Limited permits are available. Secure your preferred Inca Trail 4 day date before spaces fill up. $775 per person
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Hike the final stretch of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in one day, then sleep in a hotel instead of a tent. The Short Inca Trail 2 Days starts at KM 104 (Chachabamba) and climbs through cloud forest to the terraces of Wiñay Wayna. You get your first view of the citadel from the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), the same route Inca Trail hikers take to reach Machu Picchu.
You’ll cover about 12 km (7.5 miles) on Day 1 and spend the night at a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes. On Day 2, you return to Machu Picchu for a full guided tour. Trains, buses, the Inca Trail permit, Machu Picchu entry, and hotel pickup from Cusco are all included. It’s a good fit if you have limited time, prefer a moderate hike, or want to hike the real Inca Trail without three nights of camping.
Inca Trail permits are limited and often sell out months in advance. Check availability first to confirm your preferred date before making your reservation. The earlier you plan, the better your chances of securing your ideal departure date.
Overview
The Short Inca Trail, also called the 2-Day Inca Trail or the KM 104 route, is the shortest official way to walk into Machu Picchu on an original Inca path. It joins the Classic Inca Trail at Wiñay Wayna, so you walk the same final section and pass through the same Sun Gate as four-day trekkers. You hike only one day, though, and the highest point is lower than Cusco.
This is the hotel version of the Short Inca Trail. Instead of camping, you sleep in a hotel room in Aguas Calientes with a private bathroom and a hot shower. Your overnight bag travels by train and is waiting at the hotel when you arrive.
| Detail | Short Inca Trail 2 Days with Hotel |
| Duration | 2 days, 1 night |
| Trailhead | KM 104 (Chachabamba), about 2,100 m (6,890 ft) |
| Hiking distance | About 12 km (7.5 mi), all on Day 1 |
| Hiking time | 6 to 7 hours, including site visits and lunch |
| Highest point | Inti Punku (Sun Gate), about 2,720 m (8,920 ft) |
| Elevation gain | About 620 m (2,030 ft) net, mostly before the Wiñay Wayna |
| Machu Picchu | 2,430 m (7,970 ft) |
| Overnight | 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes, 2,040 m (6,690 ft) |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Group size | Small groups of up to 10 travelers; private departures available |
| Transportation | Private transfers, the PeruRail Expedition train, and Machu Picchu buses |
| Meals | 1 trail snack, 1 lunch, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast |
| Season | March through January (the Inca Trail closes every February) |
| Permit | Required and included; tied to your passport |
The Short Inca Trail suits travelers who want to hike into Machu Picchu but have only two days. It also works if you’d rather avoid the high passes and camping of the four-day route. It is a full hiking day with steady climbs and uneven stone steps, so you should be comfortable walking six to seven hours. You don’t need trekking experience.
Families with active older children and first-time hikers and travelers who want a meaningful Inca Trail experience at a moderate pace often choose this route.
| Short Inca Trail 2 Days | Classic Inca Trail 4 Days | |
| Starting point | KM 104 (Chachabamba) | KM 82 (Piskacucho) |
| Hiking distance | About 12 km (7.5 mi) | About 43 km (27 mi) |
| Highest point | About 2,720 m (8,920 ft) at the Sun Gate | 4,215 m (13,830 ft) at Dead Woman’s Pass |
| Nights | 1 night in a hotel | 3 nights camping |
| Daily trail capacity | 250 trail users per day | 500 trail users per day |
| Sun Gate arrival | Afternoon of Day 1 | Early morning of Day 4 |
| Machu Picchu | Afternoon views on Day 1 and a guided tour on Day 2 | Guided tour on Day 4 |
| Effort | Moderate | Challenging |
Want the full multi-day experience? See our Classic Inca Trail 4 Days or read our Short Inca Trail vs. Classic Inca Trail comparison. If you want an upgraded hotel and train, see the Luxury Short Inca Trail 2 Days.
We operate in accordance with the strictest legal and safety standards required by the Peruvian government. We are a licensed travel and tourism agency based in Cusco, authorized to operate throughout the country and, specifically, within the protected area of the Inca Trail. See our official certifications and permits.
Inca Trail permits are limited and often sell out months in advance. Once you book with us, we handle the entire permit process on your behalf, from checking availability for your dates to submitting your details to the Peruvian authorities. You never have to deal with the paperwork, and you know your place on the trail is confirmed. Check our Inca Trail permit availability before you book.
