Taking on a 2-day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu is one of the best ways to explore one of Peru’s top attractions.
Not everyone has four or five days to hike this classic trail, but missing out on Machu Picchu simply isn’t an option. So, if you want to explore the Andes on one of the shortest hikes to Machu Picchu, look no further than this epic two-day and one-night tour.
This Machu Picchu Inca Trail tour includes a one-night stay in a lovely Aguas Calientes Town (or Machu Picchu Pueblo) hotel. This allows you to get a deeper understanding of the area and truly admire Peru’s rich history.
While we offer a Machu Picchu day tour, this two-day hike is the best option if you’re not prepared for a long trek but still want a slightly more detailed tour. You’ll be able to admire loads of Incan sites throughout the tour. Some popular places you’ll visit include the Chachabamba Archeological Site, Wiñaywayna Inca Site, the iconic sunset photo spot at Sungate, and the upper section of the Machu Picchu Inca Site. You’ll also be able to enjoy it all without the crowds.
Remember that this 2-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu unearths far more than just historic sites. You’ll find amazing views, vibrant plants and endemic animals typical of the region. If that’s not enough, we’ll also provide interesting facts and unique local knowledge about the area and its biodiversity.
This 2-day hike to Machu Picchu covers roughly 12km (7.5 miles) from Chachabamba to Machu Picchu, which you’ll cover on day one. You’ll then have an opportunity to rest for the night in Aguas Calientes.
Day two has an early start, with postcard-worthy sunrise photos at Machu Picchu. After, it’s time for a long and in-depth guided tour of one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
If this sounds like your ideal way to enjoy the Inca Trail trek, all the information you need about the tour can be found below.
The best option is in your hands!!!
2-Day Machu Picchu Hike Via the Inca Trail Tour Details
Here are all the finer details you’ll need to know before booking your 2-day Machu Picchu tour from Cusco.
Highlights for Your Short Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu
Type of Tour: Culture, History, Adventure, Hiking, and one night in a Hotel
All Distance: 12km / 7.5 miles
Inca Trail Elevation Gain: 969 meters / 3,179 feet
Good For: Adventure lovers who would love a short hike to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail. Those who enjoy nature and culture and have a moderate fitness level.
Difficulty: Moderate
Consideration: PERMITS ARE LIMITED, AND THERE IS A HIGH DEMAND FOR THIS TREK
Useful Information for Your Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour
- We will ensure your safety above all else.
- Enjoy a well-rounded two-day adventure along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, where you can take plenty of photos of the stunning views surrounding you. So, cameras are highly recommended.
- Your belongings will be sent to your hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- You’ll walk the unique trail to Machu Picchu as the Incas used to do a long time ago.
- Enjoy the majestic sunset of Machu Picchu.
- You have to be prepared for a lot of mosquitoes, so bring insect repellent.
- We are using local staff and natural resources.
- We are a local company that considers sustainable responsibility.
- Your professional mountain tour guide will brief you the night before your Machu Picchu trek in our office or at your hotel.
Your Machu Picchu 2-Day Hike Includes
- Pick up from your hotel by your professional tour guide
- Professional trilingual Mountain Tour Guide (English — Spanish — Quechua)
- Professional assistant tour guide (for groups of more than 9 people)
- Entrance fee to Inca Trail
- Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
- Transportation to Ollantaytambo Town
- Train from Ollantaytambo to Chachabamba (Km 104)
- Meals (1 breakfast, 1 snack, 1 packed lunch, and 1 dinner)
- Entrance fee for our team
- Bus tickets from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (evening of day 1)
- We will transport your belongings to your hotel
- 3-star hotel in Aguas Caliente
- Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (morning of day 2)
- Tour of the entire Machu Picchu Archaeological site
- Bus tickets from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (evening of day 2)
- Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
- First aid kit
- Oxygen tank
- VEGETARIAN FOOD IS OPTIONAL WITHOUT EXTRA COST!!!
Your Machu Picchu 2-Day Hike Excludes
- Single supplement fee for the hotel room
- First breakfast (day 1), lunch and dinner (day 2)
- Entrance fee for Huayna Picchu Mountain
- Tips (will be much appreciated)
- Extra snacks
- Travel Insurance
What to Expect From This Two-Day Inca Trail Itinerary
Here, we cover everything you can expect when you hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu on our 2-day tour.
Day 1: CUSCO – CHACHABAMBA (KM 104) – TREKKING TO MACHU PICCHU
We will pick you up from your hotel at 4:00 am. We will then drive you to the train station of Ollantaytambo. From here, you’ll join the 6:00 am train from Ollantaytambo to Chachabamba, where Km 104 begins.
