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Duration

2 days / 1 night

Price

479 $ / per person

Type

Adventure, Cultural

Activities

Hiking, Trekking

City

Cusco

Highlights
Cusco

ROYAL SHORT INCA TRAIL to Machu Picchu in 2 days

ROYAL SHORT INCA TRAIL to Machu Picchu in 2 days

Preparing with us your Inca Trail Experience

This trek is often known as "the two days Inca Trail to Machu Picchu", "the Sacred Inca Trail to Machu Picchu" or the "Camino Real de los Incas".

The trek starts at Km 104 (104 kilometers along the railway from Cusco) and involves a four hour walk uphill to Wiñay Wayna and a couple of hours further to Machu Picchu making it ideal for trekkers wanting to experience at least a part of the Inca Trail but haven't got the time (or energy) to complete the full 4 day trek.

As with the 4 days version of the Inca Trail, regulations introduced in 2002 have prevented individuals from doing the trek solo. The majority of the new regulations apply for the 2 day trek.

In the renewed Short Inca Trail to Machupicchu version the trekkers must continue their trek all the way to Machu Picchu and then spend the night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes. On the second day, a complete guided tour in Machu Picchu is scheduled.

This itinerary is rated moderate and should only be undertaken by people who are fairly fit and take regular exercise. The trek starts at 2100m (KM 104) and climbs to 2700m (Wiñay Wayna) before descending to 2400m (Machu Picchu). Since the trek is carried out at a much lower altitude than the Classic 4 days Inca Trail trek you do not need to worry about acclimatization as much, although many people still find themselves short of breath when arriving at Wiñay Wayna so this trek should certainly not be considered an extremely easy option.

Apart from the waterfalls just before Wiñay Wayna there are no other places to refill your water bottle up (purify before drinking). Therefore it is recommended start the trek with at least 1.5 litres of water.

This route is open in February when the Classic 4 day Inca Trail is closed.

Itinerary

Meals: Box Lunch and dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel, “Camping on request”.
Distance: 16kms/10 mls (6 hours more or less of hiking)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate.
Walking Time:   Approximately 6 hours (including picnic lunch en route)
Walk and Terrain: Walk, canter on open roads, some steep ascending 

Day 1: Cusco| Ollantaytambo – KM 104 – Chachabamba - Wiñaywayna – Intipunku - Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes.
Day 1: Cusco| Ollantaytambo – KM 104 – Chachabamba - Wiñaywayna – Intipunku - Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes.

Trekking Km 104 “Chachabamba to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate

Today our trek takes us along the most impressive stretch of the Inca Trail. We'll visit beautiful Inca sites, see a variety of flora and fauna and get to take in the fantastic panoramas of the Andes mountains. Covering 16km of the trail our journey begins in the Sacred Valley and works its way up along an original Inca Trail to the Inca site of Wiñay Wayna before continuing on to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).

As we make our way to Machu Picchu we'll pass through the lush and verdant cloud forest that covers the mountain and get to see a variety of plants, flowers and birds along the way. We may also see some larger mammals such as Viscachas (rabbit-like Chinchillas) and Spectacled Bears (if we are very lucky).
 
After a full day trekking we'll arrive to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) in the late afternoon and get our first views of Machu Picchu spread out on the mountain below. The light at this time of day is great for photos because there are few tourists so it's a perfect time to take some pictures of the site. After we've passed through the Sun Gate, we'll carry on along the trail a little way before taking a side trail that leads us to Aguas Calientes, in the valley below where we'll check in to our hotel.


Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 8.9kms/5.5mls “By Bus in 25 minutes”
Difficulty: Easy

Day 2: Machupicchu “The Sunrise Experience”
Day 2: Machupicchu “The Sunrise Experience”

Waking up early (04:00am) we’ll take one of the first buses back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as soon as it opens (06:00am) we’ll have 2-hours guided tour in the site where you'll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour, you'll have free time to explore the site by yourself and if you have permits to climb either Huayna Picchu (2 hours round trip) or Machu Picchu Mountain (3 hours round trip). 

You will also have time to indulge in a few of the following activities on your own if you choose (not included in the price)
Climb up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there.
Other optional activities in Aguas Calientes include a visit to the new local museum or bathe in the hot springs.

