Short Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu

Itinerary

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Day 1: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Short Inca Trail Private Tour – Inti Punku – Aguas Calientes

Hike the Short Inca trail until you reach Machu Picchu and spend the night in the town of Aguas-Calientes.

Our tour guide arrives at your hotel at 05:10 am to travel to Ollantaytambo; the route is via Izcuchaca, Huarocondo, and Pachar. In Ollantaytambo, we will board our train. Generally, it is the Peru Rail train company. After traveling by train, we got off at kilometer 104 of the railway line to start our hike.

At the beginning of the hike, we have some welcome signs of the express Inca trail; When crossing the wooden suspension bridge, the ranger command awaits us. At the checkpoint, we present our original passports with entrance tickets to the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu and the official Inca Trail network.

During the Short Inca Trail, we will visit the ruins of Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna, and Intipunku. During the 2-Day trek, we have several natural viewpoints to observe the scenic landscapes of the Andes and the Andes jungle. The walking circuit is well marked to reach our goal, Machu Picchu; from Intipunku, we have the best views of Machu Picchu since we are at the top of the Inca citadel with a privileged view. In the afternoon, we board the bus service that takes us to the city of Aguas Calientes to stay at your hotel (hotel booked by explorers.)

Day 2: After the brief experience of the Short Inca Trail Hike, explore Machu Picchu on a 02-hour tour.

We chose one of the best two-day short routes to have a spectacular little hike that goes directly to the lost citadel of the Incas.

In the morning, We will make the ascent by bus to Machu Picchu and have our respective two-hour guided tour; Enough time to visit the entire Inca citadel.

In the afternoon, we board our train service to return to Poroy. From Poroy, we board our private Kondor Path Tours vehicle to travel to Cusco and drop off the group of walkers at their respective hotels.

Regulations of the 2-Day Inca Trail Hike

• Travelers can re-enter Machupicchu for the second time with a new ticket
• Huayna Picchu, it is necessary to buy a new key for Machupicchu plus Huayna Picchu
  • The first group of visitors enters at 07:00 am.
  • The second group of visitors enters at 10:00 am.
• Prices for 2022 are subject to the provisions of the Inca Trail network “INC Peru and Sernanp.”
• The start date of the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the start date of the activities; there are no changes to dates, and the spaces are not transferable.
• The Historical Sanctuary is home to 450 bird species; please do not feed them.
• The new regulation; is Tour guides can only enter the archaeological group 3 times a day.

Short Inca Trail recommendations:

• For groups of 9 to 16 people, there are two professional guides.
• There is no water service on the adventure trail; bring extra water, like three small bottles of 700 milliliters.
• Bus service.
  • The Short Inca Trail tour starts at 5 am

Includes the best Short Inca Trail 02 days / 01 night

• Private & personalized tours
• Active itinerary with unique cultural features.
• Excellent English-speaking tour guide.
• Day One: SHORT INCA TRAIL HIKING
  • Pick up from your Hotel at 05:15. Private transport to Ollantaytambo to the Train Station (the trip lasts 01 hours and 40 minutes.)
  • Peru Rail Train from Ollantaytambo to  KM 104
    • Outbound Journey: Class: Expedition 81, 83, 33, the guide travels on the same train as the visitors.
  • Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu Sanctuary.
  • Admission fee to the Inka Trail by SERNANP “National Service of Natural Protected Areas.”
  • Our tour guides carry 01 oxygen bottle plus 01 first aid kit for our group of explorers for any eventuality.”
  • Box lunch per client + guide, Short Inca Trail “clients load their box lunch.”
    • Note: Hikers will carry their belongings along the short Inca Trail “it is recommended to take what is necessary.”
  • Bus ticket Machu Picchu site to Aguas Calientes (one-way).
• Day Two: MACHU PICCHU
  • Round trip bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu site – Aguas Calientes.
  • 02 hours of a guided tour in Machu Picchu
  • Customers train – Machu Picchu – Poroy, by Peru Rail
    • Inbound Journey: Class: Expedition (Expedition 32, 34)
  • Private transport service from Poroy station to Cusco
  • All local taxes.

