Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: The Complete 2026 Guide

The Short Inca Trail is the best way to walk an original Inca path to Machu Picchu when you only have two days. You hike one full day from Km 104, pass the ruins of Wiñay Wayna, enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate, sleep in a hotel in Aguas Calientes and visit the citadel again the next morning with your guide.

This guide covers everything you need to plan it: who the trail suits, the route and elevation, the Inca sites you pass, the 2-day itinerary, how Machu Picchu entry works in 2026, how hard it is and how to train, permits, the best time to go month by month, the price, optional add-ons and what to pack.

What is the Short Inca Trail?

The Short Inca Trail, also called the 2-day Inca Trail or the Km 104 trail, is the last section of the Classic Inca Trail. Instead of starting at Km 82 and camping for three nights, you take the train to Kilometer 104 of the railway and hike about 11 km (6.8 miles) to Machu Picchu in a single day.

You still walk on original Inca stonework, see one of the most beautiful sites on the whole trail and arrive the classic way: through Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, with Machu Picchu below you.

• Start: Km 104 (about 2,170 m / 7,120 ft), reached by train from Ollantaytambo.
• Distance: about 11 km (6.8 miles).
• Highest point: the Sun Gate, 2,720 m (8,924 ft).
• Hiking time: 6 to 8 hours, including visits and breaks.
• Night: hotel in Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu.

Who is the Short Inca Trail for?

The Short Inca Trail is a good fit if you have two days, average fitness and want to arrive at Machu Picchu on foot through the Sun Gate. It suits travelers who prefer a hotel bed to camping, families with children aged 7 or older, and anyone who wants to see Machu Picchu twice.

Choose another option if:

• You want high passes and several days of camping: take the Classic Inca Trail in 4 days.
• You only have one day: the 1-day Inca Trail follows the same route and takes the train back the same evening.
• Long stairs are a problem for your knees or mobility: take the train to Machu Picchu instead.
• Your dates are sold out or you want a remote trek: read our Choquequirao trek guide.

Route and elevation profile

The trail climbs steadily from the Urubamba river to Wiñay Wayna, continues along the mountainside to the Sun Gate and then descends gently to Machu Picchu. The total elevation gain is about 550 m (1,800 ft).

The Inca sites on the route

The trail passes three Inca sites linked to Machu Picchu by the same road.

Chachabamba

Chachabamba sits next to the Urubamba river, right where the hike starts at Km 104. It was a ceremonial complex built around a large carved boulder that worked as an altar, with stairs and a groove cut into the rock for liquid offerings. Around it are about 14 stone fountains or baths in two groups, fed by stone channels that bring water from a nearby waterfall.

Archaeologists from the University of Warsaw, working with Peru’s Ministry of Culture, date its use to the 15th century and interpret the baths as places for ritual washing before continuing to Machu Picchu.

Wiñay Wayna

Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m / 8,694 ft) is the highlight of the hike. Its name is Quechua for “forever young.” The Peruvian archaeologist Julio C. Tello gave the site this name, which is also the local name of an orchid (Epidendrum secundum) that grows around the ruins. The site was documented by the Wenner-Gren expedition led by Paul Fejos in the early 1940s.

• Terraces: wide, curved agricultural terraces above and below the buildings.
• Fountains: a line of stone fountains, often called baths, along a steep staircase that connects the upper and lower parts of the site.
• Buildings: upper and lower groups of stone houses and finer buildings with trapezoidal doors and niches, usually described as temples or elite residences.

Built in the 15th century on a steep hillside above the Urubamba, Wiñay Wayna was likely a ceremonial site and a stop on the road to Machu Picchu. Your guide gives you time to explore and rest here.

Inti Punku, the Sun Gate

Inti Punku means “Sun Gate” in Quechua. It is a stone gateway on the ridge above Machu Picchu, at 2,720 m (8,924 ft), where the Inca road enters the citadel, and it probably worked as a control point for people arriving along the road. For hikers it is the moment of the trip: the first full view of Machu Picchu, about 290 m (950 ft) below you.

