If you don’t have days to spare, this 2-day Inca Trail is a great way to experience a stretch of this legendary route and reach Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. You’ll spend a full day hiking through incredible scenery, stopping at archaeological sites, and settle in for the night at our cozy campsite near the Urubamba River.
The trip includes meals cooked on-site, quality camping gear already set up for you, and a peaceful night in nature. The next morning, you’ll visit Machu Picchu with your guide, just before the crowds arrive. We handle all the logistics, so you can focus on enjoying the journey.
Inca Trail 2 Days with Camping - Overview
This 2 Day Inca Trail Hike is an excellent option if you’re short on time but still want to experience the best of the Inca Trail. Not only will you visit the trail's most important attractions, but you’ll also get to enjoy the full camping experience. During the trip, you’ll arrive at Machu Picchu twice, at sunset and sunrise, and explore fascinating Inca sites like Wiñaywayna, surrounded by stunning natural scenery.
The adventure starts in either Cusco or Ollantaytambo, and the hike takes about 6–7 hours along the final stretch of the Classic Inca Trail. You’ll enter Machu Picchu through the famous Sun Gate (Intipunku), where you’ll catch your first and most unforgettable views of the site. That evening, you’ll camp near the Urubamba River, right at the foot of a mountain, with all your gear ready and a warm meal prepared by our talented chef, plus time to relax.
Early the next morning, you’ll head back to Machu Picchu for a guided tour before most travelers arrive. And don’t worry — our team of porters takes care of all the camping equipment, so you can focus on the adventure and the views.
Tour Highlights:
- Hike the final section of the Inca Trail with a full camping experience.
- Enter Machu Picchu twice, at sunset and sunrise.
- Explore Chachabamba, Wiñayhuayna, and the Sungate.
- Return on the panoramic Vistadome or 360° trains.
2-Day Inca Trail at a Glance:
Day 1: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Machu Picchu (10 km, 7 hrs)
We’ll pick you up around 4:00 a.m. and head to Ollantaytambo to catch the first train to Km 104, where the Short Inca Trail begins. After a hearty breakfast prepared by your chef, you'll hike for about 6–7 hours, visiting sites like Wiñaywayna and the Sun Gate (Intipunku). You'll arrive at Machu Picchu in the afternoon, when it's quieter, and camp near the Urubamba River at the foot of the mountain.
Day 2: Machu Picchu Guided Tour (4 hrs)
Wake up with coffee in your tent and enjoy breakfast before heading up to Machu Picchu by bus. Explore the citadel’s temples, plazas, and terraces on a guided tour, with the option to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (not included). Later, take the scenic Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo and return to Cusco by bus, arriving at your hotel around 7:30 p.m.
Included:
- Safety briefing the day before the tour
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- All transportation during the tour
- Professional Tour Guide
- Train to Km 104 (Expedition or Voyager)
- Return on the panoramic Vistadome train or 360°
- Round-trip bus to Machu Picchu
- Entry tickets to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
- 1-night camping accommodation
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Comfortable sleeping tents
- Sleeping bag, sleeping pad
- Picnic meals (2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner)
- Satellite phones, first-aid kit, oxygen supply
Not Included:
- Last day lunch after the Machu Picchu tour
- Entry to Huayna Picchu Mountain
- Entry to Machu Picchu Mountain
- Travel Insurance (Highly recommended)
Extra hikes after Machu Picchu Tour:
- Huayna Picchu Mountain – USD 68 per person
You can hike this mountain after your Machu Picchu tour (2-hours round-trip).
- Montaña Machu Picchu – USD 68 per person
This is the highest mountain (takes almost 3 hours round-trip).
2 Day Inca Trail with Camping - Full Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Km104 – Machu Picchu – Puente Ruinas
Start your adventure early from Cusco (4:00 a.m.) or Ollantaytambo (5:30 a.m.) and head to the train station to catch the first train toward the Inca Trail. The ride from Ollantaytambo takes about 1.5 hours until you reach Chachabamba, also known as Km 104, the starting point of the 2 Day Inca Trail Hike. Upon arrival, you’ll need to show your original passport to enter the trail.
Your trekking chef will serve breakfast right at the trailhead, using fresh local ingredients. Lunch will be at Wiñaywayna and dinner at the campsite. All meals are picnic-style with a variety of options.
After breakfast, you’ll visit the Chachabamba archaeological site and begin your 6–7 hour hike along the Short Inca Trail. Along the way, you’ll explore the remarkable Inca site of Wiñaywayna, take in the views, and enjoy the rich variety of plants and wildlife. You’ll reach Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Intipunku) in the afternoon, just as most visitors are leaving, giving you a more peaceful first look at this incredible site.
Afterward, we’ll take the bus down to Puente Ruinas, where your chef and porters will be waiting with dinner. Your tent will already be set up, so you can enjoy tea time with your guide, relax over dinner, and spend the night camping in comfort.
- Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi
- Duration: 6-7 hours
- Campsite Altitude: 2,000 m / 6,562 ft
- Highest Altitude: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
- Accommodation: Camping
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 2: Explore Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco
The highlight of this TreXperience is finally at Machu Picchu. You’ll wake up in your tent with a fresh cup of coffee, pack your belongings, enjoy a tasty breakfast, and take the early bus up to Machu Picchu to watch the sunrise. This makes the tour even more special, giving you the chance to arrive at Machu Picchu twice—once for the sunset and once for the sunrise the following day.
The guided tour lasts around 2 to 3 hours, covering the most important spots, including viewpoints, plazas, and palaces. If you’ve got pre-booked tickets, you can also take one of the optional hikes to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain (different from the main Citadel) for panoramic views from the top.
After the tour, you’ll be instructed on how to take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. There, you’ll have time for lunch (not included) before boarding the scenic Vistadome train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, our team will drive you to your hotel in Cusco, arriving around 7:30 p.m.
- Tour Duration: 2-3 hours in Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
- Meals: Breakfast
- Difficulty: Easy
2 Day Inca Trail Hike - Packing List
For this 2 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you’ll want to keep your packing simple and practical. Bring just what you’ll need for the hike—nothing more, nothing less. A 25-liter daypack is a great choice: light, comfortable, and big enough to carry your daily essentials.
We’ll also give you a small duffle bag to pack up to 5 kg (11 lb) of your belongings. This bag goes straight to the campsite, so you won’t have to carry it during the trek.
Essential for the Trail
Below is a basic list for all Inca Trail hikers:
- Original passport
- Light and 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 keep all the essentials for the day.
- Original Passport: Required for this tour; you must show it 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 one you provided at booking. If you have renewed your passport after booking, please let us know to update the details.
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, sun hat: Sun protection is essential.
- Rain gear: Regardless of the season, always carry rain ponchos or waterproof jackets.
- Extra snacks: We provide a snack on Day 1, but consider bringing extra chocolates, power bars, granola, or candies.
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips: You may need to buy water, souvenirs, pay for lunch on the second day, or tip your staff.
- 2 liters of water in a reusable container: For the 2 day Inca Trail, you must have 2 liters of water on Day 1 and 1 liter on Day 2. Single-use plastic bottles are not allowed on the Inca Trail or at Machu Picchu.
What to put in the duffle bag?
Duffle bags will be provided during the briefing, where you can pack everything needed for the 2-day tour. The bags go directly to the campsite, and you won’t have access to them during the day.
- Comfortable shoes or sandals for the campsite
- Comfortable shoes for hiking: Hiking boots are not strictly necessary but preferred.
- Warm clothing for early morning: Mornings and nights can be cold in Cusco and Ollantaytambo; the Short Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are warmer, so be prepared for all weather, including rain.
- Light, comfortable hiking clothing: Choose light hiking pants and, if possible, long-sleeved t-shirts.
- Swimsuit for hot springs in Aguas Calientes (optional): There are hot springs in the upper part of Aguas Calientes, but you need to go on your own and pay an additional fee.
2 Day Inca Trail Hike - Price
Price per Person:
- From US$ 540 (Adults)
- From US$ 500 (Children and students)
To book your 2-day Short Inca Trail with camping, simply make an initial payment of US$ 200 per person. You can pay the remaining balance online or at our office in Cusco.
Student Discount:
- US$ 40 off per person
All travelers under 17 will have a US$40 discount. If you are under 25 years old when traveling to Machu Picchu, you can get the discount with your Student ID. Please email us to receive the code for the discount: Info@trexperienceperu.com.
Valid Student ID for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu:
To qualify for the student discount, you must:
- Be 25 years old or younger on the day you enter Machu Picchu. Those older than 25 aren’t eligible.
- Have a valid ID that clearly shows:
- The name of your university
- Your full name and photo
- An expiration date
Lock in your spot on the Short Inca Trail today and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
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.
Similar Tours you might be interested in:
Inca Trail 2 Days with Camping - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2-day Inca Trail with Camping?
The 2-day Inca Trail with 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 (Camping experience). This tour also includes private chefs and porters to ensure you have a lifetime experience.
Where is the 2-Day Inca Trail campsite located?
The campsite is at Puente Ruinas, next to the Urubamba River and right below Machu Picchu.
What kinf of camping equipment is included?
TreXperience is one of the few companies that provides a camping experience, including the following equipment:
- Comfortable tents
- Sleeping bags, sleeping pads
- Dining tents, kitchen tent
- Tables, chairs
Is there hiking staff like porters and a guide?
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 2 Day Inca Trail Hike?
The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a 2-day, one-night excursion covering a total distance of 10 kilometers or 6.2 miles; you will hike for around 6 to 7 hours to reach Machu Picchu.
What's the Inca Trail Altitude?
When is the best time of year to hike this route?
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.
Are meals included during the tour?
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.
How do I 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 do this hike without a tour operator?
You cannot access the Inca Trail if you do not use a licensed travel agency. Always go with your guide along the Inca Trail.