Short Inca Trail 2 Days to Machu Picchu
- 2 Days
- 1 Night
- Moderate
- Inca Trail
- Cusco to Machu Picchu
One full day on the Inca Trail from Km 104, past the terraces of Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate, with a night in Aguas Calientes and a guided visit of Machu Picchu.
Trip facts
- Duration 2 Days / 1 Night
- Difficulty Moderate
- Max altitude 2,720 m / 8,924 ft
- Best season April to October
- Distance 12 km / 7.5 mi on foot (day 1)
- Meals Lunch, dinner and breakfast
- Accommodation Hotel in Aguas Calientes (1 night)
- Transportation Road, train and bus
- Guide Professional local guide
Overview
The Short Inca Trail packs the final section of the Inca road into a single hiking day. You start at Km 104, deep in the Urubamba Valley, climb through cloud forest to the terraces of Wiñay Wayna and follow the original trail to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, where Machu Picchu comes into view below you. Instead of camping, you spend the night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes and return to Machu Picchu the next morning for a guided visit.
The hike covers roughly 12 km (7.5 miles), with a steady climb of around 600 m (about 2,000 ft) during the morning. That makes it a good choice if you want to walk into Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail but don’t have four days, would rather not camp, or prefer to skip the high passes of the Classic route. It’s also a popular option for families with older children and for first-time visitors to Peru. If you’re weighing it against the four-day trek, see how the two Inca Trail routes compare.
The Short Inca Trail is part of the same protected trail network as the Classic route, so the same core rules apply: permits are limited and issued in each hiker’s name, and the trail closes every February for maintenance. Dates from May to August fill quickly, so it’s worth checking availability as soon as you know when you’re traveling.
This page describes how the trip usually runs. Train times, the hotel and the exact timing of your Machu Picchu visit depend on your date and permit, and we confirm all of it with you in writing before you book.
Highlights
- Hike the final section of the Inca Trail in one day, with no camping
- Start at Km 104 beside the Inca site of Chachabamba
- Climb through cloud forest, past a waterfall and, in season, wild orchids
- Explore Wiñay Wayna, with its curved terraces and stone water channels
- Walk through Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, for your first view of Machu Picchu
- Spend the night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Guided visit of Machu Picchu the following morning
Itinerary
Day 1:
Km 104 to the Sun Gate and Aguas Calientes
Train to Km 104, a full hiking day past Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate, then down to Aguas Calientes for the night.An early start from Cusco takes you by road and rail into the Urubamba Valley. The train stops at Km 104, where there’s no town at all, just a small platform, a suspension bridge over the river and the checkpoint where your permit and passport are verified. Right beside it is Chachabamba, an Inca site of fountains and ceremonial buildings that makes a good first stop.
From there the trail climbs steadily along the mountainside for about three hours, through cloud forest and past a waterfall, with growing views down the valley. Around midday you reach Wiñay Wayna, one of the most impressive sites on the whole Inca Trail, with stone terraces curving around the slope. After a packed lunch you join the main Inca Trail for the last stretch, a mostly gentle path with one short, steep set of steps up to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate.
From the Sun Gate you walk down toward Machu Picchu for your first close look at the citadel in the afternoon light, then take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, check in to your hotel and have dinner in town.
- Starts
- Km 104 (Chachabamba)
- Ends
- Aguas Calientes
- Meals
- Lunch, dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Whether you enter Machu Picchu on the afternoon of day one depends on the entry rules for your date. We confirm the plan with your booking.
Day 2:
Guided visit of Machu Picchu and return to Cusco
An early bus back up to Machu Picchu for a guided visit, free time in Aguas Calientes and the journey back to Cusco.After breakfast at the hotel, you take one of the early buses back up to Machu Picchu. Your guide leads you through the site on the circuit and entry time on your ticket, explaining how the city was planned, built and used, and what we know about the people who lived there.
Guided visits usually last around two to three hours. Afterward, you head back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch on your own and some free time before the afternoon train back through the valley and the road transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
- Starts
- Aguas Calientes
- Ends
- Cusco
- Meals
- Breakfast
Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain have very limited daily spaces and aren’t available with every ticket type. Ask us early if you’d like to add one.
