Short Inca Trail 2 days – Glamping Service

Tour Highlights

Tour Details

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

Why You’ll Love This Trek

• 
  Book with Confidence & Flexibility
  
  – change your travel dates with no fees and pay your balance online or in Cusco.
• Short Inca Trail + Camping –
  Enjoy the classic Km 104 Short Inca Trail and a unique camping experience right below
  Machu Picchu instead of a hotel.
• Two Entries to Machu Picchu –
  Arrive via the Sun Gate for sunset on Day 1 and return for sunrise and a guided tour
  on Day 2.
• Comfort in the Outdoors –
  Hike light while our team handles tents, cots, hot showers, and picnic meals.
• Support Social Projects –
  Travel with a 100% Peruvian operator and help support education-focused social
  projects in Cusco.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 | Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Puente Ruinas

Start your adventure from Cusco (around 04:00) or
Ollantaytambo (around 05:30). Drive to the train station and board
the first train to Km 104 (Chachabamba), the starting point of the
Short Inca Trail. At the checkpoint, you’ll show your original passport to enter.

Breakfast is served at the trailhead, freshly prepared by your trekking chef. From
here, start hiking the short version of the Classic Inca Trail, visiting key sites such
as Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, and
Intipata. Enjoy changing views of the Urubamba River, cloud forest,
and ancient terraces along the way.

After 6–7 hours of hiking, you’ll reach the Sun Gate (Intipunku) and
get your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. Arriving in the late
afternoon lets you see the citadel with fewer crowds as most daytime visitors are
leaving.

Take the bus down to Puente Ruinas, where your porters and chef will
be waiting. Your campsite is set up with comfortable tents, hot showers, and tea time
before dinner. Enjoy a well-earned meal and sleep beneath the shadow of Machu Picchu
Mountain.

• Highest altitude: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
• Distance: ~15–16 km / 8–9.9 mi
• Duration: ~7–8 hours hiking
• Meals: Breakfast (picnic), lunch, snacks, dinner
• Accommodation: Comfortable camping with full equipment
• Considered: Moderate

Day 2 | Machu Picchu (Lost City of the Incas) – Return to Cusco

Wake up in your tent with coffee or tea, enjoy an early breakfast, and take one of the
first buses up to Machu Picchu to catch sunrise over the citadel.
This itinerary lets you arrive twice: once for sunset on Day 1 and again for sunrise
today.

Before the main tour, your guide may take you on a short optional walk to the
Inca Bridge (subject to availability). Then enjoy a
2–3-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu, visiting its most important
temples, plazas, terraces, and viewpoints while learning its history and mysteries.

After the guided tour, you’ll have free time to explore on your own or, if reserved in
advance, tackle the extra hikes to Huayna Picchu or
Machu Picchu Mountain (both optional and different from the main
citadel).

When you’re ready, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included),
then board the panoramic train back toward Cusco. From the station, a private transfer
will bring you back to your hotel, arriving around 19:30.

• Guided visit duration: 2–3 hours
• Meals: Breakfast
• Difficulty: Easy (optional extra hikes are more demanding)

Everything That’s Covered

• Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley
• All transportation during the tour (door-to-door service)
• Train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104 (standard service: Expedition or Voyager)
• Panoramic train from Aguas Calientes back toward Cusco (Vistadome or 360°)
• Entrance tickets for the Short Inca Trail (Km 104) and Machu Picchu
• Bus tickets up and down between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu (two days)
• Exclusive professional tour guide for the 2 days
• Picnic-style meals: 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner (B, L, D as noted)
• 1 night camping at Puente Ruinas with comfortable tents and full equipment
• Sleeping bags and sleeping mats
• Personal porter support for camping equipment (for this camping version)
• First-aid kit, satellite phone, and oxygen tank for emergencies
• All taxes and booking fees included

Price & Discounts

Price per person: USD $590
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To book the Inca Trail 2 Days Hike with Camping, you need to make an
initial payment of USD $200 per person. The remaining balance can be
paid online, in installments, or in Cusco with any credit card—no booking fees.

This tour can also be booked as a private service—contact us for a
customized quote.

Student Discount

• All travelers under 17 receive a USD $40 discount.
• Travelers 25 or under at the time of travel can also receive the
  USD $40 discount with a valid
  
  student ID
  .
  Please email us in advance so we can provide a discount code.

Optional Hikes (Extra Cost)

• Huayna Picchu Mountain: +$75 per person, ~2 hours round-trip
• Machu Picchu Mountain (Montaña): +$75 per person, ~3 hours
  round-trip, highest viewpoint around Machu Picchu

Packing List for the 2-Day Inca Trail with Camping

On this tour, you are responsible for carrying your belongings during the day; bring a
comfortable daypack. A separate small bag with clothes for the second day can be
transferred directly to the campsite/hotel by TreXperience.