Short Inca Trail itinerary (2 days / 1 night)

Day 1: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Wiñay Wayna – Sun Gate – Aguas Calientes

Early pick-up from your hotel in Cusco and transfer to Ollantaytambo, where you board the train along the Urubamba river. At Km 104 your guide checks the permits and passports and the hike begins next to the ruins of Chachabamba.

The path climbs through cloud forest, orchids and Inca stairs to Wiñay Wayna, a spectacular complex of terraces and fountains that many hikers consider the most beautiful ruins on the trail. In the afternoon you reach Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, for your first view of Machu Picchu. You then walk down to the citadel and take the bus to Aguas Calientes, where you spend the night in a hotel.

Day 2: Machu Picchu guided tour – return to Cusco

After breakfast you take the bus back up to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of about two hours: the main temples, the terraces and the classic viewpoints. You will see the citadel twice, in the afternoon light of day 1 and in the morning of day 2. In the afternoon you take the train back to Ollantaytambo and the transfer to Cusco.

Short Inca Trail 2 days · permits included Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: 2 Days / 1 Night 2 Days · From $569 See itinerary & dates →

Machu Picchu entry with the Inca Trail in 2026

In 2026, Ministerial Resolution 000306-2025-MC sets how Inca Trail hikers enter the citadel. If you arrive through the Inca Trail network, you enter Machu Picchu the same day through circuit 3-B, within the daily capacity approved for the site. Circuit 3-B is a low-effort “royalty” route that includes the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Inca and the Temple of the Condor.

• Day 1: from the Sun Gate you enter Machu Picchu on circuit 3-B, then take the bus to Aguas Calientes.
• Day 2: you return with your guide for the full guided tour of about two hours.
• Tickets: Inca Trail entry tickets are limited and sold only through authorized agencies. We book them with your permit.
• Surcharge: the conservation surcharge introduced in May 2026 does not apply to visitors who enter through the Inca Trail network.
• Documents: carry the original passport you booked with.

How hard is the Short Inca Trail?

It is a moderate hike. The distance is short, but there are long sections of uneven Inca stairs and a steady climb of about 500 m to Wiñay Wayna. Most travelers with average fitness complete it comfortably, and it is a popular choice for families. We recommend a minimum age of 7 years because of the steep sections (see our tips for hiking the Short Inca Trail with kids and older travelers).

The good news is the altitude: the whole trail is lower than Cusco (about 3,400 m), so if you have spent two days acclimatizing in Cusco, the altitude will feel easier on the trail. Read our full guide on how hard the Short Inca Trail is for training tips.

How to train for the Short Inca Trail

You do not need to be an athlete, but six weeks of simple training makes the stairs much easier. Train three or four times a week in the shoes you will hike in.

• Weeks 1–2: brisk walks of 30 to 45 minutes, plus 10 minutes of stairs twice a week.
• Weeks 3–4: 20 to 30 minutes of continuous stairs twice a week, and a 2 to 3 hour hill hike on the weekend with your daypack.
• Week 5: one long hike of 4 to 5 hours with plenty of uphill and downhill.
• Week 6: short walks only, then rest. Arrive in Cusco two days before the trail to acclimatize.

Squats, lunges and step-ups twice a week help most on the long descents. For more detail, read how hard the Short Inca Trail is.

Short Inca Trail permits

Every hiker needs a personal permit, and permits are only sold through licensed operators. The Km 104 route allows 250 people per day, including guides and staff, so popular dates sell out. Once issued, the permit cannot be changed or transferred, and you must carry your original passport.

You can check the dates that still have permits on our live Short Inca Trail permit availability page.

Best time to hike the Short Inca Trail

The best months are April to October, the dry season, with peak demand from May to August. November to March is the rainy season: the trail is greener and quieter, but expect showers and slippery stairs. The Inca Trail is closed every February for maintenance.

The difference is large. Long-term climate averages for Machu Picchu show around 250 mm (10 in) of rain per month from January to March, compared with under 50 mm (2 in) in June and July.

