Álvaro Mella
1 year ago
The Short 2-day, 1-night Inca Trail is the ultimate classic express trekking route to Machu Picchu, designed for travelers with limited time who wish to hike the ancestral path without camping. With a 12 km (7.5 miles) active hike on the first day, you will cross the Urubamba River suspension bridge at Km 104, explore the spectacular ruins of Wiñay Wayna (2,680 m / 8,792 ft), walk through the Sun Gate (Intipunku) to witness Machu Picchu at sunset, stay in a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes, and enjoy an elite guided tour of the Citadel on Day 2 before returning to Cusco via the classic train.
The 2-day Inka Trail to Machu Picchu is the solution for those who could not book the classic 4-day Inka Trail and perfect for those with tight schedules. With only 16 km of travel, you will reach Machu Picchu through the Puerta del Sol (Inti Punku). It combines a train trip with a hike, giving you the opportunity to travel part of the ancient Inca trail and enjoy spectacular landscapes during the first day and finally visit Machu Picchu on the second day.
If you have more days and are looking for the complete experience, we recommend the Classic Inca Trail 4 Days. You can also complement your trip with a full day to Humantay Lake.
| Feature | Classic Inca Trail 4D | Short Inca Trail 2D |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Effort | Very High (steep stone stairs uphill) | Moderate (shorter and gentler trail) |
| Overnights | 3 nights in mountain campsites | 1 night in an Aguas Calientes hotel |
| Historic Sites | Patallacta, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca | Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, Intipunku |
| Machu Picchu Entry | Walk in directly through Sun Gate | Walk to Sun Gate, overnight, entry next day |
| Porters & Gear | Porter service included for camp equipment | Daypack only (light hiking) |
We begin early with a transfer from your hotel in Cusco to Ollantaytambo train station, where we board the classic train to get off at Km 104 (official start). We cross the bridge over the Urubamba River and begin our hike by exploring the site of Chachabamba (2,150 m / 7,053 ft). We climb gradually for 3 hours surrounded by exotic orchids and cloud forests to the majestic complex of Wiñay Wayna (2,680 m / 8,792 ft), the most beautiful ruins on the route, to enjoy our Box Lunch and a guided tour. We continue along paved paths until crossing the Sun Gate (Intipunku) to witness Machu Picchu at sunset. Finally, we take a bus down to Aguas Calientes for dinner and overnight in our comfortable hotel.
The awaited day! After breakfast, we take the Consettur bus (25 min) up to the sacred Machu Picchu Citadel (2,430 m / 7,972 ft). We enter in the early morning to capture the mystical sunrise light. We enjoy an elite 2.5-hour guided tour of its main sectors: temples, sacred plazas, and the famous Intihuatana, led by our professional bilingual guide. In the afternoon, we return to Aguas Calientes to board the classic train back to Ollantaytambo, where our private driver will pick you up to drop you off directly at your hotel in Cusco.
Important details of the 2-day Inca Trail
Cusco
6:00 am
For those interested in doing the Inca Trail tour in any of its versions between the months of April and October, it is recommended to make a reservation up to 6 months in advance due to the high demand.
