The 2-day Short Inca Trail is the ideal alternative for travelers who want to hike the original trail without committing to four full days, and one of its advantages is a more affordable budget. But to accurately calculate how much you will spend, it is helpful to understand the pricing structure: how the cost decreases based on group size, what the rate includes, and which extras you may want to add. Here is the complete budget for the 2-day Short Inca Trail.
How much does the 2-day Short Inca Trail cost?
This trek operates as a private service, meaning you hike only with your group of friends or family, and the price per person decreases as the number of participants increases. Rates start at 580 USD per person for groups of 2 to 3 people, drop to 560 USD for groups of 4 to 5, 540 USD for groups of 6 to 7, 530 USD for groups of 8 to 9, and reach 520 USD per person for groups of 10 or more.
These are fixed rates throughout the year, with no hidden fees or seasonal variations. This group-size pricing structure means that the more people travel together, the better the individual price becomes, which is useful to consider when planning a trip with family or friends.
What is included in the price?
The price covers the entire journey from start to finish. For transportation and entrance fees, it includes pickup from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, private transfer to Ollantaytambo station, the outbound train to km 104 where the hike begins, entrance fees to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, the return train to Ollantaytambo, and final transportation back to Cusco.
Regarding services during the trek, the rate includes a professional tour guide, a second guide for groups of nine travelers or more, the pre-trek briefing at the Cusco office, and free luggage storage while you hike. It also includes the first-aid kit and oxygen tank carried by the guide, as well as the buses between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu on both days.
Hotel and meals included
Unlike the Classic Inca Trail, which includes an overnight stay at a campsite, this price includes one night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, making the experience more comfortable. Meals are also included: one breakfast, two lunches, and one dinner, with a vegetarian menu or special diet available at no extra cost if you request it when booking, plus one bottle of water.
The two-hour guided tour of the citadel on the second day is also included in the rate. With this, virtually all the essentials for your trip are covered from the moment you book, without needing to add expenses for transportation, entrance fees, or accommodation.
What is not included in the price?
To create a realistic budget, it is essential to know what is not included. The price does not include travel insurance, which is each traveler’s responsibility, or services not expressly detailed in the itinerary.
You will need to cover these items separately, so it is best to factor them in from the beginning when calculating your total expenses. Knowing them in advance prevents your budget from going off track with costs you had not anticipated.
Optional services you can add
If you want to add extras to your budget, several optional services are available at an additional cost. Hiking pole rental for the entire route costs 10 USD per pair, and entry to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain costs 70 USD per person in each case, with only 400 daily spaces that should be requested when booking.
You can also add transportation between Cusco airport and your hotel, in either direction, for 5 USD per person. All these extras must be requested up to one day before the trip at the office in Cusco’s Historic Center.
Discounts for children and students
Your budget can be reduced if you are traveling with children or students. Infants aged 0 to 2 travel free, children aged 3 to 8 receive a 100 USD discount, and both school students aged 9 to 17 and university students aged 18 to 25 receive a 40 USD discount.
To apply the discount, you must present the relevant document when booking: a copy or photo of the passport for minors, and a photo of a valid student ID for university students, with IDs from universities worldwide accepted. From age 26 onward, the adult rate applies.
How does it compare with the 4-day trek?
The budget for the short version is lower than for the full trek, but it does not cost half as much despite lasting half the number of days. This is because it concentrates high operating costs in a short time: the train, buses, hotel night, and private guide cost the same even though the hike is shorter.
Even so, it remains the most affordable option for hiking the original trail and reaching Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. For travelers with fewer days or those who prefer sleeping in a hotel rather than camping, the balance between what is included and the price makes it a very convenient alternative.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the 2-day Short Inca Trail cost?
Rates range from 580 USD per person for groups of 2 to 3 people down to 520 USD for groups of 10 or more. Prices are fixed year-round, offered as a private service, and decrease according to group size.
Is the hotel night included in the price?
Yes. The price includes one night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, unlike the Classic Inca Trail, which includes an overnight stay at a campsite. This makes the experience more comfortable and allows you to visit Machu Picchu well-rested the next day.
What meals are included in the rate?
The rate includes one breakfast, two lunches, and one dinner, with a vegetarian menu or special diet available at no additional cost if you request it when booking. It also includes one bottle of water.
Why does it not cost half as much as the 4-day trek?
Because it concentrates high operating costs in a short time: the train, buses, hotel night, and private guide cost the same even though the hike lasts fewer days. That is why its price does not drop to half that of the full trek.
Does the price decrease if we travel in a large group?
Yes. As it is a private service, the price per person decreases as the group grows, from 580 USD for 2 to 3 people to 520 USD for groups of 10 or more. Traveling in a large group lowers the individual cost.