EXCLUSION SERVICE

• 01-night hotel in Aguas Calientes or Airbnb. 
• Breakfast and Dinner on the 1st day, Lunch on the 2nd day.
• Other services that do not describe in the itinerary.
• Insurance of any kind.
• Excess baggage charges – Train Advice: Luggage Policies and Identity Requirements by Inca Rail & Peru Rail changed its policies regarding luggage: 01 bags or backpacks must not exceed 05 kg/11 pounds or 62 inches/157 cm (length + height + width). You can leave your main luggage in your hotel. The Train service will require that each passenger boarding a train service submit their train ticket + original passport. Without this, the passenger will not be able to board the train for the safety of the passengers.
• Tip for your guide(s) and driver

WHAT TO BRING TO THE TOURIST CIRCUIT FOR A BETTER EXPERIENCE?

1. Original passport!
2. Face mask or KN95 mask! “Train, Machu Picchu, & Bus”
3. A backpack that can hold all your belongings, preferably with a belt for more comfort on short hikes and explorations
4. A rain cover for your backpack is a must, especially when traveling in the rainy season, to keep your clothes and personal items from getting wet.
5. Pack enough padlocks for each double zipper to keep your hands from running around and lock your essentials, even in your hotel room.
6. Bottle of water. Plastic disposal is a real issue, so we recommend buying large bottles and transferring the water to a Reusable bottle – Plastic bottles do forbid in Machu Picchu.
7. A good pair of walking or hiking shoes, steps, and uneven cobblestone surfaces abound, and stones can become slippery in the rain.
8. Rainstorm poncho. Time changes very fast here. An ideal solution is to carry a good-quality Poncho in your backpack, especially during the December/March rainy season.
9. A warm jacket. Nights and mornings can get quite cold, especially between June and September, so an excellent waterproof and windproof jacket is ideal.
10. Another good option is to wear a warm fleece under a lightweight waterproof, windproof jacket.
11. Bring clothes that you can layer. Cool mornings mean you may need to pack before heading out; however, you may want to take your t-shirt and shorts off before 11:00. Great for warm layers and pants that unzip into shorts. You only need to change a few clothes because you can wash them cheaply anywhere.
12. Good sunscreen and sun hat; due to Peru’s high altitude and proximity to the equator, regular sunscreen recommends avoiding unpleasant sunburns. Beware; even if it’s cloudy here, you’ll get burned badly.
13. Insect protection, especially for this outdoor trip
14. Small first aid kits – In Cusco and other small towns, there are pharmacies where you can buy basic first aid and medical supplies “for superficial cuts, bruises, upset stomachs.” However, please bring enough prescription medicines, as some brands and types of drugs may not be available in Peru. A good rule of thumb is to carry enough prescription medication to cover your travel time plus an extra week if you delay.
15. Use earplugs when you’re stuck in a noisy room or want to sleep on a bus or plane.
16. Pack your toiletries in a zippered bag. The altitude can cause shampoo and other bottles to burst, leaving a mess in your bag. Keep all toiletries in airtight bags to avoid unnecessary clutter.
17. A camera with lots of memory and a battery takes all the great photos you want!
18. Cash in local currency to purchase items.

Short Inca Trail Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Short Inca Trail?

The Short Inca Trail is a hike with a distance of 09 miles, from the Urubamba River to Machu Picchu, passing through the beautiful ruins of Wiñay Wayna.

In this hike, you will be able to walk through some sectors done in the Classic Inca Trail for 04 days; the last part of the hike is the same as the Inca Trail of 4 days. The trail is well maintained and preserved along the paths the Chasquis (Incan runners) used.

How long is the Short Inca Trail?

