Short Inca Trail 2 Day Hike to Machu Picchu with Permits & Train

Machu Picchu arrives first as a distant view through the Sun Gate, after a day of walking past Inca sites on the Short Inca Trail. The next morning, you return by bus for a guided visit inside the citadel, a useful way to see more than the famous postcard view in just two days.

I like two things in particular: the route links a real trail hike with a guided Machu Picchu visit, and the train, buses, permits, meals, and overnight stay are bundled into one price. One consideration is the early start and full first day. You also need to check the group-size details, which differ between a maximum of nine and a maximum of 10 people.

The Short Inca Trail at a glance

• Start at Km 104: A train from Ollantaytambo takes you to the trailhead for a guided hike.
• See Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate: The route passes an Inca archaeological site and ends with your first view of Machu Picchu.
• Spend the night in Aguas Calientes: One night’s accommodation is included, along with dinner, breakfast, and lunch.
• Return to the citadel in the morning: Day two includes a guided tour of Machu Picchu for about two hours.
• Expect an early, active schedule: Pickup begins around 4:10 a.m. in Cusco, and the first day is listed as about 12 hours.
• Know what is not included: Day-one breakfast, day-two lunch and dinner, trekking poles, and Huayna Picchu entry are extra.

What you get for $795

At $795 per person, this is a packaged two-day route rather than a simple guided walk. The price includes transport between Cusco and Ollantaytambo, train rides to the trailhead and back from Aguas Calientes, entrance tickets for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, the bus between Aguas Calientes and the sanctuary, a guide, and one night’s lodging.

That bundle matters because the route depends on coordinated transport and timed entry. Having those pieces arranged can make a short trip easier to manage, especially if you have limited time in Cusco. The package also includes three meals: lunch and dinner on day one, then breakfast on day two. You will need to arrange breakfast on the first morning and lunch and dinner on the second.

The price does not include entry to the Aguas Calientes hot springs, which costs 10 soles, or entry to Huayna Picchu. Tips for the guide and driver are optional. Trekking poles are not provided, so bring your own if you prefer using them.

There are two small details worth clarifying before you book. The advertised group size is described as a maximum of nine in one place and a maximum of 10 in another. The stated start time is 5:00 a.m., while the pickup schedule begins around 4:10 a.m. Ask the operator to confirm your actual pickup time and the group limit for your departure.

Day one: train to Km 104, then walk toward the Sun Gate

The day begins before dawn with a pickup at your accommodation in Cusco and a drive to Ollantaytambo. The schedule gives a pickup window of 4:10 to 4:15 a.m., followed by a train ride listed from 6:40 to 7:40 a.m. to Km 104. That early start is part of the deal: you are covering a lot of ground and fitting the trail, Machu Picchu, and an overnight stay into one day.

Your guide meets you at the trailhead. The first archaeological stop is Chachabamba, at 2,250 meters. The route includes agricultural terraces described as supplying Aguas Calientes, giving you a first look at how the Inca worked the terrain rather than simply passing through it on the way to the famous citadel.

From there, you hike toward Wiñay Wayna, one of the main highlights of the Short Inca Trail. The schedule allows several hours for the visit and walk to this site, followed by a further hike toward Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. The Sun Gate is a major payoff: it offers your first view of Machu Picchu Sanctuary from the trail.

The route then continues to Machu Picchu for a first look around the historic site before you return to Aguas Calientes. The day’s listed schedule runs from early morning until the late afternoon, with dinner and a briefing in town in the evening. It is a long day, so this is not the best fit if you want a relaxed start or prefer to keep walking to a minimum.

You should expect a guided walk through a sequence of archaeological sites, not a multi-day wilderness trek. The Short Inca Trail gives you an overview of several well-known trail attractions without the longer four-day commitment. If the full Inca Trail is sold out or you do not want several days of hiking, this shorter route offers a practical alternative while preserving the arrival through the Sun Gate.

Aguas Calientes: a practical overnight stop

After the first day, you spend the night in Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu. One night’s accommodation is included, as is dinner. Having a bed in town means you do not have to return to Cusco after the hike, and you can begin the following morning close to the sanctuary.

The accommodation is described as comfortable in the tour information, and past accounts also describe the food and lodging positively. Still, the exact hotel is not specified, so do not assume a particular standard or room setup. If accommodation details matter to you, ask the operator what is assigned for your date.

Dinner is also the time for a briefing with your guide about the next day’s Machu Picchu visit. That short planning session is useful after a demanding day: you can learn how the morning transfer works and what to expect during the guided tour. The hot springs are an optional extra, not part of the package, and cost 10 soles to enter.

