Peru
Peru – Short Inca Trail & Sacred Valley Tour to Machu Picchu
Peru – Short Inca Trail & Sacred Valley Tour to Machu Picchu
Duration
4 days
Start/End
Cusco
Tour type
Individual · Group
Level
Moderate
Overview
The Inca Trail is one of the most legendary hiking trails in the world. For four days, you follow the original Inca steps through valleys and cloud forests, cross passes over 4,200 meters high, and discover ruins like Runkurakay, Phuyupatamarka, and Wiñay Wayna. Finally, you glimpse Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
Experience the perfect blend of Andean history and physical triumph. This 4-day journey is designed for travelers who value safety, cultural depth and the iconic entrance to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. Unlike standard tours, we put acclimatization first: two days of gentle exploration in Cusco and the Sacred Valley prepare your body for the hike. You discover the megalithic stones of Saqsayhuaman, the golden temple of Qoricancha, the agricultural terraces of Moray and the salt ponds of Maras before staying overnight in Ollantaytambo. On the third day, the 13 km hike leads you through lush cloud forest and past Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate, which you reach in the golden afternoon light – long after the morning crowds have left. The next morning, you explore Machu Picchu on a 3-hour guided tour. Throughout the trip, you travel in small groups of up to 12 people, led by experienced local guides.
Tour Code
Tour language
English, SpanishMaximum altitude
Itinerary
Day 1
Imperial Cusco – Foundations of an Empire
3-star hotel, Cusco
Welcome to Cusco (3,400 m / 11,155 ft)! After your airport transfer, your journey begins with a focused exploration of the most significant Inca sites in the city. You visit Qoricancha, the "Golden Temple" and religious epicenter of the Incas, and Saqsayhuaman, a masterclass in megalithic architecture and stonework. A slow-paced afternoon gives your body time to adjust to the altitude.
Imperial Cusco – Foundations of an Empire
Day 1
3-star hotel, Cusco
Welcome to Cusco (3,400 m / 11,155 ft)! After your airport transfer, your journey begins with a focused exploration of the most significant Inca sites in the city. You visit Qoricancha, the "Golden Temple" and religious epicenter of the Incas, and Saqsayhuaman, a masterclass in megalithic architecture and stonework. A slow-paced afternoon gives your body time to adjust to the altitude.
Day 2
The Sacred Valley – Pre-Trek Preparation
Hotel, Ollantaytambo
Today you travel into the heart of the Sacred Valley, dropping to around 2,800 m / 9,186 ft to optimize your oxygen levels before the trek. In Chinchero, you visit traditional Quechua weaving collectives. You then explore the circular agricultural terraces of Moray and the ancient salt evaporation ponds of Maras. The day ends in Ollantaytambo, the last living Inca town, where you climb the fortress before staying overnight.
The Sacred Valley – Pre-Trek Preparation
Day 2
Hotel, Ollantaytambo
Today you travel into the heart of the Sacred Valley, dropping to around 2,800 m / 9,186 ft to optimize your oxygen levels before the trek. In Chinchero, you visit traditional Quechua weaving collectives. You then explore the circular agricultural terraces of Moray and the ancient salt evaporation ponds of Maras. The day ends in Ollantaytambo, the last living Inca town, where you climb the fortress before staying overnight.
Day 3
The Short Inca Trail – Into the Cloud Forest
Hotel, Aguas Calientes (2,040 m / 6,693 ft)
13 km / 8.1 mi · 6–7 h · 670 m / 2,198 ft elevation gain
The trek begins. A scenic train ride brings us to the trailhead at Km 104 (2,050 m / 6,726 ft), where we cross the Urubamba River and start the ascent through pristine cloud forest. On the way, we visit the impressive terraces of Wiñay Wayna before reaching the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,924 ft) in the late afternoon for your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu. Afterwards, we descend to Aguas Calientes for a high-protein dinner and a night in a 3-star hotel. Today you cover 13 km (8.1 miles) in 6–7 hours of hiking.
The Short Inca Trail – Into the Cloud Forest
Day 3
Hotel, Aguas Calientes (2,040 m / 6,693 ft)
13 km / 8.1 mi · 6–7 h · 670 m / 2,198 ft elevation gain
The trek begins. A scenic train ride brings us to the trailhead at Km 104 (2,050 m / 6,726 ft), where we cross the Urubamba River and start the ascent through pristine cloud forest. On the way, we visit the impressive terraces of Wiñay Wayna before reaching the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,924 ft) in the late afternoon for your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu. Afterwards, we descend to Aguas Calientes for a high-protein dinner and a night in a 3-star hotel. Today you cover 13 km (8.1 miles) in 6–7 hours of hiking.