What’s Included
Included
- Inca Trail permit (Km 104 route) and Machu Picchu entry ticket
- Professional local guide for the hike and the Machu Picchu visit
- Road and rail transport from Cusco to the Km 104 trailhead
- Return train from Aguas Calientes and road transfer to Cusco
- One night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Buses between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
- Meals shown in the itinerary
- First-aid kit carried by the guide
Not included
- Meals not shown in the itinerary, including lunch on day two
- Hotels in Cusco before and after the trip
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets
- Entrance to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Tips for your guide
We confirm every inclusion, the hotel and the train times in writing with your quote.
What to Bring
Documents
- Original passport, the same one used to book your permit
- Travel insurance details
Clothing
- Comfortable hiking shoes or boots with good grip
- Light layers, plus a warm jacket for the early start
- Rain jacket or poncho
- A change of clothes for the evening in Aguas Calientes
Gear
- Small daypack; to take it into Machu Picchu it must be under 40 × 35 × 20 cm (16 × 14 × 8 in)
- Small overnight bag: trains to Machu Picchu only allow limited luggage, so leave your suitcase in Cusco
- Reusable water bottle (at least 1.5 liters)
- Trekking poles with rubber tips, if you use them (they aren’t allowed inside Machu Picchu)
Health & personal
- Sunscreen, sun hat and sunglasses
- Insect repellent: biting sand flies are common around Aguas Calientes
- Personal medication and a few snacks
Food, Lodging & Transport
Food & meals
The hiking day includes a packed lunch on the trail, dinner in Aguas Calientes that evening and breakfast at the hotel the next morning. For the meals that aren’t included, Aguas Calientes has plenty of cafés and restaurants, from quick sandwiches to Peruvian dishes.
Let us know about vegetarian, vegan or other dietary needs when you book.
Accommodation
You spend one night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, the small town at the foot of Machu Picchu. After a full hiking day, a hot shower and a real bed are a big part of this trip’s appeal, and staying in town puts you close to the early buses up to the site the next morning. The hotel and room type are confirmed with your booking.
Transportation
This trip combines road, rail and bus. You travel from Cusco into the Urubamba Valley by road and train, get off the train at the Km 104 stop to start hiking, and ride the shuttle bus between Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes. On day two you return by train and road to Cusco. Train times and the connection point are confirmed with your booking.
Luggage on the trains is limited to a small bag per person, so pack light and leave your main luggage at your hotel in Cusco.
Difficulty & Altitude
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Highest point
- 2,720 m / 8,924 ftInti Punku (Sun Gate)
Fitness
We rate the Short Inca Trail as moderate. There are no high passes, but the morning is a steady climb of around 600 m (about 2,000 ft) on uneven stone steps, and the full day is six to seven hours on your feet including stops. If you walk regularly and can manage a few hours of uphill hiking, you’ll be comfortable.
The trail is narrow in places, with drop-offs beside the path, so let us know if anyone in your group is uneasy with heights.
Altitude
The Short Inca Trail is lower than Cusco. The hike starts at about 2,150 m (7,050 ft) at Km 104 and reaches about 2,720 m (8,920 ft) at the Sun Gate. Machu Picchu sits at about 2,430 m (7,970 ft) and Aguas Calientes at about 2,040 m (6,690 ft). Most people find it easier to breathe here than in Cusco, at about 3,400 m (11,150 ft).
You’ll still arrive from Cusco, so give yourself at least a day or two there before the hike to adjust, stay hydrated and take your first afternoon slowly.
Permits, Tickets & Rules
The Short Inca Trail runs through the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary, so the same core rules apply as on the Classic route:
- Limited, personal permits. Daily spaces are capped, and permits are issued through licensed operators in each hiker’s name and passport number. They can’t be transferred.
- Guided only. Every group hikes with an authorized guide.
- February closure. The trail network closes each February for maintenance.
- Timed Machu Picchu entry. Machu Picchu tickets are sold for a specific date, entry time and route, set by the Ministry of Culture. We book the options that fit your permit and confirm them with you.
