The Short Inca Trail to Machupicchu in 2 days and 1 night
- Hotel 1 Night
- Up to 6 people
- 2,720mt / 8,924ft
- Moderate to Difficult
- Cusco-Km104-Chachabamba-Wiñayhuayna-Sun Gate-Machupicchu-Cusco
Short Inca Trail to Machupicchu
The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2d/1n, is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a full-day hiking experience to Machu Picchu. Explore stunning landscapes and the beautiful Wiñaywayna Inca site before arriving at Machu Picchu through the iconic Sun Gate—perfectly timed to witness the Lost City from its highest vantage point. Along the way, enjoy our delicious boxlunch.
On the second day, you will spend the morning on a guided tour of Machu Picchu at sunrise and learn all about its history. Then, you will return on the Expedition Train back to Cusco city. Peru Day Trips takes care of all the details so your group and journey are stress-free and unforgettable. Don’t wait to book and make lifetime memories now!
Day 1: Cusco – Km 104 – Machu Picchu
You will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco around 4:00 a.m. (depending on the hotel location) and we will drive you to the bus station or train station. If your hotel is located in the Sacred Valley or near Ollantaytambo, the pick-up could be around 6:00 a.m.
For the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, it is recommended that you stay the day before somewhere closer to the train station in Ollantaytambo; this way, you can save 1.5 hours of travel from Cusco. If you participate in a tour like the Sacred Valley the day before, you can request the drop-off in Ollantaytambo and spend the night in a hotel. Peru Treks will pick you up from any location near Ollantaytambo or Cusco.
From Cusco, it’s a one-hour, 30-minute bus ride to the train station in Ollantaytambo, where we will board the first trains and travel along the Urubamba River until we arrive at Km 104—Chachabamba (located in the cloud forest). We will head straight to the checkpoint at Chachabamba to start our Short Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu. Please note that you will need your original passport to pass the checkpoint.
Our first stop is the beautiful Inca site of Chachabamba, where our expert tour guide will introduce you to Inca history and Machu Picchu. After exploring the site, we will hike along an ancient Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for about 7 hours.
The first section of the Short Inca Trail is a gradual uphill hike for 4 hours until we arrive at Wiñaywayna (the place that never gets old); this is one of the most beautiful Inca sites on the Classic Inca Trail. We will take some time to explore this stunning archaeological site while enjoying spectacular views of the Andes. Nearby, a freshly prepared Boxlunch will be provided by the company, made with local products. Once fed and energized, we will continue our hike to the Sun Gate (Intipunku) to catch our first glimpse of the Machu Picchu Citadel – a truly unforgettable sight. We will arrive at the Sun Gate around 3 to 4 p.m. when the crowds from Machu Picchu have left, allowing us to enjoy this place with few people.
Next, we will hike for another hour downhill from the Sun Gate to the viewpoints of Machu Picchu, which offer breathtaking views. We will arrive at Machu Picchu in the afternoon and have the unique opportunity to see the citadel almost empty—the perfect day for a photo! Then, you will have 2 options, take a bus to Aguas Calientes or you can hike down to Aguas Calientes, have dinner in a local restaurant, and spend the night in a 2–3-star hotel.
Dinner will be served in a restaurants in the town. Our hotel is also located on exclusive sites. It has a private bathroom, hot showers, Wi-Fi, and beautiful views.
- Hiking Distance: 13 km / 8 mi
- Duration: 7 hours
- Highest Altitude: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft (Sun Gate)
- Meals: Boxlunch, and dinner
- Accommodation: 2-star hotel
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 2: Explore Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco
On the final day of the Short Inca Trail hike, we will get up early and prepare for the highlight of the tour: visiting Machu Picchu—the Lost City of the Incas. Breakfast will be served in the hotel, and we will board the first buses to Machu Picchu. Arriving as the sky brightens, we will visit the city’s incredible views. On a clear day, we can watch the spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu.
Our guide will take you on a 2 to 3-hour comprehensive tour of the city before leaving us in Machu Picchu to explore on our own or take an extra hike to either Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Montaña (tickets must be booked well in advance). We will explore Machu Picchu’s most remarkable places with a private tour guide, visit the temples, palaces, and farming terraces, and learn about the city’s history.
Optional: After the Machu Picchu tour, you can hike down to Aguas Calientes using the Hiram Bingham original trail. On the way, you will visit the Machu Picchu Museum and the butterfly station and enjoy fantastic views.
After the tour of Machu Picchu, we will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes for lunch. You will have time to explore the town, choose a restaurant of your preference, and buy souvenirs in the local market. Later in the afternoon, you will board the Panoramic train (Vistadome or 360°) and bus back to Cusco. The TreXperience Team will meet you off the train and return you safely to our hotel. Our arrival time to Cusco is around 7:30 p.m.
- Tour Duration: 2-3 hours exploring Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
- Meals: Breakfast (hotel)
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Pick up from your hotel
- Private transport from your hotel to the train station or bus station
- English speaking professional guide experienced in trekking .
- Private guided tour in Machu Picchu
- Expedition Tourist Train from Ollantaytambo to KM 104 – Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo .
- Admission Tickets to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu Archaeological site.
- One night Hotel in Aguas Calientes (hot shower,bathroom, private room )
- Box Lunch
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
- Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu (round trip – day 2)
- Dinner in Aguas Calientes town
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Bus tickets from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (day 1)
- Extra porter (If you need a help with your personal stuff)
- Wayna Picchu Mountain US$65
- Machu Picchu Mountain US $60
- First breakfast (day 1)
- Last lunch at Machu Picchu (day 2)
- Tips for your staff
AVAILABLE ADD-ONS
The Short Inca Trail Trek DOES NOT INCLUDE an extra porter so, you will need to carry all your things. Please try to pack as light as possible, which is key to enjoying this amazing trek.
- Original Passport ( same you have used for booking your trek)
- Good daypack (25 to 30 liters)
- Water storage: 2-3 litre Camelbaks are encouraged.
- Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
- Toilet Paper
- 2 t-shirts
- 1 hiking or comfortable pants
- Undergarments
- Hiking socks
- Polar or sweater for early mornings and evenings
- Jacket
- Face moisturizer
- Hand Sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and paste
- Personal medications
- Sun Hat
- Sunscreen
- Wool Hat if cold season for evenings or early morning
- Rain jacket – rainy season
- Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruit
- Rain plastic poncho
- Camera
- Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