The first hours of hiking are a constant uphill, then the trail becomes more accessible, In some sections of the hike, it has a certain degree of difficulty, but it is easy. The total hiking distance is 13 km / 8,08 miles, with a 06 –  07 hours hiking duration, with a maximum altitude of 2,650 m / 8,694 ft.

Is the Short Inca Trail worth it?

Is the Short Inca Trail worth it? Yes, the Short Inca Trail is the most popular hike in Peru and the world. This Inca trek is considered the most beautiful in Peru. The walk is part of the Inca route of the Qhapaq Ñam. The Short Inca Trail begins when you arrive in Cusco.

How challenging is the Short Inca Trail?

The Short Inca Trail is a truly breathtaking experience. Each day the tour goes deep into the cloud forest, the high jungle. Exploring a hilltop Inca settlement is a mystical experience while watching the clouds spread below us.

The hike accompanied by llamas with the valley below covered by clouds was an atmospheric and magical moment to enjoy. At the end of the trek, we will make the entrance to Machu Pichu a majestic lot to an unforgettable experience.

Why does the Inca Trail close in February?

The main reason for the closure of the Short Inca Trail in February each year is to safeguard the integrity of visitors with a great spirit of adventure and that of the tour guides and other support staff.

Since 2002, and like every year, the Inca Trail and 18 other archeological sites located along the route are closed to visitors in February. Conservation, maintenance, and cleaning activities carry out that month to take the closure.

That is to say, in February, treatments are carried out on deteriorated sections, repair and repair of terraces, maintenance of the areas near the campsites, and mowing of the thick vegetation. The objective is to leave everything ready and suitable for the entry of travelers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

2 Day Inca Trail Length?

Short Inca Trail Distance: 11 km / 6.14 miles. Five hours of walking “03 hours of ascent and two hours of semi-plane and descent”.

Short Inca trail Tour Cost PER PERSON 2022 [USD] We carry out this outdoor hiking circuit through the Andes of Machu Picchu only as a private service “incomparably, we have the best prices.

PRIVATE SERVICE / Private Guided Tours 🙂

• Solo participant $647. “costs reduce if there are more people in your group.”
• 02 participant $474.
• 03 participant $425.
• 04 participant $391.
• 05 participant $375.
• 06 participant $351.
• 07 participant $381.
• 08 participant + $344.

Item Upgrade

🙂 Several optional upgrades add to the visitor’s selection for their next vacation on the Inca Sacred Road. Here is a list of prices and options:

TRAINS

• Vistadome train (one way: OLLANTAYTAMBO – MACHU PICCHU) Outbound Journey: $35 per person
• Vistadome train (round trip): $69 per person
• Hiram Bhimgam train (return train MACHU PICCHU – POROY) Inbound Journey $482 per person

ADDITIONAL TICKETS TO WALK THROUGH MACHU PICCHU AND HAVE UNIQUE IMPRESSIVE VIEWS

• Huayna Picchu: +$75 per person
• Montaña: +$75 per person

Aguas Calientes HOTEL

• Single or Shared Room: +$65 (2-star hotel)
• Casa Andina Standard Machu Picchu 3-star hotel: +$60 shared PER person (+$100 for a single)

INKA PORTER

• $120. Half Porter to carry 7 kg / 15 lb. of personal items
• $160. Full Porter to carry 14 kg / 30 lb.

Discounts 🙂

Applies for the following services

Discount on the entrance ticket to the Inca trail network & Inca citadel

• College students pay $25 per person
• Children from 03 to 17 years old $25 per person

For train service in PERU RAIL

• Children from 03 to 11 years old $55 per person.

RECOMMENDATION

• Due to the new regulation, the entrance to the citadel of Machu Picchu, keep in mind that from January 01, 2022, the tickets have a specific entry time: From 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, and 14:00.
• Tickets can only be used once a day from the chosen time.

* The company operates the 2 day Short Inca Trail hike.

The Short Inca Trail in 2 day reservations with Kondor Path Tours

1st. STEP

2nd. STEP | First down payment.