Short Inca Trail month by month

Short Inca Trail price

Our Short Inca Trail costs from USD 569 per person when you book on our website (15% less than the USD 670 on Viator and TripAdvisor) and includes the transfers from Cusco, the train to Km 104 and back, the Inca Trail permit, the Machu Picchu entrance, the bus between Aguas Calientes and the citadel, a professional bilingual guide (English and Spanish) in small groups of up to 8 travelers, a boxed lunch on day 1, one night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, breakfast on day 2, and a first aid kit with emergency oxygen. You book with a deposit of USD 150; once the permits are issued, your date is guaranteed.

Optional add-ons

Book these extras when you reserve, because tickets and seats are limited.

• Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain: USD 80. A steep climb on day 2 for a view over the citadel, subject to availability for your date.
• Vistadome train: from USD 75. Panoramic windows for the ride along the Urubamba valley.

Every group has a maximum of 8 travelers, so your guide can adjust the pace and help anyone who needs it on the stairs. The 2-day format is also what makes Huayna Picchu possible: on the 1-day Inca Trail there is no time for it.

Short Inca Trail vs. 1-day and Classic Inca Trail

If you are deciding between the three Inca Trail options, this table compares distance, altitude, nights and how you visit Machu Picchu.

Choose the Short Inca Trail if you want the Inca Trail experience without camping and with two visits to Machu Picchu. Choose the 1-day Inca Trail if you only have one day, or the Classic Inca Trail in 4 days if you want high mountain passes and three nights of camping.

Read the full comparison in Short Inca Trail vs Classic Inca Trail vs 1-day.

What to pack

Porters are not included on the Short Inca Trail, so you carry a daypack. Pack light:

• Original passport (checked at Km 104, at Machu Picchu and on the train).
• Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip.
• Rain jacket or poncho and a warm layer.
• Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Insect repellent.
• Reusable water bottle and snacks.
• Some cash in soles.

Keep your daypack small: Ministry of Culture rules do not allow backpacks or bags larger than 40 x 35 x 20 cm (16 x 14 x 8 in) inside Machu Picchu. Your extra luggage can stay at our office or at your hotel in Cusco. See the full Short Inca Trail packing list.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Short Inca Trail?

About 11 km (6.8 miles) from Km 104 to Machu Picchu, hiked in one day of 6 to 8 hours.

Do you camp on the Short Inca Trail?

No. Our Short Inca Trail includes one night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, so you sleep in a bed after the hike.

How far in advance should I book?

For May to August, book several months in advance because only 250 people per day can start at Km 104. For other months there is usually more availability; check the live permit calendar before you plan.

Can I hike the Short Inca Trail without a guide?

No. Hiking the Inca Trail, including the Short Inca Trail, requires a permit booked through a licensed operator and a professional guide.

Can I add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?

Yes, on the second day, if you book it in advance and there are tickets available for your date. It costs USD 80.

Can I hike the Short Inca Trail in the rainy season?

Yes, in every month except February, when the trail is closed. From November to March expect showers and slippery steps, but also greener landscapes and fewer hikers. Bring rain gear and shoes with good grip.

Is there a minimum age?

We recommend a minimum age of 7 years for the Short Inca Trail because of the long stairs. Like adults, children need their own permit, issued with their own passport or ID document.

Where can I store my luggage?

At our office or at your hotel in Cusco. Take only a daypack: the trains allow limited hand luggage, and bags larger than 40 x 35 x 20 cm are not allowed inside Machu Picchu.

Is the Short Inca Trail worth it compared with taking the train?

If you can walk 6 to 8 hours, yes. You walk on original Inca paving, see Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna, arrive through the Sun Gate and visit Machu Picchu twice. If stairs are a problem, the train is the comfortable option.

Is there a different rate for Peruvians and Andean Community citizens?

Yes. Peruvians and citizens of the Andean Community (CAN) pay the same lower national rate for the permit and entrance. Ask us for a quote with your nationality, and bring your ID document or passport on the trip.

Can I change my date after booking?

Not with the same permit. Permits are issued for one date and one passport and cannot be changed, transferred or refunded. To move your trip, you need a new permit for the new date, if there is space.