Sacred Valley And Short Inca Trail With Camping

We will pick you up at 7:30 am for a scenic private drive through the Sacred Valley, stopping at Chinchero for a traditional textile demonstration and exploring the Inca site. We will then visit the impressive Moray archaeological site, known as the largest agricultural laboratory in the world. After exploring the circular terraces, we will head to Maras to enjoy lunch. We will then visit the Maras Salt Mines, where over 3,000 small white pools were developed by the Inca to harvest salt through evaporation. These salt flats are still in use today and are known for their healing properties and delicious flavor. After exploring the salt pans, we will continue to Ollantaytambo, a small town with a beautiful example of Incan architecture. The tour will include visits to the Temple of the Sun, Moon, and the Temple of the 10 Niches, as well as cobblestone streets. We will drop you off at your hotel in Ollantaytambo and overnight.

Hotel, at Ollantaytambo

The 2-day Inca Trail adventure begins with camping in Ollantaytambo, The team will pick you up from your hotel in Ollantaytambo and take you to the train station in Ollantaytambo for 1o minutes. The train journey offers stunning views of the Urubamba River, snow-capped peaks, cornfield farms, and the starting point of the classic 4-day Inca Trail. As you descend, you’ll experience a change in microclimate from highlands and corn fields to green jungle valleys with ferns, bromeliads, and orchids.

After a 2-hour train ride, you’ll be dropped off at Km. 104, Chachabamba, where you’ll walk down to the Urubamba River. You must show your original passport to enter the Short Inca Trail. After passing the checkpoint, you’ll start trekking through cactus vegetation and cloud forest, enjoying stunning views, waterfalls, flora and fauna, and orchids.

After lunch, you’ll continue hiking through the cloud forest, passing impressive features like stone stairs and resting places, to the Sun Gate (2,720 m/8,920 ft), also known as Inti Punku in Quechua. From the Sun Gate, you’ll have a breathtaking view of Machu Picchu’s citadel, temples, and constructions built in white granite rock, including plazas and terraces.

After arriving at Machu Picchu, you’ll have the opportunity to see it with fewer people. After descending to the entrance, you’ll board a bus to Puente Ruinas, where your chef and porters will wait for dinner and spend the night at the campsite.

• Meals: Lunch or Dinner
• Accommodations: Camping at Puente Ruinas
• Walking Distance: 12 km/7.5 miles
• Starting Altitude: 2,100 m/6,900 ft
• Maximum altitude: 2,720 m (8,920 ft).
• Campsite Elevation: 1,900 m (6,233 ft)
• Approximate Hiking Time: 7 hours
• Weather: hot and humid

On the final day of the Inca Trail tour, we will explore Machu Picchu’s astounded historical sanctuary. We will wake up early to explore the mysterious streets and witness the sunrise at the Inca citadel. Our private tour guide will lead a 2-hour comprehensive tour of Machu Picchu, visiting remarkable sites like temples, palaces, and farming terraces. The tour will also explore the city’s history and its three sectors: agricultural, residential, and religious.

After your guided tour of Machu Picchu, your tour guide will explain how to take the bus from Machu Picchu back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). You will have time to explore the town, choose the restaurant of your preference, and buy souvenirs in the local market.

Later in the afternoon, you will board the Expedition train at 14:55 pm or 15:20 pm for the return trip to Cusco, stopping at the Ollantaytambo Train Station, and from there, you will be driven back to your hotel in Cusco in our private van, arriving at around 7 PM.

• Meals included: Breakfast at your camp