OVERVIEW
Learn about the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Start an Outstanding Trip with Guiding Machu Picchu
Guiding Machu Picchu provides one of the most amazing experiences of a lifetime on the Short Inca Trail to the ancient city of the Incas. This 2 day hike to Machu Picchu is perfect for those who love the rush of following the old trails while at the same time taking in the natural beauty of the Peruvian Andes and entering Machu Picchu via the famous Sun Gate entrance. Additionally, this 2 day Inca trail to Machu Picchu is the only classic itinerary that enables you to enter the Machu picchu complex twice over two days, so you can be sure to get the best pictures! Our professional guided tour makes sure that whatever your level of experience may be, you will have the opportunity of a lifetime to see and experience all that this important route has to offer in a shorter time that suits any itinerary.
About the 2 Day Inca Trail Hike: Brief Information
Duration: 2 days / 1 night
Starting Point: Cusco (hotel pick up) by private van to the start of the hike at Km 104 of the Inca trail
Day 1 Highlights:
- Train journey through the Urubamba canyon
- Hiking through cloud forests and mountainous regions
- Beautiful waterfalls
- Trek through the Wiñay Wayna Archaeological site
- Finish the Short Inca trail to Machu Picchu by hiking through the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) for your first glimpse of Machu Picchu
- Take photos from the best spot in the Machu Picchu complex
Day 2 Highlights:
- Private guided tour of Machu Picchu from an experienced bilingual guide
- Exploration of this UNESCO listed ancient Incan fortress
- Learn about the incredible history of Machu Picchu
- Discover more of the rich culture of the Incas from our experienced local guides
- Return journey to Ollantaytambo by train
Difficulty Level: Medium, best for those who enjoy being active who can walk 12km in a day at a slow pace
Included Services: Expert guides, necessary permits, all transportation and lodging
Best For: The Inca Trail and/or Machu Picchu 2 day hike adventure seekers with shorter time available for exploration
About the Trip: A Taste of Adventure and Culture
The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a shorter version of the four-day Inca Trail for travelers who don’t have the time to cover the entire distance but who still want to experience the mystical wonders of this UNESCO world heritage site.
Day 1: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – KM 104 – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes town
To begin the 2 Day Inca trail hike, travellers are picked up from their hotel in Cusco at 4.30am then drive for approximately one and a half hours by private van to Ollantaytambo they board the train to KM 104. After enjoying the approximately 1 hour 15 minutes train ride, travellers disembark the train and cross the Urubamba river to reach the starting point of the Short Inca trail at Km 104. On the first day, you will be taking a 6-7 hour trek through spectacular surroundings that are filled with stunning views of the surrounding Andean mountains. After passing through the Incan ruins of Chachabamba, from there the hike ascends for about 3 hours before continuing in a slightly undulating fashion until the archeological site of Wiñay Wayna. Here travellers can take some time to appreciate the wonder of these stunning Incan ruins and enjoy a box lunch that has been provided. From there on travellers follow a gentle ascent up to the Sun Gate entrance or Inti Punku from where you can take in the marvelous views of Machu Picchu for the first time. You can congratulate yourselves for completing the Short Inca trail to Machu Picchu! We then descend through the Machu Picchu complex, stopping at the best photo spot to take some pictures you’ll be proud of to show your achievement. Travellers then exit the complex and take a bus down to Aguas Calientes town where they will check in to the hotel. Travellers can opt to enjoy a dinner before retiring for the night.
Day 2 – Visit to Machu Picchu
The second day of the tour is devoted to the main highlight of this 2 day Inca trail to Machu Picchu, which is a private guided tour of the UNESCO listed Machu Picchu archaeological site. Our local expert guide will accompany travellers through this amazing complex, pointing out historical and architectural features of this citadel, as well as bringing the popular culture of the Incas to life as well. If hikers have secured Huayna Picchu hiking permits as an add on in advance then after the guided tour they will continue on to climb Huayna Picchu mountain. Following their tour, customers will return by bus down to Aguas Calientes town, where travellers can opt to enjoy a lunch before taking a scenic train back to Ollantaytambo. Customers then transfer to a private van for the return bus journey to Cusco where they will be dropped off at their accommodation in Cusco at approximately 7pm.
Why Choose Us: Trek through the Short Inca Trail with Professionals
Selecting Guiding Machu Picchu for your Short Inca Trail tour means much more than actually choosing an adventure it means entering a genuine experience guided by people who are engaged in their work, true to their passion, highly motivated, and willing to make sure you have the time of your lives. Here’s why we stand out:
Experienced Guides: Safety and comfort are always our priority and our professional guides have a great deep understanding of the Machu Picchu 2 day hike and its history and culture. They make the history of the Inca Trail come to life and ensure you have an incredible and memorable trip, as you explore the ancient route of the Short Inca trail.
