Our 2-day Inca Trail begins with an idyllic early awakening. Then, we are taken by our private transport to the railway station at Ollantaytambo to board a train taking us to the starting point of the 2-day trek: so-called Km 104. We get off there and pass through an Inca Trail checkpoint to start hiking through the lush vegetation of a cloud forest while greeted by local exotic birds such as the Andean guan, the grey-breasted mountain tucan, etc. In the forest, we can see various wild orchids and bromeliads along the path too. Our Tour Guide explains to us about the Chachabamba Ruins that were re-discovered in 1940. Near the ruins, we have lunch. Our next stop is in Wiñay Wayna, an Inca complex neighboring Machu Picchu. The complex, which name means “Eternal Youth, can boast a stunning view down the Urubamba River. Later in the afternoon, we descend to Inti Punku (the Sun´s Gate) which is the gateway of Machu Picchu. From there, we keep descending until we reach our hotel in Aguas Calientes (a small town below the historic Inca citadel) where we have a rest. The following early morning adventure begins with the Machu Picchu hiking tour for two hours. Once we get up the hill, we enter the “Lost City of the Incas” to enjoy its guided tour.
Hiking the Inca Trail is an unforgettable experience, so do not hesitate to join our group!
By saving time doing the Short Inca Trail, you will have extra days off to explore the beautiful city of Cusco and its surrounding attractions, Titicaca Lake and the Puno Region, or cities full of history and beautiful nature such as Lima and Arequipa. Take a look at some of our other packages involving these sites.
Sustainable Tourism: At Tierras Vivas, we are happy to promote and practice sustainable tourism by being eco-friendly and supporting local communities.
If you book this trip, you will sponsor the reforestation of native plants in the community in Cusco
Short Inca Trail Operator: Tierras Vivas Travel
Service Level: Comfortable, tourist-class accommodation, tourist-class train, and private transport.
Trek’s Difficulty: 2 – moderate; a low-altitude hike, accessible to healthy travelers.
Age Requirement: 4+. Please note: all participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets & Permits: It is included the Inca Trail permits and Machu Picchu ticket in your hike.
Crew: A professional Tour Guide.
Meals: 1x breakfast, 1x lunch, 1x dinner, 1x bag of snacks.
Transportation: Private van, 2x train.
Accommodation: Hotel, 1 night. During the 2-day Inca Trail tour, you will spend a night in a comfortable hotel with a private bathroom (see the Essential Info bookmark).
IMPORTANT NOTE: A FEE FOR MONEY TRANSFER IS ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE!
Day 01: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Aguas Calientes town
Day 02: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Departure Point: We pick you up from your hotel (please check the Starting Point & Pick-Up section under the Essential Info bookmark).
Briefing Point: Our guide will be meeting in your hotel 2 or 1 day prior to the trek.
Briefing Time: Between 5:00 – 6:00 pm.
Return Point: Cusco – our driver will drop-off at your hotel/hostel/Airbnb apartment.
Click on the “Book Now” button (quite on top or quite below) and pick out the best month and day for your hike. Complete your personal details.
You might check the 2-day Inca Trail Permits Real-Time Availability for 2023 by yourself. It is very important that you complete all details correctly to obtain your Inca Trail permits and Machu Picchu tickets! Once arrived at the trailhead, you need to present your original passport and Inca Trail permits. In case, any details are incorrect, you must book and buy a new ticket to the trail!
If you would like to experience more adventure, you can book the 2 Day Inca Trail Hike with Camping, and spend the night observing stars at the campsite “Puente Ruinas”.
Yes, the 2-day Inca Trail is the best option for those with limited time to do the 4-day Inca Trail. You can view a part of the traditional Inca path.
BOOK ONLINE with a hotel or camping. Choose the best option for you!
Minimum Altitude: 2,100 m / 6,900 ft.
Highest Altitude: 2,730 m / 8,792 ft.
Walking Distance: 12 km / 7.46 miles
Tierras Vivas is a fully licensed tour operator and has 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor. The copy of our 2 Day Inca Trail Tripadvisor reviews below proves our experience and enthusiasm to offer our customers the best trip to Machu Picchu.
Check our Short Inca Trail Tripadvisor comments below:
May 2023 • Couples
Brett W Wrote: “I did this hike with my wife, it was fantastic. My wife had some trouble with the heights at first, but once she got her feet under her we had a great time. Our guide, Washington, was incredible. He shared all kinds of interesting info as we walked, and once he heard that I like flowers and birds, he went out of his way to point out any interesting specimens we passed. My favorite part was actually Wiñay Wina, there were only a few people there at the same time as us so we really got to soak in the scenery. Altogether a wonderful and unforgettable experience.”
May 2023 • Couples
Kalina T Wrote: “Definitely worth it!
My husband and I did the 2-days/1-night Inca tour with Tierras Vivas and our guide Nico, in May.
It is a 12km hike from 104km to the entras of the highest part of the Machu Picchu ruins.
