The Short Inca Trail is a 2-day/1-night hike and experience to get to Machu Picchu. It includes a one-day hike on the Inca Trail, which gets you to the archaeological site by sunset. Along the hike, you see some other Incan archaeological sites and walk through the incredible mountain jungle landscape. The second day is a detailed tour of Machu Picchu where you can learn about the architecture and culture of this World Wonder.
Where does the Short Inca Trail start and end?
The Short Inca Trail starts at Kilometer 104. To get here, you will take the Machu Picchu Express, which takes people from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes to visit Machu Picchu. You will get off one stop before the final destination and find the trailhead and your guide. The conductor of the trail will call out for those who will get off the train at Kilometer 104. After completing the Short Inca Trail, you will arrive at at Machu Picchu.
How Long Is the Trail?
The trek is approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) long and is completed in just one day. When including all the stops at the different archaeological sites, lunch, and snack breaks, the entire hike takes about 7-8 hours.
The Blueprint Travelers Hiking Staples
Do I Need A Permit to Hike the Short Inca Trail?
Yes, a permit is required to hike the Short Inca Trail. A limited number of permits are available each day and the permits need to be acquired in advance. The tour agency you use to reserve the trek will get the necessary tickets and permits for you. Because there is a limit to the permits given each day for the Short Inca Trail, you should reserve your trek as soon as you know your travel dates. You can see the availability of Inca Trail permits here.
Is the Short Inca Trail Difficult? How Fit Do I Need to Be?
The trek is considered moderate in difficulty. Some sections are steep and there are some areas with stairs. A moderate fitness level is recommended to do the trek. Even with the fitness level, it is recommended to spend a few days in Cusco or at another location with a high elevation prior to the trek.
What is the Altitude of the Trek? Should I be Concerned about Altitude Sickness?
The Short Inca Trail starts at 2,100 meters (6,889 feet) and goes up to 2,720 meters (8,923 feet) at the Sun Gate. It is vital to prepare to avoid altitude sickness.
Note:
To prepare for the elevation, you can go to your doctor before your trip and talk to them about what you can do to best adjust to the elevation. There are a few different medications that you can take to help curb the effects of high altitude.
- Eat smaller meals when first at elevation. This will help you feel better throughout the day.
- Avoid alcohol. It will decrease your oxygen level and you need as much oxygen as possible at a higher elevation.
- Drink as much water as possible! This will also help with the headaches that may appear due to the altitude.
- If things truly get worse, find a way to get to a lower elevation, and, in the meantime, you can try to get to a clinic or hospital to get some additional oxygen.
- When walking, take smaller and slower steps with deep breaths.
It is recommended to adjust to the elevation for about a week before doing any challenging trek. You can consider visiting the following destinations for the week before your hike:
- Uyuni, Bolivia (3,656 m or 11,995 ft) to visit the largest salt flat in the world and some other unique landscapes
- La Paz, Bolivia (3,650 m or 11,975 ft) to see a unique city in the canyon of a mountain
- Cusco, Peru (3,399 meters or 11,152 ft) to learn more about the Incan empire and discover the unique landscape of Peru
Do I Need a Guide for the Short Inca Trail?
Yes, you need a registered guide to hike on any part of the Inca Trail. You will need to reserve your experience in advance.
Blueprint Travelers Recommendation: Alpaca Expeditions
Because of all the people that are part of making your Inca Trail experience a success, it is important to choose an organization that properly supports their employees, which is why we recommend doing this trek with Alpaca Expeditions. Unfortunately, many companies try to cut costs by not treating their porters and chefs humanely, taking advantage of their economic situation. Alpaca Expeditions goes above and beyond to elevate their employees.
Because Alpaca Expeditions takes care of their employees, their employees have the full capacity to ensure that all guests are well taken care of, with some of the best chefs, porters, and guides that you will find on the Inca Trail.
What Should I Pack for the Experience?
If you are staying in a hotel...
All of this will go in your day pack
- 2 shirts (1 can be nicer for when you visit Machu Picchu)
- 1-2 pair of pants (1 for hiking and 1 pair that are nicer for when you visit Machu Picchu – optional)
- 2 underwear
- 2 pairs of socks
- 1 rain jacket
- 1 sun hat
- Passport
- Sunglasses
- Bras
- Bathing suit (if you want to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes on your own. Only for those staying in a hotel)
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Toilet paper
- Personal medication
- Small first-aid kit
- Hiking boots
- Water bottle/Camelbak
- Toiletry bag with toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, and other necessities
- Day backpack that is no more than 25 Liters – you can rent this in Cusco
Additional requirements if you are camping...
all the clothes and things you don’t need for your hike will go in a duffel bag provided to you
- 1 down jacket
- 1 wool hat/beanie
- Warm gloves
- Flip flops/sandals
- Headlamp
- Portable battery charger
- Sleeping bag: we recommend down sleeping bags for -10C at least (if you are not renting them from your tour agency)
Can I Climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain after the Short Inca Trail?
Yes, you can! On day 2, after visiting Machu Picchu, you will be able to climb up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. If you want to do one of these hikes, you will need to be reserved in advance and permits may run out. These additional hikes are not required and are quite challenging due to the steepness of the mountains and the number of stairs you will climb, but they have great views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains.
When is the Best Time to do the Short Inca Trail?
While the Short Inca Trail is available year-round (except in February when access to Machu Picchu is closed), it is recommended to visit between April and October during the dry season. If you do choose to visit in the rainy season, you will have fewer crowds, pleasant and warm temperatures, an incredibly green and lush landscape, and some less expensive accommodations. In the rainy season, you risk having an obstructed view of Machu Picchu by the low clouds.
Can I Book the Short Inca Trail Last Minute?
Because of the permit requirements of the Short Inca Trail, it is recommended to reserve the trek in advance. That being said, there may be permits still available at the last minute (unlike the Classic Inca Trail) and you can reserve those if available. You will need to give the agency at least 24-48 hours of notice so they can acquire the appropriate permits and make sure they have sufficient guides, chefs, and porters.
What are the Accommodation Options for this Experience?
There are two accommodation options on the Short Inca Trail when reserving with Alpaca Expeditions. The most common option (and the option that is available with other tour agencies) is to spend the evening in a hotel in Aguas Calientes. With this option, you will get dinner at a hotel in town. The second option is to camp at a site owned by Alpaca Expeditions. With this option, you will get dinner provided to you by the incredible Alpaca Expeditions chefs.
Is the Short Inca Trail Worth It?
If you are thinking about doing any multi-day experience that ends at Machu Picchu, then we highly recommend considering this one. It is definitely worth it!