Small Group Sizes: We pride ourselves on providing small group tours for 2 day hike to Machu Picchu that allow guides to give their undivided attention to each member of the group thus enabling each traveller to feel as if they have a personalised experience and receive the service they deserve.
All-Inclusive Service: Once you have made your travel arrangements with us we take care of all the organizational work. This encompasses entrances and permits, transport, most meals and expert guides that are with you every step of your journey. They only require you to come prepared to experience the adventure of the 2 Day Inca trail hike!
Sustainable Travel: It has always been the company’s policy to respect the environment and the culture of the places we tour whether it is the 2 day Inca trail to Machu Picchu or any other tourist sites. Choose us as your partners, and you will be promoting the sustainable development of many local communities and supporting the local economy.
Book Your Adventure with Guiding Machu Picchu Today!
This walk to Machu Picchu is much more than a hike, it’s a historical journey, an adventure that brings out the explorer in you, a breathtaking tour through some of nature’s most stunning creations and some of the most historically significant sites. By traveling with us at Guiding Machu Picchu, you’ll be taken on a journey by expert guides for a truly local experience creating unforgettable memories. Please contact Guiding Machu Picchu to book your Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and be prepared for an experience of a lifetime.
Contact us now to reserve your spot and start your adventure!
ITINERARY
In the morning, at 4,30, the travellers will be picked up from their hotels in Cusco and transported for 1 hour and a half to the train station at Ollantaytambo; the train ride is approx. 1 hour and a half to arrive at km 104, the beginning of a 1-day hike to Machu Picchu. After crossing the checkpoint, we will start hiking uphill for about 3 hours through the beautiful cloud forest until we reach the beautiful site of Wiaywayna. This is an impressive site mixed with an agricultural centre with numerous terraces, a religious sector, and an urban sector. We will be able to explore this charming and marvellous Inca complex, which is definitely one of the highlights, and afterwards we will eat our box lunch.
The second part of this short trek to Machu Picchu is easier. We will hike towards the Gate of the Sun and Machupicchu; at our arrival, we will take pictures from the upper part of the ruin. We then drive down to Aguas Calientes town to stay at the hotel.
- Starting Altitude – 2,170 m / 7,170 ft
- Highest Altitude – 2,720 m / 8,920 ft
- Walking Distance – 13 km / 8 miles
- Meals – Box lunch, Dinner
The full Machu Picchu experience starts with an early breakfast at your hotel. You’ll take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu so that you can be there to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site, and it’s not something you’ll want to miss! Your guide will give you a guided tour of Machu Picchu, which takes about two hours. You will see many of the most important highlights of the Machu Picchu Citadel.
Following your guided tour, individuals who have pre-booked the additional hike up Huayna Picchu will have the opportunity to explore its vistas at their own pace. Once you’ve soaked in the remarkable sights of Machu Picchu to your heart’s content, you’ll descend by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch (meal not provided). Depending on your train’s departure schedule, you might also have some free time for shopping, sightseeing, or a visit to the museum or hot springs.
The Expedition train offers two departure times for the journey back to Ollantaytambo: 2:55 p.m. or 3:20 p.m. As you travel, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the Urubamba River. Along the route, near Aguas Calientes, the canyon narrows, revealing stunning stretches of whitewater. Keep an eye out for Winay Wayna high up on the canyon wall—it’s quite a sight from the train! Upon arrival at Ollantaytambo, your designated driver will be waiting at the train station exit to escort you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can anticipate reaching your hotel by 7:00 p.m.
- Meals included: Breakfast at your hotel
Included/Excluded
Included
- Transfer to the train station of Ollantaytambo
- Train tickets round trip in expedition class
- Box lunch
- Entrance fee
- Bus ticket up and down to Machupicchu.
- Expert guide for our Machu Picchu short trek
- Hotel accommodation **
- Dinner in Aguas Calientes.
- Transfer back from Ollanta to Cusco hotel
Excluded
- Entrance fee to Wayna Picchu (75.00 US additional per person)
- Meals not described in the itinerary
- Transfers in/ out to the airport of Cusco.
- Any kind of drinks.
- Tips (transfer, guide).
- Breakfast in the first day morning and Lunch after Machupicchu.
- Entrance fee to the Hot springs.
Packing List
Packing List for Short Inca Trail Hke
- Inca Trail Packing List
- Original passport (and *International Student card (ISIC) if applicable)
- Travel Insurance is essential
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- Hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable trousers
- Sun hat
- Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended)
- Insect repellent
- Water (only until lunch time on day 1)
- Toiletries and hand sanitizer.
- Personal medication
- Camera
- Torch with spare batteries (headlamps are useful)
- Optional items to take:
- Shorts
- Walking stick (with rubber tip)
- Plasters and bandages
- Sandals
- Extra money
- Bathing suit (for hot springs in Aguas Calientes. * Optional)