2-Day Inca Trail Tour (Caminos del Inca) with Hotel

Incas Trail Tour Itinerary:

DAY 1:

04:00 – 18:00: Cusco – Km 104 – Aguas Calientes

Hiking duration: approx. 6 hours

The day begins around 4:00 a.m. with pickup from your accommodation in Cusco to begin the shared transfer to the train station in Ollantaytambo. From there, you will board the train toward Km 104 (2,200 m / 7,218 ft), the starting point of the hike, where your guide will be waiting to begin the journey.

Once at kilometer 104, the adventure along the ancient Inca Trail begins. The trail takes you through a magical cloud forest, surrounded by lush vegetation, wild orchids, native flowers, and a variety of birds and animals typical of the Andean region. After about 4 hours of uphill hiking, you’ll reach one of the most impressive sites along the route: the archaeological complex of Wiñay Wayna or “Forever Young” (2,650 m / 8,694 ft), an architectural gem that blends harmoniously with the mountainside.

Afterward, it will be time to take a break and enjoy a box lunch, surrounded by Andean nature, before continuing with the second part of the trek.

Later, you’ll head toward Inti Punku or the Sun Gate, the ancient ceremonial entrance to the citadel. This hike takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. It’s important to maintain a steady pace, as access to this point closes at 4:00 p.m. From Inti Punku, you’ll have your first and thrilling visual encounter with Machu Picchu, marking one of the most memorable moments of the day.

Finally, you’ll arrive at Machu Picchu for a spectacular panoramic photo and a first glimpse of what the next day’s tour will be like.

After this exciting moment, you’ll begin the descent to the town of Aguas Calientes, where the day concludes.

To end the day, you’ll check into a previously reserved hotel located in Aguas Calientes. You’ll have free time to enjoy dinner at the restaurant of your choice.

Note: This itinerary describes the original Inca Trail route. However, in case weather conditions have affected any part of the trail, the regulating authority may enable alternative routes to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

DAY 2:

Breakfast – Visit to Machu Picchu

After breakfast at your hotel, you will board the bus that will take you to the entrance of Machu Picchu. There, you will begin a guided tour of approximately two hours, exploring the main areas of Circuit 2 or Route 3B – Royalty Design (depending on the available entry). During the tour, you will visit places such as the Temple of the Sun, the Inca House, agricultural terraces, residential areas, and ceremonial spaces that showcase the greatness of the Inca Empire.

If you chose to do an additional hike (Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain), it will be scheduled based on your entry time, either before or after the guided visit.

Free Time – Return to Cusco

At the end, you will board the bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes. There, you’ll have some free time to enjoy lunch, relax, or simply soak in the atmosphere of the town before boarding the return train to Ollantaytambo.

Upon arrival at the Ollantaytambo station, you will transfer to a shared transportation to Cusco. Finally, a private service will pick you up and comfortably take you to your hotel.

With Guru Explorers, you are guaranteed to meet and exceed your expectations while discovering Cusco in a reliable way. We’ve also been travelers, and we know what’s important to you.

Price of the Inca Trail Tour includes: 

• Briefing the day before the tour.

• Round-trip transportation:

• One-way shared transfer from your hotel in the historic center of Cusco to the Ollantaytambo train station. Sometimes, due to narrow city streets, access is limited; if this is the case, you will be advised of a nearby pick-up point.

• Round-trip tourist train tickets Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes in Expedition class. (Train class upgrades available at an extra charge)

• Round-trip tourist bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu. (2nd day)

• Shared return transfer from Ollantaytambo train station to Cusco station.

• Private transfer from Cusco station to your hotel in the historic center of Cusco.

• Professional guide in English, Spanish, or Portuguese for the Inca Trail trek and guided visit to the Machu Picchu ruins (check availability for these or other languages).

• One box lunch for the first day (vegan and vegetarian options available), one breakfast (2nd day).

• 1 hotel night at Hotel Usgar Aguas Calientes or similar (other hotels available at an extra cost).

• Entrance tickets for the Inca Trail Day 1.

• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu Day 2.

Price of the Inca Trail Tour excludes:

• Transfer from hotels located outside the city of Cusco (ask about extra costs for pick-up from the Sacred Valley or other locations).

• Meals: breakfast (day 1), dinner (day 1), lunch (day 2).

• Downhill bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes on day 1 (optional, can be purchased on-site for USD 15).

• Beverages.

