Short Inca Trail Lodge Based Trek to Machu Picchu
Cusco, Peru
4.9 (13 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Hiking Sections of the Inca Trail
- Cozy, Modern Lodges
- Machu Picchu from Sun Gate
- Breathtaking Mountain Views
- Fantastic Peruvian Cuisine
- Ancient Inca Rock Quarry
Description
Join us for a lodge-based tour highlighting Cusco, a section of the famous Inca Trail, amazing hikes and historic sites, and the world renowned Machu Picchu! With stunning Andean scenery, an amazing diversity of flora and fauna, the comfort of mountain lodges, several days of hiking and exploring the ancient Inca Empire, an opportunity to visit the Inca Trail’s most breathtaking site (Wiñaywayna), and a full day to explore Machu Picchu, this action-packed tour offers a tremendous amount of experience in just 6 days and 5 nights.
We start our lodge-based Peru trekking trip with tours of the historic, Andean town of Cusco and surrounding historic sites. Then, on Day 3, we embark on a spectacular, off-the-beaten-path trek to a high mountain quarry used by the Inca. On Day 4 we tackle the “Short Inca Trail,” a journey that takes us past stunning hillside ruins and amazing views to the spectacular Sun Gate, which protects and overlooks Machu Picchu. On Day 5 we enjoy a full tour of Machu Picchu by our local, expert guide.
Short Inca Trail Registration Process
Peru begins offering permits for the Short Inca Trail at different times each year, but normally between October 1 and December 15 for the following year. We secure Short Inca Trail permits for our registered guests the first day they become available and cannot guarantee specific dates until they are secured.
To secure a permit, we must have verified, registered guests, so we strongly recommending registering before November 1 of the year prior to your intended trip. We have a high success rate with securing permits, but if unsuccessful, we offer a full transfer or refund of your deposit. Once permits are secured, they are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Feel free to call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) with any questions about the Inca Trail permit process.
$3280 Per Person
From $226 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip requires significant elevation gains and losses on rocky trails, and tops out at nearly 11,500 feet. The higher elevations make the trekking more difficult but this trip is considered easy-moderate.
Hiking Distances:
Up to 8 mi
Backpack Weight:
10-15 pounds
Terrain:
Lightly Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
Up to 2,000 ft
Heights Exposure:
Light
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 10-15 pound backpack for 5-7 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on variable, uneven terrain
- Hiking at elevations of 11,000+ feet
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Peru hike a solitude 2. You can expect to have as much as an hour of solitude at a time while hiking.
Make the most of your time in Peru with an add-on day hike around Cusco! Explore a stunning alpine lake with amazing turquoise water (Lake Humantay); or one of the most unique and breathtaking mountains in the world with rainbow-colored soils that make for spectacular photography (Rainbow Mountain).
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group or family!
In many areas we can run trips with group sizes larger than our normal capacity of 12 guests. There’s no minimum number of guests on a private tour, and in many cases, we have flexibility around minimum age as well.
For all international trips outside the United States, we quote private trip requests on a case by case basis. Please complete the form below to inquiry about a private tour.
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Minimum Guests
We require a minimum of 2 guests to confirm this trip. If a trip date is not confirmed yet, you can register and will be notified when the trip is officially confirmed. We recommend not making final travel arrangements until your trip meets the minimum number of guests and is confirmed.
In most cases, if a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, or be refunded your payments in full. We make the final determination for these trips 65-60 days before the departure date.
Learn About Our Private Trips
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ITINERARY
Day 1
On this hiking tour to Machu Picchu, a Wildland representative will pick you up from the International airport in Cusco, Peru. We will drive to our hotel for the night, have showers, and then meet for an orientation meeting to get acquainted with our itinerary. After our meeting we will go to our favorite local Peruvian restaurant for dinner in Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire. Be sure to drink copious amounts of water en route today, as flying and traveling will certainly dehydrate you. Being well hydrated will also help your body adapt and acclimatize to the higher elevations of Cusco.