Regulations in the sanctuary change from time to time, and we’ll tell you about anything that affects your date.
Traveling with Family
For many families, this is the most comfortable way to walk into Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail. The hiking day is long but manageable, it stays lower than Cusco, and the night is spent in a hotel rather than a tent.
It works well for children and teens who are used to walking several hours at a time. Keep in mind the early start, the steady morning climb and the narrow sections of trail with drop-offs. For younger children, the train journey to Machu Picchu may suit better.
Ask our team about suitability for your family. We’ll talk through ages and experience and suggest the right pace and plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Short Inca Trail or Classic Inca Trail: which should I choose?
Choose the Classic route if you want the full multi-day trek, with high passes, camping and many Inca sites along the way. Choose the Short Inca Trail if you have less time, prefer a hotel to a tent, or want a moderate hike that still arrives at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
How hard is the Short Inca Trail?
It’s a moderate hike: about 12 km (7.5 miles) with a steady climb of around 600 m (about 2,000 ft) in the morning and plenty of stone steps. Most people who walk regularly find it very manageable.
Do I need a permit for the Short Inca Trail?
Yes. It’s part of the regulated Inca Trail network, so you need a permit booked through a licensed operator in your name, and you must hike with an authorized guide.
Where do we sleep?
In a hotel in Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu. The hotel and room type are confirmed with your booking.
Will I see Machu Picchu on both days?
You see it from the Sun Gate on day one and have your full guided visit on day two. Whether you also enter the site on the afternoon of day one depends on the entry rules for your date, and we’ll explain the plan when we confirm your trip.
How early should I book?
For May to August, several months ahead if you can, because permits and Machu Picchu entry times are limited. For other months there’s usually more flexibility, but earlier is always easier.
What should I do with my luggage?
Leave your main luggage at your hotel in Cusco and travel with a small overnight bag. Trains to Machu Picchu have strict luggage limits, and you’ll carry your daypack on the trail.
Can I do the Short Inca Trail in the rainy season?
Yes, in every month except February, when the trail network is closed. From November to March, pack good rain gear and expect wet, slippery steps; the views can still clear quickly between showers.
Route
Route map coming soon
Route at a glance
- Cusco
- Km 104 (Chachabamba), about 2,150 m (7,050 ft)
- Wiñay Wayna, about 2,650 m (8,690 ft)
- Inti Punku (Sun Gate), about 2,720 m (8,920 ft)
- Machu Picchu, about 2,430 m (7,970 ft)
- Aguas Calientes, about 2,040 m (6,690 ft)
- Back to Cusco on day two
The hiking section runs about 12 km (7.5 miles) from Km 104 to Machu Picchu, joining the Classic Inca Trail near Wiñay Wayna. A detailed route map is being prepared.
Tour Video
Our video for this tour is coming soon. Until then, we’re happy to answer your questions on WhatsApp or by email.
Travel Tips for This Trip
Why DSL Adventures
Planned by a Local Team in Cusco
-
Based in Cusco
Your trip is planned by people who live here and know the region’s seasons, roads and trails.
-
Local Guides
Guides from the region who know the trails, the history and the communities along the way.
-
Direct Communication
One conversation with the team organizing your trip, from your first question to your last day.
-
Personalized Planning
Dates, pace and details shaped around your group.
-
Visual Storytelling
Photos and stories from our routes help you picture each day before you go.
4 Days Inca TrailCusco to Machu Picchu
Classic Inca Trail 4 Days
Four days on the original Inca road, through cloud forest and mountain passes to the Sun Gate.
Price On request
1 Day Machu PicchuCusco to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu by Train 1 Day
A scenic rail journey along the Urubamba River and a guided visit to the Inca citadel.
Price On request
2 Days Machu PicchuSacred Valley to Machu Picchu
Sacred Valley + Machu Picchu 2 Days
A day among the villages and Inca sites of the Sacred Valley, the evening train from Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu the next morning.
Price On request
Plan your trip
Let’s Plan Your Trip Together
Tell us your dates, who’s traveling and what you’d like to see. Our team in Cusco will reply with availability, ideas and clear next steps.