Short Inca Trail Trek – The Ultimate Guide

Quick Short Inca Trail Hike: The Complete Handbook

One well-known two-day hike is the Short Inca Trail. The two-day Inca Trail consists of a two-hour guided tour of the magnificent Machu Picchu Inca fortress on day two and a five-hour hike on day one. The Inca remains of Wiñay Wayna are passed on the Short Inca Trail, which concludes at Puerta del Sol “Inti Punku,” which is above Machu Picchu.

Short Inca Trail

It continues overnight in a hotel in the town of Aguas Calientes. We investigated the Machu Picchu ruins the following day and considered scaling Huayna Picchu. “Book tickets in advance.” This section of our website reports the experience, questions, and advice needed for this short two-day trip to Machu Picchu.

Prepare for the Short Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu

Hiking is required to reach the last stretch of the Classic Inca Trail during the two-day excursion. The walk is cataloged for an average level of physical condition.

The night before the hike, your agency tour guide will give you a brief overview of everything you need to prepare for the Short Inca Trail.

On the tour day, a walking guide will pick up travelers from their hotel in Cusco or Ollantaytambo to travel to Ollantaytambo Train Station. The well-maintained trains have large windows offering impressive views of the mountains and the Urubamba River. The train stops at 104 km of track for a few minutes to disembark. “The tour guides and train crew will warn you to disembark the train in advance.”

The First 3.5 Hours of the Short Inca Trail

The first few hours are the most challenging part of the hike. There is a steady three-and-a-half-hour ascent on the short Inca Trail. Stroll over the rim of Wiñaywayna Mountain and trace the steps of the Inca Trail that have been maintained.

The Urubamba River first flows near our feet, then recedes and becomes smaller until it becomes a thin line in the distance.

The Short Inca Trail is exposed to sunlight for the first section, with a few trees along the path offering shade in certain places. Of course, the hiker can’t linger too long because shade means mosquitoes, “bring excellent mosquito repellent (no spraying).”

We are facing the Wiñay Wayna waterfall before we complete the 3:30 hike. After the Wiñaywayna waterfalls, we will walk for about 10 minutes to find the Inca ruins of Wiñaywayna.

The archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna on the Short Inca Trail

After a grueling three-and-a-half-hour climb, all hikers are rewarded with their first view of the Inca site of Wiñaywayna, along the Choquesuysuy Valley and cloud forest area.

Wiñaywayna meets the Main Inca Trail at this point. This is the final camp on the 4-day Inca Trail before arriving at Machu Picchu.

The building on the top floor of Wiñaywayna Archaeological Construction comprises Inca dwelling buildings. The remains of Inca window frames and drainage holes give an idea of ​​how the ancient Inca may have lived in this part of Machu Picchu.

In addition to Inca houses, there are terraces in several places that may have been used for agriculture. There is a viewpoint where you may take pictures of the complete Inca ruins before departing from Wiñaywayna. Keep walking until you reach the Wiñaywayna checkpoint, then hike for 1.5 hours to the Inti Punku ruins.

“Inti Punku Ruins—Sun Gate,” also called Puerta Del Sol, has a view of Machu Picchu.

In the final hours, the Short Inca Trail is pleasant and semi-flat. It is lovely to walk and contemplate the incredible panoramic views.

Before you reach Puerta del Sol, a final climb is known locally as the Monkey Steps. The stairs are steep. It is recommended that you climb using your hands. When we reach the top of Intipunku, we finally get to glimpse Machu Picchu for the first time.

After our first sighting of Machu Picchu, we will descend Mt. Inti Punku for approximately 35 minutes. At the top of Machu Picchu, we go to the Inca guardhouse to see the classic view of Machu Picchu as on the postcard, “15-minute photo session.”. Then we go towards the parking lot to get on the bus to Aguas Calientes town to spend the night there and prepare for the second day. DAY 2: EXPLORING MACHU PICCHU “2-hour guided tour”

What is the Machu Picchu Short Inca Trail?

