Stone ruins and terraces among mountains
Trekking & Hiking

Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 2 Days

Machu Picchu

Duration
2 days
Physical level
Moderate
Max. altitude
2,720 m
Group size
Group of 5 to 10, or private
Accommodation
1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes
From
US$535

One day on the Inca Trail, the Sun Gate and a guided tour of Machu Picchu

The short Inca Trail in 2 days: train to Km 104, a day on the original Inca path past Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate, a night in Aguas Calientes and a guided tour of Machu Picchu. Permit, entrance and hotel included.

The short Inca Trail is a condensed version of the famous trek: a shorter but still captivating way to walk the Inca path, with the ruins of Wiñay Wayna and your arrival at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. It is the usual choice for travellers with limited time or who prefer a less demanding hike than the classic Inca Trail.

The trek at a glance

Distance: 12 km. Walking time: 6–7 hours on day 1 and 2–3 hours on day 2, depending on your pace and stops. Altitude: from 2,100 m at Km 104 to 2,720 m at the Sun Gate. Difficulty: moderate to challenging. Accommodation: standard hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Permits: book early

Walking the Inca Trail requires a permit, even for the short route, and spots are limited. Book well in advance, especially for the dry season. The trail closes every February for maintenance.

Optional extras

Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain: an extra climb on day 2 (moderate to challenging), with a separate ticket that must be booked in advance.

  • A day on the original Inca Trail, from Km 104
  • The ruins of Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna
  • Arriving at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate
  • A night in Aguas Calientes and a guided tour of Machu Picchu

short Inca Trail route map

NRÍO URUBAMBACUSCO3,399 m · 11,152 ftDAY 1–2 · START · ENDOLLANTAYTAMBO2,792 m · 9,160 ftDAY 1–2KM 1042,100 m · 6,890 ftDAY 1WIÑAY WAYNA2,650 m · 8,694 ftDAY 1SUN GATE2,720 m · 8,924 ftDAY 1MACHU PICCHU2,430 m · 7,972 ftDAY 1–2AGUAS CALIENTES2,040 m · 6,693 ftDAY 1–2 · 1 NIGHTRoadTrainTrekRiverCamp / lodgeHighlight
← Swipe →© OpenStreetMap
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Cusco – Km 104 – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes

Train to Km 104 and a day on the Inca Trail past Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate.

Overnight: Aguas CalientesBoxed lunch, dinner12 km · 6–7 h

short Inca Trail itinerary

  1. Cusco's Plaza de Armas seen from the arcades

    Aguas Calientes

    Boxed lunch, dinner12 km · 6–7 h2,720 m

    Day 1: Cusco – Km 104 – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes

    Pick-up from your hotel around 04:00–04:30 and drive by van to Ollantaytambo station (1.5 to 2 hours). Then a one-hour train ride to Km 104, the trailhead, where we pass the permit checkpoint and start walking. First stop: the ruins of Chachabamba, a stone altar where the sun and the mountains were worshipped. From here the trail climbs to an open meadow and, after about three hours, descends into a beautiful forest with a waterfall (in season) to the foot of Wiñay Wayna. Your guide explains this Inca site, followed by a boxed lunch. In the afternoon we walk through cloud forest full of bromeliads, orchids and tree ferns, past Inca stone stairs and resting places. Sixty steps take us up to Inti Punku, the famous Sun Gate. From this viewpoint, about 45 minutes downhill to where we take the bus to Aguas Calientes. Check-in at your hotel and a briefing with your guide for the next day. Difficulty: moderate to challenging.

  2. The citadel of Machu Picchu among mist-covered mountains

    Machu Picchu

    Breakfast2–3 h2,430 m

    Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

    An early start to make the most of Machu Picchu: a short bus ride from Aguas Calientes to the entrance, followed by a guided tour with the history, architecture and meaning of the Inca citadel. In the afternoon, walk back down to Aguas Calientes (about 1.5 hours) for lunch (not included). Later, train back to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco, arriving around 18:30–19:00. Difficulty: moderate.

Customize this journey

Change the pace, upgrade hotels, add days — this itinerary is yours to shape.

