Hike the Short Inka Trail
2 Days / 1 NightHike the short Inka Trail
Duration: 2 DAYS / 1 NIGHT
Group Service
Budget: $735 p.p.
The 2 Day Inka Trail to Machu Picchu is great for people without time to hike the full Inka Trail. Covering a distance of just 12 km, the 2 Day Inka Trail is a challenging trek that takes you to Machu Picchu. The road is full of beautiful landscapes, trails surrounded by mountains and cloud forests.Covering a distance of 43km (26 miles), it is full of Andean valleys, Inca archaeological sites, breathtaking mountain scenery, snowcapped mountains and cloud forests.
Definitely a route that today remains a busy thoroughfare for tourists to reach one of the Wonders of the world modern “Machu Picchu”.
- Active 80%
- Archeology 100%
- Responsible travel 80%
- Connection with community 40%
Included:
- Group excursion with Transportation and Guide
- Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to KM 104
- Train ticket from Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) to Ollantaytambo
- Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
- Boxed Lunch and Dinner on Day 1
- Bus ticket going up to Machu Picchu and 2 Bus tickets going down
Not included:
- Lunch on the 2nd Day
- Entrance fee to the thermal pools of Aguas Calientes
- Personal Insurance
- Personal porter
- Accommodation in Aguas Calientes, but we will more than happy to help you organizing this
Itinerary
Day 1
It is an early start today, as you will be picked up from your accommodation in Cusco at around 4 am to board the train to KM 104 on the Cusco-Machu Picchu railway, where your trek begins! From the moment you set off, crossing the Urubamba River -on an Indiana Jones style cable and wood bridge- you will be surrounded by spectacular views over the valley and mountain ranges. After visiting the impressive Inca ruins of Chachabamba, you will continue to hike up and up for about 3 hours, passing by beautiful waterfalls until you reach the archaeological site of Wiñaywayna, named after an orchid that is found in this area. This site is a perfect example of Inca terracing and it’s also recognized as the second most impressive archaeological site in Peru after Machu Picchu.
After stopping for lunch, you will have some time to explore Wiñaywayna further or to grab a well-earned rest. Then, the adventure continues as you go, through a magical cloud forest, to the famous Inti Punku or Sun Gate of Machu Picchu. This will give you the first breathtaking and unforgettable views of the Lost City of Machu Picchu perched between the peaks of the Andes. No matter how many photos you have seen, nothing can prepare you for the beauty of the moment you see for the first time!
It is then time to get on a bus down to the quiet town of Aguas Calientes. Here, you can enjoy strolling through its cobblestone streets lined with small restaurants and shops, or you can soak away some of those muscle pains at the nearby hot springs. Have an early night, as tomorrow is an early start and you will be heading back to Machu Picchu!
Day 2
After yesterday’s taster of Machu Picchu, you will take the morning bus towards the citadel entrance. Arriving at Machu Picchu, take a moment to soak up what appears in front of your eyes, it is now time to descend into this ancient citadel. Your guide will give you a full explanation of the Lost City of the Inca, as well as its history, the surrounding areas and the sacred legends of Machu Picchu.
In the afternoon, it is time to bid farewell to Machu Picchu as you take the train back to Ollantaytambo or Cusco. The train leaving from Aguas Calientes has large windows, which give you a great view from the peaks of the Andes down to the flowing rivers on the valley floor. You will be met at the station before being transferred back to your accommodation.
