Short Inca Trail 2 Days to Machu Picchu, is a breathtaking trek that takes adventurers through the stunning landscapes of the Peruvian Andes. This challenging yet rewarding journey offers hikers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the region while also experiencing the rich culture and history of Peru.
The Salkantay Trek is a 74-kilometer trek that begins in the town of Mollepata and ends at the iconic Machu Picchu. Along the way, hikers will traverse high mountain passes, lush cloud forests, and remote Andean villages. The highlight of the trek is undoubtedly the breathtaking views of the snow-capped Salkantay Mountain, which stands at an impressive 6,271 meters.
Hiking the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will challenge and inspire you. The trail offers a mix of rugged terrain, high-altitude hiking, and stunning scenery, making it a must-do for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to interact with local communities, learn about traditional Andean culture, and witness some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world.
Overview
Short Inca Trail (2 Days, 1 Night) – Overview
This is a great alternative to the Classic Inca Trail, offering a shorter but still rewarding trekking experience. It follows a section of the ancient Inca Trail, passing through beautiful landscapes and impressive ruins before arriving at Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).
Key Details
- Total Distance: ~10 km (6.2 miles)
- Maximum Altitude: 2,720 m (8,923 ft)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Best Time to Go: May – September (dry season)
- Permit Required? Yes (book in advance)
- Guide Required? Yes (must go with an official tour operator)
Itinerary – 2 Days, 1 Night
🔹 Day 1: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Machu Picchu
- Trek Distance: ~10 km (6.2 miles)
- Altitude: 2,720 m (8,923 ft)
- Highlights:
- Early morning train from Cusco to Km 104 (the trailhead).
- Hike uphill to Wiñay Wayna, an impressive Inca ruin.
- Continue trekking to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) for the first view of Machu Picchu.
- Descend to Aguas Calientes and spend the night in a hotel.
🔹 Day 2: Machu Picchu – Cusco
Return to Cusco by train in the afternoon.
Highlights:
Early morning bus to Machu Picchu for a guided tour.
Explore the citadel and optionally hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (if permits are available).
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Chaullay
The trek begins early in the morning with a drive from Cusco to Soraypampa, the starting point of the hike. Soraypampa sits at an altitude of 3,800 meters and offers stunning views of the Salkantay Mountain. Before heading deeper into the trek, most itineraries include a side trip to the breathtaking Humantay Lake. The short but steep hike to the lake (about 2 hours round trip) offers crystal-clear glacial waters framed by towering peaks.
After visiting the lake. You will hike up to the Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the trek at 4,600 meters. The ascent can be physically demanding due to the altitude, but the panoramic views of the surrounding Andean landscape and the Salkantay Glacier make the effort worthwhile. Once you reach the pass, you’ll begin a gradual descent into a warmer, more tropical environment as you head toward Collpapampa. This change in scenery from high mountain passes to lush cloud forests offers a striking contrast. You will spend the night camping in Collpapampa, surrounded by waterfalls and dense vegetation.
Highlights: Humantay Lake, snow-capped mountains. Salkantay Pass, Salkantay Glacier, cloud forest transition.
- Meals: Lunch – tea – dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Minimum altitude: 2920 m
- Maximum altitude: 4650 m
- Distance: 20km / 9miles
- Time: 9h approximately
- Difficulty: Challenge
DAY 02: Chaullay – La Playa – Hidroeléctrica – Aguas Calientes.
After breakfast, at 6:30 am, we begin the hike and continue through the high forest crossing the Lluskamayo River and a variety of small streams until we reach the beach, where we stop for lunch. After lunch we have included local transportation to continue to the Hydroelectric Power Plant passing through fields of tropical fruits and plants in the area.
Here we have two options: continue to Aguas Calientes (train service U$.38 optional) or walk (10 km – 02 hours approx.) This stretch of hike is recommended because it is very nice and you can see the Inca citadel Machu Picchu on top of the mountain and a very beautiful landscape along the way. Once we arrive at Aguas Calientes, we have chosen accommodation in a hostel: Overnight.
- Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
- Facilities Accommodation Hostel
- Minimum height: 2.000 m
- Maximum altitude: 2900m
- Distance: 22 km /
- Time: About 7h.
- Difficulty: Moderate
DAY 03: Aguas Calientes – MachuPicchu – Cusco.
We will have breakfast at the hotel and then go to the bus station and can board the first bus in the direction of the city, approximately 25 minutes by a zigzag path to reach the Inca citadel Machu Picchu. The guide will offer a visit (about 2 hours) and after that, you have free time to explore the city and if you still have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu mountain (2720m). It takes 45 minutes to reach the top.
