Inca Jungle Trek 2 Days to Machu Picchu
The shortest Inca Jungle route — 100% on foot, with a stop at the Cocalmayo hot springs.
The Inca Jungle Trek 2 Days to Machu Picchu is the shortest way to experience this popular route through the cloud forest northwest of Cusco. Day 1 follows a section of the Amazon Inca Trail — an original Inca path through coffee, banana, citrus, and coca plantations — before a well-earned soak in the natural Cocalmayo hot springs. Day 2 continues on foot from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes, followed by a guided tour of Machu Picchu.
Unlike the Inca Jungle Trek 4 Days, this itinerary is 100% on foot — no cycling involved, making it a great option for travelers who want the jungle scenery and hot springs without the mountain bike descent from Abra Málaga.
| 🥾 Duration | 2 days / 1 night |
| 📏 Distance | 5.5 km (Day 1) + ~9 km (Day 2) |
| ⛰️ Highest point on foot | 1,640 m / 5,380 ft — Huaca Yupana Pass |
| 🚐 Abra Málaga | Crossed by vehicle only (~4,316 m), not on foot |
| ♨️ Highlight | Cocalmayo natural hot springs, Day 1 |
| 💪 Difficulty | Moderate to Easy |
| 📅 Season | May to December |
| 👥 Group size | 1–10 hikers |
| 🔞 Minimum age | 7+ years |
| 💲 Price | Scalable from $315 USD per person (groups of 1–10) |
Few trips compare to the Inca Jungle Trek 2 Days to Machu Picchu – Hike a section of the Amazon Inca Trail, through coffee, banana, citrus, and coca plantations – Soak in the natural Cocalmayo hot springs, one of the most popular hot springs in the region – Cross the cloud forest between the Andes and the edge of the Amazon basin – Hike from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes, following the railway alongside the Urubamba River. These are the moments that make the Inca Jungle Trek 2 Days to Machu Picchu worth it.
The Inca Jungle Trek 2 Days compresses the most popular elements of this route — the Amazon Inca Trail, the Cocalmayo hot springs, and a guided Machu Picchu visit — into the shortest possible itinerary. Unlike the Inca Jungle Trek 4 Days, there’s no mountain biking on this route; it’s entirely on foot, making it accessible to travelers who want the jungle scenery without the technical cycling descent. Want the Llactapata viewpoint too? See our Inca Jungle Trek 3 Days instead.
| Feature | Inca Jungle Trek 2 Days | Inca Jungle + Short Inca Trail 4 Days |
|---|---|---|
| Cycling | ❌ None — 100% on foot | ✅ Mountain bike descent from Abra Málaga |
| Duration | 2 days | 4 days |
| Machu Picchu arrival | By train + bus | Via Sun Gate, on foot |
| Best for | Limited time, no interest in cycling | Full adventure combo with official Inca Trail permit |
The shortest version of the popular Inca Jungle route, this 2-day trek is entirely on foot — no cycling involved — following the Amazon Inca Trail through coffee and coca plantations before a relaxing stop at the Cocalmayo hot springs, then continuing on to Machu Picchu. It’s built for travelers who want the jungle scenery and thermal baths of the Inca Jungle experience without the mountain bike descent that headlines the longer versions.
Because this route stays in the cloud forest and lower valleys rather than crossing any high mountain pass, altitude is a minor factor — the trek’s highest point, Huaca Yupana Pass, sits at just 1,640 m, and Abra Málaga (4,316 m) is crossed entirely by vehicle on the drive out from Cusco, not on foot. The real acclimatization consideration is simply spending time in Cusco before the trip begins, since the trek itself asks very little of the lungs.
Your guide picks you up from your hotel in Cusco at 04:30 AM. The drive heads northwest across the Anta plain, descending through the Pomatales ravine into the Sacred Valley before climbing to Abra Málaga — reached entirely by vehicle, not on foot, at roughly 4,316 m. From the pass, the road descends through the cloud forest to Santa María, where the climate turns noticeably warmer, closer to the Quillabamba jungle region.
The hike begins around 09:30 AM, following a section of the Amazon Inca Trail — an original path through plantations of coffee, banana, citrus fruits, and coca leaf, with views of the surrounding cloud forest. The trail crosses two minor passes, Huaca Yupana (1,640 m) and Trono del Inca (1,625 m), before descending toward the Cocalmayo hot springs (1,433 m) — a well-earned two-hour soak after the day’s walk. The night is spent in Santa Teresa.
Day 1 stats
Box Lunch
Moderate
5.5km (3.4 miles)
3-4 Hrs.
Santa Rosa: 1,203m (3,946 ft)
Road: 1,436m (4,411 ft)
Huaca Yupana Pass: 1,640m (5,380 ft)
Departure from Santa Teresa at 05:30 AM for the short drive to Hidroeléctrica (about 35 minutes). From here, a 3-hour hike along the railway follows the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes, arriving with enough time to explore the town before the bus up to Machu Picchu at 10:15 AM.
Your 2-hour guided tour begins around noon, exploring the citadel’s most significant sectors. In the afternoon, board the return train toward Ollantaytambo and Cusco, arriving in the evening.
Day 2 stats
Breakfast
Easy
9km
3-hour
Santa Teresa 1,575m (5,167 ft)
Machu Picchu Pueblo: 2,065m (6,774 ft)
Machu Picchu Ruins: 2,400m (7,874 ft)
Looking for something different in duration or pace? Compare it with our Inca Jungle Trek 3 Days.
A 2-day, fully on-foot version of the popular Inca Jungle route — hiking a section of the Amazon Inca Trail, soaking in the Cocalmayo hot springs, and finishing with a guided Machu Picchu tour. No cycling is included on this itinerary.
No. This 2-day version is 100% hiking — no cycling. If you’re looking for the mountain bike descent from Abra Málaga, that’s part of the 4-day Inca Jungle combo.
Rated Moderate to Easy. Day 1 involves a few hours of walking through varied terrain at low-to-moderate altitude; Day 2 is a gentler hike followed by an easy guided tour at Machu Picchu.
On foot, the highest point is Huaca Yupana Pass, at 1,640 m (5,380 ft), on Day 1. Abra Málaga (~4,316 m) is crossed by vehicle on the drive out from Cusco, not on foot.
Natural thermal pools near Santa Teresa, popular for relaxing after a day of hiking. Entrance is included in your booking.
The recommended minimum age is 7 years old, given the moderate-to-easy nature of the hike — this is a family-friendly option.
May through December.
Yes — one night in a basic 2-star hotel in Santa Teresa (shared room). Hotels in Cusco are not included.
This 2-day version skips the mountain biking and covers only the core highlights — Amazon Inca Trail, Cocalmayo hot springs, and Machu Picchu — in the shortest possible time. The 4-day version adds a cycling descent from Abra Málaga and additional trekking days through the jungle.
Yes — the recommended minimum age is 7, and the trail is rated moderate to easy, making it accessible for families.
Yes, vegetarian meal options are available — just let us know when booking.
Comfortable hiking shoes, lightweight clothing, a swimsuit (for the hot springs), a light rain jacket, sunscreen, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle, and a small daypack.
Inca Jungle Trek 2 Days
| Persons | Price (p/p) | |
| 1 | $ 875.00 USD | |
| 2 | $ 568.00 USD | |
| 3 | $ 468.00 USD | |
| 4 | $ 406.00 USD | |
| 5 | $ 379.00 USD | |
| 6 | $ 360.00 USD | |
| 7 | $ 347.00 USD | |
| 8 | $ 331.00 USD | |
| 9 | $ 322.00 USD |
