Inca Trail to Inti Punku – 2 Days, One Destination: Machu Picchu
About the tour
Experience the thrill of hiking the final stretches of the Inca Trail to the majestic Machu Picchu, the heart of the Inca Empire. This two-day itinerary combines adventure, history, and Andean landscapes, offering an authentic connection to Inca culture.
The Sun Gate (Intipunku) was the ceremonial entrance to Machu Picchu and was used to observe important astronomical events such as the solstices.
2-DAY, 1-NIGHT ITINERARY
BILINGUAL CERTIFICATE GUIDE
TICKETS
INCLUDES ALL TRANSPORTATION
Itinerary
- We’ll pick you up at your hotel in Cusco very early (around 4:00 a.m.) and head to Ollantaytambo. Along the way, take in the beautiful Andean scenery, and your guide will begin sharing local legends that you won’t find on Wikipedia.
- In Ollantaytambo, we’ll take the train to Km 104, where your hike begins. There, you’ll receive a carefully prepared boxed lunch (sandwich, fruit, snack, juice).
- You'll hike along green trails up to Chachabamba, your first archaeological site, to get a feel for Inca history.
- Then you continue on to Wiñayhuayna (approx. 2,650 m above sea level), exploring its terraces, temples, and water sources —the perfect spot for photos that will impress even your aunt who never goes out.
- In the afternoon, you’ll continue walking to Intipunku (Gate of the Sun), where the highlight— Machu Picchu —will come into view. You’ll take a deep breath, gasp in awe, and think, “Okay, this was worth it.”
- From Intipunku, you’ll descend to the entrance of Machu Picchu and take the bus to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll spend the night at a hotel, have dinner, and have time to rest.
Technical details for Day 1
- Hike: approximately 5–6 hours.
- Maximum elevation: ~2,720 m (at Machu Picchu)
- Difficulty: Moderate.
- Includes: Boxed lunch and dinner.
- You’ll wake up early to board the bus to the citadel of Machu Picchu, ideally before sunrise (if schedules permit) to watch the mist clear away in the sunlight.
- With an expert guide, you'll spend about 1.5 hours exploring the iconic sites (Temple of the Sun, Intihuatana, Temple of the Three Windows, etc.).
- Once the tour is over, you’ll head down to the town of Aguas Calientes, have lunch (at your own expense or at a place we recommend), and then take the train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, we’ll transfer you to Cusco.
- Conversations, photos, new memories, and that strange feeling that something inside you has changed.
Technical data for Day 2
- Very little or no walking (this is a travel/sightseeing day)
- Highest elevation of the day: ~2,430 m
- Includes: Breakfast and lunch.
INCLUDES
- Pre-tour briefing (so you don't show up feeling like a lost tourist).
- Private transportation from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, round trip.
- Train tickets from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (round trip).
- Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (round trip).
- Access to the Short Inca Trail and admission to Machu Picchu.
- 1 night's hotel stay in Aguas Calientes (comfortable room).
- 1 boxed lunch, 1 dinner (Day 1), 1 breakfast + 1 lunch (Day 2).
- Professional guide fluent in Spanish and English, knowledgeable about local history, traditions, and legends.
- Basic gear (no tent since you're not camping, but logistical support is provided).
NOT INCLUDED
- Additional meals not listed
- Tips for guides, support staff, and porters
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, drinks, additional snacks)
- Carry-on bag, walking sticks if requested
- Flight to Cusco / Initial transfers from the airport
- Hotels
- Valid passport (required for entry to Machu Picchu).
- Comfortable hiking boots with good traction.
- Light clothing for the day, a coat for the early morning.
- Waterproof poncho or rain jacket.
- Hats, gloves, and a light scarf.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent.
- Camera with an extra battery and plenty of storage.
- Cash in soles (for small purchases).
Inca Trail to Inti Punku – 2 Days, One Destination: Machu Picchu
Enjoy a unique experience as you hike part of the legendary Inca Trail to the imposing Inti Punku (Gateway to the Sun), the natural viewpoint that signals your arrival at Machu Picchu. Over the course of two days, you’ll take in Andean landscapes, living history, and the unparalleled energy of one of the modern world’s wonders.
This tour is available every day of the year, with guaranteed departures for both group and private tours.
- Price
Group rate:US$520.00 per person
- Easy booking:
Secure your spot with a deposit of 20% of the total amount.
