This is an experience steeped in rich heritage and breathtaking scenery, perfect for visitors who are short on time but want to see the best of what Peru has to offer.
Embark on an exhilarating journey of a short Inca trail tour with Machu Picchu Tours in Peru. Allow us to guide you through the historic 2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This is an experience steeped in rich heritage and breathtaking scenery, perfect for visitors who are short on time but want to see the best of what Peru has to offer.
As the sun rises on the first day, anticipation will mount; we will soon tread the same path that the Incas did centuries ago. This shorter version of the iconic Inca Trail hike offers an ideal opportunity. It allows enthusiasts to savor the essence of this ancient route. Moreover, it requires no commitment to the longer classic 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu trek.
Our adventure begins with a morning train ride. We will be weaving through the lush tapestry of cloud forests and alongside the meandering Urubamba River. The trek starts at Kilometer 104, where we will alight amidst the high altitude and crisp Andean air.
With each step on the historic vibes along the trail, we will ascend. Our path will take us through a landscape dotted with archaeological sites. These sites reveal the ingenuity of Incan engineering.
Into the Heart of Inca History
We will traverse a path lined with diverse flora, connecting with nature and the spirit of the Incas. As we hike the Inca Trail, the anticipation builds. Eventually, the first magnificent views of Machu Picchu greet us from the Sun Gate. With hearts full and cameras ready, we will capture the spectacular views that many dream of but few get to witness.
With Machu Picchu Tours, meticulous attention is given to every detail. We handle everything from securing Inca Trail permits to arranging your return train tickets.
Permits are sanctioned by the Peruvian government to protect the monument and prevent overcrowding. Introduced in 2002, these regulations limit the number of visitors and ensure that no one can hike the trail without a permit.
Our guided tour ensures you gain profound insights into the cultural significance of the Inca sites you’ll explore. Along the Inca trail, we will spend time uncovering the secrets of Machu Picchu, a highlight of our journey.
As night falls, we will retreat to our accommodation to rest and reflect on the day’s discoveries. The following morning, we will delve deeper into exploring Machu Picchu. We will learn about the historical significance of the majestic Machu Picchu Mountain.
Additionally, opportunities for further exploration along the route to Machu Picchu will be available. There will also be chances for a serene moment to absorb the tranquility of this world wonder.
Reasons to experience your Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with us
Choosing Machu Picchu Tours means opting for a tour company with a dedicated team of local experts who pride themselves on offering an immersive and enriching experience. Our tour operator team is committed to ensuring that your short Inca Trail hike is not just a journey, but a profound connection with the heart of the Inca civilization.
Prepare for two unforgettable days filled with awe-inspiring moments and breathtaking scenery. As you traverse the ancient paths of the Inca Trail, you will experience the pride and accomplishment of completing one of the world’s most renowned hikes. Each step brings you closer to the majestic ruins of Machu Picchu, where the echoes of the past come alive.
Also, do take a moment to check our reviews on Tripadvisor. Our past travelers have shared their experiences and insights, highlighting the exceptional service and unforgettable moments they enjoyed with us.
The short Inca Trail hike is a high-altitude experience. We highly recommend you spend 1-2 days in Cusco to acclimatize before the Inca trail to avoid altitude sickness.
Check out our article to learn more about the classic Inca Trail, especially why this Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is so popular.
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with our 2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This carefully planned itinerary ensures you experience the best of the Sacred Valley and the iconic Inca Trail, leading you to the majestic ruins of Machu Picchu.
As dawn breaks, we will set out from Cusco. We embark on our journey towards the celebrated 2 Day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu. Our first leg of the adventure leads us to the charming town of Ollantaytambo, nestled in the Sacred Valley. Here, we will catch a glimpse of the living Incan town before boarding our train to Km 104, where our hike begins.
Stepping off the train, we will feel the excitement in the air as we approach the Chachabamba site. Standing at an altitude of 2,150 meters (7,052 feet), we will marvel at the ancient ruins that offer a prelude to the wonders ahead. We will then ascend along the hiking trail.
The path winds through subtropical forests and Andean landscapes. Our destination is the fascinating Wiñay Wayna. This site is perched dramatically on a hillside. It provides a stunning display of Incan ingenuity and offers a perfect spot for a well-earned rest.
Our trek will continue as we climb to reach the famous Intipunku, also known as the Sun Gate. Standing at an elevation of 2,720 meters (8,924 feet), the panoramic views will leave us breathless. It’s not just the altitude that takes our breath away. The sheer beauty of the iconic Machu Picchu appearing before us also captivates us.