Day 2
Today is an acclimatization day and opportunity to explore the amazing history of Cusco. We start the day with our first Peruvian breakfast in Cusco. After breakfast, we will meet for a tour of the ancient ruin of Saksaywaman, the historic citadel of Cusco on the northern edge the city. Parts of Saksaywaman were first constructed around 1100 AD but were occupied since 900. The complex was expanded around 1200, when the Inca built dry rock walls constructed of massive stones. The builders painstakingly cut the boulders to piece them together without the use of mortar, and the ruins miraculously still stand to this day showing the true quality of Inca engineering and building techniques.
After Saksaywaman, we will have lunch before visiting an amazing, colonial cathedral in Cusco and the Qoricancha (Sun Temple). After these tours, we have some free time to relax before dinner. At dinner your guides will provide the plan for the following day and answer any last minute questions.
Day 3
- Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles (10.5 km)
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,100 feet (640 m)
- Highest Elevation: ~11,400 feet (3,475 m)
- Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
This morning after breakfast, we’ll depart for the main city in the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo. Today’s hike is to an ancient Inca rock quarry and is absolutely stunning (this quarry is somewhat of a secret from the main tourist trail in the Sacred Valley). Many of our groups see very few, or no other tourists on this trail. The hike takes approximately 3 hours up to the ruin, and roughly 2 hours down. Our hike features amazing views of Ollantaytambo and the surrounding valleys, as well as the incredible experience of visiting these historic ruins and ancient quarries. During the hike, we’ll have lunch and learn about the area’s rich history and the significance of the ancient town of Ollantaytambo. After the hike, we will head to our hotel for the night, freshen up, and go out for another fantastic Peruvian dinner.
Day 4
- Hiking Mileage: 7 miles (11.3 km)
- Elevation Gain: 1,805 feet (550 m)
- Elevation Loss: 890 feet (271 m)
- Highest Elevation: 8,860 feet (2,700 m)
- Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours
This morning after breakfast, we’ll drive from our hotel to Ollantaytambo and take a train to the starting place for the ‘Short’ Inca Trail. The train journey takes us by views of snow-capped mountains, through cloud forests, and by authentic Quechua villages. The train takes about 1.5 hours to reach Chachabamba, the beginning of our hike. From Chachabamba, we begin following the original path of the Incas, a beautiful hike with amazing views, wonderful flora and fauna, and of course tremendous historic significance. One of the many highlights will be reaching the Wiñaywayna Incan ruins (8,366′), a collection of stone houses built into a steep hillside with agricultural terraces above and below the houses. At the ruins we will have lunch and your guides will provide a tour of this fascinating, ancient Inca settlement.
After lunch and a short rest, we will continue trekking for roughly 1.5 hours until we reach the Inti Punku or Sun Gate of Machu Picchu, which is also our high point at 8,860 feet in elevation. The Sun Gate is a stone structure that served as the southern security checkpoint for the Incas coming from Cusco, and it is the first point where we can see all of Machu Picchu. Here we will rest and take in the stunning iconic views of Machu Picchu before hiking down for roughly 1 hour to the bus station. We then take a short bus ride to Aguas Calientes (6,692′) where we will check into our hotel. Tonight, over a wonderful Peruvian dinner, we will eagerly discuss the day’s amazing experiences and the anticipation we all feel for fully exploring Machu Picchu in the morning.
Day 5
- Hiking Mileage: varies
- Elevation Gain/Loss: minimal
- Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours
This morning, we’ll have an early wake up call for our sunrise arrival to Machu Picchu! At Machu Picchu, (7,972 ft.) our guide will lead us on a thorough and fascinating tour of the ancient Inca city for the next 3-4 hours. We will learn about the amazing cultural history of the Inca and Machu Picchu and delve into some of the mysteries that surround the remote mountain city. After our Machu Picchu tour we will head back to Aguas Calientes for lunch. We will then board a train to the historic town of Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, we board our private van to the town of Urubamba. Depending on the time, we may have dinner in Urubamba or continue on to Cusco (11,200 ft.) where we will have a celebratory dinner and end at our hotel in Cusco.