The most well-known hiking trail in the world, “The Classic Inca Trail,” is also known as the “Short Inca Trail.” Those who like mild hikes to Machu Picchu should choose this trail.

The Short Inca Trail tour consists of a 5- to 6-hour trek along the Short Inca Trail to reach the Machu Picchu World Heritage Site, a train ride from Ollantaytambo town to 104 km, and a bus ride from Cusco to Ollantaytambo on day one. On this first day, after all the hiking, we will go to the Machu Picchu viewpoint to see the classic and most famous view of Machu Picchu from the Inca Guard House. On this first day, we stay at a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.

On the second morning, we visit Machu Picchu on a two-hour guided tour. In the afternoon, we return to Cusco. We travel to Ollantaytambo Railway Station, where we have a private vehicle to take you back to Cusco.

What are the Inca sites within the short Inca Trail?

Chachabamba

The Incas constructed this castle as a site of religious devotion to water (they believed that all of nature had a spiritual element that, when respected, supplied the necessities of existence). Agriculture was the basis of the Inca economy. In addition, the other purpose seems to be a point of surveillance and access control to Machu Picchu since this Inca sanctuary, located a short distance away, was the primary vacation spot for the Inca nobility.

5 Day Machu Picchu Tour

Wiñayhuayna

Wiñayhuayna is an Inca site located six kilometers (3.7 miles) from Machu Picchu. Wiñaywayna was the gateway to the sacred city of the Incas and may have been used as a resting place for visitors. The Inca site of Wiñaywayna has many terraces carved into the hillside, with stone walls and steps leading to the temple of the sun or the rainbow above. There are also many water fountains and storage areas where the Incas used to store food grains.

Inca Trail Hike 3 Days

Intipata

The site of Intipata was a crucial agricultural center in the cloud forest region for specific agrarian production due to the type of climate in the area. The terraces perfectly fit the shape of the mountain, which was built to provide farmland for the Incas and the South Andean camelids. The Inca terraces are designed to collect rainwater and channel it to the crops.

Machu Picchu Family Trip 5 Day

Intipunku

With its expansive views, Intipunku, sometimes called “Puerta del Sol,” is the principal entrance to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu. The Quechua words INTI (sun) and PUNKU (door) are the source of the name. The Incas built this gate to coincide with the sunset at Machu Picchu. The view of Intipunku is breathtaking; the ancient city of Machu Picchu is situated in the Vilcabamba Batholith Valley and is encircled by the meandering Urubamba River on one side, while the majestic Andes Mountains are located on the other. If you are lucky enough to witness the sunset over the mountains, you will have an unforgettable Machu Picchu experience.

Macchu Picchu

Nothing is more enjoyable than making the short trek to Machu Picchu along the Inca Trail. Machu Picchu was built in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. Machu Picchu was abandoned shortly after the Spanish conquest of Peru in the 15th century. Nonetheless, American explorer Hiram Bingham discovered it in 1911. Peru became a popular tourist destination in South America around 1911. From Cusco or Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, you can take a train or hike the Short Inca Trail to reach Machu Picchu. Once at Machu Picchu, visitors can explore the ruins and learn about the history of this fascinating site on a 2-hour guided tour.

How long is the Short Inca Trail Tour?

The train ride from Cusco to Machu Picchu Pueblo begins at kilometer 104, where the walk starts. The paved Inca Trail stretches 11 km (6.1 miles) through the trekking paths. Walking through this walking excursion, we explore archaeological sites like Sun Gate, Intipata, Wiñaywayna, and Inti Punku.

What are the elevations of the Short Inca Trail?

The Short Inca Trail begins at 2,250 metros, or 7,240 feet, and climbs to 2,700 metros, or 8,540 feet, at Puerta del Sol in Inti Punku. From there, it descends to Machu Picchu, 2,400 meters, or 7,972 feet, above sea level. The Short Inca Trail tourism circuit is perfect for people of all ages who seek an outdoor walk amidst lush cloud forest vegetation with breathtaking views during the entire walking experience.

What is the highest pass on the Short Inca Trail?

