Name: 2 Days Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with Hotel
Location: Cusco, Perú

Andean Path Travel

10 reviews

Duration: 2 days

Group size: 1 - 8

2 Days Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with Hotel

Cusco, Perú

Duration: 2 days

Group size: 1 - 8

The Short Inca trail to Machu Picchu 2 Days is the most iconic 2 Days Hike to Machu Picchu. Despite the shorter trek time, you will nonetheless experience all of the main highlights of the real Inca Trail. Highlights of this 2 Day Short Inca Trail Hike include walking through the lush forest of the Amazon, hiking in the Peruvian Andes and enjoying beautiful views of snow-capped peaks and natural streams. You will see Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, the same entrance used by the Incas on their spiritual pilgrimages to the sacred site of Machu Picchu – Peru. You will enjoy a guided tour and explore the ruins of this wonderous archaeological site as well as an optional hike up to the peak of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.

Huayna Picchu

$75

This will be confirmed within 48 hours as it depends on real time availability of permits on the government permit system at time of booking

Walking Poles

Price quoted is per pair

1D Sacred Valley

$120

1D Rainbow Mountain

$105

Day 1
Day 1
Ollantaytambo - Km 104 - Sun Gate - Machu Picchu
We will pick you up from your Cusco hotel early in the morning (about 5:00am) and then drive to the train station in Ollantaytambo and take the train to Kilometer (Km) 104, which takes about three hours. Km 104 is an unscheduled train stop so you will probably feel a twinge of satisfaction that the train is stopping especially for you – and by knowing you are about to see things that no one else will get to! At Km 104 we will get off the train and pass the Inca Trail checkpoint where we will see our first archaeological center called Chachabamba (2,170 m / 7,170 ft). These ruins were one of the last shelters that the Incas used before they reached Machu Picchu. This site was also used as a religious and administrative center, and features several buildings.

Then, we will gradually ascend for about 2-3 hours climbing Inca stone steps while our guide points out different flora and fauna along the trail. We will then pass a tall waterfall before arriving at the archaeological site called Wiñay Wayna at (2,650 m / 8,700 ft), which is named after an orchid and means Forever Young in Quechua. We will climb to the top of the ruins and enjoy lunch with an incredible view of the Urubamba River and the Sacred Valley. This large site sits on a mountainside and features experimental terraces that the Incas used to grow different crops. We will visit an important temple with 7 windows that was dedicated to the rainbow as well as observe the amazing engineering of water channels that still function today.

Once we finish our tour here, we will continue our hike for about 1 ½ hours on a part of the Inca Trail which is relatively flat, with small ascents and descents along the way. At about 5:00 pm we will reach the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,920 ft), which is called Intipunku in Quechua. This is where we will have our first view of Machu Picchu and from there we will head down to the ruins. From Machu Picchu, we take the bus to Aguas Calientes and have a short walk to our camp at Puente Ruinas. Our porter will have the tents completely set up for us.

We will have happy hour with tea when we arrive at the camp. Then our chef will prepare us an incredible, hearty dinner. After dinner we can relax at camp and get a good sleep so we will be up early for the sunrise.

Meals: Box Lunch / Dinner
Accommodations: Camping at Puente Ruinas
Maximum altitude: 2,720 m / 8,920 ft
Minimum Altitude: 2,040 m / 6,691 ft
Distance to walk: 13 km / 8 miles ( 5 - 6 hrs )

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Day 2
Day 2
Machu Picchu Tour - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
We will get up early and have a marvelous breakfast, prepared by our chef. Then we will catch the bus to Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes. We will want to be at Machu Picchu by six AM to see the sunrise. Once we reach Machu Picchu you will be given a 2 hour walking tour of the site.

If you have elected to climb Huayna Picchu mountain (the price for this is not included in your tour price) you will begin the hike at 10 AM. If you are not climbing the mountain you will have free time to explore Machu Picchu before you return to Aguas Calientes by bus.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will board the expedition train to ollantaytambo ( train station). From ollantaytambo you will travel by private van to Cusco and we will drop you off at your hotel. Arrival time in Cusco depends on the time of your train ticket.

Meals: Breakfast
Maximum altitude: 2,040 m/ 6,691 ft
Minimum altitude: 2,440 m/ 8,052 ft
Read more

Day 1

Ollantaytambo - Km 104 - Sun Gate - Machu Picchu

We will pick you up from your Cusco hotel early in the morning (about 5:00am) and then drive to the train station in Ollantaytambo and take the train to Kilometer (Km) 104, which takes about three hours. Km 104 is an unscheduled train stop so you will probably feel a twinge of satisfaction that the train is stopping especially for you – and by knowing you are about to see things that no one else will get to! At Km 104 we will get off the train and pass the Inca Trail checkpoint where we will see our first archaeological center called Chachabamba (2,170 m / 7,170 ft). These ruins were one of the last shelters that the Incas used before they reached Machu Picchu. This site was also used as a religious and administrative center, and features several buildings.

