How to Book the Inca Trail 2 Days to Machu Picchu
Booking the Inca Trail 2 Days to Machu Picchu through our website is quick and simple. Our online calendar displays real-time availability for each departure date. However, we strongly recommend booking 2 to 3 months in advance to secure your spot, as space is limited. During high season (April to October), we recommend booking up to 3 months ahead.
Two Ways to Book
Book Online: Use our secure booking platform to reserve your spot anytime, from anywhere. Payment can be made by credit or debit card (a 3.99% processing fee applies, covered by the client) or by direct bank transfer at no extra cost. Simply click the “Book Now” button below, and our platform will guide you step by step through the reservation process for your Inca Trail 2 Days to Machu Picchu.
Book In Person: If you are already in Cusco, visit our office at Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo, in the heart of the city, where our team will guide you through the booking process personally and professionally. Please note that in-person bookings must also be made several months in advance. Booking just days or weeks before departure is not recommended, as the Inca Trail sells out 2 to 3 months ahead of each date.
Step-by-Step Booking Process
- Step 1 Choose Your Date and Package: Click “Book Now” to access our availability calendar and select your preferred start date for the Inca Trail 2 Days to Machu Picchu. Next, select your traveler category (adult, student, or child), each priced accordingly. Then choose whether to pay a $250 USD per person deposit to secure your booking or pay the full amount upfront. Click “Continue.”
- Step 2 Fill In Your Details: Enter the booking holder’s information along with the required details for each participant. Review and accept the terms and conditions, sign digitally, and click “Continue.”
- Step 3 Add Optional Extras: Customize your trek with optional add-ons: sleeping bag rental, trekking pole rental, or an additional ticket to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain (subject to availability from the Peruvian Ministry of Culture, confirmed immediately upon request). Note that only one mountain hike may be booked per date — Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, not both on the same day. You may also upgrade from the Expedition train to the Vistadome. Once selected, click “Continue.”
- Step 4 Travel Insurance (Optional) Review available travel insurance options and add one if desired, or click “Continue” to proceed without it.
Step 5 Payment and Confirmation Enter your payment details — credit card, debit card, bank transfer, or digital wallet — and click “Confirm Booking.” Your reservation is confirmed immediately, and a payment confirmation email will be sent to the address provided. Our team will then contact you via WhatsApp or email to verify your booking, confirm all trek details, and notify you of the availability of any optional mountain hikes. If a selected mountain (Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain) is unavailable, the corresponding amount will be fully refunded. A final confirmation with all reservation details will follow.
Booking Policy & Terms and Conditions – Inca Trail 2 Days to Machu Picchu
We believe in full transparency from the outset. Please read the following terms carefully before making your reservation, so you can book with complete confidence and peace of mind.
1. Booking Deposit A non-refundable deposit of $250 USD per person is required to confirm your reservation. This deposit secures your spot on the Inca Trail 2 Days to Machu Picchu and is used immediately to purchase your Inca Trail permit, Machu Picchu entrance ticket, and, where applicable, your train tickets. Once paid, the deposit is strictly non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances, regardless of how far in advance you cancel.
2. Payment of Remaining Balance If only the deposit was paid at booking, the remaining balance must be paid no later than 48 hours before the tour start date. Failure to complete payment within this window may result in automatic cancellation of the reservation, with no refund.
The remaining balance can be paid:
- In person at our Cusco office, by credit card, debit card, or cash (Peruvian soles or US dollars)
- Online through our booking platform
If the balance is not settled within the 48-hour window, our booking platform is authorized to charge the outstanding amount to the same card or account used for the initial deposit.
3. Inca Trail Permits, Machu Picchu Tickets & Additional Mountain Tickets Inca Trail permits and Machu Picchu entrance tickets are issued directly by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture and are strictly non-refundable, non-transferable, and non-modifiable. No date or name changes are permitted once tickets are issued — this is a regulation set by the Peruvian government, not by Machu Picchu Team. The same policy applies to optional mountain tickets (Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain), which are subject to limited availability and an additional cost. All tickets are purchased immediately upon booking confirmation and sent by email; for this reason, these costs cannot be reimbursed under any circumstances.
Important: only one mountain hike may be added per date — either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, not both on the same day.
4. Cancellation Policy All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to our official email address. The following penalties apply:
- Cancellation more than 48 hours before departure: loss of the $250 USD non-refundable deposit per person
- Cancellation within 48 hours of departure: loss of 100% of the total amount paid, with no refund
If the full tour amount was paid and the client cancels, a partial refund of the remaining balance will be issued after deducting the non-refundable deposit ($250 USD per person), the cost of any entrance tickets already purchased (Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, or Machu Picchu Mountain), any non-refundable additional services confirmed in the booking (such as the Vistadome train upgrade), and bank processing fees, which are also non-refundable.
If only the deposit was paid and the client cancels, no refund will be issued.
Any tickets already purchased under a participant’s name remain valid for personal use on their original date, should the client choose to visit Machu Picchu independently, since all tickets are issued by name and cannot be transferred.
5. Train Tickets When a package includes train service, tickets are subject to the policies of PeruRail or IncaRail. These tickets are non-refundable, and date changes are subject to availability and may incur additional charges.
6. Passenger Responsibilities Clients are responsible for providing accurate personal information exactly as it appears on their passport. Errors in names, passport numbers, or other details may result in denied entry to Machu Picchu, additional costs, or loss of services, without right to a refund. All required documents — particularly passports and, for students, a valid university ID — must be submitted immediately after booking. Delays in submitting these documents may result in ticket unavailability, for which no refund will be provided.