At the Inti Punku mountain pass, 2,700 meters (8,540 feet) represents the highest point of the entire Short Inca Trail. To get to Inti Punku or Puerta del Sol, you’ll have to walk from kilometer 104 of the railway line, following and ascending the Inca Trail for about four and a half hours. The remains of Inti Punku, which sit atop the mountain, are made up of several Inca homes with pyramidal platforms supporting the structure of Inti Punku.

If visitors enjoy taking in the expansive views of Machu Picchu from the Inca Guardian’s House, Inti Punku provides breathtaking vistas of the entire Inca citadel! The best is Inti Punku, which offers stunning views of Machu Picchu.

The summit of Inti Punku has grown in popularity over time among walkers who visit Machu Picchu and the Short Inca Trail.

How challenging is the Short Inca Trail?

Because of its mild difficulty, the short Inca Trail is suggested for people of all ages, families, and other groups. “Be motivated to hike “The Short Inca Trail Peru,” one of the most well-known Inca paths worldwide. The tour allows you to see the stunning Inca buildings and take in the breathtaking Andes and Amazonian scenery of Machu Picchu. Take in views of Machu Picchu from the well-known Puerta del Sol, also known as Inti Punku.

Since the Short Inca Trail is an upward trek, bring everything you’ll need, including drinks and sunscreen. The first three hours are spent steadily climbing the Short Inca Trail to the Wiñayhuayna ruins; the latter two hours of walking from Wiñaywayna are easy to moderate in difficulty. The most thrilling part of the Inca Trail starts at Wiñaywayna and goes down the Short Inca Trail!

Does the Machu Picchu entrance ticket come with the Short Inca Trail tour?

On the day of the guided visit, admission to Machu Picchu is included in the price of the Short Inca Trail ticket.

The short Inca Trail entrance ticket gives access to the Inca Trail network within the Machu Picchu historic sanctuary. However, it allows entry to Machu Picchu only once via circuit number 5.

Ten established circuits for guided tours are in the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu; travelers who require re-entry can purchase a new ticket.

Are trekking poles required for the Short Inca Trail?

Walking sticks are unnecessary for the Short Inca Trail; hiking without them is 100% possible. However, their use is guaranteed to make walking more accessible and reduce pain during and after walking. For aluminum trekking poles, it is necessary to bring rubber tips to prevent damage to the network of the Short Inca Trails.

Trekking poles are prohibited inside the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu because they impede traffic and increase the risk of accidents. They are only allowed by elderly visitors or those with obvious physical limitations.

For the Short Inca Trail, trekking poles are allowed to “take it with you; it helps a lot to climb the mountain, and it gives you security and balance.”

4 Day Machu Picchu Tours

Is there internet on the Short Inca Trail?

At kilometer 104 of the railway, the start of the Short Inca Trail, there is no internet connectivity. There’s a weak internet signal until you reach Wiñaywayna after climbing the Inca Trail. Like Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes, the internet signal is fully linked once arriving at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).

How is the box lunch for the Short Inca Trail?

For the 104 kilometers of the railway leading to Inti Punku (Sun Gate), packed box lunches for the Short Inca Trail are made in a tourist restaurant in Cusco’s downtown. Box Lunch guarantees the biosecurity and quality that the Short Inca Trail deserves. The contents of the lunch box are as follows: have a look.

1. Cheese and chicken Tequeños rolled with spinach and paprika (We use pasteurized cheese from the province of Anta, precisely from the town center of Ancahuasi, Cusco.)
2. Quinoa tabbouleh with vegetables: We work with three types of quinoa: white, red, and black. (We buy the vegetables on Saturdays at the Huancaro market, where farmers from the different towns of Cusco come.)
3. Cake of the Day: We use veggies like carrots and oranges from the Convention Valley (“southern jungle of the Cusco region”) and Andean flours like Kiwicha Cañihua as our raw materials to make chocolate or vanilla Keke muffins.
4. Cereal bar (We make cereals based on Quinoa, kiwicha, and honey from the Limatambo Valley, Cusco)
5. 01 Seasonal fruit (fruits from the Valle de la Convencion such as tangerines, granadillas, bananas, etc.)
6. Cutlery (We use wooden, bamboo, or corn fiber cutlery)
7. Wet wipes—hiking towels made of compressed bamboo.
8. One water bottle of 700 milliliters
9. One small bar of chocolate (Sublime)

Note: Biodegradable Containers and Biodegradable Forks

Can you buy snacks on the Short Inca Trail?

