The Inca Trail, one of the most impressive hiking routes in the world, offers two options. One is the more popular 4-day option, covering approximately 42 kilometers. There is also a 2-day option, which is shorter but designed to ensure you don’t miss any of the most impressive landscapes. This route covers approximately 11 kilometers until you reach Inti Punku (Sun Gate), from where you will appreciate the full majesty of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Discover this route, what you will see, and the essential details to make your experience on the 2-day Inca Trail the best it can be.

• The Inca Trail
• What is the 2-day Inca Trail experience like?
• Differences between the 2-day and 4-day Inca Trail
• Tips for hiking the Inca Trail
• Frequently Asked Questions

Start of the Inca Trail – KM 104

The Inca Trail

One of the most impressive adventures is the Inca Trail, also known as the Qhapac Ñan. Along this path, we can explore the majestic routes of the ancient Tahuantinsuyu empire, which once connected countries like Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, and Argentina. These trails can be found throughout these territories, but the most popular, with routes that immerse us in their culture and biodiversity, can be found in Cusco.

This famous trek takes us directly to Machu Picchu, the impressive Wonder of the World, experiencing it from a different perspective, much more immersed in its history. The journey is considered difficult, which requires prior preparation, from clothing and acclimatization to weather factors, allowing us to determine the best time to hike the 2- or 4-day Inca Trail.

Depending on the season, we will experience a variety of landscapes, including the 2- or 4-day Inca Trail. During the high season (May to October), which coincides with the dry season, we will experience much clearer and more unobstructed landscapes, but with higher temperatures and a greater influx of visitors. Meanwhile, during the low season (November to April), which coincides with the rainy season, we will experience cloudier landscapes with a chance of precipitation, although there will also be fewer visitors.

Along the way, we’ll also encounter the vast biodiversity of the jungle, which will accompany us throughout the entire journey. Thanks to this, we’ll be able to see the area’s native flora and fauna, adding color and harmony to the journey. It’s very important to stop, not only to rest, but to appreciate each magical landscape we encounter.

Tourists hiking the 2-day Inca Trail

Entrance to the Inca Trail
Remember that the Inca Trail can only be hiked with an authorized travel agency. This is done by the Ministry of Culture, so that visitors can be strictly monitored and the site is protected within capacity limits. Because of this, the adventure is often booked months in advance, especially during peak season (May to October). Therefore, if you want to take this impressive trek, you should plan ahead, making your reservation at least two or three months in advance through Boletomachupicchu . This way, you can schedule your experience on one of the best hiking trails with a great agency that will allow you to fully experience the 2- and 4-day Inca Trail.

What is the 2-day Inca Trail experience like?

The 2-day Inca Trail, unlike the 4-day Inca Trail (42 kilometers), covers an average of 11 kilometers, making for an intense yet immersive experience. The adventure begins early in the morning, heading from Cusco to Ollantaytambo to board the train to Machu Picchu. However, we’ll have to get off midway, at kilometer 104, where our trek begins.

Together with our group and guide, we will head to the checkpoint in Chachabamba, where we can also stop to better prepare for the hike. Afterward, we will visit the adjacent archaeological site, also known as Chachabamba . Here, after a short visit, we will continue for approximately 4 hours until we reach our next stop.

After a 6-kilometer hike, we’ll arrive at Wiñay Wayna , where we’ll enjoy lunch. We’ll also tour this magical place, where we’ll discover its impressive agricultural terraces and buildings that sit almost on top of a mountain, offering incredible views.

After a rest break, we’ll continue our hike for 3 kilometers until we reach Inti Punku , or the Sun Gate . The walk will take approximately 2 hours and will give us our first glimpse of Machu Picchu from the summit. It’s an ideal place to take photographs from a different, much wider angle.

To reach Machu Picchu, we’ll hike another 2 kilometers, a 45-minute walk. Here, we’ll see the citadel from panoramic photographs on an easy route, as we won’t have the immersive tour until the next day.

Upon leaving the citadel, we’ll head to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Town, on a bus that takes approximately 25 minutes. We’ll spend the night in Aguas Calientes before visiting Machu Picchu in detail the following day.

Day two consists only of a visit to Machu Picchu and its main buildings, a simpler tour that allows us to learn about its history, geography, architecture, and the mysteries of the place.

Inti Punku or Sun Gate of Machu Picchu

Differences between the 2-day and 4-day Inca Trail

If you’re planning to embark on the Inca Trail hike and aren’t sure whether to opt for the 2- or 4-day itinerary, we’ll provide a simplified overview to help you learn more about these incredible routes, so you’ll be better prepared to choose one of these two options.

