The Short Inca Trail is the two-day version of the most famous pre-Hispanic trail in South America. It is designed for those who do not have time for the classic four-day route but still want to reach Machu Picchu on foot along an authentic section of the Inca Trail, visit archaeological sites that are not seen from the citadel, and enter through the Sun Gate just like on the longer version. It is shorter in distance, but not in intensity: the first day includes demanding uphill sections that surprise those who arrive without physical preparation.
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Essential facts about the route
The Short Inca Trail covers approximately 16 kilometers in total, divided over two days. It begins at kilometer 104 of the railway line, at the Chachabamba checkpoint, at 2,170 meters above sea level. The highest point of the entire route is the Sun Gate at 2,720 meters, significantly lower than Warmiwañusca Pass on the Classic Inca Trail. That difference in altitude means the risk of altitude sickness is lower and the route is more accessible for travelers who have not had time to acclimatize for several days in Cusco.
The difficulty is classified as moderate. There are no technical climbing sections, but there are steep uphill stretches on original stone steps that require a good basic level of fitness. Total hiking time on the first day is between 5 and 6 hours. The second day is short: about 2 hours to tour the citadel with a guide.
Permits: just as mandatory as on the Classic Trail
The Short Inca Trail also requires an official permit from the Peruvian government and can only be done with an authorized tour operator. It is not possible to enter the trail independently. The daily limit for this route is 300 people in total, including guides, porters, and tourists. Of that number, approximately 250 spots are distributed across two entry time slots at the kilometer 104 checkpoint.
Permits sell out weeks or months in advance during the high season. In the low season between November and April, booking 2 to 3 months ahead is usually enough. In the high season between May and October, booking at least 4 to 6 months in advance is recommended. Once a permit has been issued, neither the date nor the permit holder’s name can be changed, so confirming your flight dates before booking is essential.
The day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: kilometer 104 to Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate
The day begins very early in Cusco, with departure to Ollantaytambo to catch the morning train to kilometer 104. Upon arrival at the Chachabamba checkpoint, permits and passports are checked before starting the hike.
The trail starts at 2,170 meters and climbs steadily through high jungle and cloud forest vegetation. Along the way, you pass waterfalls and viewpoints overlooking the Urubamba River canyon before reaching the first major destination of the day: the Wiñay Wayna ruins at 2,650 meters above sea level.
Wiñay Wayna is one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the entire Inca road network. Its name means forever young in Quechua and refers to a variety of orchid that grows abundantly in the area. The complex has stepped agricultural terraces, original ceremonial fountains that still function, and residential enclosures that reveal the level of Inca construction sophistication in a mountain setting. It is a site that most tourists never visit because it can only be reached on foot via the trail.
After exploring Wiñay Wayna and having lunch in the rest area, the trail continues for about 2 more hours to the Sun Gate, Intipunku, at 2,720 meters. From there, Machu Picchu appears for the first time from above, in a frontal and elevated perspective. It is the same arrival point as the Classic Trail and the same view experienced by Inca walkers who came along this route more than 500 years ago.
From the Sun Gate, the descent to the citadel takes about 45 minutes. At the end of the first day’s hike, you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to spend the night in a hotel.
Day 2: guided tour of Machu Picchu
The second day begins very early with breakfast at the hotel and a bus transfer from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of the citadel. The guided tour inside Machu Picchu lasts between 2 and 3 hours and covers the main sectors: the Guardian House viewpoint, the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Plaza, the Intihuatana, the Sacred Rock, and the Temple of the Condor. At the end, there is free time to explore the site on your own or relax in Aguas Calientes before taking the train back to Ollantaytambo and Cusco.
What the Short Inca Trail package includes
A standard package includes transportation from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, the outbound train to kilometer 104 and the return train from Aguas Calientes, the official trail permit, entrance to Machu Picchu, one night of hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes, meals on the first day on the trail, a bilingual official guide for both days, and the bus up and down between Aguas Calientes and the citadel.
Unlike the Classic Trail, the Short Trail does not include porters or camping equipment because the overnight stay is in a hotel. Each participant carries their own daypack during the hike, which is more convenient for those who prefer not to depend on support staff.
The cost of a group package ranges from $475 to $650 per person with hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes. The price varies depending on the operator, the size of the group, the hotel category, and the additional services included.
Key differences from the Classic Trail
The main difference is not just the duration, but the experience each route offers. The Classic Trail covers 44 kilometers in four days, crosses three different ecological zones, climbs over Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 meters, and passes five archaeological sites including Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca. The Short Trail covers 16 kilometers in a single day of hiking, reaches a maximum altitude of 2,720 meters, and mainly passes through Wiñay Wayna before reaching the Sun Gate.
For someone with limited time, basic physical fitness, or a preference not to sleep in tents, the Short Trail offers the essence of the Inca Trail without the demands of the longer version. For those seeking the full experience with all its mountain days, the Classic Trail has no substitute.
Who it is ideal for
It is the right choice for travelers with 3 to 5 days available in Cusco who want to reach Machu Picchu on foot without committing an entire week. It is also ideal for those who are in good physical condition but prefer to avoid the extreme altitude of Warmiwañusca Pass. And for couples or groups who want a trekking experience with hotel accommodation instead of camping.
It is not recommended for travelers with knee or back problems, since the descending stone steps can be demanding on sensitive joints. It is also not the best option for those who arrived in Cusco on the same day as departure, because even though the maximum altitude is lower than on the Classic Trail, the physical effort of 5 hours of hiking without acclimatization can cause discomfort.
What to carry in your backpack
- Water for the entire day, because there are no sales points on the trail after the Chachabamba checkpoint.
- Energy snacks for the stretches between meals.
- Waterproof clothing or a poncho, because rain can appear at any time even during the dry season.
- Hiking shoes with good traction, preferably already broken in to avoid blisters.
- Sunscreen and insect repellent.
- A headlamp in case the return from Machu Picchu extends into the late afternoon.
- Trekking poles help on descents, but they are not allowed inside the citadel.
Hike the Short Inca Trail with Peru Sites
At Peru Sites, we arrange Short Inca Trail permits with the necessary advance planning and coordinate the train, accommodation in Aguas Calientes, entrance to Machu Picchu, and the official guide for both days in one package from Cusco. If permits are already sold out for your dates, we guide you toward the best trekking alternatives that also reach the citadel through equally impressive trails.
