
Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 2 days
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 2 days worth booking?
Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 2 days is a 48-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $620 per person. It scores 50 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 2 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 50 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (2)
- Duration
- 48 hours
- From
- $620 per person
The 2-Day Inca Trail Hike is a shorter alternative to the classic Inca Trail, offering an unforgettable introduction to one of Latin America’s most iconic treks. With Howlanders, your journey begins with pickup from your
What you get
- Train Ticket (Aguas Caliente - Ollantaytambo)
- Professional guide (Spanish / English)
- Hotel pick up & drop off
- 1 night Hotel *** accommodation
- Entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
- Lunch
About this experience
The 2-Day Inca Trail Hike is a shorter alternative to the classic Inca Trail, offering an unforgettable introduction to one of Latin America’s most iconic treks. With Howlanders, your journey begins with pickup from your accommodation in Cuzco, followed by a transfer to Ollantaytambo. There, you’ll board the scenic panoramic train toward Machu Picchu, heading to the starting point of the Short Inca Trail. You’ll set off on the hike with a professional guide who will share insights about the natural landscapes and archaeological sites along the way, including Wiñaywayna and the famous Sun Gate, the gateway to the ancient Inca citadel. After spending the night in Aguas Calientes, you'll enjoy a guided visit to Machu Picchu the following morning. The experience ends with a return train ride to Ollantaytambo and a shuttle back to your accommodation in Cuzco.
What's included
Included
- Train Ticket (Aguas Caliente - Ollantaytambo)
- Professional guide (Spanish / English)
- Hotel pick up & drop off
- 1 night Hotel *** accommodation
- Entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Train ticket (Ollantaytambo - KM 104)
Not included
- Meals
- Tips to porters
- Bus to Machu Picchu (optional)
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 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
- Howlanders
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- 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
Photos






Traveler reviews
2 verified traveler reviews for Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 2 days. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Had to cancel due to coronavirus
I had booked a 2 day Inca trail trek through Howlanders but was forced to cancel due to the Coronavirus crisis. Their customer service was brilliant and they changed their cancellation and rearrangement policies quickly and clearly and as such we were able get the vast majority of our money back from the trail or rearrange the trip to a time when it might be doable. We had no idea if we would be able to rearrange so got our money back, but if we do rearrange we will definitely book through Howlanders again because of how they treated us in the difficult situation. Thank you very much Howlanders!
Response from the operator: Hola! Thank you very much for sharing your experience with Howlander`s customer service team :D We have put all our effort and caring into adapting to the new situation and attending to all our travellers needs as quickly as possible. Besides, we keep working to advise you on everything you need, because yes!, we will be back on the road and we will be here to help you plan your next trip.
via Tripadvisor
A once in a lifetime experience
We booked this because we wanted to get a flavor of the Inca Trail and we were not disappointed! The first day of this hike is no walk in the park. The terrain is steep and unsheltered for the first couple of hours. We went in August (their winter) but the sun beating down on us that morning got us pretty dehydrated. But oh it is so worth it! The views of the Andes, the Urubamba valley, the orchids and the ruins of Winaywana are spectacular. Our tour guides were patient and very helpful. At times the steps got so steep that I had to literally climb them on my hands and feet as if I was climbing a ladder. At the end of the hike on the first day we arrived at Machu Pichu through the Inti Punku. The sight of the lost city of the Incas took my breath away and is etched forever in my mind. Now the company and their local branch- Simon did a great job in organizing this trip for us. He met us a couple of nights before the trip and walked us through what to expect. The food and drinks on the hike were plentiful. The hotel Andimo in Aguas Calientes was small but clean and very comfortable. We enjoyed this experience so much! Can’t thank Simon and our tour guides, Jesoos and Pedro, enough! A few thing that I want to point out: 1. Our hotel pickup was at 3:40 am. This early morning is followed by a full day of hiking over the challenging but beautiful section of the Inca Trail. So make sure you get plenty of rest and have time to acclimatize in Cusco before the tour. 2. The tour company is very generous in giving food and refreshments for the hiking day. But you have to carry your own food on the hike. It is about 10 pounds of extra weight. Of course you can return whatever you don’t want to carry but water is one of the essentials and it is heavy! We highly recommend this tour and Simon as the local organizer for this company. We had a great time and hope that you will too!
Response from the operator: Hola! Thank you for your kind comment about your experience with Howlanders, it is always a pleasure to hear about travellers like you who enjoy mountains and Latin America, even when facing difficulties along the way. The Inca Trail is an incredible trek and Simon always does his best to make all the travellers live a great experience. Thank you again for your comment and recommendations :)
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 48 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- 1+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $620 to $720
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Howlanders, who run 23 experiences we rank across 5 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 51.7.
See everything Howlanders runsWhy this scores 50
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 2 days: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.
How much does Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 2 days cost?
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Prices start at $620 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 Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 2 days 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 Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 2 days worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 50 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 2 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Cusco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 2 days?
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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 Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 2 days suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 1. 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 Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 2 days?
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Around 1 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 Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 2 days 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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