Short Inca Trail
- Cusco, km 104, Machu Picchu
Short Inca Trail
The Short Inca trail to Machu Picchu is the most amazing two day hike desing thinking on those adventurers who doesn’t have many time for a trip but want to see the incredible Inca Trail trek and its inca remains that can be only seen by this path and also for those who want to explore more incredible routes in Cusco. Despite the shorter trek time you will nonetheless experience all of the main highlights of the real  Inca Trail Peru.
Aventure
1-12
Easy
4600
Description
Itinerary
Inclusions
Before you go
Packing list
Pricing
Duration | 2 days and 1 night |
Season | From January to December except February for maintenance |
Departure | Daily |
Return | Expedition Train |
Importarnt | VERY IMPORTANT BOOK EARLY YOUR INCA TRAIL PERMITS FOR 2024-2025 Please keep in mind that Short Inca Trail permits are limited to just 250 persons per day, and this includes all the staff such as tour guides, porters, and cooks. The months April, May, and June will sell out very quickly. Last year the entire month of May sold out in a couple of hours if you are thinking to hike the Inca trail you must need to book in advance. |
Day 1: Cusco – Km 104 – Wiñayhuayna – Machu Picchu – Aguas calientes
To start our Short Inca Trail Trip,we will pick up from the hotel at 05:30 am, transfering you to Ollantaytambo train Station. You will enjoy a beauty and comfort trip until km 104 of the railway line Cusco – Machu Picchu, this is our start point of our trek, where we will be arriving at 10.00am approx.
What will I Enjoy on this day?
We will visit the archaeological complex of Chachabamba (2150 masl), located just next to the control post (please don’t forget your documents there are so important to entry in the inca road) and will initiate a long walk of the ascent of 8 km during 4h, towards the archaeological complex of Wiñay Wayna (2700 masl), that is an impressive archaeological set composed of an agricultural sector with numerous platforms, a religious sector, and an urban sector.
Also in the way, we will have the opportunity to enjoy magnificent views of the valley of the Urubamba River and the archaeological complex of Choquesuysuy, located in the left margin of the river, and the best? A beautiful waterfall located to few minutes of Wiñay Wayna. Then, we will continue towards the Inti Punku or Sun Gate, after approximately 1 hour of a long walk on the brink of madness precipices in a landscape of forest eyebrow we will see for the first time the wonder of world, sacred city of Machu Picchu!!. But wait you will enjoy everything of this majestic wonder on the next day. After the incredible entry through the Sun Gate, and see for first time Machu Picchu, we will descend in approximately 40 minutes, arriving by the superior part to the “House of the Guardians.” Then we will get the bus down to Aguas Calientes (25 minutes), where we will stay over.
Day 2: Aguas calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
On this second day, we will leave our hotel towards Machu Picchu after an exquisite breakfast at about 5:30 am. by bus. We will start ecry early because at this time the setting is less crowded and you will enjoy more the Machu Picchu Tour, so we will take an advantage of the tranquility of this sacred site; Then you will have a guided Tour of Machupicchu exploring it for about 3 hrs, know their mysteries and archaeological information that will be explained by your TOUR guide; you have approx. 6 hrs. extra free time but please it depends on train time availability. The train departs from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo in the afternoon, then 2-hour you will be transport in a tourist bus to Cusco arriving between 8- 9:00 pm. approx.
INCLUDES
- Courtesy transfer from the airport to your hotel in Cusco (Please provide us your flight information)
- Bilingual and professional tour guide
- Pre-departure Inca Trail briefing, presented by your tour guides at our downtown Cusco office
- Expedition train tickets from Ollantaytambo to the Km. 104
- Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- Two-hour guided tour upon your arrival in Machu Picchu
- Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes.
- Expedition train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Transfer from the train station to your hotel in Cusco
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (1B, 1L, 1D).
- Vegetarian food available upon request for no extra charge
- Accommodations in Aguas Calientes the first night
- Emergency oxygen bottle
- First aid equipment
- Airfare and hotel advice upon request as well as booking
NOT INCLUDE
- Breakfast on the first morning.
- Last lunch
- Tips
- Personal equipment
Don’t forget to pack:
- Original passport and (ISIC student card if applicable)
- A Daypack
- Sun block
- Sun Glasses
- Insect Repellent
- Extra money
What are the differences with the Traditional Inca Trail?
The Traditional Inca Trail lasts 4 days. It has a medium difficulty level and includes camps on the route. We visit around 6 Inca archaeological remains, and visit the citadel of Machu Picchu on the last day. Normally it is done in groups of several passengers.On the other hand, the Short Inca Trail Trek lasts just 2 days. Being a private tour, and the groups are more smaller. In addition, the difficulty of this route is much lower and does not include outdoor camps, when overnight in the town of Aguas Calientes. The archeological sites of Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna and IntiPunku are visited. Finally, we will finish in the guided tour of the Machu Picchu Citadel.But don’t forget that if you are intereste in hike Short Inca Trail with camping, you just have to notice it to us, and we will make this real.
How many days is this adventure? What is the itinerary?
The Short Inca Trail Trek has a duration of 2 days. During the first day we will travel the route from Chachabamba, Wayllabamba and Intipunku the famous Sun Gate. You will appreciate the wonder of Machu Picchu from the first day!! You will spend the night in the magical town of Aguas Calientes. And finally on the second day, you will visit the wonder of Machu Picchu with our professional guide. You will know all the secrets of the citadel and have free time to explore as you like before returning to Cusco.
When is the best time to go to the Short Inca Trail?
We recommend doing the Short Inca Trail Trek during the dry season, that means from April to November. During these months the solar brightness is appropriate for the best photographs of the Andean landscapes. Do not forget to check the availability of spaces before making your reservation. We recommend that you separate your space at least 4 months in advance because entrance tickets are limited.
Is there an age limit?
No. People of any age are suitable for this trek. So you can visit and adventure through this route with your family, or your friends without any problem. But please remember to read our section of Short Inca Trail Tips just to be prepare and avoid the altitude sickness.
When should I make my reservation for the Short Inca Trail?
We recommend you make reservations much earlier in the beginning of your tour, about 3 months in advance in the low season (November to March) and about 6 months in advance in high season (April to October), as the tickets for this Inca Road are sold out very fast, besides the regulation allows the entry of only 500 people per day including hikers (only 200 tourists maximum), tour guides, assistants, porters and support staff.Also be secure that this tour operator have the respective document that allows us to operate Inca Trail and Short Inca Trail. Tour operators must be authorized by government!!
- Trekking backpack.
- Warm clothing for the night.
- Reusable water bottle.
- Energy snacks.
- Proper hiking footwear.
- Hat or cap for sun protection.
- Camera.
Prices per Person 100% inc. Tour + Hotel
Accomodation (Category) | Price per Traveler USD$ | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aguas Calientes | Single | Double/Triple | |||
Presidente / Wiracocha / Hatun Samay (**) | 530 | 450 | |||
Inti punku /La cabaña / Santuario (***) | 590 | 470 | |||
El Mapi / Tierra Viva / Casa de Sol (****) | 690 | 540 | |||
Inkaterra / Sumaq (*****) | 890 | 740 | |||
If the option chosen is sold out, we will book another one of the same category, price, and service previous customer’s approval. |
$ 530.00 / 2 days