Our reputation is built on the experiences of the travelers who have walked the Inca Trail with us. Hundreds of hikers from around the world have shared honest reviews about our guides, our porters, our food, and our care on the trail. Read what they say in our verified TripAdvisor reviews.
Our local guides, who are professionals, have extensive knowledge of the Inca Trail in terms of its history, archaeology, and environment. Throughout the trek, they carry satellite phones, emergency oxygen, and first-aid kits. In addition, they receive regular safety training.
For the Inca Trail, our groups are limited to ten travelers. This allows our guides to provide personalized attention to each person, answer their questions, and help each traveler enjoy the hike at a comfortable pace.
Your comfort and nutrition are our utmost priority. On our 2-Day Short Inca Trail, rather than standard cold boxed lunches, your experience includes a dedicated professional mountain chef who prepares a fresh, hot, and delicious lunch right on the trail. Savor authentic Andean cuisine freshly made just for you, ensuring the energy and fine hospitality you deserve on your journey to Machu Picchu.
To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience, we provide a complimentary 7-kg (15-lb) duffel bag. We safely transport your belongings by train, ensuring your duffel bag arrives intact and is waiting for you directly at your hotel in Aguas Calientes. This allows you to enjoy the trek at your own pace, carrying only your personal daypack with the essentials.
For travelers on the Inca Trail, we offer a free luggage storage service. With your belongings safely stored, you can enjoy the ancient ruins and breathtaking scenery along the trail without any worries.
At Ali Perú Treks, your guide takes care of every detail, from the pre-trip briefing to the train ride. They’ll accompany you from your hotel to the train station, help you board the train, and travel with you to ensure that you get off at the right stop with all your belongings so you can begin your 2-day adventure on the Inca Trail safely and with peace of mind.
Itinerary
Early pickup and train to KM 104. We pick you up at your hotel at around 4:00 AM. Pickup is also available in Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, with times adjusted to your location. After a drive of about two hours through the Sacred Valley, you board the 6:10 AM PeruRail Expedition train at Ollantaytambo. The train follows the Urubamba River to the KM 104 stop, where your hike begins.
Checkpoint and Chachabamba. At the KM 104 control point, park staff check your Inca Trail permit against your original passport. After a short snack, you cross the river and visit Chachabamba, an Inca site of fountains and ceremonial structures associated with water and ritual.
The climb to Wiñay Wayna. From Chachabamba, the trail climbs steadily up the mountainside through cloud forest with orchids, bromeliads, and ferns. Views open up over the Urubamba Valley as you go. This is the most demanding part of the day, with about three to four hours of uphill walking on dirt paths and stone steps. You reach Wiñay Wayna, “Forever Young” in Quechua, at about 2,650 m (8,690 ft). Its curved agricultural terraces, stairways, and stone water channels make it one of the most striking sites on the trail. Your guide explains how it was built and used. Learn more about Wiñay Wayna.
Lunch on the trail. Near Wiñay Wayna, our cook serves a hot lunch prepared on site, a welcome break before the final stretch.
The Sun Gate and your first view of Machu Picchu. After lunch, you join the last section of the Classic Inca Trail. The path contours along the mountain through cloud forest, then reaches a short, very steep flight of stone steps just before Inti Punku, about 2,720 m (8,920 ft). From the Sun Gate you see Machu Picchu below, with Huayna Picchu rising behind it. Most groups arrive between 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM, depending on pace. From there it is a gentle walk down to the classic viewpoint above the citadel for photos in the afternoon light.
Aguas Calientes. You take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, about 25 to 30 minutes, and check in to your hotel, where your duffel bag is waiting. In the evening, you have dinner with your group at a local restaurant, and your guide goes over the plan for Day 2.
| Day 1 | Details |
| Hiking distance | About 12 km (7.5 mi) |
| Hiking time | 6 to 7 hours, including visits and lunch |
| Trailhead | KM 104, about 2,100 m (6,890 ft) |
| Highest point | Inti Punku, about 2,720 m (8,920 ft) |
| Elevation gain | About 620 m (2,030 ft) net |
| Inca sites | Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, Inti Punku, Machu Picchu viewpoint |
| Overnight | 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes, 2,040 m (6,690 ft) |
| Meals | Snack, lunch, and dinner |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Early bus to the citadel. After breakfast at your hotel, you leave your duffel bag at the hotel and take a daypack with you. We ride one of the early buses up to Machu Picchu (about 25 to 30 minutes) to make the most of the cooler, quieter morning. Your exact entry time depends on the time printed on your Machu Picchu ticket.
