Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

We’ll pick you up from your hotel in Cusco for a comfortable 2-hour transfer to Ollantaytambo’s railway station. From there, we board a train destined for Km 104, the checkpoint for the Short Inca Trail. Crossing the bridge over the Vilcanota River, we commence our trek on the Inca Trail. Our first archaeological stop is Chachabamba, where you’ll receive a guided tour. Continuing through a mix of cacti vegetation and cloud forest, we’ll have the chance to refresh with a dip in a local waterfall. After lunch and a rest, we proceed to another significant Incan site – Wiñay Wayna. Continuing our hike, we eventually reach the Sun’s Gate (Inti Punku) to witness the sunset over Machu Picchu. Descending to the Guardian’s house, you’ll capture the classic picture of Machu Picchu and receive a brief overview of the Inca citadel from this vantage point—ideal for the perfect photo opportunity. Concluding the guided tour, we descend gradually to Aguas Calientes Town, enjoying the beautiful surrounding scenery along the way. The night is spent in a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes.

After breakfast, we take a bus to ascend to the Inca city of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, it is crucial to present your passport at the control point. Once inside, we commence the guided tour in the lower part of the Inca citadel, following circuit 5, as designated in the permit for the Short Inca Trail. This circuit provides the opportunity to appreciate the most beautiful landscapes. After the guided tour, we return to the main entrance of the citadel and take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. For those seeking to enhance their experience, consider booking tickets in advance for either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. These peaks, located above Machu Picchu, offer panoramic views and can be reached with a 45-minute climb (Huayna Picchu) or a 1.5-hour ascent (Machu Picchu Mountain). Machu Picchu is both the best-known and least-known site of the Incas, as it is not mentioned in any Spanish conquistador’s chronicle. Contemporary archaeologists can do little more than speculate on its functions. Local Quechuan farmers had known about Machu Picchu for centuries before an 11-year-old boy showed the American historian Hiram Bingham (who was in search of Vilcabamba) this site on the 24th of July 1911. At that time, the rest of the world became aware of its existence. However, the site was covered with thick vegetation, so Hiram Bingham, along with his team, returned and cleared its surface between 1912 and 1915. Despite years of excavation and study, many unanswered questions remain. The 2-day Inca Trail concludes with a train ride to Ollantaytambo (or alternatively to Poroy), from where we are transported by van back to Cusco.

• Pre-trek briefing with a Tour Guide;
• Transfer by private vehicle to the railway station at Ollantaytambo;
• Accommodation: a hotel in Aguas Calientes Town (1 night);
• Inca Trail Permit and entrance fee to Machu Picchu
• Meals: 1x breakfast, 1x box lunch + 1x bag of snacks, 1x dinner (please advice us in advance if you are a vegetarian; this option is for NO additional cost);
• Experienced bilingual Tour Guide;
• A shuttle bus round trip to Machu Picchu on the second day;
• A train around trip to Machu Picchu;
• Private transportation (a van or a small car) from Ollantaytambo to Cusco;
• A Machu Picchu T-shirt.

• Breakfast on the first day and lunch in Aguas Calientes Town on the second day;
• Travel insurance;
• Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu ($85);
• Tips to local staff (please note: it is a custom to give tips in Peru; however, it is not obligatory);
• Other extras not mentioned.

Our tour guides are university-trained professionals with extensive language skills and in-depth knowledge of Andean history, culture, religion, and social traditions. Their main goal is to make your journey easy, informative, and memorable. All guides receive annual training in first aid, high-altitude emergencies, and trail leadership.

Your guide will provide accurate and useful information throughout the trip, including restaurant recommendations, places to visit, current exchange rates, and guidance on important locations such as banks and artisan markets. They have expert knowledge of the Classic Inca Trail and alternative routes to Machu Picchu and are well prepared to anticipate and handle any unexpected situations.

The Inca Trail Machu representative is responsible for your safety, logistics, and overall service during the trip. He or she is a tourism professional with university training and strong communication skills. The representative closely monitors every detail of your itinerary, ensuring all services are confirmed and running on time. This includes hotel pickups, coordination with drivers, and confirming that your guide is ready to meet you at the correct location.

Our representatives are also trained in customer service and first aid. Upon meeting you, the representative will request your WhatsApp contact, which will be used as the main communication channel throughout your trip. In case of any questions, concerns, or emergencies, you can contact them at any time for immediate assistance.

The following hotel used in this Machu Picchu tour:

Hotel Casa de Luz

Address: Avenida Hermanos Ayar 703, Aguas Calientes 08681
Phone: (084) 211047.

At Inca Trail Machu, we work with PeruRail and Inca Rail for train services to Machu Picchu. Train departures usually take place in the morning, at 6:10 a.m. or 7:30 a.m., from Ollantaytambo Train Station. Our driver will pick you up on time and transfer you to the station. From there, you will travel by train to Km 104, the starting point of the Short Inca Trail, where your hike to Machu Picchu begins.

The return journey is by train from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) to Ollantaytambo, with scheduled departures at 2:30 p.m. or 2:55 p.m. Arrival in Ollantaytambo is around 4:30 p.m., where our driver will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco. The Short Inca Trail tour concludes upon arrival at your hotel in Cusco.

All transfers are provided either privately or in shared service, depending on your booking. Before the hike begins, your guide will provide detailed information about the schedule, train services, and transfer arrangements.

Essential Documents & Money

• Original passport (required at the checkpoint)
• Student ID (if applicable)
• Cash (Peruvian soles) for tips or small purchases

Clothing

• Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip
• Lightweight trekking pants
• Breathable T-shirts or base layers
• Warm jacket or fleece (early morning and high-altitude weather)
• Rain poncho
• Hat or cap for sun protection

Daypack & Hiking Gear

• Small daypack (16–20 liters)
• Reusable water bottle or hydration system
• Sunscreen (high SPF)
• Sunglasses
• Insect repellent

Personal Items

• Additional snacks (energy bars, fruit, chocolate)
• Personal medications
• Toilet paper

Extras

• Camera or smartphone
• Extra batteries or power bank
• Light towel
• Swimsuit (optional, for hot springs in Aguas Calientes).