Following the 104 trains, there is a small snack stand as you join the start of the Short Inca Trails network; within the local store, they sell bottled water, chips, chocolates, wooden sticks, plastic rain ponchos, and other items.

Up to the Machu Picchu exit gate, this is the only location along the entire Short Inca Trail where food is sold, at kilometer 104. Before boarding the bus service to Aguas Calientes in Machu Picchu, snacks with coffee, Coca-Cola, and ice water are sold.

Is there drinking water on the Short Inca Trail?

At the beginning of the Short Inca Trail, there is a stream that provides water from the Andes of Peru. It is recommended that you bring water tablets, filters, or electronic devices to purify the water.

Hikers can reach the Wiñaywayna waterfalls and ruins for more water. You should bring at least 2 liters of water, but the usual amount is 3 liters to cover the entire route of the Short Inca Trail.

It is essential to bring your aluminum bottles to recycle plastic bottles; plastic bottles are prohibited on the Short Inca Trails and the Machu Picchu network!

Will I have altitude sickness on the Short Inca Trail?

You may experience some of the symptoms of altitude sickness on the short Inca Trail leading to the Inca city of Machu Picchu. However, they gradually disappear when the Inca Trail swings from 2,250 meters (7,240 feet) to 2,700 meters (8,540 feet), so it’s not a big deal.

The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu advised travelers to acclimate to the Andes before ascending to higher altitudes, such as Cusco’s Rainbow Mountain.

Can you walk the Short Inca Trail on your own?

It is not possible to trek the Short Inca Trail without a permit from the Ministry of Environment and the National Institute of Culture (“SERNANP”).

The Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary and the limited network of Inca Trails are accessible only with a ticket. An entry cap of “200 entries per day” applies. Travel agents will receive their trekking licenses to access the Inca Trail.

How far in advance do you book the Short Inca Trail?

We advise scheduling the Short Inca Trail service four months in advance to get permits for the peak season. The high tourist season in Machu Picchu is from May to October.

However, you can book the Short Inca Trail two months in advance, from October to December, or two weeks in advance. Note that the Short Inca Trail will be permanently closed for renovation in February.

What season is best for hiking the Short Inca Trail?

• February is the rainiest month in the Andes of Cusco. For essential maintenance, the Short Inca Trail is closed in February. The Inca fortress of Machu Picchu is still accessible for exploration and visits in February.
• Even though it still rains in the Andean mountains in early April, the Short Inca Trail reopens in March.
  The optimum time to hike the Short Inca Trail is from May to October. The weather in June, July, and August is also hot and dry.
• The Festival of the Sun (Inti Raymi) takes place on June 24 in Cuzco—an ideal month for explorers looking for local customs towards Machu Picchu.
• Peru’s national holiday takes place on July 28. July is the popular season to make the Short Inca Trail and visit Machu Picchu. Dry weather conditions from August to September are ideal for local and foreign travel.
• On a smaller scale, the rainy season reopens in November. However, excellent trekking conditions remain.
• December has warm weather, attracting holiday crowds for the Christmas and New Year celebrations. “Hotels and transport costs increase.” The official beginning of the Andean rainy season in January brought further calm.

Are authorization and permits required to enter the Short Inca Trail?

Indeed, permissions and authorization are needed to access the network of small Inca Trails that lead to Machu Picchu. The license is issued annually to the operating travel agencies that obtain passes to organize organized group excursions within the Inca Trail network.

What are the restrictions of the Short Inca Trail?