Day two: an early guided visit inside Machu Picchu

The second day starts early, with a bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. The scheduled visit begins around 7:00 a.m., and the tour allows about two hours for a guided circuit through some of the citadel’s best-known areas. Your guide explains the site’s history, significance, and spiritual beliefs while pointing out Inca architecture.

This guided visit adds context to the first day’s dramatic arrival. The Sun Gate gives you a broad first view, but the morning tour is where you get more explanation about what you are seeing. If you want to explore at length on your own or visit additional areas, check what your ticket permits; the tour lists a guided visit of about two hours and does not include Huayna Picchu.

After the visit, you return by bus to Aguas Calientes. The return train to Ollantaytambo is scheduled from 2:30 to 4:10 p.m., followed by a scenic bus ride back to Cusco, which is listed as lasting until about 8:10 p.m. Day two is therefore not a free afternoon in Cusco. You will have a set return schedule and need to plan onward travel accordingly.

Lunch and dinner on day two are not included. Keep that in mind when budgeting and when planning around the train and bus schedule. Breakfast is included, which helps you start the morning without having to arrange a meal separately.

How demanding is the hike?

The tour recommends a moderate level of physical fitness. The first day includes several hours of hiking between Km 104, Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, the Sun Gate, and Machu Picchu, followed by a return to Aguas Calientes. The provided details do not give a trail distance or walking pace, so ask the operator if you need those specifics to judge whether the hike suits you.

The schedule is full, and you should be comfortable with an early start and sustained walking. If you are concerned about keeping up, raise that before booking. Reports of the guiding experience have been mostly positive, with names including Abel, Andy, Alwyn, Daniel, Samuel, and Jorge associated with helpful and engaging tours. There has also been a complaint about a guide, Gabriel, scolding a group for walking slowly. That is not a reason to expect poor treatment, but it is fair to note that guide style can affect a group’s experience.

Trekking poles are not included. If you like using them, bring your own and confirm any relevant rules with the operator. The tour requires a copy of your passport, in PDF or JPG format, to complete the reservation, and the passport information should match the details you use for the tickets.

Who will get the most from this route?

I would consider this tour if you want to walk part of the Inca Trail and see Machu Picchu, but do not want to spend four days trekking. It is also a sensible option if permits for the longer route are unavailable. You still get a trail approach, archaeological stops, the Sun Gate view, and a guided citadel visit, all within two days.

It suits visitors who value logistics being arranged and are comfortable with a packed schedule. A group capped at nine or 10 can feel more personal than a large coach tour, though you should confirm the actual limit. The guide is an important part of the experience: several named guides have been praised for making the history engaging, and the tour’s two guided portions give you useful context at both the trail sites and Machu Picchu itself.

This is not the right choice if your priority is a slow-paced visit, a long independent stay at the citadel, or a full four-day trek. Nor is it an all-expenses-covered package: day-one breakfast, day-two lunch and dinner, optional hot springs, Huayna Picchu, and poles are outside the price.

Should you book it?

Book this Short Inca Trail if you want a meaningful hike, a first glimpse of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, and a guided visit the next morning, without committing to the full-length trail. The included permits, trains, buses, guide, lodging, and three meals make $795 easier to assess as a complete two-day package rather than a trek-only price.

Before paying, confirm the pickup time, group cap, accommodation details, and what the Machu Picchu ticket allows on your date. If you are fit for a long day and can handle the early start, this route offers a strong balance of trail time, Inca sites, and practical transport. If you want more hiking or more time inside the citadel, look for a longer or less tightly scheduled option.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about two days. Each day is listed as approximately 12 hours, though the schedule includes an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes.

What time does pickup in Cusco begin?

The schedule gives a pickup window of about 4:10 to 4:15 a.m. The meeting time is also listed as 5:00 a.m., so confirm your exact pickup time with the operator.

Where does the hike begin?

You take a train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104, where your guide meets you to begin the Short Inca Trail.

Which places are included on the first day?

The route includes Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, Inti Punku, also known as the Sun Gate, and a visit to Machu Picchu before returning to Aguas Calientes.

How long is the guided tour of Machu Picchu?

The guided visit on day two lasts about two hours and covers some of the citadel’s iconic areas.

Are meals included?

Dinner and lunch on day one and breakfast on day two are included. Breakfast on day one and lunch and dinner on day two are not included.

Is Huayna Picchu included?

No. Entry to Huayna Picchu is not included in the tour price.

What fitness level is recommended?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. The first day includes several hours of hiking and an early start.