2 Days Inca Trail

The 2 Day Inca Trail, popularly known as the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, is one of the famous alternative hikes to Machu Picchu. It takes you through some of the iconic Inca sites and gives you a glimpse into Andean traditions and Peruvian history.

The Classic 4-Day Inca Trail is the most popular route to reach Machu Picchu. However, due to its growing demand and in order to preserve its authenticity, local authorities have introduced permits for the Inca Trail. These permits only allow access to 500 people per day, including porters, guides, cooks, and visitors.

Inca Trail permits usually sell out as soon as they go on sale, six months in advance. Often, people who book at the last minute have no choice and seek an alternative route to make their visit to the lost Incas memorable. We highly recommend doing the 2 days Inca Trail to get an overview of Inca history and Andean traditions.

Why Choose the 2-Day Inca Trail by Inca Memories?

At Inca Memories, we are a locally owned and fully licensed Inca Trail tour operator, committed to delivering a reliable, punctual, and personalized travel experience. Whether you’re traveling solo or in a group, you’ll be welcomed with warmth and professionalism.

What makes our 2-day Inca Trail hike unique?

• Exclusive Service: We operate private tours without combining groups from other agencies, ensuring a more intimate and personalized journey.
• Small Group Focus: Our tours are limited to 2–8 participants, allowing for a richer, more attentive experience compared to larger group tours.
• Seamless Coordination: You’ll travel with your guide on the same train to the short Inca Trail trailhead, ensuring consistency and smooth logistics from start to finish.
• Expert Local Guides: Our knowledgeable guides are passionate about the Inca Trail and engage in ongoing professional development to provide the highest level of insight and care.
• Early Return to Cusco: Your return train departs Aguas Calientes at 2:55 PM, allowing you to arrive back in Cusco early — perfect for a restful night or to join another adventure the following day.
• With Inca Memories, you’ll not only hike a legendary trail, but you’ll also experience it through the eyes of those who know it best.

2 Day Inca Trail Hike:

This tour is a relatively easier option. You will not have to hike to high altitudes or camp in remote areas. In fact, families with young children often opt for the 2 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

The 12-kilometer (7.4-mile) trail to the lost Inca city takes you through three notable Inca sites: Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, and Intipunku (Sungate). The route offers amazing views of the snow-capped peaks of the Peruvian Andes. You will walk through the different species of flora and fauna characteristic of the region.

We are a local tourism company. At Inca Memories, we have a dedicated team of local English-speaking guides for the Inca Trail. They have walked the trail over a hundred times. As locals, they have extensive knowledge about the traditions and history and are also trained in first aid.

Join us as a solo traveler, couple, or small group to follow in the footsteps of the Incas on this short 2 day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu.

Please note that although the hike is not as high as the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, we strongly recommend that you spend at least 2-3 days in Cusco acclimatizing to avoid altitude sickness.

The best time of year to hike the 2 Days Inca Trail is from March to November, during the dry season.

Summary:

• TOUR NAME: 2 Days Short Inca hike to Machu Picchu with Hotel at Aguas Calientes
• BRIEFING: There will be a briefing (Informative Meeting) at 17:00 PM at Your Hotel in Cusco. During this session, you’ll meet your guide and the other members of your trekking group. The guide will share essential information.
• PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH GUIDE: Scolted Guide From Cusco to Km 104 Inca Trail Trailhead (Our Guide will come and Pick you up from your Hotel in Cusco or Sacred Valley)
• GROUP SIZE: 02 People Minimum (04 – 06 Average) and 08 People Maximum
• STARTING POINT: Pick-up from Cusco & Sacred Valley Hotel/Airbnb. From 4:30 am to 5:00 am
• ENDING POINT: Drop-off in Cusco at Hotel/Airbnb
• DEPARTURE: Daily (Based on Availability) INCA TRAIL SPACES. If you are a group of 02 we depart (No matter if you have paid as large group service). We NEVER pass our people onto another operator as most agencies do here in cusco.
• HIKING DISTANCE: 17km /8miles
• PHYSICAL LEVEL: Level 2. Inca Trail Requires some physical preparation and we also recommend to Aclimatize 2 days before we begin the inca trail
• ALTITUDE: Highiest Point. Inti Punku (Sun Gate) 2,720 m/8923 ft. and Aguas Calientes Hotel Lowest Point 1,900 m/ 6233 ft.
• TRANSPORTATION: Private Van/Bus to Ollantaytambo & Expedition Train at 6:40am to Km 104 (Trailhead) as well as Expedition Train Back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo Between 13:00pm to 20:55pm (Subjet to Availability) and Bus back From Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• ACCOMMODATIONS: 1 Night in a Hotel in Aguas Calientes (Twin Bed room, 3 Beds room, 4 Bed room) Upon Request
• MEALS: 1 breakfast, 1 Box Lunch, 1 dinner (Vegetarian, Vegan and Free Gluten with NO extra cost, Upon Request)
• SHORT INCA TRAIL AND MACHU PICCHU: Inca Trail Permits & Machu Picchu entrance fee Included.

Please Note:

• We can do this trek on any day of your choice as long as we have a minimum of two hikers. All departures are 100% GUARANTEED once bookings are confirmed.
• The availability of permits is subject to those issued by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture.