Overview
Short Inca Trail 2 Days is a popular alternative to the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. 2 Day Inca Trail is not challenging and could easily be hiked by average trekkers. Infact, the trail is often preferred by families with young children. Short Inca Trail 2 Days involves no arduous hikes at high altitudes or camping in wilderness. You will be hiking easily from the trailhead in Km 104, named after its distance from Cusco to Machu Picchu.
The 2 Day Inca Trail Hike with our local English speaking tour guide will take you through three iconic Inca sites – Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna and Intipunku (Sun gate). The trail offers staggering views of the snow capped peaks. You will also see different flora and fauna, most of them are distinct to the region. On the second day of the trail, you will be getting an immersive guided tour of the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Our local expert will introduce you to Andean traditions as you will be visiting the prime archaeological sites in the Inca city.
If you desire to hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, please advise us while booking the tour. Just like the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you will also need permits to hike to one of these peaks. Only 500 trekkers are allowed access per day. Permits are often sold out 5-6 months in advance. Please note, although the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is not as challenging as Classic Inca Trail, it is worth considering that you spend a few days in Cusco or Sacred Valley before the trail. This will help you to acclimatize to the altitude and avoid altitude sickness.
Join us as a solo traveler, as a couple or in small groups and experience the best of the Inca sites along the Short Inca Trail 2 Days. Do take a moment to check our reviews on Tripadvisor.
Useful Information
- Overall Difficulty – Moderately Difficult to Difficult (depending on your level of fitness).
Trip at a Glance
- Day 1: Cusco – Chachabamba – Wiñaywayna – Intipunku – Aguas Calientes
- Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
Short Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Chachabamba – Wiñaywayna – Intipunku – Aguas Calientes
- Hotel pickup 0400 AM
- 1.5-hour drive to Ollantaytambo
- Train to Km 10
- Visit Chachabamba
- Visit Wiñay Wayna
- Box lunch at the campsite
- 1-hour hike to the Sungate
- Bus to Aguas Calientes
- Night at hotel in Aguas Calientes
Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
- Early breakfast at the hotel
- 25-minute bus to Machu Picchu
- 2-hour guided tour
- Free time at Machu Picchu
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain (if booked)
- Bus down to Aguas Calientes
- Free afternoon in town
- Evening train to Ollantaytambo (2 hours)
- Transfer to Cusco hotel, arrival 0900 PM
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Chachabamba – Wiñaywayna – Intipuku – Aguas Calientes
Your epic 2 Day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu from Cusco starts with an early morning transfer (0400 AM) from your hotel in Cusco. We will be embarking on an hour and a half drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Ollantaytambo train station. Here you will be boarding an Aguas Calientes bound train and will be getting down at Km 10. It is the starting point of the Short Inca Trail 2 Days.
After verifying your travel document and permit, we will start with a gradual uphill hike to our first attraction along the Short Inca Trail 2 Days, Chachabamba.
Chachabamba
Chachabamba is not a well known attraction on the trail. Although it did have its prominence during the Inca civilization. Nestled at 2150 meters above sea level (7053 ft.), Chachabamba houses a stone altar. The Incas used this site to express their offerings and gratitude to their two prime deities – Inti (Sun) and Apus (Mountain Peaks). Locals in the neighboring village have preserved the tradition. They still visit the site to offer their prayers as their ancestors did.
Wiñay Wayna
Arguably the most beautiful attraction along the Short Inca Trail 2 Days, Wiñay Wayna in Quechua means forever young. It is perched on a hilltop overlooking the valley at 2650 meters (8694 ft). This beautiful Inca site houses a series of farming terraces and remains of Inca ceremonial centers and plazas. Our tour guide will be giving you an insight into the complex and its prominence to the Inca. After the tour, we will be stopping at the campsite to unbox our box lunch.
Inti Punku (Sunagte)
Intipunku or the Sungate is another remarkable Ina site along the trail. After having lunch in Wiñay Wayna campsite, we will be hiking for an hour through lush tropical jungle towards the emblematic Sungate. You will get to relish the first views of Machu Picchu citadel from here. Only those hiking the Inca Trail have the privilege of entering Machu Picchu through the Sungate.
You will have plenty of time to stop and contemplate the view. Once you have had your fill, we will be hiking down to the entrance of Machu Picchu. You will be boarding the bus to Aguas Calientes town. We will be accommodating you in an ensuite hotel room here for the night. Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu pueblo, is named after the famous hot springs here. You can spend the evening taking a refreshing dip in the thermal waters here.