As the day wanes, we will descend into Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu. Here, we will recharge and share stories of our journey in anticipation of tomorrow’s exploration.
As we rest for the evening, we can reflect on the day’s achievements:
Together, we will complete the first chapter of our short Inca Trail hike. This journey leads us across physical paths and through the annals of time, straight to the heart of the Inca empire.
After a restful night in Aguas Calientes, the excitement of reaching Machu Picchu builds as we prepare for the final leg of our journey. The early morning atmosphere is filled with anticipation as we get ready to explore one of the most iconic archaeological sites in the world. With the promise of breathtaking views and a day full of discovery, we set out with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
As the sun peeks over the mountains, we will start our second day on the two-day Inca trail to Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes with a sense of excitement. After a nourishing breakfast on this second day of hiking, we will board the bus along with our reliable Inca trail tour operator for a winding ascent to the trek to Machu Picchu. The early morning ride to get to Machu Picchu offers stunning views and a refreshing start to our day.
After we arrive at Machu Picchu, we will embark on a two-hour guided tour. Our local guide will lead us through the heart of the citadel, sharing tales of its discovery and significance. We will stand among the ruins, taking in the awe-inspiring architecture. The natural splendor that envelopes this ancient wonder will surround us.
After the guided tour, we will have free time to explore Machu Picchu on our own. We can revisit favorite spots or seek out quieter corners for reflection. Take as many Insta-worthy pictures as you wish. Later, we will descend back to Aguas Calientes by bus, relishing the last glimpses of the iconic peaks.
Finally, we will board the train for our return journey to Cusco. We will be carrying with us the spirit of the Incas and memories of an unforgettable Inca Trail-Machu Picchu 2-day hike adventure.
On this second day of our tour, we will:
Our Machu Picchu hiking tours are designed to provide enriching experiences. We combine the convenience of planned transport with the richness of expert-led exploration in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Departure & Return Location
Cusco Hotel Transfer
Departure Time
5:00 a.m.
Price Includes
Price Excludes
Packing list
Useful Info
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Do you have any questions? Contact us at +51 974 378 488
Find out what those who have trusted us to explore unique destinations and live extraordinary adventures have to say.
John CJanuary 10, 2025Verified Excellent, perfectly planned trip. The trip was perfectly planned from start to finish, the transport, the hike, the hotel, the food and the entrance to Machu Picchu. The lovely guide Edwin was incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the site, the hike, and it's history. It truly is an incredible and captivating place that is a must see if you have the opportunity. Gabriel CNovember 12, 2024Verified Rainbow Mountain Tour guide We had a great tour of Rainbow Mountain. Jose was extremely knowledgeable and was a lot of help. The tour included good breakfast and lunch. I highly recommended this tour Joshua SNovember 10, 2024Verified "Unforgettable Machu Picchu Journey with an Exceptional Guide!" John was the perfect guide for our journey from Cusco to Machu Picchu! From the start, he made everything smooth and enjoyable, picking us up from our hotel and ensuring we were comfortable and ready for the adventure ahead. Thanks to his planning, we arrived at Machu Picchu early, avoiding the crowds and enjoying the stunning morning views. The weather was fantastic, and John's deep knowledge of the history and culture made every moment even more memorable. His explanations brought the ancient Incan sites to life, and he guided us thoughtfully through the walk at Machu Picchu, pointing out details we would have missed on our own. Throughout the entire day, John was attentive, patient, and incredibly helpful. He truly went above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable. Highly recommend! Gabriel CNovember 10, 2024Verified Great tour Me and my brother went on a tour with John. He was very helpful. He was very knowledgeable and helpful. Not only did he give a great tour but he was able to give us good recommendations and was very accommodating Kim AOctober 24, 2024Verified An amazing experience! We are an American family from Evansville, Indiana. After doing much research we chose Machu Picchu Tours to make our dream come true of seeing Machu Picchu via the 4-day Inca Trail Trek.Planning this kind of trip is no small feat, but John Taqquere Villaneuva was there for us every step of the way! He always responded quickly to my MANY texts and provided excellent information to prepare us for the trek. Our amazing guide, Edwin, the Porters and Chef went way above and beyond to make sure we felt safe and that we were getting the best experience that was promised. I cannot emphasize how important hygiene and safe food is on a trip like this. We