Inca Trail express 1 day is an experience that will allow you to enjoy this beautiful tour, in an accessible version for...
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At CuscoPeru.com, we invite you to experience the Short Inca Trail, a two-day journey that brings together some of the ancestral route’s most memorable landscapes and archaeological sites without requiring the classic four-day trek. The hike begins at Km 104 and continues through Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, and Intipunku before reaching Machu Picchu.
This Short Inca Trail 2 days program combines hiking, history, and nature in a small-group experience. A professional guide accompanies you along Inca paths and stone stairways while you take in the valley, native vegetation, and archaeological remains found along the route.
After your first panoramic approach to Machu Picchu, you will take the bus to Aguas Calientes and spend the night at your selected hotel. The following day, you will return for the guided visit included with the circuit confirmed in your booking. This Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is designed for travelers who want to arrive on foot and still have a second day to explore the archaeological site.
Day 1
Cusco to Km 104
Your 2 day Inca Trail begins with pickup in Cusco at approximately 3:30 a.m. We will travel to the Wanchaq bus station and continue to the Ollantaytambo train station. There, we board the train scheduled at approximately 5:00 a.m.; the ride to Km 104 takes about 90 minutes, depending on the confirmed service.
Km 104 is located at approximately 2,100 meters above sea level. Before entering the trail, we will present the required documents and permits at the checkpoint. Please carry the original passport or identification document used for your reservation because permits are issued to each traveler by name.
Chachabamba and the climb to Wiñay Wayna
The hike starts with a visit to Chachabamba. From there, we follow the Inca path with views across the valley and toward areas such as Choquesuysuy. Along the route, you may see orchids, epiphytes and lithophytes, birds, and the Phuyuwachi waterfall.
The trail continues uphill along stone steps and sloping sections toward Wiñay Wayna, listed at approximately 2,650 to 2,700 meters in the current page content. Reaching the site takes about four hours, although the actual time depends on the group’s pace and trail conditions. We will explore its terraces, buildings, and water channels and pause for the included box lunch.
Intipunku, Machu Picchu, and Aguas Calientes
After Wiñay Wayna, we continue toward Intipunku, or the Sun Gate, at approximately 2,720 meters above sea level. This is where the Inca Trail 2 days route offers its first view of Machu Picchu. We then descend toward the area authorized by the circuit assigned for the day.
The current page identifies Circuit 1 Panoramic for the entry from the Inca Trail, subject to availability. After this panoramic approach, we take the bus to Aguas Calientes and check in at the selected hotel. Arrival time may vary according to the group’s pace and daily operations.
Included
pickup and transfers from Cusco, bus to Ollantaytambo, train to Km 104, Inca Trail permit, admission subject to availability, professional guide, box lunch, bus down to Aguas Calientes, and the selected hotel category.
Not included
food and drinks not listed, personal expenses, and additional hotel services.
Recommendations
carry your original passport, a small daypack, water, sun protection, insect repellent, rain protection for the season, and supportive hiking shoes. Follow the train luggage limit stated in your confirmation.
Day 2
Bus from Aguas Calientes
After breakfast, we head to the bus departure point for the approximately 25-minute ride to Machu Picchu. Lines can form during busy periods, so departure will be coordinated around the admission time printed on your ticket.
Guided visit to Machu Picchu
We enter Machu Picchu for a guided visit along the circuit confirmed with your reservation. Your guide will explain the history and main features of the sectors included in that authorized route. Because circuits and time slots depend on availability and current regulations, the exact route should always be clearly stated in the final confirmation.
Return to Cusco
After the visit, we return to Aguas Calientes. You will have time for lunch at your own expense and, if the schedule allows, a short walk through town. In the afternoon, we board the train to Ollantaytambo and continue by road to Cusco. The arrival time is approximate and depends on the assigned train schedule.
Included
breakfast only when included by the confirmed hotel category, bus up to Machu Picchu, admission and guided visit for the reserved circuit, return train to Ollantaytambo, and ground transfer to Cusco.
Not included
lunch, other meals not listed, admission to the hot springs, and personal expenses. The day-two downhill bus should be confirmed before publication because it is not stated consistently across the current content blocks.
Recommendations
keep your passport and tickets accessible, follow the assigned admission time, carry a light daypack, and allow flexibility for the return schedule.
Hotel Wiracocha Inn · Hotel Terrazas De Luna
Hotel Tara Machupicchu · Hotel Retama Machupicchu
Hotel Taypikala Machupicchu · Hotel Inti Punku
Hotel Hatun Inti Boutique
Lodging and train: the published rates include one night in Aguas Calientes and The Voyager or Expedition train, subject to availability.
Inca Trail permits, Machu Picchu circuits, hotels, and schedules are subject to availability. Review the booking and cancellation policies before confirming.
I completed the two-day Inca Trail with CuscoPeru.com, and it was an experience we enjoyed from the planning stage. Although the situation in Cusco was somewhat delicate during our trip, the team looked after us and made sure everything could take place safely and smoothly. Yuliana, our contact at the agency, was attentive at all times and always available to answer our questions.
Throughout the two days, we felt supported and well guided, which allowed us to focus on enjoying the journey. Moving little by little along the ancient trail and finally reaching Machu Picchu made all the effort worthwhile. We took home wonderful memories, not only of the places we visited, but also of the care and support provided by the team. We recommend the agency 100% for its responsibility, organization, and commitment to its travelers.
See the Km 104 trailhead, the hike along the Inca route, and the arrival at Machu Picchu.
Find practical answers about difficulty, permits, circuits, luggage, lodging, and the return to Cusco.
The first-day hike is rated moderate and covers approximately 10.37 km. The published walking time is about 6 hours and 20 minutes, with uphill sections and many stone steps. You do not need to be an athlete, but you should feel comfortable walking for several hours and arrive with suitable footwear. Your guide will manage the pace and rest stops along the way.
Yes. The program includes the Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu admission, both subject to availability. Permits are issued in each traveler’s name, so your passport details must match the reservation. We will confirm the assigned circuits and entry times before your trip.
You reach Intipunku and continue toward the area allowed by the circuit assigned to Inca Trail arrivals. The current page lists a panoramic circuit for that first approach. Your main guided visit takes place on day two along the circuit shown on your admission ticket.
A small daypack is the best option. The page currently lists a 5 kg train luggage allowance, so larger bags should remain in Cusco. Pack water, layered clothing, rain and sun protection, personal items, and your original passport.
You spend one night at a hotel in Aguas Calientes in the category you select. One box lunch is included during the first-day hike. Any other meal that does not appear in your confirmation is at your own expense, and we will also clarify whether breakfast is included with your chosen hotel rate.
You return in the afternoon by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and then continue by road to Cusco. We avoid promising a fixed arrival time before tickets are issued because it depends on the assigned train and daily operations. Your confirmed schedule will list the full return plan.
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