Short Inca Trail difficulty

Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for just twodays along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.

If you do not have enough time to do the 4-day Machu Picchu Inca Trail tour, this is a good option. It is a stretch of the Inca Trail that starts at Km 104 of the Cusco-Aguas Calientes railway line. The short Inca Trail difficulty is moderate. This hike will take you to enjoy beautiful landscapes, to know beautiful Inca constructions nestled in beautiful and spectacular natural scenes and to know the famous Sun Gate or the Inti Punku.

It is an uphill walk, make sure you have everything you need such as: repellent sunscreen, head protection, water, etc. For 3 hours you will have to climb steadily through pastures until you reach Wiñayhuayna and another two hours of walking until you reach the entrance to Machu Picchu. Previously, it will have gone through archaeological sites with a variety of fountains or baths, houses and warehouses, we are talking about Chachabamba that had religious functions or probably guarded access to Machu Picchu.

After passing through Chachabamba, the path merges with the forest and after an additional climb, you reach a beautiful waterfall just before reaching Wiñayhuayna agricultural center. You have the option of visiting the Inca City of Machu Picchu the next day or choose to enjoy the sunset over the Inti Punku and descend until you reach Aguas Calientes.

Short Inca Trail difficulty	The first hours of walking is a constant climb, then the trail becomes easier, although with sections of a certain degree of difficulty.
Acclimatization	1 - 2 Days in Cusco
Total Distance	13 km / 8,08 miles
Approximate hike time	6 - 7 hours
Maximum altitude	2,650 m / 8,694 ft
Minimum altitude	2,400 m / 7,874 ft

Inca Trail Hike Difficulty

When hikers ask us ¿what is the Inca Trail Hike Difficulty? We always say: the difficulty of each walk is in each one.

First, "The Physical State", if you are a person who has no health (weight problems, you have no problems with your knees and ankles, etc.). If you have a healthy diet, it does not exceed you, with alcoholic beverages, without smoking, you get enough sleep and do regular physical activity. Then the degree of Inca Trail Hike Difficulty or any walk can be more bearable, because you are a healthy person, "fit", to make the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, in a more bearable and less saturated way.

Secondly, "The Preparation", the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a challenge due to the nature of its terrain, changes of altitude floors, steep paths, steep slopes, many steps, etc. If you are a person who has been preparing quickly, you do exercises, short walks, sometimes, even with your backpack, and you have been informing how to do a long walk? Be sure that you will know how to face this challenge, called "Inca Trail Machu Picchu" and above all you will know how to enjoy it.

In third place; "The Inca Trail Machu Picchu is magical", but ambitious, if you want to enjoy it exactly, ten in mind:

The information: The experience of some not always, may be that of others, considers that due to the characteristic of the terrain, peaks, plains, jungle, steep paths, rivers, different climates, etc. We will be informed that the Inca Trail Hike Difficulty is 3 or 4 degrees. But how much have you informed about the change of altitude floors? How much do you know about the weather? Have you informed about the regulation? Do you know what equipment to carry out? Do you feed during the walk? How to prepare?.

Fourth, "The Attitude". Everyone has their own vision of places and everyone has their own experiences. For some people "the walk will be much more difficult, than they told him"; and for others, it will be the opposite. Let's be honest with ourselves, about our health, fitness and precautions taken and above all having chosen the best moment. Let's go with the determined spirit to have fun, attend the instructions of your guide, know that in several days of walking, there will be several experiences to tell."

Short Inca Trail Difficulty: Moderate.

The entire route to the wonderful Inca road citadel requires moderate and difficult physical effort because the entire route is not easily accessible, due to the height of the route (2600 masl to 4000 masl) and the constant ascents and descents in the journey. In addition to this effort is worth for the unique and unforgettable experience that will live in this great route of pure indescribable adventure only with words, to know necessarily you have to live them.

When is the best season to hike the Short Inca Trail?

The best season is to do it in the dry season, which covers the months April to the end of September. In October the rains begin and you can find Machu Picchu covered by clouds. If you travel in June, we recommend you to book the Inti Raymi 2025 Tour that takes place in June 24th, and also hike the Palcoyo Mountain Tour, which is an incredible Rainbow Mountain located in the Andes.

Can I take children to the Short Inca Trail?

The 2 Day Inca Trail Tour is an ideal walk to do it as a family, the short Inca Trail difficulty is moderate so that the walk can be done by children from 8 to 10 years of age, obviously depending on the character and their physical condition. As this is a very safe and incredibly wonderful hike, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the Inca culture in a spectacular way, experience unforgettable moments and above all, share a great family experience.

Some tips to make the Inca Trail Short to Machu Picchu:

The route is only 10 km / 6.3 miles; trail perfect for families with children
The recommended time for hiking the short Inca Trail is in the dry season, with no rain, ie from April to December, being the best months from May to October of the 2017 season.
It is recommended that everyone is in good physical condition, have good health, and if possible, go training a few months before the trip.
In the month of February, this walk can not be done, because it is closed for maintenance.
Make your trip reservation well in advance through the website of a travel agency authorized to ensure your Inca Trail Permit and Machu Picchu Tickets.
The entrance to the short Inca Trail tours is only with original documents, do not forget your passport, university card or ISIC card in force.
It is necessary to consider, a suitable dress: suitable shoes for walks, protection for the sun, blocker and repellent.
Carry a bottle for water, avoid disposable plastic bottles.
Take care of nature, do not leave a trace of your path, carry bags with you for your garbage.
Do not feed the animals, or deprede the flora of the place.

2 Day Inca Trail Tours

Usually the short Inca Trail offer two alternative trek.

Short Inca Trail with Hotel

This 2-day Inca Trail Tour, allows you to visit Wiñay Wayna, the most beautiful ruins on the road to Machu Picchu. Enjoy lunch before visiting it and then continue through the Puerta del Sol to see the Lost City of the Incas for the first time. You will continue to the town of Aguas Calientes and have dinner at the best restaurant in town.

Short Inca Trail with Camping

The Short Inca Trail with camping is designed for people who want to make your trip a dream experience, we offer a personalized and exclusive treatment in each of our services that will be combined with the natural beauty, history and great mystery that surrounds the Inca Trail.