The Complete Guide to the Short Inca Trail Official
Embarking on the Short Inca Trail is an unforgettable adventure that offers a glimpse into the rich history and breathtaking landscapes of the Andes. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the Short Inca Trail, covering everything from itineraries and essential tips to what you can expect along the way. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a first-time trekker, this guide will help you prepare for a fantastic journey. As you lace up your hiking boots, prepare to be transported back in time, walking the same paths as the ancient Incas amidst the awe-inspiring beauty of the Andean mountains. From the vibrant flora and fauna to the timeless ruins, this trek offers an experience that will stay with you long after you return home.
The Short 2-day Inca Trail is a hiking route from Cusco. As its name suggests, it lasts two days. Take the last part of the trails built by the Incas (Qhapac ñan) to get to Machu Picchu.
Hike about 11 kilometers from km 104 of the railroad to Aguas Calientes. On the way, it passes through the archaeological sites of Chachabamba and Wiñayhuayna. It is an excellent light option if you do not have the time or availability to make the 4-day Classic Inca Trail.
What is the Short Inca Trail?
The Short Inca Trail is a 2-day version that crosses the last kilometers of the Classic Inca Trail (4 days).
It starts at kilometer 104 of the train track that connects Ollantaytambo with Aguas Calientes (approximately 1 hour by train). Then the hike begins uphill for 13 kilometers, reaching Machu Picchu through the Puerta del Sol (Intipunku), as the Incas did hundreds of years ago.
Because the Inca Trail travels trails built by the Incas (Qhapac ñan), no one can travel this route without a permit granted by the Ministry of Culture of Peru. Only tourism agencies manage this permit and offer all-inclusive tours to visitors.
What can you buy on the Short Inca Trail tour a few days or weeks in advance?
Route description
| Difficulty | The first hours of walking are a constant climb; then, the Camino gets more straightforward with sections of a certain degree of difficulty. |
| Acclimatization | 1 – 2 Days in Cusco |
| Total distance | 13 km / 8.08 miles |
| Approximate Walking Time | 6 – 7 hours |
| Maximum Altitude | 2,650 m / 8,694 ft |
| Minimum Altitude | 2,400 m / 7,874 ft |
How is the Short Inca Trail?
The Short Inca Trail lasts 02 days, during which the following activities are carried out:
First day – The adventure begins with the trip (by minivan and then by train) to Aguas Calientes, at kilometer 104 of the railway. The route starts there with a visit to the Inca site of Chachabamba. Then you walk 13 kilometers uphill to Wiñayhuayna (archaeological site), where you have a ‘box lunch.’ Finally, you walk to Machu Picchu, where you take the bus to Aguas Calientes. In this town, the night is spent in a tourist lodge.
On the second day, you have breakfast at the tourist hotel very early. Then you take a bus up to Machu Picchu. In the Inca city, you will tour the constructions of the world’s wonders in the company of a tour guide. Finally, you return to Aguas Calientes by bus, then take the train to Ollantaytambo. Then, you return by minivan to the city of Cusco, where the adventure ends.
Tour guide and entrance to Machu Picchu
The 2-day Inca Trail tour includes a guide throughout the hike. Shared tours include English- or Spanish-speaking guides. Tour guides in another language hire a private service (exclusively for the tourist and their group of friends, family, or partner).
The entrance to Machu Picchu is also included in the Short Inca Trail tour. The ticket is ‘Machu Picchu Only.’ In other words, it only consists of a visit to the archaeological site. If you are looking for a complete adventure, you can choose the entrance ‘Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu’ or ‘Machu Picchu + Mountain.’ These last two options have an additional cost of approximately 85 dollars.
Lunch and hotel
The 2-day Inca Trail tour offers one breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It does not include breakfast on the first day and lunch and dinner on the 2nd. Day, what should be noted is that lunch on the first day is a ‘box lunch’ on the route (in Wiñayhuayna). At night, dinner is held at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes. The following day (the second day), you have breakfast at the tourist hotel.
The tourist hotel included in the tour offers 2-star service, with the necessary comfort and cleanliness at the tourist’s request. What can improve the hotel’s service to a higher level (03 stars, 04 stars, or even 05 stars)? Of course, an additional payment is required for this superior service.
Other services included
The Short Inca Trail tour includes round-trip transportation (minivan and Expedition train). Likewise, the round-trip ‘Consettur’ bus trip does include. In addition to the two-day trip to the Inca Trail, the package consists of a first-aid kit and the ‘briefing’ service the day before the route.
Helpful tips for the Short Inca Trail
If you are lucky enough to go this route, do not forget to bring comfortable hiking clothes and good hiking shoes. Also, do not forget to bring a suitable backpack with snacks, rehydrating water, extra clothing, insect repellent, sunscreen, personal cleaning utensils, and a rain poncho.
You can purchase the tour online through a tourism agency. However, getting a day tour in Cusco (a few days in advance) is also possible.