Back to Cusco: You will descend to Aguas Calientes by bus (included) and later board the Expedition train to the Ollantaytambo Train Station “Train departure time can vary according train schedule and availability”. In Ollantaytambo Train station you will meet our private van and be transferred to your hotel in Cusco.

*** Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains hike depends on availability; please let us know if you want to add one of these extra hikes at the time of your booking.
*** We only take ITEP Travel clients in our vans / cars – We do not use public transport.

About Machupicchu Hotels: 
Please note: Hotels may change (be different accordind your request) depending on booking time and availability; Campsite for Inca Trail 2d/1n also is possible, we just need to follow Machupicchu government conditions or on restrictions undertaken for safety reasons by the Peruvian Government.

 


Map - Day 2: Machupicchu “The Sunrise Experience”
Map - Day 2: Machupicchu “The Sunrise Experience”

End of our Services

Includes

  • Pre-departure briefing: You will meet your guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. The meeting will be at 6:00 PM, the evening before the trip begins. In case you can´t come at this time “please let us know” to coordinate another time. 
  • Touristic Transport: You will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco in the morning and will travel by private transportation to Ollantaytambo Train Station.
  • Touristic Train Expedition Service: Train leaves from Ollantaytambo Train Station until Chachabamba “Km 104” the starting point of the Short Inca Trail to Machupicchu.
  • 03 Bus Tickets to/from Machupicchu Inca City: Most of the times the wait to board the  bus to Machupicchu is from 1 hour to 1:30 min, So we prefer that you decide a day before your visit to the Inca city of Machupicchu. 
  • Experienced Short Inca Trail Tour Guide: English speaking, professionally educated, and certificated official tour guide. They all grew up in this region and have a true passion to teach others about their heritage. Your guide will explain the culture and surroundings along the entire route, including leading your group in ancient ceremonies! He or she will keep you safe and comfortable on your trek so you can enjoy your time along the Inca path and will ensure that you are safe and comfortable.
  • Tour Guide in Machupicchu Cultural Experienced: English speaking, professionally educated, and certified official tour guide.
  • Overnight in Machupicchu Village: The Hotel in Aguas Calientes is included, it offers all the needed services, hot water, private bathroom, free WIFI service and breakfast service. Each hotel is carefully choosed for having a very local experience “please check options”.
  • Entry ticket to The Short Inca Trail “Sun Gate to Machupicchu”.
  • Entry ticket to Machu Picchu Inka Site, third circuit, see the map for more details. 
  • Meals: 1 Breakfast in your hotel in Aguas Calientes, 1 lunch, 1 dinner, keep in mind the first breakfast on the first day and the last lunch on the second day in Aguas Calientes are not included.
  • Medical kit and Oxygen bottle: Our crew will bring a first-aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.
  • Train tickets back: From Aguas Calientes “Machupicchu village” to Ollantaytambo train station (departure time is confirmed the day of briefing and it´s subject to availability)
  • Transfer back to Cusco: Private touristic transport from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco (Day 2)
  • 24-hour guest service: We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for easy communication and preparation with the agency leading up to your trek.

Not Included

  • Walking Sticks: You can rent a set from our company if you would like.
  • Climb Huaynapicchu / Machu Picchu Sacred Mountain (+USD 75.00 per person)
  • Panoramic Vistadome train (+USD 50.00)
  • Day 1: Breakfast: Approx. 5 usd to 10 usd, Price can vary according your selection.
  • Meals in Machupicchu village: Lunch and Dinner in Aguas Calientes. Approx. 20 usd to 25 usd, Price can vary according your selection.
  • Personal clothing and gear
  • Travel Insurance
  • Tips for our staff: Please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish “Recommendation 6 usd to 8 usd per day per traveler for all the trek staff”- Once again it is optional and can vary according your satisfaction. 
  • Additional costs or delays out of control of the management (landscape, bad weather condition, itinerary modification due to a safety concern, illness, change of government policy, political instability/strike, etc.)

You Need

  • Original Passport
  • Day Pack   
  • Full rain gear or poncho
  • Hiking Socks Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent Bathing suit
  • Trekking pants
  • Breathable dry fit top-wear 
  • Comfortable shoes/flip-flops
  • Cold-weather jacket
  • Long-sleeve fleece/sweater Wool hat
  • Hiking boots
  • Baseball cap, sombrero and bandana
  • Photo/video cameras and chargers 
  • Binoculars
  • Refillable water bottle (hydration bags are recommended)

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