Visiting: Cusco · Ollantaytambo · Km 104 · Chachabamba · Wiñay Wayna · Inti Punku (Sun Gate) · Machu Picchu
Overview
The Inca Trail 2 Days — the "Short Inca Trail" — is the perfect choice if you want the magic of the Inca Trail without the camping. This accessible 12 km trek begins at Km 104 and follows authentic Inca pathways past the Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna ruins to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, for a breathtaking first view of Machu Picchu.
Designed for all skill levels, it's ideal for families, friends or anyone short on time. You spend the night in a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes and return the next morning for a full guided tour of the citadel — door-to-door, with permits, tickets and transport all handled by us.
📅 Permits are strictly limited. Only 250 Short Inca Trail permits are issued per day (about 150 for travelers, the rest for guides and staff), so dates sell out months ahead. Permits are nominative and bought with your passport details — book early to secure your spot.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
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1
Cusco → Km 104 → Wiñay Wayna → Sun Gate → Machu Picchu → Aguas Calientes
Your adventure begins before sunrise, with an early hotel pick-up in Cusco between 3:45 and 4:15 am (Sacred Valley pick-up around 5:00 on request), followed by a scenic 1 h 45 min drive to the Ollantaytambo train station. There you board the train around 6:10 or 6:40 am to Km 104, the official trailhead. Your guide greets you, shows the entry permits at the checkpoint and, after a short briefing, leads a gradual 3-hour uphill hike (2,000 → 2,700 m) through lush vegetation to the impressive Wiñay Wayna ruins.
After exploring the site you enjoy a packed picnic lunch (cooking isn't allowed on this part of the trail). The trail then continues about 2 more hours on a mostly flat path to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate — accessible only to Inca Trail hikers — for your first unforgettable glimpse of Machu Picchu from above. A 45-minute descent reaches the upper terraces for the classic postcard photo with Huayna Picchu behind, where your guide explains the Guardian's House and agricultural terraces. An included 30-minute bus then takes you down to Aguas Calientes, with a special dinner at a local restaurant around 7:00 pm.
Good to know: Train schedules can vary by up to ±30 minutes depending on availability; we confirm your exact departure time in advance. The trail is hot and humid, so bring water, sunscreen and light clothing.
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2
Machu Picchu Guided Tour → Return to Cusco
Wake up around 4:30 am for breakfast at 5:00, then head to the bus station to catch one of the first buses (5:30 am) for the 30-minute ride to the main entrance, which opens at 6:00 am. Inside, you enter the lower Inca city for a 2.5-hour guided tour of the citadel's most iconic areas, with your expert guide sharing the history of this Wonder of the World, plus about 30 minutes to explore on your own (park rules cap the visit at 2.5 hours).
If you've booked Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (add-on, one mountain only), your guide helps you reach the right entrance — the round trip takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. Afterwards the 30-minute bus returns you to Aguas Calientes for free time and an optional lunch, before the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo (usually 2:30 or 2:55 pm, ~1.5 hours). On arrival, our private transfer meets you with your name sign for the 2-hour drive back to your hotel in Cusco.
Good to know: Your Machu Picchu entry time and visiting circuit may vary with government availability; we prioritise the earliest slots and the best available circuit so you have time for an optional mountain hike.
Tour at a Glance
| Duration | 2 days / 1 night |
| Highest point | Inti Punku (Sun Gate) — ~2,720 m |
| Total distance | ~12 km / 7 mi (from Km 104) |
| Difficulty | Moderate — suitable for most fitness levels |
| Accommodation | 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes |
| Meals | 1 breakfast · 1 lunch · 1 dinner |
| Group size | Max 12 travelers |
| Permit | Required & included (250/day — book ahead) |
What's Included
Tap any item to see the full details.
Included
Not included
Prices — 2026 Season
The 2-Day Inca Trail is an all-inclusive group service with a return by train. Student and child rates are lower than the adult rate.
| Return | Adult | Student | Child (8–17) |
|---|---|---|---|
| By train | $510 | $490 | $490 |
Prices per person, group service. The student rate requires a valid university student ID (under 25). A deposit per person confirms your booking and secures your permit.
Optional Add-ons
- Huayna Picchu Mountain$60
- Machu Picchu Mountain$60
- Vistadome panoramic train (return)$45
- Trekking poles (pair)$15
What to Pack
There is no porter service on this trek, so you carry your own things — pack light. A small 20–25 L daypack is all you need, with no bags over 25 L allowed inside Machu Picchu.
- Always with you: original passport (+ student ID if applicable), 1.5–2 L water (no refill points on the trail), broken-in hiking boots, rain jacket or poncho.
- Clothing: moisture-wicking shirt, hiking pants, a clean outfit for your Machu Picchu photos, sun hat, light layers (it's warm and humid).
- Extras: sunscreen, insect repellent, snacks, camera/phone, small cash in soles, personal medication, swimsuit if you want the Aguas Calientes hot springs.
How to Book
Book online or in person at our Cusco office (Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo). A deposit per person secures your nominative permit and Machu Picchu ticket; the balance is due at least 24 h before departure. Because permits sell out, we recommend booking 2–3 months ahead (more in high season).
- Check live permit availability for your date.
- Fill in each traveler's details exactly as in their passport (permits are nominative).
- Add optional extras (Huayna Picchu / Machu Picchu Mountain, Vistadome, poles).
- Pay the deposit or full amount — you receive instant confirmation and our team follows up by WhatsApp.
Deposit: a non-refundable deposit per person is used to buy your Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu ticket immediately.
Permit & tickets: issued by the Peruvian government to your name and passport — non-refundable, non-transferable and non-modifiable (date, name and circuit are final).
Cancellation: the deposit is non-refundable. If you paid in full and cancel, the balance beyond the deposit is refundable; already-issued tickets remain valid for their original date.
Date changes: possible only if availability exists, and require buying new permits/tickets and a new deposit.
Full terms are confirmed at checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is moderate and suitable for most fitness levels — a single 12 km day with some uphill sections, at much lower altitude than the classic 4-day. It's a great option if you're worried about altitude or short on time. Light fitness and acclimatising a day or two in Cusco are recommended.
Yes. The Short Inca Trail is limited to 250 permits per day and sells out months in advance, especially May–September. We recommend booking 2–3 months ahead. Permits are nominative and issued with your passport details.
The 2-day covers the final, most scenic stretch of the trail (Km 104 → Sun Gate) in one day with a hotel night — no camping — while the 4-day is the full classic trek with three nights of camping over Dead Woman's Pass. Both enter Machu Picchu on foot via the Sun Gate.
No — there is no porter service on the 2-day trail, so you carry your own daypack. Pack light (20–25 L). You can leave extra luggage at your Cusco hotel or our office.
No. By law every Inca Trail trekker must go with a licensed guide and operator. Your guide accompanies you from Km 104 through to the Machu Picchu tour on Day 2.
You enter twice: on Day 1 you arrive through the Sun Gate to the Classic Viewpoint (the famous postcard photo), and on Day 2 you return for a full ~2.5-hour guided tour of the citadel itself.
