Hike a section of the original Inca Trail from Km 104 through Wiñay Wayna and Intipunku to Machu Picchu, then visit the citadel with your guide the next morning.
The 2-Day Inca Trail takes you from Km 104 along a section of the original Inca Trail, past the archaeological sites of Chachabamba, Choquesuysuy and Wiñay Wayna, to Intipunku and Machu Picchu. You sleep in Aguas Calientes and tour the citadel the next morning. Choose a shared or private service, and we tailor-make every detail to your travel style, needs and budget.
Cloud forest and Andean scenery
Chachabamba, Choquesuysuy and Wiñay Wayna
Led by a local expert team
Panoramic view of Machu Picchu from Intipunku
Route and Itinerary
Two Days, One Trail
Interactive map of the Inca Trail route from Km 104 to Machu Picchu, with altitude changes.
Day 1 covers 8.52 km from Km 104 to Machu Picchu, passing Chachabamba, Choquesuysuy, Wiñay Wayna and Intipunku. Day 2 is a guided visit to Machu Picchu, with no trekking.
Times are approximate and vary with your pace and the weather.
An early train to Km 104, then a day on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
We pick you up at your hotel at 3:40 a.m. and transfer to the Ollantaytambo station for the 6:10 a.m. expedition train to Km 104. From there we walk, looking out for the flora and fauna of the area and for the mountains around Machu Picchu. The first archaeological site is Chachabamba, then Choquesuysuy, and about 3 hours later we reach Wiñay Wayna. We continue to Intipunku, the Sun Gate, for a panoramic view of Machu Picchu, and on along a stretch of the Inca Trail through the forest. A bus takes us down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes, where dinner and the hotel await.
Highlights
Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104.
Chachabamba, Choquesuysuy and Wiñay Wayna.
Panoramic view of Machu Picchu from Intipunku.
Bus down to Aguas Calientes and dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Box lunch, Dinner
Altitude from the route’s GPS track. Distance measured along the trail.
A guided visit to Machu Picchu, then the train back.
After breakfast at the hotel, a bus takes us up to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of about 2 h through the citadel. You can add the optional Huayna Picchu hike or an optional lunch—just ask us. In the afternoon you take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, with a transfer to Cusco or Urubamba.
Highlights
Bus up to Machu Picchu.
Guided tour of the citadel, about 2 h.
Optional Huayna Picchu hike.
Train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco or Urubamba.
Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
First aid kit, including an oxygen bottle.
Meals and hotel
1 night in a double room in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
1 box lunch, 1 dinner and 1 breakfast.
Transport
Tourist transport from your hotel to the train station.
Expedition train to Km 104.
Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes on day 1, and up and down between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu on day 2.
Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
Transfer from the Ollantaytambo station to Cusco or Urubamba.
What’s not included
Tips for the staff.
Breakfast on day 1 and lunch on day 2.
Optional extras: the Huayna Picchu hike, a lunch at Machu Picchu or in Aguas Calientes, a dinner upgrade, a single room in Aguas Calientes, or a different train or hotel category. Ask us for details.
Important Notes
Shared or private service, tailored to your dates and group size.
Bring your original passport.
Bring cash in soles and/or US$, also for tips.
Students under 18 may get a discount—ask us.
Times are approximate.
FAQ
Difficulty and altitude
The 2-day Inca Trail is rated Easy. On day 1 you walk about 8.52 km, in 6–7 h, from Km 104 (2,165 m a.s.l.) to Machu Picchu; the highest point is 2,733 m a.s.l. Day 2 is a guided visit to Machu Picchu, with no trekking.
Good physical condition is recommended. You carry only a small daypack, and your team travels with a first aid kit that includes an oxygen bottle.
We recommend at least one full day in Cusco (3,399 m a.s.l.) or the Sacred Valley before you start, and more time if your schedule allows. As a result, your body has time to adjust before the trek. Take it easy on that first day and drink plenty of water. In fact, the trail starts at Km 104 (2,165 m a.s.l.) and climbs to 2,733 m a.s.l. at its highest point. If you have a health condition, check with your doctor before you travel.
Packing and booking
Bring your original passport, comfortable waterproof trekking shoes, a rain jacket or poncho, a hat for sun and cold, sunscreen, insect repellent (minimum 20%), a flashlight or headlamp, a non-disposable water bottle, snacks, a swimsuit if you plan to visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes, and any personal medication. A small backpack is enough for the trek, and trekking poles are optional. Bring cash in soles and/or US$, also for tips.
Book as early as possible, so we can confirm availability for your dates.
You can choose a shared or a private service, and we tailor-make every detail to your travel style and needs. The price depends on your group size and the services you choose, so request a quote.
Write to us on WhatsApp with your preferred dates and group size, and we will confirm availability and explain how to secure your booking. We will reply as soon as we can.
Before and after the trek
The day before the trek, your guide holds a briefing at your hotel. On day 1 we pick you up at 3:40 a.m. and take you to the Ollantaytambo station for the 6:10 a.m. expedition train to Km 104.
Carry your original passport. Also, breakfast on day 1 is not included (your box lunch and dinner are), so have breakfast before departure.
On day 2 you visit Machu Picchu with your guide, then take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and a transfer to Cusco or Urubamba. Lunch on day 2 is not included; we can arrange an optional lunch. Ask us about the train options.
Vegetarian meals are available; vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free meals are available with advance notice. Times are approximate.
Pack light
What to bring
The bag you carry yourself while walking.
Sun and rain
Hat
Sunscreen
Waterproof poncho
Jacket
Insect repellent (minimum 20%)
Daypack essentials
Water (non-disposable bottle)
Snacks
Toilet paper and wet wipes
Headlamp or flashlight
Documents and health
Documents (original passport)
Personal medication
Camera and power
Camera / phone
Power bank
Bring cash in soles and/or US$, also for tips.
Tripadvisor · 2026 Reviews
What Our Travelers Say
Recent Tripadvisor reviews of Santu trips in Peru, posted in 2026.
This is Santu’s overall rating, not a rating specific to the Inca Trail.
“The experience was incredible; we were 3 families and we loved it. The level of food, the tents, the guides. A ten.”
Edgardo C · Toledo, Spain Written 4 August 2026 · Translated from Spanish by Tripadvisor
“… Giuliana exceeded our expectations. She did an amazing job listening to our wants/needs, make recommendations and take care of all the steps along the way. We felt fully informed.”
“Giuliana who is an amazing travel agent who planned everything for Us and give us lots of great ideas and she came with an amazing package that it took care of all our needs …”
To provide the best experience, we use technologies such as cookies to store and/or access device information. By consenting, we may process data such as browsing behavior or unique identifiers on this site. Refusing or withdrawing consent may negatively affect certain features and functionality.
Functional
Always active
Technical storage or access is strictly necessary to provide a specific service explicitly requested by the user, or solely to enable communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferencias
El almacenamiento o acceso técnico es necesario para la finalidad legítima de almacenar preferencias no solicitadas por el abonado o usuario.
Statistics
El almacenamiento o acceso técnico que es utilizado exclusivamente con fines estadísticos.Technical storage or access is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. The information collected cannot normally be used to identify you.
Marketing
Technical storage or access is used to create user profiles, deliver relevant advertising, or track users across websites for similar marketing purposes.
