2-Day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: Easy Access to Iconic Inca Heritage
5.0
48 Ratings
Experience the highlights of the Classic 4-day Inca Trail in just 2 days. Descend from the Andes to the cloud forest, visit Inca ruins, and enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
Duration: 2 days
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

Cusco - KM 104 - Aguas Calientes

Aguas Calientes - We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco early in the morning. Then in our private transport, we will be driving you along the Sacred Valley of Incas to Ollantaytambo train station. Here you will be boarding the tourist train to the trailhead in Km.104.

The trail head is named after its distance from Cusco on the way to Machu Picchu. Here we will begin the full day hike. Our local expert will be helping you to cross the control where your permit to hike the Inca Trail will be verified against your passport.

We will begin with a gradual uphill hike to Winay Wayna. In Quechua the name means forever young. After touring the complex, we will be stopping for lunch at the campsite.

From here, we will continue hiking to Sun Gate or Inti Punku. You will be rewarded with the first site of the lost city of Incas, Machu Picchu.

We will then take a bus down to Aguas Calientes town. Here we will be accommodating you in an ensuite hotel room.

Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Machu Picchu - The hotel crew will be handing you over a snack box. You will then be boarding a bus to Machu Picchu citadel. It takes 25 minutes.

Our guide will be giving you a detailed tour of the citadel for two hours. You will be visiting some of the prime sites which will give you in-depth information about the citadel.

If you have booked to climb Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu mountain our guide will be directing you to the entrance. If you intend to hike one of these mountains do advise us at the time of booking.

Alternatively, you can hike to the sun gate. It offers a spectacular view of the citadel. Sungate is the point of entrance to the citadel for those on Inca Trail.

You will be taking the bus back to Aguas Calientes. Here you will be boarding the train to Ollantaytambo.

Our representative will be meeting you and will be transferring you back to your hotel in the city of Cusco. You will be reaching Cusco at approximately 09:00 PM.

What's Included
  • Round trip bus to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes
  • Overnight at a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
  • Admission to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu citadel
  • Meals including one breakfast and one lunch
  • Round trip transfers from Cusco hotel
  • Round trip train tickets
  • Guided tour with a Professional English-speaking guide
What's Not Included
  • Any Private Expenses
Additional Information

Our abbreviated 2-day Inca Trail journey to Machu Picchu presents a simpler and quicker alternative to the Traditional 4-day Inca Trail. Along this trek, you’ll traverse diverse microclimates, descending from the Andes into the cloud forest.

The path boasts numerous Inca ruins, such as the eminent Wiñay Wayna. Like the travelers on the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you too will access the ancient Incas citadel via the Sun Gate.

This trail is suitable for families with young kids since there’s no need to hike at elevated altitudes or to camp. The trail’s highest spot is at 2650 metres above sea level.

