OVERVIEW
The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2-day is a renowned hiking trail that was used by Inca Pilgrims to reach the Sacred Citadel. The first day includes visiting Chachabamba, Wiay Wayna, and Intipunku, where you witness the Seventh Wonder of the World. The second day offers a guided tour of Machu Picchu, followed by a train service through the Sacred Valley and a return to your hotel. This one-day hike Inca Trail to Machu Picchu offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the lost city of the Incas twice, making it an ideal photo opportunity.
Short Inca Trail: Overview
- Day 1: Cusco – Chachabamba 104 – Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
- Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Starting Altitude – 2,170 m / 7,170 ft
Highest Altitude – 2,720 m / 8,920 ft
Walking Distance – 13 km / 8 miles
2-Day Inca Trail : Pre-trek briefing:
We provide a full pre-trek briefing at you hotel in Cusco. This gives you the chance to ask questions about the Hiking tours itinerary.
Briefings are generally scheduled at night 2 days before your 2-days starts. If your trek begins on a Monday then the briefing will be scheduled for the Saturday before. Please take this into consideration when booking your travel plans to Cusco, ensuring you arrive in time for the briefing.
Short Inca Trail – Highlight
- A wonderful mountain scenery
- The mysterious cloud forest
- Flora & wildlife
- Visiting awesome ruins ( Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna, Sun Gate)
- Hiking the famous Short Inca Trail
- Machupicchu the magical inca site
ITINERARY
In the morning, at 4,30, the travellers will be picked up from their hotels in Cusco and transported for 1 hour and a half to the train station at Ollantaytambo; the train ride is approx. 1 hour and a half to arrive at km 104, the beginning of a 1-day hike to Machu Picchu. After crossing the checkpoint, we will start hiking uphill for about 3 hours through the beautiful cloud forest until we reach the beautiful site of Wiaywayna. This is an impressive site mixed with an agricultural centre with numerous terraces, a religious sector, and an urban sector. We will be able to explore this charming and marvellous Inca complex, which is definitely one of the highlights, and afterwards we will eat our box lunch.
The second part of this short trek to Machu Picchu is easier. We will hike towards the Gate of the Sun and Machupicchu; at our arrival, we will take pictures from the upper part of the ruin. We then drive down to Aguas Calientes town to stay at the hotel.
- Starting Altitude – 2,170 m / 7,170 ft
- Highest Altitude – 2,720 m / 8,920 ft
- Walking Distance – 13 km / 8 miles
- Meals – Box lunch, Dinner
The full Machu Picchu experience starts with an early breakfast at your hotel. You’ll take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu so that you can be there to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site, and it’s not something you’ll want to miss! Your guide will give you a guided tour of Machu Picchu, which takes about two hours. You will see many of the most important highlights of the Machu Picchu Citadel.
After your guided tour, those who have booked in advance for the extra hike up Huayna Picchu will have time to enjoy those views on their own. When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing, or a visit to the museum or hot springs.
The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55 p.m. or 3:20 p.m., following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow, and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. You can also see Winay Wayna from the train if you look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 7:00 p.m.
- Meals included: Breakfast at your hotel
Included/Excluded
Included
- Transfer to the train station of Ollantaytambo
- Train tickets round trip in expedition class
- Box lunch
- Entrance fee
- Bus ticket up and down to Machupicchu.
- Expert guide for our Machu Picchu short trek
- Hotel accommodation **
- Dinner in Aguas Calientes.
- Transfer back from Ollanta to Cusco hotel
Excluded
- Entrance fee to Wayna Picchu (75.00 US additional per person)
- Meals not described in the itinerary
- Transfers in/ out to the airport of Cusco.
- Any kind of drinks.
- Tips (transfer, guide).
- Breakfast in the first day morning and Lunch after Machupicchu.
- Entrance fee to the Hot springs.
Packing List
Packing List for Short Inca Trail Hke
- Short Inca Trail Packing List
- Original passport (and *International Student card (ISIC) if applicable)
- Travel Insurance is essential
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- Hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable trousers
- Sun hat
- Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended)
- Insect repellent
- Water (only until lunch time on day 1)
- Toiletries and hand sanitizer.
- Personal medication
- Camera
- Torch with spare batteries (headlamps are useful)
- Optional items to take:
- Shorts
- Walking stick (with rubber tip)
- Plasters and bandages
- Sandals
- Extra money
- Bathing suit (for hot springs in Aguas Calientes. * Optional)
