2-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

2-day Inca Inca Trail Tour

Experience the magic of hiking on the original Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in just two days.

Walk through stunning mountain scenery, explore ancient ruins like Wiñay Wayna. With an incredible feeling of satisfaction, arrive at the Machu Picchu ruins through the iconic Sun Gate.

The 2-day Inca Trail is ideal for families and those seeking a taste of trekking along ancient Inca paths to the world-renowned UNESCO site, Machu Picchu.

A peaceful night in Aguas Calientes is followed by an in-depth tour of Peru's famous Machu Picchu ruins.

2-day Inca Trail Highlights

• Fully-supported 2-day Inca Trail hike with all entry permits included

• Wiñay Wayna ruins

• Enter Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate, Inti Punku

• The best guided Machu Picchu tour

• Beautiful train journeys along the Sacred Valley

Who better to guide you to the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu than a team voted Trip Advisor Travellers’ choice for travel for the last four years running?

Our English-speaking guides and Cusco-based bilingual team organize all the trains, permits, and entry tickets so you enjoy your hassle-free 2-day Inca Trail hike to the maximum.

The unforgettable 12km hike starts at kilometer 104 and follows the original Inca Trail to the majestic Machu Picchu. Explore unforgettable archaeological sites, such as Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna, on your Andes adventure.

Your first—and best— panoramic view of Machu Picchu comes from the iconic Inti Punku (Sun Gate). Our guides bring Machu Picchu’s ancient tales to life as you explore this new wonder of the world.

Immerse yourself in an unforgettable adventure on this 2-day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu, perfect for friends, family, and those seeking to connect with Peru’s past.

2-day Inca Trail: A quick overview

• Duration: 2 Days / 1 Night

• Distance: ~12 km (7.5 miles)

• Difficulty: Moderate

• Guide: Professional, licensed English-speaking guide from Km104

• KM zero: 100% local licensed company.

• Altitude: Max 2,700m / 8,858 ft

• Starts: Ollantaytambo / KM104

• Ends: Ollantaytambo/Cusco

• Accommodation: One night in a 3* hotel in Aguas Calientes—please ask about upgrades.

• Meals: 2 breakfasts, one boxed lunch, one dinner in an organic restaurant (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and more dietary requirements available)

• Departures: Daily

• Acclimatization: We recommend at least two nights in Cusco or a similar location immediately before starting.

• Group Size: Max 10 people

• Best Season: April to October

• Price: From $555 per person

• Payment: We accept PayPal and Visa

2-day Inca Trail Hike Itinerary

The 2-day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu requires two full days to complete. You'll walk 6-8 hours on the first day, and then have a 2-3 hour tour of Machu Picchu on the second day.

Day 1: Catch a train to kilometer 104 → 07.45 disembark at kilometer 104 → Inca Trail checkpoint → Chachabamba ruins → Wiñay Wayna ruins and lunch → Descend to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) → Bus to Aguas Calientes and walk to your hotel → Dinner at local organic restaurant → Sleep at Aguas Calientes

Day 2: 0600 Breakfast → 0700 bus to ruins → Two-hour guided tour (options to climb others) → Bus to Aguas Calientes → Hot springs (optional) → Train to Ollantaytambo, bus to Cusco, ends

Remember: you can start or end your trip in Ollantaytambo or Cusco. See below for optional additional hikes in and around the Machu Picchu ruins.

Our highest trekking point is 2,700m / 8,858 ft. Acclimate beforehand with tours in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.

Top acclimatization tips: Walk slowly, avoid sudden movements, drink coca tea, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol, caffeine, and heavy meals.

Timings for the 2-day Inca Trail hike

Day 1 of Inca Trail Hike

03.30   Train from Cusco to KM 104 for anyone staying in Cusco.

06.10   Train from Ollantaytambo to KM 104 for people staying in Ollantaytambo (recommended).

07.45   Arrive at KM 104.

08.00   Start walking the Inca Trail, visit Chachabamba and Wiñya Wayna ruins.

11.30.  Arrive at Wiñya Wayna (approx.)

12.15 p.m. Lunch

2 p.m.  Arrive at Sun Gate, Inti Punku, for the perfect panoramic shot of Machu Picchu

3 p.m. Photo-taking opportunities at Machu Picchu

3.30 p.m.   Descend to Aguas Calientes

4 p.m.  Check in to the hotel

7 p.m.  Dinner

Day 2 of Inca Trail Hike

06.00   Breakfast

07.00   Bus to Machu Picchu

08.00   Guided tour

10.00   Ask about optional climbs of Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, Huchuy Picchu, and The Inca Bridge. (Permits required in advance, limited supply).

11.00   Free time/return to Aguas Calientes (optional hot springs visit)

3 p.m.  Train back to Ollantaytambo

5.30 p.m.         Arrive Ollantaytambo, option to take a bus to Cusco

7.30 p.m.         Arrive Cusco

Detailed itinerary for 2-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Day 1: Train from Cusco (03.30 a.m.) or Ollantaytambo (06.00 a.m.) to KM104

The 2-day Inca Trail begins at KM104, which is only accessible by train. We organize all the train tickets, Inca Trail permits, hotels, porters, and transfers so you can enjoy the trek to the maximum.

