The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
See Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate without camping. Hike the best stretch of the Inca Trail, then spend the night in a comfortable hotel.
Everything you
need to know before
you go
The easiest way to reach Machu Picchu on foot along an original Inca path. Hike through cloud forest, visit Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna, reach the Sun Gate, and spend the night in Aguas Calientes.
Choose How You
Want to Hike
Compare 2-Day
Inca Trail Options
4–6 Travelers Max
(Small shared group)
Steady Group Pace
Shared Senior Expert Guide
- Lunch: Nutritious Packed Box Lunch at Wiñay Wayna.
- Hotel: 3★ Comfortable Hotel in Aguas Calientes (Double/Twin).
- Panoramic Vistadome/360° Train back.
Adult: $670
Student: $620
Child: $590
100% Private
(Just the 2 of you)
Your Private Pace
Exclusive Private Guide
- Lunch: Hot Deluxe Outdoor Gourmet Picnic at Wiñay Wayna.
- Hotel: 3★ Matrimonial Room (Upgradable to 4★/5★ Inkaterra/Sumaq).
- Personalized romantic touches in route.
Adult: $870
Student: $820
Child: N/A
100% Private
(Your private group)
Adaptable Squad Pace
Exclusive Private Guide
- Lunch: Private Group Gourmet Picnic at Wiñay Wayna.
- Hotel: 3★ Multi-bed or Double/Twin rooms for the squad.
- Tiered pricing: The bigger your group, the lower the price per person.
Adult: $658–$1,465*
Student: $582–$1,389*
(Scaled by group size)
100% Private
(Your family unit)
Kid-Friendly Pace
Family Specialist Guide
- Lunch: Kid-Approved Gourmet Picnic with fresh local juices.
- Hotel: 3★ Family Hotel setup (Connecting/Family rooms).
- Interactive Andean storytelling & flexible rest stops.
Adult: $770
Student: $720
Child: $690
Two unforgettable days
in the Andes.
Pre-Trek Briefing in Cusco
Meet your guide the day before. Review the route, timings, safety and packing checklist, and bring your original passport.
Cusco → Km 104 → Wiñay Wayna → Sun Gate
Early morning transfer to Km 104 — the official trailhead. Trek through subtropical valleys, past the first Inca ruins at Llactapata, and camp in the village of Wayllabamba at 3,000 m.
Guided Tour of Machu Picchu
Explore the Temple of the Sun, Intihuatana, main plaza and agricultural terraces with your guide, then return to Cusco.
Is the 2-day inca
trail worth it?
What you get
- Sun Gate arrival
- Wiñay Wayna and Chachabamba
- Cloud forest scenery
- Hotel night and hot shower
- Two Machu Picchu experiences
What you miss
- Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215 m
- High-Andes sections
- Further classic-route ruins
- Camping under the Andean stars
Challenging, but not
technical.
Approximately 3 hours of steady uphill walking to Wiñay Wayna, mostly on stone steps.
An early start, train travel, 6–97 hours of hiking and an evening arrival in Aguas Calientes.
Stone steps can be steep. Good-grip shoes and trekking poles are useful, especially on descents.
A simple readiness
checklist
- Walk 3–4 hours on hilly ground
- Comfortable with uneven steps
- Hiking shoes with good grip
- 1–2 days acclimatizing in Cusco
Everything
you need,
nothing you don't.
Prices include permits, team, food, gear and transport. Not included: sleeping bag rental, Day 1 breakfast, Day 4 lunch, Huayna Picchu/Machu Picchu Mountain ($75), tips, travel insurance.
- Official 2-Day Inca Trail permit + Machu Picchu entrance ticket
- Pre-trek briefing in Cusco
- Professional bilingual guide trained in archaeology and first aid
- 24/7 support with satellite phone, radio and medical kit
- Box lunch and energy snack on Day 1
- Dinner on Day 1 and breakfast on Day 2
- Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available
- 1 night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes (private bathroom, hot water)
- Transfer from your Cusco hotel to Ollantaytambo
- Train to Km 104 and Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo
- Bus tickets between Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes
- Private transfer back to your Cusco hotel
Which trail calls
to you?
2-Day Inca Trail
4-Day Inca Trail
Lares + Inca Trail 4 Days
Limited
permits. Book
early.
Sell out
Permits can sell out months ahead, especially from May–October.
Non-transferable
Government rules: no refunds, no transfers, no date changes.
Passport-linked
Bring the same passport you booked with — checked at Km 104.
Our advice
Book 6–10 months ahead for high season, 3–4 months for other times.
Best time to
hike the trail
Peak Dry
May – SepClear skies and sunny days, but very cold nights (can drop below 0°C). Highest crowd levels; permits sell out months in advance.
Shoulder
Apr & OctGreen landscapes and pleasant weather with significantly fewer hikers. Ideal balance of conditions and crowd size.
Rainy
Nov – MarRegular afternoon showers and lush, green cloud forests. Lowest crowd levels and easiest permit availability.
Closed
FebruaryTrail Closed: Annual conservation and trail maintenance month.
What does it actually cost?
$1,000+
Per person with a licensed operator. Prices vary by group size, service, and inclusions.
Adult: $670 · Student: $620 · Child: $590
Small group of 4–6 hikers with shared services.
- Shared or private trekking service
- Number of people in your group
- Student discount with a valid university ID
- Vistadome or Hiram Bingham train upgrades
- Additional night in Aguas Calientes
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets: $75
- Additional services included in your selected package
Private options for couples, friends, and families.
Price varies according to group size and selected package.
What to Bring.
Local roots.
Thoughtful trekking.
Cusco-based
Our office is at Calle Quera 239, and we answer our own phones.
Small groups
No more than 6 hikers on shared treks.
Everything arranged
Train, bus, hotel, meals and transfers are all booked for you.
Safety first
Satellite phone, radios, first-aid kits and guides trained in mountain rescue.
Four ways to go
Shared, couples, friends or families.
Questions travelers ask most
Ready for the Short Inca Trail?
Choose your group type, check permit availability, and reserve with a 50% deposit. Your Sun Gate moment is waiting.
