Sacred Valley

• Alpaca Center: Learn about llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas, and understand their importance in Andean culture.
• Mirador of Taray: A beautiful viewpoint overlooking the Sacred Valley, the Urubamba River, and the Andes Mountains.
• Pisac Inca Site: Explore agricultural terraces, ancient constructions, and impressive mountain views.
• Pisac Market: Visit a colorful handicraft market and experience local culture in the lower village of Pisac.
• Moray: Discover circular terraces believed to have been used by the Incas for agricultural experimentation.
• Salineras of Maras: See traditional salt ponds still used by local families today.
• Ollantaytambo: A living Inca town with ancient streets, terraces, and a strong connection to local history.

Short Inca Trail

• Km 104 (Chachabamba): The official starting point of the Short Inca Trail, where travelers enter with permits and original passports.
• Chachabamba Inca Site: Your first archaeological stop on the trail and a beautiful introduction to Inca architecture.
• Wiñay Wayna: One of the most impressive Inca sites on the route, with terraces, fountains, temples, and spectacular mountain scenery.
• Sun Gate (Intipunku): The iconic entrance to Machu Picchu used by Inca Trail hikers.

Machu Picchu

• Main Temples and Palaces: Explore the most important areas of Machu Picchu with your expert guide.
• Optional Mountain Hikes: Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain can be added if tickets are available and booked in advance.

The Short Inca Trail is controlled by Peruvian authorities, and entry is only possible with an official permit issued under your personal details. Your passport information must match exactly, and you must bring your original passport to the Km 104 checkpoint.

• Your full name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, and passport expiration date must be correct.
• Photos or copies of passports are not accepted at the Inca Trail checkpoint.
• Once permits are issued, changes are very limited and often not possible.
• The Inca Trail usually closes in February for maintenance.

You can review planning details in our Short Inca Trail permits guide. For official route reference, see the official Short Inca Trail / Km 104 route.

This tour is easy to moderate overall. Day 1 in the Sacred Valley is mostly cultural and relaxed. Day 2 includes the Short Inca Trail hike, which is moderate and requires walking for 6 to 7 hours on original Inca stone paths, stairs, and uneven terrain.

• Cusco: 3,399 m / 11,151 ft
• Ollantaytambo: approximately 2,792 m / 9,160 ft
• Km 104: approximately 2,150 m / 7,054 ft
• Wiñay Wayna: approximately 2,600 m / 8,530 ft
• Sun Gate: approximately 2,720 m / 8,923 ft
• Machu Picchu: approximately 2,430 m / 7,972 ft

We recommend arriving in Cusco or the Sacred Valley at least 1 to 2 days before the tour. Drink water, avoid heavy alcohol before the hike, and consult your doctor if you have heart, lung, pregnancy, diabetes, or other medical concerns. For general guidance, review the CDC travel to high altitudes recommendations.

The Sacred Valley can be sunny and dry, while the Short Inca Trail passes through cloud forest, where weather can change quickly. You may experience sun, mist, clouds, and rain on the same day. The key is to dress in layers.

• Bring a rain jacket or poncho, even during the dry season.
• Wear comfortable hiking shoes with good grip.
• Use breathable layers that you can add or remove easily.
• Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for strong mountain sun.

For more seasonal details, check our Inca Trail weather guide. For an official forecast, you can also check the official Machu Picchu weather forecast.

You do not need to carry your main luggage during the Short Inca Trail. We recommend leaving large luggage at your hotel in Cusco or in our secure storage if you are changing hotels.

• Carry a comfortable daypack for the hike.
• Keep your original passport, water, rain gear, sunscreen, snacks, camera, and a warm layer in your daypack.
• You can send a small 5 kg / 11 lb carry-on bag to your hotel in Aguas Calientes if requested in advance.
• Porters are not included to carry personal items on the hotel-based Short Inca Trail, so packing light is important.

TreXperience is committed to fair treatment of porters, chefs, guides, drivers, and support staff across our trekking operations. A great Inca Trail experience should also respect the people who make it possible.

This tour includes a mix of local restaurant meals, hotel breakfast, and fresh picnic meals on the Inca Trail. One of the best parts of the experience is the fresh picnic breakfast and lunch prepared by our expert trekking chefs on Day 2.

• Day 1: Buffet lunch in the Sacred Valley.
• Day 2: Fresh picnic breakfast, picnic lunch, snacks, and dinner in Aguas Calientes.
• Day 3: Breakfast at the hotel.
• Vegetarian, vegan, and many dietary needs can be accommodated if you tell us in advance.

