Photo gallery
A glimpse of the journey
Tour overview
Short Inca Trail, thoughtfully organized
The best of the Inca Trail in one day of hiking. From Km 104 you climb to Wiñay Wayna and reach the Sun Gate in the afternoon. You sleep in a hotel and visit Machu Picchu the next morning.
Our Cusco team checks the services, timings and availability for your dates and sends the options in a written quote.
Journey highlights
What makes this trip special
- Hike from Km 104 past Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna
- Arrive through the Sun Gate
- Sleep in Aguas Calientes before your guided citadel visit
Detailed itinerary
Your journey, step by step
Times and services are indicative. Your final schedule is confirmed in your written quote.
Km 104 to the Sun Gate
Pickup 4:00–4:30 am · About 12 km, 6–7 h · Max altitude 2,730 m (Sun Gate) · Overnight: hotel in Aguas Calientes · Meals: box lunch An early transfer takes you from Cusco to Ollantaytambo for the train to Km 104, where you get off beside the Urubamba River and pass the Inca Trail checkpoint. The walk starts gently at Chachabamba, a small Inca ceremonial site with stone fountains. Then comes the hardest part of the day: a steady climb of 2–3 hours on Inca stairs through the cloud forest, with orchids, waterfalls and views down the canyon. At Wiñay Wayna ("forever young"), a set of terraces and temples hanging over the valley, you stop for your box lunch and a guided visit. The last 1.5 hours run along a level Inca path to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), the original entrance to Machu Picchu, where the citadel appears below you. You walk down to the classic viewpoint for photos, then take the bus to Aguas Calientes and check in at your hotel.
Machu Picchu
Bus from about 6:00 am · 2–2.5 h guided visit on Circuit 3 (route 3B) · Return to Cusco around 8–9 pm · Meals: breakfast After breakfast you return to Machu Picchu on an early bus for a full guided tour of the citadel, including the royal sector, the temples and the Inca engineering behind the site. With the add-on you can also climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. In the afternoon you take the train back to Ollantaytambo and a transfer to Cusco.
What's included
Clear inclusions, no guesswork
Included
- permit and Machu Picchu ticket (Circuit 3, route 3B, on Day 2)
- transfers
- train to Km 104 and return train
- box lunch on Day 1
- 1 night hotel with breakfast
- bus
- guide
Not included
- dinner on Day 1
- lunch on Day 2
- Huayna Picchu
- tips
Optional extras
Ways to tailor this trip
- Vistadome return train +US$ 55
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain on Day 2 +US$ 75
- 3★ or 4★ hotel upgrade on request
Optional services are subject to availability. Mention your preferences in the booking form notes; your quote will list the selected extras and final total.
Plan with confidence
Essential trip details
Good to know
Before you travel
Entrance routes
Understanding Machu Picchu circuits
Machu Picchu uses timed tickets and set routes. The circuit available for your trip depends on tickets, trek permits and your itinerary.
Panoramic
Elevated viewpoints and selected mountain routes.
Classic
Classic viewpoints and the urban sector.
Royalty
Lower-sector temples and royal spaces.
Routes depend on official availability. Your quote will identify the proposed ticket route.
Planning guides
Useful reading before you book
What to bring
Pack light for the day
- Original passport (and student ID if applicable)
- Daypack of 20–30 liters and a refillable water bottle (2 liters)
- Hiking shoes with good grip, rain jacket, light fleece, sun hat and sunscreen
- Insect repellent: the cloud forest has sand flies
- Snacks and cash in soles for tips and dinner
Carry the original passport used to book. Check your confirmed ticket and operator instructions for current baggage and site rules.
Frequently asked questions
Before you book
Is the Short Inca Trail good for kids?
Yes, from age 10, for active children who enjoy walking. The steep section before Wiñay Wayna is the hardest part; we go at the family's pace.
Can I camp instead of staying at a hotel?
Our version includes a hotel in Aguas Calientes, which most travelers prefer after the hike.
Short Inca Trail or Classic?
The Short trail gives you the Sun Gate arrival and Wiñay Wayna in one day. The Classic adds three nights of camping, the high passes and many more Inca sites.
