2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with Hotel
The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the best option if you want to hike along the original Inca trail without committing to a four-day trek. In a single day, you hike 12 kilometers of stone-paved trail, visit archaeological sites that can only be seen from this route, and arrive at Machu Picchu through Intipunku, the Sun Gate, the same entrance used by the Incas.
The day begins with pickup from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, followed by a private transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station. From there, you take the train to kilometer 104, where the hike begins. This section of the route is at a lower altitude than Cusco, with an average temperature of 23°C, allowing you to hike with more comfort and less altitude-related effort.
During the hike, you pass through Chachabamba, a ceremonial center beside the river, and reach Wiñay Wayna, one of the best-preserved terrace complexes along the entire route, which can only be seen by those who hike the Inca Trail. The hike ends at Intipunku, where you get your first view of Machu Picchu from above, a moment that no photograph can fully capture.
Machu Picchu receives around 1.6 million visitors each year, but only a small number arrive walking along the original trail. This tour with private serviceprovides a dedicated guide for your group, your own hiking pace, and the flexibility to stop wherever you want, without depending on a group of strangers.
Tour Itinerary: 2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with Hotel
Day 1: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Inti Punku (Sun Gate) – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes (Hotel).
Pickup from your hotel in Cusco is very early in the morning. We travel by tourist transportation for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to the Ollantaytambo train station, where we board the train.
The journey follows the Urubamba River, offering views of farmland and the snow-capped Veronica Mountain. After approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, we arrive at Km 104, the starting point of the hike, where you present your passport, permit, and entrance ticket at the first checkpoint.
The hike begins with a visit to the first archaeological site, Chachabamba, where the guide explains its role along the Inca Trail. From there, we begin an approximately 3-hour ascent, passing waterfalls along the way, until reaching the archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna, which preserves water fountains, temples, and agricultural terraces that represent the remarkable Inca architecture.
A few minutes from Wiñay Wayna is the dining area, where we stop for lunch and rest. Afterwards, we continue for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to Inti Punku, crossing a cloud forest section with ferns and a steep climb of 50 steps until reaching the Inti Punku viewpoint, the Sun Gate, where you get your first view of the Machu Picchu archaeological complex.
From Inti Punku, we descend for approximately 40 minutes to Machu Picchu, arriving around 3:30 p.m. You will have time to explore the site and rest before taking the bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes.
That night, you stay at a hotel in Aguas Calientes, with dinner included at a tourist restaurant. During dinner, your guide will provide all the details about the program for the following day.
Day Technical Information
Hiking time: approximately 6 hours
Distance: 12 km / 7.6 miles
Difficulty: moderate
Climate: warm and humid
Altitudes: 2,100 m a.s.l. (start) up to 2,719 m a.s.l. (Inti Punku), then descending to 2,400 m a.s.l. (Machu Picchu) and 2,000 m a.s.l. (Aguas Calientes, by bus)
Accommodation: Hotel Retama Machu Picchu or similar (contact us if you prefer a higher category)
Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco.
This is the main day of the visit to the citadel. You leave the hotel at 5:00 a.m. and walk to the bus station, where you take the tourist bus along the zigzag road up to the Machu Picchu archaeological site. Leaving early allows you to arrive before most visitors coming by train, with the possibility of watching the sunrise over the site if weather conditions allow.
Upon arrival, the guided tour begins, lasting approximately 2 hours, with explanations about the history of the site and its main structures. Afterwards, you have free time to explore on your own, and depending on ticket availability, you can hike Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain as an additional activity.
In the afternoon, you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, where lunch at a local restaurant is included, followed by free time to explore the town and its artisan market. Around 6:00 p.m., you board the return train to Ollantaytambo, where our tourist transportation will be waiting to take you back to Cusco, with final transfer to your hotel in the city or the Sacred Valley.
Day Technical Information
Hiking: 2 hours with the group inside Machu Picchu, plus 1 hour of free exploration
Distance: Variable, depending on the areas you choose to visit
Difficulty: Easy
Climate: Warm and humid
Altitudes: From 2,000 m a.s.l. up to 2,400 m a.s.l. (by bus)
View Route Map
What's Included?
- Pre-tour briefing with your guide at our Cusco office, one or two days before the trek.
- Free luggage storage at our office while you complete the hike.