Guided tour of Machu Picchu. Yesterday you saw the citadel from above. Today you walk through it. Your guide leads a tour of about two hours along Circuit 3, which covers the religious and royal sectors, including the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Residence (House of the Inca), and the Temple of the Condor. You’ll learn how the Inca built and used the site and why it was abandoned and later rediscovered. After the tour, you can continue at your own pace along the rest of your assigned route. See how the Machu Picchu circuits work.
Lunch in Aguas Calientes. Take the bus back down to town. Plan to be in Aguas Calientes at least two hours before your train. Lunch today is on your own, and the town has restaurants for every budget.
Train and transfer to Cusco. Your guide walks you to the station for your PeruRail Expedition train at 2:55 PM or 3:20 PM. The ride along the Urubamba River to Ollantaytambo takes about one and a half to two hours. Our driver meets you at Ollantaytambo station and takes you back to your hotel in Cusco, usually between about 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM, depending on traffic.
| Day 2 | Details |
| Main activity | Guided tour of Machu Picchu (about 2 hours) |
| Machu Picchu altitude | 2,430 m (7,970 ft) |
| Walking | Easy to moderate, with stone stairs inside the site |
| Return | PeruRail Expedition train to Ollantaytambo, private transfer to Cusco |
| Meals | Breakfast |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Included
Packing List
On this trek, you split your gear into two bags. You carry a daypack on the trail. Your duffel bag (provided by us at the briefing) travels by train to your hotel in Aguas Calientes. Your large suitcase stays in free storage in Cusco. For more detail, see our Short Inca Trail packing guide.
Use a comfortable 20 to 30 L backpack.
The weight limit is 7 kg (15 lb), including the bag.
Travel Info
Your guide meets you in Cusco the evening before your trek, usually around 5:00 PM. At the briefing, you confirm your pickup time, receive your duffel bag, review the route, weather and safety plan, and tell us about any dietary needs. Attendance is mandatory. Please bring your passport so we can double-check it against your permit details.
We rate the Short Inca Trail as moderate. The main effort is the climb of three to four hours from Chachabamba to Wiñay Wayna, followed by a steep flight of stone steps just before the Sun Gate. The path is a mix of dirt trail and original Inca stonework, which can be uneven and slippery when wet.
Most reasonably active travelers complete it comfortably at their own pace. Walking regularly and climbing stairs in the weeks before your trip makes the day more enjoyable. Read our 2-Day Inca Trail difficulty guide for a detailed breakdown.
The trail itself is lower than Cusco. It runs between about 2,100 m (6,890 ft) and 2,720 m (8,920 ft), while Cusco sits at about 3,400 m (11,150 ft). Most travelers start in Cusco, though, so we recommend spending at least two days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before the trek.
This gives your body time to adjust, and you’ll enjoy the hike more. Drink plenty of water, go easy on your first day and talk to your doctor about altitude medication if you are concerned. See our guide to acclimatizing in Cusco
The trail runs through cloud forest, so expect warm, humid conditions while hiking and changeable weather in any month. See our Inca Trail weather guide.
You travel on PeruRail’s Expedition train in both directions: the 6:10 AM departure from Ollantaytambo to KM 104, and the 2:55 PM or 3:20 PM return from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Private road transfers connect your hotel with Ollantaytambo station. Train schedules are set by the rail operator and can change.
If they do, we’ll confirm your updated times before departure. Compare the Expedition and Vistadome trains.
You’ll spend the night at the Hatun Inti Classic or a similar 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu Pueblo. Rooms have a private bathroom and a hot shower. Your duffel bag is delivered to the hotel, and the hotel stores it on Day 2 while you visit Machu Picchu. New to the town? Read our Aguas Calientes guide.
Your guide is trained in first aid and carries a first aid kit, emergency oxygen and a satellite phone for sections of the trail without mobile signal. The guide sets a pace that works for the whole group and stays with the group throughout the hike. Please tell us about any medical conditions when you book.
Strikes, landslides or rail disruptions occasionally affect travel to Machu Picchu. If this happens, we’ll contact you with the available alternatives and explain any changes to the itinerary. Some situations may involve extra costs that are outside our control, which is one reason we recommend travel insurance.
