Inca Trail 2D/1N
This 2-Day Hike follows the same Inca Trail that the Incas used to reach Machu Picchu. On our Inca Trail Tours you get to see important Inca ruins, pass by cascading waterfalls, enjoy the unique flora and fauna of the National Park, and most importantly tour the well-preserved citadel of Machu Picchu!
| Perfect for: | Everyone who wants to experience this world-famous hike, but does not have the time to hike the full 4 days or prefers not to camp. Especially good for older couples or families with little children. |
| Duration: | 2 days/1 night |
| Level: | Moderate, depending on fitness level |
| Distance: | 13 kilometers or 8 miles |
| Limited Spaces: | Yes. To protect the historic trail, the number of people allowed to hike the 2-Day Inca Trail each day is limited to 250. For this reason, you should reserve your spot as soon as possible. During the high tourist season from April to September, permits can sell out 5-7 months in advance. |
| Acclimatization: | Please allow a minimum of 2 days in Cusco before your hike begins. |
Itinerary
We will pick you up from your Cusco hotel early in the morning (about 5:30 am) and then will drive to the train station and take the train to Km 104 which takes about three hours. At Km 104 we will get off the train and pass the Inca Trail Peru checkpoint where we will see our first archaeological center called Chachabamba, at 2,170 m or 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 Wiñaywayna at 2,650 m or 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 Wiñaywayna 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 and a half hours on a part of the Inca Trail which is relatively flat, with small ascents and descents along the way. At about 4:00 pm we will then reach the Sun Gate at 2,720 m or 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 hike down to the ruins where you will have some time to take some photos and enjoy the grandeur of Machu Picchu before we take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. We will check into our hotel where you will have some time to rest or you can visit the hot springs which is about 10 minutes away. Afterwards, we will meet for dinner and plan for the following day.
After having an early breakfast at your hotel, you will meet your guide and take the 25-minute bus ride up to Machu Picchu. You will have a 2-3 hour tour with your guide where you will see and learn about important sites that include temples, plazas, terraces, and canals. Please note that certain temples are open only at specific times. After your tour, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes and can have lunch on your own. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Cusco where we will pick you up from the train station and drop you off at your hotel.
Included & Not Included
Services Included:
- Transportation from your hotel in Cusco to the start of the hike and back to your hotel at the end
- Inca Trail permit and entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- Round trip train tickets in Expedition service to the start of the hike at Km 104 and back to Cusco
- Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes on the first day, and round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu for the next day
- B&B hotel in Aguas Calientes (Panorama B&B or other similar hotel depending on availability)
- Tour guide fluent in English, Spanish and Quechua. Our guides are equipped and trained to practice First-Aid and administer oxygen if needed.
- On the first day, we will provide you with a snack and lunch and then we will have dinner in Aguas Calientes. The next day, your breakfast will be included at the hotel. The lunch on the second day is the only meal that is not included.
Not Included:
- Breakfast on the first day and lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes
- Trekking poles (can be rented from us)
- Tip for your guide (optional)
What to Bring
- Original passport
- Backpack to carry your things
- Trekking poles (or you can rent a pair from us)
- Good sneakers or light hiking boots, and one pair of flip-flops or light sandals
- Camera and extra batteries
- Rain jacket and plastic poncho (especially if traveling in the wet season, from October to March)
- Comfortable hiking clothes
- Bug repellent
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Cap for the sun
- Toilet paper
- 1 liter of water per person in a reusable water bottle
Price
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Discounts:
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Additional Options
General Machu Picchu Ticket: Your Inca Trail permit includes your Machu Picchu ticket for the second day. On the first day, when you arrive to Machu Picchu you will have the chance to take some classic Machu Picchu photos. The second day, your ticket does not allow for returning to the classic photo spot (which follows circuits 1 and 2 in Machu Picchu). Your guided tour will be in the lower part of Machu Picchu (circuits 3 or 4). If you would like your guided tour in Machu Picchu on the second day to include the higher circuits (1 or 2) which take you to the classic photo area, you will need a General Machu Picchu Ticket which costs $50 USD per person. These tickets sell out in advance so please confirm in advance.
Huayna Picchu: If you are interested in climbing Huayna Picchu, the mountain overlooking Machu Picchu, there is an additional fee of $70 USD per person for us to buy your entrance ticket. Spaces are limited, so please let us know when booking whether you would like to hike Huayna Picchu, and we will reserve it for you. For information about this hike, please visit our Huayna Picchu page.
Quechuas (Porters): Depending on your level of physical fitness, the hike can be strenuous. If you would like to like to reduce the load you have to carry, you can hire an extra Quechua to carry your belongings. You can hire a Quechua to carry 15 kg (33 lb) for $150 USD. Please note that the extra Quechua will accompany you until the lunch site, and then will arrive to Aguas Calientes a different way. You must reserve your extra Quechua at the same time you reserve the trip, because the extra porter is counted as part of the 250-person limit on the trail. An alternative to hiring an extra Quechua is to send 1 small suitcase on the train to your hotel in Aguas Calientes which is free, so please let us know if you are interested in this option.
Hotel Upgrade: Included in this tour is one night at a comfortable B&B Hotel in Aguas Calientes (Panorama B&B or other similar hotel depending on availability). However, if you would like to upgrade to a 3, 4, or 5 star hotel, we offer the following prices and options:
- 3 Stars: $50 USD total for a double/matrimonial or single room (Tierra Viva Machu Picchu)
- 4 Stars: $250 USD total for a double/matrimonial or $210 USD for a single room (Casa del Sol – includes dinner at the hotel restaurant)
- 5 Stars: $510 USD total for a double/matrimonial room or $400 USD for a single room (Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo – includes dinner at the hotel restaurant)
*Please note that all prices listed are for standard rooms and prices will vary for room upgrades. Also, all hotels and room types are subject to availability, and during holidays prices will increase. In addition, we work with many hotels in Aguas Calientes, so if there is a specific hotel not listed that you prefer, please let us know and we can provide you with a price.
Trekking Poles: If you would like to rent trekking poles, the cost is $10 USD for a pair.
Vistadome Train: Our price includes 2 train tickets in the Expedition train from Cusco to Kilometer 104 and from Aguas Calientes to Cusco. However, if you would like to upgrade to the Vistadome train the price is an additional $40 USD per person one way (for round trip Vistadome tickets it is an additional $80 USD per person).
Additional Information: For more information on rules and regulations of Machu Picchu, please see our Rules and Regulations page here. To see information on cancellations and other policies, please see our Cancellations page here.
How to Book
If you would like to hike with us, please send us an email to info@cusitravel.com to check the availability. Please let us know the hike you want to do, the date you are looking to hike, how many people are in your group, and we will send you back the availability. Please note that we require a minimum of 2 people to organize this hike, so if you are a solo traveler we will let you know about any open groups that are available.
You will also need to email us copies of your passports, and let us know if anyone has any food restrictions or allergies. Please also let us know if anyone would like Huayna Picchu tickets for an additional $70 USD per person ($35 USD per child), as these tickets generally need to be booked in advance.
After sending your personal information, the next step is make a deposit of $300 USD per person to make your reservation. To make your deposit, please pay by selecting the correct amount below or by visiting our Book Now page. The remaining balance is due in Cusco and can be paid in cash (either in US dollars or Peruvian soles).
Select the amount to deposit:
