Short Inca Trail (2 days): the route from km 104, permits and what to expect

The Short Inca Trail is the way to reach Machu Picchu on foot through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) without spending four days camping. You hike a single day on an original stretch of Inca trail, with ruins, cloud forest and views of the Urubamba River, sleep in Aguas Calientes and visit Machu Picchu calmly the next day. It's ideal if you're short on time, don't want to camp or want a moderate trek.

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The route

1. Train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to kilometre 104 of the railway, where you get off at a special stop.
2. Permit and passport check, then cross the bridge over the Urubamba.
3. Visit the Inca site of Chachabamba by the river.
4. A sustained climb along the hillside with valley views to Wiñay Wayna, one of the most beautiful complexes on the Inca Trail, with terraces and fountains.
5. A final stretch on the original trail to the Sun Gate, where you see Machu Picchu for the first time.
6. Descend to Machu Picchu and take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for the night.

In total it's about 12 km and 6–8 hours of walking, depending on pace and stops. The highest point is around 2,700 m, much lower than Cusco.

• Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town): getting there, things to do and where to stay
• How to get to Machu Picchu: train, Inca Trail or Hidroeléctrica

Day 2: visiting Machu Picchu

The next day you go back up, usually early, for a guided visit on one of the Machu Picchu circuits. In the afternoon you take the train back to Ollantaytambo or Cusco. Some packages let you add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, subject to availability.

• Machu Picchu circuits explained: which to choose (1, 2 or 3) and what you see
• Huayna Picchu vs Machu Picchu Mountain: which to climb and what each hike is like

Permits

The Inca Trail, short version included, can only be hiked with an official permit through authorised agencies, which issue it with each hiker's name and passport. Daily permits are limited. Short-trail permits are usually somewhat easier to get than the classic 4-day ones, but in high season (May to September) they also sell out weeks or months ahead. The permit is tied to your passport: carry the same document you booked with.

In 2026 this route also had a temporary closure: after a geological event destroyed the access footbridge at Chachabamba (km 104), route 5 closed on 31 March and hikers used the alternative route from km 106 (Choquesuysuy – Wiñay Wayna – Intipunku). The Ministry of Culture reopened the km 104 access on 1 August 2026. Before booking, confirm with your agency which kilometre the hike starts from.

• Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: permits, when to book, the 4-day route and the short version
• Machu Picchu tickets: how to buy them on the official site and not miss out

Difficulty

• Moderate: the climb from the river to Wiñay Wayna is long with many steps, but the rest is easier.
• Suitable for people of average fitness used to walking.
• Being lower than Cusco, altitude is less of an issue, though you should arrive acclimatised.
• Inca steps are uneven: rubber-tipped poles help on descents.

• Altitude sickness in Cusco: how to prevent it and what to do

Short vs classic trail

• Duration: 1 hiking day plus the visit, vs 4 days with 3 nights camping.
• Difficulty: moderate vs demanding, with the classic's Dead Woman's Pass at about 4,200 m.
• Ruins: the short trail includes Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna; the classic adds many more.
• Accommodation: a hotel in Aguas Calientes vs campsites.
• Permits: easier to get for the short trail, though still limited.

If you can't get permits for either, there are permit-free alternatives such as Salkantay, Lares or the Inca Jungle.

• Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: permits, when to book, the 4-day route and the short version
• Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: route, difficulty, best season and how to plan it
• Lares Trek to Machu Picchu: route, difficulty, communities and comparison

Typical inclusions

Packages usually include the Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu entrance, trains, guide, lunch on day one, the bus down and up, one hotel night in Aguas Calientes and transfers in Cusco. Check the train and hotel category and whether dinner is included.

• How to choose a tour agency in Cusco: a checklist to get it right

Best season

From roughly April to October the weather is drier. May and September combine good weather with slightly fewer people. November to March brings frequent rain but greener forest; February is closed.

• Best time to visit Cusco and what to pack

What to pack

• Original passport (the one on the permit).
• A small backpack with rain jacket, water and snacks.
• Sunscreen, insect repellent and a hat.
• Broken-in hiking shoes.
• Clothes for the night in Aguas Calientes, which is warmer than Cusco.

Machu Picchu rules limit backpack size at the site; check current rules.

• Machu Picchu rules: what to bring, bag size, banned items and guides

Common mistakes

• Booking late: permits sell out months ahead in high season.
• Mixing up the entrance: the short trail includes the Machu Picchu visit, but confirm the assigned circuit and time with your agency.
• Underestimating day one: it's short but climbs steadily to Wiñay Wayna under strong sun.
• Forgetting your original passport, checked at the trail entrance.

Notice: This guide shares advice and recommendations based on research and local experience. Prices, opening hours and rules may change: always check with official sources and operators. Cusco Tips is not responsible for third-party services, bookings or decisions made using these guides; some links are affiliate links (see our affiliate policy).