Essentials

• Original passport: Required to board the train, enter the Inca Trail
  and Machu Picchu; must match the number used at booking.
• Comfortable hiking shoes: Light hiking boots or sturdy trainers are
  fine for this 1-day trail section.
• Warm clothing for early mornings: Layers for the cool weather in
  Cusco and Ollantaytambo; lighter clothing for the warmer cloud forest.
• Light hiking clothing: Trekking pants and long-sleeve T-shirts work
  best for sun and insects.
• Sun & bug protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent,
  sun hat.
• Water: Reusable containers only (no single-use plastic). Bring
  ~2 L on Day 1 and ~1 L on Day 2.
• Snacks: We provide box lunch Day 1, but extra chocolate, energy
  bars, and granola are recommended.

Daypack (Carried by You)

Your daypack should be comfortable and not too large (≤ 25 L is required inside Machu
Picchu). Pack:

• Water (as above)
• Rain jacket / poncho
• Light warm layer (fleece or sweater)
• Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
• Insect repellent
• Hand sanitizer, toilet paper, wet wipes
• Personal medication and small first-aid items
• Camera / phone and charger or small power bank
• Box lunch (provided by TreXperience on Day 1)
• Some extra cash for snacks, souvenirs, lunch on Day 2, and tips

Small Bag Sent to Puente Ruinas / Aguas Calientes

TreXperience can transfer a small bag (max ~5 kg) with extra clothes and toiletries for
Day 2, which you don’t need while hiking on Day 1. Do not pack valuables or fragile
items in this bag.

• Change of clothes for Day 2
• Light sleepwear
• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
• Small towel
• Swimsuit (optional) for hot springs in Aguas Calientes if you visit after the tour

Inca Trail 2 Days with Camping – FAQs

What is the Inca Trail 2 days tour?

It’s the shorter version of the
Classic 4-day Inca Trail,
starting at Kilometer 104 (Chachabamba). You hike ~16 km of original
Inca Trail through the cloud forest, visiting Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate, and enter
Machu Picchu in the afternoon.

Where is the Short Inca Trail located?

The Classic and Short Inca Trails are in the Urubamba Province, Cusco–Peru. The Classic
trail starts at Km 82; this Short version starts at Km 104 along the
railway to Machu Picchu. It is considered the royal Inca route used by nobility in Inca
times.

How long is the 2-Day Inca Trail?

The total hiking distance is about 16 km / 9.9 mi, with 7–8 hours of
hiking on Day 1 to reach Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate.

What is the average altitude?

• Cusco: 3,399 m / 11,151 ft
• Km 104 trailhead: 2,170 m / 7,120 ft
• Average altitude on trail: ~2,600 m / 8,530 ft
• Sun Gate (Intipunku): 2,708 m / 8,884 ft
• Machu Picchu: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
• Aguas Calientes: 2,040 m / 6,692 ft

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

Weather in the cloud forest is unpredictable; be prepared for sun, rain, and clouds in
any month. Generally, the
best months are April to October. May–August are the driest but
also the busiest. The trail is closed in February for maintenance.

Do I need to arrive in Cusco early?

Yes. We recommend arriving at least 2 days before your departure to
acclimatize to the altitude and prepare for the trail.

Are porters included on this tour?

For the 2-day Short Inca Trail with camping, porters are included to
carry camping equipment and set up camp at Puente Ruinas. You carry your daypack, and a
small bag may be sent ahead. Extra personal porters can be arranged on request.

How are Inca Trail permits booked?

Only authorized, registered travel agencies (such as TreXperience) can book Inca Trail
permits. You cannot book permits on your own. Early booking is essential as spaces are
limited.

Is the Inca Trail dangerous?

Like any mountain hike, there are risks (steep steps, variable weather). The safest
way to trek is to travel with experienced guides, follow all instructions, wear proper
footwear, and take care on exposed sections.

Can I hike the Inca Trail without a guide?

No. The Inca Trail is a protected area, and access is only allowed with a licensed tour
operator and a professional guide. Independent trekking without a guide is not
permitted.

What Covid-19 measures are in place?

TreXperience follows local protocols: mandatory temperature checks when required, mask
use in public areas, hand sanitizer always available, regular sanitizing of vehicles
and gear, reduced group sizes, 100% online payments, and flexible booking policies.

How to Book Your 2-Day Inca Trail with Camping

1. Check availability:
   Click “Book Now” on our website or contact us with your preferred dates and group
   size. Short Inca Trail permits are limited and should be booked early.
2. Confirm your details:
   Decide if you’ll start from Cusco or the Sacred Valley, and whether you’d like to add
   Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
3. Pay your deposit:
   Secure your spot with a USD $200 deposit per person using our secure
   online payment system. The balance can be paid online in installments or in Cusco.
4. Send your information:
   Complete the booking form with passport details, student ID info (if applicable),
   dietary needs, and emergency contact.
5. Receive confirmation:
   We’ll confirm your permit and send your detailed itinerary, packing list, and
   pick-up time.
6. Arrive & hike:
   Arrive in Cusco a couple of days before departure, meet your guide at the briefing,
   and get ready to hike the Inca Trail, camp below Machu Picchu, and visit the citadel
   at both sunset and sunrise.

Reserve your 2-Day Inca Trail with Camping today with a small deposit and let us handle
the logistics—so you can focus on the trail, the views, and the magic of Machu Picchu.