The following are forbidden on the Short Inca Trail Peru excursions: hiking responsibly to protect the Inca Trail network for future generations is crucial.

1. Unauthorized entry of free visitors and service providers.
2. Displacement by trails and unauthorized routes.
3. Entry of minors not listed in the annex and relatives of guides and support staff
4. The natural and cultural environment, as well as historical sites, may be altered or contaminated.
5. Camping or spending the night outside the assigned area, except in situations of force majeure upon the determination of the park and caretaker staff,
6. Enter and utilize areas that pose a risk to preserving the natural and cultural heritage and resources available for public use.
7. To build bonfires near archeological sites, the Inca Trail Network, and the adjacent natural regions.
8. Climb the walls; make strokes on the floors of the earth and scratches on the archaeological monuments.
9. Make any graffiti.
10. Disturb and affect species of flora and fauna.
11. Without first receiving permission from JSHM-SERNANP and DDC-CUSCO, fly over and use the airspace.
12. The food intake inside the archaeological monuments
13. To post commercial and political advertisements on the Inca Trail Network.
14. Travel and work while under the influence of other narcotic medications or in an ethyl condition, among other things.
15. Entry and transit of motor vehicles.
16. Make transfers of tourists from one group to another.
17. The abandonment of the group of tourists by the tour guide
18. Obscene acts that are contrary to morality and good manners
19. Many hikers support the philosophy of leaving no trace.

Sacred Valley Short Inca Trail 3 Day

What elements are not allowed on the Short Inca Trail in Peru?

• Fire or air guns, bows and arrows, hunting and fishing implements, axes, machetes, mountain knives whose steel blade exceeds 7 cm in length, spikes, shovels, or other
• Any trap used to catch or gather wild plant and animal specimens.
• Fossil fuels like petroleum, diesel, and gasoline
• Current national legislation prohibits the use of stimulants, opioids, alcohol, psychotropics, and other drugs.
• Beverages and products in glass containers.
• Sound equipment and other annoying noise generators (musical instruments)
• Domestic and exotic animals.
• The hiking poles must have metal tips without a rubber protector and wooden rods of native species.
• Transport vehicles such as bicycles, tricycles, or others.
• Unauthorized commercial use of professional filming equipment, drones, or any smaller craft.

After the Short Inca Trail, what are the rules in Machu Picchu?

Visitors must respect the protocols indicated on each tourist circuit.

Strictly prohibited!

• To carry backpacks or bags of more than 40x35x20 cm. Those that exceed this size or capacity must be deposited in the wardrobe.
• Enter with food and utensils.
• Enter any illegal substance or its effects.
• Enter with any alcoholic beverage or in an ethyl state.
• To carry umbrellas. (Caps, hats, and raincoats are allowed.)
• To take tripod supports, extensions for cameras, cell phones, or any other element of stabilization or extension for filming and photography, unless authorized by the DDC Cusco
• Enter with animals, except for guide dogs, when strictly necessary.
• Enter without any aerosols.
• Bring in any musical instrument, speaker, or megaphone.
• Use mobile or cell phone applications for virtual applications in congested locations, trails, and small spaces (big spaces and regions of explanation are the only places where these technologies are permitted).
• Enter with high-heeled hiking shoes or hard-sole shoes (only shoes or sneakers with soft or rubber soles).
• Access with baby carriages (only accessible with baby carriers that do not have metal frames)
• Enter with sharps and weapons of any kind.
• Enter flags or posters among other objects of this type (flags will be exclusive to tour guides with groups greater than five visitors and will be limited to the model and dimensions presented by the competent authority in coordination with the respective guilds).
• The coordination and dispersal of visitor groups is the source of any disturbance, chaos, or jumping at the Machu Picchu entrance or within its premises.
• Enter with clothing intended for advertising purposes.
• To climb or lean on walls and structures.
• To touch, move, or extract lithic elements. Perform any graffiti.
• The act of uprooting, gathering, or removing natural vegetation, animals, or cultural components
• To carry out activities that distort the sacred character of Machu Picchu, such as fashion shows, dances, social engagements, ceremonies of any kind, and portable seating, among others.
• Enter with walking poles with metallic or hard tips (it is allowed to use hiking poles for older adults or those with apparent physical incapacity, as long as they have rubber tips).
• Execute any action that suggests Machu Picchu’s infrastructure, natural surroundings, or natural state are deteriorating.
• Obscene acts that are contrary to morality and good manners
• Undress, disguise, lie down, run, and jump.
• No, make loud or annoying noises such as clapping, shouting, whistling, and singing, among others, because they disturb the tranquility and sacredness of Machu Picchu.
• Perform any fire.
• Dispose of waste of any kind.
• Failure to respect established circuits and routes
• Outpatient commerce in Machu Picchu and the surrounding area until the Ruinas Bridge.
• Feed Machu Picchu’s domestic and feral animals.
• Fly over with paragliding, drones, or any small craft.
• To snap photos in dangerous areas or for commercial use
• It is forbidden to enter Machu Picchu illegally via the road.

