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Short Inca Trail and Machu Picchu: 2 Days
- Duration2 Days
- DifficultyModerate
- Group sizeMax. 15
Overview
A perfect option for experiencing the Inca Trail. With less effort, spending the night in a cozy hotel in Aguas Calientes instead of camping.
A perfect option for experiencing the Inca Trail.
With less effort, spending the night in a cozy hotel in Aguas Calientes instead of camping.
General conditions
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Strict Permit Regulations: Short Inca Trail (KM 104) permits are strictly quota-controlled by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture. Permits are non-refundable, non-transferable, and date-locked once issued under your legal name and passport number.
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Passport Mandatory: You must carry the original, physical passport used at the time of permit purchase. Digital copies, photos, or expired passports are not accepted at the KM 104 trail checkpoint, train stations, or Machu Picchu entrance gates.
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Physical Fitness & Altitude: The Day 1 trek covers approximately 12 km (7.5 miles) over 6 to 7 hours of uphill Incan stone staircases and mountain trails, reaching an altitude of 2,720 meters (8,920 feet). Moderate physical fitness and 48 hours of prior acclimation in Cusco or the Sacred Valley are strongly recommended.
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Luggage Policy: You will carry a lightweight daypack (maximum 5 kg / 11 lbs) containing hiking essentials and gear for your 1-night hotel stay in Aguas Calientes. Main luggage must remain in free, secure storage at your Cusco or Ollantaytambo hotel.
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Inclusions & Extras: Package covers official Inca Trail permits, licensed trekking guide, rail tickets, bus vouchers, 1 night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes with breakfast, and Machu Picchu citadel admission. Personal walking gear, extra snacks, and tips for guides/drivers are not included.
Itinerary
Day 1CUSCO - WIÑAYWAYNA - ÁGUAS CALIENTES
🌅 Your day begins at sunrise
Early in the morning, at 4:30 a.m., our team will be waiting for you at the hotel to take you to the Ollantaytambo train station 🚂.
Aboard the train, a cinematic view of the Sacred Valley will accompany you until Km 104, the magical spot where we’ll begin our hike.
🌿 The hike, lasting approximately 3 hours, winds through a vibrant subtropical jungle, past crystal-clear rivers, orchids, and the song of Andean birds, to the intriguing archaeological site of Chachabamba.
✨ The highlight of the day will be arriving at Wiñaywayna (“Eternally Young”), an Inca complex that unfolds before you with its endless terraces, stone temples, and ancient residences 🏛️—a place that seems suspended in time and holds a special energy.
☀️ Continuing on, we’ll climb up to the legendary Intipunku, the Gate of the Sun.
After about an hour of climbing, we’ll be rewarded with our first view of Machu Picchu 🏔️.
An unforgettable moment—the kind that remains forever etched in your memory and in your heart.
🌄 At sunset, we’ll descend to the entrance of the sacred city, where the bus will take us to Aguas Calientes.
Upon arrival, a cozy hotel awaits you for a comfortable night’s rest.
💧♨️ And, if you’d like, the evening holds a special treat:
A relaxing soak in the town’s hot springs, perfect for rejuvenating body and soul before the big encounter with Machu Picchu the next day.
Maximum elevation: 2,700 meters above sea level
Minimum elevation: 2,150 meters above sea level
Distance: approximately 16 kilometers
Overnight: hotel in Aguas Calientes
Meals: box lunch and dinner.Day 2MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
✨ THE BIG DAY! ✨
Your day will start early, filled with anticipation and excitement.
At the agreed-upon time, you’ll head to the boarding point, where the tour bus will wind its way up through the Andean mountains toward the entrance to the legendary Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
✨ Exploring Machu Picchu
Get ready for one of the most magnificent moments of your life.
Accompanied by our expert guide, you’ll take a tour lasting approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes through stone temples, ceremonial plazas, suspended agricultural terraces, and breathtaking viewpoints.
Each explanation will reveal the spiritual, astronomical, and historical secrets that make Machu Picchu a true wonder of the world.
