If you are planning to do the 2-day Inca Trailto Machu Picchu, choosing where to spend the night before is a more important decision than it seems. Many travelers choose to stay in Cusco, but for this short version of the trek, the best recommendation is to stay in Ollantaytambo.
The Altitude Advantage: Sleep Lower, Hike Better
Altitude sickness (soroche) is the biggest concern for travelers in Peru. Science suggests that “sleeping at low altitude” helps the body recover and oxygenate better.
- Altitude of Cusco: ~3,400 meters (11,152 feet).
- Altitude of Ollantaytambo: ~2,792 meters (9,160 feet).
- Start of the Short Inca Trail (km 104): ~2,170 meters (7,120 feet).
By staying in Ollantaytambo, you will sleep 600 meters lower than in Cusco. This significant difference allows your body to rest more deeply, reducing headaches and fatigue. You will wake up feeling fresher and more acclimatized for the hike, which actually begins at an even lower altitude, in the cloud forest.
The departure time makes all the difference: 4:00 a.m. vs 6:00 a.m.
This completely changes the logistics. The train to km 104 (the starting point of the hike) departs from Ollantaytambo station.
If you are staying in Cusco: to catch the early train (usually around 6:10 a.m. or 7:45 a.m. from Ollantaytambo), your transfer must leave Cusco at approximately 3:30 a.m. or 4:00 a.m. This means a 2-hour bus ride on winding roads before you even see the train.
If you are staying in Ollantaytambo: you are already there. You can get up at 6:00 a.m., enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, and take a tuk-tuk (motorcycle taxi) that will take you to the station in 5 minutes or walk 15 minutes.
Less chaos, more charm: the living Inca town of Ollantaytambo
While Cusco is vibrant and full of energy, it can also be noisy and congested. In contrast, Ollantaytambo offers a quieter, more authentic atmosphere. Known as the “Last Living Inca City,” it still retains its original urban layout and ancient water channels that run through its stone streets.
Spending the afternoon here allows you to stroll leisurely through its cobbled streets, visit the impressive fortress—much quieter at the end of the day—and enjoy excellent local restaurants, ideal for a light and energizing dinner before the hike.
How to apply this strategy
Organizing your itinerary is simple. Instead of spending all your nights in Cusco, you can travel to Ollantaytambo the day before the trek (approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes through the Sacred Valley, on a scenic route).
From there, you can begin the 4-day Inca Trail or the short Inca Trail with greater comfort. In addition, we can coordinate your briefing the night before or pick you up directly at your hotel in Ollantaytambo on the morning of the trek.
