2-Day 1-Night Inca Trail — Explorer & Adventure

All the Magic. Half the Time.

Itinerary

Day 1 — Cusco → Km 104 → Wiñay Wayna → Aguas Calientes

10 km | 5–6 hours trek | Night: Hotel in Aguas Calientes

4:00 AM — Pick up at your hotel in Cusco. Private transport to Ollantaytambo train station (approximately 1.5 hours).

~6:00 AM — We board the train to Km 104, starting point of the short Inca Trail.

~7:30 AM — Arrival at Km 104 (Chachabamba). Permit checkpoint — original passport required. Your guide briefly explains the ruins of this ancient Inca checkpoint.

8:00 AM — Start of the hike. Gradual ascent up well-preserved Inca steps, immediately immersed in the subtropical cloud forest. Vegetation tunnels, small waterfalls, wild orchids (over 300 species in the area), viewpoints with views of the Urubamba River. Every so often, original stone rest benches.

~12:00 PM — Arrival at the lunch area near Wiñay Wayna. Rest, hydration and a nutritious lunch prepared by our team (included in all segments).

1:30 PM — Guided visit to Wiñay Wayna (“Forever Young”) — the most impressive archaeological site on the Inca Trail after Machu Picchu. Your guide explains in detail the ceremonial agricultural terraces (10 levels), the fountain system (10 ritual baths), elite residential buildings and the site’s function as a preparation center before reaching Machu Picchu.

~3:00 PM — We continue to the Wiñay Wayna checkpoint and take the bus down to Aguas Calientes (25 minutes).

~4:00 PM — Arrival in Aguas Calientes. Check-in at your hotel. Free time to shower, rest, explore the town or visit the hot springs (optional, not included).

7:00 PM — Dinner (included in Adventure and Summit; in Explorer you dine on your own — budget approx. $15–30 at local restaurants).

9:00 PM — Early rest. Tomorrow is the big day.

Day highlights: Train ride with views of the Sacred Valley, cloud forest, Wiñay Wayna, night in hotel with all comforts.

Day 2 — Aguas Calientes → Intipunku → Machu Picchu → Cusco

2 km | 1.5 hours trek + 2.5 hours guided tour

4:30 AM — Wake up and early breakfast at the hotel.

5:00 AM — Walk to the bus station. First bus to Machu Picchu (25 minutes). Arriving early allows us to be among the first to enter.

5:30 AM — Arrival at the Machu Picchu gate. Instead of going directly to the ruins, we take the trail to Intipunku (Sun Gate) — the same sacred path walked by 4-day trekkers.

~6:15 AM — Ascent hike (45 minutes, 2 km) along the final stretch of the original Inca Trail. Stone steps and increasingly spectacular views.

~7:00 AM — Arrival at Intipunku (Sun Gate). If the weather cooperates, you witness the sunrise over Machu Picchu. The citadel appears below, often wrapped in fog that slowly dissipates with the first rays of sun. The same ceremonial entrance the ancient Incas used. A moment to contemplate and keep in memory forever.

7:30 AM — Descent from Intipunku to Machu Picchu (45 minutes).

8:15 AM — Start of the guided tour (2–2.5 hours) through the main sectors: Agricultural Sector, Guardian’s House (the classic photo point), Temple of the Sun, Sacred Plaza, Temple of the Three Windows, Intihuatana, Temple of the Condor, residential sector and ceremonial fountains.

10:30 AM — Free time to explore on your own, take photos or climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (if booked in advance).

12:30 PM — Bus down to Aguas Calientes.

1:00 PM — Lunch in Aguas Calientes (not included). Free time until train.

~2:55 PM or 3:20 PM — Return train to Ollantaytambo (Expedition class in Explorer/Adventure, Vistadome in Summit, ~2 hours).

~5:30 PM — Arrival in Ollantaytambo. Private transport to Cusco.

~7:30 PM — Arrival at your hotel in Cusco.

Day highlights: Walk to Intipunku along the original Inca Trail, sunrise at the Sun Gate, complete guided tour of Machu Picchu, comfortable return by train.

What’s Included — All Segments

✅ Inca Trail entry permit

✅ Entrance to Machu Picchu (morning shift)

✅ Pick up at your hotel in Cusco

✅ Private transport Cusco → Ollantaytambo

✅ Train Ollantaytambo → Km 104

✅ Bus Wiñay Wayna → Aguas Calientes (day 1)

✅ Bus Aguas Calientes → Machu Picchu (day 2)

✅ Train Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo

✅ Transport Ollantaytambo → Cusco

✅ Certified professional bilingual guide

✅ 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes (category according to segment)

✅ Day 1 lunch (during the trek)

✅ Day 2 breakfast (at hotel)

✅ Snacks during the hike

✅ Water for the trek

✅ First aid kit + emergency oxygen

✅ Briefing the night before

What’s NOT Included

❌ Day 1 breakfast (before 4:00 AM pick up)

❌ Day 1 dinner — Explorer only (included in Adventure and Summit)

❌ Day 2 lunch in Aguas Calientes

❌ Trekking poles — Explorer rental $15 (included in Adventure and Summit)

❌ Huayna Picchu entrance ($75)

❌ Machu Picchu Mountain entrance ($75)

❌ Second Machu Picchu entrance — afternoon ($60)

❌ Vistadome train upgrade for Explorer/Adventure ($50)

❌ Tips (optional but appreciated)

❌ Personal travel insurance (recommended)

❌ Hot springs in Aguas Calientes (~$5)

Prices 2026

Additional services:

Segment Comparison

About the Hotel in Aguas Calientes

Specific hotels confirmed according to availability. We always guarantee the category or higher.

What to Bring

Essentials: Original passport (mandatory), small day backpack (20–30 liters), water bottle (1–2 liters), comfortable walking clothes, sneakers or trekking boots, waterproof jacket, sunscreen and hat, camera or cell phone, cash for dinner (Explorer), tips and extras.

Recommended: Trekking poles (included in Adventure/Summit, rental in Explorer), insect repellent, extra snacks, change of clothes for day 2.

You don’t need: Sleeping bag, camping equipment or lots of clothes — it’s only 1 night in a hotel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really arrive at Machu Picchu through Intipunku like the 4-day trek? Yes! On day 2 you walk from the Machu Picchu entrance up to Intipunku (Sun Gate) and then descend to the citadel — the same ceremonial entrance the Incas and 4-day trekkers used.

What time do I arrive at Intipunku? Will I see the sunrise? Taking the first bus (5:30 AM), you arrive at Intipunku at approximately 7:00 AM. You generally arrive to see the citadel with morning light, which is spectacular. The “perfect sunrise” depends a bit on weather and season.

Is the day 1 hike very difficult? Moderate. Approximately 10 km in 5–6 hours, mostly gradual ascent up steps. No mountain passes or extreme altitudes. If you can climb stairs for several hours at a leisurely pace, you can do it.

Is day 1 dinner included? Explorer: not included — you dine on your own in Aguas Calientes (many restaurants, budget approx. $15–30). Adventure: yes, included at a quality restaurant. Summit: yes, gourmet dinner with wine.

What if it rains? The trek takes place rain or shine (except extreme conditions). The cloud forest is especially beautiful with a little rain. Always bring a waterproof jacket.

Can I do the 2-day Inca Trail with children? Yes, we recommend children over 8 years old with some hiking experience. Much more feasible than the 4-day trek for families.