Main Info
OVERVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS:
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most famous trekking routes in the world and even if you are short of time, you can still get a taste of what people rave about! The Short Inca trail is shorter than the Traditional Inca Trail, but an interesting 2-day program that joins the classical 4- day route at the impressive. archaeological site of Wiñaywayna, continuing through the famous Inti Punku or Sun Gate. Day two includes a full day visit of the world-famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Highly recommended for those short of time and who don’t want to camp but still want a taste of the Inca Trail!
INCLUDED
- Professional Bilingual English-speaking tour guide
- Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel.
- Pick up from your hotel and transportation from Cusco to the Ollantaytambo train station.
- Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Km 104 (Expedition or Voyager service)
- Inca Trail ticket and permit
- Box Lunch on the 1st day (Vegetarian and Free gluten options available)
- First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
- Bus down from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes on the 1st day
- Round trip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu on the 2nd day
- Train ticket (Expedition or Voyager service) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Hotel in Cusco.
NOT INCLUDED
- Breakfast and dinner on the 1st day
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the 2nd day
- 1 night at the Aguas Calientes hotel
- Entrance to the hot springs
- Entrance ticket to Huaynapicchu
- Guided tour to Huaynapicchu
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
WHAT TO BRING AND ADVICES
- You can acclimatize to the altitude in one or two days. This will depend on how your body reacts; you can take some personal medication, there are some drugstores around the main square of Cusco up to your preference.
- If you pay the remaining balance (USD currency) or buy a souvenir (some cash in soles, the local currency), it is advisable to bring some cash. You can get some money from the ATM machine that are located in the center of the City of Cusco.
- You need to bring your original passport; this is very important to enter to Machupicchu,
train station. - Rain poncho, rain jacket, proper hiking boots. Be prepared for rain always.
- Insect repellent.
- Sun block, and a hat to cover your face and head the Sun is really strong.
- A bottle of water or a metallic one, you will need to be hydrated.
- A book to read on the train will be a two hours ride (just one way) approximately the
same on the transport back to Cusco. - Travel insurance from your side, always recommended.
- If you have more days off, please contact us for information on what you can do there.
are many new options that you don’t want to miss.
Itinerary
Download BrochureYou will be picked up at your hotel around 5.30am (depending on train time) and transferred to the Ollantaytambo train station. We travel by train, on a very picturesque route for 2 hours until we reach kilometer 104 - the start of the trail for us. Shortly after crossing the bridge over the Rio Urubamba, we visit the site of Chachabamba which is a lovely ruin with its water channels and fountains. (altitude 2,050m/6,726 ft.) From here, we will hike upwards for about 8km/5mi (approximately 4 hours). The trail is well established, but there are still many stairs and the hike is mostly upwards! While this is one of the easiest treks around the Cusco region, you still need to have a reasonable level of fitness to complete it. After our upwards climb, we arrive at the Inca site Wiñay Wayna (´Forever Young´) (2,680m/8,792ft) This is an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector. Many consider this as the most impressive site on the whole Inca Trail. We will have our boxed lunch at Wiñay Wayna. We will then continue for about one hour further onto ´Inti Punku´ (The ´Sun gate´) (2,730m/8,792ft) from where you will have your first dramatic and impressive view of Machupicchu (2,400m/7,873ft). As you are arriving late in the day you may be lucky enough to enjoy the view by yourself! After getting those classic photos, we will walk down the last part of the trail towards the ancient city itself. Before entering Machu Picchu, we will take a side path off the trail to go down to Aguas Calientes, as we will visit Machu Picchu on day 2. We will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes where you will check into your accommodation, and a celebratory dinner (Not included) before getting to bed early in preparation for the next day’s early start.
MEALS: Box Lunch,
NIGHT: Not included
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate to Challenge
WALKING DISTANCE: 13km/8,08mi
WALKING TIME: 6/7 hours
MINIMUM ELEVATION: 2040m/6693ft
MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 2720m/ 8924ft
We have breakfast and then take the first bus up to Machu Picchu. A walking tour (approximately 2.5 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. If you have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu (2720m/8890ft)!! (you need to buy a separate entry to do this) From the top of Huaynapicchu is one of the most spectacular views of Machu Picchu and there is also an opportunity to visit the Temple of the Moon or the Inca Bridge. We include in your tour a bus ticket back down to Aguas Calientes. The train usually leaves between 2.30pm and 6pm depending on availability. You will board the train to Ollataytambo where transportation awaits you to return to your hotel in Cusco
Meals: Not included
Night: Not included
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate
WALKING DISTANCE: 09km/ 5359mi
WALKING TIME: 5/6 hours
MINIMUM ELEVATION: 2,040 m/ 6693 ft
MAXIMUM ELEVATION:2720 m/8924 ft.
NOTE: It is no longer possible to stay a night on the Inca Trail for the 2 day, 1 night trek. All people on this tour spend the night in Aguas Calientes, the town nearest Machu Picchu.
IMPORTANT – government regulations will not allow reservations to be made unless accompanied by full passport details of the client and full payment of the entrance fee to the Sanctuary. This is to assist in the 500 people a day rule. Therefore, to guarantee your place on the Inca Trail you must provide a scanned copy of your passport and a non-refundable deposit. Your reservation will only be confirmed when we have your entrance ticket in our hands. In case of passport number change this information must be relayed to us or you will lose your booking. Original passport must be carried on Trail. All times noted are approximate.
