Explore the short two-day Inca Trail trek and visit Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna, the Puerta del Sol (Intipunku) and Machu Picchu. Enjoy the sunset at Machu Picchu with few people on the first day and arrive early on the second day to witness the incredible sunrise. The Short Inca Trail is available daily with Vistadome Scenic Trains included.
Short tour along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The short two-day hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a unique opportunity for those who do not have much time to hike the entire Inca Trail. This hike combines the highlights of the classic 4-day Inca Trail with some of the most beautiful Inca ruins in the dense cloud forest. Enter Machu Picchu through the Puerta del Sol (Intipunku) in the late afternoon for a unique opportunity to see Machu Picchu with fewer crowds.
The short two-day hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is perfect for solo travelers, couples, groups of friends and families with children, since it is only one day of walking and the next day you explore Machu Picchu.
Why book with Peru Local Expeditions?
Tour Highlights:
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco around 4:00 am (depending on the location of your hotel) and head to the Ollantaytambo train station. If your hotel is in the Sacred Valley or Ollantaytambo, pickup may be around 5:30 am.
For all travelers traveling the Little Inca Trail, we recommend staying the day before in a place closer to the Ollantaytambo Station. This way you can save 1.5 hours of travel from Cusco. If you do a tour like the Sacred Valley the day before, you can request return transportation in Ollantaytambo and spend the night in a hotel. Local Peru Expeditions will pick you up anywhere near Ollantaytambo or Cusco.
From Cusco it takes 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus to the Ollantaytambo station, where we board the first trains and travel along the Urubamba River until we reach kilometer 104 – Chachabamba (in the cloud forest). We head directly to the Chachabamba checkpoint to begin your short hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Please note that you will need the original passport to pass the checkpoint and have time to prepare for the hike, use the bathroom and warm up.
Our first stop is the magnificent Inca site of Chachabamba, where your guide will introduce you to the history of the Incas and Machu Picchu. After exploring the site, we will walk a short, ancient Inca trail to Machu Picchu.
The first section of the Short Inca Trail is a gradual 4-hour climb to Wiñaywayna (the place that never goes out of style). It is one of the most beautiful Inca sites on the Classic Inca Trail. We will take the time to explore this impressive archaeological site while enjoying the spectacular views of the Andes. Packed lunch and snacks will be provided; Once nourished and full of energy, we will continue our walk to the Puerta del Sol (Intipunku) to have our first look at the citadel of Machu Picchu, a truly unforgettable sight. We will arrive at Puerta del Sol around 3:00 p.m., when the crowds of Machu Picchu have retreated, allowing you to enjoy this deserted place.
This is followed by another one-hour walk downhill from Puerta del Sol to Machu Picchu with stunning views. In the afternoon we arrive at Machu Picchu and have the unique opportunity to discover the almost empty citadel. This day is the perfect opportunity for photography! Then you will take the bus to Aguas Calientes, have dinner at a local restaurant and spend the night in a 3-star hotel.
Dinner is served in the best restaurants in the city and your hotel is also located in exclusive locations with private bathrooms, hot showers, Wifi and beautiful views.
On our last day of the short Inca Trail, we woke up very early to prepare for the highlight of the hike, a visit to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. Breakfast is served at the hotel and we board the first buses to Machu Picchu. When the sky lights up, we can enjoy the incredible views of the city. On a clear day, you can watch the spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu.
Your guide will take you on a comprehensive 2-3 hour city tour before dropping you off at Machu Picchu to explore or climb the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountains (tickets must be booked as far in advance as possible and are not included in the price ). . .
Explore the highlights of Machu Picchu with a private guide, visit temples, palaces, and agricultural terraces, and learn about the history of Machu Picchu.
Optional: After visiting Machu Picchu, hike the original Hiram Bingham Trail to Aguas Calientes. Along the way you can visit the Machu Picchu Museum and the Butterfly Station and enjoy the fantastic views.
Your guide will explain how to travel by bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes for lunch (NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR). You have time to explore the city, choose the restaurant of your choice and buy souvenirs at the local market; Later in the afternoon you will board the panoramic trains (Vistadome or 360°) and take the bus back to Cusco. The Peru Local Expeditions team will meet you at the train departure and take you safely back to your hotel. Arrival time in Cusco is around 7:30 p.m.
Original passport (copy not accepted): Passports must be valid for 6 months after the date of travel to Peru.
Valid student ID card (if booking as a student): The original student ID card must be issued by the university up to the age of 25 and must contain the following: university details, personal details of the student, photo of the student and a valid document. ID. Date no later than December 31 of the year of travel.
Mountain boots for the short Inca Trail, you need comfortable footwear.
A comfortable, lightweight, high-quality backpack with enough room for water, snacks, and a few other essentials.
water storage of at least 2 liters; either a camel bag or one or more water bottles; The 1 liter water bottle works great, two of them make the 2 liter bottle. Single-use plastic bottles are prohibited in Machu Picchu; Make sure you have reusable containers.
Others for the short Inca trail
The Little Inca Trail is one of the most popular and well-known hikes in the world. The trail takes hikers through stunning landscapes, ancient Incan ruins, and eventually to the lost city of Machu Picchu. Below you will find all the information you need for the two-day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu.
The Short Inca Trail is located about 70 kilometers northeast of Cusco, in the cloud forest region, in the district of Machu Picchu, province of Urubamba.
The Small Inca Trail was created in the 15th century as an important commercial and ceremonial route that connected the Sacred Valley, Wiñaywayna and Machu Picchu.
During the Spanish conquest, the Little Inca Trail and Machu Picchu were abandoned and long forgotten. Only at the beginning of the 20th century was the road opened to tourists.
Today, the Peruvian government manages the Inca Trail and only 250 people are allowed to travel it daily. The restriction is to protect both the archaeological sites along the trail and the natural environment.