Machu Picchu uses timed entry and official visitor circuits. Your route inside the citadel depends on ticket availability and current regulations. We guide you through the route assigned for your Inca Trail and Machu Picchu tickets.

• Day 2: After hiking the Short Inca Trail, you arrive through the Sun Gate and enjoy the panoramic area assigned to Inca Trail hikers.
• Day 3: You return for your main guided Machu Picchu visit, usually through Circuit 3 or the route assigned by the authorities.

Optional hikes such as Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain require separate tickets and must be booked in advance. You can also review the official Machu Picchu circuits and routes.

The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are protected cultural and natural areas. Following the rules helps protect the trail, archaeological sites, wildlife, local communities, and the experience for future travelers.

• Stay on marked paths and follow your guide’s instructions.
• Do not climb, touch, or damage archaeological structures.
• Do not leave trash on the trail or at Machu Picchu.
• Bring a reusable water bottle. Single-use plastic bottles are not allowed on the Inca Trail.
• Respect local communities, porters, guides, park staff, and other travelers.

Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can learn more through the UNESCO Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu page.

• By Air: Fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cusco. Most travelers arrive from Lima.
• By Bus: Long-distance buses operate from Lima, Arequipa, Puno, and other cities to Cusco.
• By Train: Some routes connect Cusco with other destinations such as Puno, depending on train schedules and availability.

Before the tour, we recommend staying in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. Cusco is ideal if you want to explore the city, while the Sacred Valley is lower in altitude and can feel easier for acclimatization.

On this tour, you’ll spend one night in Ollantaytambo and one night in Aguas Calientes. After the tour, most travelers return to Cusco and stay there overnight before continuing to their next destination.

If you want a more exclusive version of this journey, you can upgrade your experience with private service, premium hotels, enhanced logistics, and a more personalized pace.

Review our Luxury Cusco, Sacred Valley and Short Inca Trail 5 Day Tour if you want a higher level of comfort and a more complete premium itinerary.

This tour is special because it combines two of the best experiences near Cusco in one smooth itinerary: the cultural richness of the Sacred Valley and the iconic Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. You visit Inca sites, local markets, Maras, Moray, Ollantaytambo, Wiñay Wayna, the Sun Gate, and Machu Picchu in just three days.

It is perfect for travelers who want history, scenery, a rewarding hike, comfortable hotels, and a premium small-group experience without committing to a longer trek.

Yes. This tour is designed as a premium small-group experience with professional guides, carefully planned logistics, hotel stays, fresh picnic meals on the trail, and a Vistadome train return.

Small groups create a better experience: more personal attention, better pacing, easier communication with your guide, and a more relaxed visit to both the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

Yes. TreXperience is a 100% Peruvian local tour operator based in Cusco. Your trip is operated by a local team with deep knowledge of the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Andean culture, and real mountain logistics.

Traveling with a local operator also means your trip directly supports local guides, chefs, drivers, hotel partners, suppliers, and families connected to the region.

Yes. On the Short Inca Trail day, you’ll enjoy a fresh picnic breakfast and picnic lunch prepared by our expert trekking chefs.

This is one of the best parts of the experience. Instead of basic boxed food, you enjoy thoughtfully prepared trail meals designed to keep you energized and comfortable during the hike.

The trip usually takes about 1 to 2 hours by car, depending on the destination within the valley. The journey is scenic and offers beautiful views of the Andes Mountains, farming fields, and traditional towns.

Yes, a Sacred Valley day trip is possible. However, combining the Sacred Valley with the Short Inca Trail is much better if you want a smoother experience. You stay in Ollantaytambo overnight, avoid extra backtracking to Cusco, and start closer to the train station for the Short Inca Trail the next morning.

Yes, the Short Inca Trail is suitable for beginners who are in good physical condition. It is a moderate hike with stairs, uphill sections, and uneven stone paths, but most active travelers can complete it with a steady pace.

You don’t need to be an expert hiker. You do need comfortable hiking shoes, a light daypack, rain protection, and enough energy to walk for 6 to 7 hours.

We recommend booking as early as possible, especially during the high season from April to October. Short Inca Trail permits and Machu Picchu tickets are limited and must be issued with your passport details.

You can review availability and planning details in our Short Inca Trail permits guide.

Yes. You visit Machu Picchu twice during this tour.

