Book your Inca Trail 2026 with Go Treks Perú, local experts in small-group adventures. Don’t miss out!
Group Size
Difficulty level
Trip styles
Accommodation
The short Inca Trail 2-day trek will take you to Machu Picchu on an adventure that allows you to discover the wonders of this place without spending too much time, especially if you don’t have the availability for longer multi-day treks. Everything begins at kilometer 104, where this route leads you through the diverse Andean landscapes, featuring vibrant vegetation and some of the most impressive Indigenous archaeological sites, such as Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna. The total distance covered is 12 kilometers, culminating, of course, in the unforgettable view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate.
Best of all, there is no need to camp, as you will stay in a very comfortable hotel located in Aguas Calientes. Our 2 Day Inca Trail is designed for travelers seeking a balance between staying active, comfortable, and above all, enjoying a sense of adventure. Our groups are kept small so you can experience a more personal and flexible journey. In addition, you will be accompanied by knowledgeable guides who will share the rich history of this ancient trail, allowing you to keep learning and being amazed along the way. This way, you will enjoy a truly meaningful route surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Our experience can also be personalized just for you.
We start the day super early, around 4:00 a.m., leaving your hotel in Cusco for the drive to Ollantaytambo (1.5 hours). At the station, you’ll have some time to grab a quick breakfast or coffee before hopping on the train to kilometer 104. The ride takes about 1.5 hours, and the train has comfortable seats with panoramic windows so you’ll be able to enjoy the mountain views as you go.
At km 104, we’ll hop off the train and head to the official start of the short Inca Trail 2 days. Our guide will handle all the permits, so all you’ll need to do is check in with the park rangers. From there, we start walking through the forest until we reach Chachabamba, at 2,170 m (7,120 ft), one of the last Inca shelters before Machu Picchu. It also served as a ceremonial and administrative center, connecting the Inca Trail with the rest of the sites.
After exploring Chachabamba, we continue uphill along the original Inca stone steps. The first couple of hours are a bit steep, but the trail eases off after that. We’ll take a few breaks to rest and enjoy the shade, and around lunchtime, we’ll hit a beautiful waterfall where we’ll have our box lunch. Then we keep moving toward Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m / 8,694 ft), one of the most impressive sites on the trail. Its terraces form a natural amphitheater, and it has a small temple dedicated to the rainbow. Off in the distance, you’ll also spot Intipata.
Finally, we pass one last checkpoint and reach the Sun Gate, Intipunku, where you’ll get your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. After snapping some unforgettable photos, we’ll walk about 50 minutes to the site and then catch the bus to Aguas Calientes for a hot shower, dinner, and some well-deserved rest.
The 2 day Inca Trail: the first day is 12 km or 7.5 miles. You’ll need to bring a 25-liter backpack to carry your clothes, snacks, and a box lunch. If you don’t want to carry your backpack, you can book a porter, but please contact us first.
Day 2 is dedicated exclusively to exploring Machu Picchu. We’ll start with breakfast at the hotel (5:00 a.m.) and then board the bus up to Machu Picchu. The ride takes about 25 minutes and drops us off right at the entrance (the gate opens at 6:00 a.m.). Once there, we’ll show our passports. When you book the Inca Trail 2 Days package, you automatically get Circuit 3, but Circuit 2 is the best route, so we recommend booking at least 3 months in advance for an additional $60 USD.
After touring Machu Picchu, we’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, you’ll board the train to Ollantaytambo town and then continue by bus to Cusco, where we’ll drop you off at your hotel.
If you have booked the Huayna Picchu hike (tickets are $60.00 per person – not included), your entrance will be scheduled between 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. Please drop us a message or check with your guide the exact time on the ticket, so we can adjust your visit accordingly.
