2 Days 1 Nights
Easy
2-6 people
Cusco - Perú
This unforgettable 2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu takes you along the final, most scenic stretch of the world-famous Inca Trail. Starting at Km 104, you’ll hike through lush cloud forest filled with orchids and more than 400 bird species, pass remarkable Inca ruins such as Wiñay Wayna, and reach the iconic Sun Gate (Inti Punku) on foot — the same way the Incas once approached their sacred citadel.
Covering 12 km, this route combines hiking with train travel, making it the perfect alternative for travelers who want the magic of the Inca Trail without committing to the full 4-Day Classic Inca Trail or the 5-Day Inca Trail. To join, you’ll need an official Machu Picchu entrance ticket and a Short Inca Trail permit — both arranged as part of your booking.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Days / 1 Night |
| Distance | 12 km |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Starting point | Km 104 (via train from Ollantaytambo) |
| Ends at | Machu Picchu, Sun Gate entry |
| Permit required | Short Inca Trail permit + Machu Picchu entrance ticket |
| Overnight | Hotel in Aguas Calientes |
With two days on the trail, you get two unforgettable moments inside Machu Picchu:
| Day | Machu Picchu Experience |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Enter the citadel in the afternoon and watch the sunset over the ruins |
| Day 2 | Return at sunrise, before the crowds arrive, for your full guided tour |
Compared with a single same-day visit, this gives you calmer light for photos, thinner crowds, and a much deeper feel for the site — all while trekking only 12 km, versus the 42 km of the 4-Day Classic Inca Trail.
| Day | Route | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cusco/Ollantaytambo → train to Km 104 → hike to Wiñay Wayna- Machu Picchu | Cloud forest, orchids, birdlife, Inca ruins, first entry to Machu Picchu at sunset |
| 2 | Tour Guiding → all inca site → Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo y a cusco | Sunrise views, full guided tour of the citadel, train back to Ollantaytambo/Cusco |
Km 104 is the official starting point of the 2-Day Inca Trail. There’s a checkpoint here where travelers show their passports and guides show their licenses — part of how the Machu Picchu National Park tracks visitor numbers entering and leaving the park.
Yes. Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu) is well set up for tourism, with several ATMs available if you need cash during the trek.
You’ll have a pre-trek briefing with your guide 1–2 days before departure, covering logistics, packing, and any last questions before the 2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu begins.
Not sure the 2-day route is enough time for you? Compare it with our other Inca Trail options:
The Short 2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu starts from your hotel in Cusco. Your guide will pick you up in a tourist bus, along with your professional bilingual guide (English and Spanish). The drive from Cusco to Ollantaytambo takes approximately 1.5 hours, ending at the train station in the town of Ollantaytambo.
At the station, your guide will distribute your tickets to board the expedition train that takes you to Km 104 — the point where your 2-Day Inca Trail Peru hike begins.
From the citadel, you’ll take in a wonderful view of the famous Lost City of the Incas — Machu Picchu’s splendor at [confirmar altitud] meters. After a short walk to take your classic photos, you’ll head to the main entrance to catch the bus down to the small town of Aguas Calientes, where you’ll relax at your comfortable hotel for the night.
