Short Inca Trail Tour: 2-Day Hike to Machu Picchu

Things to know

• What's included?

  Included:

  • • An experienced, local, English-speaking trekking guide with extensive knowledge of the area (for groups larger than 8 people, a second guide joins)
    • 2-day trek on the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
    • Pre-trek briefing in Cusco the afternoon or evening before, including a complimentary Short Inca Trail map
    • Accommodation for 1 night at a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes (double occupancy)
    • 1 box lunch on Day 1, 1 dinner at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes, 1 breakfast at the hotel on Day 2
    • Transport of up to 8 kg (18 lb) of your personal belongings to your hotel in Aguas Calientes while you hike (packed in a small labeled bag)
    • Private pickup from your hotel in Cusco and transfer to Ollantaytambo train station, plus a private vehicle from Poroy or Ollantaytambo back to your Cusco hotel
    • Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104 and return Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Poroy or Ollantaytambo
    • One-way bus from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes on Day 1, and round-trip buses between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu on Day 2
    • Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu Archeological Park entrance tickets — on Day 2, the ticket covers Circuit 3, one of the set routes visitors must follow through the site; a different route requires an extra permit at additional cost
    • A 2-hour private guided walking tour of Machu Picchu on Circuit 3, the Royalty Route

  Add-ons (possible to arrange at an additional cost, leave a note at checkout):

  • • Hiking pole rental (a pair)
    • Huayna Picchu Mountain permit
    • Return Vistadome train upgrade
    • Return Hiram Bingham train upgrade
    • Hotel upgrade in Aguas Calientes to a 5-star or 4-star property (double occupancy)

  Not included:

  • • Transportation to Peru
    • Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch on Day 2
    • Drinks with dinner in Aguas Calientes
    • Hiking poles (available to rent)
    • Huayna Picchu Mountain permit
    • Entrance to the thermal hot springs in Aguas Calientes
    • Anything not mentioned in the ‘Included’ section above
    • Insurance — recommended, available at checkout
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  In order to join this short Inca Trail tour, good fitness is required as well as previous hiking experience on steep, uneven terrain. The most you’ll hike within a day is up to 13 km (8 mi), with up to 700 m (2,297 ft) of elevation gain, which works out to roughly 5 to 6 hours of walking.

  Most of the climbing comes in the first half of the day, on original Inca stone staircases, so strong legs and steady knees help a lot. Altitude is gentler here than elsewhere in the region, with a high point of 2,720 m (8,920 ft) and a low point of 2,040 m (6,691 ft), but arriving in Cusco at least a day early to acclimatize and attend the pre-trek briefing is required anyway. There are no porters on this route, so you’ll carry your own daypack for the day; up to 8 kg of your other belongings is taken ahead to your hotel in Aguas Calientes.

  Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover our collection of Machu Picchu tours!

• Can I climb Huayna Picchu Mountain?

  Yes, but it takes planning. The climb is an optional add-on on Day 2 and requires a separate permit that must be secured well in advance, as availability is strictly limited. Departures typically start at 9 am, and the hike takes about 1 hour up and 1 hour down, with big views over the citadel. It’s done independently, without your guide. If you’d rather skip it, you can use the time to explore the ruins further, subject to current Machu Picchu visitor regulations and circuit rules.

• How do Inca Trail permits work?
  • • A licensed operator is required. Hiking the Inca Trail without a licensed operator has been prohibited since 2002, so your permit is arranged as part of this tour.
    • Permits are limited. Only around 250 hiker permits are issued per day, and popular dates can sell out within days of release.
    • Book early. Permits for the following year are released in October, and your guides recommend booking at least six to eight months in advance.
    • Permits can’t be changed. Each permit is issued in your name and linked to your passport. Once issued, it can’t be changed, refunded, or transferred to someone else, and there’s no waiting list for sold-out dates, so double-check your details when booking.
    • Bring your original passport. You’ll need it at the trail checkpoint and at the Machu Picchu entrance; photocopies aren’t accepted.
• What should I know before hitting the trail?
  • • Water — there’s nowhere to buy water on the trail, so bring at least 2 liters, bought in Cusco or Ollantaytambo before the train
    • Cash — there are no ATMs on the trail; bring small bills in Peruvian soles for snacks, toilets, tips, and the meals not included
    • Toilets — there’s one at the start, one halfway, and one at Machu Picchu (a small fee applies there)
    • Phone signal — your last reliable signal is at Ollantaytambo station, and the next is at Machu Picchu or in Aguas Calientes
    • Luggage — carry only a small daypack; up to 8 kg of extra luggage is sent to your hotel in Aguas Calientes, and the rest can stay at your Cusco hotel
• What do I need to bring?

