2-Day Short Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu with Sun Gate Entry

2 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Venture into the Short Inca Trail and experience two days filled with history, nature, and unforgettable views. Enjoy picnic buffets surrounded by lush forest a...

Duration: 2 Days · Tour type: Private · Activity level: Moderate · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: No · Cities: Cusco, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Wiñay Wayna · Languages: English, Spanish

Know before you go: Available every day all year round, except February when it is closed for maintenance.; You need to bring the original passport to enter the Inca Trail.; Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available.; Travellers do not need hiking experience; however, they need to be able to hike for around 7 hours on uneven terrain, stairs, and narrow paths.; Payment is non-refundable and non-transferable.

About Machu Picchu

Peru

Machu Picchu

A bucket list topper if there ever was one, Machu Picchu is the great cloud fortress of the Incas. Hit the famous Machu Picchu trail with the help of a local local guide and discover ancient secrets.

Explore Machu Picchu Peru All destinations

What's Included

Pre-tour safety briefing the day before and complimentary luggage storage.
Entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, with two visits (Day 1 & Day 2).
Expert guide for the Inca Trail and a complete guided tour of Machu Picchu.
Hotel pick-up and drop-off from Cusco or the Sacred Valley (Urubamba or Ollantaytambo).
Train to Km 104 (Expedition or Voyager) and return on the Vistadome train.
Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes on Day 1 and round-trip bus service on Day 2.
One night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes, including breakfast.
Day 1: Picnic breakfast and lunch, plus dinner at a local restaurant.
Safety equipment: satellite phone, first-aid kit, and oxygen tank.

Not Included

Lunch on Day 2, after the Machu Picchu tour
Huayna Picchu Mountain
Machu Picchu Mountain or Montaña (different from the citadel)
Travel insurance

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Cusco to Km 104, Wiñaywayna and Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate

Begin with an early hotel pickup in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. Travel by train to Km 104, the official start of the Short Inca Trail, and enjoy a picnic breakfast before setting off. Visit Chachabamba, an ancient Inca site hidden at the foot of the mountains. Ascend through lush cloud forest to Wiñaywayna, renowned for its impressive agricultural terraces and panoramic views. Explore the ruins and enjoy a freshly prepared picnic lunch nearby. Continue along the trail to the Sun Gate (Intipunku) for your first view of Machu Picchu in the soft afternoon light. Walk 30 minutes down to enter the citadel via Circuit 1, where the best viewpoints await with fewer crowds. Capture unforgettable photos before taking the bus down to Aguas Calientes. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, then spend the night in a comfortable 3-star hotel. Distance: 13 km / 8 miles Maximum altitude: 2700 m Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
2

Day 02

Guided Machu Picchu Tour and Return to Cusco

Start with breakfast at your hotel, then catch one of the first buses to Machu Picchu, arriving just as morning light spreads across the mountains. Join your guide for a two-three hour Circuit 3 tour, exploring the citadel's key landmarks and uncovering the stories behind each structure. After the tour, choose an optional hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for spectacular panoramic views (advance booking required). Return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch and a browse through the local market. In the afternoon, board the panoramic train back to Ollantaytambo, then transfer by bus to Cusco, arriving around 7:30 p.m. Guided tour: 2-3 hours Maximum altitude: 2430 m Meals: Breakfast at the hotel.