TOP EXPERIENCE
Hike the legendary Inca Trail – A perfect option for those short on time but eager to experience this iconic trek.
Enter Machu Picchu through the famous Sun Gate – Witness breathtaking views of the Lost City of the Incas from an exclusive vantage point.
Enjoy a full guided tour of Machu Picchu – Explore the ruins with an expert guide and uncover the secrets of this ancient wonder.
The Short 2 Day Inca Trail is the perfect way to experience the magic of the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu in just two days. This trek follows the final section of the world-famous Inca Trail, passing by stunning archaeological sites, cloud forests, and ancient stone paths.
The highlight? Entering Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), just like the Incas did centuries ago. After an unforgettable sunset view over the ruins, you’ll descend to Aguas Calientes for a well-earned rest, before returning the next morning for a fully guided tour of Machu Picchu.
If you’re short on time but still want an authentic trekking experience, this is the perfect adventure!
Group
4 to 10 people
Difficulty
Easy
Max. Altitude
9,007 ft / 2,730 m
Start / Finish
Cusco / Cusco
Whatsapp us here to get in touch with our specialized team for help on planning your perfect adventure!
Guaranteed departures– Your trip is 100% confirmed once booked. Unlike others, we never cancel last minute due to low numbers.
All-Inclusive & hassle-free– Tickets, trains, buses, guides – everything is covered. No hidden fees, no stress.
Expert local guides– Our passionate guides bring Machu Picchu to life with incredible stories, insights, and top-notch support.
24/7 customer support– We’re available via WhatsApp & email before, during, and after your trip.
Locally owned, globally experienced– Yapa is led by a young Peruvian woman with a vast amount of international tourism expertise, dedicated to providing authentic, sustainable travel that supports the local communities.
Detailed Itinerary IMPORTANT: LAST-MINUTE BOOKINGS (LESS THAN 4 WEEKS BEFORE TOUR DATE)
Booking a last-minute tour with Yapa Explorers? We guarantee your Machu Picchu entrance ticket or a full refund!
Our local team works tirelessly to secure your entrance for your chosen date, keeping you updated every step of the way.
Don’t risk your once-in-a-lifetime Machu Picchu experience—book with Yapa!
Cusco – Inca Trail – Sun Gate – Aguas Calientes
4:00 AM – Pick-up & Transfer to Ollantaytambo
Your journey begins with an early morning pick-up from your accommodation and a scenic drive through the Sacred Valley to the Ollantaytambo train station.
6:00 AM – Train to the Inca Trail Trailhead (Km 104)
Enjoy a stunning train ride through the Andes, following the winding Urubamba River to the starting point of your trek.
Morning – Begin the Inca Trail Hike
Pass through the checkpoint at Km 104 and start your adventure! Along the way, you’ll visit the first Inca site, Chachabamba, where your guide will introduce you to the rich history of the Inca civilization.
Midday – Arrive at Wiñay Wayna
After a steady 3-hour ascent, reach Wiñay Wayna, one of the most impressive ruins along the trail, featuring terraces, temples, and waterfalls. Enjoy a delicious freshly prepared lunch before continuing your trek.
Afternoon – Hike to the Sun Gate Inti Punku
Follow the final stretch of the Inca Trail to the famous Sun Gate, where you’ll be rewarded with your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu at sunset—a truly unforgettable moment.
Evening – Descend to Aguas Calientes
After soaking in the views, take a short hike down to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll check into your comfortable 3-star hotel and have time to explore the town before resting up for the big day ahead.
Machu Picchu – Cusco
Early Morning – Bus to Machu Picchu
Wake up early for one of the most magical moments of your journey—entering Machu Picchu before the crowds arrive!
Morning – Expert-Guided Tour of Machu Picchu
Your bilingual guide will take you on an in-depth 2-hour tour, exploring some of the most iconic areas of Machu Picchu. Our tour guide will show you special secrets of the ruins, the best photo spots, and explain all about its history and purposes.
Midday – Free Time to Explore
After the guided tour, enjoy free time to walk, take photos, or simply soak in the mystical atmosphere.
Afternoon – Train Journey Back to Cusco
Descend back to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll board a train to Ollantaytambo before transferring to a private mini-van back to Cusco.
9:00 PM – Arrival in Cusco
Your adventure ends with a drop-off in the city center, leaving you with unforgettable memories of your Inca Trail & Machu Picchu experience!
We did the 2 day Inca Trail with Yapa. I couldn’t speak highly enough of the experience. Our guide Gunther was amazing. He’s passionate about the Inca history and the beauty of the area but he’s also just incredibly helpful and a great person to be around.