Then, we will gradually ascend for about 2-3 hours climbing Inca stone steps while our guide points out different flora and fauna along the trail. We will then pass a tall waterfall before arriving at the archaeological site called Wiñay Wayna at (2,650 m / 8,700 ft), which is named after an orchid and means Forever Young in Quechua. We will climb to the top of the ruins and enjoy lunch with an incredible view of the Urubamba River and the Sacred Valley. This large site sits on a mountainside and features experimental terraces that the Incas used to grow different crops. We will visit an important temple with 7 windows that was dedicated to the rainbow as well as observe the amazing engineering of water channels that still function today.

Once we finish our tour here, we will continue our hike for about 1 ½ hours on a part of the Inca Trail which is relatively flat, with small ascents and descents along the way. At about 5:00 pm we will reach the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,920 ft), which is called Intipunku in Quechua. This is where we will have our first view of Machu Picchu and from there we will head down to the ruins. From Machu Picchu, we take the bus to Aguas Calientes and have a short walk to our camp at Puente Ruinas. Our porter will have the tents completely set up for us.

We will have happy hour with tea when we arrive at the camp. Then our chef will prepare us an incredible, hearty dinner. After dinner we can relax at camp and get a good sleep so we will be up early for the sunrise.

Meals: Box Lunch / Dinner
Accommodations: Camping at Puente Ruinas
Maximum altitude: 2,720 m / 8,920 ft
Minimum Altitude: 2,040 m / 6,691 ft
Distance to walk: 13 km / 8 miles ( 5 - 6 hrs )

Andean Path Travel

10 reviews

Andean Path Travel is a Peruvian Travel Company that caters to world´s travelers that want to step off the beaten truck, embrace the unexpected and immerse in the authentic and extraordinary of alive culture of peru, history and nature. Our staff people have the ideal balance of passion, attitude, intuition and high-guality expertise to make and deliver truly unique and unforgettable experience for you, under a fulfilling selection of innovative and off the beaten truck trekking adventures, non-conventional tourism and most authentic

Amazing experience!! Highly recommend!! We did the 2 day Inca Trail with our family, kids 12 and 13. Ron was our guide and he is a big part of wjmhy this was just a great experience. He is knowledgeable and passionate about Inca culture. He taught us many aspects of Inca culture and the history of the ruins. He also shared his knowledge of local plants and animals. On the hike, we was both patient and encouraging, especially with the kids. His superb photography skills helped us get the best family photos along the trek and at Machu Picchu. The communication from Andean Path was excellent and professional. We felt confident booking this trip and we are so, so glad that we did. This was a highlight of our trip and Andean Path with Ron as our guide were phenomenal. Thank you so much for this unforgettable experience.

By Cori C for 2 Days Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with Hotel on Jul 09, 2024

Excellent trip, highly recommended for the entire family. The guide was great, full of interesting local facts. The camping experience, including waking upright in the middle of these impressive mountains, was very interesting. The entire experience is very recommended and the price tag seemed very competitive. Thanks to all the staff that care of us during this amazing experience.

By Jorge S for Sacred Valley & Short Inca Trail with Camping on Apr 07, 2024

David was an artful guide in sharing his love for his country and its rich history. He was able to share a wealth of knowledge with the adults as well as engage our inquisitive and challenging teens. He had an infectious positive energy and made the trip immensely better! We will never forget our amazing by experience and would be happy to host him if he ever visits the Hill Country in Texas!

By Ashley E for 4D Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Experience on Mar 19, 2024

The trip to Machu Picchu was one of the VERY BEST travel/hiking expeditions that I have ever experienced. Period! From START to FINISH, we were treated with expert gentle guidance by our leader (David) that had spent FIVE YEARS in "college" studying the environment; so, yes, expert knowledge and gentle delivery were superb! Every accommodation was spot-on brilliant and a perfect fit for excited travelers to R&R AND just get out and visit. The hike to Machu Picchu proper was nicely challenging. It was a bit challenging in that some of the upsides (hills) are a bit steep, and all are entertainingly narrow with a great view down sans guardrails. In summary, an adventure brilliantly unique hosted by a team in a great location that certainly adds to the brilliance!!

By Jo ann P for Machu Picchu 2 day Hike + Huayna Picchu Mountain on Sep 20, 2023

It has been a tremendous experience: the hike during lush countryside up to the sun gate and down to Machu Picchu is both enjoyable and dramatic. Andean Path's tour arrangement was impeccable with train and bus times such that we were able to enjoy Machu Picchu when the huge crowds were either already gone or not there yet. The pick of accommodation in both Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes were good choices. Central to our experience being so positive was our tour guide Ronald. His incredible wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for the tour made a huge difference. We enjoyed three glorious days.