Our Short Inca Trail 2 days is a wonderful option for those who don’t have time or desire to hike the full length of the classical 4 day Inca Trail. With beautiful landscape, a great variety of flora and fauna on display and a visit to the Inca Trail’s most beautiful archeological site Wiñay Wayna (For ever Young), you enjoy all the best bits of the Inca Trail condensed into a one day walk. Covering a distance of just 12 km/7.4 miles miles. In addition, you will see Machu Picchu 2 times so you will have afternoon and morning pictures.
You will be picked up from your hotel at 3:30 am and transferred (by bus) to the train station in Ollantaytambo to take the 7:00 am train. You will travel to 104 Km (2000 m.a.s.l./ 6560 ft) along the Urubamba River, where the hike (Camino Inca) will begin. Before heading to visit the Inca archaeological site, we will provide you with a packed lunch and drinks, as well as a briefing, which will be provided by our professional guide. Here you have the chance to take in the beautiful vista of the snow-capped mountains and when ready, we will start our hike towards the classic Inca trail where we will visit: Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, the Urubamba River and other Inca sites.
It will take around 3 hours to hike to Wiñayhuayna (Quecua for “Forever Young”) 2600 m.a.s.l/8530 ft. To many, this place hosted the ancient houses of the ancient priests of Machu Picchu. Continuing on this route, we will arrive at Inti Punku (4 km) where we will have the first view of the historical sanctuary of Machu Picchu. From here the trail will start to descend towards Machu Picchu where we will have the opportunity to take some spectacular photos. We will take a bus to Aguas Calientes, where the guide will take us to the hotel, followed by dinner at a restaurant.
(16 KM/ 10 MI, 7 HOURS)
At 4:30 in the morning we will head to Machu Picchu with our professional guide to visit the principal sites during a 2-hour tour. After the tour, there is free time to visit Machu Picchu again or Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) on your own. If you have selected to visit Huayna Picchu Mountain* or Machu Picchu Mountain*, this is your time to make the ascent. In the afternoon we will return to Aguas Calientes, take a train to Ollantaytambo, followed by a bus back to Cusco.
*Ask in Advance for Availability. $65.00 per person.
