Inca Trail 2 Days 1 Night

About this tour

Places visited

Machu Picchu

Pickup point

Hotel

Drop-off point

Hotel (private service) - Plaza San Francisco (group service)

Departure time

03:00 am or 04:00 am

Return time

06:30 pm

Itinerary

1. Day 1 Overview

   INCA TRAIL 2D/1N

2. Day 1 Cusco – Km 104 | Machu Picchu

   The 2-day Short Inca Trail is a hiking route that covers the last kilometers of the famous Classic Inca Trail. The hike begins at Km 104 of the railway line leading to the town of Aguas Calientes. After approximately 12 kilometers of walking you pass through the archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna before finally arriving at Machu Picchu (which you will visit at a more relaxed pace the following day). The route can only be done with an authorized tour, which includes accommodation, meals, a tour guide, entrance tickets and more.

   Cusco – Km 104 | Machu Picchu

   Early in the morning we will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the train station in Ollantaytambo. There we will board the train that takes us to Km 104 (the journey takes approximately 1 hour).

   The hike begins at Km 104 (2,200 m / 7,218 ft). At the checkpoint you must show your identification document: passport, foreign resident card or national ID.

   A 15-minute walk brings us to the archaeological sites of Chachabamba and Choquesuysuy, hidden in the semi-tropical forest.

   After the visit we will begin the climb up a series of stone steps. Along the route we will admire waterfalls and different kinds of orchids. After 4 hours of hiking we will reach the archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m / 8,694 ft). The visit lasts about 1 hour, after which we will enjoy a box lunch to recharge before continuing to the Wiñay Wayna checkpoint.

   In the second part of the route we will hike for 2 hours along stone stairways and tambos (“resting places”) until we reach Inti Punku, the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,924 ft), which in Inca times served as the entrance checkpoint to the citadel of Machu Picchu. From here you will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Machu Picchu and the entire valley that surrounds it.

   We will then descend for approximately 30 minutes to the wonder of the world, Machu Picchu (2,490 m / 8,169 ft), and finally take the bus down to Aguas Calientes (2,160 m / 7,087 ft), a 25-minute ride. Here we will spend the night in a hotel.

3. Day 2 Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu | Cusco

   We start early with a hearty breakfast at the hotel, then get ready to head up to the citadel of Machu Picchu.

   The bus ride takes approximately 30 minutes. Along the way you will see the beautiful tropical landscapes that surround Machu Picchu.

   Once at Machu Picchu, you will explore this enigmatic and mysterious city for approximately 2 hours in the company of your guide, who will share the history of this wonder with you.

   You will visit the most impressive spots, such as the Temple of the Three Windows, the Main Temple, the Sacred Plaza, stairways, squares, fountains and more. After the guided tour you will have free time to explore the site on your own.

   You will then go down to the town of Aguas Calientes either by bus (at an additional cost) or on foot (almost 2 hours of walking through tropical forest), whichever you prefer.

   Finally, you will have free time in Aguas Calientes (for lunch, shopping, etc.). In the evening we will take the train to Ollantaytambo, where our driver will be waiting to take us back to the city of Cusco.

What's included?

Prices

What to bring and tips

• Extra money
• Trekking clothes
• Sunscreen
• Hat or cap
• Sunglasses
• Camera, binoculars
• Mosquito repellent
• Rain poncho (depending on the season)
• Original passport
• Water bottle
• Snacks
• Small backpack for the hike