Tips for hiking the Inca Trail

If you’re planning to hike the two-day Inca Trail, we’ll offer a series of tips that can help you have a better travel experience. These tips will help you understand what you’ll see and how to avoid any problems. Discover them and enjoy the best experience along the Inca Trail.

• Reserve your Inca Trail entry ticket at least two months in advance during the regular tourist season and three months in advance during the peak season, ensuring your entry to the route of your choice.
• The 2-day Inca Trail experience allows us to have a shorter, but more intense adventure, visiting the most notable sites along the way.
• On the first day, we’ll view Machu Picchu through the terraces, which will provide us with the classic photo, while on day two, we’ll tour the temples and main buildings on Circuit 3.
• Before embarking on the Inca Trail, try to acclimatize during the first few days in Cusco. This way, you can avoid altitude sickness and better enjoy the adventure.
• The Inca Trail can only be hiked in conjunction with a travel agency, in order to better control capacity and preserve the trails traveled.
• The Inca Trail is accessible year-round except for the month of February, when it is maintained.
• If you hike the Inca Trail during the rainy season (November–March), be prepared with waterproof clothing or a rain poncho, as the weather can change at any time.
• Hiking the Inca Trail during the dry season (April to October) offers clearer, more colorful weather, although there are usually more visitors and higher temperatures.
• For a more immersive travel experience, we recommend visiting the town of Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu, where you can visit hot springs, waterfalls, museums, and a wide variety of restaurants and hotel chains.
• Don’t forget to bring plenty of water, some snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent, and appropriate clothing for long hikes.
• Take advantage of your journey along the Inca Trail and calmly enjoy each of the landscapes you will find; its geography will allow you to have moments of introspection and peace .
• To enhance your experience, give thanks to Pachamama, or Mother Earth, for every surprising moment of your trip, just as they do in Andean culture.
• Remember that you can book your 2- and 4-day Inca Trail experience with Boletomachupicchu. Ask our advisors about all the available options.

Tourists checking their passports at the Inca Trail checkpoint

Frequently Asked Questions

• 1) How many kilometers are covered on the 2-day Inca Trail?

  The hike covers a total of approximately 11 kilometers, distributed over the first day from kilometer 104 to the citadel of Machu Picchu. The second day is dedicated to a detailed visit to the archaeological site.

• 2) What places are visited during the 2-day Inca Trail?

  Along the way, you will visit the archaeological site of Chachabamba, then Wiñay Wayna and finally the Inti Punku (Sun Gate), from where you have a panoramic view of Machu Picchu.

• 3) Do you need to be in good physical condition to do the 2-day Inca Trail?

  Yes, although it is not as demanding as the 4-day hike, it is important to be in adequate physical condition.

• 4) Is it necessary to hire a travel agency?

  Yes, entry to the Inca Trail is regulated by the Ministry of Culture and can only be done with an authorized agency. These agencies are responsible for managing permits, providing professional guides, and organizing the necessary logistics.

• 5) Where do you sleep during the 2-day Inca Trail?

  On the two-day Inca Trail, you spend the night in a hotel in the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).

• 6) What is the best time to do the 2-day Inca Trail?

  The best time to visit is during the dry season, from April to October. During these months, the weather is more stable, with clear skies ideal for enjoying the landscapes we encounter.

• 7) Is the Inca Trail available all year round?

  The 2- and 4-day Inca Trail is available year-round, except for February, when it is closed for maintenance.

• 8) What do you need to bring to do the Inca Trail?

  It is recommended to wear comfortable and appropriate clothing for hiking, a rain poncho, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a hat, plenty of water, snacks, and personal documents.

• 9) What does the 2-day Inca Trail tour include?

  The tour includes transportation from Cusco, train tickets, admission to the Inca Trail, a professional guide, meals (lunch, breakfast, and dinner), admission to Machu Picchu, and accommodations in Aguas Calientes.

• 10) Is it safe to do the 2-day Inca Trail?

  Yes, it’s a safe route. The guides are trained to respond in case of emergencies, and precautionary measures are taken to avoid risks. Furthermore, the trails are well marked and maintained.

Advice from people who have been there

Camino Inca

By: Benjamin S.

“Aventura en el Camino Inca“

“Los paisajes que encontré fueron los más hermosos que vi en mi vida, el esfuerzo valió totalmente la pena, no es tan difícil si tienes todo el ánimo para lograrlo, es una de las mejores experiencias, totalmente recomendado.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, May 30, 2025