Customize this journey

What's included

Included

  • Transfer from your hotel to the train station on day 1
  • Expedition train to the trailhead (Km 104)
  • Professional guide in Spanish, English or Portuguese
  • Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu entrance
  • Guided tour of Machu Picchu and of the ruins along the trail
  • Bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu on both days (one ride each day)
  • 1 night at a standard hotel in Aguas Calientes
  • Meals listed in the itinerary (1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner) and snacks
  • Train back to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco

Not included

  • Bus down from Machu Picchu on day 2 (you can walk down in about 1.5 hours)
  • Huayna Picchu ticket
  • Machu Picchu Mountain ticket
  • Hot springs entrance
  • Lunch on day 2
  • Drinking water
  • Extra porter for personal items
  • Hotel or train upgrades

short Inca Trail prices

Group tour

FromUS$535per person

Groups of 5 to 10 people

  • Standard hotel (double, matrimonial or triple room)
Check availability

Private tour

FromUS$650per person

Price for 1 or 2 people

  • Private service: only your group
  • Standard hotel (double, matrimonial or triple room)
Check availability

Before you go

Passport

Bring your original passport or valid ID: it is checked at the trail checkpoint, on the train and at Machu Picchu.

Permits

Inca Trail permits are limited, even for the short route. Book months ahead for the dry season. The trail closes every February.

Your backpack

Trekking shoes and a comfortable hiking backpack with a water bottle or hydration bladder, warm clothes (jacket, fleece, sweater), hiking clothes, a hat or cap for sun or rain, sunscreen, insect repellent, toilet paper, snacks (biscuits, energy bars, chocolate) and cash.

Water

Drinking water is not included: bring enough for the day, especially for the walk from Km 104.

Hot springs

Pack a swimsuit if you want to visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes after the trek.

short Inca Trail FAQs

G

Giovanni

Founder & Travel Advisor · replies within 24 hours

Message on WhatsApp

As early as possible. The short route also needs an Inca Trail permit, and spots are limited and sell out months ahead in the dry season.

The short Inca Trail is 12 km in a single day of walking, from Km 104 to the Sun Gate, with a night in a hotel. The classic trek takes 4 days and 45 km, with three nights camping and Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 m).

The group tour (from US$535) runs with 5 to 10 people. The private tour (from US$650) is only for you, priced for 1 or 2 people. Both include a standard hotel in Aguas Calientes.

The bus down on day 2 is not included: you can walk down to Aguas Calientes in about 1.5 hours or buy a bus ticket there.

Moderate to challenging: 6–7 hours of walking on day 1, with a climb from 2,100 m to 2,720 m at the Sun Gate. It does not cross high passes like the classic trek.

We plan a gradual ascent, starting in the lower Sacred Valley. Our guides carry oxygen, monitor how you feel and adjust the pace whenever needed.

What our travelers say

  • ★★★★★
    “Fast, honest answers on WhatsApp before we booked and real support during the trip. When a train was delayed, everything was rearranged before we even noticed.”
    Laura & James P., United KingdomPeru Essentials in Style
  • ★★★★★
    “Walking the Inca Trail had been on my list for twenty years. The team handled the permits, the porters were incredible and arriving through the Sun Gate was pure emotion.”
    Michael K., AustraliaClassic Inca TrailGoogle
  • ★★★★★
    “Travelling with three kids could have been stressful, but the pace was just right. The llama trek and the chocolate workshop were the highlights for our children.”
    The Harrison family, United StatesFamily Adventure in the AndesTripadvisor
  • ★★★★★
    “The perfect honeymoon. The Hiram Bingham train, a private sunrise at Machu Picchu and three nights in the Amazon — Giovanni designed something that felt completely ours.”
    Emma T., United KingdomRomantic Peru HoneymoonGoogle
  • ★★★★★
    “Our guide on the Salkantay trek knew every plant, every story and exactly when we needed a break. Crossing the pass at sunrise is a memory we will keep forever.”
    David & Claire R., CanadaSalkantay Trek to Machu PicchuTripadvisor
  • ★★★★★
    “Every single detail was taken care of, from the airport pick-up in Lima to a quiet table overlooking the Sacred Valley. We never once had to think about logistics — we just enjoyed Peru.”
    Sarah M., United StatesPeru Essentials in Style

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