Phuyupatamarka Inca site

The 4 Day Inca Trail vs The 2 Day Inca Trail

A scarf weaved in Taquile
( Travel Writer )

James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.

Last Updated on March 9, 2023 by James Bustamante

Everyone wants to take the Inca Trail. It truly is one of those bucket list items for anyone planning a trip to Machu Picchu.

Newbie travelers should note that there are many different trek options for anyone considering the Inca Trail.

Among them, you have the 2-day Inca Trail, the standard 4-day Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek (alternative to the Inca Trail), and even a 10-day hike if you want to take on Choquequirao, which is considered to be Machu Picchu’s lesser known and far more isolated sister city.

Out of all of these hikes to Machu Picchu, there are only two which bear the name Inca Trail. Let’s break down the two most sought-after trails, the 4-day Inca Trail vs the 2-day Inca Trail.

2 Day Inca Trail

2 Day Inca Trail
The 2 Day Inca Trail

Since the 2-day Inca Trail only requires one full day of walking, it is an excellent option for people who are relatively fit but don’t want to commit to the longer taking you to Machu Picchu.

It’s a beautiful hike with impressive ruins along the way, including Wiñay Wayna, and you also get to see some remarkable changes in vegetation throughout the path.

You will be trekking for a full day, so prepare accordingly. 

We include the trip to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes and a guided tour of the Inca complex. The return train ride to Cusco is also included in this hiking package.

The 2 Day Inca Trail will also be cheaper than the traditional classic four-day version, but not by much since it still has to include permits, an overnight stay, trains, guides, etc. Let’s take a look at a brief breakdown of the 2-day trail.

The 2 Day Inca Trail Itinerary

DAY 1: CUSCO (3350M) – CHACHABAMBA (2250M) – WIÑAYWAYNA (2700M) – MACHU PICCHU (2400M) – AGUAS CALIENTES (2000M).

Reserve the 2 day Inca Trail
On the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

As with our treks to Machu Picchu, you will be picked up at around 4:30 am. Your hotel will have breakfast ready by then, so ensure you’ve had a good breakfast and maybe some coffee.

Cusco hotels know that many visitors have scheduled multi-way hikes, which all leave very early in the morning. Therefore, the hotel administrators always make it a point to have breakfast ready from very early on in the day. 

After being picked up, you will be transported to the Ollantaytambo Train station in Ollantaytambo.

Once we leave Cusco, it will be a quick ride. Depending on traffic and weather conditions, we will reach the area in about 1.5 hours. 

Upon arrival, you will be directed towards your train by our staff. The representatives will take you along the Urubamba River for about 1.5 hours, eventually reaching the Inca Trail checkpoint, where you will begin the two-day hike.

Once the group is ready, your guide will direct you toward the first location, Chachabamba.

Hiker’s Tips: Most treks include the Expedition Train and allow you to upgrade. 

While the Hiram Bingham is an excellent choice if you have the luxury in mind, we advise taking the Vistadome Train as it gives you even better views of the Inca Valley on your way to Machu Picchu without breaking the bank in the process.

Take plenty of pictures of their beautiful water channels and fountains.

Afterward, you’ll ascend the lush valley, eventually going under a waterfall near Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young in the Quechia Language).

Wiñay Wayna is Quechua (The Incas language), meaning “Forever Young.”

The two-day Inca Trail site showcases ritual baths and elegantly curved terracing, an architectural marvel for the time. Once you are finished there, the group will reach the main Inca trail.

Wiñay Wayna
Wiñay Wayna

At this point, you will begin trekking through mountains and the famous cloud forests of Cusco, eventually reaching Sun gate, otherwise known as Intipunku.

As you pass through the Sun Gate, you’ll be amazed by the magical city of Machu Picchu.   

We then walk the last half-hour down the royal flagstone walkway, past outlying shrines and buildings, and through the heart of Machu Picchu, taking a bus to the small town of Aguas Calientes. A hotel can be reserved for you if you wish.

2 Day Inca Trail Hike: Day 1 Outline

  • TOTAL DISTANCE: 8 Miles or 13 Km.
  • TREKKING TIME: 6-7 hours.
  • MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 8202.1 feet or 2,700 meters.
  • MEAL PROVIDED: Box lunch

DAY 2: AGUAS CALIENTES (2000M) – MACHU PICCHU (2400M) – AGUAS CALIENTES (2000M) – CUSCO (3350M)

Machu Picchu
View of Machu Picchu

After a hearty breakfast to start the day, you will be directed towards the bus station at 05:30 am to take a short ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, arriving at 6:00 am.

Your group will begin the 2.5-hour guided visit to the beautiful Machu Picchu sanctuary. Once the tour ends, you can check out the rest of the site. 

 As a reminder, there is no need to make separate Machu Picchu reservations. The two-day Inca Trail already includes a permit to access the Inca citadel.

Once the guided tour has ended, and you’ve had time to move through the city on your own, we make our way down to Aguas Calientes by 1:00 pm.

