The Short Inca Trail is controlled by the Peruvian authorities, and entry is only possible with an official permit issued with your personal details. This is why the booking step matters.

• Your passport details must match exactly (full name, number, nationality, date of birth).
• Bring your original passport on the hike. Photos or copies are not accepted at the checkpoint.
• Once permits and tickets are issued, changes are very limited. If you renew your passport, tell us right away so we can advise you.
• The Inca Trail is usually closed in February for maintenance (dates can vary), so always check your travel month early.

Tip: If your passport will expire soon, renew it before booking. It saves headaches later.

This is a one-day hike on stone steps and uneven trail. You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable walking for several hours with breaks.

Altitudes on this tour:

• Cusco: 3,399 m / 11,151 ft
• Km 104 (Chachabamba): 2,170 m / 7,120 ft
• Wiñaywayna: 2,600 m / 8,530 ft
• Highest point (Sun Gate / Intipunku): 2,708 m / 8,884 ft
• Machu Picchu: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
• Aguas Calientes: 2,040 m / 6,692 ft

Elevation gain (Km 104 → Sun Gate): about 538 m / 1,760 ft.

• Arrive early: We strongly recommend at least 2 days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before the trek.
• The Sacred Valley is lower than Cusco and can feel easier for acclimatizing and sleeping well.
• Drink water, eat light the night before, and avoid heavy alcohol before the hike.
• If you have asthma, heart conditions, or other medical concerns, consult your doctor before traveling.

You’ll never be rushed. We walk at a steady, comfortable pace with time for photos and breaks.

The Short Inca Trail passes through cloud forest, so the weather can change fast. You can get sun, mist, and rain in the same day. The key is layers.

• Wear light hiking layers you can add/remove easily.
• Bring a rain jacket or poncho even in dry season.
• Good hiking shoes with grip matter more than anything (stone steps can be slippery when wet).
• Sun protection is still important: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen.

Friendly reminder: clouds at Machu Picchu are normal. Sometimes they clear in minutes—stay patient and keep your camera ready.

This tour starts early because we coordinate with official train schedules and Inca Trail checkpoint entry times.

• Pickup: Around 4:00 am in Cusco, or around 5:30 am if you stay near Ollantaytambo.
• Day 1: Ride the 6:10 am Expedition train to Km 104 → hike to Machu Picchu → bus to Aguas Calientes → dinner → hotel.
• Day 2: Guided Machu Picchu visit → free time for lunch → return on the Vistadome panoramic train (usually 3:00–4:00 pm) → transfer to Cusco.

Most days we’re back at your hotel in Cusco at around 7:30 pm (final time may vary slightly depending on the last train schedule and traffic).

This is a daypack trek. There are no porters included by default on the hotel version, so packing light makes the hike more enjoyable.

• Bring a comfortable 20–30L daypack.
• In your daypack: passport, water, rain gear, sunscreen, snacks, camera/phone, and a warm layer.
• Your main luggage stays in Cusco (hotel storage or our secure storage).
• If your package includes a small duffle transfer for Aguas Calientes, keep it light and only pack what you need for the hotel night.

Packing lighter = more energy for Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate. You’ll feel the difference.

One of the best parts of this premium tour is that you don’t have to “figure out food” while hiking. We take care of the main meals, and you just focus on the trail.

• Day 1: Picnic breakfast + picnic lunch on the trail, plus dinner in Aguas Calientes.
• Day 2: Breakfast at your hotel is included. Lunch is not included (you choose where and what you want in town).
• We can accommodate vegetarian and many dietary needs when you tell us in advance.
• Bring a reusable water bottle. Single-use plastic is not allowed on the Inca Trail.

Pro tip: If you get hungry very early in the morning, ask your hotel for a small snack or box breakfast the night before.

Machu Picchu uses timed entry and fixed visitor circuits. Your route inside the citadel depends on ticket availability and current regulations, and we guide you through the circuit(s) included with your Inca Trail tickets.

• Day 1: After the hike, we enter Machu Picchu and explore the main viewpoint area, which belongs to Circuit 1—perfect for photos, sunset light, and fewer crowds in the afternoon.
• Day 2: You return for your main guided visit on Circuit 3, where many of Machu Picchu’s most important buildings and iconic sites are located, including temples, plazas, and water fountains.

Optional hikes (like Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain) require separate tickets and must be booked in advance.

The Inca Trail is a protected area, and Machu Picchu has strict visitor rules. Following them keeps everyone safe and protects the site for the future.