After that there is an option to get the bus down to Aguas Calientes for $12 or walk down the stairs another 4km.
The hike itself is challenging but very doable for many levels of ability. Nico was giving us plenty of breaks (we are early 30ies with an average fitness level) while pointing out to different plant varieties and giving more information about them, telling us stories and facts about the surroundings and taking beautiful pictures at all the spots he knew were best. There were many other groups, doing the same hike, different ages and different abilities. There are indeed many of stairs up and down, but some would go slower, others faster and all would get to the end.
The hike itself is beautiful – you are enveloped 360 degrees by mountains. Stunning views ALL the way to the Sun Gate where the view to Machu Picchu is the cherry on top. There are also a couple of sites to see on the way – the Winay Wayna being quite stunning.
Midway through the day (just after Winay Wayna) we had lunch at the final base for the people doing the 4-day hike (that’s where our roads crossed). The lunch, provided by the tour was delicious. There were 3 meal options and 2 salads plus soups to choose from. We just a had to try everything but still not get stuffed.
After lunch was the easier part of the hike. Only at the end you need to climb up the “monkey stairs”, but they are not too long.
After that you are rewarded with an amazing view of Machu Picchu.
From there, it’s downhill to the highest part of the Machu Picchu site, where you have yet another stunning view, this time of the whole site, surrounded by all the mountains.
Thoughout the whole hike Nico was also a wonderful guide – very knowledgeable. All the information he gave us, was backed up by scientific research that he has done at university. It was quite interesting and he could answer ALL our questions (even random ones) very thoroughly. He has a passion for his subject and you can definitely tell.
On the second day of the tour we entered the lower part of Machu Picchu ahead of all the queuing groups as having done part of the inka trail, we had an advance ticket. In the site we learned a lot from Nico – he delivered a lot of quality information. Plus, the bonus of being there before a big groups – we got to have pictures from the best spots without interruptions.
All in all a great experience – everything was running smoothly – picking up from the hotel and getting to 104km and then back to Cusco on the second day. The day before the tour we also met Nico and had a breefing by him, which made us feel more secure about the upcoming adventure.“
Short Inca Trail TripAdvisor
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BOOK ONLINE
We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco to transfer you during a 2-hour ride to the Ollantaytambo´s railway station. There, we get on a train and continue until Km 104, where a checking point of the Short Inca Trail is located. We get over the bridge of the Vilcanota River and start the Inca Trail trekking! The first archaeological site to visit is Chachabamba, where you received a guided tour. Then, we continue through a mixture of cacti vegetation and cloud forest. On the way, we enjoy a refreshing dip in a local waterfall! Then, we have lunch and a rest before we continue towards another Incan significant site – Wiñay Wayna. Later on, we keep hiking until we get to the Sun´s Gate (Inti Punku) to admire the sunset above Machu Picchu. However, today is too late to have a guided tour of this overwhelming Incan city so we descend slowly to Aguas Calientes Town enjoying beautiful surrounding scenery on the way! We spend the night in a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes. Places to Visit in this day
After an early morning breakfast, we take a bus up to the mysterious city of Machu Picchu. There, our Tour Guide shows us around the Incan city and explains to us about its history and purposes. After the guided tour, you have free time which is the best opportunity to take more pictures and walk through the Lost City of the Incas by yourself. You can see some animals there such as llamas and birds. If you like to make the most of your experience, book either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (peaks above Machu Picchu) well in advance. This gives you an opportunity to climb up for either 45 minutes (Huayna Picchu) or 1 and a half hours (Machu Picchu Mountain) to take some panoramic photos of the Inka citadel.Machu Picchu is both, the best and the least known site of the Incas as it is not mentioned in any Spanish conquistador´s chronicle so that contemporary archaeologists can not do anything more than just speculate on its functions. Local Quechuan farmers had known about Machu Picchu for centuries before an 11-year-old boy showed the American historian Hiram Bingham (who was in a search of Vilcabamba) this site on the 24th of July 1911. At that time, all the rest of the world became aware of its existence. However, the site was covered with thick vegetation so Hiram Bingham along with his team returned and within the years of 1912 and 1915 cleared its surface. Over the years, plenty of work has been done on excavating and studying the site. Despite these efforts, many unanswered questions remain.
After exploring Machu Picchu, you come back to Aguas Calientes descending. The 2 day Inca Trail ends up with a train ride to Ollantaytambo (alternatively to Poroy), from where we are taken by van back to Cusco.
Accommodation During the Short Inca Trail
The following hotels are used to accommodate our customers during the tour:
You spend a night in a small locally owned hotel where you will have a room (twin or matrimonial) with a private bathroom and breakfast. All of the hotels we use in Aguas Calientes are located within walking distance of the railway station.
Single Accommodation: If you are traveling on your own, we pair you with another trekker of the same gender, so there is no extra cost. In case, you prefer a single room for yourself, there is a surcharge of USD 50 that needs to be paid in advance.
