2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu from Cusco: Shortened Trek
A day on the trail, a night in Aguas Calientes, sunrise at Machu Picchu
This 2-day Inca Trail trek from Cusco condenses the famous route into a single day hike, starting at Km 104 and ending at Machu Picchu, with a night in Aguas Calientes and a full morning tour of the citadel on day two. Private transfer from Cusco, train travel, professional guide in English or Spanish, all meals, and hotel accommodation are included. Children from age 10 are welcome. Moderate fitness is needed.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Cusco to Machu Picchu via Inca Trail
- Private transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo
- Board train to Km 104 start point
- Pass control point and start hike
- Explore Chachabamba ruins
- Hike through cloud forest
- Visit Wiñay Wayna archaeological site
- Enjoy lunch with scenic views
- Continue hike with Urubamba River views
- Reach Inti Punku (Sun Gate) viewpoint
- Explore Machu Picchu Circuit 1-B
- Bus to Aguas Calientes
- Hotel check-in and dinner
Day 2: Machu Picchu tour and return
- Early wake-up with hot drinks
- Breakfast and pack bags
- Walk to bus station
- Bus ascent to Machu Picchu
- Watch sunrise and take photos
- Two-hour guided Machu Picchu tour
- Bus back to Aguas Calientes
- Lunch (not included)
- Train to Ollantaytambo
What’s included
- Private transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo.
- train to Km 104 and return to Ollantaytambo.
- professional guide in English or Spanish.
- entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
- breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- one night at a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
- first aid kit.
Times
- Every day No fixed time
Information
Hike the Short Inca Trail in 2 days from Cusco with guide, train, meals and hotel in Aguas Calientes included: reach Machu Picchu at sunset on day one.
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The experience
Day one starts before dawn with a private transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, then a train ride to Km 104, the official trailhead. Your guide leads you through Chachabamba's archaeological remains and into cloud forest thick with orchids and native plants. The hike passes Wiñay Wayna, "Forever Young" in Quechua, before reaching Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, where Machu Picchu appears across the valley in afternoon light. You'll explore the citadel at Circuit 1-B near closing time, when fewer visitors are there, then take a 30-minute bus down to Aguas Calientes for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day two begins early. Your guide meets you with hot drinks and breakfast before a short walk to the bus station. The first buses leave at 5:30 a.m., arriving around 6:00 a.m., so you're positioned to watch sunrise over the mountains. A two-hour private walking tour follows, exploring the citadel's layout and history with your guide leading you through Circuit 3. Afterward, you return to Aguas Calientes for lunch on your own before catching the train back to Ollantaytambo, then a van to Cusco.
The trek suits hikers who want the Inca Trail's best sections without committing to the full four-day route. One day of actual hiking means families and people with less time can still reach Machu Picchu on foot and spend a full morning there. Bring your original passport for the trail checkpoint, and wear layers. The cloud forest can be cool and damp in the morning, clearing by midday.
Top questions
Can I be picked up at my hotel?
You can choose: pickup at your hotel, or go straight to the meeting point. When you book, you choose your hotel from 198 pickup locations; if yours isn’t listed, you can type in your address. Pickup is about 40 minutes before departure.
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.
What's the actual hiking distance on the Short Inca Trail?
The Short Inca Trail covers the final section of the classic route, starting at Km 104 and ending at Machu Picchu. The hike itself is one day, passing through cloud forest and archaeological sites like Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna before reaching Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, where Machu Picchu comes into view.
Do I get to explore Machu Picchu on both days?
Yes. On day one, you explore Circuit 1-B near closing time for a quieter experience and better photos. On day two, after sunrise, you take a two-hour private guided tour of the citadel through Circuit 3, learning its history and layout with fewer crowds.
What meals are included, and when do I eat?
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Day one includes lunch on the trail surrounded by views of the Urubamba River, and dinner in Aguas Calientes. Day two includes breakfast before the hike and an early start to catch sunrise. Lunch on day two is not included, giving you time to eat in Aguas Calientes before your train departure.
Do I need to bring my own walking stick, or is one provided?
A walking stick is optional and available if you want one. It's not automatically provided. Many hikers find one helpful on the descent, especially if you have knee concerns.
What's the minimum age for this trek?
Children are welcome from age 10. The trek is designed for families and hikers of all ages, with moderate fitness required rather than advanced mountaineering experience.
How much time do I have in Aguas Calientes between the hike and the train back?
You need to catch your bus back to Aguas Calientes at least 2 hours before your train departure to Ollantaytambo. This gives you time for lunch and to reach the station without rushing.
Operated by Inca Path Tour Operator. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated 2 days ago
2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu from Cusco: Shortened Trek
2d · EN · ES · PT
from US$ 699 per person
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