Short Inca trail Map

short inca trail hike

The short Inca Trail is an exciting adventure that immerses you in the beauty of the Andean landscapes and transports you to the grandeur of the ancient Inca civilization. Throughout this brief but intense journey, you will hike along winding trails surrounded by lush vegetation, discover ancestral ruins like Wiñay Wayna, and behold the majesty of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate.

On the first day, you will depart from kilometer 104 and marvel at the agricultural terraces and stone structures at Wiñay Wayna. Then, you will reach the Sun Gate, where you can witness the awe-inspiring citadel of Machu Picchu for the first time and take in a magical sunset. The following day, you will take a bus to Machu Picchu, where you will explore the ancient stone pathways and uncover the grand architecture of this world wonder.

In summary, the short Inca Trail is an unforgettable experience that allows you to enjoy the natural beauty of the Andes and immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Inca civilization in a limited time.


When embarking on the short Inca Trail, it is important to pack the necessary items to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable journey. Here is a list of essential items to bring:

  • Hiking boots: Choose sturdy, well-fitting boots to provide support and traction on uneven terrain.
  • Backpack: A comfortable backpack with a capacity of around 30-40 liters is ideal for carrying your belongings.
  • Clothing: Pack lightweight, moisture-wicking and breathable clothing, including hiking pants, t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, and a warm layer for cooler evenings.
  • Rain gear: Don’t forget a waterproof jacket or poncho and waterproof pants to stay dry in case of rain.
  • Hat and sunglasses: Protect yourself from the sun’s rays with a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
  • Sunscreen: Apply and reapply sunscreen with a high SPF to shield your skin from the strong Andean sun.
  • Insect repellent: Keep mosquitoes and other insects at bay by bringing a reliable insect repellent.
  • Water bottle: Stay hydrated by carrying a refillable water bottle and consider bringing a water filter or purification tablets.
  • Snacks: Pack energy-boosting snacks like trail mix, energy bars, and dried fruit to keep you fueled along the trail.
  • First aid kit: Include basic medical supplies such as adhesive bandages, pain relievers, blister pads, and any necessary personal medications.
  • Headlamp or flashlight: Essential for navigating in the dark or exploring early morning viewpoints.
  • Camera: Capture the breathtaking landscapes and memorable moments along the trail with a camera or smartphone.
  • Cash and identification: Carry some cash for emergencies and ensure you have your passport or a photocopy for identification purposes.
  • Trekking poles: Optional but recommended for added stability and support, especially on steep sections.
  • Personal toiletries: Include items such as toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and wet wipes for hygiene purposes.

Remember to pack light and prioritize essential items to make your journey more comfortable.

Join the thousands of satisfied customers who rate us #1 on TripAdvisor

Bernie s 2023/03/02

Had a great trip with our guide Ray Herrera and driver Alfredo. Lots of good experiences in a short period of time 4 days. Learnt a lot not just about the main tourist destinations but Peru in general by Ray. Ray has a passion for Inca history and local produce. Ray knows all the good photo spots and we managed the sun out every day .. Good culture and if you want to get on a tour ask for Ray at Sams Travel = amazing

Tanya H 2023/03/02

Ray was our Tour Guide and Alfredo was our driver for a 4 day tour we did with SAM Travel Peru. Ray's knowledge of the history of Cusco and Machu Picchu was outstanding. Ray was very accommodating with all our needs. He stayed alongside us when trekking and helped where he could. His sense of humour was pleasant to be around. Ray spoke very good English. He is such a nice guy. I would strongly recommend Ray to be your tour guide to visit Machu Picchu. Ray explained everyday what the plans were for the next day, which was reassuring what we needed to take etc

Captanjack 2023/01/012

Our 1 day tour thru the Sacred Vally with Danny was wonderful. He was very knowledgeable and able to answer all our questions in detail. I would recommend asking for him personally if you are able.

Sherry 2022/12/26

We booked the Classic Cusco to Machu Picchu tour with SAM travel which we really had a good experience. SAM travel is very responsive during the communication and cater to our changes needed. Our guide is Ray who is also an very awesome guide. He is knowledgeable, patient, humorous as well reliable, he help us take many good photos and also go extra mile to help with our request. Thanks Ray! Thanks SAM travel that gave us good memories in Peru! Highly recommend if you consider booking any tour in Cusco.

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C Clark 2023/01/20

Wow. We had such an incredible experience in Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Our guide, Dayvit, is the most knowledgeable guide we have ever had. He has such an extensive knowledge of the history and is very friendly and helpful. If you are planning a trip to Peru, I highly recommend SAM travel and be sure to request Dayvit!

Emma Dinzebach Clark 2023/01/10

2 day tour sacred valley / Machu Picchu highly recommend! David was the best tour guide. He knows an incredible amount about Incan culture and is personable and funny. He also kept us up to date on a political situation happening when we were there and was informative. Overall, this tour checks all the boxes. Thank you!

Nupur Joshi 2023/01/02

We used SAM Travel for a 2D/1N trip from Cusco to Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu on Dec 25-26, 2022. The team was good with communication from the start - both Saul and Junior were very helpful and professional with answering any questions and clearing up any misunderstandings. Our guide, Miguel, was prompt, pleasant, and quite knowledgeable. We enjoyed his company and insight over the 2 day trip and recommend him to anyone booking with SAM Travel.

Xueying Chen 2022/12/20

We booked the Classic Cusco to Machu Picchu tour with SAM travel which we really had a good experience. SAM travel is very responsive during the communication and cater to our changes needed. Our guide is Ray who is also an very awesome guide. He is knowledgeable, patient, humorous as well reliable, he help us take many good photos and also go extra mile to help with our request. Thanks Ray! Thanks SAM travel that gave us good memories in Peru! Highly recommend if you consider booking any tour in Cusco.

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Brandon Slater 2022/09/30

My wife and I just completed two excursions with SAM Travel Peru and we absolutely loved them. We did the 4 Day Salkantay Wilderness + Machu Picchu and then the 2-Day Rainbow Mountain + 7 Lakes trek with guide Carlos Estrada, chefs Nerio & Lucio, and horseman Unarato. Over the last 6 days we have learned so much about the Inca culture, discovered some of the most incredible sights, and ate delicious food every step of the way. We would definitely recommend SAM Travel (especially with Carlos!) to anyone that wants an incredible Peruvian adventure. The Wilderness trek is a much quieter trail than the standard Salkantay and goes a bit higher elevation, but camping at the base of Salkantay was incredible. Carlos's guided tour through Machu Picchu was so informative. We would have missed so much without him taking the time to share his knowledge.

Kellie Taylor 2022/04/06

Big thanks to David he was an amazing tour guide who really cared for our group. He allowed us to go at our own pace and was a brilliant photographer He was really funny and is full of interesting information & his passion for his inca ancestors is very obvious and warming. He also brought us to great restaurants! This company are very good and from what I can recall were cheaper than most. Thank you!

Mike Geelhoed 2021/06/10

They took care of everything! Saul the owner is very responsive and helpful. Johnny our guide was fantastic, as were our chef, assistant chef and horsemen. I can’t recommend them highly enough and will definitely use them again if we return to Peru!

Janice-Kaneki Chen 2020/01/28

Three of us decided to choose Sam Travel Peru, reason being is it is a local travel company that help indegenious communities. We picked Lares Trek 4D3N to have cultural experience while hiking. Good foods provided by talented Mario Chef! Johnny is our tour guide, very helpful tour guide. He even helped me to carry my daypack as I was too exhausted to carry it on day 1 hiking. Strongly recommend to those like to have local experience while hiking.

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