Peru · Trekking

2-Day Inca Trail To Machu Picchu

2 Days Round trip from Pickup service provided in Cusco. Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Hike a short section of the classic Inca Trail from kilometer 104
02 Visit the Inca site of Wiñay Wayna on the way to Machu Picchu
03 Enjoy your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu from Inti Punku
04 Explore Machu Picchu with a 2-hour guided walking tour
05 Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes before visiting the citadel
06 Travel through the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo by train
07 Ideal for travellers seeking an Inca Trail experience without camping

Experience the magic of the Inca Trail on a shorter adventure that combines scenic hiking, cultural discovery, and one of the world’s most iconic archaeological sites. This 2-day journey takes you from Cusco through the Sacred Valley to kilometer 104, where your trek begins toward Wiñay Wayna, Inti Punku, and your first unforgettable view of Machu Picchu.

Along the way, enjoy beautiful Andean landscapes, native flora and fauna, and an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes before returning to Machu Picchu for a guided visit of the Historic Sanctuary. Ideal for travellers who want the spirit of the classic Inca Trail without a multi-day camping trek.

Experience the magic of the Inca Trail on a shorter adventure that combines scenic hiking, cultural discovery, and one of the world’s most iconic archaeological sites.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Cusco, Machu Picchu, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Wiñay Wayna

Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

DAY 1 Cusco - Wiñay Wayna

You will be picked up from your hotel located in the city of Cusco and taken to the train station in Ollantaytambo, located at the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You will travel through a picturesque route for 1 hour approximately until reaching kilometer 104, starting point of the Inca trail trek.

It is time to hike! From here, you will walk for about 3 hours up to the Inca site of Wiñay Wayna ('Forever Young'). During the trek you will admire beautiful flora and fauna like vizcachas, spectacled bears and different kind of birds. Also, you will enjoy a box lunch.

You will join the path on the way to Machu Picchu in the Andean mountains, continuing to 'Inti Punku' ('Sun gate'). From here, you will get your first breathtaking panoramic view of the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. Then, walk down the last portion of the trail to reach the ancient city itself. This day you will hike a total of 7.4 miles which is about 6 hours.

Aguas Calientes

Before reaching Machu Picchu, you will take a side path off the trail to go down to Aguas Calientes, leaving the visit to Machu Picchu for the next day. In Aguas Calientes, you'll have dinner and a well-deserved rest to feel recharged and ready for Machu Picchu the next day.

Day 02

DAY 2 Machu Picchu

You will have breakfast and then take the bus up to Machu Picchu. There, enjoy a 2-hour guided walking tour and then explore the site on your own.

Be amazed by this amazing wonder of the world walking around its streets, squares and all main areas while you learn about this place with our guided tour. If you feel like it, you can also climb the mountains of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu (optional). It takes about 45 minutes to reach the top.

The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu was discovered by the American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, and is located in the province of Urubamba, between the Andean mountains and the Amazon jungle.

Back to Cusco

After exploring the site, you can back to Aguas Calientes by bus, and take the train to station of Ollantaytambo, and from there, travel to your hotel located in the city of Cusco with our touristic transport.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Pickup service provided in Cusco. 5 cities · 2 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Round trip Train Expedition (classic service)
One way Train Expedition and OW Train Vistadome (confort service)
Round trip bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu
Round trip transfers to the hotel in Cusco city
First aid kit
01 night of accommodation in Aguas Calientes (3-star hotel for Classic service, 4-star hotel for Confort Service).
Box lunch and dinner on day 1
Briefing a day before the trekking starts
1 liter of water per person on day 1

What's Not Included

Walking sticks
Travel insurance
Entrance ticket to the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountains

Know before you go

PASSPORT REQUIRED
Not wheelchair accessible
Not stroller accessible
Not suitable for pets
No public transportation nearby
Infants must not sit on laps
Infant seats unavailable
Not recommended for people with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for people with heart conditions
We recommend to book Inca Trail with at least one month in advance, especially for high season (May to August)
Inca trails close for maintenance on February
Trains schedule could vary because of the season and availability
Trains allow one small bag no more than 5 kilos on board
This activity is not recommended for children 8 and younger
You must have a reasonable level of fitness.
Pick up to and from centrally located Cusco city hotels