Km 104: Starting Point of the Short Inca Trail

The Km 104 Inca Trail is the starting point of one of the most accessible versions of the historic route to Machu Picchu.

Unlike the Classic four-day route, which begins at Km 82, the Short Inca Trail starts beside the railway line near the Urubamba River. From here, travelers enter the ancient Inca path and begin a journey that combines archaeology, mountain scenery and a very special arrival at Machu Picchu through Inti Punku.

For travelers who want to experience part of the Inca Trail without spending several days camping, this starting point is essential.

Km 104 is mainly used for short routes such as the Short Inca Trail 2 Days and some one-day experiences.

Km 104 is the access point where the Short Inca Trail hike begins.

Its name comes from its position along the railway line connecting Ollantaytambo with Machu Picchu.

Unlike Km 82, travelers do not normally arrive here by road.

The usual access is by train, getting off at the appropriate point to begin the trek.

From here, the route continues through archaeological sites and ancient Inca paths before reaching Machu Picchu.

Km 104 is located in the Urubamba River valley, between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu.

The surrounding landscape is framed by mountains, vegetation and the river, creating a very different environment from the higher sections of the Classic route.

From the railway line, travelers cross toward the trail access point and begin the entry process.

From this point onward, the journey continues on foot.

The usual way to reach Km 104 is by train.

The journey starts early and normally departs from the Ollantaytambo area.

The train follows the Urubamba River valley in the direction of Machu Picchu.

Instead of continuing all the way to Aguas Calientes, travelers get off at Km 104 to begin the hike.

This detail is important because Km 104 is not a conventional stop where every passenger leaves the train.

It forms part of the specific logistics for travelers holding access to the Short Inca Trail.

After leaving the train, the pre-trek organization begins.

Travelers head toward the corresponding checkpoint and follow the guide’s instructions.

Required documents are checked before entering the route.

It is useful to have the following items easily accessible:

• Passport or identification document.
• Water.
• Sun protection.
• Hat or cap.
• Rain jacket.
• Snacks.
• Camera or phone.
• Trekking poles, if you use them.
• A light daypack.

Once the entry process is complete, the hike officially begins.

One of the first major highlights of the route is Chachabamba.

This archaeological site is located very close to the beginning of the trek and marks the historical entrance to this section of the Inca Trail.

Its structures show how the Incas integrated architecture, roads and the natural environment.

The visit also helps travelers understand that this route was not simply a path toward Machu Picchu.

It connected ceremonial, administrative and strategic places within the wider Inca road network.

After visiting Chachabamba, one of the most demanding sections of the Short Inca Trail begins.

The trail climbs steadily up the mountainside.

Although the route is much shorter than the Classic Inca Trail, it should not be mistaken for an effortless walk.

There are several hours of uphill hiking and stone stairways.

Weather can also make a noticeable difference.

On sunny days, heat can make the ascent feel more demanding.

For this reason, it is better to maintain a steady pace and avoid using all your energy during the first part of the hike.

The route from Km 104 is generally more accessible than the Classic four-day Inca Trail.

However, it is still a real trek.

The day includes several hours of hiking, elevation gain, Inca stairways and uphill sections.

Difficulty also depends on your fitness level, the weather and your hiking pace.

You do not need to be an experienced mountaineer, but basic preparation can make the experience much more enjoyable

To understand the physical effort more clearly, read Inca Trail difficulty and Inca Trail for beginners.

After climbing through the mountain landscape, the route reaches Wiñay Wayna, one of the most impressive archaeological sites on the Inca Trail.

Its name is commonly translated as “Forever Young.”

The complex includes agricultural terraces, stairways and Inca structures built into the mountainside.

For many travelers, Wiñay Wayna is one of the most memorable moments of the entire hike.

It also creates an important difference compared with arriving at Machu Picchu only by train.

Travelers on the Short Inca Trail can visit this site naturally as part of the route.

From Wiñay Wayna, the trail continues along ancient Inca paths toward Machu Picchu.

This section crosses denser vegetation and includes more stone stairways.

The destination begins to feel increasingly close.

One of the most anticipated moments arrives when the trail approaches Inti Punku.

Inti Punku, also known as the Sun Gate, is one of the most symbolic points of the experience.

