Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

After an early morning breakfast, we take a bus up to the mysterious city of Machu Picchu for a guided tour. According to the new Machu Picchu rules, you can return to the initial point; this ticket is valid for one way. If you want to make the most of your experience, book either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (peaks above Machu Picchu) well in advance. This gives you an opportunity to climb up for either 45 minutes (Huayna Picchu) or 1.5 hours (Machu Picchu Mountain) to take some panoramic photos of the Inca citadel.

After visiting Machu Picchu, you return to Aguas Calientes by descending on a tourist bus. The 2 day Inca Trail ends with a train ride to Ollantaytambo (or alternatively to Poroy), from where we are taken 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 round trip between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu);
• Tourist transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco. 

• Breakfast on the first day and lunch in Aguas Calientes Town on the second day;
• Huayna Picchu Mountain ($80);
• Tips to local staff (please note: it is a custom to give tips in Peru, however, it is not obligatory);
• Travel Insurance.

All Short Inca Trail tours are accompanied by both a professional tour guide and a Machu Picchut representative. The goal of our guides is to make your trip hassle-free and ensure you have the best possible experience. They provide detailed explanations of the places visited, suggest activities, recommend good places to eat, and introduce you to other team members. Our guides also share extensive knowledge about each site, including its historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects.

In addition, our Machu Picchut representative will be closely monitoring your trip. He or she is responsible for checking that everything runs smoothly with your Inca Trail tour. The representative will be in constant contact with our guides, drivers, and staff to make sure you receive your services on time.

Upon your arrival in Cusco, our guide and representative will request your WhatsApp contact information. This will serve as the main communication channel in case of any questions or emergencies.

Our guide and Machu Picchut representative will also visit your hotel 1 or 2 days before the trek. Please let us know your hotel’s name, address, and phone number in Cusco so we can coordinate.

Lastly, please pay attention to our WhatsApp messages. Our booking department will contact you there to confirm the meeting with your guide and representative.

Accommodation During the Short Inca Trail
The following hotels are used to accommodate our customers during the tour:

Hotel Casa de Luz Machu Picchu

You spend a night in a small locally owned hotel where you will have a room (twin or matrimonial) with a private bathroom and breakfast. All of the hotels we use in Aguas Calientes are located within walking distance of the railway station.

Single Accommodation: If you are traveling on your own, we pair you with another trekker of the same gender, so there is no extra cost. In case, you prefer a single room for yourself, there is a surcharge of USD 50 that needs to be paid in advance.

If you like to upgrade any service of train or accommodation or you prefer to stay an extra night in Machu Picchu, please contact us directly at info@machupicchut.com and await our confirmation.

IMPORTANT NOTE! 

You must present your passport including the TAM immigration slip (copy) at every hotel! The national sales tax (18%) is charged to all Peruvian citizens and foreigners staying over 60 consecutive days. In case the room is shared by both a taxable and non-taxable guest at the same time, the sales tax will be applied to the whole room. So please take every caution to not lose this piece of paper. You need to bring it to our Cusco office for your check.

The following train services are included in the short Inca trail: 

PeruRail - Expedition Train

Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu - Cusco

IncaRail - The Voyager Train

Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu - Cusco

• On the Expedition and The Voyager, an extra service inside the train is not included.
• Our driver will drop you off at your hotel.

Train Service Upgrade:

If you prefer a "Vistadome" train service or a "Machu Picchu Train 360" service during the trek, it is US$ 50 extra. Let us know before booking your service please.

Vistadome - PeruRail:

The Vistadome train has panoramic windows allowing you to appreciate the beautiful scenery along the route. Live an unforgettable experience of magic connection with nature along the Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo route. 

Vistadome Service Includes: 

a) Long-distance (from Poroy, Cusco):

• Panoramic windows;
• Outbound: snack;
• Inbound: snack;
• Hot or cold non-alcoholic beverage upon your choice (one hot drink and one cold drink per person).

b) Short distance (from Ollantaytambo):

• Panoramic windows;
• Outbound: Light snack;
• Inbound: Light snack; 
• Hot or cold non-alcoholic beverage upon your choice (one hot drink and one cold drink per person).

Machu Picchu Train 360 - Inca Rail

The only train in Peru having an entertainment app aboard allowing you to learn more about the train journey and the Inca civilization. Experience a unique way to travel to Machu Picchu exploring the Andean landscape like never before with wider and higher panoramic windows. Its observation outdoor carriage includes even a bar. Treat yourself with their appetizing selection of cold and warm drinks, prepared using fruit juices and Andean herbs, as well as delicious and organic goodies made of products originating from the Sacred Valley.

Machu Picchu Train 360 Service Includes: 

• Comfortable seats with front tables;
• Higher and wider panoramic windows;
• Outdoor carriage to enjoy the landscape, having a bar;
• Delicious and organic goodies made of products originating from the Sacred Valley;
• Train entertainment app.

The Short Inca Trail starts in Cusco, but if you spend a night outside of Cusco, then please check the below table to see possible starting points and pick-ups.

If you have extra luggage, it can be stored safely at your hotel in Cusco, at the Ollantaytambo railway station, or at our Machu PicchuT luggage storage. If you choose the latter, our driver will pick up your luggage on the day of your trail departure and leave it at our office. When you return to Cusco, we will give you your luggage back.

Generally speaking, you should pack as lightly as possible since you will carry your luggage from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes Town. We recommend keeping the weight under 5 kg/10lb (including personal clothes). Remember that you take your daypack with you. As you spend a night at a hotel in Machu Picchu, you do not need to bring a sleeping bag.

Do not forget to bring a cover for your backpack, because the weather on Inca Trail is changeable a lot, so it is hard to predict rain. If you do not have any, we recommend putting your clothes and other belongings inside a plastic bag.

• Original passport;
• Original ISIC (an international student card if applicable);
• Travel insurance;
• Pocket money in Nuevos Soles;
• A small rucksack;
• Raingear (a rain-jacket and waterproof trousers);
• Resistible footwear, waterproof trekking shoes are recommended;
• Sandals (for a higher comfort while at a hotel/campsite);
• Warm clothes such as a jacket, a fleece (thermal clothing is also recommended for cold nights in case of camping);
• Hat or a cap (to protect you against the Sun, rain as well as cold);
• Sunscreen or sunblock;
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body;
• Insect repellent – a recommended minimum is 20% DEET (please note that no malaria cases have been reported during this trip!);
• Mobile phone/camera and its charger/batteries (please note that batteries are consumed quickly under cold conditions);
• Flashlight/headlamp + batteries;
• Handkerchiefs and toilet paper;
• Small towel and toiletries;
• Sufficient reserve of underwear;
• Swimsuit (to visit the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes);
• Snacks (biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.);
  Please note: we provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. The recommendation of taking your own snack applies only to customers who like a specific snack that might not be on our menu.
• Bottled water for the first morning and a water bottle to be refilled;
• Optional: walking sticks; you can also rent it from us;
• Please note: we provide filtered boiled water during the entire trek, but if you like to use water from streams along the trail, you need to take some water-purifying tablets with you.

Book your space now for the Short Inca Trail 2026! Remember that the famous  Inca Trail has only 300 spaces per day. The beginning of the sale of spaces for March, April, May, June, July 2026 begins in October 2025. Take advantage of the Inca Trail experience now! Or, book 5 months in advance. Email at: info@machupicchut.com