Throughout the train ride, you’ll be able to admire the spectacular views of the farmlands below and the snow-capped Andes mountains in the distance. This region is also known as ‘The Sacred Valley of the Incas’ and is packed with stunning sightseeing opportunities.
The train passes alongside the Urubamba River, which is one of the major sources of the Amazon River. The Urubamba River is teeming with birdlife, so this is a great opportunity to spot Andean Condors, hawks, and hummingbirds.
Once we arrive at Chachabamba, we’ll start the hike at the Km 104 Trailhead, which is 2,050 m (6,824 ft) above sea level. Before embarking on this Machu Picchu trek, we’ll check that you have everything and provide you with a packed lunch.
The first Inca site is just 5 minutes from the trailhead, where our guide will tell you some unique facts about the area. We’ll also snap a lovely group photo before continuing the uphill trek toward the Wiñay Wayna Archeological Site.
After hiking for roughly 3 hours, we will reach the most beautiful Inca site on the Inca Trail – Wiñay Wayna (which means Forever Young) at 2650 m (8600 ft). This is a wonderful Inca site where you can enjoy the amazing view of the Urubamba River with a nice waterfall in the background. There are elaborate water fountains, temples, and some agricultural terraces, which provide a perfect opportunity to learn more about the way of the Inca knowledge and their history.
Before leaving Wiñay Wayna, we’ll take more group pictures at Sun Gate, where Machu Picchu will fill the backdrop. After taking in the once-in-a-lifetime views and getting your souvenir photos, we begin our descent to Machu Picchu for sunset. The best aspect of this hiking tour is that you’ll arrive at Machu Picchu in the afternoon when there aren’t many visitors. The sunset also provides glorious photo opportunities, which is another bonus.
After taking photos, we’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to check in to the hotel, which has been pre-booked. Once everyone is checked in and your luggage is retrieved, we’ll head to the number one restaurant for dinner, Indio Feliz. This restaurant is considered the best in Aguas Calientes.
After the amazing dinner (included in the tour price), you can return to the hotel. We definitely recommend you go to bed early and get enough rest for the following day. After all, you’ll need a lot of energy for your visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Note: We generally book the accommodation at the 3-star Inti Punku Inn or something similar.
Day 2: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO CITY
It’s an early start for day two, as we aim to reach Machu Picchu early enough to see the sunrise. While seeing the sunrise is weather-dependent, we will still aim to head up to Machu Picchu early in the morning.
We’ll start with breakfast at the hotel and then head to the bus that will take us to the Machu Picchu Archaeological Site. Just after getting into Machu Picchu, we’ll show you the best spot to take unforgettable sunrise photos for your social media.
Afterward, your guide will take you on a 2-hour tour of Machu Picchu, showing you all the hidden details only a local expert would know. Once the tour is complete, you can explore the archeological site at your own pace.
Before having the independent time to explore Machu Picchu, your guide will give you the bus ticket you’ll need to get back to Agua Calientes. Be sure to keep track of time to ensure you don’t miss the meetup with your tour guide for the bus back into town. Once you’re back in Aguas Calientes, you and your guide will take the two-hour train ride back to Cusco.
Note: If you’d like to climb up Huayna Picchu Mountain, the trek will take you around 50 minutes to complete. Unfortunately, this tour doesn’t include this hike, but we can add it to your itinerary if you would like. Hiking permits are limited, so do let us know if you’re interested in advance. Adding this to your tour will cost an extra 65 US$.
What Is Included in Your 2-Day Machu Picchu Tour
- Professional Tour Guides: All of our tour guides attended the San Antonio Abad Cusco University or have a college degree. They also all speak excellent English. However, the most important aspect is that all our tour guides are local people who grew up in the Andes with much ancient knowledge, ready to help broaden your knowledge of their ancestors’ traditions. At the same time, they are funny and professional, making sure you’re safe and happy.
- Permits: After we receive your deposit and personal information, our staff will get your permits for the Inca Trail. This permit is for a specific date, and the name provided on the permit will need to match your passport details.
- Transportation: All transportation during the tour is included via car and train from the beginning to the end. Our services are door-to-door, so we’ll pick you up from your hotel and take you back to your hotel the following day.
- Equipment: Sparrow Explorer has the best equipment for the Inca Trail treks. Your safety, happiness, and enjoyment of the entire experience are of utmost importance to us.
- Food: Our healthy and organic food is prepared by our chef, who has a lot of experience cooking in this mountainous region. You will also have the chance to tell us of any dietary requirements, and we will be sure to cater to this.
- Water: Remember that water is crucial for the hike to avoid dehydration and ensure you can breathe well. The hike’s elevation will make breathing slightly more difficult, so staying hydrated is essential. We will provide some water, but it’s important you bring extra.
