Short Inca Trail

2 days 1 night

Difficulty: Moderate

Customizable tour? Yes

Follow in the footsteps of the Incas and hike a section of the world-famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

The 2 day / 1-night Short Inca Trail is a relatively undemanding hike including a visit to Wiñay Wayna, one of the most beautiful archaeological sites on the entire Inca Trail. For those who prefer to experience a shorter trek before visiting the Inca city of Machu Picchu, this is the perfect option!


We are an officially authorized Inca Trail to Machu Picchu operator

Whether you want to hike the Classic 4-day Inca Trail, the 5-day Extended Inca Trail, or the 2-day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you will need a permit issued by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture, the institution responsible for protecting Machu Picchu and the famous Inca Trail.

The popularity of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu means you should make your booking as far in advance as possible. Permits to trek the Inca Trail sell out quickly, particularly during the high season.

PLEASE NOTE: It is not possible for another traveler to automatically replace someone who cancels their Inca Trail to Machu Picchu trek. Permits are issued by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture on an individual basis.

Included
All transport (private vehicle) from your hotel to the train station.
Expedition Train ticket Cusco – Km 104
Expedition Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Poroy Train station)
English-speaking guide
Meals: As described in the itinerary
First-aid kit
Entrance fee to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
Bus ticket day 1: Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
Bus tickets day 2: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
Transfer from the train station to your hotel
Not included
Travel insurance
Meals not included in the itinerary.
Tips
What to bring
Passport
Daypack
Rain jacket
Sunblock
Cap and sunglasses
Water
Binoculars (for birdwatching enthusiasts)
Camera
Hiking boots
Walking poles (Make sure they are not metal tipped, to protect the Inca Trail’s original stone steps)
Trekking Rates and Group Sizes

Explore with us!

  • Price for 2 travelers USD 755 (per person)
  • Price for 3 – 4 travelers USD 695 (per person)
  • Price for 5 – 6 travelers USD 605 (per person)
  • Price for 7 – 10 travelers USD 555 (per person)

Minimum 2 people for this trek.

Whether you’re trekking alone, in a group, or seeking a custom adventure, we’ve got you covered. Let’s create your perfect journey – just drop us an email!

Tour Plan

Day 1
Cusco – Km. 104 – Wiñay Wayna – Aguas Calientes

We will pick you up from your hotel in the early morning and take you to the train station. Your fully guided hike will begin at Km 104 of the Cusco-Machu Picchu railroad. During this beautiful short trek, you will experience spectacular high forest scenery dominated by snow-capped peaks, and there will be plenty of time to visit the picturesque Wiñay Wayna archaeological site.

You will have your first glimpse of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, or Intipunku, high above the Inca city. Forty minutes later, we will arrive at Machu Picchu, from where we will continue the descent to the small town of Aguas Calientes.

Traveling time:

Cusco–Poroy Train station (private vehicle): 13 kilometers / 8 miles (30 minutes)

Poroy –Km 104 of the railroad (train): 91 kilometers / 56.5 miles (3 hour 15 minutes)

Trekking distance:

9.3 kilometers / 5.8 miles (5-6 hours)

Altitude:

  • Km 104: 2,201 meters / 7,219 feet.
  • Wiñay Wayna: 2,665 meters / 8,743 feet.
  • Intipunku: 2,693 meters / 8,833 feet.
  • Machu Picchu: 2,460 meters / 8,071 feet.
  • Aguas Calientes: 2,070 meters / 6,791 feet

Meals included: Box lunch.

Day 2
Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu

Today will be devoted to your guided tour of Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas rediscovered in 1911. Our experienced and knowledgeable guide will escort you as you visit the site’s temples and palaces and explore its residential and agricultural areas.

Other options on this second day include scaling the mountain known as Huayna Picchu or visiting Machu Picchu Mountain, (subject to advance booking), before the return trip to Cusco by train.

Traveling time:

Machu Picchu – Poroy Train station (train): 99 kilometers / 61.5 miles (3.30 minutes)

Poroy Train station – Cusco (private vehicle): 13 kilometers / 8 miles (30 minutes)

Altitude:

  • Aguas Calientes: 2,070 meters / 6,791 feet.
  • Machu Picchu: 2,460 meters / 8,071 feet

Meals included: lunch.