Note: If you want to stay an extra night, just let us know, and we can help book a hotel in Aguas Calientes, as well as your train ticket for the next day
Rangers don’t allow people to carry bags bigger than 25 liters when entering Machu Picchu
No trekking poles are allowed in Machu Picchu
Snacks and water are allowed in bags
With the purpose of ensuring you enjoy a worry-free journey full of enjoyment, we offer a very comprehensive 2-day Inca Trail tour that includes the following.
The 2-day tour along the Inca Trail is quite comprehensive. However, there are certain things that are not included and that you need to take into account. These are listed below.
We offer fair and transparent pricing for the short Inca Trail 2 days. We ensure each service is priced accurately without unnecessary markups. Our goal is to provide great value while ensuring that most of what you pay goes directly to the local people who make your experience unforgettable.
For the Short Inca Trail, you’ll only need to bring the essentials for two days. Your main luggage can be safely stored at your hotel free of charge. Here’s what we recommend packing:
The Short Inca Trail 2 Days is the perfect option for those who want to experience the beauty and history of the classic Inca Trail in a shorter time. This trek combines stunning Andean landscapes, Inca ruins, and the unforgettable arrival at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
The Short Inca Trail requires a special permit, just like the classic 4-day Inca Trail. These permits are limited and sell out quickly, especially during peak season (May to September). It’s recommended to book at least 3-6 months in advance to secure your spot.
The best months to hike the Short Inca Trail are:
The Short Inca Trail is moderate in difficulty, covering 10 km (6.2 miles) on the first day. Expect:
This tour includes one night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes, including wifi connection, private rooms and facilities. Please drop us a message if you’d like to upgrade your hotel in Aguas Calientes.
The 2-day Inca Trail tour includes a guided visit to Machu Picchu via Circuit 2 or 3, depending on availability. Circuit 2 is the most complete route, covering the main archaeological areas and viewpoints.
To secure the best experience, we recommend booking at least 3 months in advance.
The 2-Day Inca Trail is a shorter version of the classic 4-day Inca Trail hike in Peru. It follows a 12 km section of the original trail, starting at km 104 and ending at Machu Picchu, offering a rich mix of nature, archaeology, and history in just two days.
The 2-Day Inca Trail is considered moderately challenging. It includes steep climbs and descents, but it’s accessible to active travelers with decent fitness.
The trail is 12 km (7.5 miles) long. You’ll hike for about 5–6 hours on the first day and around 2 km inside Machu Picchu on the second day.
Yes, permits are required and must be obtained through a licensed tour operator. They are limited and can sell out months in advance.
The trail is open 11 months of the year. It closes every February for maintenance and due to heavy rains. Machu Picchu itself remains open year-round.
The best time to hike is during the dry season, from May to September, when weather conditions are most favorable.
Yes, the trail is open during the rainy season (except February), but be prepared for muddy conditions and the possibility of rain.
The trail is suitable for most active travelers, but it does involve physical effort, so being in good shape is highly recommended.
There are no specific age restrictions, but it is recommended that hikers be at least 12 years old and in good physical condition.
The Short Inca Trail takes 2 days and covers 12 km, while the Classic Inca Trail lasts 4 days and covers 45 km. The short version is ideal for those with limited time.
No, hiking without a licensed guide is not allowed. All visitors must be accompanied by a certified guide through an authorized tour operator.
The tour includes a guide, entrance fees, bus tickets, round-trip train tickets, hiking poles, snacks, box lunch, dinner, hotel in Aguas Calientes, and return transport to Cusco.
Bring essentials for variable weather: hiking shoes, a waterproof jacket, sunscreen, insect repellent, water, snacks, personal medication, and a camera.
You’ll spend the night in a comfortable 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes, included in the tour. No camping is required.
There’s a toilet at km 104 (trail start) and at Machu Picchu. There are no facilities during the hike, so plan accordingly.
Reserve your Inca Trail 2-day adventure today for only $200 USD.
Availability is limited, so book before it’s gone!