To return to Aguas Calientes have 2 options, walking or bus (optional) where you will meet your guide back for lunch and receive his train ticket to return to the city of Cusco.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Maximum height: 2.440m
- Difficulty: Easy.
The train service that includes all the tours (the Expedition to Ollanta) and bus to Cusco. * If you want to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes you have to tell us in advance to arrange your hotel and change the return train service.
CONDITIONS FOR THE MOUNTAIN MACHU PICCHU AND HUAYNA PICCHU.
Inclusions
OUR SERVICE INCLUDES:
- Professional, bilingual guide
- Collection hotel
- Return transportation (bus to the start of the route and tourist train to Ollanta)
- Entrance to Machu Picchu + Huayna picchu / Machu Picchu.
- 2 snacks (hot drinks, biscuits, and popcorn), 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners (breakfast on day 1, and dinner and lunch in Aguas Calientes are not included)
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Cook
- 2 person Huts
- Sleeping mats
- Horsemen and mules (they carry cooking and camping equipment and up to 07 kilos of belongings of the tourists)
- 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes
- Bottled oxygen.
- First aid box
- Vegetarian diet available.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Breakfast first day
- Lunch last day
- Personal expenses
- Tips Guide and service staff
What’s Included in Most Tours?
✔️ Inca Trail & Machu Picchu permits
✔️ Professional guide
✔️ Train tickets (to and from Cusco)
✔️ Hotel in Aguas Calientes (1 night)
✔️ Bus tickets (Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes)
✔️ Meals (Lunch & Dinner on Day 1, Breakfast on Day 2)
What’s Not Included?
❌ Entrance to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (extra cost)
❌ Trekking poles (can be rented)
❌ Tips for guides
** Train included in all tours is (Expedition Ollanta service) will only be confirmed once the full amount of the tour is paid. The earliest train you could take is the 14:30 pm, and being the last train at 18:30. Salkantay Expeditions arranges transportation to Cusco (by taxi or bus).
Note: train schedules are subject to change depending on Peru rail schedule and availability. The train can be changed to Vista dome (bigger than the expedition train windows) with a price increase.
Should Bring
WHAT YOU NEED TO TAKE:
- Original passport and student card
- Insurance card is essential
- Sleeping bag.
- Hiking boots
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- Coat
- Hat and gloves comfortable pants shirts
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen factor 70
- Insect repellent
- Water
- Water purification tablets (Micropur recommended)
- Personal medication
- Camera and battery.
- Flashlight with extra batteries
OPTIONAL TO TAKE:
- Shorts
- Walking Stick
- Plasters and bandages
- Flips flops
- Extra money
- Swimsuit for hot springs in Santa Teresa / Aguas Calientes – not included in price.
OPTIONAL SERVICES (NOT INCLUDED):
- Sleeping bag (U$:20)
- Canes (U$.15)
- Small day backpack (U$.40)
IMPORTANT: Prices depend on the service you hire and the number of people. You have to be flexible with your travel dates (giving alternatives of 1 or 2 days on each side of the preferred date), the availability for specific dates can change quickly, since there are only 500 spaces on the Inca Trail per day.
Acomodation
OUR CAMPS ALONG THE TRAIL
The best camps on the Salkantay Trek stand out for their comfort, impressive views and services that make the experience unforgettable
Tips for choosing camps:
- Reliable operators: Make sure you book with companies that have good recommendations.
- Altitude and acclimatization: Prioritize camps at lower altitude if you are not used to the altitude.
- Comfort: If you are looking for more comfort, opt for premium services with huts or domes.
Our second camp, located on the side of the bridle path, very close to the local community, here we will have many amenities, we will also be able to enjoy the local community.
- Meals: Breakfast – lunch – tea – dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Minimum altitude: 2920 m
- Time: 9h about
- Difficult: challenge
the most touristic town in Peru, Aguas Calientes, the closest place to the wonder of the world, here we will have our accommodation with all the basic needs to spend a pleasant night.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Hotel facilities
- Maximum height: 2.000.m
- Difficulty: Easy.
Price
Prices: Season 2025
Group Service:
- U$. 420 Per Person (Group Service)
Private Service:
- U$: 540 Per Person ( Minimum 02 People)
Group versus Private Treks: What’s the difference?
- Depending on the number of people in your booking, additional people may join the trek to make a full group.
- If you choose “private”, no additional people will be joining your group, no matter the size.
- Minimum booking size is 02 people; one person may book a group trek if Pacha Expeditions Travel Peru, is able to join that person with additional groups.
Discounts
- Student Discount (only with active card): U$:20
- Under 18 years Discount: U$.20
**visit our secure payment methods
