2 Day Hiking Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Cusco
Cusco, Peru

2 Day Hiking Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Outty Ranking 66 5.0 · 66 traveler reviews48 hoursFrom $762
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Outty Ranking

66/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 66 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is 2 Day Hiking Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu worth booking?

2 Day Hiking Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a 48-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $762 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 5/5 rating across 66 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
66 / 100
Rating
5/5 (66)
Duration
48 hours
From
$762 per person

2 Day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu passing some incan sites and get Machu Picchu by the sungate • Hike Inca Trail to Machu Picchu • Get Machu Picchu by the sungate • Explore Incan Sites • Explore the Machupicc

What you get

  • Train Expedition from Ollantaytambo - km 104 & Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo & Bus back to cusco
  • 01 night in Hotel in aguas calientes
  • Meals: 1 breakfast, 2 lunch, 1 dinner Vegetarian option with no extra cost.
  • Pick up from Hotel and Transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo train station
  • Inca Trail and Machupicchu Permits and Tickets
  • Professional Tour Guide

About this experience

2 Day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu passing some incan sites and get Machu Picchu by the sungate • Hike Inca Trail to Machu Picchu • Get Machu Picchu by the sungate • Explore Incan Sites • Explore the Machupicchu Sacred city Departure Point: Cusco - We pick you up from your hotel. Departure Time: Between 4:00am - 04:30am Briefing Point: Our guide will visit your hotel 2 or 1 day before the trek between 6:00 to 6:30pm Return Point: Cusco - Our driver will drop-off in your hotel or Airbnb apartment Physical Rating: 3 - Demanding -  Some high-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities, but accessible to most healthy travellers

What's included

Included

  • Train Expedition from Ollantaytambo - km 104 & Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo & Bus back to cusco
  • 01 night in Hotel in aguas calientes
  • Meals: 1 breakfast, 2 lunch, 1 dinner Vegetarian option with no extra cost.
  • Pick up from Hotel and Transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo train station
  • Inca Trail and Machupicchu Permits and Tickets
  • Professional Tour Guide

Not included

  • Breakfast day 1 and lunch day 2

What you'll see and do

  1. Inca Trail

    Day 1: Cusco - Ollantaytambo - km 104(Trailhead) - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes Transfer from the hotel to the train station. Train to KM 104. At this point we start trek for 3 hours approximately to the well preserved remains of the ruins of Wiñay Wayna (2900 mts. altitude). On the way we can see beautiful waterfalls. After lunch, we keep walking for about 2 more hours to get the sungate and then we go down to Machupicchu town ( aguas calientes )

    480 minutes here

  2. Inca Trail

    Day 2: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco After breakfast we have an early start and we will walk for 1 hour and half to get one of the greatest archaeological discovery of modern times is revealed. machupicchu so get where the most beatiful spot is , the postcard site to take postcard pictures and the the guide will expalin you the story of machupicchu for about two hours an then you will get free time to you will have plenty of time to explore by yourself ( you can climb huaynapicchu mountain ( it takes one hour up and one hour down ). And the after you enjoy machupicchu ypu must be at Aguas Calientes station to take the train back to ollanta and bus back to cusco.

    240 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Hotel pickup

Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.

Before you book

Cancellation
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Languages
en, es
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Every day
Group size
Up to 15 travelers per booking
Operated by
Quechuas Expeditions

Know before you go

  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • 1 poly/fleece (wind stopper) jacket
  • 1 poly/fleece light weight sweater
  • 1 lightweight long sleeved shirt (optional)
  • 2-3 T-shirts
  • 1 rain poncho (preferable) or rain jacket
  • 1 pair wind/rain pants (Gore-tex or similar)
  • 1 pair lightweight cotton pants (loose jeans/khakis)
  • 1 lightweight fleece pants
  • Foot & hand wear
  • 2 pairs wool or synthetic socks
  • 1 pair of (used) trekking boots
  • 1 pair of wool or fleece gloves
  • 1 wool or fleece hat
  • 1 sunhat
  • 1 pair sun glasses that provide good UV protection
  • Miscellaneous
  • 1 sleeping bag (rated to -11 C / 12 F)
  • 1 good (day) backpack
  • 2 walking poles
  • 1 headlamp (preferable) or torch
  • 1 water bottle
  • Water sterilizing tablets (Micropur)
  • Sun block
  • Insect repellent
  • Towel and soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Camera and extra memory cards
  • Spare battery for your camera

Photos

short inca trailshort inca trail sungate2 Day Hiking Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Cusco, photo 4inca trail

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 66 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

The guide

8 mentions

Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

Knowledge and storytelling

6 mentions

Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

Organization

5 mentions

Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

Photo opportunities

2 mentions

The views and photo stops come up again and again.