Day 4
Machu Picchu – The Private Grand Tour
An early start lets you experience the citadel of Machu Picchu (2,400 m / 7,874 ft) in the morning light. Your guide leads you on a 3-hour tour full of stories, covering the main temples and urban sectors. Afterwards, you take the Vistadome or Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo, where your private transfer is waiting to bring you back to your hotel in Cusco.
Machu Picchu – The Private Grand Tour
Day 4
An early start lets you experience the citadel of Machu Picchu (2,400 m / 7,874 ft) in the morning light. Your guide leads you on a 3-hour tour full of stories, covering the main temples and urban sectors. Afterwards, you take the Vistadome or Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo, where your private transfer is waiting to bring you back to your hotel in Cusco.
Price from
€999.00
Services
What's included
Airport Transfers: Transfers between Cusco airport and your hotel.
Professional Bilingual Guides: Expert local guides (Spanish/English), first-aid certified, with deep knowledge of Inca history, culture, flora and fauna.
Permits & Entrance Fees: All permits and entrance fees for Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail (Km 104) and Machu Picchu.
Accommodation: 3 nights in comfortable 3-star hotels (double occupancy); upgrades available on request.
Transportation: Private transportation for all activities in the itinerary.
Train Tickets: Ollantaytambo to Km 104 and Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo, with transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
Bus Tickets: Round-trip bus between Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes on Day 3 and Day 4.
Meals: 3 breakfasts, 1 box lunch and 1 dinner; vegetarian and special diets accommodated on request.
First Aid Kit: Comprehensive kit including emergency oxygen.
Taxes & Fees: All taxes and permit fees included; no hidden costs.
What's not included
Travel Insurance: Highly recommended for comprehensive coverage.
Flights: International and domestic flights.
Meals: Meals in Cusco on Day 1, lunch and dinner in the Sacred Valley on Day 2 and lunch in Aguas Calientes on Day 4.
Tips & Personal Expenses: Tips for guides and staff as well as personal expenses.
Wayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain: Choose this option while making your reservation if you want to climb Machu Picchu Mountain or Wayna Picchu. As availability is limited, booking in advance is recommended.
Character of the trip
Fitness
Moderate
Altitude
Medium (up to 3,400 m)
Culture / nature
Culture-led
Fitness – moderate: Two easy sightseeing days are followed by a hike of 13 km (8.1 mi) with 670 m / 2,198 ft of ascent in 6–7 hours, mostly on uneven stone steps and narrow paths. Good basic fitness and sure-footedness are required; regular hiking experience is helpful. No technical skills are needed.
Altitude – medium: The highest point of the hike is the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,924 ft), but the trip starts in Cusco at 3,400 m / 11,155 ft. The first two days in Cusco and the lower Sacred Valley (around 2,800 m / 9,186 ft) help you acclimatize before the trek.
Culture & nature – culture-focused: Cusco's Inca temples, Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo, Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu, combined with the cloud forest along the trail.
Hotels & daypack: Three nights in 3-star hotels; during the hike you only carry a light daypack.
Dates and prices
Individual dates
Optional
Wayna Picchu (Huayna Picchu)
Steep, narrow stone stairs with exposed sections and drop-offs – a head for heights and sure-footedness are required. Limited availability, booking in advance is recommended.
€75.00
per person
Machu Picchu Mountain
Long, steep stone stairs with some drop-offs – a head for heights is recommended. Limited availability, booking in advance is recommended.
€75.00
per person
Cusco City Tour (half day)
Public tour – available as a private tour on request.
€20.00
per person
Groups of 6 or more: contact info@silvertip.at for special rates and tailor-made options.
Notes on the trip
Regulations
Entry times are strictly enforced by the Ministry of Culture. We secure permits for the 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM slot to ensure the best lighting and fewer crowds.
What to bring
Original Passport: Mandatory – entry to the trail will be denied without it.
Footwear: Broken-in hiking boots with ankle support, plus sandals for the hotel.
Clothing: Waterproof rain poncho and thermal layers for the cool evenings in Cusco.
Protection: High-factor sunscreen and a hat.
Gear: 25L daypack, reusable metal water bottle and optional walking poles (must have rubber tips).
Information
Book as early as possible: Inca Trail permits are strictly limited and often sold out months in advance, especially from May to September. Permits for the following year usually go on sale in October. Please send us your inquiry as early as possible – ideally 6 to 8 months before your trip.