7. Itinerary Changes and Force Majeure Machu Picchu Team reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel any part of the itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control, including severe weather, strikes, road closures, government restrictions, or train service disruptions. In such cases, no refund or compensation is guaranteed, though we will always make every effort to offer a suitable alternative.
8. Risk Assumption By booking this tour, clients voluntarily acknowledge that high-altitude trekking involves inherent risks, including altitude sickness, sudden weather changes, physical exhaustion, and limited access to immediate medical services. Machu Picchu Team’s liability is limited except in cases of proven negligence or willful misconduct on our part.
9. Travel Insurance We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance before your trip, covering medical emergencies, evacuation, cancellations, lost luggage, and repatriation. This is best arranged in your home country prior to traveling to Peru.
10. Passenger Conduct All participants are expected to behave respectfully toward fellow travelers, staff, and the natural and cultural heritage along the route. Machu Picchu Team reserves the right to remove any participant whose conduct endangers the group, staff, or the environment. In such cases, no refund will be issued for any amount paid.
11. Claims and Complaints Any complaints or claims must be raised during the tour itself or within a maximum of 3 calendar days after its completion. After this period, the service will be considered accepted as satisfactory.
12. Legal Jurisdiction This agreement is governed by the laws of Peru. In the event of any dispute, both parties agree to first attempt resolution through conciliation in the city of Cusco. If no agreement is reached, the matter will be submitted to the competent courts of Cusco, Peru.
Enhance your 2-Day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with optional mountain hikes, trekking equipment, and a return train upgrade. These extras are not included in the standard package price and have an additional cost. Because the Short Inca Trail follows a regulated itinerary with specific entrance permits and train schedules, some add-ons need to be arranged in advance. Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, and the Vistadome return train upgrade should be requested at the time of booking so our team can coordinate them with your Machu Picchu entrance and return journey to Cusco.
Huayna Picchu Mountain Ticket – $65 USD
- Add an extra adventure to the second day of your Short Inca Trail with a hike up Huayna Picchu, the famous mountain that rises behind the Machu Picchu citadel and appears in its most iconic photographs.
- Access requires a separate entrance ticket at an additional cost of $65 USD per person. Huayna Picchu has limited availability and tickets frequently sell out in advance, so we strongly recommend adding this option when booking your Inca Trail 2 Days.
- The hike takes place on Day 2, in coordination with your scheduled visit to Machu Picchu. Our reservations team will secure the available entrance time that best fits your Machu Picchu circuit and return train schedule.
- The complete ascent and descent usually take approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. The trail features steep stone steps, narrow pathways, and exposed sections. It is best suited to travelers who are physically prepared and comfortable with heights.
- A guide for the Huayna Picchu hike is not included. This additional mountain route is normally completed independently by following the designated trail.
- If no suitable entrance ticket is available for your travel date or the available schedule cannot be coordinated with your itinerary, the $65 USD paid for this add-on will be fully refunded.
Machu Picchu Mountain Ticket – $65 USD
- For travelers looking for a longer hike and impressive panoramic views, Machu Picchu Mountain can be added to Day 2 of your Short Inca Trail experience.
- Reaching approximately 3,082 meters (10,111 feet) above sea level, the mountain provides spectacular views of the Machu Picchu archaeological site, the surrounding Andean peaks, and the Urubamba Valley.
- A separate entrance ticket is required and costs an additional $65 USD per person. Due to limited availability and the need to coordinate the hike with your Machu Picchu visit and return train, we recommend requesting this option when making your Inca Trail 2 Days reservation.
- The round-trip hike generally takes approximately 3 to 3.5 hours. It involves a sustained uphill climb and numerous stone steps. Although generally less exposed than Huayna Picchu, the longer ascent makes it a physically demanding option.
- A guide for the Machu Picchu Mountain hike is not included, and this portion of the visit is normally completed independently.
- If tickets are unavailable or the available entrance times cannot be properly combined with your Day 2 itinerary, you will receive a full refund of the $65 USD paid for this additional ticket.
Vistadome Train Upgrade (Return Journey) – $45 USD
- Your Inca Trail 2 Days package already includes a regular return train from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) after completing your Machu Picchu visit on Day 2. Depending on availability and the train operator, the included service is normally an Expedition or Voyager Train.
- If you would like to enjoy a more panoramic experience on your return journey, you can upgrade the regular train included in your package to a Vistadome Train for an additional $45 USD per person.
- The Vistadome features larger panoramic windows and glass sections extending toward the roof, allowing you to enjoy wider views of the mountains, valleys, and Andean scenery as you travel back from Machu Picchu.
- Depending on the train company and scheduled service, the Vistadome experience may also include onboard entertainment, cultural presentations, music, and light refreshments.
- The $45 USD is an upgrade fee from the regular return train already included in your package; it is not the price of an additional train ticket.
- We recommend selecting the Vistadome upgrade at the time of booking your Inca Trail 2 Days, as seats are limited and subject to availability.
Trekking Pole Rental – $10 USD per Pair
- Professional, adjustable trekking poles are available for $10 USD per pair and can be particularly helpful during the hiking portion of the Short Inca Trail.
- On Day 1, you will hike from Km 104 through Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate toward Machu Picchu, following sections with stone stairways, uphill climbs, uneven surfaces, and downhill terrain. Trekking poles can provide additional stability and help reduce pressure on your knees during these sections.
- They are especially recommended for travelers with limited hiking experience or anyone who would like additional balance and support on the trail.
- You can add trekking poles when making your online reservation, but advance booking is not required. They can also be rented at our Cusco office during the pre-trek briefing one day before departure.
- To help protect the original Inca pathways, trekking poles must be used with rubber tips where required. Their use may also be restricted inside the Machu Picchu archaeological site according to current regulations.
- Rental price: $10 USD per pair for the Inca Trail 2 Days.
