Tour overview
The 2-Day Inca Trail is the shortest way to reach Machu Picchu on foot, just like the Incas did: walking through the Sun Gate and watching the citadel appear below you. At Magone Viajes we handle everything, including permits, guide, train, bus, a hotel in Aguas Calientes and your Machu Picchu ticket, so you can experience the Inca Trail without camping or committing to the classic four-day trek.
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Best time to travel April to October
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Maximum altitude About 2,700 m / 8,860 ft (Sun Gate)
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Physical difficulty Moderate (about 12 km / 7.5 miles, 6 to 7 hours of hiking)
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Minimum number of passengers 2 adults
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Maximum number of passengers 10 adults
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Booking lead time 3 to 6 months in advance (permits are limited)
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Permits Required and issued by name; you'll need your passport details to book
Highlights
- A one-day hike along the final section of the Inca Trail, with a hotel night and a guided Machu Picchu tour the next morning.
- Sites: Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) and the Machu Picchu citadel.
- Perfect if you're short on time or don't want to camp, but still want to arrive at Machu Picchu on foot.
- Duration: 2 days and 1 night, with 6 to 7 hours of hiking on day one.
- Price on request per person, with permits, train, bus, hotel and entrance fees included.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Km 104 – Wiñay Wayna – Sun Gate – Aguas Calientes
Pickup and train to Km 104
We pick you up from your Cusco hotel early in the morning and head to the station for a scenic train ride through the Urubamba Valley. You get off at Kilometer 104, where the hike begins and park rangers check permits and passports.
Chachabamba
Our first stop is Chachabamba, a small ceremonial site by the river with fountains and ritual baths. Your Magone Viajes guide explains how the trail worked as a pilgrimage route to Machu Picchu.
The climb to Wiñay Wayna
The most demanding part of the day is a steady climb through cloud forest, orchids and canyon views. We go at your pace, with plenty of stops to rest and take photos.
Wiñay Wayna
We reach Wiñay Wayna ("forever young"), one of the most beautiful sites on the entire Inca Trail, with farming terraces and buildings clinging to the mountainside. This is where we stop for lunch.
The Sun Gate and your first view of Machu Picchu
The last stretch leads to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, where Machu Picchu suddenly spreads out below you. It's the highlight of the trip. We walk down toward the citadel for your first photos, then take the bus to Aguas Calientes, where you spend the night at your hotel.
Day 2: Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco
Guided tour of Machu Picchu
In the morning we take the bus back up for a guided tour of your assigned circuit: temples, plazas, terraces and the citadel's most important spots, explored at a relaxed pace now that the hike is behind you.
Free time and return
After the tour you head back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch on your own and some time to explore. In the afternoon you take the train back, followed by a transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
Tips
- Spend at least two days acclimatizing in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before the hike.
- Bring your original passport. It must match the one on your permit, and rangers check it at the trailhead.
- Wear broken-in hiking shoes or boots, not new ones.
- Pack layers, a light rain jacket, a hat and sunscreen.
- Bring insect repellent, because there are mosquitoes in the cloud forest.
- Pack a small daypack. Your main luggage stays in Cusco.
- Book months ahead, especially for May through September, because permits sell out fast.
What's included
Included
- Pickup from your Cusco hotel and transfer to the train station.
- Train to Km 104 and return train from Aguas Calientes.
- Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu entrance ticket.
- Professional Magone Viajes guide.
- Lunch on the trail (box lunch).
- One night at a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Round-trip bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
- Transfer from the train station to your Cusco hotel.
Not included
- Breakfast on day one and meals in Aguas Calientes.
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets.
- Tips (optional).
- Travel insurance.
- Personal expenses, souvenirs and other extras.
- Any services not listed in this program.
Frequently asked questions
How far do you hike?
About 12 km (7.5 miles) over 6 to 7 hours on day one. On day two you only walk inside Machu Picchu.
Is it hard?
It's moderate. The climb to Wiñay Wayna is the toughest part, but anyone in good health with some hiking experience can do it.
Do I need a permit?
Yes. You can only hike the Inca Trail with an official permit, issued in each traveler's name through a licensed operator like Magone Viajes.
How far in advance should I book?
Ideally several months ahead, especially for the dry season. Spots are limited and permits can't be transferred to another name.
Do we camp?
No. On the 2-day trek you sleep in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Is it open year-round?
No. The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance and because of heavy rains.
How is it different from the 4-day Inca Trail?
The 4-day trek covers about 40 km (26 miles), crosses passes above 4,000 m (13,000 ft) and involves camping. The 2-day trek covers only the final section, which includes some of the most beautiful sites, and still arrives through the Sun Gate.
Can I add Huayna Picchu?
Yes, if there's availability. Just ask when you book and Magone Viajes will add it to your itinerary.