From here, travelers can get one of their first panoramic views of Machu Picchu after hiking the Inca Trail.

The arrival feels very different from entering directly from the bus area.

After several hours of walking, Machu Picchu gradually appears within the landscape.

For many travelers, this moment is exactly what makes the Short Inca Trail so special.

Not necessarily.

Km 104 is mainly used for different versions of the Short Inca Trail.

These may include one-day and two-day routes.

The main difference is how the experience is organized.

On the Short Inca Trail 2 Days, most of the hiking takes place on the first day from Km 104 to Machu Picchu, followed by an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes.

The second day allows travelers to return to Machu Picchu for a more complete guided visit.

On a one-day experience, the logistics are much more concentrated.

So the same starting point can be used for different itineraries.

This is one of the most important comparisons for understanding the Inca Trail routes.

Km 82 is the starting point of the Classic Inca Trail.

Km 104 is the starting point of the Short Inca Trail.

In simple terms:

• Km 82: multi-day Classic route.
• Km 104: Short Inca Trail route.

The Classic Inca Trail includes campsites, mountain passes and a much longer distance.

The route from Km 104 concentrates the experience into a shorter trekking day and avoids the major high-altitude passes.

If you want to compare both experiences, read 2 Day vs 4 Day Inca Trail.

Yes.

One of the main differences compared with the Classic route is that the Short Inca Trail does not cross Dead Woman’s Pass or the other major high mountain passes.

This significantly reduces exposure to the highest elevations of the four-day route.

However, this does not mean acclimatization is unnecessary.

Before reaching Km 104, travelers normally spend time in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, which are already at considerable elevations.

For this reason, it is still a good idea to adapt before the hike.

You can read Inca Trail altitude and altitude sickness on the Inca Trail for more preparation advice.

Yes.

Access to the Inca Trail is regulated and it is not an open trail where anyone can simply enter.

To hike from Km 104, you need the corresponding permit and must enter as part of an authorized operation.

For this reason, it is not advisable to think of arriving at Km 104 independently and starting the hike without prior planning.

Spaces are limited.

If you already have travel dates in mind, read Inca Trail permits and check Inca Trail availability 2026 and 2027 before organizing the rest of your trip.

Because most of the hiking is concentrated into one day, it is better to carry only what you really need.

Useful items include:

• Water.
• Sun protection.
• Hat or cap.
• Rain jacket.
• Light warm layer.
• Snacks.
• Travel documents.
• Personal medication.
• Camera or phone.
• Daypack.

A backpack that is too heavy can make the uphill sections feel much harder.

For better preparation, read what to pack for the Inca Trail.

It can be a good option for travelers planning their first important trek in the Cusco region.

The route still requires physical effort, but it avoids several of the most demanding elements of the Classic Inca Trail, including the highest mountain passes and several nights of camping.

This allows travelers to focus on a shorter experience without giving up some of the most iconic sections of the trail.

Even so, it is useful to arrive with basic fitness and some experience walking for several hours.

Read Inca Trail for beginners if this will be your first trekking experience in the Andes.

Km 104 represents the entrance to a very different way of reaching Machu Picchu.

While most visitors continue by train to Aguas Calientes and then take a bus, travelers who begin here hike part of the historic Inca Trail before reaching the archaeological site.

The route connects three especially important places:

Chachabamba, where the archaeological experience begins.

Wiñay Wayna, one of the most impressive complexes on the route.

Inti Punku, the historic gateway toward Machu Picchu.

For this reason, Km 104 is not simply a railway stop.

It is the beginning of a route that completely changes the experience of arriving at Machu Picchu.

The Km 104 Inca Trail marks the beginning of the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

From here, the hike combines archaeological sites, Andean landscapes, Inca stairways and an arrival at Machu Picchu through Inti Punku.

It is especially attractive for travelers who want to hike part of the Inca Trail but do not have enough time for the Classic four-day route.

If you are considering this experience, explore our Short Inca Trail 2 Days and 1 Day Inca Trail.

We also recommend reading Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, Inti Punku, what to pack for the Inca Trail and 2 Day vs 4 Day Inca Trail to understand the route better.

Once you have your travel dates, check Inca Trail availability 2026 and 2027 before organizing the rest of your Machu Picchu trip.