Yapa were on hand to communicate throughout. The access we had to Machu Picchu was the best. The pre tour briefing gave us some brilliant tips for the tour. Machu Picchu itself is breath taking and we loved hiking the Inca Trail
When we were planning for our adventure to Peru, we had absolutely no idea which tour company we should sign up the highlight of Peru with. Yapa Explorers stood out with their clear and transparent itinerary which had add-ons customized to suit our timing.
Everything from the initial booking, through to food and accommodation till the last day of our adventure was seamlessly excellent. Our family (3 pax) took the 2 Day Inca Trail x Machu Picchu Hike and Yapa Explorer never stopped assuring us on any doubts we had for the trip.
I was a bit nervous about doing the 2 day Inca Trail Hike due to a combination of injury and fitness but thankfully I was gifted Marcelo as my guide! He was perfect. He anticipated every need, knew when to take breaks, knew when to point out nature features as a decoy for a break when I was to stubborn to stop ;), was ideal in laying out what to expect for the next portion of the trip, and acted as a professional photographer and local knowledge buff and was just all round lovely. He made the trip for me!!! Superstar.
Contact our Machu Picchu experts on Whatsapp HERE or email info@yapaexplorers.com for help planning your adventure!
What’s included When you book with Yapa, everything is taken care of – no stress, no surprises, just an incredible Inca Trail experience led by expert local guides.
Personalized Pre-Tour Briefing Personalized Pre-Trek Briefing – We’ll contact you and meet the evening before departure to go over all details and answer any last-minute questions.
Permits & entry fees covered
Expert guidance
All transport & logistics handled
Support team for maximum comfort Customer service team ready to answer all your questions through Whatsapp and email
What to bring Bringing the right gear ensures a comfortable and stress-free trek. Here’s what we highly recommend:
Small backpack (30-40L max) Just enough space for your daily essentials
Original passport Required for Inca Trail entry & train travel
Hiking boots Sturdy footwear for uneven terrain
Comfortable clothes Layer up for changing temperatures
Sweater Mornings and evenings can be chilly
Hat & sunglasses Sunblock & lip balm
Insect Repellent Aluminum/Reusable water bottle
Rain poncho Andean weather is unpredictable
Personal Medication Including altitude sickness pills if needed
Insect Repellent Mosquitoes can be persistent.
Frequently Asked Questions Altitude sickness can catch many travelers a little bit off guard. It’s impossible to know who will get affected by it. Some don’t even feel it at all! For most, it’s nothing more than a headache and a dizzy sensation that goes away over a short period of time.
If you want to limit your chances of getting sick, there are a few things you can do. The most important thing to do is acclimatize in Cusco. Take it easy on the first day or two, eat small meals, get plenty of rest and drink water. Other alternatives are Soroche (Diamox) pills and coca leaves.
It’s also important to speak to your physician to make sure you don’t have any underlying conditions.
Our tour departs with a minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 8 people.
If looking to book a private group tour or solo tour, contact us and we’ll organize one for you.
There’s nothing like that feeling of discovering a new place all by yourself and we can help you with that. Whether looking to travel alone part of a journey or the whole trip, simply contact us and we’ll create the perfect plan.
We take the stress out of booking a group trip of 4 or more people to Machu Picchu, plus the added bonus of including great benefits! Contact our team through our email: info@yapaexplorers.com or by sending a Whatsapp to our number: +51 932 244 986 (09:00am to 6:00pm – Peruvian time) for more information.
Apart from Machu Picchu, the other ruins you’ll discover on the Inca Trail are the ones of Llactapata, Winay Wayna, Runkurakay, Phuyupatamarca and Sayacmarca, as well as other smaller Inca sites. Your tour guide will take you to these sites and explain their history and purpose in the Inca Empire.
We suggest at least 6-8 months in advance. There’s a strict limit of 200 permits for travelers per day, and as you can imagine they can get snatched up really quickly.
The Inca Trail is the most popular route to Machu Picchu and unfortunately, luck can sometimes not be on our side. But the good news is that the Inca Trail isn’t the only trek to the citadel!
The Salkantay Trek is the main alternative to the Inca Trail. Being named one of the most beautiful treks in the world, it offers unbelievable views like nowhere else.
The Inca Jungle Trek is another great alternative which mixes adventure into the journey. Trek, bike zip-line and even river raft on your way to Machu Picchu!
Yapa Explorers is locally owned and female-led, ensuring an authentic, personalized, and seamless experience.
We are more than just a tour operator—we are a group dedicated to exceptional service, expert guiding, and responsible tourism.
Every trek with us supports the local community, ensuring that both our travelers and the people behind the journey benefit from every step.
We promise you can trust that every detail is taken care of – all you need to do is enjoy the adventure!
