Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Group Service

The Short Inca Trail is a two-day trip to Machu Picchu: one hiking day of about 6.2 mi (10 km) from Km 104, past Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate, a hotel night in Aguas Calientes and a guided tour the next morning. It's worth it if you want to arrive on foot without four days of camping.

The short version has one hiking day and a hotel night. The 4-day Classic Inca Trail starts at Km 82, crosses high mountain passes and spends three nights camping. Both follow original Inca paths to the Sun Gate; the difference is time and effort. Our Classic vs. Short Inca Trail comparison goes through it in detail.

Day 1 is moderately demanding: about six hours of walking with long climbs on uneven stone steps; Day 2 is mostly the guided tour. Uphill walks and stair training beforehand help, along with sturdy shoes and a couple of days in Cusco to adjust to the altitude. No technical climbing is involved.

About 6.2 mi (10 km) from Km 104, around six hours of walking. The highest point is Inti Punku, the Sun Gate (8,924 ft / 2,720 m), and Machu Picchu (7,972 ft / 2,430 m) sits lower than Cusco (11,155 ft / 3,400 m), so it's a good choice while you're still adjusting to the altitude.

The standard route starts at Km 104 and includes Chachabamba. On some dates permits are issued for the alternative Km 106 access, which takes a different approach and may skip Chachabamba. We'll confirm which access applies to your permit when you book.

Yes. Your price includes the Short Inca Trail permit and two entries to Machu Picchu. On Day 1 you'll arrive through the Sun Gate and stop at the classic viewpoint by the Guardian's House (Circuit 1) for your postcard photo. On Day 2 you'll return for your guided tour of the lower city (Circuit 3). Circuit 2, the classic route through the main sectors, is a separate ticket if you'd like to add it; ask us about availability and the extra cost. Permits for this route are limited each day, so book early.

Yes, with a separate ticket at US$85.00 per person for either mountain. The entry time has to fit around your guided tour and return train, so ask us to check before you book.

The price covers your guide, trail permit and Machu Picchu admission, trains, bus and van transfers, a 3-star hotel night in Aguas Calientes, a Day 1 box lunch and dinner, and Day 2 breakfast. The guiding team also carries a first-aid kit and emergency oxygen.

You'll pay separately for breakfast on Day 1 (bought in Ollantaytambo), lunch on Day 2 in Aguas Calientes, drinking water for the hike, travel insurance, optional mountain tickets, the optional Vistadome upgrade, trekking pole rental and tips.

Keep it light: a small daypack with water, a rain layer, sun protection and your passport is all you need. Large backpacks go in the storage area at the entrance, food isn't eaten inside the citadel, and trekking poles are allowed only when you really need them, with rubber tips. Each ticket allows one entry, so use the restrooms at the entrance before you go in.

Bring your own water for Day 1, enough for about six hours of hiking, plus a few snacks. Ollantaytambo is your last stop to stock up before the train, since there are no shops on the trail. Tell us about allergies or dietary needs before departure and we'll arrange what we can for your included meals.

You'll find restrooms near the Km 104 checkpoint, at Wiñay Wayna and at the Machu Picchu entrance, and your guide will suggest a stop before you go into the citadel, where there are none. For your phone and camera, bring a power bank: there's nowhere to charge on the trail.

This hike is light enough to carry your own gear, so a porter isn't included: you'll only need a small daypack with water, rain gear, warm layers, snacks and your passport. Most Cusco hotels will store your main luggage overnight; if yours can't, we can help arrange storage at our Cusco office. Check your train's baggage limits before packing your overnight bag.

You'll spend one night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes; our usual choice is Golden Sunrise Machu Picchu. If you'd like a different property or room type, ask us before booking and we'll check availability and any extra cost.

Pickup is usually between 4:00 and 4:20 a.m. from your Cusco hotel, depending on its location and your train. On Day 2, after the guided tour, you'll take the included train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, with PeruRail or Inca Rail depending on your booking, and our van back to your hotel in Cusco. We'll confirm the exact train time so you can plan the rest of your trip.

May to September is usually the driest period, and April and October are often good too, but rain can come any time, so pack waterproof layers; the wetter months also bring the orchids along the trail into bloom. The Inca Trail closes every February. In heavy rain the access point or timing can occasionally change; your guide will follow the official instructions and we'll walk you through your options.

Tell your guide right away if you feel ill, get hurt or can't continue. The team carries a first-aid kit and emergency oxygen, though these are not a substitute for medical care. Let us know about any health or mobility concerns before booking, and make sure your travel insurance covers trekking.

Yes, a licensed guide is required: the Inca Trail, including this short route, can only be hiked with an authorized operator. Groups have up to 10 travelers, with an assistant guide when there are more than nine. Departures need at least two people, so solo travelers are welcome to join a confirmed group; just ask us about dates.

Cusco is the easiest base, because the early pickup is included from your hotel there. You can also stay in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo, but pickups from those towns are arranged separately, so tell us when you book. Arriving in the Cusco region two or three days early also helps you adjust to the altitude.

Yes, bring a modest amount of soles for snacks in Ollantaytambo, lunch on Day 2, tips and personal purchases. There are ATMs in Aguas Calientes, but no shops or cash machines along the trail itself.

Send us your preferred date and traveler details, and we'll check permits, Machu Picchu tickets, train seats and hotel space. Permits are issued in the traveler's name for a fixed date, so double-check your passport details before paying: once issued, they usually can't be changed or transferred.

Your deposit secures the permits and transport for your date, which is why it's generally non-refundable. We'll confirm the deposit amount, balance, payment deadline, payment methods and cancellation terms before you pay.

The group rate is US$519.00 per person with a minimum of two travelers. Groups of five or more can request a US$25 discount, and eligible children under 16 and university students up to age 24 can request a US$35 discount with the right documents. We'll confirm your final total before you pay.