More than just a tour, it’s a profound encounter with the ancestral wisdom of the Incas and the sacred energy of the mountains surrounding this mystical place.
☕ Return to Aguas Calientes
After the tour, the bus will take you back to charming Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have free time to relax, have lunch at one of the local restaurants, and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the town at the foot of Machu Picchu.
🚂 The Train Ride—A Spectacle in Its Own Right
At the scheduled time, head to the train station (arrive 30 minutes early).
The return trip to Ollantaytambo is a true treat: the train glides smoothly past majestic mountains, crystal-clear rivers, and the lush greenery of the Sacred Valley.
A moving spectacle that transforms a simple trip into a memorable experience.
🚐 From Ollantaytambo to Cusco
Upon arrival, your transfer will be waiting to take you back to Cusco on a journey of approximately 2 hours.
When you arrive at the hotel, you’ll be left with just one feeling:
The certainty that you’ve experienced a magical day at Machu Picchu—an experience that will remain in your memory forever.
Overnight: hotel in Cusco
Maximum elevation: 2,400 meters above sea level
Minimum elevation: 2,150 meters above sea level
Distance: approximately 8 kilometers
Meals: breakfast.
What's included
Included
- In the morning, we’ll pick you up at your hotel according to your train schedule.
- Transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station.
- Expedition train ticket from Ollantaytambo to km 104.
- Entrance tickets to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
- Professional guide specializing in the Inca Trail.
- 1 night’s hotel stay in Aguas Calientes.
- 1 lunch (box lunch), 1 dinner, and 1 breakfast.
- Return train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
- 3 bus segments from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
- Van transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
- First-aid kit.
- Oxygen.
Not included
- Breakfast on the first day and lunch on the second day.
- Personal expenses.
What to bring
- A backpack with a change of clothes for the hike.
- Recommended: T-shirts, shorts, and some warm clothing for the hike.
- Windbreaker or rain jacket.
- Hiking boots.
- Camera, film, and batteries (batteries drain faster in cold weather).
- Hat or cap for protection.
- Sunscreen.
- Insect repellent.
- Toilet paper.
- Snacks: cookies, energy bars, chocolate, etc.
- Water bottle and water purification tablets.
- Original passport.
- Small towel.
- Vistadome Train, First Class: Add US$ 94 for round trip.
- Vistadome Train, First Class: Add US$ 79 for one-way.
- Additional night in Aguas Calientes (upon request).
- Hot springs in Aguas Calientes (US$ 5).
- If you’d like an extra ticket to Machu Picchu (please request).
- Hiking poles must have rubber tips; rental fee US$ 5.
- HUAYNA PICCHU MOUNTAIN: One of Machu Picchu’s most iconic attractions, it offers a challenging climb with breathtaking panoramic views. Advance reservation is required due to its popularity; additional cost: US$ 70.
Frequently asked questions
How does the 2-Day Short Inca Trail differ from the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail?
The 2-day option skips multi-day tent camping and long mountain passes. You hike the final, most iconic section of the trail from KM 104 past Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) in a single day, arriving at Machu Picchu in the afternoon. You spend the night in a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes and return for a guided tour of the citadel on Day 2.
How far in advance do I need to book this trek?
Short Inca Trail permits are strictly limited per day by government regulations to protect the trail network. During the peak dry season (May to October), permits frequently sell out several months in advance, so early booking with verified physical passport details is essential.
How is luggage handled during the Day 1 hike?
You will leave your primary suitcases in complimentary storage at your Cusco or Ollantaytambo hotel. For the hike, you will carry a small daypack containing your original passport, water, rain poncho, sun protection, box lunch, and clothing/toiletries for your overnight stay in Aguas Calientes.
What essential items should I bring for the trek?
Bring your original physical passport, sturdy broken-in hiking boots or trail shoes, breathable layers, rain gear, a hat, high-SPF sunscreen, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle, personal medications, a daypack, and local cash (Peruvian Soles) for extra snacks or tipping.
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