Short Inca Trail with camping to Machu Picchu is the perfect option for travelers searching for a short adventure. Hike along the ancient Inca Trail, reach the Sun Gate (Intipunku), and camp below Machu Picchu Mountain. Enjoy our Glamping experience with walk-in tents, camping cots, sleeping bags, hot showers, and panoramic trains to return. Available every day with a minimum of 2 participants.
Short Inca Trail 2 days – Camping Overview
Hike the Inca Trail 2 days to Machu Picchu and camp right below Machu Picchu Mountain with comfortable walk-in tents, camping cots, hot showers, picnic meals, and an exclusive team of porters, chefs, and tour guides.
This trek features the main attractions of the original Inca Trail and allows you to arrive at Machu Picchu twice (sunset and sunrise). Start in Cusco or Ollantaytambo, hike the short version of the Classic Inca Trail in one day, arrive at Machu Picchu in the afternoon through the Sun Gate (Intipunku), and camp below Machu Picchu, next to the Urubamba River with comfortable equipment. Visit Machu Picchu for a second time early in the morning the following day with an exclusive tour guide.
Tour details:
- Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
- Duration: 2 days, 1 night
- Depart: In Cusco or the Sacred Valley
- Destination: Machu Picchu
- Considered: Moderate
- Accommodation: Glamping experience
- Type: Adventure – Cultural
Highlights:
- Book with Confidence and Flexibility.
- Enjoy the Short Inca Trail with a Glamping Experience
- Arrive at Machu Picchu twice (sunset & sunrise)
- Return on the Panoramic Trains (Vistadome or 360° train)
Short Inca Trail Camping at a Glance:
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Day 1: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Machu Picchu (16km, 8 hrs)
Pick up from your hotel around 4.00 am, and drive to Ollantaytambo to board the first trains to Km 104, the beginning of the Short Inca Trail with camping. After a delicious breakfast prepared by your chef, you will start hiking for around 6 to 7 hours until you arrive at Machu Picchu in the afternoon. Along the way, you will visit different Inca sites, such as the Sun Gate (Intipunku), and see Machu Picchu almost empty in the afternoon—glamping experience right below Machu Picchu Mountain and near the Vilcanota (Urubamba River).
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Day 2: Explore Machu Picchu (The Lost City of The Incas) (4 hrs)
Wake up early with a cup of coffee in your tent, enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by your trekking chef, and take the bus to Machu Picchu. Your private tour guide will explore famous buildings, plazas, and streets. After the guided tour, you will have free time for yourself or hike to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain (different from Machu Picchu Citadel and not included). Later take the panoramic Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo and the bus back to Cusco. Finish back at your hotel around 7.30 pm.
Included:
- Pick up and drop off from your hotel.
- All Transportation included (door-to-door service)
- Entrance ticket to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
- Bus up and down to from Machu Pichu
- Exclusive professional tour guide
- One-way standard train (Expedition or Voyager)
- One-way panoramic train (Vistadome or 360)
- Picnic meals (2B, 1L, 1D)
- 1-night glamping experience
- Walk-in tents, camping cots, chairs, tables, dining tent, and hot showers.
- Sleeping bags, sleeping mats
- First Aid, Satellite Phone, Oxygen tank
- All taxes & Booking fees Included
Not Included:
- Second-day lunch after the Machu Picchu tour
- Huayna Picchu Mountain hike
- Machu Picchu Mountain hike
- Tip for your staff (Optional)
- Travel Insurance (Highly recommended)
Optional Hikes:
Huayna Picchu mountain – This ticket costs $75 per person. It takes 2 hours roundtrip; you need to book far in Advance.
Montaña Machu Picchu – Machu Picchu Mountain is the highest mountain; climbing takes almost 3 hours and costs $75 per person.
The full itinerary of the Inca Trail 2 days with Camping
Day 1: Cusco – Km104 – Machu Picchu – Puente Ruinas
Start your adventure in Cusco (4:00 am) or Ollantaytambo (5:30 am) and drive to the train station to board the first train to the Inca Trail; the train ride starts in Ollantaytambo and takes 1.5 hours until you arrive at Chachabamba, the beginning of the Inca Trail, also called Km 104. Upon arrival, you must show the original passport to enter the Short Inca Trail.