Where do you sleep after hiking the Short Inca Trail?

After hiking the fantastic walk of the Short Inca Trail in Machu Picchu, we board the bus service that goes to Machupicchu Pueblo.

Hikers on the Short Inca Trail sleep in a three-star hotel in Machupicchu Pueblo. We work with the best three-star hotels, which are free of train noise and have a good location in the center of Machupicchu Pueblo. We also have the best options for upgrading service to four- and five-star hotels.

Sacred Valley Short Inca Trail 3 Day

Are there porters on the Short Inca Trail, or do I carry my belongings?

Travelers carry their possessions on the Short Inca Trail hike, so we advise packing only what you need.

Assume that travelers doing the Short Inca Trail Trek require porter service. Use our website to send a booking form in this situation. Enroll in the Short Inca Trail and reserve the porters! Once the passenger’s Short Inca Trail permits are booked, adding or using the porter’s services is impossible.

Hikers can hire half or full porters because the porters on the Short Inca Trail can lift between 10 and 18 kg.

Note: Since the hike lasts only five hours and trekkers only need to carry what they need for the little excursion, most hikers on Peru’s Short Inca Trail do not need porter services.

Is it worth going to the Short Inca Trail?

Everyone can hike the short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. In addition to taking in breathtaking scenery, hikers can witness significant Inca structures, including Intipata, Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna, and Inti Punku. Savor the expansive vistas of Machu Picchu from the Inca Guard House and the Inti Punku. Enjoy short hikes on the Inca Trail in Cusco, Peru, South America.

Can I visit the Short Inca Trail with the kids?

Indeed! Youngsters can hike Machu Picchu for two days on the Inca Trail. Kids have to like taking walks outside.

Though many hiking pathways lead to Machu Picchu, none are as well-known as South America’s most famous hiking trail, the Short Inca Tour. The short Inca Trail, which is best done in Cusco, leads through the jungle, dense fog, ancient stone steps, and Inca ruins.

Try the short Inca Trail with your children without hesitation. You might think traveling with them would be inconvenient, but the vibrant nature and dynamic display of the Inca culture will keep them entertained. They’ll witness a wide variety of flora and fauna, unique individuals, and unusual vocabulary in other languages, “like Spanish.” Travelers are fascinated with Inca architecture, and they love spending time snapping family photos.

Can I visit the Short Inca Trail with senior explorers?

Older adults can stroll over Cusco’s network of short Inca Trails. Of course, older adults must be in good health. It is best to consult your doctor in your home country before making the Short Inca Trail.

Machu Picchu Student Tours 7-Day

What other adventure alternatives, combined with the Short Inca Trail, exist?

We have several alternatives for the Short Inca Trail combined with different tourist circuits within the Cusco region of Peru. Have a look.

Short Inca Trail Treks to Machu Picchu with KONDOR PATH TOURS

• Short Inca Trail 2 Days
• 4 Day Inca Trail
• 5 Day Inca Trail
• 3 Day Inca Trail
• 1 Day Inca Trail