Short Inca Trail 2 days – Glamping Service

Hike the Inca Trail 2 days to Machu Picchu and camp right below Machu Picchu Mountain with comfortable tents, camping cots, hot showers, picnic meals, and an exclusive team of porters, chefs, and tour guides.

This trek features the main attractions of the original Inca Trail and allows you to arrive at Machu Picchu twice. Start in Cusco or Ollantaytambo, hike the short version of the Inca Trail in one day, arrive at Machu Picchu in the afternoon through the Sun Gate,  and camp below Machu Picchu.

Visit Machu Picchu for a second time early in the morning the following day with an exclusive tour guide.

Tour details:

• Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles
• Duration: 2 days 1 night
• Depart: In Cusco or the Sacred Valley
• Destination: Machu Picchu
• Considered: Moderate
• Accommodation: Camping
• Type: Adventure – Cultural

Highlights:

• Book with Confidence and Flexibility and change travel dates with no fees
• Enjoy the Short Inca Trail with a Camping experience right below Machu Picchu
• Arrive at Machu Picchu in the afternoon to watch the sunset and visit again for sunrise
• Support Social Project that helps the education as you travel

Price per person: 590.USD  [payment_system_code]

To book the Inca Trail 2 days hike with camping, you need to make an initial payment of 200.USD per person, the remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or Cusco with any credit card at no booking fees at all.

This tour can be booked as a private service as well!

Student Discount:
All travelers under 17 will have a $40 discount. If you are 25 years old or under when traveling, you can get the 40$ discount with a valid student ID. Would you please advise by email to give you a code for the discount?

Day By Day Summary:

 Day 1: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Machu Picchu (16km, 8 hrs)
Pick up from your hotel around 4.00 am, drive to Ollantaytambo to take the train to Km 104, the beginning of the Inca Trail. The hike takes around 6 to 7 hours until you arrive at Machu Picchu in The Afternoon. You will visit different Inca sites, pass the Sungate (Intipunku), and see Machu Picchu almost empty in the afternoon. Camp right below Machu Picchu Mountain.

Day 2: Machu Picchu (The Lost City of The Incas) (4 hrs)
Wake up early with a cup of coffee in your tent, have breakfast, and take the bus up to Machu Picchu. The tour guide will take you to explore the Inca Bridge, the most famous buildings, plazas, streets. After the guided tour, you will have free time for yourself or hike to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain (different from Machu Picchu Citadel). Later take the panoramic train back to Cusco. Finish back at your hotel around 7.30 pm.

Included:

• Pick up and drop off from your hotel.
• All Transportation included (door to door service)
• Entrance ticket to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
• Bus up and down to from Machu Pichu
• Exclusive professional tour guide
• One way standard train (Expedition or Voyager)
• One way panoramic trains (Vistadome or 360)
• Picnic meals (2B, 1L, 1D)
• 1-night camping with comfortable equipment
• Sleeping bags, sleeping mats
• First Aid, Satellite Phone, Oxygen tank
• All taxes & Booking fees Included

Not Included in the Inca Trail 2 Days

• Second-day lunch after Machu Picchu tour
• Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain extra hikes:
• Tips for your staff (Optional)
• Travel Insurance (Highly recommended)

Optional Hikes:

Huayna Picchu mountain – The cost of this ticket is $75 per person. Takes 2 hours roundtrip; you need to book far in Advance.

Montaña Machu Picchu – Also called Machu Picchu Mountain, it is the highest mountain, and climbing takes almost 3 hours, the cost is $75 per person.