- First Aid Kit: Your safety is one of our first priorities. As such, our first aid kit is complete with basic things you can need for the trek. We will also have an oxygen tank in the event you are struggling with the elevation gain and need assistance.
- Extras: We will brief you on the tour the day before we leave so you can prepare. Some important extras to bring include rain ponchos, suncream, and a few smaller bits and bobs that will be easy to purchase before we leave. Our team will take care of your luggage and deliver it to your hotel, so you don’t need to worry about carrying it around for the entire tour.
What Is Excluded From Your 2-Day Machu Picchu Tour
- Daypacks: We highly recommend bringing your own day pack for the hike. The backpack you’ll bring should have enough space for the hike. We recommend a small to medium-sized day pack, as this is only a two-day Machu Picchu hike, and your main luggage will be delivered to the hotel. Bear in mind that the tour guide will also help carry some of your belongings to ensure you aren’t carrying loads of extra weight.
- Headlamps: With our experience in the mountains, we recommend having personal headlamps. As it’s a full-day tour, it will get dark towards the end. It also gets fairly foggy in the Andes, and you may need a headlamp when trekking.
- Packing list: As this is a two-day tour, you won’t need to pack a lot. Your belongings will be dropped off at the hotel we’ll stay at for the night, so you won’t need to worry about them. We do recommend including a rain poncho, sunscreen, water, headlamp, walking sticks, and extra snacks. For our longer tours, such as our four-day tours and five-day trips, we provide a more extensive list.
- Extra snacks and things: You can bring your snacks and toilet paper for the hike, as there is no toilet paper at the trail restroom.
- Rentals: While it’s not entirely necessary, we highly recommend each hiker have a walking stick. You can still rent a high-quality walking stick with us if you don’t have one. We also offer rentals for sleeping bags and inflatable mattresses for our longer multi-day tours.
- Walking sticks (per pair): 10 US$
- Huayna Picchu: This is the name of the mountain next to Machu Picchu, from where you can get nice views of the archeological site and the Urubamba River. Fortunately, as mentioned in the itinerary section, you can add the 50-minute hike to this two-day Machu Picchu hiking tour for an extra 65 US$. The permits to visit this site are also limited, so let us know in advance.
Helpful Information for Your Inca Trail 2-Day Hike
Here are a few things to keep in mind before booking this two-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu tour.
Altitude Sickness
It’s common to start wondering about altitude sickness when planning a trip to Peru, especially in Cusco. However, it’s easy to see the signs of altitude sickness.
Headaches, tiredness, dizziness, nausea, tingling, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, and vomiting are all common symptoms of altitude sickness. If you suffer from one of these symptoms, please contact our company or a doctor for assistance.
It’s worth noting, though, that altitude sickness is usually temporary, and staying hydrated with water and coca tea will help a lot. However, some of our customers prefer pills, in which case we suggest you have acetazolamide or dexamethasone and come to Cusco a few days before you intend on taking this tour.
Training for the Inca Trail can also be done by staying in high-altitude regions of Peru for a couple of days before the trek. You can also spend a few days in Cusco drinking plenty of water and coca tea.
Weather
In general, the Andes’ weather is unpredictable, so we suggest being prepared for anything. This is why having waterproof clothes will be a big help, as it can be sunny one minute and rainy the next.
First Aid Kit
All of our mountain guides have their first aid kits and a lot of training in first aid in the mountains. Every year, they receive classes from doctors on how to treat the most frequent problems — diarrhea, cuts, headaches, scrapes, etc.
They will also have an oxygen tank to help you feel much better should you need it. You’re more than welcome to bring your own first aid kit for the trek.
Travel Insurance
It is always a good idea to have travel insurance during your travels. Our tour doesn’t include travel insurance, so we highly recommend getting insurance before you leave for Peru. This will come in handy if you have any serious illness or if something happens while you’re on holiday.
If you don’t have travel insurance, this is also fine, and you are still more than welcome to book this tour.
Environmental Impact
This company is a travel agency that protects our environment. We’re a sustainable company that uses biodegradable packaging for meals. We also consider the leave-no-trace principles during our tours as a way to help reduce the effects of global warming and ensure everyone protects our home (planet Earth).
Community
Most important for us is our amazing team. As we are a local company, the families and communities of our team feel proud of everyone involved at Sparrow Explorer. By sharing the culture and knowledge of our ancestors, everyone who joins our tours can better understand our traditions, behaviors, and customs.
By doing this, we can help protect everything left by our ancestors, as we believe in “Love just the things that you know.” This way, in our own small way, we can help preserve the amazing Inca culture for generations to come.
