If trekking the Inca Trail is a must during your trip but you’re limited on time, you’ll be glad to know about this 2-day alternative that will allow you to experience the last part of the trek while also camping in the lush cloud forest.
The Short Inca Trail is another alternative to experiencing the ancient Inca road and experiencing the sweeping views of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate. The itinerary will also take you through one of the most distinctive archeological sites within the trail.
As you may already know, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is just a small fraction of what it actually was during pre-Columbian times. Also known as Qhapaq Ñan, it was a network of roads that connected the entire Tahuantinsuyo Empire.
The Qhapaq Ñan spread to over 30,000 kilometers and covered countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and Argentina. However, the way to Machu Picchu was never discovered and the trail remained nearly intact over time.
Nowadays, the Classic Inca Trail is the most sought-after way to reach the famous historical sanctuary and receives only 500 visitors per day. However, that route takes about 4 days to complete, which is why some travelers may prefer joining a short adventure through this ancient trail.
Although this short itinerary only takes two days, it passes by the most precious landscapes along the route, allowing its visitors to get in touch with nature and history before discovering the Machu Picchu Citadel.
The Short Inca Trail has a moderate difficulty level, but trust us, all that effort will be paid off with every step you take. Here’s what you should expect:
Our adventure will start early in the morning from the city of Cusco, bound for the small town of Ollantaytambo, a place full of history and culture located in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We’ll take the train to Km 104 from here, which will take about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
The train ride will take you through the most impressive natural scenery of the region, where the rumbling Urubamba river will accompany the route, transitioning into a lush jungle scenery minutes before our arrival.
Once we reach our drop-off destination, we’ll start walking towards the Inca Trail checkpoint called Chachabamba, a small Inca settlement located in the cloud forest. After our quick stop, we’ll continue hiking for about 2-3 hours, the route will offer a total immersion in the flourishing nature of the region.
We’ll be arriving at the Wiñay Wayna Archaeological Site, one of the most well-preserved ruins of the trail. We’ll have a quick tour through the site and some free time to take pictures and take in the awe-inspiring scenery.
Continuing with the itinerary, we’ll finally reach the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) around 05:00 p.m. From there, you’ll have sweeping views of the entire Machu Picchu citadel and its surroundings. We'll make a stop so you can experience the scenery, take some pictures, and appreciate the sunset.
Our guide will take you to the entrance of Machu Picchu so you can catch the bus down to Aguas Calientes, from where we’ll have a short walk towards our campsite for the night, Puente Ruinas. Everything will be completely set up for us to just relax, have a hearty dinner, and a good sleep.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 13 km approx.
- Max. Altitude: 2,720 m.a.s.l.
We’ll wake up early in the morning with a cup of tea and a delicious breakfast to get us all energized to start the most exciting adventure of this itinerary. Afterward, we’ll head towards the bus station to catch our transport to Machu Picchu. We’ll be arriving around 06:00 a.m. at the Inca Citadel, just in time for sunrise.
Once we reach the historical sanctuary, you’ll have a 2-hour guided tour through the different sectors of Machu Picchu. Our guide will tell you about the history and mysteries that enclose this wonder of the world. Later, you’ll have time to explore the city or climb the towering Huayna Picchu Mountain (must be arranged in advance).
After your stay in Machu Picchu, you’ll get the bus down to Aguas Calientes. Depending on your train departure, You’ll have time to get to know the so-called Machu Picchu Town, get some souvenirs, and take some pictures of the scenic town.
There are two options to return to Cusco, either you take the train to Poroy, which is 30 minutes away from Cusco, or to Ollantaytambo, a beautiful town within the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Keep in mind that this must be organized upon booking.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Max. Altitude: 2,430 m.a.s.l.
Important Note: The Huayna Picchu Mountain is the most in-demand optional hike in the Inca Citadel, which is why you must book the ticket long in advance before your trip. Please contact our travel specialists for more information.
We have prepared this packing list so you don’t forget the most important things to carry for your adventure. Make sure to include these items in your Inca Trail packing list:
- Trekking Poles. For long and demanding hikes, make sure to bring these with you.
- A Water Resistant Backpack. This could be more useful during the rainy season.
- Raincoat or Poncho. An unmissable item in every trekker’s backpack.
- Sun Protection. Make sure to bring a high SPF sunscreen, a sunhat, and sunglasses with you for this adventure.
- A Reusable Water Bottle. Keep yourself hydrated throughout the trek. Some trails, like the Salkantay trek, take you to altitudes over 4,000 meters, so make sure to drink enough water to fight any altitude sickness symptoms.
- Warm Clothes. Especially for the cold nights since you’ll be camping in the mountains.
- Passport. Always take your ID with you.
- Insect Repellent and After-bite. These and sunscreen will be your best friends during the trek.
- Altitude Sickness Medicine. Make sure to bring diamox or soroche pills just in case.
- Camera. Please, don’t forget about this. Keep in mind that professional cameras need a special permit for their use in the archeological site. Please, consult your travel agent.
Tour operators include camping and kitchen equipment in their packages. Muleteers and porters will take care of that, as well as your duffel bag so you can travel light and with just the essentials.
Quick Tip: There’s so much to know before joining this adventure. Make sure to read this blog for more information about what to bring to Machu Picchu.
If you haven’t made up your mind yet about which alternative you should take to get to Machu Picchu, it all comes down to two factors: the time you have for your trip and your physical condition. As you may already know, there are different ways to reach the famous citadel and the Inca Trail is certainly the most in-demand option.
The Classic Inca Trail is a 4-day adventure with a moderate to challenging difficulty level. It is the most popular option since it’s possible to explore over 40 kilometers of this ancient trail built hundreds of years ago by the Inca civilization.