If you like to upgrade any service of train or accommodation or you prefer to stay an extra night in Machu Picchu, please contact us directly at info@tierrasvivas.com and await our confirmation.
IMPORTANT NOTE!
You must present your passport including the TAM immigration slip (copy) at every hotel! The national sales tax (18%) is charged to all Peruvian citizens and foreigners staying over 60 consecutive days. In case the room is shared by both a taxable and non-taxable guest at the same time, the sales tax will be applied to the whole room. So please take every caution to not lose this piece of paper. You need to bring it to our Cusco office for your check.
MACHU PICCHU HIKE UPGRADE HOTEL: If you would like to stay in a 3* hotel or higher, you have to pay extra.
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5 Stars Hotel Single: U$ 1,500 Double: U$ 1,500 |
3 Stars Hotel Single: U$ 218.5 Double: U$ 218.5 |
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3 Stars Hotel Single: U$ 110 Double: U$ 150 |
3 Stars Hotel Single: U$ 230 Double: U$ 230 |
Sanctuary Lodge Machu Picchu: The above prices correspond to the “Standard Patio” type of accommodation.
Casa Andina Machu Picchu: The above prices correspond to “Standard Traditional”
Tierra Viva Hotel Machu Picchu: The above prices are for “Standard”
Ferre Machu Picchu Hotel: The above prices are for “Standard”.
Review of: 2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Jenn Wrote: Viva tours made our group’s(8 females) trip to Peru unforgettable. From a hike with amazing views to the natural hot springs to the beauty of Machu Picchu, we had a great time and connected with one another. Our guide EVELYN was amazing! Really good support on our hike and very…
Review of: 2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Flyer360715 wrote: The entire excursion was wonderful. Pickup coordination was clearly explained, with all tickets handled for us at every step of the journey. The trail was incredible. We had amazing weather for some truly breathtaking views, and our tour guide Daniel was 100% pure quality. Super…
Review of: 2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Yadira V comment: Our experience was amazing! Our guide Ana Maria was so knowledgeable and she answered all of our questions. She also made sure to go at our pace and was very patient. We will definitely be booking again with this agency in the future. They took care of all the tickets for us which made our vacation even more relaxing.
The 2 Day Inca Trail Hike with Camping is one of the highlights for everybody planning a trip to Machu Picchu. It gives you a taste of the Classic Inca Trail hike, but it takes half the time and requires less than half the physical effort. This hike involves 2 days of hiking on the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and 1 night of camping in Puente Ruinas. Enjoy our 2 Day Inca Trail Hike with Camping!
The 2 Day Luxury Inca Trail is one of the most comfortable hiking to Machu Picchu. This hike includes a luxury hotel in Machu Picchu, a luxury train service, a proffesional Tour Guide, Chef, and Porters. Taste the buffet lunch in Wiñaywayna. See the stars of the sky of the Machu Picchu from your hotel at night. Wake up early morning and view the sunrise from the hotel. Have breakfast near the mystical citadel. Explore the Lost City of the Incas and the surrounding mountains. Book Online the 2 Day Luxury Inca Trail.
For a more relaxed travel style, this trip involves transportation from/to the Ollantaytambo train station to/from Aguas Calientes, a shuttle bus to and from Machu Picchu, and a guided tour of the ancient citadel. There is also free time for a variety of optional activities, including hiking Huayna Picchu, visiting the hot springs of Aguas Calientes, and exploring Machu Picchu individually. This is the most meaningful Machu Picchu trip and is a great option for those who are unable to or not interested in hiking the Inca Trail.
Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu 2 Days tour involves the experience of visiting the famous Pisac Market, the Pisac Inca complex, and the Ollantaytambo archeological site. Moreover, you get to Aguas Calientes by train and spend a night there. The next day, you wake up early and take a shuttle bus up to Machu Picchu. There, you explore the Inca city during a guided tour. Afterwards, you got a chance to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (please note that any of them must be purchased in advance) or walk around the ruins at your pace. Book Online the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu 2 Day tour.
This world-famous trek to the even more widely known New Wonder of the World! It leads through the variety of climates and ecosystems that are placed in such close proximity only in Peru. The trail involves visits to a multitude of other Incan sites along the path ranging from 2, 680 to 4,200 meters above sea level. Its trailhead lies at Km 82. The final day starts very early in the morning to enable you to see Machu Picchu at sunrise. Unlike others, longer trips along the Inca trail, there is no night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes included as travelers instead return home (to their hotels) by train on the third day. Experience Inca Trail Machu Picchu 3 Days with us!
This 3-day tour is created for every traveller. It includes touring of the traditional sights of the Sacred Valley (the Pisac market, the Inca sites at Pisac and Ollantaytambo) and a part of the Inca Trail taking you to the remote Inca sites of Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna, Intipunko (Sun Gate) plus the highlight of Machu Picchu. If you like, you can add camping near the town of Aguas Calientes. Book Online the Sacred Valley & Short Inca Trail 3 Days tour.
Sacred Valle to Short Inca Trail 3 Days
incredible
