I still remember the first morning of my 2 day short Inca trail hike. I wasn’t even fully awake when we left Cusco, but the drive into the Sacred Valley shook off the sleep quickly. The mountains looked close enough to touch, and the air had that crisp feeling you only get in the Andes. I’ve travelled with people from the UK, the US, and Canada, and almost everyone feels the same thing on that first drive — a kind of quiet excitement.
A Valley That Feels Alive
The Sacred valley and short Inca trail has a way of slowing you down. Not because of the altitude, but because there’s so much to look at. Farmers tending the terraces. Kids running along dusty paths. Small stone houses that look like they’ve been there forever.
What surprised me most was how normal everything felt for the locals and how unbelievable it felt for us as visitors. You read about the Inca Empire, but walking through the valley is completely different. It feels lived-in, not like a museum.
Starting the Short Inca Trail
The short Inca trail starts quietly. No big crowds. No chaotic checkpoints. Just a simple start near KM 104. My guide pointed out orchids I would’ve missed entirely and explained why the Incas built steps the way they did.
The first climb isn’t hard, but it wakes you up. The air gets warmer as you go through the cloud forest. Birds make that sharp echoing sound that you only hear in the mountains. At one point, we stopped near a small waterfall just because it looked nice — nothing official, no “photo point,” just a place that felt right to take a break.
Moments That Stay With You
A few things from this hike stay with me:
- We reached Wiñay Wayna earlier than expected, and the whole place was empty. I sat on one of the terraces and watched the clouds drift by. That silence is hard to describe.
- Somewhere along the climb, I met an older couple from Canada who told me they’d been wanting to do this trail for 20 years. They walked slowly but with so much determination.
- The final push to the Sun Gate is steep, and honestly, I had to stop twice just to catch my breath. No shame there — everyone does it.
Reaching the Sun Gate and seeing Machu Picchu appear through the haze… that moment feels unreal. You don’t rush it. You just sit and take it in.
A Few Practical Notes
Take light snacks. Bring a comfortable daypack. Don’t overthink the gear; people often carry too much. The mornings can be chilly, but the afternoons warm up fast.
If you want someone who manages the details well and keeps things simple, Andean Path Travel is a solid choice. They know the area, and they know how to pace the hike without making you feel pushed.
Why This Short Trail Works So Well
The 2 day short Inca trail hike gives you a bit of everything without exhausting you. You see the Sacred Valley. You get the Inca stonework, the forest, the terraces, the views, the wildlife. And you still arrive at Machu Picchu in a way that feels earned — not rushed, not crowded, not artificial.
Final Thoughts
If someone asked me whether two days are enough, I’d say yes without hesitation. Not because it’s easy, but because it feels complete. You finish tired, but it’s the good kind of tired — the kind that makes dinner taste better and sleep deeper.
And if you do it with the right guide, like Andean Path Travel, the whole journey feels personal rather than commercial.