- Payment of the balance:
You can pay the remaining 80% upon arrival by:
- Credit or debit card
- PayPal
- Cash (soles or dollars)
- Pix
What Our Customers Say
EXCELLENT
Based on 100 reviews
Posted on TripAdvisor![]()
Cristiane F VVerified
Choosing this agency made all the difference on our trip. I booked all my transportation and tours for my trip to Peru through them—from transfers from the airports in Lima and Cusco to tours like the Lima City Tour, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu. Everyone who assisted us was very professional. Starting with all the attention and tips from Yolanda, who always responded to me on WhatsApp, and including the drivers and guides. They were always on time and respectful of our pace. We did everything via private transfers and private tours. Our choice of agency certainly contributed greatly to making this trip a memorable one for us. Thank you once again.Posted on TripAdvisor![]()
Alejandra BVerified
Highly recommended experience—it was perfect An incredible experience! The agency took care of absolutely everything and made the trip run like clockwork. They were always available to answer our questions and very attentive to ensuring that everything went according to plan. It was truly perfect—they took care of every detail, and everyone who worked with them was extremely punctual, friendly, and helpful. If we were to return, we would definitely choose Andean Perú again. The hotels they selected were incredible and very well located; the transfers were always on time; the lunches were delicious; and, overall, everything was perfectly organized. Plus, they included many thoughtful touches that made the experience even more special. 100% recommended!Posted on TripAdvisor![]()
Carla VVerified
Wonderful agency! I highly recommend Andean Peru Exploor. They were incredibly attentive and kind, and managed to get last-minute tickets to Machu Picchu for me and my family (other agencies didn't have any), and everything was wonderful—from the transportation to the incredible guide, and they even gave us a super cute little gift. I would definitely take the same tour with the same agency again—I loved it!!!Posted on TripAdvisor![]()
Joe TVerified
Great Day at Machu Picchu! This was a fantastic experience. Andean Peru Explorer communicated frequently and well in advance, was able to secure the tour we wanted and a slightly later departure time so we didn’t have to leave Cusco at 3:00 a.m. Our morning pickup was fantastic, the train was great (I definitely recommend the Vistadome), and the tour was informative, exciting, and professional. The only hiccup was that we had to wait a few minutes for our guide, since Machu Picchu only allows guides in once every 3 hours, and our guide had already led one tour that morning.Posted on TripAdvisor![]()
Caio CVerified
The best experience The best company in terms of organization and punctuality, and the guides are perfect. I will definitely use their services again. As for the experience at Machu Picchu, the guide was exceptional, attentive, and very clear in his explanations—I highly recommend them.Posted on TripAdvisor![]()
Aline SVerified
Excellent I can’t thank Peru Andean Exploor enough for all their care, attention to safety, and, above all, their impeccable organization. They were always very attentive, providing information in advance, and extremely punctual and clear with schedules and instructions. The hotels they chose and the restaurant reservations were excellent, and I can’t help but mention the guides: everyone who took care of us was friendly, attentive, and made our trip even more special and enchanting, beyond the beauty of the gorgeous Inca city. If I could give a thousand stars, I would do so without a second thought! If you want to explore Cusco and enjoy an experience with top-notch service, I recommend Peru Andean Exploor without hesitation!Posted on TripAdvisor![]()
Mariane SVerified
Excellent A wonderful experience—everything went perfectly, and I’ll cherish this memory for the rest of my life. I highly recommend Andean’s services.Posted on TripAdvisor![]()
Gavrilo KVerified
Great company I was very skeptical when I received the offer because it was 20–30% cheaper than the competition, but I found good reviews and decided to go with them. Absolutely everything went perfectly—even better than expected. I led a group of 28 people to Peru, and it wasn’t easy managing such a large group, especially since it was my first time working with this agency. However, I was truly impressed. Two people canceled the trip a month before departure, and the Machu Picchu tickets couldn’t be changed, so we had to buy new ones on the spot. The agency accompanied us from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, and then their staff welcomed us in Aguas Calientes and guided us through the process of buying tickets for the two people who joined later. Incredible service. Very professional and responsible. The guides were good, the buses/vans were good, and the price was very fair. Overall, it was a very positive experience. Highly recommended agency, and I will definitely work with them again for future tours.Posted on TripAdvisor![]()
Letícia LimaVerified
An incredible and safe experience I highly recommend Andean Exploor. From the moment I arrived in Peru, I was assisted by Yolanda (who helped me book the package). I received full support with transportation for the tours and to the airports, as well as tours that included admission and meals—all while feeling completely safe. They took care of all the logistics for me, and the experience was absolutely worth it. Communication is clear and straightforward, and when any normal travel hiccups arise, we have direct support from them.Posted on TripAdvisor![]()
Lisette GVerified
An excellent experience Yolanda, the coordinator, was always on top of everything, and the guides and drivers were very punctual and responsible.
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