When people plan Machu Picchu, the real question usually isn’t Should I hike? It’s Which hike fits my trip? For travelers I work with from the UK, USA, and Canada, the choice most often comes down to a Private Inca trail or a Short Inca trail tour.I’ve traveled in Peru myself, and through Andean Path Travel I now help visitors choose between a Private Inca trail and a Short Inca trail tour based on time, comfort, and how they want the experience to feel.
What each option means
A Short Inca trail tour is the compact Inca Trail experience (commonly 2 days). You start at Km 104 by train, hike past ruins like Wiñay Wayna, reach Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate, sleep in Aguas Calientes, then tour Machu Picchu the next morning. A Private Inca trail is the classic multi-day trail run only for your group. Same permits, same protected route—different style. Private means your guide is focused on one set of priorities, and your daily plan isn’t a compromise between strangers.
How a Short Inca in trail tour feels on the ground
A Short Inca trail tour is short on the calendar, not on effort. Expect an early start, checkpoint formalities, and a steady hike with real elevation changes. The upside is the fast payoff: within a couple of hours you’re on Inca paths with terraces, stonework, and views that feel properly remote. Wiñay Wayna is often the surprise highlight on a Short Inca trail tour—green, steep, and photogenic in a way that doesn’t translate in brochures. From there you push to the Sun Gate for that first high-angle Machu Picchu view. That arrival is why a Short Inca trail tour remains the best option for people who want the walked in moment without committing multiple trekking days.
What a Private Inca in tours changes (and why it matters)
The biggest upgrade with a Private Inca trail is control. Your group doesn’t negotiate pace, snack breaks, or photo stops with people you just met. Your guide can teach, adjust, and plan around one goal: a great trek for your group.
In practice, a Private Inca trail helps most in three places:
- Pace: Mixed-ability groups do better on a Private Inca trail because we set a rhythm that keeps everyone comfortable.
- Time at sites: A Private Inca trail lets you linger when it matters and move when you’re ready.
- Planning: With Andean Path Travel, a Private Inca trail starts with clear logistics—pickup, what you carry, what the crew carries, and how day one flows.
Crowds and timing (the honest version)
A Short Inca trail tour runs on a popular segment, so you should expect other groups, especially near the Sun Gate. A Private Inca trail won’t be empty either, but it usually feels less rushed because your guide can time breaks and transitions more intelligently. Permits are limited for both a Private Inca trail and a Short Inca trail tour, and they’re tied to your passport details. If Machu Picchu is the anchor of your Peru trip, start with permits and build the itinerary around them.
Altitude: don’t wing it
A Short Inca trail tour is shorter, but altitude can still catch people off guard if they land in Cusco and hike hard immediately. A Private Inca trail is even more sensitive because it’s multiple days in a row. Give yourself at least one acclimatization day before any Inca Trail hike. Walk lightly, hydrate, eat normally, and keep the first hiking hours steady.
Who should book a Short Inca trail Journey.
I usually recommend a Short Inca trail tour if you want trail + Machu Picchu in a tight window, prefer hotel beds, and don’t mind a shared-group format. For many USA and Canada travelers, the Short Inca trail tour fits neatly into a week-long itinerary.
Who should book a Private Inca trail tours
I usually recommend a Private Inca trail if you’re traveling as a couple, family, or friends and want your own rhythm. A Private Inca trail also suits travelers who want deeper guiding—more context, more questions, and more time at sites—without the compromises that come with mixed groups.
Packing that keeps you comfortable
For both a Private Inca trail and a Short Inca trail tour: broken-in hiking shoes, a light rain layer, sun protection, water, a couple of snacks, layers, and your passport. On a Short Inca trail tour, pack lighter than you think—extra items feel small in a room and heavy on the trail.
A simple itinerary that works for most international flights
If you’re flying in from the UK, USA, or Canada, jet lag and altitude can stack up. Here’s a framework I use at Andean Path Travel to keep things comfortable.
- Day 1: Arrive in Cusco, easy walk, early night.
- Day 2: Sacred Valley day (lower altitude), light activity, good food.
- Day 3–4: Do a Short Inca trail tour (hike day, then Machu Picchu tour the next morning).
- Day 5: Buffer day for weather, trains, or simply resting before your flight.
If the trek is your main goal, swap that middle section for a Private Inca trail and give it the days it deserves. The same logic still applies: acclimatize first, trek second, then keep a small buffer afterward. Planning this way makes a Private Inca trail smoother and makes a Short Inca trail tour feel fun instead of rushed.
My recommendation
If time is your biggest constraint, choose the Short Inca trail tour. It’s efficient, scenic, and delivers that classic Sun Gate entry. If you want the most personal, controlled version of the trek, choose the Private Inca trail. The private format changes the pace, the attention from your guide, and the overall calmness of the experience.
About the author
I’ve traveled in Peru and I now help visitors plan Machu Picchu treks through Andean Path Travel for clients in the UK, USA, and Canada. If you’re deciding between a Private Inca trail and a Short Inca trail tour, I’ll recommend the option that fits your dates, pacing, and priorities.