This trek option is not for the fainthearted since it can be really extraneous, especially for those who don’t have a great physical condition or aren’t used to the altitude. The Classic Inca Trail will take you up to 4,200 meters above sea level, with steep inclines and narrow passages.
Many travelers tend to underestimate the challenge ahead and join the adventure without even being properly acclimatized. Remember that the access to the Inca Trail is very limited and only cooks, guides, porters, and allowed visitors can do the trek.
The Inca Trail takes you to remote locations where the nearest town can be hundreds of kilometers away, without any road around it. We don’t mean to scare you off but instead to make you see things clearly, besides the staff is highly qualified to assist you in case of any eventuality or emergency.
Having that in mind, the Classic Inca Trail also offers one of the most beautiful natural and historical settings in the Andes and cloud forest. Here you’ll become one with nature and a legacy that has prevailed through centuries.
Undoubtedly, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and if you’re feeling up to this adventure then you should definitely go for it!
The Short Inca Trail was structured for those travelers who still want to enjoy the authenticity of this ancient road network in a short time and without having to walk for days before reaching the Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
As you can see in the trek itinerary above, you’ll still be able to experience a great part of the trail, where outstanding viewpoints, flourishing nature, and historical attractions will accompany you along the route.
Although the trail might be short, it is the best option for those looking to live a different experience in the Peruvian Andes and cloud forest. A great alternative that will allow you to travel off the beaten track, visit unique places, and add a special touch to your adventure in Peru.
We always encourage our passengers to travel consciously, being aware of their available time to optimize the experience throughout their itinerary.
For that reason, if you’re looking to visit other places but are still short on time, we highly recommend taking the Short Inca Trail so you can do this and many other things during your stay.
For those looking to hike the Inca Trail, there are some things to keep in mind to organize this trip. As aforementioned, to reduce human impact on the trail, the Peruvian government implemented a system to regulate the entrance to this ancient path.
Therefore, to experience this famous trail to Machu Picchu, one must acquire a special ticket which is only available through a certified government tour company. The Inca Trail Permits are limited to 500 per day, including hikers, cooks, guides, and porters.
However, if you were thinking of doing the trek on your own, it won’t be possible since the companion of a professional tour guide is mandatory. Many tour operators offer this experience, which means that you’ll come across different price ranges.
Therefore, we want to be entirely honest with you, going cheaper isn’t always the best choice. Remember that you’ll get the service you’ve paid for, no more, no less. Likewise, having a sense of safety is the main goal here. Keep in mind that you’re going on a trek that surpasses the 4,000 meters of altitude through the most remote locations.
Regarding that, we recommend you do proper research to find a company that offers reliability and comfort. Yes, we know, among the sea of tour operators this may turn somewhat tedious, but you don’t have to go through this alone since by hiring a local travel agency, you’ll take that stress away.
Viagens Machu Picchu provides everything you need for an authentic, fun, and safe experience through the Inca Trail and Peru. Check our travel packages and start planning the trip of your life as you once dreamed it!
1. What’s the Short Inca Trail Permit?
Whether you’d like to do the Short or Classic Inca Trail, you’ll need a special permit to join this adventure. As we mentioned before, the Peruvian government implemented some restrictions to control human impact on the trail.
Tickets to the Inca Trail are limited to 500 persons per day, including cooks, muleteers, porters, guides, and tourists. For that reason, you need to book the Inca Trail long in advance.
2. How to know the Short Inca Trail availability?
Only certified operators can check the availability of the Inca Trail. If you already know which date you’d like to do this trek, make sure to contact our team right away.
3. How long in advance to book the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
We recommend booking the Short Inca Trail at least 6 months in advance due to the limited entrance tickets.
4. What’s the Inca Trail short hike difficulty?
Unlike the Classic Inca Trail, this alternative has an easy to moderate difficulty level. The maximum altitude you’ll reach in this trek will be 2,720 meters above sea level and the walking distance is 13 km.
5. What type of trains are included?
We include the Expedition Train from Peru Rail in our Inca Trail travel packages. However, we offer the option to upgrade to the Vista Dome service at an additional cost.
6. Can I choose seats on train trips?
Unfortunately, Peru Rail (the railway company) does not allow passengers to choose seats on any of their different types of trains. The distribution of these is done automatically by the company’s system.
7. Can I camp in the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu?
To avoid human impact and contamination in this historical sanctuary, the Peruvian government has limited access to visits only. Unfortunately, it is not possible to spend the night on the archeological site.
8. What are the Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountains?
Those are the surrounding mountains of the Inca Citadel. Huayna Picchu is located at 2,720 meters above sea level and offers an outstanding view of the archaeological site as well as several Inca ruins along the trail.
The Machu Picchu Mountain is located at 3,082 meters above sea level and serves as another viewpoint to the famous historical sanctuary. However, the trek to its summit is significantly less challenging than the Huayna Picchu mountain.
To trek either of these mounts, you must purchase an additional entrance ticket well in advance. For more information, please contact our travel agents.
9. Is travel insurance necessary?
It’s better to have it and not need it than needing it and not having it. Although most travelers choose not to get travel insurance, we consider that this should be listed in everyone’s trip planning checklist.
Travel insurance does not only cover medical issues, depending on your plan, it can also include baggage loss, trip cancellations, stolen credit cards and passports, and even repatriation.
For more information about travel insurance benefits, we’ve come up with a blog that may be useful for you. Make sure to read it while you’re here.
We know there are some other questions that you may be asking yourself, which is why we encourage you to contact our travel specialists to clarify any doubts you may have. We’ve also come up with a Machu Picchu FAQs section that you might be interested in reading.
