Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – 2 Days

The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2 Days is the most iconic 2 Days Hike to Machu Picchu. Despite the shorter trek time, you will nonetheless experience all of the main highlights of the real Inca Trail. Highlights of this 2 Day Short Inca Trail Hike include walking through the lush forest of the Amazon, hiking in the Peruvian Andes, and enjoying beautiful views of snow-capped peaks and natural streams. You will see Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, the same entrance used by the Incas on their spiritual pilgrimages to the sacred site of Machu Picchu – Peru. You will enjoy a guided tour and explore the ruins of this wonderous archaeological site, as well as an optional hike up to the peak of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.

The Short Inca Trail is the best option for those with limited time in Cusco or those who could not get a permit to complete the Inca Trail for 4 days but still want an authentic Inca Trail experience. Hiking the Inca Trail Trek 2 Days in Peru allows you to enjoy sunset and sunrise at Machu Picchu. This 2 Day Short Inca Trail is the only hike that gives you these two unique opportunities to enjoy this stunning Wonder of the world.

We will pick you up from your Cusco hotel early in the morning (about 5:00 am) and then drive to the train station in Ollantaytambo and take the train to Kilometer (Km) 104, which takes about three hours. Km 104 is an unscheduled train stop, so you will probably feel a twinge of satisfaction that the train is stopping, especially for you – and by knowing you are about to see things that no one else will get to! At Km 104, we will get off the train and pass the Inca Trail checkpoint, where we will see our first archaeological center called Chachabamba (2,170 m / 7,170 ft). These ruins were one of the last shelters the Incas used before reaching Machu Picchu. This site was also used as a religious and administrative center and featured several buildings.

Then, we will gradually ascend for about 2-3 hours climbing Inca stone steps while our guide points out different flora and fauna along the trail. We will then pass a tall waterfall before arriving at the archaeological site called Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m / 8,700 ft), named after an orchid and means Forever Young in Quechua. We will climb to the top of the ruins and enjoy lunch with an incredible view of the Urubamba River and the Sacred Valley. This extensive site sits on a mountainside and features experimental terraces that the Incas used to grow different crops. We will visit an important temple with 7 windows dedicated to the rainbow and observe the fantastic engineering of water channels that still function today.

Once we finish our tour here, we will continue our hike for about 1 ½ hours on the part of the Inca Trail, which is relatively flat, with slight ascents and descents along the way. At about 3:00 pm, we will reach the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,920 ft), Inti Punku in Quechua. This is where we will have our first view of Machu Picchu, and from there, we will head down to the ruins. From Machu Picchu, we take the bus to Aguas Calientes town them hotel.

We will get up early and have a great breakfast, prepared by our chef. Then we will catch the bus to Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes. We will want to be at Machu Picchu by 6 am to see the sunrise. Once we reach Machu Picchu, you will be given a 2-hour walking tour of the site.

If you have elected to climb Huayna Picchu mountain (the price is not included in your tour price), you will begin the hike at 10 am. If you are not climbing the mountain, you will have free time to explore Machu Picchu before returning to Aguas Calientes by bus.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will board the expedition train to Ollantaytambo ( train station). From Ollantaytambo, you will travel by private van to Cusco, and we will drop you off at your hotel. Arrival time in Cusco depends on the time of your train ticket.

• Pre trek briefing (briefing at the hotel).
• Pick up from your hotel on the morning of departure.
• Transfer from hotel to train station the first day.
• Inca Trail permits and admission tickets.
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu (Huayna Picchu $ 80 extra).
• English / Quechua / Spanish professional guide speak.
• Second Tour Guide over 12 people.
• Overnight in Aguas Calientes in a Hotel.
• Local foodservice (1Lunch Box, 1 Dinner 1 Breakfast )
• Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu round trip (second day).
• Expedition train ticket to the head of trail (104 Km.).
• Expedition train ticket Aguas Calientes / Ollantaytambo.
• Transfer from the train station to downtown Cusco.
• Guided visit to Machu Picchu and the ruins along the trail.

• Extra expenses.
• Breakfast – Day 1.
• Lunch and dinner – Day 2.
• Travel and health insurance (bring copies with you).
• Huayna Picchu entrance US$ 80 extra.
• Walking sticks (it can be rented from us for US$ 10).
• Porter, to carry your personal stuff. – Extra Porter (Full Porter 12kg) US$75 – Extra Porter (Half Porter 6kg) US$35
• Entrance to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes town (US$5)
• Tips (optional).

• Original Passport.
• Original Student Card (if you book as a student) – Note ( you have to bring your student card to Machu Picchu because you are going to be required to show up at the Machupicchu control point
• A travel insurance card is essential.
• Walking sticks.
• Rain gear (jacket and pants) or poncho. Plastic ponchos can be purchased for about $ 2 in Cusco.
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots are recommended. Extra socks are a must.
• Warm clothes.
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun.
• Sunblock.
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – although no malaria risk has been reported.
• Toilet paper.
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
• Your own special medicines you may need, paracetamol, second skin blisters, etc.
• Bathers/swimsuit (if you think swimming in the hot springs)
• Cash – sufficient for snacks, tips, and souvenirs.
• Eager and adventurous spirit to enjoy your hike.

We also offer a special service only for you or your group, you have the power to choose the size of your group and the date of departure, we will never add other people since it will be organized only for you.

Our Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – 2 Days private service, includes additional items such as:

• Extra Porter (to carry your personal stuff 7kg/person)
• Entrance to climb Huaynapicchu Mountain or Machupicchu Mountain.
• Bus Ticket (Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes).
• Lunch in Machupicchu or Aguas Calientes.
• 02 Waking Poles per Person.
• 1 Duffel Bag to carry all your clothes.
• Vistadome Train (First Class train back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo).
• Hotel 3 Stars (At Aguas Calientes Town).
• Tour Guide to explore Machupicchu and Huaynapicchu all day. And of course, we pay a little more to our Staff and Guide.

We offer 3 kinds of service, each with different price ranges and you can book in any of these services according to your convenience, we just need you to be a minimum of 02 people to organize your trip on the date that suits you, all our services are 100 % guaranteed.

We are a direct TOUR OPERATOR that never passes clients to other agencies as most agencies do it here in Cusco to save operating costs with poor quality.

We will make the trip even if there are only 02 people in your group.

Can I be picked up from the Sacred Valley?
Yes, let us know in advance to organize your pick-up time.