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The Short Inca trail to Machu Picchu 2 Days is the most iconic 2 Day Hike to Machu Picchu. Despite the shorter trek time, you will nonetheless experience all of the main highlights of the original 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. You will enjoy a guided tour and explore the ruins of this wondrous archaeological site as well as an optional hike up to the peak of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
The Short Inca Trail is the best option for those who have limited time in Cusco or for those who could not get a permit for the complete the Inca Trail 4 days, but still want an authentic Inca Trail experience. Hiking the Inca Trail Trek 2 Days in Peru allows you to enjoy both sunset and morning sunrise at Machu Picchu. This 2 Day Short Inca Trail is the only hike that gives you these two unique opportunities to take in this stunning Wonder of the world.
NOTE If you would like to experience our Short Inca Trail with Camping you can request this and it will be our pleasure to organize your 1 night camping. The Short Inca Trail Trek 2 Days with hotel or with camping is definitely the best alternative option for those who want to explore and enjoy the Sun Gate and the lost city of Machu Picchu.
Why should you hike the Inca Trail 2 day trek with us?
Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Highlights
2 Days Short Inca Trail Trek Pre- Briefing
The Short Inca Trail 2 days briefing is usually 1 day or 2 days before your actual departure date. During this briefing you will meet with your expert tour guide and you can ask any final questions that you may have before your 2 Day Hike to Machu Picchu.
Day 1: Cusco – 104 Km – Wiñay huayna – Machu Picchu (Meals: L/D)
Day 2: Aguas Calientes Town – Machu Picchu– Cusco (Meals: B)
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 104 Km, 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 one 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 5:00 pm we will reach the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,920 ft), which is called Inti Punku 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 town then check in to the hotel.
Meals: Box Lunch / Dinner
Accommodations: 2* Hotel at Aguas Calientes
Maximum Altitude: 2,720 m / 8,920 ft
Minimum Altitude: 2,040 m / 6,691 ft
Distance to walk: 13 km / 8 miles
Approximate walking time: 5-6 hours
We will get up early and enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel. Then we will catch the bus to Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes. We will aim to be at Machu Picchu by 6am 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 10am. If you are not climbing the mountain, you will continue exploring 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 on 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
Price ( Group service ) if the group party is more than 3 hikers, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly to request a special discount.
Discounts
Optional upgrade:
Optional upgrade (Need to book in advance – subject to availability):