feel our Porters did an excellent job keeping the dining area clean and providing excellent, healthy and safe food. While it is common for foreigners to get sick when traveling to a new country, the crew kept us healthy, hydrated, and safe the entire trip. Our porters took care of every single detail from setting up our camp, refilling our water bottles, and feeding us delicious hot meals 3 times a day. The porters were always there to take care of us. Our bags were transported and waiting for us in our tents upon arrival. Hot drinks were ready for us upon arrival at each campsite, and hot soapy water and towels were provided to clean up after a long day’s hike. Their work ethic and attention to detail was impressive. The 4 day trek is strenuous. Our guide, Edwin, coached us along the way, helping us to set a pace that worked for us so that we would not burn out. He also handled all of our paperwork and entry tickets. There are checkpoints and everything must be in order and spelled correctly. Without these documents, there is no trek and there is no entry into Machu Picchu. Our guide always kept us informed of the daily itinerary and was always supportive and eager to help. His knowledge of the history of the Inca and the ruins was exceptional. We walked away feeling an immense appreciation and understanding of the Inca because of Edwin. If your dream of seeing Machu Picchu is through the Inca Trail, or want to arrange guided tours, then don’t let fear stand in your way. And if you are looking for an agency, we highly recommend John Taqquere Villaneuva with Machu Picchu Tours. These are good, honest, trustworthy and hard-working people that will help make your dream come true. We are so thankful to Machu Picchu Tours, our Guide, Edwin, and the amazing Porters and Chef for their hard work and efforts to help make our dream come true. HikeJunkieCarlosOctober 21, 2024Verified Very organized crew knowledgeable friendly and just plain awesome to have around every step of the way. Couldn’t have asked for a better crew chef porters tents and food for this 4 day Inca trail tripWas the best experience for all 8 of us in our friends group to enjoy every moment and have amazing time all the way through the trip in town and on the Inca trailVery organized crew knowledgeable friendly and just plain awesome to have around every step of the way. Highly recommend this company to solo and groups that plan to visit Peru SkyMiles KOctober 19, 2024Verified 1 of 2 top Bucket List items, Hike the INCA Trail to Machu Picchu Completed the INCA trail with our Hike Junkies family. The Machu Picchu tours were INCREDIBLE!!! A great big shout out to John Taqquere Villanueva & his team for providing us with their expertise & care before, during & after the 4-day backpacking hike. The porters had camp setup for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner during our hiking adventure. Our chef, Carmelito "5-STARS," prepared meals that you should only find in a fine dining restaurant. We even had some Peruvian history lessons along the way. A few surprise discovery viewpoints along the trail. After completing 4-day Inca trail, we hiked the Humanatay Lake on 5th day & Rainbow Mtn on 6th day. We THANK YOU, John, Alberto, Berle, Aiwyn & drivers, porters for making this the adventure of the century!...so far Rebecca ROctober 19, 2024Verified 4 day Inca Trail with Hike Junkies We just completed the 4 day Inca Trail with Machu Picchu Tours. John Taqquere Villanueva went above and beyond to provide us with an amazing experience, with fun, knowledgeable guides to qn amazing chef and porters. Our tents were comfortable and kept us warm and dry from the elements. We were served four course meals, desert and happy hour on each day. Happy hour consisted of fresh hot popcorn, hot cocoa, coffee, cookies and bread. In addition to the 4 day Inca Trail we scored permits to hike Huayna Picchu ( Stairs of Death) which we conquered just having completed the last day of the Inca trail. Yes, our group is crazy! One member of our group was unable to hike the four day Inca trail due to severe health issues, John Taqquere and went above and beyond to give him an amazing Machu Picchu experience. Our trip consisted of City Walking Tour of Cusco, Alpaca Farm, Humantay Lake, Rainbow Mountain and other ruins. This was a humbling experience that will last a lifetime. Chalmers BOctober 9, 2024Verified Great experience! Our guide Edwin was excellent. The first day is very challenging but equally rewarding, and we were really glad that MPT arranged a pre-meeting the day before to go over logistics and make sure we were properly equipped -- renting poles is highly recommended, well worth the $10. Reaching the Sun Gate and getting the full vista of Machu Picchu felt like a life accomplishment. The second day is much less challenging, walking through the actual ruins of Machu Picchu, and we felt much less pressure because we'd gotten such great views and photos the day before.
Huchuy Qosqo was used as a royal estate by Viracocha. During the last days of his rule, he faced a revolt from Cancha People. Huchuy Qosqo Hike is an off-the-beaten-track experience that takes you to the lesser-known yet prominent Inca site, Huchuy Qosqo Peru.
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