Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 2 Days
45 Ratings
- Audio Guide
- Live Guide
- Group Tour
- Pickup Service
- E-Ticket












Short on time? This express 2-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu covers the key sites but in a less strenuous hike. Explore the sites of Chachabamba, see the terraces of Wiñay Wayna, and be the few ones to cross the Sun Gate. You will kick off the next day with a full guided tour of Machu Picchu Citadel as you learn about the history of the Incas. All along with a striking Andean backdrop and the luscious upper rainforest. • Join a small-group tour with a high-rated Guide • Spend the night in a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes • Access Machu Picchu through the famous Sun Gate or Inti Punku • Take the scenic round trip train ride to Km 104 and Ollantaytambo
Itinerary Details
Operated by: Salkantay Trekking
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Day 1 Cusco - KM 104 - Chachabamba - Wiñay Wayna - Sun Gate (Inti Punku) - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes
Stop At: Inca Trail
Set out with an early 4:00 am pickup. You'll travel to the town of Ollantaytambo to take a short but scenic train ride to KM 104, the trek starting point. You'll start with stunning landscapes of the Urubamba River up to the first site, Chachabamba, a beautiful Inca enclave near the river. Next up is a 3-hour walk to the famous site of Wiñay Wayna. Here, you'll explore its dramatic terraces, enlighten yourself with history from the guide, and have lunch nearby with an exceptional natural backdrop. Later, you'll continue for 1 hour to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), the must-stop for every Inca trail hiker and the spot where you'll get your first sights over Machu Picchu Citadel. Only a few places on the earth compete with it! With a final stroll down to the Citadel, you'll close the day with a bus transfer to Aguas Calientes, where you'll have dinner and spend the night in a comfortable hotel.
Duration: 6 hour
Day 2 Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Stop At: Machu Picchu
Awake with a fresh coffee or breakfast at the hotel. You'll take one of the first buses to arrive at Machu Picchu before the crowds and see the first sunrise lights as you cross the main gate. The tour with the Guide covers around 2-3 hours of the most remarkable sites in different sections. You'll explore the urban and sacred areas, including walking up to any observatories to get different perspectives of the Citadel. Make sure you got many questions, as you'll learn key facts about this city, now awarded as the world's best cultural destination. If you are up for the extra mile, pick the option to climb Huayna Picchu for mind-blowing views on top. Later, we head down to Aguas Calientes for lunch and continue with the train to Ollantaytambo. For the evening, a private transfer concludes the journey back to your hotel in Cusco.
Duration: 3 hour
Day 1 Cusco - KM 104 - Chachabamba - Wiñay Wayna - Sun Gate (Inti Punku) - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes
Stop At: Inca Trail
Set out with an early 4:00 am pickup. You'll travel to the town of Ollantaytambo to take a short but scenic train ride to KM 104, the trek starting point. You'll start with stunning landscapes of the Urubamba River up to the first site, Chachabamba, a beautiful Inca enclave near the river. Next up is a 3-hour walk to the famous site of Wiñay Wayna. Here, you'll explore its dramatic terraces, enlighten yourself with history from the guide, and have lunch nearby with an exceptional natural backdrop. Later, you'll continue for 1 hour to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), the must-stop for every Inca trail hiker and the spot where you'll get your first sights over Machu Picchu Citadel. Only a few places on the earth compete with it! With a final stroll down to the Citadel, you'll close the day with a bus transfer to Aguas Calientes, where you'll have dinner and spend the night in a comfortable hotel.
Duration: 6 hour
Day 2 Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Stop At: Machu Picchu
Awake with a fresh coffee or breakfast at the hotel. You'll take one of the first buses to arrive at Machu Picchu before the crowds and see the first sunrise lights as you cross the main gate. The tour with the Guide covers around 2-3 hours of the most remarkable sites in different sections. You'll explore the urban and sacred areas, including walking up to any observatories to get different perspectives of the Citadel. Make sure you got many questions, as you'll learn key facts about this city, now awarded as the world's best cultural destination. If you are up for the extra mile, pick the option to climb Huayna Picchu for mind-blowing views on top. Later, we head down to Aguas Calientes for lunch and continue with the train to Ollantaytambo. For the evening, a private transfer concludes the journey back to your hotel in Cusco.
Duration: 3 hour