Short Inca Trail 2 days
Duration
2 days
Max People
12
Min Age
6+
Pickup
Hotel - Bus -Train
Short Inca Trail 2 Days / 1 Night Details
Destinations: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Km 104 Checkpoint – Chachabamba – Wiñay Wayna – Sun Gate (Intipunku) – Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu Sanctuary.
Short on time but still want to experience the legendary Inka trek? The Short Inca Trail 2 Days / 1 Night is the ultimate compromise. This spectacular route allows you to hike the most beautiful final segment of the classic trail, crossing original stone pathways and pristine cloud forests without the intense physical strain of the full 4-day trek.
On Day 1, you will board the scenic train to Km 104, where your foot journey begins. You will explore the stunning cliffside ruins of Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna, culminating in a dramatic late-afternoon arrival at the famous Sun Gate (Intipunku) for your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu. After spending a comfortable night in an Aguas Calientes hotel, Day 2 is fully dedicated to a private tour of the majestic Inka citadel.
The Cusco Land Expeditions Advantage: Government permits for the official Inca Trail are highly restricted and tightly monitored. We guarantee a flawless experience by securing your official trekking passes, professional bilingual mountain guides, and quality hotel accommodation well in advance, accompanied by top-tier **Machu Picchu Circuit 2** entrance access.
Trip Details
Highest Elevation: 2,720 meters / 8,920 feet (Sun Gate)
Service: Small Group / Private Custom Trek Options
Difficulty: Moderate (Uphill stone steps on Day 1)
Trek Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles (Approx. 6-7 hours)
Transportation: Tourist Bus & Scenic Expedition Train
Recommendations
Acclimatize in Cusco for at least 2 days before starting this trek to prevent altitude discomfort.
Book several months in advance; only 250 daily permits are issued for this entire route.
What to Bring
Original Physical Passport (Crucial for passing government trail checkpoints).
A daily daypack (under 25L) with a rain cover, sun protection, and premium mosquito repellent.
Tour Plan
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04:00 AM – Early Transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo
Your Inca Trail adventure begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We travel by comfortable tourist transport through the quiet Sacred Valley to the Ollantaytambo railway station.
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06:10 AM – Train to Kilometer 104 (The Trailhead)
Board the expedition train for a scenic ride down the Urubamba River canyon. We disembark directly at Km 104 (2,100 meters), the official starting checkpoint of the Short Inca Trail. Here, we present passports, meet our team, pass government security, and prepare our daypacks.
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08:00 AM – Exploring Chachabamba and the Ascent to Wiñay Wayna
Our trek begins with a visit to Chachabamba, an beautifully preserved Inka shrine. Following the archaeological introduction, we start a steady 3-hour upward hike along original stone paths. The trail takes us past cascades, orchid-filled forests, and cliffside lookouts until we reach the spectacular terraced complex of Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) at 2,650 meters, where we will tour the site and enjoy a box lunch.
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01:30 PM – Trekking to Intipunku (The Sun Gate)
We continue trekking along a lush, undulating path for about 1.5 hours, conquering the famous "gringo killer" steps just before arriving at Intipunku (The Sun Gate). Passing through this stone portal rewards you with your very first inspiring, full panoramic glance over the Machu Picchu citadel sitting quietly below.
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04:00 PM – First Silhouette Views and Descent to Aguas Calientes
Take advantage of the late-afternoon light to capture crowd-free silhouette photographs from the upper terraces of the citadel. Afterward, we exit the main park gates and take the official shuttle bus down to Aguas Calientes town to check into your hotel, enjoy a nourishing dinner, and rest.
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06:30 AM – Morning Shuttle Bus to the Sanctuary
Fuel up with a warm breakfast at your hotel before boarding the morning shuttle bus with your private guide. The bus climbs the winding highway up the mountain for 25 minutes to reach the archaeological park gates.
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07:30 AM – Private Guided Tour of the Inka Citadel (Circuit 2)
Cross the main gate checkpoints and step onto the royal stone sectors. Your expert guide will lead you along Circuit 2—the most comprehensive circuit inside the park. You will stand at the classic lookout terrace for iconic postcard photos before touring the Temple of the Sun, the Main Plazas, the Intihuatana stone, and the botanical areas over a deep 3-hour historical session.
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11:30 AM – Free Afternoon in Aguas Calientes
We take the shuttle bus back down to Aguas Calientes town. You will have plenty of free time to enjoy lunch at a local bistro, shop for handmade souvenirs at the local artisan market, or unwind in the natural volcanic hot springs.
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02:30 PM / 06:30 PM – Return Train and Transfer Back to Cusco
Walk to the town station and board your tourist train back to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival at the terminal, a professional Cusco Land Expeditions driver will be waiting at the gates to bring you comfortably back in private transport, dropping you right at your hotel doorstep in Cusco.
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Huayna Picchu Visit: Huayna Picchu mountain is NOT included in the standard Short Inca Trail permit. It must be booked 3 to 4 months in advance. The current additional fee is $75.00 USD. Please note that under the 2024/2025 regulations, access depends on specific circuit availability.
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Extra Porter: Unlike the 4-day Classic Inca Trail, porters are not typically used on the 2-day Short Inca Trail, as you only hike for one day and your main luggage is sent to Aguas Calientes by train. If required, a personal porter costs approximately $120.00 USD, with a weight limit of 7 kg for your belongings.
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Tips: Tips are optional but highly appreciated. On the Short Inca Trail, you will mostly interact with your guide. Donations such as clothing or school supplies are still a kind gesture for the porters' families and their communities.
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Accommodation: While Vista Machu Picchu is a frequent partner hotel, please verify your specific booking, as agencies often provide different hotels based on the service level chosen (Standard, Superior, or Deluxe).
What is Included
- Pre-departure trail briefing with your expert trekking guide.
- Professional, certified bilingual Wilderness Guide (English/Spanish).
- Official Government Hiking Permits: Short Inca Trail pass & Machu Picchu Sanctuary ticket.
- Private transfer from your Cusco hotel to Ollantaytambo station.
- Tourist train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Km 104 (Trek starting point).
- Nutritious box lunch (Day 1) and full breakfast at the hotel (Day 2).
- 03 Official Shuttle Bus tickets (Day 1: Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes / Day 2: Round-trip).
- 01 Night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes town.
- Complete private or small group guiding inside the Machu Picchu Citadel (Circuit 2 access).
- Return tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and connection back to Cusco hotel.
- First-aid kit and emergency oxygen tank carried by your guide.
What is Not Included
- Breakfast on Day 1 and dinner/lunch on Day 2.
- Personal trekking poles or specialized hiking gear (Can be rented in Cusco).
- Optional extra mountain climb tickets (Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain).
- Entrance ticket to the Aguas Calientes hot springs (S/. 20.00).
- Personal travel insurance, baggage porter service, or individual expenses.
- Tips for the guide and driving team.
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