We’ll take the same shuttle we used to come up to Machu Picchu, or if you wish, you can walk down. The view is spectacular, and this short hike makes for amazing pictures.

Upon arrival at Aguas Calientes, we get whatever we left at the hotel and get ready for the train ride back to Ollantaytambo in the afternoon. This should be taking place by 3:30 pm.

At the Ollantaytambo train station, a driver will wait for you to take you back to Cusco. The arrival time in the city will be between 6-7 pm.

As you can see, the 2-day Inca Trail encompasses some of the best locations to see along the final two days of the classic 4-day Inca Trail.

The 4 Day Inca Trail

Classic Inca Trail
Classic Inca Trail

The 4-day Inca Trail is geared toward travelers who want to take in the” whole trekking experience.”

As you hike through mountainous areas, deep valleys, and lush cloud forests, all the while experiencing the bountiful flora and fauna along the way. 

Similar to the 2-day trail, the day begins at 4:00 am. You will take a shuttle to the train station in Ollantaytambo early in the morning. 

Once we arrive, you will meet up with your guides, porters, and cooks to begin on the first stretch of this Hike to Machu Picchu.

Knowing that you will be trekking for around 6 to 10 miles a day (6 to 16 Km) with a terrain of varying difficulty is essential.

The payoff for the 4 day Inca Trail is the most significant difference vs. the 2-day trail as you will be camping out under the stars. This will allow you to get acquainted with the highland flora and fauna.

The Classic 4 Day Inca Trail Includes:

  • 4-day Inca Trail includes: all meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks), all provided by personal chefs for the group
  • Professional, bilingual guides
  • Camping equipment
  • All permits and necessary passes.
  • Train tickets to Ollantaytambo.  
  • Shuttle service to Cusco.

Now, let’s take a look at a brief breakdown of the 4-day Inca Trail:

The 4-Day Inca Trail Itinerary

DAY 1: CUSCO – PISKACUCHO – WAYLLABAMBA

The Inca Trail to machu picchu Day 1
The Inca Trail Day 1

Our hiking adventure commences with an early morning pickup from your hotel by our driver. We’ll then make our way to Ollantaytambo, taking a brief break to review our gear and procure any necessary personal items from the nearby town shops. As a hiker’s tip, remember to bring insect repellent, chapstick, and sunblock for the trek.

Next, we’ll board a shuttle to Piskacucho (Km 82), the starting point for the classic 4-day Inca Trail. The group will hike for approximately three hours, passing through the ancient Inca site of Patallaqta en route.

After capturing some stunning photographs of the area, we’ll hike for another 30 minutes to reach our lunch spot in Tarayoc, a base camp used for the classic 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Following lunch and a brief break, we’ll continue our ascent through the valley until we arrive at our first campsite in Huayllabamba village.

4 Day Inca Trail Hike: Day 1 Outline

  • TRAIN STATION – PISKACUCHO: 3 hours approx.
  • DISTANCE PISKACUCHO – WAYLLABAMBA: 6.8 Miles or 11 km
  • ESTIMATED WALKING TIME: 6 hours
  • PISKACUCHO: 8,500 ft or 2600 m.a.s.l.
  • PATALLAQTA: 9,000 ft or 2750 m.a.s.l.
  • HUAYLLABAMBA: 9842 feet or 3000 m.a.s.l.

DAY 2: HUAYLLABAMBA – WARMIWAÑUSCA – PAQAYMAYU

The Inca Trailto Machu Picchu Day 2
The Inca Trail Day 2

After a hearty and healthy breakfast, as well as some snacks to take along during the hike (provided by the chef), we will head up the path for about 5 hours until we reach the highest point of the entire Inca Trail, Warmihuañusca Pass (14,000 feet or 4215 m.a.s.l.). 

After looking at the gorgeous view, we will continue to descend for about 1.5 hours until we reach the Paqaymayu campsite, where we have lunch, dinner, and a well-deserved rest.

Day 2 sounds short in the description; however, it is by far the most challenging day of the entire hike due to the high elevation of the Warmihuañusca Pass.

4 Day Inca Trail Hike: Day 2 Outline

  • DISTANCE HUAYLLABAMBA – WARMIHUAÑUSCA: 5.6 Miles or 9 km
  • ESTIMATED WALKING TIME: 7 hours WARMIHUAÑUSCA: 13,828 feet or 4,215 m.a.s.l.
  • PAQAYMAYU: 11,811 feet or 3600 m.a.s.l.

DAY 3: PAQAYMAYU – CHAQ´ICOCHA – WIÑAYWAYNA

Inca Trail Day 3
Inca Trail Day 3

After a delicious breakfast, we will walk for about 45 minutes until we reach the fascinating archeological site of Runkuraqay, a truly awe-inspiring location. 

Once we are through this area, we’ll head down Runruraqay Pass and continue descending for about 1 hour to visit the Sayaqmarka archaeological site, which contains extraordinary Inca ruins.

These are beautifully preserved that have stood the test of time to this day, so make sure to take many pictures.