Travel insurance is not mandatory, but we strongly recommend it. Choose a policy that covers trekking at altitude, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation and travel delays.
The Short Inca Trail follows part of the Qhapaq Ñan, the Inca road network that linked the empire and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the way, you visit three Inca sites before Machu Picchu itself: Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna and Inti Punku. Discover more about Inca Trail archaeological sites.
The route crosses the cloud forest of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, a transition zone between the high Andes and the Amazon. Hundreds of orchid species have been recorded in the sanctuary. You may also spot hummingbirds and, with luck, the Andean cock-of-the-rock, Peru’s national bird. The spectacled bear lives in the sanctuary, but sightings are rare. See what wildlife you may see on the Inca Trail.
Map
The Short Inca Trail is a one-way hike that starts at the KM 104 stop on the railway, crosses the Urubamba River and visits Chachabamba. It then climbs the mountainside to Wiñay Wayna, where it joins the Classic Inca Trail. From Wiñay Wayna, the trail follows the final stretch of the classic route to Inti Punku, then descends to the viewpoints above Machu Picchu. Aguas Calientes, where you spend the night, sits in the valley below and is reached by bus.
Price
All prices are per person in US dollars and include the services listed under What’s Included.
| Service | Price per person |
| Shared group departure (up to 12 travelers) | US$500 |
| Group size | Price per person |
| 2 to 3 travelers | US$650 |
| 4 to 5 travelers | US$600 |
| 6 to 7 travelers | US$550 |
| 8 or more travelers | US$500 |
Permits for the Short Inca Trail are limited to 250 trail users per day and often sell out months ahead, especially from May to September. Once your permit is issued, it cannot be changed or transferred. Check availability and contact us to reserve your date.
Faqs
It is a moderate hike. The hardest part is the climb of three to four hours from Chachabamba to Wiñay Wayna on dirt trail and stone steps, plus a steep set of steps just before the Sun Gate. You don’t need trekking experience, but you should be comfortable walking six to seven hours.
About 12 km (7.5 miles), all on Day 1. Including the site visits and lunch, the hike takes six to seven hours. Day 2 is a guided tour of Machu Picchu with easy to moderate walking.
The highest point is Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), at about 2,720 m (8,920 ft). That is roughly 700 m (2,300 ft) lower than Cusco. The trailhead at KM 104 sits at about 2,100 m (6,890 ft).
We recommend four to five months ahead, and earlier for May through September. The KM 104 route is limited to 250 trail users per day, and permits are issued only for a specific date and passport.
No. The whole Inca Trail network, including the Short Inca Trail, closes every February for maintenance. Machu Picchu remains open, so in February you can visit by train instead.
This is the hotel version. You hike on Day 1 and sleep in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes, with a private bathroom and hot shower. You don’t need a tent or sleeping bag.
Yes. On Day 1 you arrive through the Sun Gate and walk down to the classic viewpoint in the late afternoon. On Day 2 you return by bus with a separate entrance ticket for a guided tour of about two hours on Circuit 3.
Usually between 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM, depending on the group’s pace. It is an afternoon arrival, not sunrise. Hikers on the four-day Classic Inca Trail reach the Sun Gate early in the morning.
We take an early bus, but your entry time depends on the slot printed on your Machu Picchu ticket, and mornings are often cloudy. We can’t guarantee a sunrise view.
No. You carry only a daypack. We give you a 7 kg (15 lb) duffel bag at the briefing, and it travels by train to your hotel in Aguas Calientes. Your large luggage stays in free storage at our office in Cusco.
Yes, subject to ticket availability. These tickets are limited and sell out early, so request them when you book. The add-on is priced separately.
That’s fine. Your guide sets a steady pace, stays with the group, and plans enough time to reach Machu Picchu before it closes for the day. Let us know at the briefing if you have any concerns.
Yes. We can prepare vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other diets on the trail. Tell us when you book and confirm at the briefing.
There is no official age limit. Children and older travelers who walk regularly usually do well. If you are over 65 or have a medical condition, we recommend checking with your doctor before booking.
Your train leaves Aguas Calientes at 2:55 PM or 3:20 PM. With the transfer from Ollantaytambo, you are usually back at your hotel in Cusco between about 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM.
Yes, as long as they have rubber tips. Metal tips without rubber protectors are not allowed on the Inca Trail. You can rent poles from us for US$10 per pair.
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