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The Short Inca Trail is the only way to walk into Machu Picchu on the original Inca road without camping. A train drops you at KM 104 of the railway, you climb through cloud forest to the terraces of Wiñay Wayna, and you reach the Sun Gate (Intipunku) in the afternoon with the whole citadel below you. You sleep in a hotel in Aguas Calientes and come back the next morning for a guided visit. It suits active travelers with two days, and anyone who wants the Inca Trail arrival without four days in a tent. If you want the full mountain route over the 13,830 ft pass, book the Classic Inca Trail 4 days instead.
About 7.5 miles (12 km) and six to seven hours of walking. The first stretch climbs steadily from about 7,050 ft (2,150 m) at the KM 104 bridge to Wiñay Wayna at roughly 8,690 ft (2,650 m), mostly on stone steps. The rest contours the mountain to the Sun Gate at about 8,920 ft (2,720 m). It is lower than Cusco the whole way, so altitude rarely bothers anyone. Heat and humidity do.
The route is Route 5 of the Inca Trail network, run by SERNANP and the Ministerio de Cultura. Only licensed agencies can buy the permit, it carries your name and passport number, the daily cap is 250 people, and the whole network closes every February. The permit for this hike is bought by our partner operator, authorized by SERNANP and holder of the trail licenses, while Sacred Lake Titikaka organizes the trip around it. Read Inca Trail permits by month before you pick a date.
One price for the whole trip: US$577 per person, shared service, with the Inca Trail permit, the Machu Picchu entrance, a licensed guide both days, trains, transfers, the Consettur bus and one hotel night in Aguas Calientes. Permits are limited, so send your date through the free quote form and we confirm availability within the day.
Pick the day you want to start the hike. The trail runs every month except February, subject to permit availability.
Send the free quote form with your date, the number of hikers and passport details exactly as printed. We check permits for Route 5 and reply with availability. For June to August, ask as early as you can, since permits are limited to 250 a day.
Open a day to see the hours, the altitude and where you sleep. Times are the ones our guides actually keep.
Night in Aguas Calientes at 6,690 ft (2,040 m), trail high point 8,920 ft (2,720 m) at the Sun Gate
About two hours by road to Ollantaytambo station. Your suitcase stays at your Cusco hotel. Carry a daypack with water, rain shell, sunscreen and your passport.
The train stops at kilometer 104 of the railway, a small halt by the Urubamba River. The ride takes a little over an hour.
Rangers check your permit against your original passport. Entry on the network is allowed only between 5:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Then you cross the bridge and visit the Inca site of Chachabamba, at about 7,050 ft (2,150 m).
Three to four hours uphill on stone steps, with ferns and orchids along the path. The climb to Wiñay Wayna is the hard part of the day. Go slow, drink often, and use the shade.
Terraces curving down the slope, Inca baths still fed by springs. Packed lunch here. From this point you are on the same path as the 4-day trekkers.
About 1.5 to 2 more hours on a gentler path, then the last steep steps up to the gate. Machu Picchu appears below, with Huayna Picchu behind it.
You walk down toward the citadel and take the Consettur bus to town. Walking on the trail is not allowed after 6:00 p.m. Check in, shower and have dinner.
Back in Cusco for the night (hotel not included), Machu Picchu at 7,970 ft (2,430 m)
About 25 minutes up the switchbacks. Your legs will feel day 1, and the stone steps inside the site will remind you.
Two to three hours with your guide on the circuit booked for your date, through the temples, the residential sectors and the main plaza.
On your own. Collect your bag from the hotel.
About 1 hour 40 minutes on the train, then about two hours by road. You reach Cusco in the evening.
The hike covers only the last stretch of the Inca road, from the railway at KM 104 up to the Sun Gate above Machu Picchu.
Sacred Lake Titikaka is new; these are public Tripadvisor reviews of Viajes Cusco Perú, the family agency that operates every package on this site.
Reviews shown: Viajes Cusco Perú travelers (sample of public Tripadvisor reviews, read Sep 30, 2026).
"Incredible experience!! Beautiful landscape and beautiful people. We were lucky to be guided by Vladimir, who with his lovely personality and amazing knowledge made this trip a great learning experience."
"All the tours I did (Machu, Humantay Lake, Rainbow Mountain, Sacred Valley) were spectacular!!! From picking me up at the hotel (always punctual and attentive, notifying about everything!) to the guides I had who were also excellent."
"I came to this agency by recommendation and, after traveling with them on two occasions, I can say that it was an excellent decision. I must highlight the professionalism of the guides, who made every tour very interesting and safe."
Everything we get asked about this package before people book.
About 7.5 miles (12 km) from KM 104 to the Sun Gate, walked in six to seven hours with stops. Day 2 is a guided visit of Machu Picchu, not more hiking on the trail.
Moderate. The first three to four hours climb about 1,640 ft (500 m) on stone steps to Wiñay Wayna. After that the path is gentler. Altitude is low, under 9,000 ft. If you can climb stairs for an hour with breaks, you can do it.
Yes. The Short Inca Trail is Route 5 of the official Inca Trail network and needs a permit in your name, sold only to licensed agencies. Daily capacity is 250 people, and permits for June to August go early.
No. The rules allow access only through licensed travel agencies with an official guide. Independent hiking is not permitted on any Inca Trail route. On this trek the licensed operator is our partner, authorized by SERNANP, and Sacred Lake Titikaka organizes the trip, the train and the hotel around it.
No. The entire Inca Trail network closes every February for maintenance. Machu Picchu itself stays open, so in February book a train tour such as our 2-day Machu Picchu package instead.
Both. On day 1 you arrive at the Sun Gate in the afternoon and look down on the citadel before heading to Aguas Calientes. The full guided visit is on the morning of day 2, when you are rested.
The Classic Inca Trail is 4 days, about 26 miles (43 km), with camping and a pass at 13,830 ft (4,215 m). The short version walks only the final 7.5 miles from KM 104, with a hotel night and no high pass. Both arrive through the Sun Gate.
We price it per date, because the permit, train seats and hotel all depend on availability. Send the free quote form with your date and number of hikers and we reply with the full price and what is included.
A daypack with 2 liters of water, a rain shell, a warm layer for the evening, sunscreen, insect repellent, snacks, your original passport and shoes with grip. Poles help on the steps but need rubber tips.
Yes, if spaces are left for your date. Book it together with the trail, since both sell out in high season. Your legs will feel the climb after day 1.
Shorter, longer, or a different route.
Climb from Lamay in the Sacred Valley to the Inca terraces of Huchuy Qosqo, sleep beside the ruins, and see the valley at sunrise before walking down. A first overnight trek, back in Cusco on day 2.
A full-day hike from the lakes on the plateau above Cusco down to the Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo and on to Lamay in the Sacred Valley. Guide, entrance, box lunch and transport.
Bike down from the Abra Málaga pass, hike through coffee country to the Cocalmayo hot springs, walk the railway to Aguas Calientes and tour Machu Picchu on day 4. No camping above 7,000 ft.
