---
title: Short Inca Trail To Machu Picchu 2 Days and 1 Night
lang: en
type: tour
city: Cusco
country: Peru
price: 547
currency: EUR
price_unit: per_person
availability: bookable
rating: 4.98
reviews: 337
duration_minutes: 2880
languages: [en, es]
free_cancellation: "true"
rank_in_category: 12 of 62 (Inca Trail Treks)
schedule_checked: 2026-11-08
data_updated: 2026-11-08
canonical: https://guidekin.com/peru/cusco/tours/short-inca-trail-to-machu-picchu-2-days-and-1-night-2/
---

# Short Inca Trail To Machu Picchu 2 Days and 1 Night

**Guidekin's take:** Hike via Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna to reach Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. Trail and site entry, return trains and lunch are included; the hotel and the second day's bus up from Aguas Calientes are extra. 4.98 from 337 reviews at €547 per person for 2 days.

In our comparison: #12 of 62 in Inca Trail Treks, by rating weighted by review volume (table below).

## Overview

The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is ideal for travelers who have limited time or want something less strenuous. This adventure hike starts at KM 104 of the Machu Picchu train line on a trail that leads to two archaeological sites Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna. This hike also gives you the opportunity to enter the lost city via the famous Sun Gate, the dramatic entrance that provides Inca Trail trekkers with their first glimpse of the site. Spend the night in Aguas Calientes and then wake up on Day 2 for a Machu Picchu tour.

## Before you book

- Hotel pickup: no car needed
- Entry ticket included: skip the ticket desk
- Min. 2 to book: not for solo travellers
- Food included: see what is included
- Strollers OK: infants accepted
- Age rule: Specialized infant seats are available

**Pickup:** Hotel pickup included

## Key facts

- Price: from €547 per person
- Duration: 2 days
- Rating: 4.98/5 from 337 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor)
- Free cancellation (see policy below)
- Operator: Action Peru Treks
- Minimum booking: 2 travellers at this price
- Group: Shared tour
- Guide languages: English, Spanish
- Tickets: Admission included
- Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket
- Price checked on Viator: 2026-11-08

## Reviews

4.98 from 337 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
100% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 336 of 337.

- 5 stars: 333 (99%)
- 4 stars: 3 (1%)
- 3 stars: 0 (0%)
- 2 stars: 0 (0%)
- 1 star: 1 (0%)

### What reviewers say

Reviewers praise the guides, organisation and Sun Gate approach; the climbs can be physically demanding.

**Praised:**
- Guides explain Inca history, local culture and plants along the trail
- Patient pacing, encouragement and rest stops when hikers struggle
- Transport, tickets and hotel arrangements are generally handled smoothly
- Arriving through the Sun Gate makes the first view of Machu Picchu a highlight
- Comfortable hotels and well received meals

**Complaints:**
- Some find the climbs strenuous, while others describe the hike as manageable

Written by Guidekin from the 50 most recent English reviews on Tripadvisor & Viator (2024-08-27 to 2026-08-30); last checked 2026-11-08.

## What's included

- Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes on Day 1.
- Tour guide
- Inca Trail and Machu Picchu Entrance Ticket through circuit 3
- Lunch
- Round trip train tickets

## Not included

- Hiking poles (can be rented from us)
- Tips
- Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu on day 2 (US $24).
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Dinner in Aguas Calientes on Night 1

## Schedule

- Runs: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Schedule last checked: 2026-11-08
- These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout.

## Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

## Good to know

- 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
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels

## Compared with other Inca Trail Treks

| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **This tour · #12 of 62** | €547 | 2 days | 4.98 (337) | shared |
| [Inca Trail 4-Day Trek to Machu Picchu – Return by Vistadome Train](/peru/cusco/tours/inca-trail-4-day-trek-to-machu-picchu-return-by-vistadome-train/?format=md) | €761 | 4 days | 4.99 (11636) | shared |
| [2-Day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Vistadome & 4-Star Hotel](/peru/cusco/tours/2-day-short-inca-trail-to-machu-picchu-vistadome-4-star-hotel/?format=md) | €533 | 2 days | 4.99 (4074) | shared |
| [Inca Trail 4-Day 3-Night Trek to Machu Picchu with Expert Guides](/peru/cusco/tours/inca-trail-4-day-3-night-trek-to-machu-picchu-with-expert-guides/?format=md) | €909 | 4 days | 4.99 (1069) | shared |

Ranked #12 of 62 in Inca Trail Treks by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €428 to €5668, median €790; typical length 4 days. 16 of 62 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market.

Full list: https://guidekin.com/peru/cusco/inca-trail-tours/?format=md

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