• No drones and no large professional filming equipment without special permits.
• Avoid large backpacks inside Machu Picchu. A small daypack is best.
• Alcohol, illegal drugs, and weapons are not allowed.
• Stay on the path and never climb or touch fragile ruins.
• Our team carries safety equipment (first-aid kit, oxygen, and communication devices) and guides are trained to respond quickly.

Travel insurance is not required, but it’s smart—especially for flights, delays, and peace of mind.

Yes. You start the official Inca Trail at Km 104 (Chachabamba) and hike to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), the classic entrance used by the Incas. From there, you’ll get your first big “wow” view of Machu Picchu from above.

After the Sun Gate, you continue down toward Machu Picchu for photos and your first visit before taking the bus to Aguas Calientes for dinner and your hotel night. If it’s cloudy, don’t worry—clouds often move quickly, and the view can open up when you least expect it.

Yes—you visit Machu Picchu on both days.

• Day 1: You hike the official Inca Trail (Km 104) and enter through Inti Punku (the Sun Gate). After the hike, you’ll have a short first visit (usually 60–90 minutes) and enjoy one of the best viewpoints on Circuit 1, often with fewer crowds and beautiful sunset light.
• Day 2: You return for your main guided tour (about 2–3 hours) through the center of Circuit 3, exploring Machu Picchu’s most important temples, palaces, plazas, and water fountains.

With the combination of Circuit 1 + Circuit 3, you get one of the most complete Machu Picchu experiences in just two days.

Important note: All Inca Trail tours have this fixed Machu Picchu circuit. The good news is that Inca Trail tickets usually have more flexible entry times than regular day-visitor tickets.

Yes. You can stay either in Cusco or in the Sacred Valley near Ollantaytambo (Ollantaytambo/Urubamba area) for this tour. Many travelers love the Sacred Valley option because it’s closer to the train station and usually means less driving and a slightly later pickup.

• If you stay in Cusco: pickup is usually around 4:00 am.
• If you stay in the Sacred Valley: pickup is usually after 5:00 am (exact time depends on your hotel and train schedule).

Just send us your hotel name and address, and we’ll confirm the best pickup plan for your exact date.

On the last day, we return on the exclusive Vistadome panoramic train to Ollantaytambo, and then continue in a comfortable van back to Cusco.

We arrive in Cusco at around 7:30 pm, depending on the final train schedule and traffic. If you’re planning a flight or bus trip out of Cusco, we strongly recommend booking it for the next day—it’s simply not worth the stress.

Yes—if you want an extra challenge and epic views, you can add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. These tickets are very limited and must be booked in advance with your reservation. The cost for either optional hike is $68 per person.

• You can only do one (Huayna Picchu OR Machu Picchu Mountain).
• The hike adds about 2–3 extra hours to your Day 2 schedule.
• These hikes are steeper and more demanding than the guided citadel visit—great if you want a bigger adventure.

Tell us early, and we’ll check availability for your specific date.

Trekking poles are optional, but they’re a big help if you have sensitive knees or want extra stability on the stone steps—especially if it rains.

Poles are allowed on the Inca Trail as long as they have rubber tips (to protect the trail). If you don’t have your own, you can rent them in Cusco.

Yes, but they are limited and basic. You’ll find toilets at key points such as the Km 104 checkpoint and near Wiñay Wayna, and you’ll have facilities again in Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes.

Bring a small amount of toilet paper and hand sanitizer in your daypack. Some bathrooms may charge a small fee, so carrying a few coins (soles) is helpful.

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 much more comfortable on narrow paths and viewpoints.

If you have a larger bag, you’ll need to leave it at your hotel in Aguas Calientes or use storage options before entering. We’ll remind you on tour day so you don’t get stuck at the entrance.

On the trail, signal is limited and often disappears in the forest and mountains. At Machu Picchu, you may get some signal in certain areas, but it can be weak and unreliable.

In Aguas Calientes, most hotels and restaurants have Wi‑Fi. Bring a power bank so your phone stays charged for photos and videos. For safety, our guide carries communication equipment for emergencies.

Message us immediately. Timing is everything.

• Before permits/tickets are issued: We can usually correct typos and update details quickly.
• After permits/tickets are issued: Changes are very limited, and names/dates of birth typically cannot be changed.
• If you renew your passport: Keep your old passport (or a clear copy) and bring both when you travel if possible. Send us a photo of the new passport as soon as you receive it.

The sooner you contact us, the easier it is to fix—so don’t wait.