boy howlanders doing the inca trail 2 days
inca trail poster
girl climbing stairs inca trail with trekking poles
boy howlanders observing the scenery
inca trail stairs
inca city
stone path inca trail
views of Machu Picchu from the gate of the sun
howlanders boy observing the sun gate
howlanders backpacker girl observing Machu Picchu
boy howlanders in machu picchu
big stone machu picchu
inca city views
howlanders girl with open arms in front of the big stone
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Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The challenge of the Inca Trail in 2 days and 1 night from Cusco

(9 reviews)

🚨 Tickets to Machu Picchu sell out fast! 🚨 Book in advance.

Cusco
2 days
English & Spanish
Starts: From your hotel in Cuzco at 4:00 a.m.
Ends: To the center of Cuzco between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.
Flexible cancellation policy

Briefing

The 2 Day Inca Trail Hike is the short version of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. On this tour you will hike part of the most legendary trekking route in Latin America. You will be picked up at your accommodation in Cuzco to take a shuttle to Ollantaytambo, where you will board the iconic panoramic train to Machu Picchu that will take you to the starting point of the Short Inca Trail. You will begin the hike accompanied by your guide, who will explain the surroundings and the different archaeological sites visited, such as Wiñaywayna and the Sun Gate, the entrance to the sacred inca citadel of Machu Picchu. You will stay overnight in Aguas Calientes, and the next morning you will have a guided tour to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. Finally, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo, and a minibus will bring you to your accommodation in Cuzco.

🗻 Difficulty: moderate

👩‍👩‍👦‍👦 Group: 2 to 8 travelers

Tour details

Included

  • Pick up and transfers Cuzco - train station (round trip)
  • Tourist class train (round trip)
  • Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (round trip)
  • Official tour guide
  • Entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
  • First aid kit
  • One-night accommodation in Aguas Calientes + breakfast (according to selected option).
  • Tour briefing the day before

Not included

  • Day 1 Breakfast
  • Day 2 lunch and dinner
  • Entrance to the thermal baths in Aguas Calientes
  • Tips

Important information

The tour offers two accommodation options:

  • 3-star hotel: Hotel Ferré ⭐⭐⭐
  • 4-star hotel: Hotel El Mapi by Inkaterra ⭐⭐⭐⭐

In case there is no availability in the selected accommodation option, you will be placed in an accommodation of equal or higher category.

Cancellation policy

If you cancel more than 7 days in advance we will refund 75%. If you cancel more than 48 hours in advance we will refund 50%. If you cancel with less time, arrive late or no-show, no refund will be offered.

Tour itinerary

BRIEFING

The day before the tour starts, you will meet with the guide and the rest of your fellow adventurers to prepare for the tour. You will be given the indications you need and any questions will be answered so that you can enjoy the experience to the fullest. Now yes, let's start!

Machu Picchu views from above

DAY 1 Cusco - Km. 104 - Aguas Calientes

4:00 AM

Pick up in Cuzco

You will be picked up early in the morning and transferred to Ollantaytambo station, where you will take the 6:10 AM train that will take you to km 104, where the 2-day Inca Trail Hike tour begins.

howlanders boy climbing stairs

Archaeological Zone of Wiñaywayna and Sun Gate

At km 104 begins your three-hour hike to the Wiñaywayna Archaeological Zone, which is at an altitude of 2,600 meters and is believed to have been the home of the ancient priests of Machu Picchu. You will have lunch and rest for a while and continue walking along the Inca Trail until you reach the Sun Gate, the entrance to the sacred site of Machu Picchu.

You will then descend by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will stay in the type of accommodation selected during your reservation and have free time to visit the hot springs, dine at one of the many restaurants in Aguas Calientes and explore the area.

howlanders boy looking at the Puerta del Sol

DAY 2 Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

4:00 am

Visit to Machu Picchu

You will wake up very early and get your strength back with breakfast at the hostel. You will take the first bus at 5:30 AM, to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu.