Once we are done at the archeological site, we’ll keep trekking through the 4-day Inca Trail for 30 minutes before arriving at the Chaquiqocha campsite, where we’ll take a much-needed break to have lunch.

After that short break will trek for about 1.5 hours until we reach the Phuyupatamarka Inca site.

After a brief presentation on the site by your guides, we’ll descend for another 3 hours until we reach the Wiñaywayna Inca site, where we’ll spend our final night on the classic four-day Inca Trail.

4 Day Inca Trail Hike: Day 3 Outline

  • DISTANCE PAQAYMAYU – WIÑAYWAYNA: 10 Miles or 16 km.
  • ESTIMATED WALKING TIME: 7 hours.
  • RUNRURAQAY: 12,336 feet or 3,760 m.a.s.l.
  • SAYAQMARKA: 11,876 feet or 3,620 m.a.s.l.
  • CHAQUICOCHA: 11,482 feet or 3,500 m.a.s.l.
  • PHUYUPATAMARKA: 1,1975 feet or 3,650 m.a.s.l.
  • WIÑAYWAYNA: 8,694 feet or 2,650 m.a.s.l.

DAY 4: WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu

This is the trek’s final leg and the day you’ve been waiting for. After trekking for two more hours the group will reach Inti Punku, otherwise known as the Sun Gate, where we’ll have the first beautiful view of Machu Picchu.

Inti Punku
The Sun Gate – Inti Punku

After a short hike down to Machu Picchu, your group will enjoy a 2 hour guided tour of the sanctuary. Later you’ll be free to explore the area as you wish.

Hiker’s tip: If you have the stamina left, try hiking one of the additional trails that are in Machu Picchu. The Huayna Picchu or Mount Machu Picchu Hike presents an amazing challenge but rewards you with the best views of Machu Picchu.

Once everyone is done, we will head down to the town of Aguas Calientes by bus, rest for a bit, then board the train back to Ollantaytambo. Once back, you will take a final transfer back to the City of Cusco.

4 Day Inca Trail Hike: Day 4 Outline

  • DISTANCE PAQAYMAYU – WIÑAYWAYNA: 3.7 Miles or 6 km.
  • ESTIMATED WALKING TIME: 2.5 hours.
  • AGUAS CALIENTES: 6.700 Feet or 2040 m.a.s.l.
  • MACHUPICCHU: 7,900 Feet or 2400 m.a.s.l.

As you can see, both choices will give you an incredible experience; it all just comes down to your available time. One thing is for sure; you’ll have an amazing time.

Machu Picchu History

If you want to know anything more about Peru, the 4-day Inca Trail vs the 2-Day Inca Trail, Cusco, and a Machu Picchu vacation, check out the rest of our blog posts at Peru Travel Blog and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for our special Peru Tour packages.

Frequently Asked Questions About The 4-Day Inca Trail vs. the 2 Day Inca Trail

  1. How much hiking experience do you need?

    You don’t need much experience, as people of all ages and body types can take these trails. You don’t have to be in great shape, and the most important thing is that you have at least two days to acclimatize to the altitude before you take any trek in Cusco.Machu Picchu Reservations

  2. Do both hikes include a guided tour of Machu Picchu?

    Yes. Each hike includes a permit to enter Machu Picchu as well as a 2-hour guided tour of the entire complex. The tour goes through all the important items within the city, and afterward, you are free to roam around Machu Picchu on your own. Inca trail Machu Picchu

  3. What are the additional hikes you can take in Machu Picchu?

    You can take Mount Machu Picchu (a 3-hour long hike) or Huayna Picchu (a 2-hour long hike that is a bit more difficult). Each one needs a permit, so if you want to take either of these additional hikes, the reservation should be done at the same time as the Inca Trail is booked.Huayna Picchu Hike

  4. Is hiking the Inca Trail safe?

    Yes. Every multi-day hike has an emergency route in case anything out of the ordinary happens. You also travel in a big group, including other travelers, guides, porters, cooks, etc. The guides are also trained in CPR, have a first aid kit, and will have access to a satellite phone. Ollantaytambo and Sacred Valley

  5. Do I need to bring water on the Inca Trail?

    Water will be provided during the trek; however, it will be boiled water. If you prefer bottled water, you can buy some before the trek. You may also find a few Inca Trail shops selling bottled water. Stay Hydrated

  6. When is the best time to take the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?

    The best time to take the Inca Trail would be from April to August, as those months tend to have the best weather. However, note that Cusco has Highland weather, meaning that it can change from sunny to rainy in the blink of an eye.Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

  7. What should I pack for the Inca Trail?

    Hiking shoes (hiking boots aren't really necessary).
    Trekking style pants.
    Spare socks (it will get damp and muddy in some parts).
    Easily removable clothing – during the trek, it will range from warm, cold, rainy, maybe some snow, sunny again, etc. So removing and putting clothing back on easily is key to feeling comfortable. 
    A full list will be provided by one of our travel advisers.
    Inca Trail Packing List

About the Author
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.