The Royal Inca Trail, also known as the Short Inca Trail, is the perfect solution when permits for the Classic Inca Trail are sold out. You start at KM 104, a little bit further up the trail to Machu Picchu. From here you follow exactly the same path as those hikers who do the Classic Inca Trail. The Royal Inca Trail is also for those who have less time or don’t like camping. Typically, itineraries include a night at a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes.
All trails leading to Machu Picchu are today called the Inca Trail. The approximately 45 kilometers of trails are part of a much larger, partly disappeared network that was built by the Incas. The trails were cleared in the mid-20th century and since then millions of hikers, trekkers and daytrippers have found their way to Machu Picchu.
Get to experience the same in less time, for less money and with much less sweat. Arrive in Machu Picchu in the afternoon, skip the queues, don’t stress too much about permits and still get that perfect Inca Trail experience.
