The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the most famous section of the Qhapac Ñan. The Qhapac Ñan was a system of roads built during the Inca Empire. This road network covered most of the Inca domains, including the territories of the modern countries of Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Ecuador.

Most of Qhapaq Ñan’s roads were built during the reign of Inca Pachacutec in the XV century. The next rulers of the Inca Empire continued expanding the Qhapaq Ñan until the Spanish conquest. In the colonial period, the Spanish government used some sections of the Qhapaq Ñan for transporting goods.

The classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu connects the railway to Ollantaytambo with the Intipunku. The Intipunku is a stone structure that marks the entrance to Machu Picchu. It takes 4 days to traverse the whole Inca Trail.

The Short Inca Trail allows visitors to explore the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu is just two days. On the first day, you will hike the last section of the Inca Trail, before reaching the Intipunku. On the second day, you will have a guided tour of the Inca citadel. 

Unlike a regular tour to Machu Picchu, on this 2 day Inca Trail tour you will visit the Wiñay Wayna ruins. These ruins are located on the last segment of the Inca Trail, before reaching the Inti Punku. 

Our Short Inca Trail Tour includes train tickets from Ollantaytambo to km 104. It also includes train tickets from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo for the return trip. There are three types of train services: the expedition class, the vistadome train, and the Hiram Bingham train. Each one has a different price, so tell us which train service you want before booking this tour. 

Any person with moderate physical health can participate in this short trek to Machu Picchu. However, in order to avoid suffering from altitude sickness during your visit to Machu Picchu, we recommend you to spend some days in Cusco city. 

Why Inkanto Travel?

We are one of the most trusted tour operators in Cusco, Peru. Our guides are experts in the history of the numerous Inca sites of the region. We also offer travel packages to the Sacred Valley and the Salkantay Trek. Our tours include a first aid kit to ensure the safety of our clients.