FAQ

Is there a minimum group size and what happens if Andean Adventures Peru does not meet the minimum size?

The minimum number of participants for each group is 2. In the event that we do not reach the minimum number of persons required for a selected date, we will try to offer you an alternative trek date or refund your trek deposit in full. Andean Adventures Peru can operate with a single participant on a private tour basis (many of our clients choose to travel individually).

I would like to do the trek with my friends, can I book now and my friends book later?

That depends on the availability of places on the Inca Trail. We cannot guarantee that once you have booked, your friends will also be able to do so. On certain dates during the high season, we recommend that groups of travelers who want to hike the Inca Trail should do so under a single booking. Refunds are not given for the Inca Trail, and so if your friends don’t manage to get a place on the same date, or if those who succeed in booking decide to cancel the trip, there will be no possibility of a refund.

Is there a minimum or maximum age limit for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?

There is no official restriction on the age limit for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu or other treks in Peru. However, as a responsible trekking and hiking company we recommend that children under 9 years of age should not hike Inca Trail. 12 years is a better age to do the Inca Trail. Also, all children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

What is the maximum group size? Is there a maximum?

The maximum group size is 16 persons. For more than 16 persons, a second group must be organized. A single guide travels with 8 participants. For larger groups, an assistant guide will also accompany the participants.

If I am traveling alone can I have my own tent / hotel room?

If you are traveling alone and are willing to share a tent, with a member of the same sex or partner, family member or friend, then there is no additional cost. If, however, you would like your own private tent an additional supplement will be payable. Please contact us in advance, because this option will depend on the availability of spaces at the campsites designated by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture.

Can I wait until Cusco to hire an extra porter?

If you want to hire the services of an extra porter to carry your personal gear, then you must let us know at the time you make your booking for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. By letting us know in advance, you ensure we will be able to organize the services of an extra porter for each day of the trek. If you make this request in Cusco just days before the start of your trek, the extra porter will only be able to accompany you during the first two days of the Inca Trail.

What is the Inca Trail level of difficulty and do I need to be in good physical condition?

The Inca Trail is a 43-kilometer (25-mile) trek through a mountainous region, involving hiking for 5-7 hours a day at high altitude and over rough terrain. Make no mistake, the Inca Trail is a fairly difficult trek and you should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You should be fit and exercise regularly before your trek. It is also important to be well acclimated before starting the trek. We recommend spending 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3400 meters / 11,154 feet above sea level) prior to starting the trek. If you do not take regular exercise or have a heart, respiratory, knee or back problem, do not consider doing the trek.

What is the weather like on the trek?

Both in Cusco and on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, days tend to be warm and nights cold. On the Inca Trail, from April through October, which is the dry season, the weather during the day is warm. During June, July and August nights can be cold, and a good four season sleeping bag is recommended. The rainy season runs from November through March. In February, which is the rainiest month of the year, the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance.

What do we do for water along the Inca Trail?

Use of plastic bottles on the network of Inca Trails to Machu Picchu is not permitted. Other treks do not have this restriction but we always recommend and encourage our travelers to use reusable canteens or second use plastic water bottles. Our cook will provide you with boiled water to refill your bottle at all the campsites.

What food safety processes do you have in place?

All foodstuffs are purchased immediately before departure to guarantee freshness, and they are correctly packaged and handled by our trained staff to ensure food safety. We use cloth bags when making our purchases, rather than plastic. The produce is fresh and bought directly from local farmers. Also, we pack the produce in cloth bags and hermetic multiuse containers, avoiding the use of plastic in order to make our operations as green as possible.

What do I need to carry?

You will need to carry your daypack with all the personal items you need during the day. The rest of your luggage will be transported by us (van / porters). Porters are only permitted to carry 8 kilos for each person (including sleeping bag). As a company, Andean Adventures Peru is committed to the well-being of its porters during treks, ensuring that they are properly paid, well fed, and comfortable at our campsites.

From

USD 555

2 days 1 night

Difficulty: Moderate

Customizable tour? Yes

All elements of these itineraries can be tailored to your interests and travel style.

Tailor made

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