Day 6
This morning we will have our last Peruvian breakfast in Cusco and say our good-byes before heading to the airport. From here it’s of course your option to continue exploring Peru on your own or have a flight booked to return home. For our Machu Picchu Treks you can depart Cusco any time on this final day. Service ends after transportation to the airport. If planning to stay longer in Peru, we have day hikes and tours available leaving from Cusco. Thank You for choosing Wildland Trekking!
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however occasionally trips are subject to itinerary changes based on a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to: lodging/campground availability, extreme weather, political or bureaucratic obstacles, earthquakes, fires, flooding and more. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- A detailed trip packet that takes the guesswork out of your travel, training, packing, and preparing for the trip
- A professional Wildland guide, trained in 1st Aid, risk management and assessment and responsibility to provide overall standard of excellence in service quality
- Transportation for the duration of the tour starting on Day 1 and ending on the day you depart
- Vistadome train tickets from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Lodging for the duration of the tour
- Meals for the duration of the tour
- Use of a backpack and trekking poles
- Gratuity for in-country crew: Porters, Chefs, Waiters, and Drivers. *Please Note: Gratuities for Guide(s) are not included in trip rate.
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
- Transportation to Cusco, Peru
- Trip insurance that includes medical coverage and at least $200,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage (strongly encouraged)
- Bar bills, drink bills, extra snacks, telephone bills, wifi bills and other personal expenses (shopping/ laundry)
- All expenses due to unavoidable events e.g. flight cancellation, personal illness, strikes, etc. (we recommend trip insurance coverage for these variables)
- Clothes, rain gear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight (disposable plastic water bottles are prohibited; please have refillable water bottles or hydration bladders)
- Guide gratuities are optional and at the discretion of each customer. A suggested guideline is to reward outstanding service with a tip of 10-15% of the total trip cost. Local currency is preferred, or USD is also appreciated.
*Please Note: Gratuities for Porters, Chefs, Waiters, and Drivers are included in the trip rate.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What to Expect
This Peru hiking tour features a combination of in-town meals and meals prepared by your guide. We’ll have dinners at carefully selected, wonderful restaurants. Guides will prepare picnic lunches on the trail.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables. In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail snacks* (nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, & cookies) to eat at your own discretion.
We can often accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee, and in some countries may be more difficult to accommodate than others. Please inquire with us for more information about the specific trip you’re interested in.
*Common trail snack brands and items found easily in the US are not readily available in this destination. (i.e. protein bars, trail bars, beef jerky, etc…) We recommend guests that prefer these types of trail snacks to bring a few of their own choice items from home.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Backpacks
- Trekking poles
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Trip Logistics
How Do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
We will meet you at the airport on Day 1 and transport you to the first night’s hotel (included), where we’ll conduct an orientation meeting at 5:00 PM the first evening (your flight should arrive before 3:00 PM). Our Peru communications team will be in contact approximately 45 days before your trip to coordinate your rendezvous and answer any last-minute questions you have.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Cusco, Peru
BOOKING FLIGHTS
For our Peru treks you will need to arrive in Cusco, Peru on the day the trip begins earlier than 3:00 PM. Your guide will rendezvous with you at the airport and transport you to our hotel. An orientation meeting, dinner and accommodations are included on Day 1. Your return flight should be scheduled for the final day of the tour leaving at any time.
Flights to and from Cusco are the guest’s responsibility. Multiple airlines operate flights into Cusco, and nearly all connect through Lima. You can reach Lima from many U.S. and European international airports. Some of the primary U.S. departure cities include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Minneapolis, Chicago, New Orleans, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. The duration of nonstop flights to Lima is 5-9 hours. The duration of flights from Lima to Cusco is 80 minutes.
Pre and Post-trip On Request Lodging
We secure limited amounts of pre and post trip lodging in Cusco, Peru as an optional add-on for guests of this trip. This lodging is on request, and is available on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, please reach out directly to our team to check availability.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
In the interest of your safety, it’s important to refer to the Center for Disease Control website for up-to-date recommendations on immunizations before your trip.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Guides
Our approach to international travel is to combine the best of two worlds: the dialed-in details, professionalism and consistency Wildland trips are known for; and the cultural immersion and intimate regional knowledge that only locals can provide. To excel with this approach, we vet and hire the best local guides, welcome them into the Wildland family and train them to meet our standard of excellence with every aspect of a trip. But along with managing logistics and safety, your guides will teach you about the area’s history and culture, and provide a level of familiarity and intimate detail only locals can.
Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
Guide Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. uninterrupted for a minimum of 8 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled or private trips
Trip Insurance
For your protection, we strongly recommend the purchase of field evacuation, repatriation, and medical trip insurance. International travel is expensive, and the modest cost of trip insurance is a sound investment in an uncertain world.
If you wish to purchase trip insurance, we recommend IMG/iTravelinsured. They are one of the world’s leading providers of travel insurance.
For information on recommended IMG/iTravelinsured policies please click here.
For even greater information, or if you simply prefer communicating with a real, live person, feel free to contact our exclusive agent Michael Bennett. Michael will help you identify the best product for your needs, and there is no cost associated with his assistance. You may contact him at:
Email: [email protected]
US by Phone: 877-305-9083
Direct/International by Phone: 702-448-3664
If you already have insurance or wish to purchase from anyone other than IMG/iTravelinsured, we recommend careful consultation with the provider to ensure appropriate coverage. This is because many providers have a number of policy exclusions.
Weather in Peru
Peru is home to part of the Amazon Rainforest as well as the towering Andes Mountains. Machu Picchu is at an elevation of 7,972 feet (2,430 meters), but most of our treks in the region reach elevations well above 10,000 feet, some reaching nearly 17,000 feet. Because of the significant elevation changes and alpine hiking, the temperatures and weather can also vary widely. At elevations above 10,000 feet you can expect cold temperatures.
The average temperatures and precipitation in the Machu Picchu region are:
| Month | Hi | Low | Precip |
| March | 70° F | 45° F | 11 days |
| April | 72° F | 40° F | 8 days |
| May | 70° F | 36° F | 3 days |
| June | 70° F | 34° F | 2 days |
| July | 70° F | 30° F | 2 days |
| August | 70° F | 34° F | 2 days |
| September | 72° F | 40° F | 7 days |
| October | 72° F | 43° F | 8 days |
Accommodations
TIERRA VIVA CENTRO
3 NIGHTS
This inviting Cusco hotel maintains the feeling of a historic residence built with stone, tiles, adobe and wood. It is the beautifully restored home of the Velasco Ordoñez family, historic residents of Cusco. The rooms offer modern comfort and are spacious, with large windows and wood floors.
TIERRA VIVA VALLE SAGRADO
1 NIGHT
This wonderful Tierra Viva hotel is in Urubamba, the heart of the Sacred Valley. We stay here on the night of Day 3 because it is the perfect location between Ollantaytambo and the beginning of our hike to the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu the next day. This hotel is modern with amazing views of the mountains.
TIERRA VIVA MACHU PICCHU
1 NIGHT
This hotel is in the quietest area of Aguas Calientes, facing the Urubamba River and surrounded by the Forest of Clouds. Modern and stylish, it features spacious and comfortable rooms, a lounge with a fireplace, and wonderful local art hung on the walls of the lobby and rooms.
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
Trip Reviews
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Melinda B
Short Inca Trail to Machu Pichu
This was our third trip with Wildland and it did. not disappoint. The logistics were perfect and our guide was exceptional. Everything was well planned and our guide made sure we had a great adventure in a (relatively) safe environment. It was a truly an amazing way to experience Machu Pichu.
Leslie W
Fantastic
Our short Inca Lodge trail was everything we hoped it would be! Our guide was fantastic, pacing us to ensure success, providing information about the history, culture, and landscape, and otherwise making for an enjoyable trip. The food and accommodations were wonderful, and everything ran smoothly!
Gayle Q
Special!!
I am a single traveler and was put in a group with a family and a few other single travelers, that are now friends. Our guide was knowledgeable, organized and passionate about the history of many facets of the areas we visited! Auriol MADE our trip special!!! It would not have been nearly as smooth without his support and handling.
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