Please note
Box lunch provided is carried by the tourist themselves.
Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
Your second day of the 2 Day Inca Trail hike begins with an early morning breakfast at the hotel. We will be transferring you by bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu citadel, it takes 25 minutes. Once at the entrance of the citadel, once again your Machu Picchu tickets will be verified against your original passport. As you enter the citadel, you will witness the shimmering rays of the sun beaming on the walls of the citadel. A blanket of cloud would clear and unveil the emblematic Inca citadel, Machu Picchu to you.
Our two hours guided tour of the complex would begin with a brief introduction to the Inca empire. We will be visiting some of the prime areas of the complex like the main square, farming terraces, remiss of the royal quarters and ceremonial sites and more. Once you have had your fill of the complex, you will have some free time to soak in the views and immerse in the energy of Machu Picchu. If you have booked to climb to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, our tour guide will be directing you to the respective entrance.
After the immersive tour of Machu Picchu, we will be taking the bus back down to Aguas Calientes town. You will have the afternoon to yourself. You can stop by one of the local restaurants for lunch or simply visit the narrow cobbled stoned streets and shop for souvenirs. In the evening, we will be taking the train back to Ollantaytambo. It will be a two hour ride. Once in Ollantaytambo, our representative will meet you on arrival and will transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco. We will be reaching Cusco by 0900 PM.
What’s Included
- Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
- Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
- Pick-up from Plaza Regocijo
- Train to Km104
- Return transportation by train and bus to Cusco
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Boxed Lunch, 1 Dinner. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
- 3 Star Hotel (La Cabaña, Waman, Santuario or similar).
- Oxygen bottle for emergencies.
- First aid kit for emergencies.
- Entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu ruins.
- 2 Bus tickets for the second day (Aguas Calientes -Machu Picchu – Aguas Caliente).
Also, if you are still at home and ready to fly to Peru for your trek we recommend you bringing aluminum water bottles or camel bags. We look forward to meeting you.
Not Included
- Water
- Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 2.
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain (this 2 hour round trip needs to be booked in advance).
- Entrance to Machu Picchu Picchu Mountain (this 3 hous round trip needs to be booked in advance).
- Tips
- Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
What to Bring
- Original Passport
- Student Card (if you are a student and have booked in advance to qualify for the discount)
- Walking sticks (can be hired from us).
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- Warm jacket, hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable Trousers
- Sun hat & sunglasses
- Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
- Insect repellant
- Toiletries and hand sanitiser
- Personal medication
- Camera and film
- Torch with spare batteries
Optional
- Sandals, bathing suit etc.
Short Inca Trail Availability
We offer daily departures on the Inca Trail (excluding February when the trail is closed). It is strongly recommended to book your Inca Trail at least 4 months in advance as permits can quickly sell out.
Prices depend on the final number of people
The 2 day Inca trail prices depend on the final number of people in your group. If there is a cancellation please note, the price per person will reflect the actual number of people going on the trek.
Accommodation
Price is based on a double room accomodation. An aditional USD 35.00 will be charged for a single room if there’s no one else to share a double room with or if you are travelling alone.
Deposit and group size
Inca Trail deposit fee is included in the Price. You must be aware at this point that it could just be 2 in the group (in order to make sure you will be part of a bigger group please email us to double check our already existing groups and the number of people in each of them).
On your request we can book this trip as a Private Service. Maximum group size for the 2 day 1 night Inca Trail: 16 people with 2 Guides.
Box lunch
2 Day Inca Trail trek: On the first day of your trek, you will carry your Box Lunch along with your other items you will need on your trek in your daypack (water, camera, sunscreen, raingear, etc.). The Box lunch should weigh a little less than 1 Kilo.
Group service prices
| People | Price | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $840 | per person |
| 2 people | $650 | per person |
| 3 people | $560 | per person |
| 4 people | $520 | per person |
| 5 people | $490 | per person |
| 6 + people | $475 Best price | per person |
Discounts
Students with a valid UNIVERSITY Student card (You must be No older than 25 YO) can have a $20 discount (please scan and email the card).
Child Discounts
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Children 8 to 17 | $20 discount (please scan and email passports) |
| Children 7 or younger | $40 discount (please scan and email passports) |
Important for Univeristy/Child Discount – without your Student/Passport copies we cannot process your booking with the discount and we will book your places at the full adult rate.
