Short Inca Trail 2D/1N

The 2-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a shorter version of the classic 4-day trek, ideal for those who want to experience the beauty of the Inca Trail but have limited time or prefer a less strenuous hike. This hike includes breathtaking landscapes, ancient Incan ruins, and ends with a stunning entrance to Machu Picchu through the famous Sun Gate (Inti Punku).

Overview of the 2-Day Inca Trail
  • Duration: 2 Days / 1 Night
  • Distance: Approximately 12 km (8 miles) on the first day
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Highest Altitude: Around 2,720 m (8,924 ft) at Wiñay Wayna
  • Starting Point: Km 104 (a train stop along the route from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes)
  • Ending Point: Machu Picchu
  • Permit Required: Yes, limited spots available, so early booking is recommended

Highlights of the 2-Day Inca Trail

  • Shorter and less challenging than the classic 4-day trek, making it accessible to more travelers.
  • Wiñay Wayna, a stunning Inca archaeological site.
  • First view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, avoiding the usual entrance.
  • Machu Picchu guided tour, learning about its history and significance.

Best Time to Go

  • Dry season (April to October): Best weather and clear views.
  • Wet season (November to March): More rain, but the trail is still open (except in February for maintenance).

Who is this Trek for?

  • Travelers with limited time who still want a hiking experience.
  • People looking for a moderate challenge rather than a strenuous multi-day trek.
  • Those who want to enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate, unlike train-only visitors
FIRST DAY: CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM 104 CHACHABAMBA – WIÑAYWAYNA – INTIPUNKU

 

Pick up from your hotel to the train station in Ollantaytambo 2550m/8,200ft. 2 hours by bus and we will go by train for 1: 10hrs to Km 104 or Chachabamba 2250m/7,310ft. When we will arrive, you need to show your ticket and passport and we start to walk.

From there we start walking towards Wiñaywayna for 3 hours, we will go through an archeological site called Chachabamba where the name of the place comes from, the way will be up and flats, up and down, upstairs downstairs, part of the way will be inside the forest and others in  open areas that walks through the rain and cloud forest, thus reaching the archaeological site of Wiñaywayna 2666m/8,740ft.  We will appreciate  terraces, urban sector, ceremonial fountains, religious places. Where there is an explanation about this place.

After the explanation we will go to the checkpoint where we need to show the tickets again and we will take the lunch which consists a Box Lunch which provided to you at the beginning of the trail. After the lunch we continue to walk towards Intipunku or Sun Gate 2745m/9000ft. the path will be throught the cloud forest up and down. Arriving to Sun Gate (Intipunku) where we will have a wonderful view of Machupicchu in the distance.

From Sun Gate to Machupicchu we will walk 40 minutes, arriving where is the classic photo of Machu Picchu 2400m/7800ft. Time to take all the photos than you want, after we will going down outside of Machupicchu where is the bus station take a bus for 30 minutes to Aguas Calientes Town 2200m/7,200ft. Where will be your accommodation and dinner.

DISTANCE: 12 KMS / 7.5 MILES

TIME: 7 HOURS

SECOND DAY: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO

 In the morning we will take the  bus, takes 30 minutes to the Machupicchu Sanctuary. Then we will have our guided tour for about 2 hours where the guide will take us through the most important places of the citadel, after our visit there is a other option is to go up to Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu Mountain (not included) to be able to appreciate the impressive view of the whole Machupicchu. after take a bus going down to Aguas Calientes. Where you can take your lunch. Finally, you will take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo for 2 hours where a transfer waits for you and then 2 hours by bus to Cusco.

End of our service

TOUR INCLUDES:
  • Transfer from your hotel in Cusco – Ollantaytambo Train Station 
  • Train ticket to kilometer 104 Chachabamba
  • Train ticket back to Ollantaytambo station.
  • Entrance Ticket to Machupicchu.
  • Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail
  • Professional tour guide.
  • Box lunch on the first day (cold main course, water, season fruits, snacks, sweets).
  • Dinner at restaurant in Aguas Calientes.
  • Bus down from Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes (1st day)
  • Bus tickets up and down from Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu  (2nd day)
  • Accommodation in a hostel or hotel in Aguas Calientes
  • Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
 NOT INCLUDED:
  • The first breakfast (first day).
  • Last lunch (second day).
  • Entrance to Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu-Montaña $ 70 dollars additional
  • Hiking sticks
  • Tips
  • Extra cost not mentioned in the itinerary

NOTE: The entrance to Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu Mountain must confirm at the time of making your reservation and is subject to seat availability (maximum  400 people per day).