Best Seller
Day(s)
Price USD
100% locally owned by a tour guide
Go Treks Peru was founded by Elisban Condori, a local tour guide with years of experience leading treks to Machu Picchu. His goal is simple: to offer top-quality, authentic experiences led by passionate professionals who truly know the Andes.
Fair work conditions
We believe in ethical tourism. That means no exploitative working hours and fair pay for all our staff. We work with trained, freelance professionals who have the flexibility and respect they deserve.
Personalized service
At Go Treks Peru, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. We tailor each tour to your preferences, always focusing on small groups to ensure a flexible, high-quality experience. For us, personal means unforgettable.
Sustainable travel
All of our treks are 100% eco-friendly. We follow a strict “leave no trace” policy and encourage our travelers to protect nature and respect local communities at every step of the journey.
Excellent customer satisfaction
We’re proud to have consistent 5-star ratings on TripAdvisor and other platforms. Our travelers love the personal attention, seamless logistics, and genuine local connections we provide.
Discover why adventurers love traveling with Go Treks Peru. Read client reviews and explore top adventure destinations in Peru. Check our reviews on Tripadvisor or Google.
This is a MUST if you do not have time to do the 4 day/ 3 night inca trail.
Actually tourists who go into the Machu Picchu sanctuary for a few hours alone really do miss out on this marvelous and mysterious place. A short visit only gives you a stolen glimpse of this impressive empire and does absolutely no justice to this marvelous and mysterious place.
The 2 day/ 1 night option allows you to experience some of the secrets of the incas whithout camping in close proximity to aboultion facilities. There is no way to explain the surpise of that “oooo wooow” when after a four hour steep walk upwards, crossing the path of the second most important Inca ruin “Wina Wayna”, (which by the way is beautiful and well worth the climb you scramble up a steep flight of stairs and then your breathe is truly taken away at the Sun gate.
The view of the Machu Picchu sanctuary spreads out before you in full view down below. No words can explain the feeling that you get with that spectacular view. You arrive late in the afternoon when all the hoards of tourist buses have left and the sanctuary is almost free of people. You get to appreciate Machu Picchu in its entirety undisturbed, peaceful and out of this world!
The next morning when you go up, once again you arrive in the sanctuary before the hoards of tourist arrive again.
Tourists who opt for the 4 day inca trail should be prepared that the sleeping conditions are not that great. There are rows and rows of tents on banks of sand paths, on different levels that are literally flanked onto the very smelly abolution facilities that are not very clean. Although we did not do the four day hike, I was thankful that we didn’t as the camping situation really is not like being out in the wilderness. With hoards of different trekking groups I believe that there is no stillness of the night that one would want to experience amidst the mountains.
2 day / 1 night is a definite must!! Highly recommended.
We entered Machu Picchu sanctuary on the third day and we were so glad we did. We climbed the steep Huayna Picchu (of which you must pre book in advance because there are a limited 200 tickets for the 7am climb and 200 for the 10 am climb). Do the first session. You get to see the sun rise of Machu Picchu and it gives you more time to explore the area before the heat of the day.
If you’re lucky you’ll get to see Machu Picchu when the sky is clear blue and the sun is out, as well as early in the morning when the sanctuary is covered in clouds. Watching the cloads lift up over the mountains offer a completely different atmosphere – mystical.
Many tour companies offer this 2 day/1 day inca trail. Make sure you get one that offers a guaranteed hike, even if there are only two people. In this way they will always link you up with another group. We were two people and we linked up with another group of two people. We used View Peru and were very ahppy with the organisation that was all done through Go Treks Peru.
We pre booked our own trains and hotel accommodation instead of taking a pre-organised all-inclusive package. It suited what we wanted and we landed up saving. You don’s have to spend a fortune with highly priced tour operators. After much research we spend half the amount of what other tours charge and probably got the same tour and 5* accommodation that we wanted.
ENjoy Machu Picchu. It is an experience of a lifetime
From USD:
per person
From USD:
per person
Starting From:
US$490
