Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – 2-Day Tour

The 2-day Short Inca Trail tour starts early in the morning. You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the Ollantaytambo train station, a journey of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. During the trip toward Machu Picchu, you will enjoy views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, farmlands, and snow-capped mountains.

Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, you will board the train that takes you to Km 104, with a travel time of about 1 hour. It is at Km 104 (2,200 m / 7,217 ft) where the hike begins. We will cross a bridge over the Urubamba River, also known as Willkamayuc, which in Quechua means “Sacred River” and was very important to the Incas.

At the control point, you will be required to present your passport or identification documents. Just a few minutes from here, we will visit the first archaeological site, Chachabamba, located in the semi-tropical forest. After this visit, the hike continues along ascending trails.

Along the way, you will enjoy views of the Sacred Valley, waterfalls, and a variety of orchid species native to the semi-tropical forest. After approximately three hours of hiking, we arrive at Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m / 8,694 ft), an impressive archaeological site that showcases Inca agricultural techniques. Its slopes are covered with extensive agricultural terraces where the Incas cultivated various crops.

The name Wiñay Wayna comes from a beautiful orchid abundant in the area and means “Forever Young.” The site features more than 20 structures, including the Temple of the Rainbow, also known as the Temple of Fertility. The guided visit lasts about one hour, after which you will enjoy a boxed lunch to recharge before continuing to the Wiñay Wayna checkpoint.

In the second part of the hike, we walk for approximately two more hours through Andean landscapes, stone stairways, and tambos (Inca rest stops) until reaching Inti Punku – the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,923 ft). During Inca times, this site served as the main entrance control to the citadel of Machu Picchu. From here, you will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Machu Picchu and the surrounding valley.

We then descend for about 30 minutes to reach the Machu Picchu Citadel (2,490 m / 8,169 ft). After the visit, we take a bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes (2,160 m / 7,086 ft), a ride of approximately 20 minutes. Here, you will spend the night at a comfortable hotel and enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants.

 Guided Tour of Machu Picchu

In the early hours of the morning, we will head enthusiastically to the bus station, ready to go up to the Archaeological Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. On a journey of approximately 30 minutes, we will be transported toward the amazing spectacle of sunrise. It is at this moment that we will begin our guided tour of one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World. Machu Picchu awaits us with all its history and, as we move forward, we will learn about the details and secrets held by this ancient city.

Our guide will tell you about the history and architecture of the citadel, and you will be amazed by the Inca constructions and the natural surroundings. Machu Picchu is a marvel of engineering, art, and architecture in perfect harmony with nature. The citadel has an agricultural and urban area made up of plazas, temples, paths, stairways, terraces, aqueducts, among others. Its design includes areas such as the agricultural terraces, which are held in place by stone retaining walls, and the hydraulic system, which includes channels and aqueducts for transporting water.

Machu Picchu is considered a marvel of agricultural engineering. The Inca city is part of a much larger area known as the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, which covers more than 35,000 hectares and is an important tourist attraction that receives 1.5 million visitors every year.

We then return by bus to Aguas Calientes and, in the afternoon, you will have time for lunch and to share your experiences. Later in the afternoon, we will board the train headed to the Ollantaytambo station, where we will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Cusco.

2-day Inca Trail map