Tip tip: We recommend staying in Ollantaytambo the night before the 2-day Inca Trail trek. That means you can catch a 06:00 train to KM104. The Cusco train to KM104 leaves around 3:30 a.m. and requires a much earlier alarm call.

Our team will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco or Ollantaytambo and transfer you to the station.

The train trip from Ollantaytambo to KM104 is spectacular, with phenomenal views of snow-capped mountains and the river we follow, the Urubamba. We pass farmers' fields and small villages as we descend the Sacred Valley. The flora slowly transforms from verdant pastures to lush jungle, overflowing with orchids and ferns.

Breakfast at KM 104: the Inca Trail gateway

We disembark at the famous KM104 after a beautiful two-hour train journey. You’ll notice the warmer air temperature at these lower climes compared to Cusco.. You can feel the warm breath of Peru's Amazon rainforest on your skin. This fertile zone produces a vast array of plants, including yucca and sweet potatoes.

We must first pass through the Inca Trail checkpoint, where our passports and permits are verified before we begin our trek. We take care of all the necessary paperwork at the time of booking, but do remember to bring your passport with you.

Chachabamba ruins

Immediately, we encounter Inca history and ruins. As we cross the Urubamba River, we discover the Chachabamba archaeological site. Chachabamba was only discovered in 1940 and is believed to have religious importance as one of the gatehouses that protected Machu Picchu.

The ruins, situated at 2,150m / 7,054ft, feature ceremonial water baths, a natural rock altar, and a small plaza. Its water fountains and perfectly constructed canals demonstrate the ingenuity and skill of its 15th-century Inca engineers. Indeed, they are still in use to this day.

In Inca times, pilgrims would stop here to purify themselves before their final journey to Machu Picchu. Water was considered a life-giving force, helping those seeking spiritual guidance on their journey to Machu Picchu. Chachabamba’s terraces also likely helped cultivate crops along the Urubamba River.

Hiking to Wiñay Wayna from KM 104

The short Inca Trail hike begins in earnest now, as we set off for Wiñay Wayna (2,650m / 8,695ft), which means ‘Forever Young.’ It’s an uphill climb with some flat parts, and our efforts are sumptuously rewarded on the 3-4 hour route. 

Top tips: It's likely to be warm and humid; bring light-fitting clothes, plenty of water, and sunscreen.

The trail is beautiful, featuring waterfalls, stunning views of the Sacred Valley, and numerous orchids to photograph. The Urubamba Valley is estimated to have more than 400 types of orchids. We rise slowly up the mountainside, spotting how the vegetation changes as we climb higher and leave the humid riverside.

There’s a chance to photograph Machu Picchu mountain during the walk, but not the main ruins. Our destination is Wiñya Wayna. It means forever young in Quechua, and hopefully, you will feel that way on arrival at this magical spot.

About Wiñay Wayna ruins

Wiñay Wayna is one of Peru's most picturesque Inca archaeological sites, situated on a hillside above the Urubamba River.

Agricultural terraces abound, but it is the Temple of the Rainbow, fountains, and stonework that set it apart, alongside its panoramic views. A unique circular building in the upper section is a testament to Inca skills once more.

There is a precarious staircase that links the upper and lower levels, with ancient fountains and baths built in.

We hope to have Wiñay Wayna to ourselves as we enjoy lunch with unmatched views. Sometimes mist clings to these ruins in the cloud forest, adding to their mystical charm.

Hiking to the Sun Gate, Inti Punku

Bellies full, a gentle 3-mile (4.7km) trail leads us towards Machu Picchu. 

Leaving Wiñay Wayna, we head towards the Sun Gate, Inti Punku, located at 2,745m/9,005ft. We’ll have to navigate some steep Inca stairs, known as "the monkey steps", to reach the famous Sun Gate (Inti Punku, 2730 m).

As we approach the gate, there is no suggestion of the view that awaits.

 About the Sun Gate, Inti Punku

The Sun Gate name is not an Inca title; it was bestowed by early explorers visiting Machu Picchu. In Quechua, the Sun is Inti, and Punku means a gate or door; hence, today's Inti Punku.

Inti Punku was Machu Picchu’s most important protection, and also its entrance point. The elite used this doorway to reach Machu Picchu, having followed the Qhapac Ñan, which is now known as the Inca Trail. The Qhapac Ñan connected Machu Picchu to the Inca Empire.

The Sun Gate’s south-easterly position means that sunlight illuminates the Sun Gate in Peru’s summer solstice, December 21. 

We’ll spend time taking photos from Inti Punku of the Machu Picchu ruins, some 300m/985ft below, hopefully having the place to ourselves. With those memories in the back, it takes around an hour for us to walk down to Machu Picchu.

However, we won’t enter the Inca citadel just yet. We fork right, then catch a bus at the Machu Picchu entrance down to Aguas Calientes and our hotel.

Dinner is included at a local organic restaurant, followed by a refreshing sleep before tomorrow's extensive tour. 

