Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Day 1: Cusco - Chachabamba - Winay Wayna - Machu Picchu

We will pick you up early from your hotel in Cusco and transfer you by private transport to the Ollantaytambo train station, where you will board a scenic 1.5-to-2-hour train ride along the Urubamba River to the Km 104 trailhead. After checking in with your passport at the Chachabamba park ranger station, we begin a steady 3-to-4-hour ascent toward the archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna, hiking through a striking transition of dry cactus-dotted slopes and lush Andean cloud forest.

Along the way, you will catch panoramic views of the Urubamba valley and distant Inca sites such as Choque Suysuy and Intipata, with a refreshing stop beside a mountain waterfall just before reaching Wiñay Wayna ("Forever Young"). After exploring these dramatic cliffside terraces and enjoying lunch, we continue along the ancient stone path to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) for your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu bathed in late-afternoon light. From there, we walk past the upper citadel and descend to Aguas Calientes, taking in the surrounding mountain scenery before checking into your hotel for the night.

Day 2: Machu Picchu - Cusco

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Aguas Calientes and walk with you to the bus station, where you will board the shuttle bus up to the Machu Picchu citadel. Once at the entrance, your guide will escort you to the Circuit 3 gate to begin your walking tour through the sanctuary’s lower agricultural terraces, royal quarters, and sacred temples, sharing insights into the history and engineering of this remarkable Inca site.

If you have booked an additional entrance ticket for Huayna Picchu, you will have time to hike the mountain independently once your guided tour concludes. Afterward, you will take the shuttle bus back down to Aguas Calientes for free time to have lunch before boarding your afternoon train to Ollantaytambo, where our private transport will be waiting to return you to your hotel in Cusco.

Included

• Transfer from Hotel to train station to Ollantaytambo;
• Accommodation: Hotel (01 night);
• Meals: 01 breakfast, 01 lunch and 01 dinner;
• Entrance fees to Inca Trail / Machu Picchu;
• Local guide throughout;
• Tourist train tickets round trip;
• Transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

Not Included

• First breakfast
• Lunch of second day (recommend in Aguas Calientes)
• Bus up and down to Machu Picchu (USD 18.50)
• Locker in Machu Picchu USD 2
• Gratuities

How to Book the Short Inca Trail?

To preserve the ancient stonework and surrounding ecosystem, Peruvian authorities strictly limit the Short Inca Trail (Km 104) to 250 permits per day, a quota that includes trekkers, guides, and support staff. Permits often sell out months ahead of time, so booking early is essential—especially during the peak dry season between June and August.

We recommend securing your permit at least four to six months in advance to avoid disappointment. If you have flexible dates, traveling during shoulder months like May, September, or October often comes with lower airfare and slightly better trail availability. Keep in mind that permit inventory changes in real time and cannot be locked in until your passport details and deposit are submitted to the Ministry of Culture. Once issued, Inca Trail permits are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable.

Your Passport Requirements for the Trail

You must provide your exact passport information at the time of booking, as we cannot reserve a permit without it. Your permit is legally tied to your full name and passport number. If you renew your passport after booking or plan to travel with a different one, you must bring both your old and new passports to the trailhead checkpoint—otherwise, park rangers will deny you entry. Your passport must also remain valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date in Peru.

Booking Confirmation & Your Deposit

To secure your permits, train tickets, and separate Machu Picchu entrance tickets, a 50% deposit is required at the time of booking. Once processed, we will send your official confirmation invoice. In the rare event that permits sell out before your booking is finalized, we will refund your deposit in full or help you switch to an alternative date or trek.

Annual February Inca Trail Closure

Every year, the entire Inca Trail network closes for the month of February for routine maintenance, trail conservation, and safety repairs during the rainy season. If you are traveling to Cusco in February, we offer rewarding alternative treks—such as the Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek, or scenic train packages to Machu Picchu—that remain open year-round.

Government Regulations & Price Adjustments

All treks to Machu Picchu are governed by Peruvian state regulations, and third-party fees for permits, entrance tickets, or train services may occasionally change without advance notice. While Inca Trail Hiking Tours absorbs minor fluctuations whenever possible, significant government tariff increases may require a corresponding adjustment to the final balance.

2 Day Inca Trail Camping

If you would like to have more experience, you can book camping and in the night you can see the stars in the campsite - Puente ruins. We can recommend to book the 2 Day Inca Trail Camping

IMPORTANT NOTE: THAT FEE OF THESE MONEY TRANSFER COMPANIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE TOUR!

2 Day Inca Trail Camping Altitude

What do you see on the 2 Day Inca Trail?