• Day 2: You arrive through the Sun Gate after hiking the Short Inca Trail and enjoy your first panoramic views of Machu Picchu.
• Day 3: You return for your main guided tour of Machu Picchu, exploring its temples, terraces, plazas, palaces, and sacred areas.

This gives you one of the most complete Machu Picchu experiences available in a 3-day itinerary.

On the Short Inca Trail day, you arrive through the Sun Gate and follow the route assigned for Inca Trail hikers, usually focused on panoramic views. The next day, you return for your main guided visit, usually through Circuit 3 or the route assigned by the authorities according to current availability.

Machu Picchu circuits can change according to official regulations. For updated information, read our Machu Picchu tickets and circuits guide.

Yes. If you want an extra challenge and panoramic views, you can add Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain. These tickets are limited and must be booked in advance with your reservation.

• You can only hike one: Huayna Picchu OR Machu Picchu Mountain.
• The hike adds about 2 to 3 extra hours to your Day 3 schedule.
• These hikes are steeper and more demanding than the guided citadel visit.

No. Your tour includes the entry tickets needed for the Sacred Valley, the Short Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu according to the itinerary and official availability.

Optional hikes such as Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain require additional tickets. For official ticket platform reference, you can visit Tu Boleto.

Yes, you need to carry a small daypack with your essentials during the Short Inca Trail. This should include your passport, water, rain gear, sunscreen, snacks, camera, and a warm layer.

You can request a small carry-on transfer to your hotel in Aguas Calientes in advance. Porters are not included to carry personal items on this hotel-based Short Inca Trail, so packing light is important.

TreXperience is committed to fair treatment of porters, chefs, guides, drivers, and support staff across our trekking operations. We believe a great Inca Trail experience must also respect the people who make it possible.

On this hotel-based Short Inca Trail, porters are not included to carry personal items by default. However, our responsible tourism standards apply across our operations, including proper logistics, respectful working conditions, and a human-first approach.

On the first day, lunch is included in the Sacred Valley. It is usually served buffet-style at a local restaurant in Urubamba, giving you a chance to enjoy a variety of Peruvian dishes and local flavors.

During the Short Inca Trail, you will enjoy fresh picnic meals prepared by our expert trekking chefs. This includes a fresh picnic breakfast before the hike and a fresh picnic lunch along the trail.

At night in Aguas Calientes, you will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before resting at your hotel.

Basic toilet facilities are available at specific points along the trail, but they are simple and limited. Bring toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and a few coins in soles, as some facilities may charge a small fee.

Wiñay Wayna is one of the most important and beautiful Inca sites on the Short Inca Trail. It features agricultural terraces, temples, water fountains, and impressive stone architecture surrounded by cloud forest scenery.

For many travelers, Wiñay Wayna is one of the biggest highlights of the trail before reaching the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu.

To visit Machu Picchu early, you need to board one of the first buses from Aguas Calientes. Sunrise views are beautiful when the weather is clear, but they are not guaranteed because Machu Picchu is located in a cloud forest area where fog, clouds, and rain can appear at any time.

Even when the morning is cloudy, the views often open later. Stay patient and keep your camera ready.

Yes. You can leave larger bags at your hotel, with TreXperience, or in storage options before entering Machu Picchu. A small daypack is recommended for the visit, especially because large backpacks are not allowed inside the site.

Keep it small. The maximum backpack size allowed inside Machu Picchu is 40 x 35 x 20 cm (16 x 14 x 8 inches). A small daypack is ideal and makes the visit more comfortable on narrow paths and viewpoints.

No. Re-entry is not allowed with a standard Machu Picchu ticket. Each entry ticket is valid for one entry only, so your guide will help you make the most of your scheduled visit.

There is no simple answer for every family because it depends on the child’s age, fitness, and hiking experience. The Short Inca Trail includes stone steps, uphill sections, and several hours of walking.

We usually recommend this hike for active children who are comfortable walking for several hours. Families should bring snacks, water, sun protection, rain gear, and be ready to hike at a steady pace.

We recommend arriving in Cusco or the Sacred Valley 1 to 2 days before this tour. The Sacred Valley is lower than Cusco and can be a good place to rest, sleep well, and adjust before hiking.

Drink plenty of water, eat light meals, avoid heavy alcohol, and take it easy during your first day in the Andes.

Yes. If you want a more exclusive experience with premium hotels, private service, enhanced logistics, and a more personalized pace, you can upgrade to our Luxury Cusco, Sacred Valley and Short Inca Trail 5 Day Tour.