• Distance: 6.3 miles / 10 km

• Elevation: 2,150m-2,650m-2,750m-2,040m in Aguas Calientes.

• Hiking time: 4-5 hours

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

 Day 2: Machu Picchu, return to Ollantaytambo or Cusco

Today, we explore the Lost City of the Incas — Machu Picchu.

It’s an early start because we want to enjoy sunrise at Machu Picchu. We wake up at 05:30 and have breakfast at 06:00. We’ll board a bus for the 20-minute bus ride to the Machu Picchu ruins entrance, passports in hand for the checkpoint.

Your guide will take you on a two-and-a-half-hour tour around one of the world's most important temples. Have your camera ready.

Highlights include:

Intihuatana (Sun Clock): Beautiful sundial carved into the rock.

The Temple of the Sun: Enormous rock and the most sacred of all Machu Picchu's temples.

Temple of the Condor: A natural rock formation sculpted into a magnificent flying condor image.

Temple of the Three Windows: A temple in Machu Picchu’s Sacred Plaza.

Different walking circuits at Machu Picchu

There are ten Machu Picchu circuits, which can be divided into three main sections. This helps limit the number of visitors on site at any time and protects Machu Picchu. Please let us know which option you prefer so we can secure the best permits for your tour.

Circuit 1: The Panoramic Circuits

This suits people who want to take the iconic photograph of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, which we will have already visited, or who want to hike up one of the mountains surrounding the Machu Picchu ruins. That does mean visiting relatively few ruins with Machu Picchu.

Circuit 2: The Classic City Circuits

The classic circuits are aptly named; they are the most popular circuits thanks to their superb overview of Machu Picchu. Visitors can wander the lower and upper terraces and take an iconic selfie in front of the ruins.

Circuit 3: The Royalty Circuit

The Royalty Circuit is the most accessible because it has relatively few stairs. Highlights include the Royal Palace and the Temple of the Sun.

You can add extra hikes to enjoy after your visit to Machu Picchu. These vary from gentle climbs to fantastic vantage points, to challenging stairs, and airy lookouts. We'll need to purchase permits for these walks in advance, as spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The most popular routes are:

Huayna Picchu: A challenging two-hour climb up steep steps which leads to a beautiful view over Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu Mountain: Climb 652m/2,139ft above Machu Picchu on an original stone Inca Trail for breathtaking views of the ruins and the surrounding valleys.

Huchuy Picchu Mountain: A gentle climb of 50m/165ft on Inca stairs with birds, orchids, and views for company.

More about extra walking routes in Machu Picchu

Decide which extra walking route suits you best, if any, and we can organize the permits.

Huayna Picchu

Huayna Picchu sells out a long way in advance.  

It is well worth the entry fee. It's an energetic 1-2 hour walk to the top, featuring steep staircases and steel cables for support at points. In wet weather, it can be slippery. Once you reach the top, you gain a new and wonderful perspective of Machu Picchu. Huayna Picchu also offers access to the Temple of the Moon, one of the three main temples at Machu Picchu.

The peak of Huayna Picchu sits at 2,693m/8,835ft, around 260m/850ft higher than Machu Picchu.

Top tip: Huayna Picchu is not recommended for people with vertigo or a fear of heights. There are some steep stairs and vertiginous areas.

Machu Picchu Mountain

Machu Picchu Mountain doesn’t sell out as fast as Huayna Picchu. However, it is still recommended to buy the ticket as soon as possible.

The Machu Picchu Mountain trek is considered to be a moderate to challenging hike. You follow the original Inca Trail up to its peak, at 3,082m/10,111ft, which offers breathtaking views of the ruins and valleys, and is approximately 652m/2,139ft above Machu Picchu. 

We recommend around 90 minutes to climb up and an hour to descend. During the wet season, the trail can become more slippery. Again, this is not suitable for people with a fear of heights; in places, the track is very steep and often follows the mountain edge.

Huchuy Picchu Mountain

Huchuy Picchu's name translates to "small mountain," but that belies its true beauty. The peak is 50 metres (164 feet) above Machu Picchu.

Walkers head along Inca stairs and pathways lined with orchids and bird song for about one kilometer. You need to be in reasonable physical shape for the stairs, and the entire path takes around an hour to an hour and a half to complete.

Returning to Aguas Calientes and Ollantaytambo/Cusco

With our Machu Picchu tours complete, we take the 20-minute bus ride back down to Aguas Calientes. Depending on schedules, there may be time to soak in the town’s healing hot springs (entry fee not included).

We’ll board a PM train to Ollantaytambo, where you can disembark or continue by bus to Cusco.

Please take a moment to review our FAQs below and learn more about travelling in Peru.

We also offer the 4-day Inca Trail. If permits are gone, why not try Lares, Rainbow Mountain, or Ausangate?

Why choose us for your 2-day Inca Trail hike?

• Local, licensed expert guides

• Small private groups for a personal experience

• Eco-conscious and culturally respectful staff

• 24/7 support in Cusco and during your hike

• All logistics and permits taken care of

2-day Inca Trail Hike: FAQs

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