Breakfast will be served right at the beginning of the hike; your trekking chef will prepare it with fresh local products. Lunch will be served at Wiñaywayna, and dinner will be at the campsite. All meals are picnic-style with different options.
After breakfast, you will visit the Chachabamba Inca site and start hiking the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for about 6-7 hours. Visit the Inca Trail’s most remarkable sites, such as Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna and enjoy the fantastic views and the variety of flora and fauna. You will arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Intipunku) and take the first glimpse of this stunning archeological site. After arriving at Machu Picchu in the afternoon, you will have the chance to see this place with fewer people when everybody is leaving, then take the bus to Puente Ruinas, where your chef and porters will be waiting for dinner and spend the night with our Glamping Experience.
When you arrive at the campsite, the tents will be ready; you can take a refreshing hot shower, enjoy tea time with your tour guide, have dinner, and sleep in comfortable walk-in tents. The equipment we provide is dining tents, kitchen tents, shower tents, toilet tents, chairs, tables, sleeping tents, camping cots, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and hot showers.
- Highest altitude: 2700m / 8858ft
- Distance: 15km / 8 miles
- Duration: 7 hours
- Meals: Lunch, snacks, and dinner
- Accommodation: Glamping Experience
- Considered: Moderate
Day 2: Explore Machupicchu (Lost City of the Incas)
The most important day of this TreXperience is visiting Machu Picchu; You will wake up in your tent with a cup of coffee, pack your belongings, have a delicious breakfast, and drive the early buses up to Machu Picchu to catch the sunrise. This makes this tour a unique experience; it will allow you to arrive twice at Machu Picchu, 1 for the sunset and 1 for the sunrise the next day.
The guided tour takes about 2 to 3 hours to visit the most important temples and palaces. You will have free time to explore the area or take optional hikes to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain (Different from Machu Picchu citadel, and these tickets have to be arranged in advance for 75 USD each). After finishing with the city, you will be instructed on how to go back by bus down to Aguas Calientes, have lunch (not included), and take the panoramic trains back to Ollantaytambo and a van back to Cusco. TreXperience will transfer you back to your hotel around 7.30 pm.
- Duration: 2 – 3 hours (Guided tour)
- Meals: Breakfast
- Difficulty: Easy
Price for the Short Inca Trail with Campíng
Price per person:
- 590.USD for adults
- 550.USD for children and students
To book the Inca Trail 2 days hike with camping, you need to make an initial payment of 200.USD per person, the remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or Cusco with any credit card at no booking fees at all.
This tour can be booked as a private service as well!
This tour needs 2 people minimum per booking; if you are a solo traveler, don't hesitate to get in touch with us to verify group availability.
Student Discount:
- 40$ off per person
All travelers under 17 will have a $40 discount.
If you are 25 years old or under when traveling, you can get a 40$ discount with your student ID. Please advise by email to give you a code for the discount.
Valid Student ID for Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
To get the student discount, travelers should have a Valid ID with the following:
- 25 years or less at the time of entering Machu Picchu. Older than 25 can not enter as a student
- The ID must have the Name of the university, name, and photo of the student
- The ID must have a valid expiration date
Invalid Student IDs
Student IDs are not eligible for a discount when:
- Traveler is older than 25
- Expired ID
- Student Id without expiration date
- ISIC cards are not valid.
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Packing List for the Short Inca Trail with Glamping Experience
During the Short Inca Trail 2 days with camping to Machu Picchu, you are responsible for carrying a small backpack with you; you must bring a comfortable daypack to put all the necessary equipment for the day.
We will provide you with a duffle bag where you can put up to 5 kilos of your stuff, and this bag goes directly to the campsite.
Essential for the Short Inca Trail
Below is a basic list for all Inca Trail hikers:
- Original passport
- Light & Comfortable backpack
- Hiking boots
- 2 liters of water
- Trekking poles (optional)
- Extra Money for tips and souvenirs
What to put in the daypack?
Your backpack must be comfortable for hiking and light. You will carry this bag for around 7 hours and must put all the essentials for the day.
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Original Passport
Original passports are required for this tour; you must show them when boarding the trains, entering the Inca Trail, boarding the buses to Machu Picchu, and entering Machu Picchu citadel. The passport number must match the number you provided at the time of booking; if you have renewed the passport after the booking, please let us know to update the numbers.
