Hiking the Short Inca trail to Machu Picchu 2 days
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Cuzco – Peru
Trekking the Short Inca trail to Machu Picchu 2 days
This is the short version of the famous and stunning Inca Trail, for those who have less time available but do not want to loose this unique trek. We start at km. 104 and we walk till the ruins of Wiñahuayna. After a visit to the ruins, we go to Inti punku from where we will have a fabulous view over the Lost City of the Incas. From here we take the bus down to the village of Aguas Calientes where we will stay for the night. Next day we depart very early, with the first bus, to visit Machu Picchu, at 2,650 kms above sea level. Around 3:30 we take the train back to Cusco.
Begin from: Cusco / Km 104
End in: Machu Picchu / Cusco
Duration: 02 Days/ 01 Night
Physical Rating: Moderate
Accommodation: Tourist Class
Program Itinerary
Day 1 SHORT INCA TRAIL: CUSCO/KM 104/CHACHABAMBA/WIÑAY WAYNA/MACHU PICCHU.
You will be picked up from your hotel for your transfer to the train station where you will take the train to kilometer 104. Arriving at Km. 104 at around 10:40 A.M., you will begin your hike. Shortly you will arrive at the archaeological site of Chachabamba were you will have lunch. After lunch you will continue hiking to the archaeological site of Wiñay Huayna. Then you will continue on to the Inti Punku (Door of the Sun), from where you will be able to observe the Machu Picchu ruins. You will then take the bus down the mountain to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have dinner and spend the night in a hotel.
Day 2 SHORT INCA TRAIL: MACHU PICCHU/CUSCO
You will have an early breakfast in order to take an early bus up the mountain to the Machu Picchu ruins. Your guided tour will last for around 2 hours, during which you will visit the plazas, temples, sacred fountains, the sundial, and many other important places. After the guided tour you will have free time to explore the ruins on your own. In the afternoon you can take a comfortable train back to Cuzco, or as an option, you may stay overnight in Machu Picchu – which we highly recommend.
SHORT INCA TRAIL INCLUDED:
• Pick up from the hotel
• Round trip train tickets
• Professional bilingual guide
• Entrance ticket to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
• Cold Lunch
• Bus ticket for the way down, first day
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes, breakfast included
• Dinner in Aguas Calientes
• First aid kit and oxygen bottle
• Bus ticket up and down for the second day
• Pick up from the train station and transfer to your hotel in Cusco
SHORT INCA TRAIL NOT INCLUDED:
• Bus down from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes on 2nd Day US$ 12 pp
(or a down hill walk for 45 minutes to Aguas Calientes town.)
• Hot spring pools 10 soles
• Dinner on the 2nd Day
• Ticket for Huaynapicchu mountain. Extra $85 per person.
You Must Bring:
• Your Original passport. (ISIC student card if you’ve booked as a student).
• Comfortable back pack. (There are no porters in this trek).
• Water to drink (2 liters, no plastic bottles)
• Camera, binoculars
• Rain jacket in rainy season -Dec to Jan
• Change of clothes
• Basic personal toiletries: Deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, small towel, handky, Anti bacterial wet wipes.
• Hat or cap for the sun is essential, Sunscream with maximum UV Protection.
• Insect repellent for mosquitoes (Malaria or Yellow fever have not been reported)
• Comfortable hiking boots, runners or sturdy shoes.
• Money in soles or dollars. (ATM´s or cash machines and travellers cheques in Aguas Calientes are more expensive to change.)
Accommodations
We work with the following Hotels, at the time of your reservation you will be indicated the hotel where you will spend the night, since there are days when there are not enough spaces, and you will be assigned another hotel but of the same category.
IMPORTANT: Concern about overuse leading to erosion has led the Peruvian government to place a limit on the number of people who may hike this trail per season, and to sharply limit the companies that can provide guides. As a result, advance booking is mandatory.
A maximum of 500 people per day, including guides and porters, are permitted to begin the Trail every day. As a result, the high season books out very quickly.
NOTE: That the Trail is closed every February for cleaning.
The inca Trail Availability and Permits: 2022 – 2023
*This information is provided courtesy of the Regional Directorate of Culture of Cusco.