• Ticket for additional hike: If you wish to add an extra hike (Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain), it must be requested at the time of booking and is subject to availability. The guide service for these routes is optional and available at an additional cost.

What to Bring to the Incas Trail Tour:

• Passport or ID (mandatory).

• Backpack: Bring only a small backpack (as light as possible), with the essentials to spend the night and visit Machu Picchu. Suitcases or large luggage are not allowed. Entry to Machu Picchu is restricted to backpacks of a maximum of 25 liters. Remember to leave space in your backpack to store the box lunch, which will be handed to you at km 104 at the start of the hike.

• During the tour, each passenger is responsible for carrying their own backpack.

• It is recommended to bring: comfortable trekking shoes, light clothing for the day and warm clothing for the night, sun hat, wool hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, and rain gear (especially between November and April).

• Insect repellent (important for this tour).

• Travel insurance.

• We recommend bringing a small rechargeable power bank for your phone.

• Camera.

• Cash (local currency) for small purchases (e.g., water or snacks before the hike).

• Between 1.5 and 2 liters of water, the ideal amount for the hike.

What considerations should you have when making the Incas Trail Tour?

• It is important to have the necessary physical ability to complete the hike comfortably.
• Please note that large suitcases and luggage are not allowed. Each passenger must carry their own personal backpack for the trek and will be responsible for carrying it during the two days of the tour. Larger luggage may cause issues and jeopardize the tour, with no possibility of refund.
• Our itinerary is designed for an average walking pace, allowing us to enjoy all the tour highlights without rushing. However, if you prefer a more relaxed pace, please note that this may cause some minor delays in the schedule. Despite our best efforts to provide the best possible experience, we are not responsible for delays caused by a slower walking pace.
• The Machu Picchu Entrance Tickets must be selected during the purchase process. Prices vary if you are not part of the Andean Community (Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia).
• It is possible to upgrade the train ticket category. (See options)
• Train schedules and access times to Machu Picchu may vary depending on availability (we recommend booking as far in advance as possible).
• Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
• Please remember that since these are outdoor activities, the natural features of the landscape may vary depending on weather conditions and natural daylight. Each visit is an authentic experience where nature reveals itself in unique and unrepeatable ways

Not allowed:

• Pets
• Smoking
• Large suitcases or bags

Not recommended for:

• People in wheelchairs.
• Pregnant women.
• People with heart conditions, joint problems, or reduced mobility.

According to Peruvian regulations, foreign tourists may be exempt from the local tax IGV (VAT). As a formal and registered travel agency, we are required to submit to the local authorities a copy of the document you used to enter the country, as well as your date of entry. For this reason, a few days before your arrival, we will contact you to request a photo of that document and ask you to let us know the date you entered Peru. If we do not receive this information, we will be required to add the 18% corresponding to the IGV tax. 

Thank you for your cooperation!

Important Considerations:

• To reserve the tour, a deposit of 350 USD per person will be required. With this, we will be able to purchase the entrance tickets to the attractions and the train tickets.

• The remaining balance must be paid at least 30 days before the tour start date.

• The passport information provided must be exact and up to date as of the tour date.

• If you have changed your passport, notify us of the new information 14 days in advance; otherwise, there will be an additional charge of 15 USD.

• If the passenger decides to abandon the Inca Trail during the trek, they will be responsible for any extra expenses incurred, such as food or transportation. However, they will have the option to rejoin the group on the last day for the visit to Machu Picchu and the return to the city of Cusco.

• There will be no refunds in case of delayed flights; train delays; bad weather; or other external factors.

Cancellation Policies:

• More than 15 days: The penalty is 180 USD.

• Between 7 and 15 days: The penalty is 210 USD.

• Less than 7 days: The penalty is 100% of the total.

Date Changes:

• More than 15 days: The penalty is 150 USD.

• Between 7 and 15 days: The penalty is 180 USD.

• Less than 7 days: The penalty is 100% of the total.

   

• There will be no refund in case of delayed flights, train delays, bad weather, or other external factors.

Force Majeure Policy

• Guru Explorers values your time and strives to follow the itinerary. However, it may be affected by force majeure events such as weather, rain, natural disasters, protests, roadblocks, or other circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, no refunds or compensations will be issued, as these are unforeseeable and unavoidable situations. Nevertheless, we will do our best to offer alternatives and efficient solutions for your enjoyment. Any additional costs resulting from changes or alternative activities will be the responsibility of the client and not of Guru Explorers.