Our guests will be housed in a cozy ensuite hotel room in the town of Aguas Calientes. On your half-day tour to the Machu Picchu citadel the next day, our guide will escort you through the major highlights of the citadel.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(48 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Wendyab4636ym
May 14, 2024
Excellent way to experience Machu Pichu with a shorter hike - This is a great way to experience Machu Picchu on a shorter hike! We had booked as a small group but it ended up just being the two of us and our guide Frank. The communication from the company was excellent from start to finish. We were always kept well informed via WhatsApp. I'd say you need a moderate level of fitness to complete this day hike as there are a lot of steps and uneven surfaces. It took us around 5 hours to complete the hike and we had plenty of stops along the way. After being picked up from our hotel at 5 am by John and his driver we were given the option to stop for breakfast at a restaurant closer to the hike which was lovely (not included in cost) . The same restaurant had prepared us a packed lunch (included in cost) which was very tasty and more than adequate. Frank our guide on the hike and for our visit to Machu Picchu was very friendly and knowledgeable and made it a great experience. He looked after us very well. Seeing Machu Picchu for the first time is truly a magical experience ❤
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Moniqueba9747dv
Apr 24, 2024
I made my dream trip come true! - My trip to Peru has been wonderful! I would like to thank John, Elaine and the entire Machu Picchu Tours team for their seriousness, professionalism and hospitality. If you are thinking about visiting this fantastic country, look for them, I highly recommend them!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Glenn
Apr 17, 2024
Totally amazing! - We booked the 2-day excursion which included a day trip on the Inca Trail where the upper part of Machu Picchu is also visited. Day 2 is devoted to the lower part of the M.P. We have had a fantastic few days and are still in awe of everything we experienced. A completely unique experience that will never be forgotten. Machu Picchu Tours has delivered in every part, everything from perfect communication with John and fantastic guiding by Frank. Recommended in every way.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E2219nehelent
Apr 2, 2024
Great Guide = Great Experience!! - It was always my dream to go to Machu Picchu and Fernando went out of his way to make our experience exceptional and stressfree! Everything was seamless (despite the rain) and we learned so much about Inca history and culture along our hike. I cannot urge you enough to book with them and request Fernando - you won’t regret it! ⛰️
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H7817hznatashaa
Apr 2, 2024
Amazing tour with Fernando at Machu Picchu! - Our guide Fernando, was very attentive and made the experience extremely enjoyable. He went above and beyond to ensure we were doing great, took stops as needed, and got all the right Instagram photos! 10/10 would recommend, can’t wait to see Fernando again next time I’m in Peru. Definitely consider Fernando on your tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rachela553
Nov 16, 2023
Incredible Machu Picchu tour - We have had an incredible trip with Adolfo on the Machu Picchu vacation package. He has been very knowledgeable and the views are breath taking. The trip was well planned and we didn’t have to do a thing. 100% recommend, a must do.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z9444lgrubyt
Oct 30, 2023
Trip of a lifetime! - John and his team took care of us from the beginning until the end of our trip. He is very kind, patient, and very knowledgeable. We had an awesome itinerary and our day is full of fun and adventures. The highlight for me is hiking the short Inca trail and seeing the beauty of Machu Picchu. It is a trip of a lifetime that I will cherish forever. Thank you John ! I will highly recommend you to my friends !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Deniselc7824if
Oct 30, 2023
Best experience with Machu Picchu Tours - This October (2023) I had the opportunity to explore Peru with Machu Picchu Tours. John Taqquere Villanueva was our tour guide. I was traveling with a group of friends and we had an amazing experience! John is an experienced guide with a passion to show his tourist clients the ancestral Inca history and ruins. As a good photographer himself, he helped us capture perfect moments and memories from Peru. He also made sure we were safe while traveling through the country. I highly recommend Machu Picchu Tours to anyone who wants to travel to Peru.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Keyrenm2023
Oct 26, 2023
Fun & unforgettable Inca hike - I had the best time of my life. This trip & hike was my dream. It’s been a bucketlist for a very long time. I highly recommend Machu Picchu Tours with John & his team. They’re very knowledgeable & they can provide answers to any questions you may have. The service was above & beyond. They will go extra mile for you. They will take your pictures & videos per your hearts content😊. John & his team were very patient with my group. We are bunch of women who loves to hike & sometimes kinda loud but fun to hang out with. Machu Picchu Tours will get 10/10 from me. I will use them again if I ever return to Peru. Again, hats off to John & his team! My experience so far was wonderful & unforgettable. ♥️🫶🏼
Review provided by Tripadvisor
848liliank
Oct 21, 2023
Very knowledgeable and passionate - The Machu Picchu tours team is very passionate and knowledgeable, they took care of every detail of our trip and they even took our pictures. They are very caring and made sure we were safe at all times during our hikes and showed us how to breathe in high altitude hikes. We had an excellent experience, they were part of our group like a family.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
minimum 2 guests
-
up to 9 guests
2
Adult
June 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today