- Pickup from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
- Private transportation to Ollantaytambo train station.
- Train ticket to Km 104, where the Inca Trail begins.
- Professional tour guide.
- A second guide for groups of 9 travelers or more.
- Entrance tickets to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
- All meals: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner.
- Vegetarian menu or special dietary options at no extra cost, upon request at the time of booking.
- Bottled water.
- First-aid kit and oxygen cylinder carried by the guide.
- Bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (Day 1).
- Bus transportation up and down between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu (Day 2).
- 2-hour guided tour of the citadel (Day 2).
- Return train to Ollantaytambo (Day 2).
- Transportation from Ollantaytambo station to Cusco.
- 1 night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes.
Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Meals
- Services not specified in the program
More Trek Information
Review this list before packing your backpack. If you are missing something, there are stores in Cusco where you can buy or rent it without any problem.
Documents
- Original passport, the same one used for your reservation.
- Valid student ID, if applicable.
- Copy of your travel insurance.
- Tour voucher sent by our team.
Essentials
- Small backpack.
- Snacks: cookies, chocolates, cereal bars, and candies.
- Extra money for souvenirs or personal expenses.
Clothing and Footwear
- Thermal jacket.
- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho.
- Hat or cap for sun protection.
- Comfortable hiking shoes that have already been used.
Personal First Aid Kit
- Your usual medications.
- Sunscreen.
- Insect repellent.
- Lip balm.
Hygiene
- Wet wipes.
- Toilet paper.
Other Items
- Sunglasses.
- Camera.
- Trekking poles with rubber tips (optional).
Final Recommendation
Arrive in Cusco at least one day before the trek to acclimatize. Good overall physical condition and a positive attitude complete your preparation.
What is the difference between the 1-day and 2-day Inca Trail?
The hike is the same. The difference is that in the 2-day version, you spend the night at a hotel in Aguas Calientes and visit Machu Picchu the following day, rested and with more time, instead of visiting the citadel after a seven-hour trek.
Can I climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
Yes, on the second day, because you enter the citadel early in the morning. These are separate entrance tickets with a limit of 400 people per day, so you must request them when booking.
What time do we visit Machu Picchu on the second day?
You take the first bus from Aguas Calientes and arrive at the citadel in the morning, when there are fewer visitors and better light for photos.
How many kilometers do we hike?
Around 12 kilometers from Km 104 to Machu Picchu, with approximately 6 to 7 hours of hiking.
What happens if it rains during the hike?
The tour operates as scheduled. You only need a waterproof jacket and shoes with good traction, as the stone steps can become slippery.
Can I change the name on the permit after booking?
No. The permit is personal and non-transferable, and the name and passport number must match the document you present at the Km 104 checkpoint.
Is this tour suitable for children?
Yes, as long as the child is registered on the permit, travels with an adult, and can handle a long day of hiking. The hotel night helps make the experience more comfortable.
2-Day Private Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Prices
We offer fixed rates throughout the year, with no hidden fees and everything included from the start.
This route operates as a private service: you travel only with your friends or family, and the price per person decreases depending on the size of your group.
| No. of Travelers | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| 2 to 3 people | USD 580 |
| 4 to 5 people | USD 560 |
| 6 to 7 people | USD 540 |
| 8 to 9 people | USD 530 |
| 10 or more people | USD 520 |
Special Discounts
| Category | Discount | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (0 to 2 years old) | Free | Passport copy |
| Child (3 to 8 years old) | USD 100 | Passport copy |
| School Student (9 to 17 years old) | USD 40 | Passport photo |
| University Student (18 to 25 years old) | USD 40 | Photo of valid student ID |
We accept student IDs from universities worldwide. From the age of 26, the adult rate applies.
Optional Services
You can add these services for an additional cost up to one day before your trip at our office in Cusco’s Historic Center.
- Trekking pole rental for the entire route: USD 10 per pair.
- Huayna Picchu Mountain entrance ticket: USD 70. Only 400 spaces are available per day. Request it when booking; subject to availability.
- Machu Picchu Mountain entrance ticket: USD 70. Only 400 spaces are available per day. Request it when booking; subject to availability.
- Transfer from Cusco Airport to your hotel: USD 5 per person.
- Transfer from your hotel to Cusco Airport: USD 5 per person.