Covid-19 measures to keep you safe during traveling

• Temperature checks for all travelers are mandatory.
• Face masks are required for travelers and staff in public areas
• Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff at all times
• High traffic places and equipment are sanitized regularly between use.
• Maximum 12 people per group to reduce crowds during this pandemic
• Printed material such as maps or vouchers will be avoided.
• 100% online payments with no booking fees at all
• Flexible bookings during COVID – 19 pandemic

Why book with TreXperience

• TreXperience is a 100% Peruvian Local Tour Operator based in Cusco.
• Personal Porter Included for up to 7 kilos of your personal staff
• Small group tours for personalized service
• Fair treatment to porters with proper wages, we include men a women
• You help us to support social projects in Cusco
• No booking fees! no credit card fees

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Full itinerary of the Inca Trail 2 days with Camping

Day 1: Cusco – Km104 – Machu Picchu – Puente Ruinas

Start your adventure in Cusco (4:00 am), or Ollantaytambo (5:30 am) and drive to the train station to board the first trains to the Inca Trail; the train ride starts in Ollantaytambo and takes 1.5 hours until you arrive at Chachabamba, the beginning of the Inca Trail, also called km 104. Upon arrival, you will need to show the original passport to enter the Inca Trail.

Breakfast will be served right at the beginning of the hike, your trekking chef will prepare it with fresh products. Lunch will be served at Wiñaywayna, and dinner at the campsite. All meals are picnic-style with different options.

From the checkpoint at Chachabamba, you will start hiking the short version of the Classic Trek to Machu Picchu. Visit the Inca Trail’s most remarkable sites, such as Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna, Intipata, and enjoy the fantastic views, the variety of flora, and fauna. You will arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Intipunku) and take the first glimpse of this stunning archeological site. After arriving at Machu Picchu in the afternoon, you will have the chance to see this place with fewer people when everybody is leaving, then take the bus to Puente Ruinas, where your chef and porters will be waiting with dinner and spend the night in comfortable tents.

When you arrive at the campsite, the tents will be ready, you can take a refreshing hot shower, enjoy the tea time with your tour guide, dinner and sleep in the comfortable tents.

• Highest altitude: 2700m / 8858ft
•  Distance: 15km / 8 miles
• Duration: 7 hours
• Meals: Lunch, snacks, and dinner
• Accommodation: Comfortable Camping with full equipment
• Considered: Moderate

Day 2: Explore Machupicchu (Lost City of the Incas)

The most important day of this TreXperience is visiting Machu Picchu; You will wake up in your tent with a cup of coffee, pack, have an early breakfast, and drive the early buses up to Machu Picchu to catch the sunrise. This makes this tour unique; it will allow you to arrive twice at Machu Picchu, 1 for the sunset and 1 for the sunrise the next day.

Before exploring the citadel, our guides will take you on optional hikes first, like the Inca Bridge. The guided tour takes about 2 to 3 hours to visit the most important temples, palaces. You will have free time to explore the area yourself or take optional hikes to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (Different for Machu Picchu citadel). After finishing with the city, you will be instructed on how to go back by bus down to Aguas Calientes, have lunch (not included), and take the panoramic trains back to Ollantaytambo and a van back to Cusco. TreXperience will transfer you back to your hotel.

• Duration: 2 – 3 hours (Guided tour)
• Meals: Breakfast
• Difficulty: Easy

Packing List for the Short Inca Trail with camping

During the Inca Trail 2 days with camping, you are responsible for carrying all your belongings with you; you must bring a comfortable daypack where you will put all your belongings for the two-day hike plus the organic box lunch that we will provide you.

Original Passport

Original passports are required to enter this trail; you will need to board the trains, enter the Inca Trail, board the buses to Machu Picchu, and check in at hotels. The passport number must match the number you provided at the time of booking; if you have renewed the passport after the booking, please let us know to update the numbers.

Comfortable hiking shoes for a 1-day hiking

Comfortable shoes for hiking, hiking boots are not extremely necessary but are preferred.

Warm clothing for the early morning

The weather in Cusco and Ollantaytambo is cold early in the morning and late at night; the weather in the Short Inca Trail and  Machu Picchu is warmer: make sure you have clothes for the 2 types of weather.

Light, comfortable hiking clothing

Hiking pants, light and comfortable for the warm weather of the Inca Trail, long-sleeved t-shirts work better.

Sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, sun hat

Sun protection is critical; you will need a sun hat, glasses, and mosquito repellent.

Two liters of water in a reusable container

During the Short Inca Trail for 2 days, you need to provide your own water, 2 liters of water during day 1, and 1 liter during day 2. Single-use plastic bottles are not allowed in the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.

Extra snacks for a day of hiking

We provide a box lunch during day 1. However, we recommend taking some extra chocolates, power bars, granola, candies for the long day of hiking during the Inca Trail and visiting Machu Picchu.

Extra clothing for the second day and toiletries

Remember that during the Inca Trail 2 days to Machu Picchu, we do not have porters to carry the food or equipment, and you need to carry all your belongings. However, we can transfer to the hotel in Aguas Calientes a small bag with your clothes for the next day and toiletries that you don’t need during the day hike in the Inca Trail.

Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips

Taking extra money is very important during this trip, you will need to buy water, souvenirs, pay for lunch on the second day, or give tips to your staff.

Swimsuit for hot springs in Aguas Calientes (optional)

A bathing suit is optional for Aguas Calientes; there are hot springs located in the upper of the town, you need to go by yourself, and there is an extra fee to pay.

Inca Trail 2 days FAQs

What is the Inca Trail 2 days tour?

The Inca Trail 2 days and 1 night is the Shorter Version of the Classic 4-day Inca Trail, starting at Km 104 or Chachabamba; you will follow the ancient Inca Trail through the cloud forest, visit Wiñayhuayna, Sungate, and Machu Picchu in the afternoon.

Where is Inca Trail 2 days Located?

The world-famous Classic Inca Trail is located in the Urubamba Province, Cusco – Peru, and starts in the Km 82 of the railroad to Machu Picchu. The Shorter version starts at km 104 of the railroad to Machu Picchu. This trail is considered the royal Inca Trail and is believed to that been used by the Real Panacas during the Inca Period.

How Long in the Inca Trail 2 days?

The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a 2-day, 1-night tour with a total distance of 16 kilometers or 9.9 miles; you will hike for about 7 to 8 hours until you reach Machu Picchu.

What is the average altitude of the Short Inca Trail?

• Cusco city is located at 3,399 m or 11151 ft.
• The start point of the Short Inca Trail is KM 104 at 2170 m or 7120 ft.
• The average altitude of the Inca Trail is 2600 m or 8530 ft.
• The highest point is Sungate at 2708 m  or 8884 ft.
• Machu Picchu, where the Inca Trail ends, is at 2,430 m 7972 ft.
• Aguas Calientes town, where we take the train back to Cusco, is 2,040 m or 6692 ft.

When is the best time to hike the Short Inca Trail?

This question is usually difficult to answer. You will be surprised by the sun, rain, wind, cold, or any weather you encounter during your journey. It would help if you had the right equipment and were prepared for all kinds of weather. The Inca Trail is located in the cloud forest and is famous for having the most unstable weather in Peru and even the world.

• The best months to hike the Inca Trail and visit Machu Picchu are from April to October.
• The driest months on the Inca Trail are May, June, July, August. However, these are the busiest day in Machu Picchu.
• The rainy season starts in November until March; however, it is possible to have complete weeks with no rain.
• February is always closed due to heavy rains and maintenance.

When was the Inca Trail Built?

The Inca civilization built the Royal Inca Trails in the 15th century; It is believed that Machu Picchu was built by the ninth Inca king Pachacuteq. At the height of this civilization, the Inca Trail was used as a pilgrimage route to Machu Picchu.

Why is the Inca Trail Important?

After rediscovering the Inca Trail in 1915, archaeologists explored this ancient route. They discovered many Inca temples, religious sites, and administrative areas, such as Llaqtapata, Llaqtapata, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamrca, Initipata, Wiñaywayna, and Intipunku.

Numerous well-preserved ancient sites located in secluded areas, diverse landscapes, breathtaking scenery, unique flora, and fauna are several reasons why the Inca Trail is one of the most important hikes in South America.