  You carry your own daypack on the trail, so keep it light. Everything else can go in the small bag the guides transport to your hotel in Aguas Calientes.

  Documents and essentials:

  • • Original passport, required at the checkpoints and to enter Machu Picchu (photocopies won’t do; keep it in a waterproof bag)
    • Cash in Peruvian soles, in small bills, for tips, souvenirs, and extras (there are no ATMs on the trail)
    • Proof of travel insurance, printed or digital, covering hiking and altitude

  Bags and storage:

  • • Daypack, 15-25L, lightweight with a rain cover, hip belt, and pockets (there are no porters on this trek)
    • A few ziplock or plastic bags for wet or dirty items and waste, following leave-no-trace (Peru restricts disposable plastic, so reusable is better)
    • A small carry-on bag or backpack, clearly labeled with your name, for the belongings sent ahead to Aguas Calientes

  Clothing:

  Go for moisture-wicking synthetics or merino rather than cotton, and pack for 2 days with one change of clothes.

  • • 1 lightweight long-sleeve base layer (merino for warmth)
    • 1-2 moisture-wicking t-shirts
    • 1 pair of quick-dry nylon hiking pants (zip-off is handy)
    • Warm jacket (fleece or light down)
    • Waterproof rain jacket or poncho
    • 2 pairs of sports underwear and 2 pairs of soft wool or synthetic socks
    • Sun hat or cap with a neck flap, fleece beanie or scarf, lightweight gloves
    • UV-protective sunglasses
    • Small quick-dry towel and a swimsuit for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes

  Footwear:

  • • Waterproof, broken-in hiking boots or shoes with good grip and ankle support (trail runners work on this moderate trek)
    • Lightweight sandals or flip-flops for the hotel and showers

  Hiking gear:

  • • 1-2 adjustable trekking poles, highly recommended for the steep stone stairways and your knees (rental can be arranged)
    • Reusable 1-2L water bottle or hydration bladder

  Health and toiletries:

  • • High-SPF, water-resistant sunscreen and lip balm
    • DEET-based insect repellent
    • Personal first aid kit with ibuprofen, Imodium, blister plasters, rehydration salts, and any prescription medication (ask your doctor about altitude medication such as Diamox)
    • Travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, biodegradable wet wipes or tissues, hand sanitizer, toilet paper (pack out your waste)

  Accessories and snacks:

  • • Phone or camera in a waterproof case, plus a power bank (there are no outlets on the trail)
    • Snacks you like: energy bars, nuts, fruit
    • Optional: small binoculars, and a guidebook or app on Inca history

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

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• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing:

  • • This short Inca Trail tour runs with one professional, English-speaking guide, and for groups larger than 8 people an additional guide joins so everyone gets personal attention.
    • It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. Solo travelers are welcome too: your guides will try to place you with other hikers so your trip can go ahead.
    • You can book a group departure, where other travelers may join to fill the group, or a private trek, where it’s just your crew. You’ll be able to select your preferred departure at checkout.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the short Inca Trail tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
    • If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
• What's the best time to do the short Inca Trail?

  The Inca Trail is open 11 months of the year, from March through January, and closes every February for maintenance. The dry season, from May to September, is the most popular time to hike, with clearer skies and better views of Machu Picchu. The wet season, from October to April, can bring heavy rain, but the trail is quieter and the cloud forest is at its greenest. Rain is possible year-round, so pack a rain jacket whatever month you go.

  Days on the trail are usually mild, around 15–25°C (59–77°F), but nights can drop to around 10°C (50°F), so bring warm layers.

• Getting there and meeting location

  The starting point of your short Inca Trail tour is Cusco, Peru. To get there, most people fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ), usually connecting through Lima. From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or a taxi to reach your hotel in Cusco.

  Plan to arrive in Cusco at least one day before the trek, as attending the pre-trek briefing is required. Your guide meets you at your hotel in Cusco the afternoon or evening before the trek for the briefing. On the first trekking day, pickup from your hotel in Cusco is at around 4 am, followed by a private transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station. All transfers during the tour are included, and after the second day a private vehicle brings you back to your Cusco hotel, typically between 8 pm and 9 pm.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

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• How do I prepare for the altitude?

  The trail reaches 2,720 m (8,924 ft), and Cusco sits even higher at 3,399 m (11,152 ft), so giving your body time to adjust is important. Your guides recommend arriving in Cusco at least two days before the trek, taking it easy on those first days, and staying well hydrated. Your guides carry a first aid kit and are trained in first aid, but medical facilities on the trail are limited, so bring any personal medication with you.

• Deposit and cancellation policy

  Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48 hours grace period.