Short Inca Trail Private – 2 Days

If you want to enjoy the 2-Day Inca Trail more, we recommend doing it privately: with fewer people you will have more time, walk at your own pace without rushing, and your guide can give you more attention. We also recommend it for older travelers or those who don’t usually walk much.

The 2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu follows one of the original preserved trails from the Inca era, and not everyone manages to get a spot. It is designed for any traveler who can walk on their own; no extensive training is needed, just a strong desire to hike. Even so, we always recommend spending some time in Cusco to acclimatize to the altitude before starting the Inca Trail.

The weather in the Andean region has two seasons: the dry season (April to October), which is the best, and the rainy season (November to March). Keep in mind that even in the rainy season, a single day can bring rain, sunshine, cloudy skies and even strong sun. The Inca Trail opens on March 1 every year and remains open until the end of January. Today, tourists from all over the world visit Machu Picchu 365 days a year; the busiest months are April to September. Machu Picchu is located in the cloud forest, so its climate is warm and humid, with temperatures between 8 °C and 20 °C (46 °F and 68 °F). We recommend bringing clothes for both cold and warm weather.

Yes. Because it is the rainy season, the trail is closed for maintenance.

It is very important to be well adjusted to the altitude before exerting yourself on a hike. We recommend arriving in Cusco at least 2 or 3 days before the Inca Trail tour begins, so you can acclimatize and avoid possible altitude sickness during the hike.

We can help you organize day hikes and other tours around Cusco for your acclimatization: Cusco City Tour – Half-day tour / Morning City Tour; Sacred Valley Tour – Full-day tour.

If you have already been in another high-altitude area of Peru before arriving in Cusco, we recommend spending one full day in Cusco to rest, recover from the trip and enjoy the city before setting off on the hike.

FIRST: To make a booking, email us at info@sakuraexpedition.com to check availability and receive the personalized booking forms. All clients must complete a Passenger Details form at the time of booking, with the following information for each participant in the group. We cannot purchase any permit or ticket without it:

• Personal information (full name, exactly as it appears on the passport)
• Gender
• Passport number
• Date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy)
• Nationality

Once you book, we will secure your spots as quickly as possible, since many operators look for spaces throughout the year.

SECOND: Sakura Expedition will ask you to complete a booking form with all the details and make a deposit of US$ 200 per person. Once we have all the deposits and details, we will book your permits.

Once we have the permits, we will send you the confirmation invoice stating that everything is 100% confirmed, with your spots guaranteed.

One day before your departure, you will receive a detailed briefing with your guide, either in a group or in person at your hotel.

Passport number updates: The government only allows us to change passport numbers if we have a copy of both the new and the old passport. If you no longer have your old passport, any official ID will be accepted as long as the name is the same. Also, make sure your passport does not expire within six months after your trip.

Most people arrive in Cusco by plane. Remember that Cusco airport only operates domestic flights. If you are coming from abroad via Lima, you must collect your luggage in Lima and check it in again for your flight to Cusco. Four airlines fly between Lima and Cusco: LATAM Airlines, JetSMART, Sky Airline and Avianca. All offer similar schedules, but we generally recommend LATAM or Avianca, as they tend to respond better to unexpected cancellations or delays.

Of course. If you are happy to take the train from Aguas Calientes the next day at the same time as in your original itinerary (usually at 18:20), there is no additional charge for changing the train date. If you need us to book your hotel or another visit to Machu Picchu, this will have an additional cost. If you decide to stay an extra night, please inform the Sakura Expedition office at least one month in advance, so that your train ticket is purchased for the correct day.

We always recommend hiking boots. Those with ankle support are very helpful, especially for inexperienced hikers. Since you will go down many steps built by the Incas, now uneven and of different heights, the extra support helps protect your ankles.

Poles are always useful and are recommended for this hike. There are many stairs to go down, all built by the Incas; they vary in height and not all are straight. Poles help relieve pressure on your knees on this part of the trail and also on the climbs. If you bring your own, make sure they have rubber tips, or the park rangers will not allow you to use them. You can buy rubber tips in Cusco if you forget them.

We would greatly appreciate it if you pay in cash (US dollars or Peruvian soles) at our office in Cusco. There are many ATMs in the historic center to withdraw money.

Generally, a 30 to 60 liter backpack is enough.

Of course! During the trip, your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, both free of charge.

Tipping is part of the tradition of any hike to Machu Picchu. Although we pay good wages to our entire team, any extra is always appreciated. Please note that it is not mandatory and you should never feel pressured to do so.