The weather on the Short Inca Trail can vary greatly. Warm days and cool nights await you, rain is possible at any time. Be sure to pack appropriate clothing and rain gear. The best time to hike the Little Inca Trail is from April to October, when rainfall is minimal.
The average temperature is 10 to 25 °C (50 to 77 °F). Since the location is in the cloud forest, it can rain at any time and most of the time it is cloudy.
The walk begins at km 104 – Chachabamba – Wiñaywayna – Puerta del Sol and finally reaches Machu Picchu after 7 hours of walking. The total distance traveled is 16 kilometers (10 miles).
Despite its shorter length, the Short Inca Trail is not an easy task. The path is difficult, with steep sections and many stairs. But it’s worth it for those who love the stunning views, not to mention the feeling of having taken such an epic trip!
There is a surprising amount of flora along the short Inca Trail. Many species of plants and flowers can grow wild along the trail. The most common include:
Wildlife is abundant along the short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Visitors can see:
The best time to walk the Little Inca Trail is between April and October. In fact, the climate is dry, sunny and has a lower risk of rain, but during the rainy season the road is almost empty; The only thing you need is good equipment to enjoy the trail despite the weather conditions.
The Peruvian government manages the Short Inca Trail. Every year, thousands of people from all over the world come to walk the trail, which ends with a visit to the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu. This hike is a protected area so there are certain regulations to minimize the impact on the trail and its surroundings. These are some of the most important rules to keep in mind:
There are three checkpoints on the Little Inca Trail that you must pass. You will receive a stamp on each point.
The total number of people admitted daily is 250 people, including guides, cooks and porters.
The Inca Trail opens when the first train arrives around 6:20 am. Most groups arrive after 7:00 am and have all day to hike to Machu Picchu.
The last group entering the Short Inca Trail is before 11:00 am. Otherwise, travelers will not be able to reach Machu Picchu on time. Another point to consider is the bus from Machu Picchu to the town of Aguas Calientes; The last bus leaves at 5:30 p.m.
The short Inca Trail ends in February each year. The closure of the Short Inca Trail is due to maintenance work and the strong rainy season.
There are no age restrictions to participate in the Short Inca Trail. Travelers should be able to walk for approximately 8 hours over rugged terrain with steep stairs and narrow paths.
Travelers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Travelers under 6 years old are advised to seek additional assistance, such as a trunk for transportation.
To access the short Inca Trail, you need to book an Inca Trail permit with an approved tour operator. These permits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
There are many travel agencies in Cusco, however, only a few are licensed to work on the Inca Trail (our travel agency has all the permits to access the Inca Trail). These authorizations are only given to a few agencies that are responsible and have a good track record of providing quality service to travelers.
One of the most popular tour operators for the Short Inca Trail is Peru Local Expeditions. They have been in business for over 7 years and have an excellent reputation. They offer a 2-day Short Inca Trail package with entrance tickets, meals, hotels, and scenic trains.
Tour guides also need a special license to work on the Inca Trail, which is renewed every two years. To obtain permission to work on the Inca Trail, guides must be trained in first aid and mountain rescue and have knowledge of the history and natural environment. To become a tour guide in Peru, you must study for at least three years and speak a foreign language.
Your guide will accompany you every step of the way. They will help you navigate the path, find the best photo spots, and answer any questions about the history and culture of the Inca people.
Your guide can also provide you with information about the different species of plants and animals you can see along the trail. And if you’re lucky, you might even see a condor or two!
Leaders and porters also need to be trained to obtain permission to hike the Inca Trail.
For the regular Short Inca Trail tour, porters and guides are not included in the package. You will only walk with a tour guide. However, you can upgrade the tour or book a camp stay and then receive all the hiking equipment.
It is prohibited to leave garbage inside the Inca Trail. Therefore, we ask all our travelers to carry their waste and not leave anything along the Inca Trail. If you are trekking with a trekking team, carry a red garbage bag for plastic and non-biodegradable waste.
We do not allow the use of disposable bottles for this hike. In fact, they are a large source of waste and can harm the environment. All you need to do is bring a reusable container.
To do this The short Inca trail it is necessary to do it with a tour operator authorized by the Peruvian government, write to us to verify the available spaces and make the corresponding payment, wait for our confirmation to continue with your reservation, only then will you be able to buy your flights and hotels.
Inca Trail permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you need to cancel your trip for any reason, you will not be able to receive a refund for your ticket. Additionally, if you are unable to walk on the expiration date of your permit, you will not be able to transfer your permit to another date or to another person.
In the event that you do not arrive on the assigned date, you will lose your reservation as well as the amount paid for it, so take your necessary precautions, this applies to all tour operators.
Pets or exotic animals are not allowed on the Short Inca Trail. Only guide dogs are allowed on the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
On the walk there are no medical centers along the 16 kilometers along the route. You must be careful and follow your guide’s instructions. To ensure the safety of our customers, we guarantee the following:
The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is an excellent way to appreciate the beautiful landscapes that surround the Inca city of Machu Picchu. However, there are some things you should know before you start your trip. Here is a brief guide to the Code of Conduct on the Little Inca Trail:
Follow the rules and regulations set by the Peruvian government.
Prohibited items on the hike
There are certain things that you cannot bring with you to the Short Inca Trail, all out of common sense:
You cannot bring animals or pets, only guide dogs are allowed (Write us to take appropriate precautions)
Alcohol or other illegal substances or drugs.
Weapons such as guns, knives and other weapons.
Explosives: flammable liquids or solids
Large tripods, drones and large cameras for video production
Visitors are not allowed to touch or climb the ruins of Machu Picchu.
Visitors are not allowed to bring large backpacks to Machu Picchu.
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