How Difficult Is The 2 Day Inca Trail?
The 2 day Inca Trail is a great option for those who have less time or budget, or prefer not to hike the entire route for 4 days. However many hikers still wonder if it’s an easy route to hike, as well as the best ways they can prepare for it.
In this guide we’ll explore the difficulty of the 2 day Inca Trail hike, and which parts are considered the most difficult for hikers. We’ll also answer any other questions you may have in the FAQ section.
How Difficult Is The 2 Day Inca Trail?
Quick Answer: The 2 Day Inca Trail is by far the easiest hike that you can do along this route.
Covering 10 km over two days, you are essentially following the same route as you would on day four of the standard trek. This means you skip some of the more tough sections such as the climb up to Dead Woman’s Pass, as well as the long walks through indigenous villages and farmlands on day one.
You’ll still want to be in good shape regardless, and we recommend preparing well before heading on any Inca Trail hike.
The First Day Of The Short Inca Trail (And The Most Difficult Parts)
On our first day we will drive from Cusco until the 104 km marker, which is the starting point for the shorter Inca Trail trek.
We will begin with a gentle hike into the Sacred Valley, where we will walk through subtropical jungle, and potentially see animals such as Viscachas and Llamas before reaching the ancient ruins of Wiñay Wayna. Arguably the hardest part of the experience comes next, where we walk to the Sun Gate. The infamous Gringo Killer Steps are located here, which we recommend taking your time to hike up.
Afterwards we will walk along the mountainous stretch until we reach Machu Picchu, before getting a private guided tour around the site. Although there’s a lot of uphill parts in this archaeological site, it’s relatively simple here.
The Second Day Of The Short Inca Trail (And The Most Difficult Parts)
The second day is by far the easiest, where little walking is actually done (with the exception of those who want to visit Huayna Picchu).
Here we will take a bus back up to Machu Picchu to see the sunrise over the incredible citadel, and from here you’ll have the optional choice of hiking up the 750 stone steps to reach the summit of Huayna Picchu (which is another good contender for the most difficult part of the 2 day Inca Trail hike).
Afterwards we’ll be taking a combination of buses and trains to get back to Ollantaytambo, where a driver will be waiting to bring you all the way back to Cusco.
2 Day Inca Trail Difficulty FAQ
Using our extensive hiking experience along the Inca Trail, we’ll now answer some of the most frequent questions we get about the difficulty of the 2 day Inca Trail hike.
What Is The Hardest Day Of The Inca Trail Hike?
For the 2 day hike, it’s definitely the first day. Of course Huayna Picchu is difficult too (which can be hiked on the second day), however this is completely optional and actually isn’t included in the tour. On the standard 4 day Inca Trail hike, day two is the hardest as you’ll need to climb up and down two mountains.
Is The Short Inca Trail Worth It?
Whilst you’ll see overall less than you would on the standard route, you’ll still get to visit the very best highlights of the Inca Trail. This includes the ruins of Wiñay Wayna, Intipunku (the Sun Gate) as well as Machu Picchu (which you’ll visit twice). You’ll also get to walk through the high Amazon jungle, learn about the local cultures and even spot rare wildlife if you’re lucky!
Can You Do The Inca Trail In 2 Days?
Absolutely yes, and we find that it’s a great option for those who are short on time or don’t want to fully commit to the normal 4 day Inca Trail hike. You’ll still see many incredible ruins and sites along the way too. You can find out more about the full itinerary as well as everything that’s included here.
How Difficult Is The 2 Day Inca Trail?
And that’s all for this guide on how difficult the 2 Day Inca Trail is.
This shorter route still packs in a tonne of adventure and amazing sights, where you’ll visit numerous archaeological ruins and get to walk through the beautiful, remote mountains. Overall the 2 Day Inca Trail is very easy to walk, and is much easier than the standard Inca Trail route.
Be sure to learn more about the 2 Day Inca Trail and everything that’s included.