Once inside the Inca citadel, you will enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the archaeological site, with plenty of time to enjoy it on your own until it's time to take the bus back to Aguas Calientes.

howlanders girl at machu picchu

Return to Cusco

From there, you will take the 14:55 train to Ollantaytambo, where a minibus will be waiting for you to take you to the center of Cuzco where your 2-day Inca Trail Hike tour ends.

peru rail blue train bound for cusco

What to bring to Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu tour

  • Passport
  • Insect repellent
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Warm clothing
  • Comfortable footwear (if possible waterproof sneakers)
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Raincoat
  • Swimwear and towel (for the thermal waters of Aguas Calientes)
  • Personal hygiene products and medications
  • Flashlight
  • Medication to avoid altitude sickness (in case you consider it necessary)

Where does the tour Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu start

Cusco is the main tourist city in Peru and is very well connected.

If your starting point is Lima you can arrive by bus, which will take about 24 hours of travel, or take a plane which takes about an hour. The flight offer is very varied, you can choose between low cost airlines such as Peruvian Airlines, LCP or StarPeru or other superior airlines such as Latam Airlines or Avianca. 

If you arrive from Arequipa, the bus ride takes ten hours. You can also choose to make the trip by plane, in this case the only airline that offers direct flights is Latam Airlines. 

If you arrive from Puno the best option is to do it by bus, a journey of six and a half hours. We also offer the possibility of making this journey in a tourist bus that makes stops at the most important places along the route → Ruta del Sol. Departure is at 7:00 a.m. and arrival in Cuzco at 5:00 p.m.

Questions & Answers

  • Is it mandatory to pay tips to the porters?

    The payment of tips to the porters is a common practice for those travelers who do the Inca Trail and from Howlanders we recommend to do it. As a means to gratify the work done by them throughout the tour. A group of porters will accompany you on foot all the way and will be in charge of carrying camping equipment, cooking equipment, first aid and food on their backs. The standard tipping fee is 10% of the amount paid per traveler.

  • Is this tour available all year round?

    It is available all year round except February.

  • What is the best time of the year to do this tour?

    Any time of the year is ideal for this tour except for the months of January to March due to the rainy season. However, the tours are still available and you can also enjoy fantastic views, prioritizing the safety of our travelers. 

  • What is the difficulty level of the tour?

    This tour has a medium-high level of difficulty since the hikes are long and there are many ascending and descending steps.

  • What is the usual group size?

    The groups allowed are small, so you will be able to fully enjoy the tour.

  • What is the difference between Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain?

    Both are two mountains belonging to Machu Picchu. The difference is that Huayna Picchu is an extra hike of approximately 1 hour and a half and quite steep. On the other hand, Machu Picchu Mountain is an extra hike of approximately 3 hours and the trail is less steep.

  • Can I do the Inca Trail alone?

    If you are only one person traveling, you will be included in a group already formed, since this tour is done in a group and always accompanied by a guide.

  • What can I do to avoid being affected by altitude?

    We recommend avoiding alcohol and smoking, resting properly, eating lightly and drinking plenty of water. In this blog article you can read tips and practical information on how to combat altitude sickness.

  • What happens if I get sick during the hike?

    This does not usually happen, but if it does, the guide always carries a first aid kit and oxygen bottles. In the case of an urgent problem, the guide will take care of you quickly so that you can be taken back to Cusco.

  • What do I do with my luggage?

    You can leave your luggage at the main office, but please keep in mind to carry a light 6kg backpack with the basics during the tour.

  • Do I have to bring a water bottle?

    On the first day you can buy these bottles in case you have not been able to bring them. From the second day on, water is provided, but you must bring reusable water bottles to fill them.

  • What are the restrooms like during the tour?

    The bathrooms are basic and with running water.

  • Is it possible to charge my cell phone or camera?

    You will have access to electricity in the hostel.

  • Is it possible to do the additional zone Machu Picchu Mountain?

    The additional area of Machu Picchu Mountain has the same schedule as the guided tour to the citadel of Machu Picchu, so we offer access to this additional area and then a private guided tour so you do not miss anything. Do you want to book it? Contact us.

Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu tour reviews with Howlanders

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