during the pre-trek briefing the day before.
The Short Inca Trail does pass through narrow mountain paths and stone staircases built into the hillside, with open views over valleys and cloud forest. There are some exposed sections, particularly near Wiñaywayna and approaching the Sun Gate.
However, the trail does not involve any technical climbing, ropes, or vertical drops. Most travelers with mild altitude sensitivity complete it without issue. If you have a strong fear of exposed mountain ridges, we recommend discussing it with us before booking so we can set accurate expectations about the specific sections involved.
Yes, we are currently accepting reservations for 2026 and 2027. Peru’s Ministry of Culture releases the official permit calendar for each year, and spots for peak months (May–August) fill up extremely fast once dates open. We strongly recommend booking as early as possible — ideally 4 to 6 months in advance for high season, and at least 2 to 3 months ahead for low season.
At Local Trekkers Peru, we monitor permit availability daily and process your reservation as soon as you confirm, securing your passport-linked permit before spaces run out.