Physical effort

2 mentions

Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

Traveler reviews

66 verified traveler reviews for 2 Day Hiking Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

5 star
65
4 star
1
3 star
0
2 star
0
1 star
0
Sort
Nathan S · October 2025

2 Day Inca Trail was Wonderful

We had an incredible time on the Short Inca Trail. Our guide, José, was incredibly knowledgable and made the experience wonderful. José took good care of us and I would go on another guided tour with him in a heartbeat. Thanks, José!

via Tripadvisor

Roam606680 · October 2025

Great trip overall with a good guide

We did the 2 day trek to Machu Picchu and had a great time! We booked what we thought was a group trip but we're lucky enough to get a private trip allowing us to walk at our pace without feeling like we were rushed or rushing others. Our guide José was great! He contacted me the evening before with details and tickets, we were picked up and taken to the train where we then went to 104km and met José. He was very informative and it was great to get to Machu Picchu and then be able to return the second day again to hear more about it. The lunch we were provided was good also. My only comment would be it would have been nice if the company gave a brief itinerary of everything prior to the trip so we could have been more aware what was happening.

via Tripadvisor

Passenger65236910744 · September 2025

Do it !! trip of a lifetime

This was so fun. You'll love it! What an adventure. We did a 4-day trip including Cusco, Sacred Valley, then "short Inca trail," and finally a bus ride to Lake Titicaca. I'll admit it's a little scary as you sign up. The pre-trip communication is so-so, and I was worried about showing up with $800 cash to hand over, after $400 on Paypal ahead of time. They seem a little disorganized, probably because they are managing so many people on so many different excursions. BUT ultimately it was great. It's no scam. They show up on time (or early). They communicate well (WhatsApp is necessary). They take you where you need to be. Most meals are provided and are generous. The guides are generally contractors who work for a central tourist agency (?), but we had a great experience with them. Really fun to be with Henry as he hiked us through 2 full days of Inca trail and MP site.

via Tripadvisor

kmart1 · May 2025

Excellent 2 day Inca Trail guided tour

We had an amazing experience with Quechuas Expeditions and Carlos as our guide. Communication was excellent from start to finish. Carlos was extremely knowledgeable, passionate, and caring. We highly recommend Carlos as well as this tour company for anyone considering a guided tour.

via Tripadvisor

Mobile63955849466 · May 2025

2 days in Machu Picchu

My experience was great from the start. I met with my guide Carlos at the drop off location and the adventure began. Carlos was so knowledgeable about the Inca culture and knew everything about all the sites we visited.

via Tripadvisor

Good to know

Duration
48 hours
Free cancellation
Non-refundable
Minimum age to book
2+
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Every day
Hotel pickup
Included for all travelers
Booked in 30 days
23
Verdict
Solid Choice

Why this scores 66

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)97
Review evidence (18% weight)63
Booking momentum (14% weight)57
Value for money (12% weight)22
Listing quality (10% weight)98
Local standing (8% weight)67
Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

2 Day Hiking Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.

How much does 2 Day Hiking Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu cost?

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Prices start at $762 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cusco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

How long does 2 Day Hiking Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu take?

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Plan for about 48 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cusco is not rushed.

Is 2 Day Hiking Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 66 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Cusco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

Can I cancel or reschedule 2 Day Hiking Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?

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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.

Is 2 Day Hiking Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu suitable for kids and families?

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The operator sets a minimum age of 2. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 48-hour running time when deciding.

How far in advance should I book 2 Day Hiking Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?

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Around 23 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cusco can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

What should I bring or wear?

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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cusco and add a light layer if any part of the 48-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does 2 Day Hiking Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu start and how do I get there?

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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cusco within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

What are the best things to do in Cusco?

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On Outty we rank every Cusco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Sacred Valley Full Day Tour, Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco, Cusco: Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Premium Day Trip with Meals. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

When is the best time to visit Cusco?

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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

How many days do you need in Cusco?

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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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