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Sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, sun hat
Sun protection is essential; you need a sun hat, glasses, and mosquito repellent.
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Rain gear
Despite the season you are hiking, always take proper rain gear with you, rain ponchos, and waterproof jackets.
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Extra snacks
We provide a snack during day 1. However, we recommend taking extra chocolates, power bars, granola, and candies for the long day of hiking during the Inca Trail and visiting Machu Picchu.
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Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips
Taking extra money is very important during this trip; you must buy water and souvenirs, pay for lunch on the second day, or give tips to your staff.
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2 liters of water in a reusable container
During the Short Inca Trail for 2 days, you must provide 2 liters of water during day 1 and 1 liter during day 2. Single-use plastic bottles are not allowed on the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
What to put in the duffle bag?
The duffle bags will be provided during the briefing; you will put all the necessary stuff for the 2-day tour here. The duffle bags will go directly to the campsite, and you will not have access to them during the day.
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Comfortable shoes or sandals for the campsite
Comfortable shoes for hiking, hiking boots are not extremely necessary but are preferred. Take some light shoes or sandals for the campsite.
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Warm clothing for the early morning
The weather in Cusco and Ollantaytambo is cold early in the morning and late at night; the temperature in the Short Inca Trail and Machu Picchu is warmer: make sure you have clothes for all types of weather, including rain gear.
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Light, comfortable hiking clothing
Hiking pants must be light and comfortable for the warm weather of the Inca Trail; long-sleeved t-shirts work better.
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Swimsuit for hot springs in Aguas Calientes (optional)
A bathing suit is optional for Aguas Calientes; there are hot springs in the upper of the town, but you need to go by yourself, and there is an extra fee to pay.
Inca Trail 2 days FAQs
What is the 2-day Inca Trail with Camping?
The Inca Trail 2-day camping follows the same route as the tour with a hotel; the main difference is that you will be camping with our comfortable equipment near Aguas Calientes (Glamping experience). This tour also includes private chefs and porters to ensure you have a lifetime experience.
Where is the Inca Trail 2-day campsite located?
The campsite is at Puente Ruinas, next to the Urubamba river and right below Machu Picchu.
What type of Camping equipment is included?
TreXperience is the only company that provides comfortable equipment (Glamping experience), including:
- Comfortable Walk-in tents
- Camping cots
- Sleeping bags, sleeping pads
- Dining tents, kitchen tent
- Tables, chairs
- Hot showers
Hiking staff included
During this trek, you will have.
- 1 Tour guide for groups of up to 8 participants
- 1 expert trekking chef, sous chef
- Porters depending on the number of travelers
How long is the Inca Trail 2 days?
The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a 2-day, one-night excursion covering a total distance of 16 kilometers or 9.9 miles; you will trek for around 7 to 8 hours to reach Machu Picchu.
When is the best time of the year to hike the Short Inca Trail with camping?
The best time to take this tour during the dry season is between April and October. During this period, the weather is typically steady, and the possibility of precipitation is low. However, less popular during the rainy season.
However, fewer travelers might be to Machu Picchu and Inca Trail if you hike the Short Inca Train in the rainy season (November, December, January, and March).
When does the Inca Trail close?
The Inca Trail is closed every February for repair and the heavy rainy season.
What about food on the Short Inca Trail with camping?
Our trekking chef will prepare the first breakfast, lunch, and dinner on day 1. Also, breakfast on the second day will be served at the campsite before you visit Machu Picchu.
Are the porters Included on the Short Inca Trail with Camping?
The Short Inca Trail is a two-day trek that includes porters and cooks for camping. Porters are provided to transport the duffel bags and camping equipment.
How to book the Inca Trail with camping?
TreXperience makes it simple to book the Inca Trail; click the Book Now button, choose your departure date, fill out the form with all the necessary information, including passport information, and then submit the first deposit to book the Inca Trail.
Due to the Peruvian government's stringent permit booking requirement, all Inca Trail bookings must be manually verified.
Can I trek the Inca Trail on my own?
You cannot access the Inca Trail if you do not use a licensed travel agency. Always go with your guide along the Inca Trail.