2 Day - Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
View All PhotosView All PhotosAdventure
Moderate
Cultural, Hiking, Trekking, Archaeology
per adult
| Is this tour for me? | ||
| Accommodation: | Not included | |
| Included meals: | Not included | |
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Trip Overview
If you don’t feel like doing the full Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu, or you simply don’t have the time, then our short Inca Trail trek (two days and one night) could be a great option for you. Physically speaking, it’s a far less strenuous trek than the classic four-day hike, but it still gives you a taste of what it’s like on the Inca Trail.
You’ll also be able to experience some of the main highlights of the Inca Trail, including the beautiful Wiñay Wayna archaeological site with its spectacular series of agricultural terraces, as well as Inti Punku, Machu Picchu’s famous Sun Gate. And then, of course, there’s Machu Picchu itself, one of the most sublime sights on the planet.
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Day by day schedule
Day 1:Short Inca Trail Trek
Our Machu Picchu adventure begins in Cusco, as we pick you up from your hotel in the morning (the exact time will depend on the train schedule). We then head to the train station and board the train for a scenic 2.5-hour journey to a point known as Kilometer 104. This is where we start our short Inca Trail trek.
From here, we have a walk of about four hours up to the Inca site of Wiñay Wayna ('Forever Young'), at about 2,680 meters (8,792 feet) above sea level. Wiñay Wayna is an impressive Inca ruin built into a steep hillside overlooking the Urubamba River. It consists of an upper and lower section of housing or storage, connected by an Inca staircase and a cascade of water channels and fountains. Almost the entire hillside above and below the structures is covered by beautiful Inca agricultural terraces. As well as being an agricultural center, Wiñay Wayna was also a religious or ceremonial site.
After exploring Wiñay Wayna, we’ll continue our trek all the way to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate). From the Sun Gate, you’ll have your first, dramatic view of Machu Picchu. It is believed that Inti Punku was once the main entrance to Machu Picchu. The site was dedicated to Inti, the Inca sun god, and was positioned on a ridge near Machu Picchu at just the right location to allow the rising sun to pass through the gate each year on the summer solstice.
We’ll continue our trek down towards Machu Picchu, moving tantalizingly close to the famous citadel. But before we reach Machu Picchu, we’ll take a side path off the trail and head down to Aguas Calientes, leaving our exploration of Machu for the following day, when we’ll have more time to explore. Aguas Calientes is the town below Machu Picchu, and this is where we’ll have dinner and take you to your hotel. You’ll probably want to have an early night, as we wake up early the next day for our exploration of Machu Picchu.
Meals: Box Lunch, Dinner.
Day 2:Machu Picchu in all its Glory (and Return to Cusco)
To best appreciated Machu Picchu, we’ll wake up early in the morning so we can get to the citadel in good time. You’ll have time for breakfast first, and then your guide will pick you up from the hotel at around 5:40 a.m. We’ll then walk to the bus departure point for the short but zigzagging ascent up the road to Machu Picchu.
We’ll then pass through the gates into the Machu Picchu archaeological site. Here you’ll begin your guided walking tour with an experienced and highly knowledgeable guide. Our tour of Machu Picchu will last about two hours, and will take you to all the most famous and most spectacular parts of the extensive archaeological complex. These include the House of the Guardian, Intihuatana, Temple of the Sun, Sacred Plaza and other key locations. And as we walk around, we’ll have spectacular views across the agriculture terraces of Machu Picchu and across to the surrounding mountains and plunging gorges. After the guided tour you’ll have time to explore Machu Picchu as you please, perhaps walking to some less visited parts such as the Inca Bridge.
Once we’ve finished our tour of Machu Picchu, we’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes where you can relax and have lunch (not included) before we board the train back to Poroy and Cusco. Upon arrival at the station, we’ll be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco, where you can think back to your incredible tour of one of the world’s most famous and most impressive attractions.
- Total trekking distance: 6 km / 2 hours approx.
- Highest altitude: 2,500 meters above sea level.
Optional Service: Wayna Picchu
There is time for those with enough energy to climb Wayna (Huayna) Picchu (at your own expense). For many people climbing Huayna Picchu is one of the highlights when visiting Machu Picchu. Wayna Picchu is the mountain behind Machu Picchu. The climb itself is interesting as you will see how the Inca did cut out some steps out of the rocks and as you wind around the side of a mountain will see Machu Picchu from different angles.
- Meals: Not Included
Inclusions:
What's included
- Briefing to the tour one day before the trek at 19h00.
- Transport: Share or private
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Inca Trail to Machupicchu
- Meals: 1 box lunch, 1 dinner
- Professional guide who speaks English
- Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to KM 104
- Back train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Poroy
- Entrance fee to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
- First aid kit
- Bus ticket:
- 1rs Day: 1 ticket - from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
- 2nd Day: Roundtrip ticket - from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and back. - 24/7 support and emergency line available throughout the itinerary.
What's not included
- Minimum medical and emergency evacuation insurance
- Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance
- Any activity not described in What's Included
- Meals and drinks other than those mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal equipment such as trekking equipment
- Accommodation in Aguas Calientes
- Gratuities
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