How many days in advance do I have to arrive in Cusco Before Inca Trail Short Version?

We recommend that you arrive at least 2 days before departure. In this way, you will have time to adjust to Cusco’s altitude and prepare for the Inca Trail.

When is the Inca Trail Closed?

Due to heavy rains and maintenance, the Inca Trail is closed for the entire month of February every year.

Which Inca Trail Tour is the Best

There are 3 ways to hike the Inca Trail and reach Machu Picchu through Sungate.

• The Classic Inca Trail 4 days and 3 nights are the most popular, and 90% of travelers will choose this option. Only camping.
• The Inca Trail Slow Version 5 days and 4 nights, 3 nights camping, 1-night hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• The Shorter version of the Inca Trail, 1 day hiking the last part of the Inca Trail and the next day visiting Machu Picchu.

This trek has other extensions, such as the Salkantay Inca Trail; however, it is always based on the above.

Where do I have to book Inca Trail?

Authorized registered travel agencies (such as TreXperience) can only book the Inca Trail Permits in Cusco. You cannot book a permit yourself.

Food during the Short Inca Trail?

This trip does not include the first breakfast, we will depart from Cusco or Sacred Valley early, and you need to request a boxed breakfast from the hotel.

Box Lunch is included on the first day, and dinner will be in a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes.

Breakfast on the second day is included in the hotel. After the Machu Picchu tour, lunch is not included on the second day. Before taking the train back to Cusco, you will have time to explore the town and have lunch.

What do I need to carry for the Short Inca Trail for 2 days?

We will provide you with a duffle bag to pack your clothes on the second day of the trip and everything you need for the 2-day trip. You will also need a backpack to travel for a long time.

The duffel bag will arrive directly at the hotel in Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu pueblo; the maximum per person cannot exceed 5 kg.

During the Inca Trail hike, your backpack must travel with you. Please remember that we have no porters on this trip, and your duffel bag will be waiting for you at the hotel.

In your backpack, you must bring water, sunscreen, snacks, the box lunch provided by TreXperience, rain gear, passport, insect repellent, toilet paper, a camera, and space for clothes.

Are porters included in this tour? The 2-day short Inca trail with the hotel does not include porters; we used porters during the long 4-day Inca trail and the Short Inca Trail 2-day with camping.

We provide duffel bags for this trip; however, they will be sent directly by TreXperience to your hotel in Aguas Calientes; all items needed during the hike, such as water, sunscreen, and rain gear, must be placed in the backpack. Extra porters can be included in this trip upon request and paid extra if you need them.

However, on the Short Inca Trail tour with camping, the porters are included to carry the duffel bags.

What do I need to know before choosing a tour?

There are many different travel agencies with favorable prices when you search online, and it is always difficult to decide which travel company you will travel with.

It would help if you considered the option that suits your interests:

• The average price for a private 2-day tour is 550 to 600.USD
• You can find lower prices or options, but always remember to verify what is included or not. Some travel agencies do not provide buses from Machu Picchu; it is optional. However, we do not recommend that you hike from Machu Picchu.
• TreXperience provides all transportation services (bus, train) from beginning to end, and we are the only company that provides panoramic trains in all our tours.

How To Book Inca Trek?

TreXperience makes it easy to book the Inca Trail; click the Book Now button, select your departure date, fill in the form with all the required details, including passport information, and finally submit the required initial payment to book the Inca Trail.

Since the Peruvian government imposes a strict permit booking policy for the Inca Trail, all reservations must be manually confirmed.

Is Inca Trek Dangerous?

Any adventure you take will always involve risks. The dangerous situation of the Inca Trail may be caused by negligence or natural forces. The best way to ensure the safety of the Inca Trail is always to follow the guide’s instructions.

Can I hike The Inca Trek Without A Guide?

If you do not hire a registered travel company, you will not be able to enter the Inca Trail. You must hike the Inca Trail with your guide always.