The Short Inca Trail is a fantastic option for those who don’t have the time or desire to hike the full length of the Inca Trail. With beautiful scenery, a wide variety of flora and fauna on display and a visit to the Inca Trail’s most beautiful site (Wiñay Wayna), you get to enjoy all the best bits of the Inca Trail condensed in to a one day walk. Covering a distance of just 10km / 6.3 miles the 2 day Inca Trail is not too challenging which makes it perfect for families with children and those on a tight schedule.
Prepare for the Short Inca Trail and enjoy short but spectacular trek to Machu Picchu.
The Short Inca Trail Tour takes 2 days and 1 night at Aguas Calientes- the town of Machu Picchu. This trek is a fantastic option for those who are traveling short on time and have just few days for trekking, or for those who don’t feel hiking the full Classic Inca Trail 4D/3N length. Short Inca Trail is shorter than a Classic one but you still get to enjoy and explore all the best parts of the Trail condensed in to a one day walk. Short Inca Trail is covering the distance of 10 km / 6.3 miles. The trek is considering as easy, so perfectly suits family adventures.
However, the Short Inca Trail is easier to trek and takes less time, Also, you still need to have a full preparation for the hike to enjoy it 100%! We have prepared the packing list and general information tips how to prepare for the Short Inca Trail.
Even if Short Inca Trail is easier it is important to be fully prepared!
Altitude Sickness
Drinking coca leaves tea helps against altitude sickness.
This is one of the most important factor before coming to Cusco or other destinations in the highlands. Once you reach 3000m above the sea level you can start feeling symptoms like heart pounding and shortness of breath. These are very normal symptoms when being in high altitude with a lack of oxygen in the air. Preparation to hike in high altitudes is critical for your safety and performance. For some people these symptoms can bring to soroche (acute mountain sickness) when headaches, loss of appetite, extreme tiredness, sleeplessness and nausea can appear.
Normally such symptoms may appear on a first days of being in a high altitude, to avoid soroche try to take things easy as soon as you arrive. Once you are in a hotel room just take some time to lie down, rest and drink plenty of fluids. Aditionally, you must keep well hydrated to avoid sickness.
You can do some acclimation taking a tour to the Sacred Valley (aproximately 400 meters lower than Cusco city).
We strongly recommend to be fully prepared. Have at least one or two days to acclimatize before starting treks to Machu Picchu or any treks you may attend. Easily explore Cusco surroundings, you can take a Cusco City Tour we can offer for you, tae your time for preparation. Drinking coca tea it’s a tip to help you acclimatize faster which are perfectly legal in Peru. If symptoms not going away have a quick check up with the doctor.
Aguas Calientes- the town of Machu PIcchu
Optional upgrades at Agua Calientes town
The Short Inca Trail package already includes the night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes village next to Machu Picchu, but if you would like to upgrade the standard of hotel, meals or train service contact us in advance to make requirements.
Practical Information about the 2-day Trail
Is the Short Inca Trail Package available now?
The Short Inca Trail is open from March to January every year. Additionaly, there are only 250 spaces every day. Then we encourage you to check the availability of permits for the Short Inca Trail 2018 updated live.
What is included in a Short Inca Trail Package?
- Professional, bilingual Tour Guide
- All transfers from and to your hotel
- Train Journey: Ollantaytambo – Km 104
- Train Journey: Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
- Bus ride: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
- Bus Journey: Ollantaytambo – Cusco
- Entrance tickets for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
- 1-night at a basic hotel in Aguas Calientes (hot shower, private bath, cable TV, breakfast)
- 1 breakfast, 1 box-lunch, 1 dinner (breakfast on day 1 and lunch on day 2 are not included)
- Oxygen bottle, First Aid kit
- Vegetarian food on request at no extra cost!
Check the full package detailed itinerary, and book now!
What is not included in a Short Inca Trail Package?
- International or domestic flights
- Tips or extra expenses
- Water
- Breakfast on a first day and lunch and dinner on a second day
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain
- Tips
- Travel Insurance
What you need to bring for the Short Inca Trail:
We have prepared carefully the packing list which will save your preparations time and helps to get fully ready for the trek.
- As long as temperature changes are very normal during the trek, pack a day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek.
- Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. You can get a rain ponchos for $1 in Cusco before your trek if you still don’t have one.
- Comfortable and strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots are recommended, but as long as your footwear is 100% comfortable you will be fine!
- Pack warm clothes for chilly mornings including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie.
- Camera, films and batteries.
- Hat or cap for the sun protection during the day and cold in a morning and evening.
- Sun block
- After-sun cream
- Insect repellent
- Snacks: energy bars, biscuits, chocolate, etc.
- Bottle of water
- Your own medical kit
- Small towel
- Swimsuit if you going to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes
- Cash for tips, souvenirs or other little expenses.
- Very important to have your passport to enter the Inca Trail.
- Walking sticks or poles which we can provide for the first day for trekking. Keep in mind that walking sticks can’t be taken to Machu Picchu Ruins and need to be left at a hotel.
General physical preparation for the Short Inca Trail
Trekking shoes- one of the most important details for the trek.
The Short Inca Trail is considered as easy, but we recommend to prepare for a minimum level of fitness; this so that you do not feel uncomfortable while on your 2018 trek.
Before traveling to Peru prepare yourself; do some cardio exercises, steps, instead of taking public transport- walk, etc.
If you have medical issues make sure you have consulted with your doctor before traveling, for those who have joins problem we strongly recommend walking poles or sticks which will make your walking easier, puts weigh on poles and helps with balance. If walking poles are not on your preparation list, you can easily rent them in Cusco.
Contact us and book the Short Inca Trail in 2 days 1 night
If you did not find all imformation you were looking for, please contact TOUR IN PERU team for any further questions and requires.
